The Girlfriend Zone: The spicy, forbidden love ice-hockey romance perfect for fans of Elle Kennedy

Brought to you by Penguin.

This forbidden-love, ice-hockey romance is the fourth instalment of the Love and Hockey series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely.

In my defence, I had no idea the tattooed, glasses-wearing, soulful hottie I spent one perfect day—and one unforgettable night—with was a hockey star on my father’s team.

And Miles didn’t know I was the coach’s daughter.

That’s the point of a “no-work-talk” date.

But now? He's as forbidden to me as I am to him.

When I land a new gig as the team photographer, we vow to keep it professional. Too much is at stake—I can’t risk my heart or my father’s team.

But when I end up living at Miles’s place to care for his pack of rescue pups, the lines and I discover there’s more to him than I ever imagined—a man who’s genuine, thoughtful, and irresistibly real.

My heart’s getting dangerously attached. But if I follow it... am I putting everyone’s dreams on the line?

Tropes:

• ice hockey romance
• coach’s daughter
• the one who got away
• second chance romance
• age gap
• forbidden romance
• forced proximity
• workplace romance

© Lauren Blakely 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026