The Hockey Experiment

by Ava Miles

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Pub Date 9 Jun 2025 | Archive Date 15 Sep 2025

Ava Miles Inc.

Romance | Women's Fiction

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Description

She’s been a #1 International Bestselling Author around the world with millions sold, and now Ava Miles delivers one of the wackiest rom-coms of all-time to binge, with laugh-your-heart-out moments you won’t forget.

“Think of The Hockey Experiment as if Olive from The Love Hypothesis met Nate from Icebreaker.”—BookTrib

Date a hockey player?? Why the heck would she want to do that?

But study him? Sign her up for that experiment!

Except when Dr. Valentina Hargrove meets the captain of the Alexandria Eagles, Brock “The Rock” Thomson, she isn’t sure her original hypothesis that hockey players are Stone Age throwbacks stands up.

Stock options and impressive IQs weren’t on her checklist. Brock may have the requisite scary scar, but it’s on a sexy, after-shave scented, rock-hard jaw—and he chews his food with his mouth closed.

Only she can’t date him—her proposal guidelines are strict. She is to study hockey players to determine whether they are modern cavemen. Hockey stick/club—same, same. Even their dental issues make the similarities seem academic.

Except Brock’s manly come, now, mine routine seems to answer the one question plaguing women since the beginning of time: what is it about men that women find so irresistible? His desire to make her his isn't just about him making fire to impress her and finding them a nice fur-lined cave with a picket fence for their happily ever after.

He's more than a guy with a wooden stick, putting Val's whole study in jeopardy and the team's path to victory when they discover she's also the daughter of the Eagles' new owner...

A Note From the Publisher

The Hockey Experiment TROPES:
-Sports Romance - Hockey
-Coach's Daughter
-Researcher/Anthropologist FMC
-Hockey Player MMC
-Forced Proximity
-She is mysterious
-Workplace Romance

The Hockey Experiment TROPES:
-Sports Romance - Hockey
-Coach's Daughter
-Researcher/Anthropologist FMC
-Hockey Player MMC
-Forced Proximity
-She is mysterious
-Workplace Romance

Advance Praise

"Miles hits all the necessary romance beats...the way in which Brock's steady affection slowly dismantles Val's emotional defenses is gratifying." ~ Kirkus Reviews

"Once again, the Queen of wonderful romance delivers!!! The humor is lively and loud, and it is the best comedy romance I've read in ages!!! Every page delivers raw, epic, wonderful elegance and I will never say no to an Ava Miles book!" ~ Travel with a Book

"By far the most enjoyable rom-com I've read in a long time. I'm gripping the book and beaming like an idiot, and I want to reread it right away..." ~ Delightful Literary

"The Hockey Experiment is smart, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt. If you love brainy heroines, soft-hearted jocks, and rom-coms that make you feel everything — this one's a winner." ~ Carmen Reads Way Too Much

"If you're searching for a feel-good romance that's a little goofy, really clever, and full of charm, The Hockey Experiment is the one to read next. It's definitely going into my 'laugh out loud and fall in love' folder." ~ Jane the Reader

"This unique storyline is definitely not your usual hockey story. With tropes like sports romance, workplace dynamics, coach's daughter, he falls first, forced proximity, she's got secrets, and found family, this one's a fun, heartfelt read with nerdy-meets-athlete vibes—definitely worth checking out." ~ Books N Lifts Diary

"If you enjoy rom-coms that are both frostbitten and flame-hot, Ava Miles has written a stunner!!! I already want to reread it, my heart lives in Ava Miles's prose forever!" ~ Twins Reading Books

"Rating this novel only five stars would be a crime, Ava Miles is now my auto-buy Author and I read her books to bring tears of laughter, I can't think of anyone else that is writing comedy more hilarious and more emotions into a book than Ava Miles, this was a masterpiece romantic comedy!" ~ Daisy Book Addict

"Completely original, unquestionably humorous, and loaded with energy has been delivered by the outstanding and fascinating Author Ava Miles. The Hockey Experiment is equal parts comedy, romance, and unexpectedly charming, much like that delightfully crazy romantic comedy you didn't realize you wanted!" ~ A Compulsive Reader

"If you like a protective hero, you will definitely love Brock. Val was such a strong character and I loved how Brock treated her." ~ Lmw Reads

"Equal parts STEM- girly and hockey hunk. I can't wait to dive straight into Ava's next hit!" ~ The Bold Booked Blonde

"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." ~ Speed Readstagram

"Miles hits all the necessary romance beats...the way in which Brock's steady affection slowly dismantles Val's emotional defenses is gratifying." ~ Kirkus Reviews

"Once again, the Queen of wonderful...