What if It's Us

Anaheim Stars Hockey #4

by Susan Renee

Twinkle Twinkle little star, be your baby daddy? Don’t tell HR.

I’m supposed to be focused on hockey. Play hard and win games. That’s it.

But I’ve had a crush on Marlee Remington, the team’s Events and Operations Manager, for years and when I learn she’s finally single, I know this is my chance to ask her out. It all starts with a dance at a wedding and before I can even ask for a date, she sends a text with a special request: Help her have a baby.

Yeah. I know. That escalated quickly.

Spoiler alert: I said yes having no idea what I was getting myself into.

I’m just supposed to be a donor, but this off the cuff, maybe-a-little-crazy favor is turning into something much deeper. Vulnerable moments, stolen glances and a connection I’ve been craving for years. Now that Marlee’s pregnant, I’m a reluctant baby-daddy in training stumbling through late-night cravings, pregnancy panic, and falling head over skates for the mother-to-be.

But becoming a father wasn’t part of the plan. Especially not when I’ve spent my whole life denying myself the one thing I’m about to become. Everything inside me is screaming to love and protect her, to be better than the man who left me behind.

But fears don’t go quietly, and love isn’t always enough.

This wasn’t supposed to be my story.
But I guess it’s the one I’m meant to write.

Genres: Sports, Friends To Lovers, Hockey, Hockey Romance

357 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 9, 2025

About the author

International Best Selling author, Susan Renee, wants to live in a world where paint doesn't smell, book boyfriends are real, and everything is covered in glitter. An indie romance author, Susan has written about everything from tacos to tow-trucks, loves writing romantic comedies but also enjoys creating an emotional angsty story from time to time. She lives in Ohio with her husband, kids, two dogs and a cat. Susan holds a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Music Education and a self-awarded Doctorate in Sass and Sarcasm. She enjoys laughing at memes, speaking in GIFs and spending an entire day jumping down the TikTok rabbit hole. When she's not writing or playing the role of Mom, her favorite activity is doing the Care Bear stare with her closest friends.

Reviews

[readingromancehea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Susan Renee for this arc in exchange for an honest review

Ledger has had a crush on Marlee since he first saw her. She was always with someone new so he couldn’t ask her out. Eventually he gave up all together and just watched from afar. Ledger finds out Marlee is single and wants a baby so bad she’s willing to be a single mom. He knows in his heart that he won’t let anyone be the father of her child but him. Can he convince her?

I absolutely love the limericks they sent to each other. Meddling friends is always the best thing. I didn’t know what to think when Layken first said Marlee wants a baby, since Ledger has had a crush on her forever. When Layken told Ledger to volunteer to be Marlee’s baby daddy I knew this was going to be interesting. The wedding was a good time. The kit Marlee has Ledger help her with was not what I expected. I enjoyed the ending a lot.

[Amanda Kossen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I was looking for in a hockey romance. It had a perfect amount of rom-com shenanigans with all the adorable hockey hunk mixed in. Ledger finally got his girl (after many years crushing on her) even with some.. mishaps and (many) cum jokes. If you love rom-com, hockey, and pregnancy romances, I highly recommend giving this book a shot!

[Susan R Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy this week and immediately started reading it. I have read a few other books of Susan Renee’s and fell in love with her characters. Right off the bat, I fell in love with Marlee and Ledger. Their romance was one that grabbed you and held on. The story of Ledger’s past and the reasons behind Marlee wanting to get pregnant and how kept me reading more pages. The only reason it took me so long to read was the holiday and a new puppy, otherwise I would have read this in one sitting.

This book can be read as a standalone. The characters are interconnected which makes me want to read more of her books.

[Myystoryinpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book! The banter and jokes had me laughing the whole time. It was fast paced and I truly enjoyed that about this book. Usually a pregnancy trope is unplanned but In this book the FMC really wants to be a mother willing to ask the hot hockey player to be her sperm donor. He’s had a crush on her for years but never told her, so when she asks him to be her donor he jumps at the chance. He realizes he doesn’t want anyone else to father her children but him. This books was funny, swoon worthy & so sweet. You see the MMC down bad for the FMC from the very beginning, he’ll do anything for her even be her donor to giver her everything she ever wanted. Through the process they develop a friendship that’s full of laughs and really caring moments. This book was so good!

[Feya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had such a fun time reading What If Its Us by Susan Renee. I binged it in a single afternoon because I was invested in the story and the characters, definitely a huge bonus! Yes, it’s a sport romance but I felt like it didn’t play an overly big role in the storyline. It was more focus on the interaction between Ledger and Marlee and their chemistry. The rest of the team plays such a huge role in this book. They are the family without a doubt. They provide an amazing support systems and of course laughter!

Ledger, star of the Anaheim Stars Hockey League, has had a not so secret crush on Marlee for years. When news that she wants to have a baby comes up, he is shocked but he’ll be damned if anyone else father’s them but him! Dealing with his painful and traumatic childhood, he struggles with doubts of ending up like his birth father, failing as a parent, or worse hurting Marlee. Nothing could be farther from the truth, Ledger Is sweet, compassionate, shy, and loyal to the core. Now if only he can believe in himself.

Marlee, the team event and operation manager, the last one to know that Ledger has a crush on her, miss absolutely oblivious but a total sweetheart! Tired of wasting time on all the wrong guys and feeling like she is running out of time, she decides to take life into her own hands. Being raised by a single mother, she knows how hard that is but is determined to make it. Marlee is use to being behind the scenes but comfortable enough to share this news with her friends. One joke about Ledger being the baby daddy, gets her mind going…Marlee was prepared to do this alone but she never expected Ledger…

These two juggle their emotions while trying to stay “clinical” during the baby process. I found myself laughing at the puns and banter throughout this book. It does touch on loss in a very respectful and real way. I appreciate the sensitivity that Susan Renee used towards this subject.

Tropes:
Found Family
Planned Pregnancy
Workplace Romance
Secret Crush

[Betsy Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚: What If It’s Us by Susan Renee


Tropes:
👉 Hockey
👉 Planned Pregnancy
👉 Found Family


TWs 😟: Mentions of parental death (past)


Main Takeaway 🏹: A fun take on the pregnancy trope


Synopsis 📜: Marlee wants nothing more than to be a mother but she has no male prospects on the horizon. While hanging out with friends, they suggest that she ask one of the guys on the professional hockey team they all work for or are involved with. Marlee and Ledger have been friends for a while and in a moment of weakness, Marlee sends him a silly limerick to ask him to be her baby daddy. When things don’t go as planned, they find there may be more to their relationship than Marlee ever thought possible.


Personal Thoughts 🤔: I have never been shy about my love for the accidental pregnancy trope but that’s not what this was! This was a completely planned pregnancy from the moment the book began! And I loved every minute of it! Marlee and Ledger have such a sweet story and they clearly bring out the best in each other and challenge each other in the best ways!

[Brandi Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Susan Renee. I've read and loved all of her hockey romances! This one was a different kind of pregnancy trope, and it was absolutely amazing. The story has romance, drama, funny situations, and spice. This was less spice than most of the other books, but it's not lacking based on how the relationship begins. When Marlee decides she's ready to have a baby, even though her relationships aren't going the way she was hoping, she needs to figure out how she wants to proceed. Then her friend and co-worker recommends asking Ledger, he's a pro hockey player for the teams he works for knowing he's had a thing for her for years. When she gets up the nerve to ask, he doesn't hesitate, even if she wants to parent on her own. He's torn, giving her everything she wants and knowing he can't have her. Things happen that changes the course of everything for both of them!

[turn_the_page_lady. (sue mc) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the ARC for this book and I flipping loved it! This book was an utter delight to read and it made me laugh out loud at times whilst hooking me on the story and squeezing my heart a couple times - possibly a wee tear too. Plus it’s spicy and the banter is so good. Ledger is the perfect cinnamon roll MMC and Marlee the FMC you know you would be friends with.
This book has all the best tropes - colleagues to lovers , planned pregnancy, found family and it’s a sports romance that isn’t too sports heavy.
If you haven’t read any of this series then you are missing out but this is a great book that can be read standalone and you will love it - I did

[Lisa Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a feel-good, spicy, hockey romance, this should be one that you pickup. Ledger Dayne is the swooniest MMC I've read in a while, and I totally fell in love with him. His story with Marlee is totally unique, sweet, and filled with humor. There may not be a mass amount of spicy scenes throughout, but the quality of spice is seriously top notch. One scene in particular is responsible for my obsession with Ledger 😆 If you're looking for your next read to have any of the below tropes, this is the book for you!

💫 Baby
💫 Found Family
💫 Hockey Romance
💫 Cinnamon Roll MMC
💫 Oblivious, determined FMC
💫 Steamy Romance
💫 Snacks!!!

[Angelica Andersson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ledger and Marlee, well at first I want to say. Susan you made me cry again!
This is book five in the Anaheim Stars hockey series and yes I have read an ARC of this book. Now I love Susan's writing and how we really get to know her characters. It is everything from insecure feelings to group chats with their friends.

This one is oh so good and I loved it so much. Yes I did cry and bo I won't tell you when. This one is a perfect way to really get into the team and get all the baby vibes going.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ledger and Marlee! He finally got his dream girl and she finally got a guy who treated her like the queen she is.

They started off unconventionally but turned into the best couple as her pregnancy progressed.

He had loved her from afar for years so when she asked him to be the sperm donor he said yes. This allowed him to get closer to her and lose some of the shyness towards her.

This book was more story than spice which didn’t detract from the story at all. Their first time coupling was successful (considering they couldn’t keep their hands off of each other that night it’s not a shock lol)

And the bonus epilogue? All I will say now is BAHAHA

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got the chance to read this book as an ARC read.
Book 5 in this series is Ledger and Marlee.
Ledger has fancied Marlee for forever but never ceased the chance with her.
When a proposition arises in the shape of Marlee wanting a baby, he'll be dammed if anyone is going to have the role apart from him.
This story was such an easy, enjoyable read, and it was lovely to watch their love blossom and grow.
The same whit and sarcastic sense of humour Susan writes in her stories has you laughing when you least expect it.
Highly recommend these books as always!

[Carissa Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you read this book, if you don’t instantly fall in love with Ledger, you’re lying. This man is so so good! The crush he’s had on Marlee is the cutest thing ever and I’m so super glad for the meddling WOGs! Also the meddling team. The found family here gives me all the warm fuzzies and it makes me want to find me my own Anaheim Star to love. I loved how fiery and determined Marlee was that if the universe wasn’t gonna give her what she wanted, she was gonna take it! Good thing the universe had other plans! I absolutely LOVED this book and you should definitely read it!

[Taylor Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not prepared. This book wrecked me. It has all the found family and chaos you expect from the Anaheim Stars men with a healthy dose of heartbreak. Ledger is the very definition of golden retriever. He is truely the sweetest man who's lived through so much. His inner healing process made me just want to wrap him in a hug. The way he loved and supported Marlee through his own fears and made sure she had everything she could ever want. The way Ledgers team mates supported them. This book will have you sobbing and laughing at the same time.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad we finally get to see Ledger act on his feelings for Marlee with a little help from their friends, and it was everything I was hoping for. Marlee wants to be a mother and plans to do it by herself until the idea is planted about Ledger being her donor. This book had me laughing, but at one point I was ready to scream. I love how this team is like a family and are always there for each other. I don’t want to give anything away so all I will say is between Ledger’s past and their deal this book kept me hooked til the end.

[Larissa Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

this may actually be my favorite of the series

I’m a sucker for a pregnancy romance and a he falls first trope but the way this plays out starting with Marlee asking ledger to be her donor was a spin on the trope I haven’t read before. This was a book full of beautifully balanced quiet and loud love moments that absolutely had me swooning. I love that each book of this series so far plus the Chicago Red Tail series I feel like I’m just immediately invested in the group and involved in their story.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Ledger finally gets his girl!

Marlee and Ledger are a cute. And them navigating a new relationship with what will be a family is a fun and exciting journey we get to goi along with. With their ups and downs and going about as a team. You found that these might be able to take on just about anything including three little bundles of joy! And I love every laugh, every cry, and even panic google search they went through!!!

[Nikki Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so perfectly sweet. I was so excited to read Ledger’s love story. This certainly wasn’t how I expected them to get together but love, love, love it. Their love is so pure and so beautiful. I love this entire series. Susan Renee is incredibly talented in bringing you into the characters’ lives. Read all of her books!
***SPOILERS***
I’m so sad about what Ledger learned about his father. All that time missed… Then the delivery room…oof, had me on the edge of my seat.

[Danielle Crump · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 55%.

I loved this series and was skeptical going into this one. It’s such a strange plot line and it feels like it’s written very forced. Words are used in dirty talk that you would never say (“alluring” ??).

I felt like everything was broken down so far to give the exact description of each thing that happens.

In a lot of places the writing feels juvenile.

Ledger also does every single thing that a book boyfriend would do or cheesy lines to say. It just feels like a bit much. 😬


Edit: changed my mind and read through it. Still hated it. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Stephani Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have watched Ledger crush on Marlee throughout this series. It has been fun seeing his teammates give him a hard time for it. Now Marlee is finally single and she wants to have a baby. She's decided to do it on her own and in only the way Susan Renee could do it, Marlee asks Ledger to be her sperm donor.

This book is full of hilarious moments, but also sweet and tender touches. Susan did another amazing job!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan has done it again. I fall more and more in love with her books with each new one. Ledger and Marley’s story is so great and knowing he has crushed on her for so long. makes this book that much sweeter. If you like hockey humor and a great romance with a little spice pick this book . It’s great a

[Mandy Sadler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already knew I loved Ledger but this book made me fall in love with him even more!! Marlee is the absolute best! I love these two!!! Their banter, both internal and external, had me laughing and crying!! I want more! I didn’t want to see this book end! Can’t wait for the next in this series! All the guys and girls are amazing!!!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good hockey romance. I especially love a book where he falls first, harder, and without fail. This book had everything you can want in a hockey romance...teammate banter, spicy scenes, and a great girl group. This book has friends who uplift each other and work together to help each other solve problems. Did I mention the SPICY scenes? Couldn't put this book down.

[Brenda Satlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marlee and Ledger are my new favs in this series!!
Ledger has loved Marlee since he first laid eyes on her and when she ask him to help her have baby he is all in to make her dreams come true!
Ledger gives me absolute golden retriever vibes and Marlee is so freaking adorable! I loved this book and so looking forward to the next book in the series!!

[Kelly L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ledger and Marlee's Love Story

Do you like hockey and laughing while reading about two people's journey to falling in love? Then this book is for you. This is the 5th book in the Anaheim Stars series. You do not have to read the others before this book. The books are interconnected, and you really shouldn't miss out on Oliver, Bodhi, August, and Griffin's stories.

What if It's Us is Ledger and Marlee's love story. In this story, you will get to enjoy the continued banter between teammates (who are friends and more like family) and their wives/girlfriends. Their banter is hilarious, and they are always there for each other in good times and rough times. What if It's Us will not break your heart and leave you crying for hours. You will be happy to have read Ledger and Marlee's story.

If you haven't already done so, you should read the first four books in the series, and if you haven't read the Chicago Red Tails series, you need to read about those guys, too.

[Fesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Triple the fun!

This book is so incredible funny! I've read all the Anaheim Stars books, but this might be my favorite so far! The haikus were witty and fun, the text exchanges were so cute and flirty, the friendships were amazing, and the banter in the beginning was real and got deep pretty fast. Not to mention how hilarious the Betty White scene was.

[Amber Pickerill · Rating 5 out of 5]

These hockey boys are more than a team they are family. Marlee may work in admin, but she's about to join this rowdy hockey family. She needs Ledger to help her become a mom, but she had no idea they'd become family.
If you'd read this series, Marlee and Ledger finally get their own HEA and its so worth the wait.

[books.w.tiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I freaking LOVE Ledger. I was obsessed with him in the other books and couldn’t WAIT for his book!! The way he was crushing on Marlee was EVERYTHING 🥹
Just like every Susan Renee book, I laughed, I swooned, and I was in love 😍

Tropes include:
Found family
Planned pregnancy
His LONGTIME crush
He falls first
Workplace romance
Hockey Romance

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has done it again! I loved this book. I cried, I laughed, and I would recommend it to anyone who asked. Marlee and Ledger are so good together. The entire group at the Anaheim Stars pulls this story together so perfectly.

[Jenn Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! So first off, this is my first read by this author and most definitely will not be my last. The story was able to pull me in, connect with the characters, laugh, fight emotion, and fall in love with all of them. Ledger is hooked on Marlee. They are friends but that crush he has... that'll make any heart skip a beat or two. The time that they spend together, building up their relationship, that pull just gets stronger and stronger. This has great heat, super sweet, and friendships that wrap it all up into an amazing read. Have a tissue near for a tear or two, and get comfy while you dig in! I am excited to read the rest of this series.

I recieved a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.