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Coach’s Challenge
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November 24, 2026

Coach's Challenge is an age-gap, dad's-best-friend hockey romance with a grumpy widower coach, a fearless ER-doctor heroine, and thirteen years of reasons why this shouldn't happen. Perfect for fans of Liz Tomforde, Lauren Blakely and Tessa Bailey.
When a last-minute move across state lines for my medical residency has me scrambling for a place to live, my father calls in a favor from his closest friend. Which is how I end up living in the home of a legendary NHL coach. Zach Emerson is a gruff, silver-templed single dad, thirteen years older than me and exactly my type.
Before I know it, I'm crushing hard on the coach. Every look lingers too long. Every late-night encounter over hot chocolate and game tape feels taut with possibility. Except he's my father's best friend. That's a line I can't cross.
But when Zach finally admits he's been holding back too?
Game on.
Tropes:
- Age gap
- Father's best friend
- Single dad
- Widower hero
- Forced proximity
- Protective hero
- Sports romance
- ER doctor FMC
- French-Canadian FMC & MMC
- Grief & healing
- Found family
"I loved this book, I devoured it in one day… I even put off my responsibilities because I couldn't help but finish the book. So FREAKING GOOD. I now have to work twice as hard tomorrow to make up, totally worth it!" Reader review, 5 stars
"Great storyline with so much emotion and all the feels with a sexy hockey god, and the equally sexy object of his adoring affection. They try to fight their attraction… as you can already guess, that lasted about a hot ass second. These two had so much heat and chemistry, gosh maybe they ruined me for all other couples too *winks*." Reader review, 5 stars
"It's been a hot minute since I got so engrossed in a book and I adored this, couldn't put it down!… Perfection!… I shed some tears at the end I was so damn happy they get their HEA. Wish I could read it for the first time again I love them!" Reader review, 5 stars
"Oh my god, this book is absolutely the best… I couldn't put this book down I was enjoying it so much!" Reader review, 5 stars
"Love, love, loved it!!… I didn't want to put it down. Filled with emotions, humor, drama, spice and much more!!… The banter between them had me smiling and the sexual tension and steam was so good. I truly think they brought out the best in each other and were exactly what the other needed!! What a fantastic read!!!" Reader review, 5 stars
"A definite 5-star read for me and one to be added to my fave re-read list. It's exceptionally well written and just ticks all my humour, chemistry, drama, family, possessive boxes!" Reader review, 5 stars
"What a ride!… And that ending? Just amazing!! Highly recommend this book for anyone wanting a spicy and heartwarming romance read!!" Reader review, 5 stars
"I loved this book, the story was so well written that it had me feeling all sorts of emotions! The sexual tension… was oozing off the page and the spice was fire! Highly recommend!" Reader review, 5 stars
"Omg, so I am a sucker for a hockey romance and this one did not disappoint… UH I am obsessed." Reader review, 5 stars
"Wow. Loved reading this book and couldn't put it down… Pure escapism!" Reader review, 5 stars