Taking Sides: A Hockey Romance

Moonshot Hockey, Book 3

De: Rebecca Jenshak

Narrado por: Austin Stone, Lucy Rivers, Ryan Lee Dunlap, Christian Fox, Teddy Hamilton, Jason Clarke, Erin Mallon, Savannah Peachwood, Mollie Stark

She doesn't date athletes—until one hot pro hockey player has her reconsidering—in this sports romance from USA Today–bestselling author Rebecca Jenshak.

Conrad Shepard is Moonshot Hockey's star defenseman, but when it comes to the ladies, he's sitting on the bench. Despite his teammates' best attempts at playing wingman, he's hopeless. He can barely speak around women, let alone ask one out on a date. Between that and a season-ending loss, volunteering at a high school hockey camp seems like the perfect escape.

That is, until he meets the local high school's hockey coach. Whitney Aven is beautiful, smart, and she knows hockey. It's the perfect combination to render Conrad utterly speechless. But having been surrounded by hockey players her entire life, she has a strict rule to never date one.

Enter Conrad. He's unbelievably handsome, unexpectedly sweet, patient with her players, and one of the most talented skaters Whitney's ever seen. The fact that he can hardly make eye contact and blushes anytime she talks to him only makes him more irresistible. And it's probably why she agrees to go out with him in the first place.

Somehow, one awkward date leads to another. And with Whitney's no-hockey-player rule out the window, things are about to get increasingly complicated. Because it turns out Conrad isn't just a hockey player . . . he's her brother's biggest rival.

Tropes include: brother's rival, virgin hero, and secret relationship.

©2026 Rebecca Jenshak (P)2026 Podium Audio

A Shy Hockey Hero Who Stole My Heart

OMG, Conrad and Whitney were absolutely adorable! I loved Conrad from the beginning. His shyness was so endearing, and there were so many moments that genuinely made me laugh out loud. It was such a refreshing change to have a hockey hero who isn't the usual confident, smooth talking player but instead gets completely flustered around the woman he likes.

I especially loved watching Conrad slowly become more comfortable with Whitney. Seeing him open up, trust her, and experience so many firsts with her was incredibly sweet. And I loved Whitney for the way she handled all of it. She was patient with him, never made him feel self-conscious about his lack of experience, and just got him. She made him feel safe enough to come out of his shell without ever trying to change who he was.

What I loved most was how they genuinely lifted each other up. Their relationship wasn't just about attraction; there was a real friendship and emotional connection underneath it, and watching that grow into something so beautiful made it easy to root for them.

The audiobook was incredible as well. The full cast narration added so much personality and made an already fun story even more entertaining.

Taking Sides was such a sweet, funny, feel good hockey romance with an adorably shy hero and a relationship that felt genuine and heartfelt. I absolutely loved Conrad and Whitney together!

This story is surprisingly good

This story is good, borderline great. It's been so long since I read a Romance book/audiobook that felt like I was reading about 2 people's life and not a fictional story that relied on tropes. There are a few things that require suspension of disbelief, but those are more on the spice scale and how neatly the HEA is wrapped up, not anything that detracts from the story. This story has excellent story building, world building, emotional impact, and 2 genuinely good and caring MCs that support each other and help the other grow simply by being by the other's side. The voice acting is also really good. I genuinely enjoyed the premise of this book. There are tropes, but they feel so well done you forget they are tropes. The biggest trope is brother's rival.

MMC is a 25 y/o with nearly no sexual experience with women, is a virgin, and had no confidence when it comes to women. He meets MFC while helping out at a local high school hockey summer camp. MFC is a JV hockey coach and math teacher, her first year teaching and coaching. Their encounter during the camp is awkward bc MMC cannot talk or look at MFC. MFC doesn't know if MMC is a jerk, is shy, or what but wants to get to know him. The thing that stands out is MFC waits to reserve judgement until she gets a chance to know MMC. When they finally go on a date, thanks to MMC's friends encouragement, it's horrible. MMC is too nervous to speak and the date ends before they can order food. After months, MMC still regrets the date was horrible. When they meet again, MMC confesses he was shy and really likes her, which is why he was so awkward. Once again, the story breaks away from the expected trope. MMC continues to be shy but still makes an effort to tell MMC he likes her and put himself out there. MFC gives him another chance. They are a little awkward in the beginning of their relationship, but it progresses so naturally while still keeping the small awkward moments. MMC is open about his lack of sexual experience but it's not a big deal. There's even a few funny moments that feel genuine and make the MCs feel more bonded. They are also open about MFC's brother being a rival of MMC.

But what I love most about this story is it's about 2 people silently and publicly supporting each other. The MCs face challenges with MMC's social anxiety, MFC's family (including MMC and MFC's brother don't like each other), MFC struggles with feeling like she isn't a good high school coach, MMC has to face his high school bullies that still have an emotional impact on him, MMC tries to be supportive to his friend and roommate, and MFC has a student that has a difficult home life which both MCs try to help with. This story is so good bc we see both MCs interacting with each other, on dates/romantically, sexually, and in a supportive role. But we also see them bond and support other characters. They are so good to everyone around them that you want them to find happiness together. The drama, conflict, and stakes are low, but it's just present enough the story isn't boring. The pacing is good and the story adds a lot to the Moonshot Hockey world/series/universe. The other stories were good, but this story is about more than just the MCs while not taking away from the romance. There is also a surprising amount of emotional moments given how lighthearted this story is.

Excellent Series

I have enjoyed every book in this series. There is no doubt that I will listen to every one of these stories again and again.

♫ I've Had The Time Of My Life ♪

Wow, I went into this one with tempered expectations but was so pleasantly surprised. What a sweet story of potentially the shyest MMC I have ever read about. His near crippling social anxiety around women was brutal to watch transpire but to see him gradually come out of his shell around the FMC was such a great character arc for him. And, boy, when this man comes out of his shell... *fans self* wow, things heat up REAL quick!! And Whitney! Proving that you can be a total awesome woman in a position of power (in a sport dominated by men) whilst still remaining soft, kind, and full of empathy. Her patience with not only her brother, the JV team, her father, and Connor was a testament to how amazing she is. This story had just the right amount of sweetest and conflict to keep me engaged throughout the runtime of this audiobook. I had such a great time. Also, I'm not the biggest fan Austin Stone's style of narration but he was fine in here. Lucy Rivers was amazing as always: sweet, charming, and a pleasure to listen to. She really breathed life into Whitney! I'm sure it goes without saying that the rest of the cast were also spectacular as well which made the listening experience truly special. I am rooting for Sloane and Dilo to be the next couple because I am super intrigued about how this is gonna go down! If you enjoyed the previous books in this series, this one is a must read for sure! If for nothing else, than stick around for all of the amazing found family moments!

Brother’s Hockey Rival

This is book 3 in the Moonshot Hockey series, and this one was SO cute!

Conrad is an extremely shy hockey player when it comes to women, and Whitney just happens to be his hockey rival’s sister. They meet during the off-season when Conrad helps train with the local high school hockey team, where Whitney is the JV coach. The second they meet, they’re both hooked… but Conrad’s shyness has Whitney convinced he’s not interested.

Their first date is an absolute disaster and doesn’t even make it to ordering food. But a couple months later, they see each other again and this is when Conrad finally opens up and explains his shyness, Whitney gives him another chance.

I loved watching Conrad slowly become comfortable with Whitney. Seeing him open up, trust her, and experience so many firsts with her was incredibly sweet. Even with their crazy schedules keeping them apart, they were always there for each other emotionally.

The audiobook was fantastic! The full cast was amazing, but Austin Stone and Lucy Rivers absolutely shined as the leads and never got swallowed up by the larger cast.

Such a sweet hockey romance with a shy hero, brother’s rival/sister vibes, and a relationship that felt really genuine.

Tropes:
Brother’s Rival
Hockey Romance
Hockey Player/Hockey HS Coach
Virgin MMC
Found Family