The instant Sunday Times bestseller!

Spice meets slow-burn in this friends-to-lovers hockey romance from acclaimed bestselling author Chelsea Curto. Comes with an exclusive bonus chapter!

But that's the thing about Hudson Hayes: he makes me feel alive in ways I've never been.

Hudson Hayes, standout defenseman for the DC Stars, has one problem he can't outskate: he needs a private chef, and fast. He's spent months searching with no luck, and with the season about to kick off, he's running out of time - and patience.

Madeline Galloway needs a fresh start more than anything. After being unexpectedly fired from her executive chef position in Las Vegas, she's willing to take a chance on a lead that sends her clear across the country to Washington, D.C. One interview with Hudson, and everything falls into place. He's kind, charming and entirely too easy to like. Soon, Madeline and her young daughter, Lucy, are unpacking boxes in his guest room.

The rules are straightforward: keep things professional. No personal entanglements. No falling for the handsome hockey player who makes her laugh in the middle of meal prep, or who seems to adore her daughter just as much as she does.

But when a New Year's Eve kiss shatters the careful boundaries between them, everything shifts. Friendship stops feeling like enough. And when Madeline discovers that Hudson has been learning American Sign Language so he can talk with Lucy, resisting him becomes impossible.

Featuring:
- Hockey player x private chef
- Friend-to-lovers
- Slow burn romance
- Forced proximity
- Single mum dynamic
- Guaranteed HEA!

THE DC STARS WILL BECOME YOUR NEW OBSESSION . . .

'Utter perfection. Another must-read by Chelsea Curto'
'I will recommend until I'm blue in the face'
'I feel speechless. This is everything I wanted in this book and more. 6* tier read!!!'
'I LOVE THIS BOOK SO SO MUCH. I WOULD GIVE IT 10 STARTS IF I COULD'
'Really combined all the things I love: strong women, obsessed men, banter, heartfelt spice'
'This book is everything. If you're looking for a spicy ice hockey romance where she's an athlete too, this is for you'