Loved this one. It has all the classic tropes that I enjoy best friend’s daughter, nanny romance, and a bit of forbidden tension. Lars and Adeline were great characters with real emotional depth. Their chemistry builds slowly and naturally, and little Mabel brings so much heart to the story. What stood out to me most was how the book focused not just on romance but also on personal growth and figuring out where you belong. Lars learning to be a dad while carrying his past, and Adeline stepping into her own path, made it more meaningful. I appreciate a lot this insight. The hockey team dynamic and the found family adds a lot of warmth. I'll definetly will keep going with the series. Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review

I loved seeing all the Rebels again! I love a Great Love Story™️! But two? My heart just exploded! Adeline & Lars’ love story is utter perfection. All the Rebels stories are amazing but Sweet Thing is by far my favorite. This book should be at the very top of your must read list!

I've loved Kate Meader's previous Chicago Rebels series, so was excited to read the start of a next-generation spinoff centering around the popular Theo Kershaw's family. And this didn't disappoint - it's like a big hug and excited catch-up with someone you've not seen for ages but pick right back up where you left off...

This is a best friend/teammate's daughter/nanny forbidden romance, and while these are all familiar tropes, Meader (as always) has a fresh take on them, grounded in great characterisation. At its heart, this is a story about family - in all its forms - and about belonging, and also self-determination: stepping out of the roles or expectations (those of others, and those that are self-imposed) that have held you back. I loved the little family unit that Lars, Addie and Mabel form, and how much support Lars gets from the wider Rebels family.

It's hard to know how this would read to someone totally unfamiliar with the previous series; I suspect it's intended as a jumping-on point for new readers, and I'm sure it would work as such - it's a self-contained story. But given how complex a lot of the relationship histories are, the frequency of cameos from retired Rebels players, and the fact that Theo and Elle's "origin story" is so integral to understanding Addie's approach to relationships, I'd definitely say a read of the Rookie Rebels series (or at least Instacrush) is highly recommended. Although that's hardly a chore!

Recommended for fans of Helena Hunting and Stephanie Archer, and anyone who likes hockey romance series big on the family/team vibes.

I absolutely devoured this book.
It’s everything you want a hockey romance to be.
Hockey player lars world shifts when a fling from the past walks in and gives him a child , a daughter he didn’t know.
Lars has to navigate being a sudden dad.
Lucky for him he gets help from his team mate and best friend who just so happens to have a daughter that can help him
Adeline has just gotten back from travelling ,cutting her travelling short after an attack that left her shaken.
Adeline wants to help Lars, If only it was so easy. Adeline has been crushing on Lars for years. She agrees to help him by moving in and being his live in nanny…..
The tension is this story is delicious.
I love Adeline and Lars so much
I can’t wait for the next ones in the series!!

This is the book I didn’t know I needed. It was filled with emotion, hockey player and Nanny romance and a beautiful baby girl named Mabel. Sweet Thing is an amazing hockey romance with absolutely perfect banter! There are so many things to love about this book but the love Lars has for Mabel makes my heart melt and the love between Adeline and Lars is beautiful. It is very well written and hockey romance lovers out there are going to love it.

I've been a BIG fan of Kate Meader for a while & when I heard she was writing a new hockey Rebels romance series, you better believe I pursued reading it!
Thank you, #NetGalley, for allowing me to read Sweet Thing by Kate Meader. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book on #NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own, but please add this fantastic romance story to your TBR list.
Adeline was born into a wonderful hockey family but doesn't quite fit in being more of a wallflower than an attention seeker. As Adeline grew up & became a young woman, she needed to find her way & that direction led to her dad's Rebel teammate & new dad Lars. Lars has his own demons to process growing up with a horrible father & frequently being compared to him. Lars & Adeline's relationship has a few ups & downs throughout the story, but overall a very sweet romance. Well-written characters, some hilarious one-liners, a bit of passion for those that like spice, & a fun storyline that already has me excited for the next book in the Chicago Players series.

Lars finds out that he's a dad and relies on Adeline, daughter of his teammate and bff to help raise the baby.

Love the Chicago Rebels... Lars and Adeline are terrific together. The spice is just perfect. Love the age-gap romance.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

4.5⭐️So happy to have gotten this ARC from NetGalley thank you! This was so cute. I loved Lars and Addy. Little bit of forbidden love, age gap, sports, forced proximity and found family. If any of those are your thing this is for you. Also Mabel is the cutest surprise baby! Glad Vicki wasn’t a bigger problem . Was upset the way Addys mom originally reacted but glad they could all work it out because Lars definitely needed them in his life just as much as Addy 🩷

Sweet Thing was such a joy to read! I loved watching Lars step into fatherhood—his journey with Mabel was tender and heart-melting. The chemistry between Adeline and Lars was beautiful, but what stood out most was how they each had to learn to love and accept themselves before they could truly be together. Their growth felt genuine, and their dynamic was equal parts emotional and real.

I adored the way Lars, Adeline, and Mabel created their own little unconventional family—it was messy, real, and so rewarding.

This was my first Kate Meader book, and I’m officially a fan! I’m already counting down the days until we get Hatch and Summer’s story.

I received this ARC through netgalley. This may be my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be the last. This was a perfect single dad/nanny romance with the best microscopes i are this up.
Poor lars was out having a good old time with his team when a once night stand gives him a baby says its his and gets off I love how lars went from "im not keeping it" to "even if she's not mine I'll take care of her" within 24 hours that is how a man acts “Daddy Defenseman" stood up to the challenge, and addy went from "im not helping" to "ill take care if her" these two show that a family can be made in different ways. I know it was supposed to be, but this was a SLOW burn. The way lars called addy "sweet thing" made me melt🔥

Thanks to victory editing and NetGalley for this arc!

I absolutely gobbled this one up. I loved the dynamic between Adeline and Lars. And sweet Mabel! Watching Lars learn to be a daddy? SWOON.

I read this in only a few hours and can’t wait for the rest of the series!

When Sweet Thing starts, Adeline is getting ready to leave for a big trip with her best friend Rosie. While talking with Rosie about her crush on her dad's teammate Lars, Lars overhears the whole conversation. This leads to an awkward interaction between Lars and Adeline. Fast forward to almost a year later and Adeline is back early from her trip. She runs into Lars while out with friends and family. As Lars and Adeline start to sorta catch up, Lars former one night stands hands him a baby and says he's the father. Adeline and her family step up and help out first time father Lars. Adeline agrees to tempoary step in an nanny for Lar's daughter. Under close quarters, Lars and Adeline develop a connection. Sweet thing was quick read. I love forward to the next book in this series.