Any Man of Mine

Sam McKay, a hockey star for the Seattle Chinooks, must confront his past when he encounters Autumn Haven at his teammate's wedding. Their own Vegas wedding years ago ended badly, leaving Autumn to raise their son Connor alone while Sam focused on his NHL career. Autumn works as a wedding planner and event coordinator, determined to maintain a professional relationship with Sam despite their complicated history. The forced proximity at hockey events and family obligations brings long-buried feelings and unresolved issues to the surface for both of them. Through their interactions and shared responsibility for Connor, Sam and Autumn navigate their way through trust issues, misunderstandings, and personal growth. Their journey explores themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the ways people can change and mature over time. The story tackles the complexities of co-parenting, the price of fame, and the challenge of overcoming past mistakes. It examines how pride and fear can stand in the way of potential happiness, and what it takes to rebuild trust once it's broken.

Readers found this romance novel delivered a satisfying second-chance story between a hockey player and his ex-wife. Many noted the strong chemistry between the leads and appreciated seeing both characters grow and make amends. What readers liked: - Realistic portrayal of co-parenting dynamics - Strong hockey/sports elements - Character development of the male lead - Emotional payoff in the final act What readers disliked: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Hero's past behavior felt too cruel for some - Not enough time spent on the reconciliation - Some found the heroine too passive Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (8,400+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (150+ ratings) "The grovel was worth the wait," noted one Goodreads reviewer. However, another Amazon reader commented, "Took too long to address their issues and rushed the resolution." Multiple reviews praised the authentic hockey world-building and family dynamics but wanted more scenes showing the couple's path back together.

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📚 Rachel Gibson wrote Any Man of Mine as part of her Chinooks Hockey Team series, which follows various players from a fictional NHL team. 🏒 The book draws from Gibson's real-life experience living in Idaho, where hockey is popular, particularly through the Idaho Steelheads minor league team. 💑 The novel features a "second chance romance" plot, a popular trope where former lovers Sam and Autumn reconnect years after a failed Vegas wedding. 🎰 The Las Vegas setting used in the book's flashback scenes was inspired by Gibson's frequent visits to Nevada, where she often conducts research for her novels. 👶 The story explores themes of co-parenting and personal growth, as the main characters must work together to raise their son Connor while dealing with their complicated past.