Hockey Boy by Brittanée Nicole is a contemporary hockey romance with good neurodiversity rep (3.75/5 stars)

Hockey Boy by Brittanée Nicole is a contemporary hockey romance with good neurodiversity rep.

In general, I had a good time reading this book. I especially appreciated the curvy and neurodiversity rep (depression and anxiety) throughout. I could definitely feel the chemistry between our lead characters, they had fun banter, and I really rooted for them. I truly loved the found (and biological) family explored in this book.

I definitely had some suspension of disbelief over the hero’s ex, since she was a huge caricature. I did not have any background about these characters because I haven’t read the other series that are interconnected with this one. Yes, this is labeled the first book in a series, but there are other series that explore the side characters in this book.

This was way longer than it needed to be. There is some padding in the page numbers due to the vast number of text threads interspersed throughout the book–a bit of mixed media that I enjoy in contemporary romances. But it’s just shy of 500 pages and that’s pretty hefty for a romance.

Tropes in this book include: second chance, childhood sweethearts, fake dating, sports romance (hockey), found family

CW: description of panic attack, infidelity (not MCs)

I received a complimentary review copy from the author and Hambright PR. All opinions contained herein are my own.

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