Whistleport Hockey Series by Declan Rhodes

NHL star Brooks Bennett is at the peak of his hockey career when his widower father experiences a life-threatening health crisis. As an only child, he decides to go out on top, leave hockey, and return to his lobstering hometown of Whistleport, Maine, to care for the man who inspired his hockey dreams.When he arrives in Whistleport, Brooks is stunned to find his high school sweetheart, Rory Blake, living next door... moreNHL star Brooks Bennett is at the peak of his hockey career when his widower father experiences a life-threatening health crisis. As an only child, he decides to go out on top, leave hockey, and return to his lobstering hometown of Whistleport, Maine, to care for the man who inspired his hockey dreams.When he arrives in Whistleport, Brooks is stunned to find his high school sweetheart, Rory Blake, living next door. Rory, now an English teacher and high school hockey coach, is living with his divorced mother, helping her recover from a fractured hip sustained in an overly adventurous cycling mishap.When Rory swallows his pride and asks Brooks to help save Whistleport's crumbling hockey rink where they first fell in love, old feelings resurface. The pair, once inseparable, are now nearly strangers, but their shared passion for poetry—a secret language between them—sparks a second chance. However, Brooks' uncertainty about his future and Rory's fear of being left behind again threaten their fragile romance.As they support each other through their parents’ recovery and rally the community to save Whistleport hockey, Brooks and Rory must navigate meddling parents and well-meaning small town gossipls to find out whether destiny has a new romance in store for them that could lead to an unexpected happily ever after.Hometown Hero, the 1st book in the Whistleport Hockey series, is a second chance, hurt-comfort, forced proximity romance with a colorful cast of small-town characters and hockey. less

After his first year at the University of Maine, Ziggy Knickerbocker returns to the small town of Whistleport, Maine, where he was once the hometown hockey hero. Now a literature major and aspiring poet, Ziggy is ready for a summer of reflection and a break from the pressures of college life. But when an unexpected heatwave strikes, the town's newly renovated ice arena becomes his sanctuary... moreAfter his first year at the University of Maine, Ziggy Knickerbocker returns to the small town of Whistleport, Maine, where he was once the hometown hockey hero. Now a literature major and aspiring poet, Ziggy is ready for a summer of reflection and a break from the pressures of college life. But when an unexpected heatwave strikes, the town's newly renovated ice arena becomes his sanctuary.Ziggy's plans for a quiet summer are turned upside down when he finds himself sharing the rink in his hometown arena with Kade Langston, the star forward for the University of New Hampshire—University of Maine's most bitter hockey rivals. Sparks fly, but not just the competitive kind. As they clash on the ice, the heat between them begins to build, melting away old grudges and igniting an attraction neither can deny.Hometown Heat is a 60,000 word gay small town hockey romance with enemies to lovers and coming of age / coming out themes. It is the second book in the Whistleport Hockey series, but it may be read as a standalone novel. less

Silas Brewster has made peace with solitude. Running Tidal Grounds, Whistleport’s favorite coffee shop, he’s the guy with the perfect latte art, the best small-town gossip, and the occasional poem that lingers long after open mic night. Love? He’s long since retired from that game.But love has a way of sneaking in through the back door. It arrives one crisp autumn morning in the form of single dad Jack St. Pierre and his ten-year-old hockey-obsessed son, Cody... moreSilas Brewster has made peace with solitude. Running Tidal Grounds, Whistleport’s favorite coffee shop, he’s the guy with the perfect latte art, the best small-town gossip, and the occasional poem that lingers long after open mic night. Love? He’s long since retired from that game.But love has a way of sneaking in through the back door. It arrives one crisp autumn morning in the form of single dad Jack St. Pierre and his ten-year-old hockey-obsessed son, Cody. Jack, newly divorced and looking for a fresh start, has left the chaos of New York City behind, hoping this quiet coastal town will be a safe place to rebuild. Cody’s love for hockey brought them here—Jack’s only hoping Whistleport might offer them both a chance to heal.Silas quickly becomes Cody’s favorite barista, and Jack’s unexpected confidant. With each easy conversation and stolen glance, the pull between them grows undeniable. But small towns thrive on whispers, and as rumors of their deepening connection spread, old fears resurface. Jack fought hard to build a family—can he risk putting Cody under scrutiny again? And Silas, who’s spent years protecting his heart, isn’t sure he’s strong enough to stand in the spotlight of a town that never stops watching.With the junior league hockey championship approaching and Cody hoping for both men to sit together in the stands, Jack and Silas must Is their connection strong enough to withstand small-town scrutiny?Hometown Heart, the 3rd book in the Whistleport Hockey series, is a single dad small town romance. It can be read as a standalone story but includes multiple characters that have appeared in the previous books in the series. less

Eric Callahan, Ziggy Knickerbocker's college roommate and son of the Whistleport fire chief, has always been the town's golden retriever, bright-eyed, big-hearted, and buzzing with curiosity. When a college research project sends him to Ironhook Island, twenty miles off the Maine coast, and reachable only by the Whistleport ferry, he expects lighthouses, lobster traps, and maybe a few crusty old sailors.What he doesn't expect is Wes Hunter... moreEric Callahan, Ziggy Knickerbocker's college roommate and son of the Whistleport fire chief, has always been the town's golden retriever, bright-eyed, big-hearted, and buzzing with curiosity. When a college research project sends him to Ironhook Island, twenty miles off the Maine coast, and reachable only by the Whistleport ferry, he expects lighthouses, lobster traps, and maybe a few crusty old sailors.What he doesn't expect is Wes Hunter.At thirty-five, Wes has turned solitude into an art form. Gruff, reclusive, and happy to let the world spin on without him, he's holed up in a weather-beaten cottage on the island's edge. Years ago, Wes was a rising hockey phenom with a future, until a family tragedy left him the hands of relatives who ripped the sport from his life.He didn't leave hockey. It was taken from him.Ironhook was supposed to be the one place where no one talked about ice time, slap shots, or the NHL.But Eric isn't only cheerful and curious, he's relentless. He chips away at Wes's defenses with late-night conversations, surprise visits, and a few too many accidental heart-to-hearts. And when he finds out the truth about Wes's past, he rallies the quirky, close-knit Whistleport crew to bring hockey back into Wes's life... one skate, stick, and stolen moment at a time.Wes exiled himself to Ironhook to disappear. Eric might be the reason he finally comes home.Hometown Harbor, the 4th book in the Whistleport Hockey series, is a grumpy / sunshine, age gap romance with a colorful cast of small-town characters and hockey. less