I survived chronic illness and a cheating ex. Surely I can resist one charming hockey player…right?
Clara
Working as the social media manager for a pro hockey team is all fun and games—until you trip into the arms of their biggest flirt during a livestream. Now the fans are shipping us, my boss is thrilled with the engagement, and I’m stuck dodging feelings for Cade Lennox, aka the certified charmer. The problem? My contract says he’s off-limits. My heart, unfortunately, didn’t get the memo.
Cade
I came to this small town to turn over a new leaf. But you know what they say about the best laid plans. All bets are off the second Clara Johnson literally stumbles into my arms and straight into my heart. She’s focused, loyal, and the most beautiful challenge I’ve ever met. All I have to do is prove I’m worth the risk.
Offside and Off-Limits is part of the Love in Maple Falls sweet hockey romcom multi-author series. It’s a forbidden love story between one flirty hockey player and the team’s social media manager in this small town romance with all the sizzle and chemistry, but none of the spice.
Read Cade and Clara’s love story if you love:
🍁 Small-town charm
🏒 Swoony hockey player
🍁 Single mom
🏒 Chronic illness rep
🍁 Golden retriever MMC
🏒 Black Cat FMC
🍁 He falls first
What readers are saying:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Heartwarming and beautifully written.” – Amazon reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “It was absolutely perfection.” – Amazon reiewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This one moved me to shedding some tears with how sweet and loving Cade is.” – Amazon reiewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Everything you want in a book right to the HEA ending.” – Amazon reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Ahhh, Cade. The perfect book boyfriend.” – Bookbub reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I just adored this book.The story played out like a Hallmark Movie, but better as the characters are fantastic.” Goodreads reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I adore Cade & Clara’s feisty, caring, hopeful, loving, sweet n swoony happily ever after!!” – Bookbub reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I seriously did not want to put the book down!” Goodreads reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Single mom gets the star athlete?? YES PLEASE! Clara being all professional and buttoned-up while Cade has this flirty golden retriever energy had me MELTING. The way he just wore her down with pure charm and those abs? Chef’s kiss!” – Booksrpout reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This story has it all, good humor, sweet and swoony moments, small town charm, an all-around great story you don’t want to miss.” – Bookbub reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Everything you want in a book, right to the HEA ending.” – Goodreads reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A delightful story that leaves you wanting more!” – Goodreads reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “As someone who deals with chronic pain and fatigue myself, I loved seeing that representation in Clara’s story… and it also made me appreciate those moments that he takes care of her all that much more.” – Bookbub reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “If you love single parent romances, you will absolutely adore this one!” – Goodreads reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Cade…is real book boyfriend hero: the man who is secure enough in his own self that he can “read between the lines” to see when to offer help before we realize that we need it. That makes us, just like Clara, feel seen and acknowledged in our efforts.” – Bookbub reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Their Ma’am-cute, or rather un-cute in this case, is just hilarious, I laughed so hard! Later on I swooned equally hard, so it’s a perfect mix.” – Bookbub reviewer
Below are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Offside and Off-Limits
1. What is Offside and Off-Limits about?
It’s a sweet, funny, small-town hockey romcom set in Maple Falls. Clara Johnson, a single mom and the new social media manager for the Ice Breakers, is determined to keep her job—and her heart—safe. The problem? Cade Lennox, the team’s charming right winger, has his sights set on her. Their chemistry is undeniable, but Clara’s contract includes a strict no-dating-players clause.
2. Who are the main characters?
- Clara Johnson – A resilient single mom of two (Hannah and Benny), living with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and juggling her new dream job with raising her kids.
- Cade Lennox – A professional hockey player, notorious charmer, comic book nerd, and proud new Ice Breaker, who’s ready to reinvent himself in Maple Falls.
3. What tropes does the book feature?
- Forbidden romance (thanks to that pesky non-fraternization clause)
- Single mom / protective hero
- Small-town romance
- Small-town charm and gossip (Maple Falls is full of characters like Mary-Ellen McCluskey, the queen of town gossip)
- Found family (Cade bonding with Clara’s kids melts hearts)
- Golden retriever MMC / Black cat FMC
4. Is this book part of a series?
Yes! Offside and Off-Limits is part of the Love in Maple Falls multi-author sweet hockey romcom series. Each book is a standalone story with its own couple and happily-ever-after, but they all share the same cozy, hockey-loving town.
5. Is Offside and Off-Limits a sweet” or spicy romance?
It’s a sweet (closed-door) romance. Expect witty banter, swoony kisses, small-town antics, and heartfelt moments—but no on-page steam.
6. What role does hockey play in the story?
Plenty! Cade is a star winger for the Ice Breakers, and hockey life in Maple Falls is woven throughout the book—from practice drills to hilarious charity events like Drench for Defense, where townsfolk bid for the chance to dump buckets of water over the players to raise money.
7. Does the book include chronic illness representation?
Yes. Clara lives with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Her journey shows both the challenges and the strength of balancing her health, career, motherhood, and love.
8. Will Cade and Clara get their happily-ever-after?
Of course—this is a romcom! But their path to happiness is anything but simple, with obstacles ranging from meddling bosses and nosy neighbors to Cade’s reputation and Clara’s self-doubt. Watching them fight for their love (and laugh along the way) is what makes their story so satisfying.