Offside and Off-Limits

Love in Maple Falls #2

by Kate O'Keeffe

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.

Welcome back to Maple Falls—the small town where hockey players fall in love! This is a multi-author series of seven full-length books that could be read as standalones, but we think you'll enjoy them best in order.


Fake-Off with Fate by Whitney Dineen
Offside and Off-Limits by Kate O’Keeffe
Checking Mr. Wrong by Anne Kemp
Skating and Fake Dating by Ellie Hall
Goalie and the Girl Next Door by Elsie Woods
Soulmates and Slapshots by Melissa Baldwin
The Icing on the Cake by Grace Worthington

Genres: Romance, Hockey, Contemporary, Clean Romance, Workplace Romance, Sports Romance, Hockey Romance

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 20, 2025

About the author

Kate O'Keeffe is a USA TODAY bestselling and award-winning author who writes exactly what she loves to read: laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with swoon-worthy heroes and gorgeous feel-good happily ever afters. She lives and loves in beautiful Hawke's Bay, New Zealand with her family and two scruffy but loveable dogs.

When she's not penning her latest story, Kate can be found hiking up hills (slowly), traveling to different countries around the globe (back when we used to be able to do that), and eating chocolate. A lot of it.

Get a free book when you sign up to Kate's newsletter at kateokeeffe.com.

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun book to read! Clara is a character that you can't help but want great things for. She has been through so much and has been treated so wrong by her ex husband. It is wonderful to see her thriving in this story and catching the eye of a man who is much more than the media makes him out to be.

I really appreciated that Cade owned up to the wild life that he lived a few years earlier. But he was also a man who really paid attention and noticed things about the people in his life. I liked the way he really saw Clara and appreciated her for the person she was and what she had overcome.

These two had great romantic chemistry and Cade was amazing with Clara's kids. This story made me happy from beginning to end.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3,5 ☆)

Ice Breakers is the new team in the NHL and Clara Johnson has been hired as their social media manager. Cade Lennox is one of the new players and has moved to Maple Falls to leave his old playboy life behind and start fresh. As a single mom to two kids and with a chronic illness Clara needs to find her balance - and not fall for the flirty hockey player.

Clara suffers from chronic fatigue and I don't think I've read about CFS in a novel before, so that was interesting. Clara has gotten much better in her illness, so we don't notice it that much (mostly as she attend a support group for those with chronic illnesses). I'm still impressed by how she manages life as a single parent alongside a full time job, at the same time as handling her diagnosis.

Cade is a real charmer, but considering his reputation as a womanizer I think his flirty behavior counteracts his plan to reinvent himself. Thanks to dual POV I know he's serious about wanting to find someone to spend his life with, but had I been Clara I wouldn't have dared to trust him.

Otherwise I had a very nice time with Clara, Cade and the other characters, and it was so much fun to be back in Maple Falls! I love the autumn vibes and how Clara got the opportunity to put her ex in his place. I also laughed out loud a few times, and that's quite rare!

* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *

[Laramee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun hockey workplace romance with small town vibes! If you love single parent romances, you will absolutely adore this one!

I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.

[Lissa Ruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Cade & Clara's feisty, caring, hopeful, loving, sweet n swoony happily ever after!!

[Angie (mushmysteriesandmore) · Rating 4 out of 5]

These two are sooooo cute. I could read about Cade and Clara for weeks.

Cade use to have a reputation, a playboy hockey player, different ladies every night but he’s tired of that life after seeing his friends settle down. He wants a steady girl, a family but the media won’t let him drop his bad boy image, despite him moving miles to Maple Creek and a new team.

Clara is a single mum to two adorable kids, a CFS warrior and the new Social Media manager for the Icebreakers, which happens to be the new team Cade has joined. He’s instantly taken with her and she’s intrigued by him but there is a strict no fraternization policy in her contract so Cade is off limits. It’s just Cade and her heart haven’t got the memo.

I loved the interaction between Cade and Clara. Their working relationship was fun, especially with the TikTok content she was filming with Cade and some of the other players. But it was Cade’s interactions with Clara’s kids that sold me. He talked up comic books with Benny and played piano with Hannah.

I also enjoyed him taking care of her, the way he rushed to check on her when she called in sick, the way he put together the care package for her and was prepared to risk his career for her in the most public way, this man is a keeper (even though he’s a winger). I loved how he supported Asher too, he’s a good friend as well as the best boyfriend ever.

[Suzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate’s books are always a delight to read, and this one is no exception. It’s a fun and witty romance, with great banter, depth, plenty of swoony moments, and a charming Hallmark vibe.

I couldn’t help but fall in love with Cade and Clara. Their chemistry was tangible, and their back and forth kept me smiling. I loved how Cade treated Clara’s kids, how much he loved his mom.

You can expect—
Small Town
Single-Mother FMC
Golden Retriever MMC
He Falls First
Forbidden Love
Workplace Romance
Dual POV
Chronic Illness Representation
Kisses Only

This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone.

Many thanks to the author for a gifted copy.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a heartwarming read. Thank you to the Author, Kate O’Keeffe & Wild Lime Books for this eARC.

Clara - single mum, chronic illness warrior, survivor of a piece of work ex & social media manager of a hockey team is such a RELATABLE character and I truly loved seeing her journey in this book.

Cade, the hockey god who has the bad boy image but it truly isn’t who he is deep down! I loved his redemption to his true self in this story line!

And their dynamic in this book was sooooooo good!

This was such a good hockey read, with forbidden romance / workplace romance vibes !

Would recommend !!

[Megan Crofton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Clara and Cade so much! They were fun, flirty, and sweet! I giggled, I swooned, I shook my head at their antics LOL! I knew from page one this one would be fun!

Clara was feisty and I loved this fight she was putting up against Cade and his flirting. Loved flirty Cade and snarky Clara, they worked so well together. The attraction and chemistry they had was fantastic. The innuendo and flirting was top notch. I loved seeing the new layers to these two and see behind their walls. The growth with both characters was great and I loved seeing them open up to each other. Cade was so sweet and patient with Clara's kids and I loved the twist with her online friend. I really enjoyed these two and their fun, flirty story.

This one had great fall vibes and I loved the hockey aspects of this one too. Getting to know the Ice Breakers team even more was great. I loved the camaraderie of the team. These teammates are wonderful and I can't wait to read each of their stories!

[tkmatkock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Offsides and Off Limits by Kate O’Keeffe gave me everything I wanted in a small-town sports romance. 🏒✨

It follows a hockey player with a wild lifestyle who crosses paths with a single mom navigating chronic illness and the wounds of her past. I absolutely adored the way he stepped up—not just for her, but for her kids too. The way he cared for them melted me. 🥹

This one was tender, swoony, and full of heart—definitely recommend if you love sports romance with depth and small-town charm!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, especially because Clara was a familiar face from The Rebound Play. I love being able to make connections between books and characters. Watching her try to fend off Cade's flirtations was adorable. He had all the charm and suave moves, but little did Clara know that he was a reformed playboy, interested in more than just fun. This was a great addition to the Love in Maple Falls multi-author series.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done story

I am really liking this series and this story was so well done. I loved how thoughtful and kind Cade was and how Clara loved her kids and job and tried not to like Cade. So sweet.

[Rhiley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Wild Lime Books for the E-ARC! This E-ARC was sent to me in exchange for an honest review.

I can't say I loved it and I can't say I hated it. It was cute and cozy with good chronic illness rep, but I also really didn't like the main male character and wish we had a bigger confrontation with the fmc's ex. The fmc being a single mom was a great aspect and was done well too!
The mmc was obviously written by a woman. He would constantly say "Come on, I'm a guy, of course I notice she's hot" or something similar and it was very off-putting. Also his other teammates were kind of assholes to him in the beginning and I wasn't a huge fan of them either based on their demeanor. All of the males acted like horny idiots.
It was fun but I probably won't read it again.

[Adelina Lidén · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐️ | NetGalley Review

Thank you for the ARC!

This was a cute and easy read. It had great mental health rep which is always a plus. However, it felt a bit rushed and shallow at times. I would've wanted a bit more depth, both feelings and story wise.

And the part where they needed to save the town? That part of the plot fell through and was tied together very shortly at the end. No real build up, no money-panic and drama around it.

It was short and somewhat sweet☀️

[N Tal · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was too cheesy. I got so bored with it I skimmed the ending. I liked the characters but there was no build up, no real tension. How do they fall i love so fast after having so few interactions? It didn't feel real.

[Tanvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and funny. I liked the plot as well as the characters. The setup and the meet cute was adorable and I liked that the author gave the FMC such a strong personality.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the success of the Love on Thin Ice series (reviewed here), the same authors are back with a second round of hockey romance in the small Washington town of Maple Falls! Once again, there will be seven books; here are the first three.

So far, the authors have done a good job of incorporating the various characters and locations from both the original seven books and the ones for this go-round.

I do have a couple of overall concerns before we get into the specific books:

First, the town itself. Based on the physical descriptions of the town, I was pretty certain it was on the west side of Washington, somewhere west of the Cascade Mountains. That’s the part of Washington most people think of—green, rainy, and lush. If you cross the Cascades to the east, however, the terrain changes. There’s much less green. It’s flatter. And there’s significantly less rain. (Really significant down here in the southeast corner where I am.) So imagine my surprise when I learned this time around that Maple Falls is an hour from Spokane. It’s got to be in the northeast corner of the state, where you do get more mountains and yes, there are some maple trees. It can’t be to the east, because then you’re in Idaho. It can’t really be south or west, because it’s dryer. So Northeast Washington it is! So when the authors talk about Washington’s characteristic rains, they’re not quite accurate. Being the nitpicker that I am, I searched climate averages for a town an hour north-ish of Spokane, and the average annual rainfall is only about two-thirds that of Seattle.

Second, the passage of time. The first book mentions that Zach and Ellie, from Breaking the Ice, are expecting their third child. This seems a little unreasonable! Based on the ages of Clara’s children (six and eight in the first series, eight and ten in this one), only two years have passed. The bonus epilogue to Breaking the Ice has Zach proposing a year after the events of the original story, so…this just seems wrong. Additionally, when Zach proposed to Ellie, it was the second year of the Ice Breakers being a charity team. Suddenly, a single year after that, there’s an NHL team in Maple Falls? It takes years to create a team from scratch. And to create a major league team in a town an hour from the nearest airport? (And GEG is not a huge airport.) I know, I need to suspend my disbelief and just roll with it. But…

Finally, and most importantly, the solution to the threat on Maple Falls is different in the first book from in the third one.

Okay, Picky Vicky-ness aside. Let’s get on with the book.

We first met Clara as Ellie’s sister in The Rebound Play. She has not recovered from her chronic fatigue syndrome, but she is managing it, and she’s the new social media manager for the Ice Breakers. When she encounters Cade, with his past reputation as a playboy ladies’ man, she is determined to keep things professional.

Cade has other ideas. His playboy days are in the past, and he came to Maple Falls to reinvent himself. He just has to convince Clara that he’s not the man she thinks she knows.

When they have a moment in a video that wasn’t supposed to be livestreamed, the fans love their chemistry, and Clara’s boss wants her to do many more videos with Cade.

One thing I liked about this one is that there is no third-act breakup. Although Clara has a non-fraternization clause in her employment contract, she is a grownup and lets her boss know that she and Cade have started a relationship. She does, however, have to wait a few days for official word from up the chain of command on whether that will be okay—which causes a grand gesture from Cade. It wasn’t needed, but it was grand.

There’s also a subplot with Clara’s online relationship with a fellow chronic fatigue warrior. I had a suspicion of who it might be, and it was completely wrong. It was a great twist and gave Clara a real opportunity to stand up for herself.

O’Keeffe takes an opportunity in the epilogue to mention characters from her other books who all tie into the families in this one. So you’re probably going to have to add to your TBR.

There are a few continuity errors in this one. The announcement to the town about the impending problem it faces comes a little too soon (I’m keeping a timeline). Cade mentions at one point that his sister has twins, Oliver and Olivia. In the epilogue, they have completely different names. In the “Drench for Defense” fundraiser, Clara is surprised by a woman who throws water on Asher, but in his book, he has discussed his attraction with Clara and she gave him advice.

Possible Objectionable Material:
Mention of chronic illness and mental health. Kissing. A deadbeat ex-husband. Cade mentions his playboy past and how he took many different women home. Catfishing.


Who might like this book:
If you like witty banter, humor, hockey, and romance, here you go!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

#NetGalley #BookReview #Biblioquacious #RomCom #Hockey #CFS #Forbidden #KateOKeeffe #OffsideAndOffLimits

This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...

[DayDreamer8912 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rate: 5/5
Genre: Clean/Hockey Romcom
🚨TW: mentions about abandonment, suffering with CFS , being catfished

Read it if you like:
🏒Dual POV
🏒 Hockey Romance
🏒 Single mom
🏒 Small town
🏒 He falls first
🏒 Closed door

Favourite Moments
🏒 When they first met
🏒 Moments with Benny and Hannah
🏒 Hockey players dancing
🏒 The support group. (can’t spoil it)
🏒 Dinner at his house along with the children.
🏒 Him trying to win her love.
🏒 Drench for Defence (this is so funny)
🏒 Him being there for her (can’t spoil it)
(lots more)

Swoony Moments
🏒 He falls for her at first sight
🏒 He try his best to win her heart.
🏒 He cares for her and her children.
🏒 He respected her.
🏒 He take cares of her and do whatever he can just to be with her (read and you will know)
🏒 He cares for his teammates and also his family.

Synopsis
Cade
An NHL player who was known as a womanizer. Accepted to play for the Ice Breakers and moved to Maple Falls for a fresh new start. Wanting to settle down and have a family of his own.

Clara
A single mom whose ex left her and her children because of her CFS. She managed to get the job of her dream which is managing the social media of the Ice Breakers.

They met all thanks to her son, Benny who was talking to him about the comic that he was interested it and Cade fell in love with her at the first sight. However, old habits die hard. He couldn’t resist and flirt with her which kind of irks her. Will he ever be able to win her love? And what? They had been life-stream in each other’s arms? Find out in Offside and Off-Limits!!

Review:
Awww….they are just so sweet together. Clara’s children Benny and Hannah are just so adorable. Love that they meet each other and Cade instantly get along with her children and her children adores him. And the way he takes care of her when she had an episode of CFS and also do whatever he can to help her and protect her and her children. He is always there for her and her kids, though he couldn’t help himself but flirt with her which kind of irks her out since he is actually known as a womanizer. It is love at first sight for him and as they got to know each other Clara found out that he is not what she thinks he is. Clara is getting better in coping with her CFS and also, she got her dream job of managing the social media and also love the ideas that she comes out with (can’t spoil it just to let you know that it is going to be so entertaining) and one of the activities Cade made nicknames for his teammates that will make you roll in laughter.

Love the people around them who supports them and love them too. Asher is quite a scene stealer for this story and not to forget their leader Jamie too haha…. This book made me smile, laugh, swoon, cheering for the team and wanting to be with the support group to support and encourage Clara and her friends in the support group who are struggling.

P/S Lolz…Cade named his baby grand piano Bess.

Q&A Do you name your things? To be honest I do name my stuff toy animal. What about you? Tell me in the comments below.

I was gifted complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.Thanks @kateokeeffewriter for the ARC .

This is the 2nd book of Love in Maple Fall Series. This series consists of 7 books and it is written by 7 different authors.

Please do check out other series of Kate O' Keeffe.
You can purchase her books on Amazon and it is available on KU.

[Hilma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does this sound familiar? You read a book; you love it a lot and then all of a sudden you have finished it and you feel a little sad. That’s what happened to me with this book: Offside and Off-Limits by Kate O’Keeffe. It’s the second standalone book in the interconnected Love in Maple Falls Series, a sweet and clean ice hockey romance series. Single Mom Clara gets the job she loves to have: being the social media manager of the Ice Breakers, the Maple Falls ice hockey team who are just newly arrived in the NHL. When she meets ice hockey player Cade, he is all flirty and full of charm. He is captivated by her and loves to tease her. Cade is newly located to Maple Falls and wants to leave his womanizing ways behind him and start anew.

This was such a sweet, cool and humorous story! I loved Clare and Cade. They are so great together and as Cade is this flirty guy, we get all kinds of lovely and funny scenes. Cade is a great character; he wants to be a good guy and wants to have someone to love and cherish. He is a tough ice hockey player and really does not mind if he gets teased himself. Clara is wonderful, she is a single Mom with two small children, but also suffers from chronic fatigue. The way she handles her life and being this super social media person, filming all kinds of things for TikTok, you have to admire her. Some scenes she and the team film are just great.

I am amazed that Kate O’Keeffe and all the other authors of this series and the earlier Love on Thin Ice series, thought to write these stories. It is as Maple Falls is a real town and you know all the people who live there. The same goes with the Ice Breakers, you feel that this is a real team. And if there would be a TikTok account of the Ice Breakers, I know it would have a lot of viewers.
The writing is flowing, engaging and the book is a joy to read. Kate O’Keefe describes everything so really well, because you just can see everything before your eyes. If Maple Falls were a real town, I would love to go there and maybe even live there.

The dual POV in Offside and Off-Limits is also fantastic, this way we get to know how Clara and Cade feel and think. As the relationship between these two progresses, there is some drama, because Clara is not allowed to get into any relationship with a hockey player. And of course there is also the ex-husband.

The plot, story-line, the chemistry between Cade and Clara, the flowing writing style, all made that I had a really hard time putting the book down. Near the end of the book Kate O’Keeffe had some plot twist in store. I thought I know what was going to happen (no spoilers from me, go read the book) but I was completely wrong.

Offside and Off-Limits is a great book, I enjoyed reading it a lot and I can’t wait to read the next book in the Love in Maple Falls series, but I also am going to read the other books by Kate O’Keeffe, because I just love her writing style.

So, I you love clean hockey romances, with great characters, a charming small-town setting and an engaging story-line, go read this book (and the other books in this new series) and also do read the Love on Thin Ice series. I know you’ll love it!

[Carmen Dieleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

offside and off limits

Vorig jaar las ik een 7 delige serie boeken, elk deel door een andere schrijfster geschreven en allemaal even leuk. Ook dit jaar hebben de schrijfsters een reeks boeken geschreven waarvan ik er een paar mag lezen. Het eerste boek dat ik las was dit verhaal. 

Dit verhaal speelde zich weer af in Maple Falls, het was weer heerlijk rustig, romantisch. Een heerlijk boek om even bij weg te dromen, naar een dorpje vol ijshockey en roddels. Elk boek is een novelle verhaal waar ik weer doorheen vloog. Dit verhaal is ook weer fijn opgebouwd en je leest vanuit Clara en Cade hoofdstukken waardoor je ze goed leert kennen en goed in ze kan verdiepen. Cade is een ijshockeyspeler, net in een nieuw team met een reputatie als player in het date leven. Hij wil alleen wat anders, vandaar zijn nieuwe start in dit team. Clara is ook aan een nieuw begin toe, met haar ziekte heeft ze veel te verduren gehad en wil een nieuwe start. Ze moeten samen werken en heel toevallig hebben de kinderen van Clara ook heel veel gemeen met Cade. 

Het is een leuk en lief geschreven verhaal wat ik aan iedereen aanraad! Op naar het volgende deel!

Last year I read a seven-part series of books, each by a different author, and each one equally enjoyable. This year, the authors have written a series again, and I'm allowed to read a few of them. The first book I read was this one. 

It was set in Maple Falls again, and it was wonderfully peaceful and romantic. A wonderful book to dream away to, a town full of ice hockey and gossip. Each book is a novella, and I flew through it again. This story is also well-structured, and you read chapters from Clara and Cade's perspective, allowing you to get to know them well and delve into their lives. Cade is an ice hockey player, newly joined a new team with a reputation as a dating gamer. He just wants something different, hence his new start on the team. Clara is also ready for a new beginning; she's endured a lot with her illness and wants a fresh start. They have to work together, and coincidentally, Clara's children also have a lot in common with Cade. 

It's a fun and sweet story that I recommend to everyone! On to the next part!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ sterren
#lezenisontspanning #neverstopreading #spreadthebooklove #reading #bookstagramreadsaugust #boekstagram #bookblogger #lekkerlezen #leesmaand #boekenmaand #boekentips #boekenplank #feelgood  #readingisgoodforthesoul #booklover #booksbooksbooks #boekenwurm #spreadthebooklove #sharethebooklove

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Offside and Off-Limits is the second story in the Love in Maple Falls hockey-themed romantic comedies series. The series is connected to 2024’s popular Love on Thin Ice series, which was also set in Maple Falls, Washington. Both series contain connected stories by various authors; each book can be read as a stand-alone. All stories in both series are closed-door romances that don’t contain any sex, violence, or profanity.

Clara Johnson is a divorced mother of two young children who has just been hired as the Social Media Manager for the Ice Breakers hockey team. Clara’s sister, Keira, was the heroine in The Rebound Play in the Love on Thin Ice series. Clara is anxious about her new job because she suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and is worried about having enough stamina.

Cade Lennox transferred to the new Ice Breakers hockey team in tiny Maple Falls, Washington with Jamie Hayes from the New York Blades. Cade was a native of New Jersey and had a very humble upbringing. He flaunted his status as a ladies’ man, while realizing that women were only with him because of his wealth and fame. He relocated partly so that he can turn over a new leaf and find true love like his best friend, Drake, found with Bella.

Clara trips and falls into Cade’s arms during a livestream event, becoming a viral sensation. While fans want them to become a couple, she’s afraid to get burned again and her employment contract forbids it. Cade is drawn to Clara’s quiet strength and works hard to convince her to take a chance on him. Their chemistry is amazing but clean.

Offside and Off-Limits is a wonderful installment in the Love in Maple Falls small town hockey romcom series. The realistic portrayal of a character with a chronic illness adds a layer of depth to an otherwise light rom-com. Cade’s character development is fun to watch and makes his plunge into love more believable. His scenes with Clara’s kids are sheer perfection. The cameos from characters in the Love on Thin Ice series add to the enjoyment of the story. The Hallmark Channel should definitely adapt this story to film!

I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Wild Lime Books for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cassondra Perea · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Cade Lennox is a professional hockey player with a reputation for playing the field. Disillusioned by empty hook-ups, he vows to ditch his ‘playboy’ persona in exchange for a serious relationship. So when an opportunity arises for him to start over in the small-town of Maple Falls playing for their brand new NHL team (The Ice Breakers), he takes it. Will Cade be able to leave his past behind, or will he forever be known by his former mistakes?

Offside and Off-Limits by Kate O’Keeffe is the second book in the Love in Maple Falls Series. Composed of seven standalone books by seven authors, this interconnected series follows professional hockey players as they discover love in a small-town.

Devoted fans of this series will recall that last year the same group of authors came together to pen the Love on Thin Ice Series. It was in that series where readers were first introduced to Clara Johnson and her adorable kiddos (via her sister Keira) in, The Rebound Play.

Suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Clara was sidelined throughout the entire duration of The Rebound Play. She missed out on not only her life, but her children’s. Thankfully, we see a healthier version of her in this book.

With chronic illness playing such a huge role in the plot-line, Clara’s role as the social media manager for The Ice Breakers brought a much needed levity to the story. In an effort to garner attention on social media, Clara had the team doing off-the-wall projects (tik-tok dances, water bucket fundraiser, etc) that allowed readers to get to know them on a more personal level as well as showcase how they interacted as a group.

Be sure to read this book for:
-Dual POVs
-Chronic Illness Representation
-Single-Mother FMC
-Golden Retriever MMC
-He Falls First
-Forbidden Love
-Workplace Romance

Special thanks to Netgalley, Wild Lime Books, and Kate O’Keeffe for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75 stars!
ARC review (Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC):
Oh how I love hockey guys. This was short, quick and fun read with less than 200 pages. I loveee a small town romance (and this one had a MAP of the small town??? oh sign me up!)
I loved the chronic illness representation in this book, I really liked that the author shed light on that even with less than 200 pages. Clara was amazing, her kids were so adorable and Cade was swoon-worthy. He really is an acts of service/gift giving as a love language kind of guy and that just sucked me in. Even just things he did for Clara and her kids....that goes to show that you dont need big, grand gestures. The small things matter as much if not more.
I also liked that Cade, known as a playboy/womanizer, wanted to turn over a new leaf and change his lifestyle before he met Clara and got to know her. Because in most of the romances with that kind of hero, he only changes once he got to know the FMC (nothing wrong with that but I liked reading this "trope" differently this time around).
Since its less than 200 pages, you can't go super in depth with a lot of things. But I wish this book would have been longer to flesh out some scenes and stuff. For example, Hannah's Show Case, for which Cade practiced with her. I would have loved to see them perform etc.
Another thing that could have been done differently in my opinion is the last chapter, I think it was unnecessary to throw in this new set of side characters that we didnt know until the last few pages, and I was very confused about that. I think it would have been just as fine or even better if it would have been just Clara's and Cade's close family. Without the princess etc. (I was very confused)
But that didn't really affect my rating of this book, just something I wanted to mention. Otherwise I really enjoyed my time reading this! Thank you again, NetGalley and the author/or her publisher for the ARC!

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clara is a single mom struggling with chronic fatigue syndrome. (She's doing pretty well at the moment.) She has an anonymous online friendship with somebody she likes but now she's got a job as the social media manager for the ice hockey team, so she comes into contact with the flirty player Cade a lot. Her contract has a non-fraternisation clause and Cade has a bit of a playboy reputation. But he bonds with her kids in a way their mostly absent dad doesn't seem inclined to.

I liked the main characters and it's an easy read with a twist I didn't see coming. Some cameos from characters of other books I could have lived without. It's described as a rom-com but it was not particularly funny to me, more like a sweet Hallmark film.
.

Clara attends a support group for chronic diseases and some of those characters feel like they're there to provide chronic illness representation more than they're there to move the plot forward.

This story is part of a multi author series about a NHL team in a small town, population ten thousand. I have not read any of the other books so I'm not entirely sure how such a small town can provide enough audience to make a professional sports team in the big leagues financially viable. We're told that the atmosphere of the town is threatened by developers and the plan to save it from malls involves little old ladies splashing ice hockey players. Which seemed like social media fun but not very likely to have a noticeable effect on any larger business plans. So there are some plausibility issues but it's just background colour so just go with it, OK? There is no resolution to the alleged threat to the city here but it might be an ongoing theme in the series, maybe.

Steam level: Safe for work. '.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Offside and Off-Limits is a swoony, sweet romance featuring pro hockey player, Cade Lennox, and new social media manager and single mom, Clara Johnson. Cade is immediately drawn to Clara but Clara thinks he is just a flirty playboy. Little does she know Cade stepped back from that lifestyle last year. He is ready to settle down and moved to Maple Falls for a fresh start. Cade is persistent in trying to win Clara over. She has a non fraternization clause in her employment contract with the Ice Breakers. Clara has to decide if she’s willing to risk the job she loves for a chance at the love of a lifetime.

Cade is flirty, confident, and always saying the right things. He’s definitely a charmer but he’s also genuine and sincere. He takes care of Clara when she’s run down. He understands her struggle with CFS because his mom deals with something similar. He enjoys spending time with her kids and truly wants to build a relationship with them. He is kind and thoughtful and all in with Clara.

Clara has been burned before and isn’t sure about putting her heart out there again. I love the mature way she handled everything. She was cautious, with reason. Cade had a reputation and crossing lines with him put her job at risk. She didn’t stay stubbornly scared though. She let Cade’s actions speak to the man he had become. I also appreciate the way she and Cade handled the situation with her job.

I absolutely loved Clara and Cade’s story. I also enjoyed getting to see more interactions with the other Ice Breakers. The banter was chef’s kiss! Hockey 101 with Cade was fire. Offside and Off-limits is a definite 5 star read for me. I’m even more excited about the rest of the series now.


❤️Golden Retriever MMC
❤️Single Mom FMC
❤️Ice Breakers Right Winger
❤️Ice Breakers Social Media Manager
❤️Forbidden Romance
❤️He Falls First
❤️Workplace Romance
❤️Chronic Illness Rep
❤️He Gives Her A Nickname

Thank you Kate O’Keeffe for the advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[HEATHER · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with this series last year and I'm so glad they brought it back. Kate O' Keeffe nailed it with this one! This was such a fun story to read and I didn't want to put it down. I was drawn in from the beginning and didn't want it to end. I fell in love with these characters from the very beginning. I loved that she wrote this story with someone having a chronic illness. This subject isn't talked about enough and I give her a standing ovation for that! I had a bad back surgery 2 years ago and now deal with chronic pain and my life style changed in a big way. At 41 that was a hard pill to swallow but I can still live life its just different then it was before. So thank you Kate for talking about all the things people deal with.

Cade is a Hockey Player and is known for being a ladies man. He's hoping moving here to Maple Falls will give him a new lease on life and let people see a different side of him. He wants to change his life and start being serious and settle down. When he meets Clara the he knows his life is definitely going to change!!

Clara is a divorced, single mom with a son and a daughter. She suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome and has been a stay at home mom and working part time jobs when she could. But now that she is able to work full time she finally got her dream job being the social media manager for the Ice Breakers. When she meets Cade her eye's tell her one thing but her heart tells her to stay away. But as she gets to know him things start to change.

This book will have you laughing out loud, swooning like crazy, you will be smiling like a fool through out this book, have a few emotional moments and then you will be left with a beautiful happily ever after ending! I LOVED Clara and Cade's story and I HIGHLY recommend this book!!

Thank you Kate O' Keeffe for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

[T M. Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review of Off Side and Off Limits

Off Side and Off Limits is a charming and heartfelt romance that captures the beauty of personal growth and the courage it takes to step into a new version of yourself. At its core, this story speaks to the theme of allowing yourself the grace to evolve, to release the past, and to reach for something more meaningful.

Cade, who has spent much of his early career wrapped up in the glitter and distractions of a playboy lifestyle, finds himself yearning for deeper purpose and connection. Enter Clare—a woman so focused on holding her life together that she doesn’t dare imagine wanting, or deserving, more. Their meeting sparks an unlikely connection that blossoms into a relationship built on honesty, vulnerability, and the quiet bravery of self-discovery.

What makes this story shine is the way love is portrayed not as a rescue, but as an empowerment. Cade doesn’t just fall in love with Clare; he also learns who he wants to become alongside her. And Clare, in turn, finds the courage to loosen her grip on control and allow herself to embrace joy. The result is a tender and uplifting reminder that we’re never too old—or too set in our ways—to grow into something new.

The pacing is sweet and engaging, with side characters and a sense of humor that make the book lighthearted even as it tackles themes of vulnerability and change. While I found a few moments a touch predictable, the characters’ chemistry more than made up for it, and their journey was both relatable and inspiring.

This is an adorable and affirming read—perfect for anyone who enjoys romances where personal growth is as important as passion. I’m very much looking forward to reading more books in this series and seeing where these characters’ journeys (and the author’s storytelling) continue to lead.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 shining stars!

CADE: "I think Clara Johnson might have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. Big and blue and judging me. Really, it would be a crime not to look at them as much as humanly possible."

CLARA: "This man is infuriating.  And hot. Definitely hot. Dang it!"

This is the second part of the series (this is a fun series - all parts are written by different authors) but can be read as a standalone. Cade is a hockey player, Clara is the social media manager for his team and there’s a non-fraternization clause... But the heart wants what it wants.

This was a great example of a book with no steam but where the chemistry is off the roof! Oh my how much I liked this. I should've been sleeping instead of reading this, but it was just so good! I loved how angst-free it was, and how well Cade and Clara fit together. And a. bit of fall theme - I just loved it. I think this was the first time I read Kate O'Keeffe's books, but it definitely wasn't the last!

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Pov: dual, 1st person
Heat: no steam, kissing only
Pacing: slowburn
Communication: healthy communication
Third act: smooth sailing
Ending: HEA

Main characters:
* Alpha Hero
* Cinnamon roll hero
* Physically very different
* Single parent

What?
* Forbidden love
* Forced proximity
* Found family
* Grand gesture
* Sports romance: hockey

Where?
* Small town
* Workplace romance

Drama?
* Difficult past
* Family drama
* Non-fraternization clause

Other vibes:
* Fall romance
* Cronic Fatigue syndrome rep

--
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️

What happens when a single mom of two becomes the social media manager for her hometown's pro hockey team? She gets to know players beyond only what she’s read about them. She also gets to know players that are exactly like what is written about them. Kate O’Keeffe reminds us that first impressions are not always correct in Offsides and Off Limits. This is book 2 in the Love in Maple Falls series and I loved seeing Clara in the spotlight.

We met Clara in the series Love on Thin Ice and I knew she was something special from then. Seeing her get her own happily ever after, especially after everything her ex-husband put her through, was everything I hoped for. She is a hard working, determined mom who wants nothing more than to provide for her two kids. Battling a chronic illness, she has never let it stop her and definitely doesn’t let it define her. She is stronger than most people give her credit for.

Cade is coming to Maple Falls to join the Icebreakers and start over. He hasn’t had the cleanest reputation, and while he never denies the media coverage, he knows he is more than what they report on him. He owns up to his wild life, but never fails to really see people. He sees Clara for everything that she is on the inside and reminds her of that.

As a spin off series of Love on Thin Ice, Love in Maple Falls continues sharing these loving, sweet stories from amazing characters. Each one can be read as a standalone, but you should read all of them to get the full experience that Maple Falls and the Icebreakers bring.

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
🏒Small Town Romance
🍂Hockey Romance
🏒Single Mom FMC
🍂Golden Retriever MMC
🏒He Falls First
🍂Chronic Illness Rep
🏒Clean Romance

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And if I misjudged him and his depth is less like a puddle and more like an ocean, could I be in some serious trouble here?" This was the moment Clara realizes there is more to Cade than his muscles and flirty ways.

Clara has just been hired as the social media manager for the Ice Breakers hockey team. She is not interested in romance, especially from an egotistical, womanizing pro athlete. Hockey player Cade Lennox did not get her memo.

Cade needs a new public look. His hockey skills are perfection, but his image needs a reboot. Cade can't help that is a super fine hockey player with loads of charm that just oozes out of his pores and his mouth. He soon learns his charming flirtations are falling flat with Clara. He will have to up his game, so to speak, if he is going to charm her.

Both of these characters were fun to get to know. Clara had a very interesting, albeit sad, history with health problems and stinky ex. She has spunk and never gives up, which is why she is at a better place in her life today, both physically and mentally.

Cade was definitely a charmer, but he was so much more. He was a prince when it came down to the nitty gritty, as he was there when she needed him most. There is nothing more romantic than a man who will take tender loving care of a sick woman.

Swooning is a necessary byproduct of reading this book. There is a twist that will throw you for a loop. Yes. There is a twist in this romantic comedy. This is a another delightful, winning read by this author who truly knows how to write romance with wit and depth.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Florida Girl Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightful rom com based in the picturesque town of Maple Falls. If you read the Love on Thin Ice series from 2024, then you will recognize many of the characters who are part of the new Love in Maple Falls Series.
Offsides and Off-Limits centers on Clara, a single mom balancing a chronic illness, working, raising her children and dealing with a loathsome ex-husband. She lands her dream job with Maple Fall's brand-new hockey team, the Ice Breakers never realizing that she will find new strengths day to day.
Cade, a hockey star with a womanizer reputation, moves to Maple Falls and the Ice Breaker's team to escape his reputation and build a new life. His accidental meeting Clara and her kids set the story in motion and sets Cade’s, and my, hearts aflutter.
Cade is a natural charmer who comes off a bit disingenuous, but as the story progresses, readers see Cade's gentle honesty and a depth of character that warms our heart and gives us hope. Clara slowly discovers the man inside the hockey god and as she reevaluates her first impressions, she is forced to face her feelings for Cade and their impact on her life.
I love Kate O'Keeffe's writing as she seamlessly combines strength, humor and sensitivity into her hot male characters side by side with female characters who have intelligence, insecurities and feisty personalities. I sighed and swooned as the romance developed and cheered at the conclusion of book!
I am always excited to read a book by Kate O'Keeffe and Offsides and Off - Limits was perfect.
I received an Advance Readers Copy and am leaving my voluntary opinion based solely on my reading experience.