Portsmouth Navigators Hockey Series by Kennedy Blake

She's looking for the story. He's protecting his privacy. Neither expected to find the truth in each other's arms.Sports journalist Heather Morris built her career exposing the real stories behind athlete personas. Her latest assignment—profiling notoriously private defenseman Liam "Smitty" Smith—should be straightforward. Get in, get the facts, get out.But Liam isn't giving an inch, especially when it comes to his twin children... moreShe's looking for the story. He's protecting his privacy. Neither expected to find the truth in each other's arms.Sports journalist Heather Morris built her career exposing the real stories behind athlete personas. Her latest assignment—profiling notoriously private defenseman Liam "Smitty" Smith—should be straightforward. Get in, get the facts, get out.But Liam isn't giving an inch, especially when it comes to his twin children. After a contentious divorce where the media became a weapon against him, the last person he wants in his life is a reporter known for uncovering uncomfortable truths.When bad weather forces them together, their professional antagonism ignites unexpected chemistry. As Heather discovers the thoughtful father and strategic mind behind Liam's enforcer reputation, she faces her toughest ethical dilemma the story that could advance her career might hurt the man—and children—she's growing to care about.With a custody battle looming and trade rumors swirling, Heather must decide if professional ambition trumps personal connection. And Liam must determine if the reporter who's breaking down his walls is a threat to protect against—or the partner he never saw coming.CHECKING THE FACTS is a steamy, emotional hockey romance featuring enemies-to-lovers, single dad drama, professional ethics conflicts, forced proximity, and the unexpected family they might build together. less

He's hockey's most guarded captain. She's the hospital coordinator who sees beyond his walls.Drew Phillips has perfected the art of emotional distance. As captain of the Portsmouth Navigators, his disciplined approach to hockey mirrors his approach to life—controlled, calculated, and never vulnerable. No one knows the childhood battle with cancer that shaped him, and that's exactly how he wants it... moreHe's hockey's most guarded captain. She's the hospital coordinator who sees beyond his walls.Drew Phillips has perfected the art of emotional distance. As captain of the Portsmouth Navigators, his disciplined approach to hockey mirrors his approach to life—controlled, calculated, and never vulnerable. No one knows the childhood battle with cancer that shaped him, and that's exactly how he wants it.Clara Davies radiates warmth as Portsmouth Children's Hospital's therapy coordinator, fighting for programs that heal more than just bodies. When budget cuts threaten everything she's built, partnering with the notoriously reserved hockey captain becomes her only option.Their forced collaboration reveals unexpected depths in Drew and surprising strength in Clara. As professional boundaries blur, what begins as reluctant partnership evolves into undeniable attraction.But when a patient's crisis forces Drew to confront his carefully buried past, he must decide if protecting himself is worth losing the woman who makes him want to feel everything he's spent a lifetime avoiding.Some heroes wear hockey jerseys instead of capes, and sometimes the bravest battles are fought off the ice. less

He's hockey's golden rookie. She's Portsmouth's culinary queen. Their secret arrangement was perfect until it became explicitly forbidden.One impulsive championship kiss was all it took to ignite a fire between rookie sensation Tyler Ramirez and chef Gia Rossi. Their chemistry is undeniable, their ambitions aligned—both focused on proving themselves in their respective fields with no time for serious relationships... moreHe's hockey's golden rookie. She's Portsmouth's culinary queen. Their secret arrangement was perfect until it became explicitly forbidden.One impulsive championship kiss was all it took to ignite a fire between rookie sensation Tyler Ramirez and chef Gia Rossi. Their chemistry is undeniable, their ambitions aligned—both focused on proving themselves in their respective fields with no time for serious relationships.Their solution? A secret, no-strings-attached arrangement that lets them explore their connection without entangling their professional lives. It's the perfect recipe... until the Navigators name Rossi's the team's official caterer, with a morality clause that explicitly forbids romantic relationships between contractors and team personnel.Suddenly, every stolen moment comes with career-ending consequences. Every shared secret risks exposure. As Tyler faces mounting pressure to be the franchise's squeaky-clean future, and Gia receives an offer to star in a cooking competition that could take her to Boston permanently, what began as casual has become anything but.With Tyler's contract negotiations hanging in the balance and Gia's expansion dreams finally within reach, they're forced to confront the truth they've been simmering on low this isn't just physical anymore, and some ingredients are worth finding ways to blend, no matter how different they seem.CATERING FOR VICTORY delivers all the delicious tension of a forbidden workplace romance with the sizzle of secret relationship and friends-with-benefits tropes, perfect for readers who love their romance steamy, emotional, and served with a side of professional ambition. less