Thrown for a loop

Bowen (the Brooklyn Bruisers series) launches her New York Legends series with this well-executed hockey romance. Zoe Carson, an Olympic silver medalist in figure skating, desperately needs a new start to get away from her controlling mother and clingy ex-husband. After securing a part-time position as the new skating coach for the N.Y. Legends pro hockey team, Zoe is determined to win a full-time contract--even if the job means working with her first love, star player Chase Merritt. Chase's performance is down this season and seeing Zoe again after nine years apart doesn't help his game. Bowen toggles between their time as figure skating camp counselors, where a pairs routine cemented their relationship, and the present, when they must find a way to work together to improve Chase's game. Add in some light intrigue about who might be sabotaging Zoe at work and a roster of hunky hockey players who will undoubtably look for love in future installments, and the result is a crowd-pleaser. Agent: Mollie Glick, CAA. (Nov.)

In this first "New York Legends Hockey" novel, Bowen (Golden Touch) delivers a captivating second-chance sports romance. Former Olympic figure skater Zoe has escaped her domineering mother's orbit to help coach the New York Legends ice hockey team. The new job reunites Zoe with Chase, an MVP player struggling with his performance, who also happens to be the guy who broke her heart a decade ago when they were camp counselors. The narrative alternates between present day and their shared past, gradually revealing what drove Zoe and Chase apart. When a viral video exposes their history, they're forced to collaborate to win fan support, confronting unresolved feelings along the way. Their reconnection feels authentic, with realistic handling of long-standing miscommunications. Bowen also skillfully depicts the characters' growth as they navigate troubled relationships with parents--Zoe's controlling mother and Chase's abusive father. While the frequent timeline shifts sometimes feel jarring, and certain family conflicts remain somewhat unresolved, the romance develops convincingly and offers a compelling emotional payoff. VERDICT A satisfying read for fans of hockey romances with a slow burn, authentic emotional journey, and a strong woman lead.--Michelle Mistalski