Secret or Shutout has a great storyline and relatable characters. I loved the characters and the PCOS representation. Sweet hockey romance is one of my new favorites, and this book definitely delivered all of that. Bruce and Farrah are another great D.C. Eagles couple.
It was more gritty than I normally read, however the language was hockey appropriate. It had innuendos and a fade to black scene that’s over my comfort level in reading. That’s my reasons for less than five stars.
Thanks to the author for an ARC. It was a pleasure to give my opinions and help others find their next read.

I really loved Secret or Shutout, by Leah Brunner! Hockey romance is one of my favorite sport romance genre right now and this one was really good! This book is about Farrah and Bruce who meet one night at a local bar and share an earth shattering kiss, but never share their names. The next day, they find out that Farrah's older brother is Bruce's captain on his professional NHL team. Farrah is recently divorced and way more than a little gun shy. She also thinks Bruce is too young for her, so they let their chemistry go for the next 1+ year. After Farrah has done some healing from her divorce, the slow burn to a HEA begins. .
This book has infertility at the heart of it and author did a great job with this sensitive. As someone that suffered through years of infertility and was finally gifted the best son in the world, I appreciate a book that covers the absolute heartbreak that can come with infertility and show a couple that can weather that storm.
Thanks NetGalley and Leah Brunner for an advanced copy.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a cute book. I read the previous book in the series and liked it enough that I wanted to check this one out. If you are looking for a light, sweet read, then you would probably enjoy this book. It’s definitely a plot very similar to others I have read but I liked the main characters well enough. The ARC I received really needed some more editing, though.

Bruce my man you are setting some very high expectations for my husband to live up to.

I loved everything about this book. It had me in my feels from start to finish. I have adored this series from the start and have been looking forward to Bruce’s book and it did not disappoint.

Farrah is a curvy baker who has to overcome so much to be able to trust again and Bruce was the perfect person to do that with. Throughout the book their character growth was so special to read.

Whilst parts of this book were heavy and upsetting, they showed how hard it can be for women who struggle with fertility and it was done in such a kind way. It was interwoven through some beautifully touching moments, friendship fun, and amazing banter.


• he falls first & harder
• brothers best friend/teammate
• PCOS & infertility rep
• he takes care of her (MY FAVEEEE)
• age gap
• dual POV
• hockey

I love all of Leah's books, especially this series, but this book will always have a special place in my heart. I have PCOS and both of my boys are adopted. I really appreciated the authenticity about the infertility journey and all of the emotions it entails. Of course, the plot line and characters are great too!

A sweet and heartwarming story. Farrah and Bruce are just perfect for each other. Bruce is the perfect book boyfriend. He cares so much for Farrah and you can easily see that. Farrah struggles a bit with letting Bruce in but eventually she comes around. It can’t be easy for her, struggling with PCOS. My heart goes out to her. It was sweet how Bruce was always there to take care of her. I loved that! I have read this whole series now and it does not disappoint!

This was a wonderful end to the series! I loved the chemistry between Bruce and Farrah, and it was enlightening to see her move past her divorce and work through her feelings toward her lost marriage and her infertility. Bruce was a perfect match for her in so many ways. I loved continuing to see all the other players and their wives. I am just sad this series is over!!

Bruce Freaking McBride. I didn’t think I would love anymore more than Remy, but Bruce’s book topped them all. The chemistry and banter. The French. The baking. The infertility subplot. Farrah and Bruce are my new fav Eagle couple! I love a messy, realistic storyline with a happy ending. I hope we get more Eagles books!

I would like to start off by saying this is my 1st ARC and I’m so happy to have had the opportunity! I didn’t realize this is the 4th book in the series when I applied, so I read the other books in the series before starting this one and I’m so glad I did! P.S. I devoured this in a day I was hooked!

When I saw this was about a 6’6 hockey goalie and the captains sister I was all about it! It starts out with a mind blowing kiss with a stranger at a bar… only to find out the hot stranger is your older brother’s teammate! The relationship and found family in this series is amazing! The flirtatious banter and sneaking around had me laughing and kicking my feet! Leah really does such a great job making you fall in love with these characters. You feel for the struggles Farrah goes through with her PCOS and divorce (I definitely cried) but the way Bruce loves this woman would make anyone swoon! This is a Hockey romance series but all the spice is closed door. Definitely check out the bonus chapter epilogue! If you like the vibes of Becka Mack’s Playing for Keeps series or Stephanie Archers Vancouver Storm series with the banter and found family you should definitely check this one out!

The DC Eagles are back with the last single guy of the team’s story! Bruce has watched all of his teammates meet their soulmates and fall in love and get married. He doesn’t think it’ll ever happen to him until one night at bar, he meets the most gorgeous woman he’s ever seen and they spend the night drinking together and laughing which leads to the hottest kiss he’s ever had. After leaving without each other’s names, he’s bummed he’ll never see her again until the next day when he walks into team captain, Remy’s house and she’s standing in the kitchen. He’s officially introduced to Farrah, Remy’s younger sister.

Remy made the team swear they would never try to date his sister and Bruce knows he shouldn’t, but the undeniable chemistry pulling him and Farrah together might not be able to be ignored.

My sweet friend, @leah.brunner.writes you did it again. This book was once again magic and I’m so proud of you. Bruce and Farrah are probably my favorite DC Eagles couple yet and their romance and banter was so good I read the whole book in one sitting.

You all aren’t going to want to miss this new release coming from Leah Brunner coming March 27th.

Thank you @netgalley and author Leah Brunner for the advanced copy.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for this e-arc! ✨

I’ll be honest—I had a hard time getting into this book, at first. The characters didn’t immediately click with me, and I wasn’t sure if this story was going to be for me or if I'd have to DNF. But then… they resonated a little too much. As someone new to my PCOS journey, certain aspects of the book hit unexpectedly close to home—almost to the point of being a little scary–though I do appreciate the TW the author included.

The male main character (MMC) was also a bit cheesy at times, which pulled me out of the story here and there. Some of his lines felt more like something out of a rom-com script than real life, but it grew on me as I kept reading.

That said, once I settled into the story, I found myself really liking Brunner’s approach. The romance was well done, the emotional beats hit, and overall, it was a nice, easy read.

Simple and cute story. I need to read the others before this one. Definitely had the adorable moments one expects from a hockey romance.

🌟 4.5
🌶 PG

I love a brother's best friend/teammate trope, but this was more than that!

Farrah is trying to navigate life after divorce while dealing with PCOS. She wants to fall in love and start a family, but feels like she's not worth it because she can't do what women's bodies are meant to do, which is bear children.

Bruce has already fallen for Farrah and needs to show her that he's nothing like her ex and that she's worthy of love, regardless of whether she can have kids or not.

What you get :
• Teammates goofing off
• WAGs, playoffs
• Chemistry-filled banter
• Found family
• Acceptance
• Happily ever afters
• Healthy foster care and big brother support

Trigger warning: Divorce, PCOS and health scares.

this was such a cosy and sweet read🥹

it's one of those books that can easily become a comfort read!

this story follows two softies who just want to belong (to someone) and it melts my heart!!

farrah is scared to put herself out there and get hurt again so she keeps the goalie - who's a big old softie - at a distance

bruce just wants someone to call his and fortunately for farrah he'd do about anything to prove he's in this for the long haul

i think this story had the perfect balance: farrah and bruce meet each other, but don't realise they are connected through her brother - he's bruce's hockey captain - even though they felt something, they try to keep their distance from each other

luckily bruce is determined to win farrah over and we see their relationship steadily progress to something more - this felt so natural to me which i loved! for me there was no awkward stage where they go from strangers to lovers in a split second- everything happend at the right time

the only thing that slightly bothered me were the nicknames and some abbreviations - but honestly this is definitely something personal! it didn't take away from the story, but did stay with me while reading!

3.75★ ~ arc review

thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my own honest thoughts and opinions :)

This book follows Bruce McBride, the goalie for the D.C. Eagles, and Farrah Remington, Remy's little sister, his new nanny, and one-half of Melrrah events (the other half is Mel duh). Remy, being the protective brother he is tells Bruce that Farrah is off limits. Little does he know, Farrah and Bruce already met and Bruce started falling from the moment he saw her! Farrah however just went through a nasty divorce and realizes that Bruce would totally have her in over her head and she avoids him every time he tries to talk to her or text her (which is a lot). Finally, after 2 years, Bruce is finally starting to tear down Farrah's walls. He is honest with her about his feelings and wants to make sure she feels comfortable with their dynamic. Meaning that if the feelings weren't reciprocated he would back off with no issues BECAUSE HE'S THE BEST KIND OF MAN!!!! However we all know thats not the case and their beautiful love story builds from there!! This is a closed-door romance that covers hard topics like PCOS, fertility issues, a douchebag ex-husband, and things that go along with it. I think that Leah did a fantastic job of showing one journey through PCOS and divorce. It was impactful and beautiful and it releases on March 27th! Thank you so much to Leah Brunner and NetGalley for this ARC!!

i wish you guys knew the scream i scrumpt when i saw that i got this ARC! Leah is one of 2 closed-door authors that I immediately buy from (the other is Athena Barnim!). i love her writing and the way i always feel connected to the characters in some way, even when you don't have a distinct connection to them. i have never struggled with my body in the way Farrah did but damn if i didn't understand her being afraid of the hospital, being tired of how she was spoken to by the doctor, and not feeling like she can rely on Bruce because of her ex! Leah has the ability to make such wonderful multifaceted characters and i love it. i believe Bruce is also neurodivergent if i remember correctly and hearing his issues, especially with Remy and his reaction was also so relatable. he's been such a great friend to Remy and Remy didn't treat him with that same energy. i was kinda mad at Remy and his mom for a lot of the book because Bruce has never done anything to deserve their immediate distrust in him ESPECIALLY when Farrah made the comparison to her mom saying (this is a paraphrase lmao) "well you thought my ex was marriage material so like shove it" (basically)!! Bruce was there for Farrah at literally every step of the way! Whether it was because he wanted to help her business or just be there for her and let her know he wasn't going to leave!! i LOVE LOVE LOVED this book! it was a fantastic representation of 'i can do it on my own' and 'i know you can but let me help'! i can't wait for this to release so I can officially own the whole series! i have said before that i am not a fan of blonde adult men and its true. irl i generally can't find a blonde adult man that i can get behind (there are a select few dont get me wrong) but it generally turns me away from blonde mmcs because they aren't my real life preference. HOWEVER Bruce (and some other hottie book boyfriends mentioned on my threads account: gabriellaconleyyy) is one of the BEST blonde mmcs i have ever read. the earring, the smirk, UGH!!! my list of blonde mmcs is growing rapidly this year and i'm so excited to add my brucey baby to it!!

Ah I loved this book so much. Dual PoV, brothers best friend, ice hockey, forbidden romance, secret dating, just loved it.

Farrah was such a good character, knowing her own mind and what she overcame with her ex. Bruce was the sweetest goalie, I fell in love with him through the pages.

The only reason it loses a star is because of the third act breakup as these break my little romantic heart!

Definitely going to look up the rest of this series

Oh, Bruce. That man is such a flirt, but has a tender heart too. He was just what Farrah needed. This was a beautiful story and the found family vibes are strong. I especially loved the bonus epilogue, getting to see the team 8 years in the future. It was the perfect ending to a fantastic series. My only issue with the book was the extra language used that I was not expecting (no F words but still more than I’d prefer).

A Fun, Steamy Hockey Romance You Won’t Want to Put Down!

If you love sports romances with a little drama and a lot of chemistry, this one’s for you! The story kicks off with a swoon-worthy, unexpected kiss—only for the hero to find out the next day that the girl he kissed is very off-limits. Cue the secret romance, tension, and plenty of hockey action.

The hero is a giant, lovable NHL goalie, and Farrah is strong, independent, and easy to root for. Their chemistry is fire, and watching them try (and fail) to resist each other is so much fun. Plus, the stakes are high—sneaking around during the playoffs? Trying not to ruin friendships and careers? It all makes for a super entertaining read.

If you like hot athletes, forbidden romance, and a little bit of chaos, definitely check this one out!

✨I received this book as an ARC for free in exchange for an honest review✨

Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner
Pub Date: March 27, 2025

🖤Teammate’s Brother
🖤He Falls First
🖤PCOS Rep
🖤Reverse Age Gap
🖤Forbidden Romance

Book 4 of the D.C. Eagles Hockey Series did not disappoint. I loved reading this book. It was fun, fast paced and I loved the banter between the MMC and FMC. Bruce and Farrah met at a bar and shared a passionate kiss that they both would not forget until Bruce finds out she is his teammate’s married sister. A year and a half later, divorced Farrah moves in with her brother for a fresh start and Bruce doesn't shy away from his flirtatious ways. The story does share Farrah’s struggle with PCOS and Bruce’s need to be part of a family.

This is my first book of the series and I didn't feel like I was missing a lot from the previous 4 books, however, with that being said… I will be reading the other books in the series.

Loved this one so bad. Amazing hockey romance, I need to see the rest of the series now.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC, this review is my honest opinion.