Sometimes fate sends a sign, and sometimes it sends a bloodhound with a hot hockey player holding its leash, dragging it off you.
Owen Stone is not your usual hockey player. He’s a six-foot-two single dad with dark hair, ocean eyes, and muscles for days. He’s also a last-minute trade trying to find a home for his seven-year-old daughter, his psychic sister, and his adoring bloodhound. Naturally, my hockey-star cousin tells him to move in with us. I’m a sucker for a good dog.
Gina Bradford hits me right in my weakness. She’s tall for a girl, with strawberry-blonde hair, bright green eyes, and a sweet smile. She’s also a champion dog groomer, judge, and owner of a pure-bred show poodle, who is also a notorious towel thief.
When my new teammate invites me to be their roommate until I find a home for my crew, I should’ve said no. I’ve survived the worst, and I’ve achieved my dream of playing in the NHL. My focus is on winning games and taking care of my daughter, not romance.
Until our dogs start acting like fated mates whose sole purpose is to push us together. And a charity calendar forces us to work together. And a highway accident strands us overnight in a hotel with only one room… and only one bed.
We said it was just once. We’ve both been hurt. But once is never enough. My daughter loves her, and even my psychic sister predicted the girl of my dreams would be holding a dog. It takes a little faith and a lot of courage, but what we’ve found is more than a cage. It’s a love that shows up, even when you’re not looking for it.
Cage is a hockey romance with a broody single dad, an FMC obsessed with dogs/not love, roommates-to-lovers, close proximity, “just once,” chosen family, and loads of spicy fun. No cheating, no cliffhanger, and no third-act breakup.
Gina was fine with a temporary roommate when her cousin invited his newest teammate to live with them while house-hunting, but she wasn’t prepared for Owen Stone. Owen’s questioning his decision to move his young daughter away from their extended family, but he’s worked very hard and finally has an opportunity to play in the NHL, so he has to take it. His new teammates are great and make him feel like part of the family right away, so he vows to stay away from Maverick’s cousin because he doesn’t want to mess this up.
I loved Gina and Owen’s story. They’re both damaged and sworn off of love and do their best to stay away but even their dogs were being matchmakers and eventually they gave in. They swear it’s just once, but the universe has other ideas. I adored these characters, especially Owen, and everything about their story. It’s funny and sweet with plenty of heat and a lot of heart. This is one of those rare exceptions where I’m even more obsessed with the next gen series than the original, but I am so hooked and can’t wait for more. I’d like to thank the author and The Author Agency for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
