I love hockey and romance books, so this seemed like the perfect mix to me. The plot didn’t reach take off for me and I had a hard time seeing these characters together. I would certainly read books by this author again, but this one wasn’t for me.

This turned out to be such a fun surprise. I didn’t connect with the story right away, but something about it kept tugging at me… and before I knew it, I was flipping pages fast!

Val is sharp, stubborn, and refreshingly smart. Her latest academic project has her studying hockey players up close-trying to figure out if guys like them still run more on instinct than intention when it comes to relationships. She’s supposed to stay objective, but Brock makes that tricky. He’s intense and confident, but also thoughtful in ways that catch her off guard.

Their chemistry builds beautifully, and the emotional pull between them goes deeper than either of them expects. Val’s presence around the team isn’t completely random-there’s a quiet connection a few people are aware of. What started as a maybe turned into a book I thoroughly enjoyed.

I personally couldn’t get into the writing style and was confused the entire time. I feel like there was a lot left out and I personally feel as if there could’ve been more growth or development in the characters or something to tie it all together.

Thank you for the ARC for my honest opinion!

DNF @ 37%

Thank you to NetGalley, to Ava Miles and Lori at @GetRedPR for the opportunity to read this book. I am so upset I didn't get to enjoy it as the rest of my peers did.

The story follows Val and Darla, PhDs, who are studying the similarities between cavemen and hockey players. Val gets acquainted with the Hockey Captain, Brock, a man that is immediately drawn to Val, despite Val not too interested in him.

What I couldn't like about the book was the writing style. Third POV is hard as it is, but Val's internal monologues can be pretty difficult to follow. There were times while reading that I was confused on who was talking. Additionally, I didn't like the extreme "I hate men" energy the two gave off, like listen, I also hate men but it was hard to get behind in this book. Especially when the MMC is just a sweetheart taking care of his niece and nephew.

I'm not sure if I should add this as well, but the term "light black" was weird. I think the line was "the light made her light black skin glow" or something. I think it is more acceptable to say brown, maybe? Maybe even, caramel skin? Maybe I'm just nitpicking...

i like how this book wasnt run of the mill. yes it had the tropes we love to love. but it had more realness to it. because the characters could not just be messy and flawed but also a little confused or confusing. their feelings were actually complex. it felt awkward at times but that again felt like a more relatable feeling in context.
and the lady wasnt just a "oh shes never been seen but why not because look at her" swoon. and the bloke wasnt just a "hes sooooo handsome but has a heart" ick. i hope there are better woman and that out there thankyou very much.
Vals project was quirky in itself. shes dived into hockey with an experiment in the name of science? of course this is her job. alls good and professional right. haha Brock might have something to say or do about that Val.
there banter and interactions are great. they are fun and whip smart.
Val and Brock are two gorgeous characters. and yes i fell for them both.
this book was full of emotions but also full of swooning and those big grin moments too.
smart and swoony. loved it.

The Hockey Experiment is the perfect summer read—ideal for days when you want to escape into a story of friendship, love, and connection.

Brock “The Rock” Thomson and Dr. Valentina “Val” Hargrove are an unforgettable pair. He’s cinnamon roll meets golden retriever—uncle, boyfriend, and team captain all rolled into one. She’s the quiet, shy academic with a competitive figure skater’s fire but hidden deep under cover of big glasses and baggy shirts.

But what truly sets them apart is their deep love for family and their devotion to Bricks' new niece and nephew. Their connection is instant and undeniable, and their chemistry? Sharp, thrilling—like a slide skid stop right at the buzzer.

I was having a really fun time reading this at first. The science and analytical aspect was fun but then it just kept going. It just felt overdone to me. I also think it was a bit too insta lovey. I needed some more tension…
I really wanted to love this book (I’m a hockey romance Stan) but there were just too many aspects that I didn’t like and that drew me out of the story 😕

Thankyou for sending me an ARC of The Hockey Experiment. Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me and I did DNF at 65%

I really liked the idea behind the story but I didn’t enjoy the way it was written. The switching between 3rd person and conscious stream of thought was jarring at times.
I didn’t enjoy Val as a character. She was very clinical and had an odd, cold way of speaking that I just couldn’t connect with.
I did really enjoy Brock and his family and Darla but won’t be continuing with this series

I would recommend it for people that are really interested in sciences esp human behaviour

I did like the banter between Val and Brock. Brock is the hot hockey captain, who is trying to get the team to play together and win the cup. Brock also has his sister and nephew and niece living with him.
Brock is attracted to Val and she knows her job is to find how she and co worker Darla can figure out maleness and science of man.
Lots of fun banter but I felt the book dragged on too long.
Darla and Val were a great help to Brocks niece Kingsley and supportive of her.
Brock is a great uncle and takes time to spend with his family.

This book was so much fun. I loved the strength of female friendships and found family portrayed in the story. The way these were there for each other and other women was perfect. The caveman to hockey player study was a fun element that gave the nerdy girl/athlete romance a fun twist that I haven’t seen before. The story was engaging and the romance was so good.
I hope we get to see books for Darla and Susan too!

I am really enjoying this book, but I am 18% through and needed to stop in and submit to is note in my review before I forget it. I’ll return when I’m downward with the book to add the rest of my thoughts.

You don’t really call someone’s skin color “light black” that made me do a double take…she’s black. You can say that then follow up with descriptions of the color of her skin. Or says light brown. Or don’t say she’s black and just describe the color of her skin “golden brown, caramel, etc” whatever describes the color of the person you are writing.

Light black is gray.

I already knew this character was black. Her name is Darla and her mom was a singer in the industry know for a voice that travels in jazz. She’s definitely black.

I really implore you to update this, and any similar description that may exist in the novel as is.

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Will be back in a few to add my full review!

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Update: I finished the book! It’s so funny and adorable. I enjoyed the cast of characters and I look forward to Darla’s story

Thank you to @GetRedPR and @AvaMiles and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Hockey Experiment is smart, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt — the kind of book that sneaks up on you in the best way.

Valentina, our FMC's research project is absolutely unhinged in the funniest of ways. She dives into the world of pro hockey for science, determined to stay objective. Enter Brock: the ridiculously charming, incredibly attractive hockey player who makes “staying professional” a total lost cause. Their chemistry is instant, and the banter is sharp, witty, and laugh-out-loud funny. I had a permanent grin on my face.

Val’s internal struggle — wanting to keep things strictly academic while dealing with very real, very inconvenient feelings — felt incredibly relatable. And Brock surprised me. He’s not just the classic sports romance heartthrob (though he definitely checks that box); he’s thoughtful, grounded, and knows exactly how to throw Val off her game in the best possible way.

The romance builds in such a satisfying, slow-burn way. It’s fun and flirty, but also layered with real emotional stakes that give it depth. And the sports drama? Just enough to raise the tension without taking over the story. Everything blended together so well — the humor, the heart, the heat.

By the end, I was fully invested and honestly didn’t want it to end. If you’re into laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with strong, smart heroines, swoony heroes, and just the right dose of sports, this one’s a total win.

On Sale June 9!
4.25

#TheHockeyExperiment, #AvaMiles, #GetRedPR, #HockeyRomance #NetGalley

The Hockey Experiment by Ava Miles took several chapters for me to fall into the book, but once I did, I was hooked.

When anthropologist Val Hargrove and her partner decide to work for Val's father after he newly acquires a hockey team to analyze them, she absolutely does NOT expect to become interested in NHL player Brock "The Rock" Thomson. He's the epitome of what she thinks is a caveman and she doesn't want anything to do with him or any man.

However, Brock's intelligent, savvy and not just another huge man on skates acting brutish.

As she gets to know him, she has to decide if she can reconcile her feelings and keep her integrity as far as working on her study and for her father.

Honestly, the first few chapters were hard to get through, but I'm glad I hung in there because I really enjoyed watching Val get over herself and her own biases to see Brock for the actual man he was and fall for him.

It was actually a good book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

ew review! Received The Hockey Experiment by Ava Miles from @netgalley and it was an automatic read since I LOVE @avamiles and everything she writes. This book was 4.5 ⭐️ and 1.5 🌶️. It starts with Darla and Val, 2 scientists who study human behaviors, coming to Minneapolis to help Val’s father’s hockey team. They both go incognito to observe the team. Enter Brock the Rock, our MMC - and sparks fly and drama ensues. Tropes are forced proximity, workplace romance, bosses daughter. And this was just a fun read! It’s quick paced with lots of fun banter. I have to say - Val being called My Sexy Librarian was pretty hot! Make sure to add to your TBR list for June!!

I really liked the concept of this book. The comparisons of cavemen to hockey players sounded interesting and jumped at the chance to see what it was about.

The story revolves around 2 women, Val and Darla, awith a PhD in cultural anthropology who have been hired by Val's father to analyse his hockey team who have been having some issues. Their research involves comparing the modern day hockey player to the caveman, especially their similarities. Val, a very blunt, the the point and generally closed off woman, has instant attraction to the team captain, Brock and they hit it off, eventually falling in love.

I wasn't overly sure on the writing style. It's very much 3rd person but there are moments of consciousness throughout the book which threw me off a little.

I wasn't overly keen on Val. Her achedemic way of approaching every situation, although understandable, was beginning to annoy me. Could she not kiss Brock without having to catalogue her feelings and reactions. Her relationship with Darla is something I would have like explained a bit more. We know they met in boarding school and they've travelled the world together but I would have liked to know how they both ended up becoming friends. Once she started being more comfortable around Brock, I began to relate to her more.

Brock is the typical hockey guy that I love. Focussed, strong and determined on the ice and for his team and is entirely focussed on winning the Stanley Cup, He's an all round nice guy, caring for his friends and family off the ice. I actually like the way he was drawn to Val even though he knew she was hiding way more than she was willing to share.

Their romance blossomed extremely quickly and normally I'm not for insta-love but it actually felt right with these two. Val is experienced in the love part of a relationship, her previous encounters being transactional more than anything else. Brock hasn't dated since his short marriage ended in divorce years ago. They clearly both found their person in each other which was lovely. The 3rd act breakup was very short lived which I was so glad of.

I'd have love to have seen if the team move past their issues and the embarrassment to win the Stanley Cup but that's the sports fan in me talking.

Overall a good story, and a little different from the usual hockey romances.

Thanks to Ava Miles and Netgallery for this arc in return for my honest opinions.

The Hockey Experiment
Ava Miles
Pub: 2/13/24
4☆

This was a fun read with a unique premise that keeps you entertained throughout. I enjoyed the romance, the witty humor, and the heartfelt moments. The experiment aspects were such a fun addition to this hockey romance. Brock and Val were both so likable you just couldn’t help but root for their HEA.

What I enjoyed:
🏒 Lol Humor
🏒 Hockey Romance
🏒 Coach’s Daughter
🏒 Workplace
🏒 Forced Proximity

My first read by Ava Miles and I look forward to more.

Thank you so much to Ava Miles and Get Red PR for the cute gifted copy. This was such fun book mail to receive

With hockey players often being compared to cavemen, I loved the concept of this book. I was really excited for a lighthearted athlete x scientist romance, but unfortunately it didn’t land for me.

The third-person writing style alongside Val’s overly prim and clinical personality made it had to connect with her as a character. I admire her focus on her research, but even outside of a work environment, she talks to everyone like she’s an academic journal. Her friendship with Darla felt underdeveloped, I feel like their personalities were complete opposite ends of the spectrum and I couldn’t figure out their dynamic.

That being said, Brock and his family were the highlight of this book. Aside from the overuse of the word ‘sexy’ and calling Val a ‘sexy librarian’, his chapters were the easier of the two to read for me. He’s in his final season of the NHL, knowing he’s planning to retire and he’s just taken in his sister, niece and nephew. His niece is struggling with her identity and feeling invisible after her dad left, and I loved watching her blossom throughout the book. Their warmth, charm and love was really the highlight of the story for me.

I love a hockey romance, and this is a cute book, I just struggled to stay invested.

Dr, Hargrove is there to study similarities between hockey players and cavemen not to fall in love. But then along comes the captain of the team "The Rock". What ensues is a lot of heat and romance. Can she look past her preconceived notions about the caveman aesthetic? Will he get over the fact that she is the coaches daughter? Such a good read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC!

This book could be summed up as follows: two women with PhDs in cultural anthropology have spent their lives studying men and their habits. Recruited to study the differences and similarities between cavemen and hockey players, the stoic of the two falls in love with a genuine, nice guy who is our captain. (SO MANY DETAILS LEFT OUT)

I’m not sure if I liked this, hated this, or just feel indifferent to this book… it reads almost in third person but also in a stream of consciousness? It’s quite hard to get into and the questions posed at the beginning of each chapter feel bland.

Val and Darla (FMC and best friend) are somewhat likable characters but Val has the most peculiar way of speaking and processing her own thoughts. She’s written to be a very blunt cultural professor who’s spent most of her time in the field with indigenous peoples. Their friendship is sweet but many times I was confused about their individual pasts and how they did become friends (someone has a famous mom and the other comes from famous non-parents?). Our MMC, Brock (hate the name) is your quintessential nice guy off the ice and golden boy on ice. He’s drawn to Val, although I have no idea why other than the forces that be.

Honestly, I spent at least half of this book confused but just hoping it would all work out (it does). Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC! It’s either 2.5 or 3 stars…

I absolutely adored this book! I found myself completely hooked by Valentina’s hilarious and unconventional research project, and I loved how her dynamic with Brock kept me grinning the entire time. I appreciated the witty banter, the playful tension, and the way their chemistry leaped off the page. I connected with Val’s internal struggle—her determination to keep things professional while battling feelings she didn’t expect. I found Brock to be the perfect mix of swoon-worthy and genuine, and I enjoyed seeing him challenge Val’s preconceived notions in the best way possible. I loved how the romance unfolded in a way that felt both fun and deeply satisfying. I finished the book feeling entertained, invested, and wishing I could read it all over again. The humor, the romance, and the touch of sports drama all blended seamlessly, making this a standout read.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a charming, laugh-out-loud love story with the perfect dose of heart.