Secret or Shutout” is the fourth book in the D.C. Eagles Hockey series, mixing romance, sports action, and some pretty real emotions. The story follows Bruce McBride, the Eagles’ goalie, and Farrah Remington, the younger sister of his best friend and teammate, Remy.

As the Eagles battle their way through the playoffs, there is a perfect mix of hockey playing and swoony moments.

It also dives into serious topics like infertility, PCOS, and adoption in a way that feels real and thoughtful. Farrah’s struggles with PCOS and the emotional rollercoaster of infertility are portrayed in a way that helps readers really understand what she’s going through.

There’s a strong “found family” vibe, where the characters have each other’s backs through both personal and professional challenges. The friendships among the WAGs are especially refreshing, showing strong and supportive female friendship.

While “Secret or Shutout” works as a standalone, reading the series in order makes it even better. You get to see how the side characters develop, and the ongoing storylines are richer when you follow the books in order.

Tropes:
Found family
Brothers teammate
Forbidden love
Secret relationship

🏒 Thank you to NetGalley and LBP LLC for the early copy!

There’s just something about a hockey romance, and Secret or Shutout delivers everything I love: sizzling chemistry, forbidden love, and high-stakes tension—both on and off the ice. If you’re a sucker for brother’s best friend drama, secret romance shenanigans, and NHL action, this book is an absolute win.

🏒 THE STORY:
One perfect, earth-shattering kiss in a dimly lit bar—that’s all it took for NHL goalie [MC Name] to know he’d found someone special. But the next morning? Reality checks in hard. That gorgeous stranger? Farrah Remington—his team captain’s off-limits little sister.

Farrah has spent years being fiercely protected by her brother and definitely knows better than to get involved with one of his teammates. But the connection between her and [MC Name] is undeniable. The tension? Off the charts. And the sneaking around? As risky as it is intoxicating.

As the D.C. Eagles push through the Stanley Cup playoffs, their secret is getting harder to hide. And when the truth finally comes out, it might just cost [MC Name] everything—his team, his best friend, and the woman he loves.

🔥 TROPES:
✔ Brother’s Best Friend – The ultimate forbidden romance drama.
✔ Secret Relationship – Sneaking around only makes it hotter.
✔ Athlete Romance – A 6’5” NHL goalie? Say less.
✔ Slow Burn (With a Lot of Tension) – The will-they-won’t-they is delicious.
✔ Dual POV – We get both perspectives, making the emotional stakes even higher.

✨ WHAT I LOVED:
🏒 Authentic Hockey Vibes – The playoff pressure, locker room dynamics, and game-day intensity all feel real.
💋 Undeniable Chemistry – Every stolen moment between [MC Name] and Farrah burns.
💖 Emotional Depth – The story tackles PCOS, infertility, and divorce with sensitivity, adding layers to Farrah’s journey.
😂 Lighthearted Banter – The mix of humor and swoon makes for a perfect balance.

💙 FINAL THOUGHTS:
Leah Brunner scores big with Secret or Shutout—a heartfelt, tension-packed romance with all the feels. If you love forbidden love, hockey romance, and brother’s best friend chaos, this book is a must-read!

Overall Rating: 4⭐️
Spice: 🔥 - Fade to black
Language: !!
Genre: Hockey Romance
Reader Age: Adult
Content Considerations: Divorce, infertility, PCOS

Bruce’s book is finally here and it did not disappoint. Full of forbidden romance, swoon-worthy kisses, and tons of baked goods, this book is just too sweet!

I will forever be obsessed with how Leah Brunner writes her main characters. They are all so unique but so so loveable. And you can’t help but get caught up in her beautiful love stories.

This book can act as a standalone; however, I highly recommend reading the others first because they are just so good! If you love hockey romance, I am definitely going to need you to read the D.C Eagles Series!

Secret or Shutout is the 4th and final book in the D.C. Eagles series by Leah Brunner. It was a fun close to the series with a pair of likable characters in this sweet hockey romance. I've read almost all the books in this series, and although you could read this book as a stand-alone, I highly recommend reading them in order to get the richest reading experience. The side characters are heavily involved in the story, and you meet all of them in the previous books in the series.

Summary: Bruce is the goalie for the D.C. Eagles hockey team and has a heated kiss with a beautiful girl one night at the bar. The next day, he finds out the girl he kissed is Farrah Remington, his teammate's younger sister who was recently divorced and off-limits. Fast forward a year and half, and Bruce is still pining for Farrah. Farrah, however, has conflicting feelings for Bruce, knowing that she likes him, but her health conditions could cause issues in future relationships. They begin to date each other secretly, avoiding both her older brother and the topic of her health condition. Is their secret relationship destined for failure or can they beat the obstacles together?

Impressions: Although I've not a big sports fan, I have enjoyed this series by Leah Brunner. She manages to bring in some heavy topics into each book without making the book feel heavy. I wouldn't call this book a rom-com, but it's also not a full-on heavy contemporary romance. It has a warm feeling, like a hug. The side characters really support each other and I enjoy the camaraderie they share. I didn't personally connect to these characters' story, but I enjoyed it and would recommend it to any fan of sweet sports romance! If you like baking, hockey, or the brother's best friend and secret relationship tropes, you'll enjoy this book!

Content Considerations: Light language, heated kisses only with implied intimacy between married couple but not described, divorce mentioned, infertility, PCOS.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the complementary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My review is my own opinion and is in no way influenced by the author or the publisher.

Before I begin, I would like to thank Leah Brunner for allowing me to read a Net Galley copy of her upcoming book, Secret or Shutout, which is the fourth book of her D.C. Eagles Hockey Romance series and will be available on Amazon on March 27th, 2025.

Bruce McBride had the best kiss of his life with a beautiful stranger one night at a dimly-lit bar and is surprised when he sees her the next day. Turns out that the stunning woman is his team captain and best friend’s little sister. Even though she’s off-limits to everyone on the D.C. Eagles hockey team, but the more time they spend together, the harder it is to resist giving into their feelings. It won’t hurt anyone if Farrah’s brother doesn’t know, especially during the Stanley Cup playoffs, right? But when the truth is revealed, his captain isn’t happy with him, Farrah doesn’t talk with him anymore, and he’s having trouble keeping pucks out of the net. Can Bruce salvage his friendship, his performance on the ice, and his budding romantic relationship with Farrah? Or will any chance to be in Farrah’s life be over?

This book was fantastic. You have Bruce McBride, a sweet, considerate, charming, and handsome young man that feels the pressure to be the best goalie he can for the playoffs and craves having a place where he belongs. You have Farrah Remington, a kind, witty, talented, and beautiful young woman who is devoted to taking care of her family and baking delicious cakes. The interactions between Bruce and Farrah were sweet, funny, and thoughtful. I loved seeing familiar faces from the previous books, and how protective the team (both the players and their families) were of the main characters. The kiddos in this book were hilarious and cute, and the cakes sounded amazing. I appreciated how Brunner handled discussions of grief, infertility, PCOS, and divorce with grace and compassion. There were many times that I wanted to give the main characters a hug, and I cheered them on as I read their story. Overall, if you like delicious cakes, awesome found family, discussions about infertility, PCOS and divorce, great banter, complex characters, and sweet forbidden love / hockey player x best friend’s sister romance with low amounts of spice, then I would highly recommend this book. Here’s the link for more information: Amazon.com: Secret or Shutout: A Hockey Romance (D.C. Eagles Hockey Book 4) eBook : Brunner, Leah: Kindle Store

I absolutely love love loved this book!! I am a total sucker for a hockey romance and this one captured my interest and drew me in hook line and sinker. I adored Farrah and Bruce and their story, especially the PCOS representation which is something I haven’t seen in a book before! Perhaps the best part for me was finding out this is part of a series so I’ve got a tonne more stories to devour about the rest of the DC Eagles - yay!! I would 10/10 recommend this book, such a fun, easy read which made me feel all gooey and touched upon some really quite intense subjects without feeling too much. Amazing!

Read as a standalone, but I will definitely read the other books of the series as well! The writing style was easy to follow and the characters were well thought through. Farrah made me want to bake and while I have never watched a single hockey game I was able to follow the storyline and appreciated the explanations. Remy and his sister are sibling goals and I look forward to reading Remy’s story. The book was adorable and such an easy read, very lovely and a definite recommendation.

Review on Goodreads posted 10/03
Review on Instagram 10/03

Pros: hockey romance, 6+ foot man, he-falls-first

We love a simp who knows how to treat a woman right.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one and the whole D.C. Eagles series! I adore a good hockey romance and this one didn’t disappoint. I love Bruce and Farrah and their journey does take you on a wave of emotions especially with the struggles Farrah faces with her PCOS. This series with the boys friendship group and later with the girls truly makes this storyline. I love the found family aspect and the way they all support each other. Highly recommend this one and the whole series.

Five stars--chefs kiss.
The perfect blend of actual hockey scenes, swoony moments, hard moments, and a woman run business.
I was so tickled to get to read D.C. Eagles Hokey, #4 (Secret or Shutout) so quickly after finishing Betrothal or Breakaway (#3.) The story picks up at a great spot compared to where the previous one ended and then backs up just enough to give us some much needed pieces of Bruce's story.

Bruce was given so much depth in this book and matured immensely that it was impossible not to root for him.

Farrah is doing an awesome job adjusting to her new life post divorce as she takes care of her niece while living in a studio apartment above her newly married brother.

I loved all the baking and her business with Mel.
I loved all the female friendships among the WAGS.
I loved the aspects of fostering and adoption.
It was all just so very enjoyable--and after reading the bonus epilogue, I'm so curious if we'll get to enjoy stories from a different NHL team in the future.

I received a complementary copy from NetGalley.

Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner was so good. I really loved this storyline and the characters are immaculate. I rated it 5 stars because I couldn't put it down for a second.

Enjoyed the story of Bruce and Farrah. The sneaking around from her brother who’s also his team “Captain” allowed more laughter and even sadness. Overall another fun read in this DC Eagles series. Thanks NetGalley for the advance copy. #SecretorShutout #NetGalley

I love hockey romances and was eagerly waiting for this book in the DC eagles series. This is book 4 in the series. This is the story of Remy's sister Farrah and Bruce.

After sharing an unforgettable kiss one night with a stranger at a bar while celebrating her divorce being finalized, Farrah is shocked to find out the next day that handsome man is none other than her brother's teammate and best friend who is off limits.

Fast forward a year later Farrah is living at her brother's and is a nanny to her niece. She also loves to bake and runs a catering business with one of the teammates wives Mel. There is no denying their attraction every time they are in the same place. She suffers from PCOS and infertility and has an emergency one night and no one to help her but Bruce. He falls hard and fast for Farrah and they secretly start seeing each other but she is very hesitant to get serious with Bruce since she can't have children and he is much younger than her.

This is such a heartwarming story. I think Leah did a great job with the PCOS and infertility representation in this book. As someone who suffered from both and had to undergo IVF treatments to conceive, this story just hit so close to home.

I loved this entire series! If you love hockey and clean no spice wholesome romance. This book is for you. It can be read as a standalone as the side characters are easy to follow but I highly recommend reading the entire series. Leah Brunner is a great storyteller and writer.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced ecopy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

tropes:
friends to lovers
Forbidden romance
secret relationship
hockey romance
steamy kissing/closed door
infertility
divorced MMC
reverse age gap

A delightful story about a fictional D.C. hockey team, the players, their wives, family, and relationships. It's a love story that gives hope. A great mix of characters with all sorts of personalities is combined with a woman dealing with divorce and infertility. She happens to be the sister of the hockey team captain, lives in an apartment over his garage and is a care provider for her niece. When the goalie of her brother's team pursues her, things get weird.
So many complications and the perfect grand gesture swirl together to a perfect ending! I loved it!!

This book is a great ending to the series. Bruce was my fave throughout the series and it was great to see his cinnamon roll self finally get his moment in love. Farrah,Bruce’s best friends’/teammates’ sister loves to bake. She’s reeling from a recent divorce as well as a medical diagnosis. she tries to fight against her attraction, but he’s just too damned lovable and persistent. Seriously, who doesn’t want a big strapping manly man that confident enough to admit he likes watching romcoms and wants a family?!

Secret or Shutout is a romance about finding trust again. Though this story is written as part of a series, I jumped in cold and had no trouble getting to know the characters and their past stories! I loved meeting Farrah and Bruce and all the other D.C. Eagles hockey players and wives as well.

This story played on the idea of forbidden love, and while that's not my favorite trope, I did enjoy this story. As Farrah learned to move past her pain and see the good in others again, she was able to release fear and experience the love being offered to her. While Bruce is a hockey player, I didn't feel like this book revolved around hockey, it more centered on the characters as people and I appreciated that!

While still closed door, this book had quite a bit of innuendo and some steamy moments that I hadn't necessarily expected.

Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner was a great feel good book. The devotion Bruce shows to Farrah, even when she's getting in her own way, is so sweet.
Farrah who recently got divorced because she couldn't get pregnant due to PCOS didn't think anyone could love her and want to be with her. But one night Bruce meets her and does everything in his power to change her mind.
The only con I have for this book is Farrah resisting Bruce got annoying after awhile, I just wanted to come through the book and shake her!
Overall, this book was a fun, light read and I'll be definitely be reading the other books in this series. Thanks, #netgalley, for allowing me to review this book!

I have loved every installment of the D.C. Eagles Hockey series by Leah Brunner but I think Secret or Shutout was by far my favourite! Following the Eagles’ goalie, Bruce McBride as he convinces whose team Captains little sister, Farrah, to give their relationship a chance after an unexpected meeting in a bar before either knew who the other was. When fate (and Bruce) continue to bring them together, Farrah must face the insecurities for her recently failed marriage and Bruce is there to help her along the way. This was such a heartwarming story, I really enjoyed being back in the D.C Eagles university and learning more about Farrah and Bruce. Overall, I highly recommend! While it can be read standalone I think it’s a richer reading experience when you have read the previous book or at least, Betrothal or Breakaway. Thank you to the author, Victory Editing and NetGalley for the ARC!

This review has been published on Goodreads and will be posted to Amazon AU on the publishing date.

✨Review of 'Secret or Shutout' with thanks to author, Leah Brunner for providing me with an e-copy to review✨

What to expect:
🏒Best friend's sister
♥️He falls first
🤫Sneaking around
🏡Found Family
💛Golden Retriever Hero
😉Nicknames
❤️‍🩹He takes care of her
🚪Closed door

📖Summary:
When NHL goalie Bruce McBride finds out that his bar hook-up is none other than his team captain's little sister, he knows he's in trouble! Sneaking around ensues and when the truth finally comes out, Bruce finds himself in the fight of his life to keep from losing his soulmate, his best friend and the playoffs.

✏️My thoughts:
Bruce McBride is the ultimate Golden Retriever. He falls first and he falls hard. If you are anything like me, your heart will completely melt as he gives his all to show Farah that she can rely on him.

Be sure to read the TWs listed by the author before you jump into this one though, as there are some heart-wrenching moments, including medical emergencies. That said, there is also plenty of fun and a lot of laughs. I particularly enjoyed the snippets from the Eagles Fan Forum that appear throughout the story.

As with the rest of the D.C. Eagles series, the found family dynamic in this book is beautiful and one of the reasons that the series has become a comfort read for me.

If you enjoy closed-door, dual POV, heart-warming hockey romance (and Kristoff in Frozen makes you feel some kinda way), I highly recommend adding 'Secret or Shutout' to your TBR! It's out on March 27th, 2025.

Farrah and Bruce were a delight to read. Bruce is such a golden retriever and I am always here for that. He never wavered in his feelings for Farrah and I liked how forthcoming he was with Remy. The friendships/found family and team mates sister tropes are always a winner.