Rating: 4 out of 5.

This is the third book in the Chicago Players series but can be read as a stand alone. Franky is the daughter of a hockey legend. She’s a member of a wonderful found family amongst the various hockey players and their spouses. She’s an academic expert in snails and slugs, seen as the “quirky one”, and doubts she will find anyone to settle down with and have a family. So, she puts in the science, creates a spreadsheet, and sets about doing it alone. With the help of some sperm from one of the men on the list of perfect candidates she’s created, of course.

Jason was just traded to Chicago from Boston, finally returning home to play with his brother and nephews. Before leaving he breaks up with the woman he thought he’d have a family with. Turns out she wants to settle down and have a family. Just not with him. That’s ok. Jason doesn’t really do relationships, but he does want to be a father. Badly. So when he finds out he is on Franky’s “baby daddy” list, but crossed off, he sets about convincing her he’s the man for the job.

Since the couple both claim to not want love or a relationship, you know what’s going to happen the rest of the book. Franky and Jason both have feelings of inadequacy and abandonment from their family so they get each other in a way not many do. This makes them closer and makes them hyperaware of what they don’t want to do to their own kid. Their banter is cute, they make a great couple even though they don’t “do couple”, and find out their dislike of each other hides complicated feelings going back decades. Neither wants to admit they are developing feelings and spend the majority of the book denying them. Time again their resolves begin to melt, but something always stirs to stoke back up the mistrust. The book has plenty of heart and heat, and was a sweet, heartwarming story.

This is another great book in the series and I look forward to the next book in the series. I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from The Author Agency. All opinions are my own.