I was lucky enough to get an early copy of If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair, and let me tell you—it made my little hockey romance heart so happy! If I have one guilty pleasure (okay, more than one, but I digress), it’s my love for hockey romances. I honestly don’t know how it started, but for some reason, they always hit the spot. Sure, they’re filled with familiar tropes and guaranteed HEAs, but honestly, what’s wrong with that? In my book (pun intended), absolutely nothing. And let’s be clear—there should never be any guilt in reading what you love!

This story follows Wyatt, a former Appie (IYKYK) player, and Josie, an elementary school nurse—and the sister of his best friend, Jacob. Josie heads to a small cottage expecting a sibling getaway, only to find Jacob missing and Wyatt—her supposed enemy—living there while recovering from an off-season injury. Grumpier than ever, Wyatt isn’t exactly thrilled about unexpected company. But after some convincing (and a little bribery), Josie stays to help him out. Forced into close quarters, she quickly realizes that everything she thought she knew about Wyatt might just be wrong.

I really enjoyed this book! While there’s no on-the-ice hockey action, that’s no drawback—the story flows so well that you don’t miss it. It’s the perfect mix of humor and romance, unrequited love, and hidden secrets. If you’re a fan of heartfelt, slow-burn love stories with just the right amount of tension and warmth, If All Else Sails is definitely worth the read!

Many thanks to publisher Thomas Nelson, the author herself, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.