This was a sweet romance with a fun premise, I just wasn't keen on all of the drama of finding out about their relationship.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I’m a sucker for a hockey romance novel and this one surpassed my expectations.
Adeline had a crush on her dad’s best friend and hockey teammate, Lars. Adeline left to travel the world with her friend Rosie, hoping the time away would end her little crush. The night she arrived back, Lars had a lady hand him a baby at the team bar and take off. After tests confirmed Mabel was his child, he needed a nanny. One he felt comfortable with here in steps Adeline. What started as a professional relationship soon turned into more. All that time together under one roof was bound to have defenses fall and Lars and Adeline gave in. Working through lying to his best friend and trying to be a good dad for Mabel, Lars caught real feelings for Adeline. She reciprocated those feelings despite everything.
Adeline needed to feel needed, wanted and that is what care taking for Mabel did for her. She felt like she found her place, a place she didn’t feel much in her own family. Stepping out of her comfort zone and demanding what she wanted and going for it was a wonderful transformation to watch. We never want to disappoint our family but sometimes you have to follow your heart. Lars grew , as Aurora said, as a person by channeling his energy into loving something so deeply. Mabel and then along the way, Adeline. Both character transformations too the whole book to come full circle.

Kate Meader did it again! the Rebel family keeps growing and I love them all. Lars & Adeline are sweet, connected, and full of doubt. The way they want to protect each other, build each other up, so good. I love the cameos too. I can't wait for Hatch's story. read this...but read all the Rebels. they are everything comfort & spice for me.

being a dad. With the help of his best friend, his wife, and their daughter, he slowly learned how to be a Dad and how rewarding a child can be.

Adeline was Theo's daughter who had a teenage crush on Lars and was extremely embarrassed when he found out. After graduation, Adeline and her best friend decided to backpack across Europe and Asia for several months. During this time she tried to forget her crush and experience new things and people. After a scare, Adeline came home with her own secret trauma. The night she came home was also the night Lars found out he was a father. Sweet Adeline came to his rescue and helped him with Mabel that night along with her parents.

Faced with a decision, Lars was either going to have to take emergency leave from the team or find a last minute live in nanny who could start immediately. He knew that he could rely on Theo's family for help but didn't want to burden them. Theo had suggested Adeline, but Adeline wasn't sold on the idea until after hearing how Lars taking time off would affect her father and what could be his final season. Adeline reluctantly agreed to be a temporary nanny until a suitable one could be found to prevent the team from losing one of their best defenseman.

Over the course of the season no nanny was found and Lars and Adeline became closer, starting as friends, then fantasy partners, and then they fave in to their chemistry and began a relationship. They kept their additional benefits a secret from everyone even though a few suspected. Lars treated Adeline as an adult woman though her family still treated her like a child who needed protection from the outside world. Adeline often hide her true feelings and wants around them because if this. She felt immense guilt when something she said or did adversely affected them. Even though Kars hated keeping their relationship a secret, he knew that if it came out he would either lose her or everything he worked hard for including his best friend.

Fate stepped in and their secret was revealed and Lars' fear was right. He lost everything except Mabel and his job. His fear of opening his heart to love came true and his relationship with his teammates suffered. Adeline felt so guilty for ruining her Dad's friendship and for negatively affecting his team. She felt lost without the pair that stole her heart. She knew she was young but they were part of her family and worth fighting for.

Adeline and Lars found home in each other and trusted each other with secrets they hadn’t shared with anyone else. That kind of trust and faith in another person is rare and should be cherished. Trauma can cause a person to only rely on themselves so truly trusting someone else with precious cargo or emotional baggage can be extremely difficult. Starting with a foundation of friendship and mutual respect is key and they build a strong foundation. Sure like every relationship there will be hurdles but these two have faced worse. I loved watching Lars and Adeline's story unfold. It had the laughter, the tears, the drama, the fights, and all the feels along with the spice.

Thank you to Kate Meader and Netgallery for the ARC and the opportunity to review this amazing book.

For all the girls who've crushed on hot guys, more specifically hot older guys, and even more specifically hot older hockey guys - this one's for you! Of course you always want what you can't have, but what if you could have it? I'm a sucker for a hockey romance and this did not disappoint! Kate wrote a great FMC transforming from a timid girl to a strong woman while also showing its never too late for a man to work on becoming a better version of himself. What a perfect pair. The storyline kept my attention all the way through as I kept rooting for their HEA.

My rating system:
5=will read again
4=recommend to everyone
3=recommend to anyone liking that particular writing style/trope
2=do not recommend
1=DNF

Oh my! Lars may just be my new favorite book boyfriend! I'm such a fan of the Chicago Rebels series and this continues as the next generation of Rebels. Adeline, (Super Glutes daughter) is front and center in this one! I loved this book. As always Kate had a way that you just don't want to put it down. Lar's is sexy and sweet and you see a whole new side of him from what you know about him. I love the beginning of new series, you get to meet new characters, and your mind starts to wonder about each of them. I really loved every part of this first book in the next generation of Chicago Rebels. If the first one is any indication, buckle up it's going to be a fun ride!!

I'm a big fan of hockey romance and have enjoyed other books by this author in the past. I'm not always a fan of age gap relationships, but this one wasn't too big of a gap and their personalities seemed to fit well. While this book has some characters from other books by this author, the story stands alone. I did enjoy the book a little more though as it felt a little like visiting old friends. The story was a quick pace and the characters were likable. I found this to be a fun read that was a perfect escape. I look forward to more from the author with this team. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I've met this author at an Aussie signing and purchased some books but this is the first time I've actually read her. How silly of me to have missed out, I'm a fan now.
This book was a fun read with wonderful characters.
Lars is a hockey player with a low self worth thanks to a loser father. Now he finds himself a single dad, in love with a taboo woman being the daughter of his friend. Now it's complicated and messy.
I couldn't put this book down and loved every moment.

I just loved how much imagination Ms. Meader brought to this story. Some of the events are certainly fictional things I've read before, but somehow they seem new and different in this novel. It starts with the creative names: not just the main characters Lars and Adeline, but other characters too. As a group they felt real-life random to me, and the occasional Finnish endearment was just the icing on the name list cake. The scene of the arrival of Lars' surprise baby was just perfect. And the mayhem goes on from there, with Adeline stepping in to help with infant Mabel (another great name!) and thus spending all kinds of time in Lars' orbit. I appreciated the back and forth communication and decision making that was a main feature of the whole story - ideas get brainstormed, discussed, and decisions made just like real life. Ms. Meader had my attention right on the spot, as if I was listening and seeing it all happen. I am really looking forward to reading the rest of this series as it is published.

I was given an ARC and volunteered to write a review.

I overall enjoyed this book! I LUV a good age gap/nanny trope. I loved the fmc's sass and that she was able to put Lars in his place. I think if you're a fan of Lauren Blakely then this could be a great read for you!

Loved revisiting Theo Kershaw and his family now that they’re all grown up. Sweet Thing is Adeline’s story and how her years long crush on her dad’s teammate comes to a head as she helps Lars navigate his life as an unexpected father. I enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Age gap hockey romance!
I have to be honest, I was sceptical about this age gap romance. That being said, this was exceptionally written. You can feel the stress Lars feels when he gets his surprise that only adds to his baggage he already carries. Thankfully he has a found family who rallies and supports him including Adeline. Adeline has her own fears that she refuses to share with her family. They do get their HEA! I don't want to give away the story. It was an excellent read and I would recommend it.

This is book one of the Chicago Players. This is a nanny, single dad, age gap, hockey romance. This story is well written and will draw you into the characters emotions. You feel all their angst and love. This review is based on an early review copy I was sent by the publisher, but this didn't affect the content of my review that I am voluntarily providing.

Thank you Kate Meader and NetGally for the arc of Sweet Thing!

Sweet Thing is a surprise single dad/nanny hockey romance with an age gap. This is the first book in the Chicago Players series!

Lars gets the surprise of his life when a woman (he kinda recognizes) dumps a baby on his lap and leaves him to take care of his baby girl. He learns he is actually the biological dad and makes the decision to set up and be a father. The only issue is that he doesn’t know anything about babies or how to take care of a baby. Enters: Adeline. Adeline is the daughter of Lars’s teammate and closest friend, Theo Kershaw, and she also had a crush on Lars. When Lars is in need of help taking care of baby Mabel, The Kershaw’s step up, and Adeline becomes Mabel’s full time nanny, until they can find a professional one.

I enjoyed the development of Lars and Adeline’s relationship. I loved how easily they connected and how their chemistry was both calming and tension filled. It was fun how they truly tried to avoid their attraction to each other, but couldn’t resist each other! Some scenes had me giggling and kicking my feet- so sweet and thrilling!

“Maybe there’s room for another bright star in the night sky.”

I also enjoyed how both Lars and Adeline developed as characters. Lars was struggling with not becoming his dad, and grew so much with learning how to take care of Mabel and connecting with her. He also learned a lot and grew a lot with Adeline as a role model. Adeline grew the most. She found her voice and realized her worth, as part of her family and also as a woman. I really enjoyed her development!

What I didn’t really enjoyed that much was the third act break up. I generally don’t like those in any books, so that’s just my preference. I also didn’t like Adeline’s parents when they eventually learn about Lars and Adeline’s romance. I just felt like they dealt with that information wrongly and made unnecessary assumptions and made a split between Adeline and Lars.

I also had issues with some confusion regarding Lars. It’s made clear that Lars is Finnish, but it’s also made references or indications, that he has Scandinavian heritage. I understood it as saying Lars Nyqvist is Finnish and therefore a Scandinavian. Which is wrong. Finland is not part of Scandinavia, but is part of what’s considered the Nordic countries. Scandinavia is in regard to the three countries Norway, Sweden and Denmark. I hope this is further looked at before publication.

” “I love our chats,” he said, before dropping a light kiss on my lips. “I love our time together.” My eyes stung, and I tried my best to hold it together. “So do I.” “

Overall, this was a sweet romance with a hint of spice. Would recommend this to readers who enjoy sweet hockey romances, age gap (13 years) and enjoy the single dad/nanny trope!

Oh wow! This is my first read of Kate’s books and where on earth have they been hiding?! I absolutely LOVED Adeline and Lars! Adeline’s spunky, take back her power attitude and Lars’ protective, sexy and dirty mouth made this one a complete page turner! Throw in a very overprotective father of Adeline and hilarious siblings, and this one is a winner! I can’t wait to go back and read the rest of the Rebels books and am sooo looking forward to the next one to figure out Hatch and what is happening there!! Great read!

Chicago Players is the new spin-off hockey romance series from Kate Meader, and if you're familiar with the author's Rookie Rebels series, then Theo Kershaw should be no stranger, what with him finding his own happy ending in Instacrush, the second book in the aforementioned older series. Now the veteran on the Chicago Rebels hockey team, Theo is the oldest active player in the league. This spin-off features his adult children, as well as a new batch of Rebels. Having said that, it isn't wholly necessary to read Instacrush or any other previously released book in the Chicago Rebels universe prior to reading this one.

Lars Nyquist, a thirty-five-year-old defenseman for the Chicago Rebels, loves playing hockey. He gets along with almost everyone on the team, and there's no denying the chemistry he has with future hall of famer Theo Kershaw. Having a baby dumped on him by a married woman he spent time with in the past throws him for a loop. The Kershaws offer him support, but it's his teammate's oldest daughter--and second oldest child--who proves to be a life saver. Twenty-three-year-old Adeline Kershaw has returned after a year spent traveling, just in time to not only witness the guy she's been crushing on for years to learn he's a father, but to offer up some much needed help caring for his daughter, Mabel. As long as she remembers to keep her heart out of it. Easier said than done when Addy is falling for Lars all over again.

When I heard that Kate Meader had a new hockey series featuring Theo's family and the Chicago Rebels, I was thrilled. I loved her Chicago Rebels series, and her Rookie Rebels series was addictive. So naturally, I was looking forward to reading the Chicago Players series starter, and my expectations were lofty. However, I found myself at a bit of a loss while reading. I just didn't feel the chemistry between Lars and Addy. It didn't have anything to do with the age gap nor was I turned off by Theo being one of Lars's closest friends. The twosome didn't fully click with me, making it hard to be more emotionally invested in them. The writing also wasn't as on-point as it usually is with Meader. I'm giving Sweet Thing three stars.

“Your dad’s teammate. Your massive crush. His surprise baby. What could possibly go wrong?” 🍼🏒💘

Read if you like:
✨ single dad hockey players
✨ nanny + forbidden crush
✨ age gap romance
✨ sports romance spin-offs
✨ found family + soft dads
✨ a little chaos, a lot of heart

📚 Sweet Thing kicks off Kate Meader’s Chicago Players series with a swoony, sweet slow burn between a freshly minted single dad and the one woman he should definitely not fall for—his teammate’s daughter. When Adeline returns from a year abroad and steps in as nanny for Lars’s surprise baby, she’s expecting professionalism… not nightly sparks and full-on heart eyes over diaper duty.

👨‍👧 Lars is newly thrust into fatherhood and completely out of his depth. Big, broody, and adorably clueless about babies, he’s also harboring some very un-dad-like thoughts about the woman helping him keep it all together. Adeline is funny, warm, and fiercely capable—but she’s also battling a long-standing crush on the man with the thickest thighs in hockey and her dad’s best friend. Yikes.

💞 Their dynamic is built on trust, slow-burn tension, and quiet moments that melt into more. While the premise might feel familiar, the charm is in the execution—the pining, the age-gap tension, and the stolen glances make this feel fresh and emotionally satisfying. And once they give in? Totally worth the wait.

👧 Adorable baby content? Check. Nostalgic cameos from beloved Chicago Rebels characters? Double check. Seeing OG couples all grown up and parenting adds depth without stealing the spotlight, and the world-building hints at more heart-melting stories to come.

✍️ Kate Meader delivers comfort, chemistry, and a strong heroine with a soft heart. This isn’t a high-drama ride—it’s low-angst, high-feels, and perfect for fans of sports romance who want a mix of emotional warmth and flirty fun.

🌟 Sweet Thing is a feel-good, forbidden(ish) romance that leans into found family, soft masculinity, and long-time crushes finally realized. If you love hockey heroes learning how to swaddle and strong women who’ve had enough of pretending they don’t feel something, this one’s for you.

#BookReview #SweetThing #KateMeader #ChicagoPlayers #HockeyRomance #SingleDadRomance #AgeGapLove #NannyRomance #SportsRomCom #RomanceBooks #SlowBurnRomance #FoundFamilyFeels #RomComWithHeart #BookstagramRomance #HockeyRomanceSeries

Lars Nyquist’s life just got flipped upside down when a one-night stand leaves him holding a baby, and zero clue how to be a dad. Enter Adeline, teammate’s daughter and expert nanny, who’s got a job to do and a secret crush on the gruff Chicago Rebels defenseman. Ten years younger and totally off-limits, Adeline’s best plan is to disappear on a world trip, until she returns to find herself caring for Lars’s surprise daughter and falling for the man who’s more than just a hockey hero. With steamy chemistry, age-gap tension, and a little girl stealing the show, a heartwarming, addictive romance about unexpected family and second chances.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️

Found family, Single NHL daddy x Nanny, schoolgirl crush to lovers, Sweet Thing has all of my favorites. Sweet Thing is first book in the new hockey series, The Chicago Players and is the second gen from the Rookie Rebel series.

The night before she leaves for a yearlong trip around the world Lars overhears his teammate’s daughter, Adeline, saying she thinks he’s the sexiest man. Everyone believes that it’s just a schoolgirl crush and she will grow out of it while she’s on her adventure around the world. However, in the night Adeline returns from her post-grad trip around the world, she is in the bar when Lars gets the surprise of a lifetime, he’s a daddy. Lars needs.a live-in nanny ASAP during the NHL season and Adeline is still trying to figure out what to become now that she’s graduated.

While living together Lars and Adeline start to realize that this may be more than a schoolgirl crush. Lars is afraid to tell his teammate that he’s fallen for his daughter. If his teammate finds out Lars risks losing the only family he’s ever known and it could destroy the familial relationships he’s built with his teammates and their families.

The banter is quick witted and keeps the story moving fast. I loved the chemistry between Lars & Adeline, and also the strong connection between Lars and his team and Adeline and her family. This steamy romance wove sweet and vulnerable moments between the steamy and spicy scenes. I can’t wait to read the next books in The Chicago Players series

What I Loved
🏒 Slow burn
🏒Found family
🏒Age gap 13 years (He’s mid-30s, She’s 22)
🏒Forced proximity
🏒Playboy x teammate’s daughter
🏒Single Daddy x Nanny
🏒Trying to overcome parent’s reputation
🏒You only wear MY jersey
🏒Off limits, forbidden love
🏒 Secret dating

TWs:
- Recollection of assault of FMC
- Recovery from trauma
- Mention of cheating (not the MMC or FMC)
- Traumatic and abusive childhood memories

Thank you NetGalley and Kate Meader for the eARC for review.

The first thing that drew my attention to this book is hockey of course. It's my favorite sports romance. Add in an age-gap, an unprepared surprise single dad with a nanny and you have the perfect setup for romance.

Adeline knows exactly what she wants and always had a crush on him. Lars was surprised by the news that he was a dad from a one night stand. Lars instantly wanting to be the best dad for Mabel was so sweet. Both of them have some trauma and they help each grow from the traumas. I really enjoyed them as a couple and wish there was more but I don't know of a book I have read that I don't wish there was more. The found family was chefs kiss especially for Lars.

Definitely get the bonus epilogue when you finish because yes just do it. I can't wait for the rest of the series!