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Peaches and Pucks
Not yet published
Expected 3 Feb 26One hotel room. One bed.
Zero chance of keeping it professional.
Harry
When I agreed to chaperone the boys’ hockey team, I thought my biggest challenge would be pretending to understand the rules—not being stuck sharing a hotel room with Darius Hall. The P.E. teacher. The human whistle. The man who’s made my Mondays miserable for years.
But somewhere between the bus ride, the tense semifinal, and one very small bed, I start to realize the worst part of Darius Hall might be how much I like him.
Darius
I’ve spent years pretending Harry Peterson doesn’t get under my skin. Easier to tease him than admit I notice everything—his color-coded lesson plans, the cedar-and-coffee smell, that unguarded laugh.
Now we’re stuck sharing a hotel room, and I’m running out of excuses for the way I feel. One bed. One night. And suddenly I can’t decide what’s harder to handle: his endless commentary or how much I miss it when he stops talking.
Peaches and Pucks is a heartwarming novella of rivalry and unexpected connection, where sparks just might fly—on and off the ice
Zero chance of keeping it professional.
Harry
When I agreed to chaperone the boys’ hockey team, I thought my biggest challenge would be pretending to understand the rules—not being stuck sharing a hotel room with Darius Hall. The P.E. teacher. The human whistle. The man who’s made my Mondays miserable for years.
But somewhere between the bus ride, the tense semifinal, and one very small bed, I start to realize the worst part of Darius Hall might be how much I like him.
Darius
I’ve spent years pretending Harry Peterson doesn’t get under my skin. Easier to tease him than admit I notice everything—his color-coded lesson plans, the cedar-and-coffee smell, that unguarded laugh.
Now we’re stuck sharing a hotel room, and I’m running out of excuses for the way I feel. One bed. One night. And suddenly I can’t decide what’s harder to handle: his endless commentary or how much I miss it when he stops talking.
Peaches and Pucks is a heartwarming novella of rivalry and unexpected connection, where sparks just might fly—on and off the ice
Unknown Binding
Expected publication February 3, 2026
724 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Wardell
11 books856 followersI write steamy queer romance and romantic comedies. My goal is to make you laugh and turn you on. Often at the same time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Peaches and pucks is a short, sweet and (very)spicy novella. It was a quick read and I enjoyed it for the most part.
This is the type of story you have to suspend your disbelief because do I think one for the main characters is immature? Yep. Do I truly believe the relationship could work? No. And the dirty talk.... not for me. But it was a fun read.
If you're in a reading slump or just want to turn off your brain with a quick romance, there you go.
Thank you to the author and Grey's promotions for the ARC.
This is the type of story you have to suspend your disbelief because do I think one for the main characters is immature? Yep. Do I truly believe the relationship could work? No. And the dirty talk.... not for me. But it was a fun read.
If you're in a reading slump or just want to turn off your brain with a quick romance, there you go.
Thank you to the author and Grey's promotions for the ARC.
January 25, 2026
This was really good! I’ve not read a book by this author before and this book was a perfect introduction to his writing! I really loved this. The story was well written and it was really hot! I didn’t expect this level of steam.
Darius and Harry work together as teachers, PE and English teachers respectively. Darius has made Harry’s life difficult in the few years they’ve worked together. Harry has always felt like men who are super masculine and into sports are so different from him and they make him feel out of place. This stems from growing up with his father and brothers being this way and him always feeling on the outside. He thinks of Darius this way so he tries to avoid him. He gets roped into going on an overnight trip with the peewee hockey team that Darius coaches and has to share a room with him. Darius, unbeknownst to Harry, is not straight and has been interested in Harry from the first day Harry started teaching at the school. He just doesn’t know how to show Harry he likes him so he teases him.
This overnight trip gets pretty heated and Darius thinks it’s the beginning of something more but Harry shuts him out. Harry thinks they’re too different and Darius’s world of ultra masculine sports brings back feelings of inadequacy from his younger years. But Harry can’t fight his attraction to Darius.
Darius was pretty clueless but he really had true feelings for Harry. He was very sweet but needed a bit of a snack to get him to grow up and own up to his feelings. Harry had every right to be hesitant. He did sort of lead Darius on though.
I loved the epilogue and this was a fast read that kept me entertained! There was so much sweetness between Darius and Harry!
Thank you to Grey’s Promotions for the ARC
All thoughts and opinions are my own
Darius and Harry work together as teachers, PE and English teachers respectively. Darius has made Harry’s life difficult in the few years they’ve worked together. Harry has always felt like men who are super masculine and into sports are so different from him and they make him feel out of place. This stems from growing up with his father and brothers being this way and him always feeling on the outside. He thinks of Darius this way so he tries to avoid him. He gets roped into going on an overnight trip with the peewee hockey team that Darius coaches and has to share a room with him. Darius, unbeknownst to Harry, is not straight and has been interested in Harry from the first day Harry started teaching at the school. He just doesn’t know how to show Harry he likes him so he teases him.
This overnight trip gets pretty heated and Darius thinks it’s the beginning of something more but Harry shuts him out. Harry thinks they’re too different and Darius’s world of ultra masculine sports brings back feelings of inadequacy from his younger years. But Harry can’t fight his attraction to Darius.
Darius was pretty clueless but he really had true feelings for Harry. He was very sweet but needed a bit of a snack to get him to grow up and own up to his feelings. Harry had every right to be hesitant. He did sort of lead Darius on though.
I loved the epilogue and this was a fast read that kept me entertained! There was so much sweetness between Darius and Harry!
Thank you to Grey’s Promotions for the ARC
All thoughts and opinions are my own
January 21, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to M. A. Wardell and Grey’s Promotions for the advance reader copy of this book in exchange for review. I absolutely adored this book. I’ve loved a lot this authors work before and this was so great.
The book tells the story of Harry Peterson, 5th grade English teacher and Darius Hall, PE teacher and school hockey coach. The book kicks off with Harry agreeing to chaperone an overnight trip with the hockey team. Harry is a character that I related to a lot. I love the relationship between Harry and Darius. I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait for my preordered copy to arrive.
Preorder your copy today. Peaches and Pucks is available on February 2, 20226.
Pre-order your copy today!
Amazon: https://bit.ly/4ovbpX5
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4aklq5N
Thank you to M. A. Wardell and Grey’s Promotions for the advance reader copy of this book in exchange for review. I absolutely adored this book. I’ve loved a lot this authors work before and this was so great.
The book tells the story of Harry Peterson, 5th grade English teacher and Darius Hall, PE teacher and school hockey coach. The book kicks off with Harry agreeing to chaperone an overnight trip with the hockey team. Harry is a character that I related to a lot. I love the relationship between Harry and Darius. I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait for my preordered copy to arrive.
Preorder your copy today. Peaches and Pucks is available on February 2, 20226.
Pre-order your copy today!
Amazon: https://bit.ly/4ovbpX5
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4aklq5N
Read
December 24, 2025A very focused novella compared to Wardell’s previous, Stirring Spurs. Where Spurs had a somewhat kaleidoscopic cast (due in large part to the shared setting for multiple books), Peaches and Pucks is narrowly focused on the two main characters, Harry and Darius, with limited side character interactions.
I think this serves the format better than trying to shoehorn in a bunch of other characters, but it does mean that you have to like the two main characters a lot because you’re not going to get much more besides them. Wardell also chose to divide the book into POV sections instead of trading back and forth every chapter, which is a very interesting choice that you don’t often see. I think it works well in the novella format, creating larger structural components divided into chapter-sized bites.
Harry, the English teacher who has a bit of a sports phobia, is by page count and authorial empathy the main main character. Darius, the PE teacher and pee wee hockey coach, gets POV time, but his chapters are often more focused on how much he likes Harry and wants to do right by him after spending the past four years making fun of him. Harry will be very familiar to many gay men who felt an aversion to sports and the masculinity (toxic or not) that surrounds them. Darius is another familiar type (in real life, although perhaps less so in romance books): an out gay man who presents as “straight”.
Wardell spends more of his time exploring Harry’s inner world and his issues with interacting and coming to terms with the world of traditional masculinity (hockey, broing out, eating wings, etc.). But Darius’s plight is not unsympathetically portrayed. As a gay man who is often mistaken for straight in my daily life because of my affect and hobbies, I feel very seen by Darius’s portrayal. He is a short study in how passing can be a burden and not a privilege. I also deeply appreciate that Wardell chose to explore this in the character of an out gay man and eschewed a more typical “gay awakening.” Out gay man like sports, too, and there are plenty of romance-driving issues to explore between out gay men.
Back to the plot. Circumstance brings Harry and Darius together to support their school’s fifth grade hockey team and, confronted with an “only one bed” situation, they immediately start their physical relationship. Harry is like the sun and Darius is a planet, passing into his orbit. The rest of the book shows their push and pull as they try to settle into a stable relationship and avoid crashing and burning or flying apart. Harry’s sports-related trauma serves as the gravitational force that the couple must overcome.
Wardell’s usual facility with pacing is on display, and the story proceeds at a brisk clip while almost never moving too quickly. That is until the “third act break up”, which feels odd in a book this length. It plays out and is resolved over the course of about 18 pages. Had the book been a full novel, I think this would have worked better.
If you’re up for a low angst, sweet, sport-setting quickie, this is probably worth your time. There is also an abundance of rimming in the sex scenes, which is welcome. In my experience, it’s the fastest way to a man’s heart.
I think this serves the format better than trying to shoehorn in a bunch of other characters, but it does mean that you have to like the two main characters a lot because you’re not going to get much more besides them. Wardell also chose to divide the book into POV sections instead of trading back and forth every chapter, which is a very interesting choice that you don’t often see. I think it works well in the novella format, creating larger structural components divided into chapter-sized bites.
Harry, the English teacher who has a bit of a sports phobia, is by page count and authorial empathy the main main character. Darius, the PE teacher and pee wee hockey coach, gets POV time, but his chapters are often more focused on how much he likes Harry and wants to do right by him after spending the past four years making fun of him. Harry will be very familiar to many gay men who felt an aversion to sports and the masculinity (toxic or not) that surrounds them. Darius is another familiar type (in real life, although perhaps less so in romance books): an out gay man who presents as “straight”.
Wardell spends more of his time exploring Harry’s inner world and his issues with interacting and coming to terms with the world of traditional masculinity (hockey, broing out, eating wings, etc.). But Darius’s plight is not unsympathetically portrayed. As a gay man who is often mistaken for straight in my daily life because of my affect and hobbies, I feel very seen by Darius’s portrayal. He is a short study in how passing can be a burden and not a privilege. I also deeply appreciate that Wardell chose to explore this in the character of an out gay man and eschewed a more typical “gay awakening.” Out gay man like sports, too, and there are plenty of romance-driving issues to explore between out gay men.
Back to the plot. Circumstance brings Harry and Darius together to support their school’s fifth grade hockey team and, confronted with an “only one bed” situation, they immediately start their physical relationship. Harry is like the sun and Darius is a planet, passing into his orbit. The rest of the book shows their push and pull as they try to settle into a stable relationship and avoid crashing and burning or flying apart. Harry’s sports-related trauma serves as the gravitational force that the couple must overcome.
Wardell’s usual facility with pacing is on display, and the story proceeds at a brisk clip while almost never moving too quickly. That is until the “third act break up”, which feels odd in a book this length. It plays out and is resolved over the course of about 18 pages. Had the book been a full novel, I think this would have worked better.
If you’re up for a low angst, sweet, sport-setting quickie, this is probably worth your time. There is also an abundance of rimming in the sex scenes, which is welcome. In my experience, it’s the fastest way to a man’s heart.
December 22, 2025
Oh my STARS, Peaches and Pucks was everything I wanted from an MA Wardell hockey book and MORE. I’ve been DYING to read Matt’s take on a hockey romance since he mentioned the possibility a long time ago, and I was SO HONORED that he gave me the opportunity to beta read it. I was laughing from the very first page, fanning myself through every spicy scene, and teared up over the sweet and sad moments between the MMCs. So freaking delightful, and I HIGHLY recommend checking it out!
Peaches and Pucks is a hate to love, opposites attract romance and the MMCs are just delightful. Harry is an English teacher who is roped into chaperoning a bunch of 10 year old hockey players at the last minute with his least favorite coworker, Coach Darius. He’s a bit jaded and not thrilled about having to spend the night (in one bed!) with the man who has made his life so difficult over the years they have worked together, but after some initial friction goofy jock Darius reveals that he’s been teasing him because he LIKES him. Lots of sweet wooing scenes ensue, and I was here for it as Darius tries to make up for his past behavior and win Harry’s heart.
It’s important to note that, while there IS hockey in Peaches and Pucks, it’s not your typical hockey romance. Any on page hockey is played by middle schoolers. However, that doesn’t mean that you don’t get ALL of the sports romance vibes you could have wanted from a gay man writing sports romance. There’s a backwards cap. There is a sports bar with wings. There is more than one scene involving a jock strap. It’s basically jock fantasy written into a book ostensibly about teachers and I am HERE FOR IT ALL.
Y’all this might be one of my favorite things I’ve read by MA Wardell - while I always love his humor, this was hilarious AND I loved that he put himself out there to write hockey. PLEASE check it out, it’s short, sweet, and spicy - you will not be disappointed!
Peaches and Pucks is a hate to love, opposites attract romance and the MMCs are just delightful. Harry is an English teacher who is roped into chaperoning a bunch of 10 year old hockey players at the last minute with his least favorite coworker, Coach Darius. He’s a bit jaded and not thrilled about having to spend the night (in one bed!) with the man who has made his life so difficult over the years they have worked together, but after some initial friction goofy jock Darius reveals that he’s been teasing him because he LIKES him. Lots of sweet wooing scenes ensue, and I was here for it as Darius tries to make up for his past behavior and win Harry’s heart.
It’s important to note that, while there IS hockey in Peaches and Pucks, it’s not your typical hockey romance. Any on page hockey is played by middle schoolers. However, that doesn’t mean that you don’t get ALL of the sports romance vibes you could have wanted from a gay man writing sports romance. There’s a backwards cap. There is a sports bar with wings. There is more than one scene involving a jock strap. It’s basically jock fantasy written into a book ostensibly about teachers and I am HERE FOR IT ALL.
Y’all this might be one of my favorite things I’ve read by MA Wardell - while I always love his humor, this was hilarious AND I loved that he put himself out there to write hockey. PLEASE check it out, it’s short, sweet, and spicy - you will not be disappointed!
January 20, 2026
“Peaches and Pucks” by M.A. Wardell is a cozy, rivals-to-lovers novella that wastes absolutely no time getting to the good stuff, emotionally and otherwise. The story follows Harry, a teacher reluctantly chaperoning a school hockey trip, and Darius, the infuriatingly competent hockey coach he can’t stand. One hotel room, one bed, and a whole lot of unresolved tension later, sparks start flying. This is a short, quick, straight-to-the-point novella that stays tightly focused on its two main characters, with very few secondary characters, which I really loved. I also appreciated the choice to shift dual POVs every few chapters instead of the usual every-chapter swap, it made the emotional beats land more naturally depending on where the story was headed. As always with Wardell, the tone is sweet and heartfelt while also being unapologetically sexy and very hot. The banter is sharp, the chemistry is immediate, and the pacing is perfect for a novella you can devour in one sitting.
What really worked for me was how the story handled Harry’s insecurity around sports spaces. A lot of gay men feel uncomfortable in environments that are often tied to toxic masculinity and don’t always feel safe or welcoming, and that vulnerability felt very real here. At the same time, Darius represents how a gay man can thrive in sports without compromising who he is, which made their dynamic even more compelling. Their shift from barely tolerating each other to catching real feelings might be a little silly, but it’s also incredibly believable, men are idiots, after all. The intimacy is phenomenal: deeply communicative, enthusiastic, and rooted in mutual desire and consent, with a level of body worship that feels both tender and scorching. The title doesn’t lie, this book is spicy for a reason. There’s real hockey on the page too, and while I personally know nothing about the sport, it sounded convincing enough to keep me immersed. Yes, there’s a third-act breakup, but it makes sense in context and resolves quickly. Overall, this was a sweet, sexy, satisfying little novella that hits exactly where it’s supposed to.
What really worked for me was how the story handled Harry’s insecurity around sports spaces. A lot of gay men feel uncomfortable in environments that are often tied to toxic masculinity and don’t always feel safe or welcoming, and that vulnerability felt very real here. At the same time, Darius represents how a gay man can thrive in sports without compromising who he is, which made their dynamic even more compelling. Their shift from barely tolerating each other to catching real feelings might be a little silly, but it’s also incredibly believable, men are idiots, after all. The intimacy is phenomenal: deeply communicative, enthusiastic, and rooted in mutual desire and consent, with a level of body worship that feels both tender and scorching. The title doesn’t lie, this book is spicy for a reason. There’s real hockey on the page too, and while I personally know nothing about the sport, it sounded convincing enough to keep me immersed. Yes, there’s a third-act breakup, but it makes sense in context and resolves quickly. Overall, this was a sweet, sexy, satisfying little novella that hits exactly where it’s supposed to.
Want to read
January 19, 2026Guys! I just got my ARC copy and I am so excited to read it! I've never been an ARC reader before so I hope I do it right :)
Want to read
October 28, 2025An M.A. Wardell Hockey romance!?!? Now I have something to look forward to for next year😍
Review of advance copy received from Author
I don’t want to be mean so I’m just going to say, I’ve read it.
Mild content spoilers ahead:
But…
I did say I don’t want to get mean, so I’ll quit right here.
This was an ARC, all opinions are my own.
Quotes:
And in this moment, with the snow gently falling around us and the rink quiet except for our laughter, I know in my heart, this is one of those nights that's gonna stick with me for a while.
Mild content spoilers ahead:
But…
I did say I don’t want to get mean, so I’ll quit right here.
This was an ARC, all opinions are my own.
Quotes:
And in this moment, with the snow gently falling around us and the rink quiet except for our laughter, I know in my heart, this is one of those nights that's gonna stick with me for a while.
January 25, 2026
Well yes, I absolutely did need a cheeky little MM novella from M.A. Wardell, because I love him and I’m fully obsessed with his Teacher of the Year series. Obviously, I jumped at the chance to read this sweet treat. 💙
This was a quick, refreshing read filled with adorable MM flirtation, swoony moments, and just the right amount of spice. And it starts with a bang… by bang, I mean ONE BED TROPE. I’m a sucker for it and I will never apologize. 😌
Harry, a 5th grade language arts teacher, gets roped into chaperoning a peewee hockey tournament alongside fellow teacher and resident meanie, Coach Darius. Except… turns out Coach doesn’t dislike Harry nearly as much as he pretends. 👀 Cue the bom chicka wow wow and air horns.
We get some hot and heavy make-out sessions, delicious tension, and plenty of touchy-feely goodness, but their hookup also brings up some insecurities and emotional hurdles for Harry. Thankfully, these two communicate, figure their stuff out, and give us a well-earned HEA. Plus, the peewee hockey team wins their tournament, which was just the cutest cherry on top. 🏒💙
Sweet, spicy, funny, and full of heart, I loved every minute of this novella.
This was a quick, refreshing read filled with adorable MM flirtation, swoony moments, and just the right amount of spice. And it starts with a bang… by bang, I mean ONE BED TROPE. I’m a sucker for it and I will never apologize. 😌
Harry, a 5th grade language arts teacher, gets roped into chaperoning a peewee hockey tournament alongside fellow teacher and resident meanie, Coach Darius. Except… turns out Coach doesn’t dislike Harry nearly as much as he pretends. 👀 Cue the bom chicka wow wow and air horns.
We get some hot and heavy make-out sessions, delicious tension, and plenty of touchy-feely goodness, but their hookup also brings up some insecurities and emotional hurdles for Harry. Thankfully, these two communicate, figure their stuff out, and give us a well-earned HEA. Plus, the peewee hockey team wins their tournament, which was just the cutest cherry on top. 🏒💙
Sweet, spicy, funny, and full of heart, I loved every minute of this novella.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 ⭐️ Peaches and Pucks was everything I want a spicy novella to be. It's a challenge to have enough background and storyline to make a novella interesting and still be a quick read. But this one did it ! The school setting this author excels at was excellent again, with cute kids and lots of laughs ( definitely had my fill of corny sports one liners for a while, both sexy and not ). But also with a storyline I cared about and wanted Harry and Darius to make work. And the spice was hot 🔥.
January 25, 2026
Peaches and Pucks packs a punch! Yes, it’s a novella, but don’t let that fool you. It boasts plenty of plot, lovable and relatable characters, and three spicy scenes. Harry and Darius make a wonderful couple. I read it in one sitting, and their story left me giddy.
I received an ARC of this title. This is my honest review.
I received an ARC of this title. This is my honest review.
January 23, 2026
Loved Darius and Harry’s story. All the heart, humor, and spice you’ve come to expect from an MA Wardell book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars.
After watching and reading HEATED RIVALRY, I obviously needed to quench my thirst with another m/m hockey romance. Thankfully, M.A. Wardell was kind enough to send me an ARC of his new novella, PEACHES AND PUCKS - and it did not disappoint in the sweet and spicy departments. As a hockey expert, a tonsil hockey expert, I know a few things about the genre and read this in one sitting. I then immediately ordered a jockstrap upon finishing the last page.
Harry is an an elementary English school teacher, and Darius is the hockey coach that's been making fun of him for the last four years. Their dynamic changes when Harry steps in to help chaperone a trip to a hockey tournament, and the two are forced to share a bed. While it seems like this is insta-love, it turns out that Coach Darius has been secretly simping for Harry for the last four years, he's just been pulling a Helga G. Pataki and hiding his feelings beneath his bullying. Before we get to the sweetness, let's get into the spice, because that's honestly my favorite part of this novella. Sorry, not sorry.
To start off with, Coach Darius is packing some major Ilya Rozanov booty, like "two soccer balls" worth of ass. I mean, if he slept naked in my bed, I would be cooked too. There's a lot of emphasis on body hair - including bush, pits and happy trails, and I cannot lie, I'm a big fan of all of the above. Wardell understands that gay men (and ladies and theys) love jockstraps, eating peach, dirty talk, man musk, and versatility in the bedroom. "You like that coach?" is my new vocal stim. Spoiler alert, coach likes three fingers and they both enjoy being suffocated by ass. Can relate.
There's also an emphasis on the beauty of a man's hole, and if you get it, you get it because that shit is a work of art. "Dripping precum like a soft serve on a July afternoon" took me out. I'm relieved that they drank water between positions because I was worried about their hydration levels during the bedroom scenes. They also disclosed their sexual health and used condoms in the beginning of their trysts so we salute you Wardell for the safe sex practices...before the breeding happened. Find yourself a man that considers it a privilege to be inside of you. Now for the sweet and non-horny content because it's not all about pound town.
The two have real dates, and there's even a sandwich/tuna melt situation which immediately made me think of HEATED RIVALRY. Because these two work at an elementary school and aren't in professional hockey, there's an inherent innocence because they both like boosting the morale of kids and helping them chase their passions. You also follow the emotional tug a war of why men distance themselves from love and emotional intimacy due to their own insecurities. Bedroom romps aside, it’s nice that these two can fuck and then just lay on each other and feel comfortable spending the night together. My goal is to also find a man that makes me feel "unraveled and safe at the same time."
While Harry might feel alienated by his lack of interest in sports and hypermasculine activities, he realizes that it's okay to be the Taylor Swift to Darius' Travice Kelce. And let's acknowledge the sage advice that his female bestie, Christine, imparts upon him. It's pivotal that every gay man have a f*g hag in this lifetime because they're the backbone of a gay man's experience and want what's best for you. Ultimately, this novella is about what happens when we step out of our comfort zones and let people love us, despite our differences, because life is about the shots you take. Thanks again to M.A. Wardell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
After watching and reading HEATED RIVALRY, I obviously needed to quench my thirst with another m/m hockey romance. Thankfully, M.A. Wardell was kind enough to send me an ARC of his new novella, PEACHES AND PUCKS - and it did not disappoint in the sweet and spicy departments. As a hockey expert, a tonsil hockey expert, I know a few things about the genre and read this in one sitting. I then immediately ordered a jockstrap upon finishing the last page.
Harry is an an elementary English school teacher, and Darius is the hockey coach that's been making fun of him for the last four years. Their dynamic changes when Harry steps in to help chaperone a trip to a hockey tournament, and the two are forced to share a bed. While it seems like this is insta-love, it turns out that Coach Darius has been secretly simping for Harry for the last four years, he's just been pulling a Helga G. Pataki and hiding his feelings beneath his bullying. Before we get to the sweetness, let's get into the spice, because that's honestly my favorite part of this novella. Sorry, not sorry.
To start off with, Coach Darius is packing some major Ilya Rozanov booty, like "two soccer balls" worth of ass. I mean, if he slept naked in my bed, I would be cooked too. There's a lot of emphasis on body hair - including bush, pits and happy trails, and I cannot lie, I'm a big fan of all of the above. Wardell understands that gay men (and ladies and theys) love jockstraps, eating peach, dirty talk, man musk, and versatility in the bedroom. "You like that coach?" is my new vocal stim. Spoiler alert, coach likes three fingers and they both enjoy being suffocated by ass. Can relate.
There's also an emphasis on the beauty of a man's hole, and if you get it, you get it because that shit is a work of art. "Dripping precum like a soft serve on a July afternoon" took me out. I'm relieved that they drank water between positions because I was worried about their hydration levels during the bedroom scenes. They also disclosed their sexual health and used condoms in the beginning of their trysts so we salute you Wardell for the safe sex practices...before the breeding happened. Find yourself a man that considers it a privilege to be inside of you. Now for the sweet and non-horny content because it's not all about pound town.
The two have real dates, and there's even a sandwich/tuna melt situation which immediately made me think of HEATED RIVALRY. Because these two work at an elementary school and aren't in professional hockey, there's an inherent innocence because they both like boosting the morale of kids and helping them chase their passions. You also follow the emotional tug a war of why men distance themselves from love and emotional intimacy due to their own insecurities. Bedroom romps aside, it’s nice that these two can fuck and then just lay on each other and feel comfortable spending the night together. My goal is to also find a man that makes me feel "unraveled and safe at the same time."
While Harry might feel alienated by his lack of interest in sports and hypermasculine activities, he realizes that it's okay to be the Taylor Swift to Darius' Travice Kelce. And let's acknowledge the sage advice that his female bestie, Christine, imparts upon him. It's pivotal that every gay man have a f*g hag in this lifetime because they're the backbone of a gay man's experience and want what's best for you. Ultimately, this novella is about what happens when we step out of our comfort zones and let people love us, despite our differences, because life is about the shots you take. Thanks again to M.A. Wardell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Whenever I see that a hockey MM romance is coming out and there’s a chance to apply as an ARC reader, I always — and I mean ALWAYS — apply.
This time was no different, because both the cover and the blurb completely pulled me in.
But unfortunately, and I really don’t want to be mean, I have to say I really wanted to love this book — but it just wasn’t for me.
Honestly, the only reason I didn’t DNF it was because it was short, and because I absolutely hate leaving books unfinished.
If you keep reading, do so at your own risk, because my opinion is full of spoilers — I simply can’t explain my issues without mentioning certain parts of the plot.
Let’s start with what I liked:
the core idea of the story was good. Or rather, it could have been good — if everything else hadn’t taken it in the wrong direction.
And I do want to mention that the ice skating scene was great — genuinely one of my favorite parts.
What I didn’t like:
The characters.
Darius was childish. He acted like a fifth grader — pulling Harry’s mustache because he liked him? Umm… no. Sorry, but no.
Are we seriously supposed to believe that I’ve been in love with someone for four years, and this is the best way to hide it because “he would never go for someone like me anyway”? Hello? What??
You didn’t even give him a chance — you just hid it from him, and did so in a pretty asshole way.
And Harry?
He accepts Darius’s apology, they do this-and-that in the hotel… and then he ghosts him? Because he suddenly can’t move on?
Then he forgives him again, only to realize after the second date that he still can’t do this — because they go to a hockey game where two of Darius’s friends show up, and suddenly Darius isn’t “gay enough” anymore because he has straight friends and goes to sports events, which apparently makes him “too straight”?
Excuse me, what???
Not to mention that Harry is stuck in this whole anti-sports mindset because of his high school ex — the guy didn’t come out for him, and even ghosted him when someone confronted him about it.
And what does Harry do in response?
He does the exact same thing to Darius.
And then suddenly, a few days later, at a kids’ hockey game, he realizes he made a mistake?
Dude. Make up your mind.
And then there’s Ms. Wong, who I understand wants to protect Harry because she’s his friend — but why does anyone feel the need to “protect” a 28-year-old man?
Her behavior toward Darius went way beyond reasonable.
If I had to choose, I’d still pick Darius over Harry a million times, because I simply never felt that Harry was a particularly likable character.
Then there’s the spice…
By now I’ve read around 100–200 MM romances, so I think it’s fair to say I’ve read some really good spicy scenes — but these unfortunately weren’t it.
I mean… who stops in the middle of sex to drink water because “hydration is important”? Because it sure isn’t me.
Or switching positions every ten seconds?
The spice just didn’t work for me at all. A lot of the time it felt straight-up cringe.
I’m genuinely sad that I didn’t like it, because there was potential here — but unfortunately, for me, it never became the story it wanted to be.
I’m only giving it 3 stars because I appreciate the effort and work the author put into it, and because I don’t like giving lower ratings than that.
Thank you for the ARC — but this is my honest opinion.
This time was no different, because both the cover and the blurb completely pulled me in.
But unfortunately, and I really don’t want to be mean, I have to say I really wanted to love this book — but it just wasn’t for me.
Honestly, the only reason I didn’t DNF it was because it was short, and because I absolutely hate leaving books unfinished.
If you keep reading, do so at your own risk, because my opinion is full of spoilers — I simply can’t explain my issues without mentioning certain parts of the plot.
Let’s start with what I liked:
the core idea of the story was good. Or rather, it could have been good — if everything else hadn’t taken it in the wrong direction.
And I do want to mention that the ice skating scene was great — genuinely one of my favorite parts.
What I didn’t like:
The characters.
Darius was childish. He acted like a fifth grader — pulling Harry’s mustache because he liked him? Umm… no. Sorry, but no.
Are we seriously supposed to believe that I’ve been in love with someone for four years, and this is the best way to hide it because “he would never go for someone like me anyway”? Hello? What??
You didn’t even give him a chance — you just hid it from him, and did so in a pretty asshole way.
And Harry?
He accepts Darius’s apology, they do this-and-that in the hotel… and then he ghosts him? Because he suddenly can’t move on?
Then he forgives him again, only to realize after the second date that he still can’t do this — because they go to a hockey game where two of Darius’s friends show up, and suddenly Darius isn’t “gay enough” anymore because he has straight friends and goes to sports events, which apparently makes him “too straight”?
Excuse me, what???
Not to mention that Harry is stuck in this whole anti-sports mindset because of his high school ex — the guy didn’t come out for him, and even ghosted him when someone confronted him about it.
And what does Harry do in response?
He does the exact same thing to Darius.
And then suddenly, a few days later, at a kids’ hockey game, he realizes he made a mistake?
Dude. Make up your mind.
And then there’s Ms. Wong, who I understand wants to protect Harry because she’s his friend — but why does anyone feel the need to “protect” a 28-year-old man?
Her behavior toward Darius went way beyond reasonable.
If I had to choose, I’d still pick Darius over Harry a million times, because I simply never felt that Harry was a particularly likable character.
Then there’s the spice…
By now I’ve read around 100–200 MM romances, so I think it’s fair to say I’ve read some really good spicy scenes — but these unfortunately weren’t it.
I mean… who stops in the middle of sex to drink water because “hydration is important”? Because it sure isn’t me.
Or switching positions every ten seconds?
The spice just didn’t work for me at all. A lot of the time it felt straight-up cringe.
I’m genuinely sad that I didn’t like it, because there was potential here — but unfortunately, for me, it never became the story it wanted to be.
I’m only giving it 3 stars because I appreciate the effort and work the author put into it, and because I don’t like giving lower ratings than that.
Thank you for the ARC — but this is my honest opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
TW - MMC struggling with insecurities relating to being gay in a hyper-masculine athletic space, homophobic slur (past, mentioned), death of a spouse (sc, past, mentioned), alcohol consumption, previous one sided closeted relationship (recounted)
Tropes - one night stand to more, teachers, opposites attract, forced proximity, one bed, jock x nerd
Representation - queer rep, gay rep, MM
Argh. This was so cute! Harry (MMC) is an English Teacher and Darius (MMC) is the PE teacher and hockey coach; they both find themselves together when Harry steps in to help chaperone the kids to a hockey match.
Harry and Darius are the complete opposite of each other, so much so that Harry assumes that Darius is straight which couldn’t be further from the truth. The characters were really cute and I enjoyed that it wasn’t a regular hockey romance and instead, we had someone who casually plays and coaches children and someone who is removed from the concept of sports in general. I don’t know what I was expecting going in, but in the end, it was really sweet.
The differences between the characters cause some issues but, ultimately, they learn how to choose, trust and love each other.
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List / The Naughtier List
TW/CW not to be repurposed by authors / publishers for website / book / content use without permission
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
TW - MMC struggling with insecurities relating to being gay in a hyper-masculine athletic space, homophobic slur (past, mentioned), death of a spouse (sc, past, mentioned), alcohol consumption, previous one sided closeted relationship (recounted)
Tropes - one night stand to more, teachers, opposites attract, forced proximity, one bed, jock x nerd
Representation - queer rep, gay rep, MM
Argh. This was so cute! Harry (MMC) is an English Teacher and Darius (MMC) is the PE teacher and hockey coach; they both find themselves together when Harry steps in to help chaperone the kids to a hockey match.
Harry and Darius are the complete opposite of each other, so much so that Harry assumes that Darius is straight which couldn’t be further from the truth. The characters were really cute and I enjoyed that it wasn’t a regular hockey romance and instead, we had someone who casually plays and coaches children and someone who is removed from the concept of sports in general. I don’t know what I was expecting going in, but in the end, it was really sweet.
The differences between the characters cause some issues but, ultimately, they learn how to choose, trust and love each other.
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List / The Naughtier List
TW/CW not to be repurposed by authors / publishers for website / book / content use without permission
January 24, 2026
Enemies with benefits (almost)
4 ⭐️ | 2.5 🌶️
M.A. Wardell’s Peaches and Pucks is a cozy little rivals-to-lovers novella that delivers exactly what it promises: banter, forced proximity, soft feelings sneaking up on grumpy men, and just enough heat to fog up that single hotel room mirror.
Harry and Darius are both middle school teachers chaperoning a hockey trip, which already sets the stage for chaos, exhaustion, and suppressed emotions. Add in a booking mistake and (surprise) one bed, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for tension that crackles in all the quiet moments. Their dynamic is fun to watch unfold: sarcastic jabs, lingering looks, and that delicious “I absolutely cannot stand you… wait, why do I care so much?” energy.
The romance itself is undeniably cute. I enjoyed seeing their walls come down, especially as small details and habits start to matter more than either of them expects. That said, the novella length did work against the story for me. I know short-form romance is meant to be quick and punchy, but this one felt a bit too quick; like we only skimmed the surface of something that could’ve been deeper, messier, and more emotionally satisfying with extra chapters to breathe.
Character-wise, I had mixed feelings. Darius sometimes leaned a little too hard into the “I tease you because I like you” routine, which at moments felt more elementary school than emotionally mature adult. And Harry, while relatable in his anxiety and self-doubt, occasionally bordered on full-time Debby Downer mode, always bracing for things to fall apart before they had the chance to be good.
Still, there’s a lot to like here. The banter is sharp, the chemistry is warm, the vibes are cozy, and it’s a genuinely easy, comforting read, perfect for a single sitting with a cup of coffee (or something stronger).
Thank you to Grey’s Promotions for the e-ARC, and congratulations to M.A. Wardell on the upcoming release on February 3rd. If you’re in the mood for something short, flirty, and heartfelt with a side of hockey and unresolved tension, this one’s worth adding to your TBR.
4 ⭐️ | 2.5 🌶️
M.A. Wardell’s Peaches and Pucks is a cozy little rivals-to-lovers novella that delivers exactly what it promises: banter, forced proximity, soft feelings sneaking up on grumpy men, and just enough heat to fog up that single hotel room mirror.
Harry and Darius are both middle school teachers chaperoning a hockey trip, which already sets the stage for chaos, exhaustion, and suppressed emotions. Add in a booking mistake and (surprise) one bed, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for tension that crackles in all the quiet moments. Their dynamic is fun to watch unfold: sarcastic jabs, lingering looks, and that delicious “I absolutely cannot stand you… wait, why do I care so much?” energy.
The romance itself is undeniably cute. I enjoyed seeing their walls come down, especially as small details and habits start to matter more than either of them expects. That said, the novella length did work against the story for me. I know short-form romance is meant to be quick and punchy, but this one felt a bit too quick; like we only skimmed the surface of something that could’ve been deeper, messier, and more emotionally satisfying with extra chapters to breathe.
Character-wise, I had mixed feelings. Darius sometimes leaned a little too hard into the “I tease you because I like you” routine, which at moments felt more elementary school than emotionally mature adult. And Harry, while relatable in his anxiety and self-doubt, occasionally bordered on full-time Debby Downer mode, always bracing for things to fall apart before they had the chance to be good.
Still, there’s a lot to like here. The banter is sharp, the chemistry is warm, the vibes are cozy, and it’s a genuinely easy, comforting read, perfect for a single sitting with a cup of coffee (or something stronger).
Thank you to Grey’s Promotions for the e-ARC, and congratulations to M.A. Wardell on the upcoming release on February 3rd. If you’re in the mood for something short, flirty, and heartfelt with a side of hockey and unresolved tension, this one’s worth adding to your TBR.
Review of advance copy
I have never really been a Novella girlie. I prefer regular books because I love getting lost in the story and having a chance to really dive into the characters life. However this story stood out to me. The trope list was literally made for me. So I took the chance because it was MA Wardell so why not? I am so glad to have taken the chance to read this story because these characters were absolutely everything, their story was absolutely perfect, and the world they exist in was beyond precious.
Harry
Oh baby, how I wish you could have seen through your doubts sooner. I hated seeing him doubt that the two of them belonged together, that he was worthy of being with a man like Darius because he wasn’t “sporty or a guys guy”. He was different but that was what worked for them. Harry was an absolute surprise. He showed his vulnerability beautifully, communicated where his head was at and how he felt about their relationship, and made sure to talk about how their past interactions bothered him. While he was most definitely the sweet, nerdy English teacher he also had such a demanding presence with Darius that made them feel so perfectly matched. He show
Darius
My sweet little dummy. The emotional maturity of a ten year old. Teasing the man you were head over heels in love with for years, I wanted to bop him with the recorder Christina so masterfully taught the students how to play. That however did not last long. He turned out to be my favorite character. Darius was so perfectly imperfect. He cared so much but had no idea how to show it. He was made to love and be loved. Darius carried his heart on his sleeve and once he shared how he felt there would never be any denying that he loved Harry in the most pure ways.
These two were beyond anything I could have hoped for. I now have a new found respect for Novellas and the amount of talent it takes to make a shorter story feel whole and complete. This gave it all!
Harry
Oh baby, how I wish you could have seen through your doubts sooner. I hated seeing him doubt that the two of them belonged together, that he was worthy of being with a man like Darius because he wasn’t “sporty or a guys guy”. He was different but that was what worked for them. Harry was an absolute surprise. He showed his vulnerability beautifully, communicated where his head was at and how he felt about their relationship, and made sure to talk about how their past interactions bothered him. While he was most definitely the sweet, nerdy English teacher he also had such a demanding presence with Darius that made them feel so perfectly matched. He show
Darius
My sweet little dummy. The emotional maturity of a ten year old. Teasing the man you were head over heels in love with for years, I wanted to bop him with the recorder Christina so masterfully taught the students how to play. That however did not last long. He turned out to be my favorite character. Darius was so perfectly imperfect. He cared so much but had no idea how to show it. He was made to love and be loved. Darius carried his heart on his sleeve and once he shared how he felt there would never be any denying that he loved Harry in the most pure ways.
These two were beyond anything I could have hoped for. I now have a new found respect for Novellas and the amount of talent it takes to make a shorter story feel whole and complete. This gave it all!
Review of advance copy
Peaches and Pucks is a sweet and sexy delight! M.A. Wardell dives right into the unexpected romance between Harry Peterson and Darius Hall as these two try and decipher what is suddenly happening between them. The English teacher should not have anything to do with the P.E. teacher besides school interactions, but when both are forced to share a bed at a hockey tournament Darius' team is a part of, the sparks fly like nobody's business. The fact that Harry couldn't come to grips with how Darius was so attentive in the dark, when all he did when they were in school was tease him so intensely, becomes a center point of this story. And I was pleased that Harry didn't let Darius off the hook so easily since all those years of teasing definitely left a bit of a scar.
These two most definitely have chemistry for days. Wardell does a great job in the confines of a novella to really flush out the issues Harry continues to have with Darius and his hesitance in trying to be a real couple with the boisterous coach. But their passion is overwhelming to both of them and clearly makes it harder (no pun intended) for Harry to completely step away. I liked seeing Darius' vulnerability when Harry pulls away and I did understand his teasing as a way of flirting, even if it fell on deaf ears most of the time.
But these two are the real deal, their trysts smoking hot and full of heart. They couldn't be more different yet fit beautifully together and truly enjoy one another's company. I'm very glad the author took the chance on a newer kind of storyline and am hopeful we get more of this couple again, in the future. With an epilogue that warmed my heart and soul, I happily give Peaches and Pucks a big 4 stars!
These two most definitely have chemistry for days. Wardell does a great job in the confines of a novella to really flush out the issues Harry continues to have with Darius and his hesitance in trying to be a real couple with the boisterous coach. But their passion is overwhelming to both of them and clearly makes it harder (no pun intended) for Harry to completely step away. I liked seeing Darius' vulnerability when Harry pulls away and I did understand his teasing as a way of flirting, even if it fell on deaf ears most of the time.
But these two are the real deal, their trysts smoking hot and full of heart. They couldn't be more different yet fit beautifully together and truly enjoy one another's company. I'm very glad the author took the chance on a newer kind of storyline and am hopeful we get more of this couple again, in the future. With an epilogue that warmed my heart and soul, I happily give Peaches and Pucks a big 4 stars!
January 22, 2026
This was so sweet and cute! I’m not normally a novella girl but I’ll read anything M.A Wardell publishes!
This story follows an English teacher who loves classical music and staying in to read a book and a phys ed teacher who also coaches the kids hockey team.
Harry loves teaching his 5th grade English class. His happy place is between the pages of a book or planning the next school play/musical with a fellow teacher. Darius love to play hockey and loves to coach it as well. When the kids go to the semi-finals and his assistant coach has to drop out, Darius is left with Harry who volunteers but knows absolutely nothing about hockey.
Things take a turn once the game is over and they are checking into the hotel for the night. With the last room available being a single king, Harry and Darius air out buried truths between the sheets and Harry shows off his affinity for peaches 😏.
There’s no little white board for Darius to jot down the perfect play to navigate feelings of old and new but he will have to keep showing up and making the right moves if he wants to keep his puck in Harry’s net. The two things Darius knows well are peaches 🍑 and pucks 🏒.
I absolutely loved this novella. It was paced well with the perfect about of romance, real life emotions, cute little moments, and spice. Oh and did I mention jock straps?! Of all the hockey romance I’ve read, I think only two others have incorporated jock straps and I’d like to make a formal submission to rectify that issue immediately! Because it was 🥵 hot hot hot.
Spice was great as always 3/5 🌶️
Definitely add this to your TBR if you find yourself in need of a quick hockey romance with a splash of nerdy English teacher!
10/10 recommend!
Thank you to the Author for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.
This story follows an English teacher who loves classical music and staying in to read a book and a phys ed teacher who also coaches the kids hockey team.
Harry loves teaching his 5th grade English class. His happy place is between the pages of a book or planning the next school play/musical with a fellow teacher. Darius love to play hockey and loves to coach it as well. When the kids go to the semi-finals and his assistant coach has to drop out, Darius is left with Harry who volunteers but knows absolutely nothing about hockey.
Things take a turn once the game is over and they are checking into the hotel for the night. With the last room available being a single king, Harry and Darius air out buried truths between the sheets and Harry shows off his affinity for peaches 😏.
There’s no little white board for Darius to jot down the perfect play to navigate feelings of old and new but he will have to keep showing up and making the right moves if he wants to keep his puck in Harry’s net. The two things Darius knows well are peaches 🍑 and pucks 🏒.
I absolutely loved this novella. It was paced well with the perfect about of romance, real life emotions, cute little moments, and spice. Oh and did I mention jock straps?! Of all the hockey romance I’ve read, I think only two others have incorporated jock straps and I’d like to make a formal submission to rectify that issue immediately! Because it was 🥵 hot hot hot.
Spice was great as always 3/5 🌶️
Definitely add this to your TBR if you find yourself in need of a quick hockey romance with a splash of nerdy English teacher!
10/10 recommend!
Thank you to the Author for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy
PE Teacher Falls in Love with the English Teacher
Elementary School English Teacher Harry Peterson believes he has been subjected to harassment by the Physical Education (PE) Teacher since his arrival at the school. He disapproves of how Coach Darius Hall has directed snide remarks toward him over the years. However, when a volunteer coach is unable to attend the semi-final for the fifth-grade boys' hockey team, Harry is compelled to assist, despite his disdain for Darius and his ongoing sarcastic comments.
Nevertheless, their initial reluctance to communicate, driven by the 'one-bed trope,' eventually gives way to dialogue. During their interactions on the ice, Harry's reactions to the boys' hockey team with Darius reveal a deeper connection. That evening, Darius and Harry discover they share more common ground than previously believed. There is a gentle warmth in Darius's guidance of the hockey team, which Harry also appreciates, and a confession of his long-time infatuation with Harry.
Harry's does not envision a 'happily ever after,' compounded by a fellow educator and friend who advises him to distance himself from Darius, who has been taunting him since his arrival.
These individuals are markedly different; Harry is a formal English teacher who also participates in musicals and plays, while Darius exemplifies the archetype of a 'bro' and associates with similarly 'bro'-like friends. Nonetheless, these obstacles serve merely as minor setbacks in their developing relationship.
As is typical of our author, the book is rich in details about their world, gentle in its portrayal of the relationship, and affirming in its conclusion. It is a 'tough to put down' book that was fun to read.
Elementary School English Teacher Harry Peterson believes he has been subjected to harassment by the Physical Education (PE) Teacher since his arrival at the school. He disapproves of how Coach Darius Hall has directed snide remarks toward him over the years. However, when a volunteer coach is unable to attend the semi-final for the fifth-grade boys' hockey team, Harry is compelled to assist, despite his disdain for Darius and his ongoing sarcastic comments.
Nevertheless, their initial reluctance to communicate, driven by the 'one-bed trope,' eventually gives way to dialogue. During their interactions on the ice, Harry's reactions to the boys' hockey team with Darius reveal a deeper connection. That evening, Darius and Harry discover they share more common ground than previously believed. There is a gentle warmth in Darius's guidance of the hockey team, which Harry also appreciates, and a confession of his long-time infatuation with Harry.
Harry's does not envision a 'happily ever after,' compounded by a fellow educator and friend who advises him to distance himself from Darius, who has been taunting him since his arrival.
These individuals are markedly different; Harry is a formal English teacher who also participates in musicals and plays, while Darius exemplifies the archetype of a 'bro' and associates with similarly 'bro'-like friends. Nonetheless, these obstacles serve merely as minor setbacks in their developing relationship.
As is typical of our author, the book is rich in details about their world, gentle in its portrayal of the relationship, and affirming in its conclusion. It is a 'tough to put down' book that was fun to read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Review: 3.75/5 stars
~
When I heard that Wardell was writing a hockey novella I knew two things: one, I had to read it, and two, I was very curious to see how this differed from the other gay hockey novels that are on the market — a hockey renaissance if you will. I'm always hopeful that authors who follow trends have their own spin rather than jumping on the bandwagon, and Wardell hadn't disappointed yet, so I was sat.
I'm very glad I was sat. Reading about Harry and Darius made me, at times, feel secondhand embarrassment at their antics, but their very real fears and hopes are why I see this book break away as its own novel in hockey romance rather than "another" hockey romance. As other novels spend time in the "forbidden" aspect of gay romance in this genre, the question of this novella asked: why? Why are sports in some cases very real aspects of trauma for queer people following them from how they grew up? How do we change this ideology for future players entering in at a young age? Personally, I don't know. I'm not a fan of sports most of the time.
Beyond that, Wardell delivered on his classic approach: screen lighting low on my phone, laughing at the antics of the characters, and making sure no one is reading over my shoulder. My only critique? complaint? is that since this is a novella, pacing can be hard to nail completely. I think Wardell did a really decent job, but some jumps didn't feel fully formed yet due to the short amount of page count there was.
Thank you to Gray's promotion for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
~
When I heard that Wardell was writing a hockey novella I knew two things: one, I had to read it, and two, I was very curious to see how this differed from the other gay hockey novels that are on the market — a hockey renaissance if you will. I'm always hopeful that authors who follow trends have their own spin rather than jumping on the bandwagon, and Wardell hadn't disappointed yet, so I was sat.
I'm very glad I was sat. Reading about Harry and Darius made me, at times, feel secondhand embarrassment at their antics, but their very real fears and hopes are why I see this book break away as its own novel in hockey romance rather than "another" hockey romance. As other novels spend time in the "forbidden" aspect of gay romance in this genre, the question of this novella asked: why? Why are sports in some cases very real aspects of trauma for queer people following them from how they grew up? How do we change this ideology for future players entering in at a young age? Personally, I don't know. I'm not a fan of sports most of the time.
Beyond that, Wardell delivered on his classic approach: screen lighting low on my phone, laughing at the antics of the characters, and making sure no one is reading over my shoulder. My only critique? complaint? is that since this is a novella, pacing can be hard to nail completely. I think Wardell did a really decent job, but some jumps didn't feel fully formed yet due to the short amount of page count there was.
Thank you to Gray's promotion for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Why on earth did Harry agree to chaperone the boys’ hockey team trip to Rhode Island? He’s an English teacher, and knows absolutely nothing about hockey (or sports in general). Even worse: he has to share a hotel room with the P.E. teacher and hockey coach Darius. Darius has teased Harry for the last few years they’ve been teaching at the same school, but when they have to share the hotel room, will Darius let his true feelings about Harry come out?
Don’t be fooled by the cover or the description: this book is the definition of sweet & spicy! It’s a relatively quick read as a novella, but that didn’t stop M.A. Wardell from packing this story full of steamy scenes and exploring queer identity. I never thought I’d be rooting for a 5th grade hockey team, but I’m always here for the underdog story. I love the nerdy English teacher vs sporty PE coach dynamic of a #SportsRomance, and the #OneBed / #ForcedProximity / #WorkplaceRomance tropes all made this such an unputdownable story. It’s heartwarming and full of steam, you don’t want to miss it!
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from Greys Promo. Many thanks to Olavin Publishing for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read this book if you:
📺 believe in the 30 Rock manifestation of: “It started out as a joke, but it's becoming real”
⛸️ dream of a first date learning to ice skate
🥅 want the best parts of #HeatedRivalry but the added bonus that the characters are already out and proud
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Don’t be fooled by the cover or the description: this book is the definition of sweet & spicy! It’s a relatively quick read as a novella, but that didn’t stop M.A. Wardell from packing this story full of steamy scenes and exploring queer identity. I never thought I’d be rooting for a 5th grade hockey team, but I’m always here for the underdog story. I love the nerdy English teacher vs sporty PE coach dynamic of a #SportsRomance, and the #OneBed / #ForcedProximity / #WorkplaceRomance tropes all made this such an unputdownable story. It’s heartwarming and full of steam, you don’t want to miss it!
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from Greys Promo. Many thanks to Olavin Publishing for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read this book if you:
📺 believe in the 30 Rock manifestation of: “It started out as a joke, but it's becoming real”
⛸️ dream of a first date learning to ice skate
🥅 want the best parts of #HeatedRivalry but the added bonus that the characters are already out and proud
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January 22, 2026
Peaches & Pucks follows Harry Peterson, an English teacher who chaperones the boys hockey team as a favour. There he has to share a hotel room with Darius Hall, PE teacher and coach. What follows is a great novella that is equal parts humorous, sweet and spicy.
First of all this is not your typical hockey book as it’s about the coach of a middle grade team and his fellow teacher and chaperone for a hockey tournament. All hockey on the pages was the middle grade team. However this doesn’t mean that hockey and sports is not an important storyline in the book, especially both of the characters relationship to sports. I particularly enjoyed the exploration of Harry feeling uncomfortable in the sports setting and the insecurity he felt there. It’s a dynamic you don’t see that often.
I really loved Harry and Darius together! Both of them have to work through their history and baggage (Harry’s insecurity with sports, and Darius’ previous treatment of Harry). None of it felt forced and it worked in a very organic way. They are great together!
This worked great as a novella with great pacing and I never felt like anything was rushed! It focused mostly on the MMCs with a few side characters, which worked very well.
I absolutely loved this novella and it’s a nice, quick but very engaging read.
Thank you to the author and Grey’s Promotions for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First of all this is not your typical hockey book as it’s about the coach of a middle grade team and his fellow teacher and chaperone for a hockey tournament. All hockey on the pages was the middle grade team. However this doesn’t mean that hockey and sports is not an important storyline in the book, especially both of the characters relationship to sports. I particularly enjoyed the exploration of Harry feeling uncomfortable in the sports setting and the insecurity he felt there. It’s a dynamic you don’t see that often.
I really loved Harry and Darius together! Both of them have to work through their history and baggage (Harry’s insecurity with sports, and Darius’ previous treatment of Harry). None of it felt forced and it worked in a very organic way. They are great together!
This worked great as a novella with great pacing and I never felt like anything was rushed! It focused mostly on the MMCs with a few side characters, which worked very well.
I absolutely loved this novella and it’s a nice, quick but very engaging read.
Thank you to the author and Grey’s Promotions for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The way I knew this book was going to be so good so I not only pre-ordered the physical book as soon as it was available but I also ordered the audiobook as soon as it was available. I'll start with my read of the book (I received an eARC) because I wanted to experience it that way first, especially after Matt shared that the narrators did such a good job with the audiobook. If you're looking for something HR adjacent, this checks the boxes! And there is not any shame involved and our hockey coach is an out confident gay man who has happened to have had a crush on the nerdy English teacher for years. Y'all, the pouting this coach does over this man is adorable and stole my heart. I highly recommend checking this one out. Pre-order it or read it when it comes out on February 3rd. It'll be on KU. It's a quick read and full of all of the feels. And if you haven't read any other books by M.A. Wardell, allow this to be your gateway to his other masterpieces. They are all five stars in my opinion.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Peaches & Pucks by M.A. Wardell is out February 3, 2026 but you can order your copy direct from the authors website and the audiobook is a steal! The book will be on KU on release day.
Thank you Grey's Promotions for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
#LGBTQIA+ #SportsRomance #ForcedProximity #EnemiestoLovers #WorkplaceRomance @greyspromo
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Peaches & Pucks by M.A. Wardell is out February 3, 2026 but you can order your copy direct from the authors website and the audiobook is a steal! The book will be on KU on release day.
Thank you Grey's Promotions for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
#LGBTQIA+ #SportsRomance #ForcedProximity #EnemiestoLovers #WorkplaceRomance @greyspromo
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is such a fun, cozy MM novella. I jumped on this ARC because rivals to lovers novels are my absolute, and Wardell delivers exactly that. One small hotel room, one bed, and zero chance of keeping things professional. From the very first page, the tension and banter between Harry and Darius had me grinning like an idiot.
Harry and Darius are absolutely delightful. Harry’s all colour coded lesson plans, endless commentary, and smells good. Darius? He’s equal parts exasperated and charming, teasing Harry while secretly noticing every little thing about him. The way Wardell shows the slow unraveling of their walls is sweet, funny, and surprisingly swoony for a novella.
The story is short but packs a punch. There’s heart, spice, and just enough tension to make that one bed situation feel impossibly electric. It moves quickly but has a good balance for the length of the book. The small town hockey setting adds extra charm, and the tropes hit perfectly without feeling forced. I laughed, swooned, and fanned myself silly during those spicy scenes.
If you love cozy contemporary romance with cute and clever banter, emotional moments, and a hint of spice, Peaches and Pucks is an absolute must read. It’s quick, it’s fun, and it’ll leave you grinning long after you finish.
Huge thanks to M.A. Wardell for the ARC—this one was beautiful <3
Harry and Darius are absolutely delightful. Harry’s all colour coded lesson plans, endless commentary, and smells good. Darius? He’s equal parts exasperated and charming, teasing Harry while secretly noticing every little thing about him. The way Wardell shows the slow unraveling of their walls is sweet, funny, and surprisingly swoony for a novella.
The story is short but packs a punch. There’s heart, spice, and just enough tension to make that one bed situation feel impossibly electric. It moves quickly but has a good balance for the length of the book. The small town hockey setting adds extra charm, and the tropes hit perfectly without feeling forced. I laughed, swooned, and fanned myself silly during those spicy scenes.
If you love cozy contemporary romance with cute and clever banter, emotional moments, and a hint of spice, Peaches and Pucks is an absolute must read. It’s quick, it’s fun, and it’ll leave you grinning long after you finish.
Huge thanks to M.A. Wardell for the ARC—this one was beautiful <3
Review of advance copy
Opposites can actually complete each other.
Peaches and Pucks is a heartfelt novella, where Harry and Darius grow together and learn how to be there for one another overcoming their own insecurities, differences and fears.
Harry, the nerdy English teacher is very much se in his ways and routines until he is forced into sharing a bed with the PE teacher, Darius – the man that is constantly teasing him.
Turns out grown man can also act like children, because Darius is very attracted to Harry, but has no idea how to express himself and go after what he wants.
Their physical attraction is obvious and their chemistry one of a kind, but can they actually build a long-lasting relationship when they are so different?
Peaches and Pucks shows us that love can overcome differences, prejudices, preconceived ideas and explore an emotional awakening for both characters.
Harry will confront his sports “phobia” and the toxic masculinity all around, while Darious wants to be open with his sexuality and his feelings and break the barriers that is placed on men who thrive on sports.
The intimacy between the two is incredibly built on communication and consent turning those moments into scorching scenes that portray how much they love each other.
M.A. Wardell gives us a fresh look into the sports world, where people are judged only by their appearances.
Thank you for the ARC.
Peaches and Pucks is a heartfelt novella, where Harry and Darius grow together and learn how to be there for one another overcoming their own insecurities, differences and fears.
Harry, the nerdy English teacher is very much se in his ways and routines until he is forced into sharing a bed with the PE teacher, Darius – the man that is constantly teasing him.
Turns out grown man can also act like children, because Darius is very attracted to Harry, but has no idea how to express himself and go after what he wants.
Their physical attraction is obvious and their chemistry one of a kind, but can they actually build a long-lasting relationship when they are so different?
Peaches and Pucks shows us that love can overcome differences, prejudices, preconceived ideas and explore an emotional awakening for both characters.
Harry will confront his sports “phobia” and the toxic masculinity all around, while Darious wants to be open with his sexuality and his feelings and break the barriers that is placed on men who thrive on sports.
The intimacy between the two is incredibly built on communication and consent turning those moments into scorching scenes that portray how much they love each other.
M.A. Wardell gives us a fresh look into the sports world, where people are judged only by their appearances.
Thank you for the ARC.
January 25, 2026
Dearest Gentle Reader,
I'll keep this short and sweet, (and maybe a bit spicy), much like this novella. While I’m feeling a bit of hockey romance fatigue at the moment, Heated Rivalry has certainly reignited my interest in the genre.
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book and I'm glad I did as It may not necessarily be one I would gravitate to otherwise, especially with the aforementioned fatigue.
I must admit I had high expectations from MA Wardell. I find his writing to always be solid. This, however, felt a bit clunky. Perhaps because It's a novella, so fleshed out exposition and character development is done away with? While I have no issue with “all spice, no plot”; the one dimensional characters left much to be desired.
The two MCs, Harry and Darrius, were unlikeable. I also found Darrius’ excuse for harassing Harry to be incredibly unbelievable. Like a 3rd grader, he taunts him because he likes him!? I get that Darrius is an elementary PE teacher, but readers are expected to believe he hasn’t matured beyond the level of education he teaches?
This line of reasoning felt forced and only served to tick the “enemies to lovers” box.
That being said, readers can expect things to get spicy. Especially with only “one bed”.
If you’re looking for a spicy little “romance” where hockey is merely the setting and you can suspend your disbelief in the likelihood of this pairing; you’ll enjoy Peaches and Pucks.
Your Esteemed Reviewer
I'll keep this short and sweet, (and maybe a bit spicy), much like this novella. While I’m feeling a bit of hockey romance fatigue at the moment, Heated Rivalry has certainly reignited my interest in the genre.
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book and I'm glad I did as It may not necessarily be one I would gravitate to otherwise, especially with the aforementioned fatigue.
I must admit I had high expectations from MA Wardell. I find his writing to always be solid. This, however, felt a bit clunky. Perhaps because It's a novella, so fleshed out exposition and character development is done away with? While I have no issue with “all spice, no plot”; the one dimensional characters left much to be desired.
The two MCs, Harry and Darrius, were unlikeable. I also found Darrius’ excuse for harassing Harry to be incredibly unbelievable. Like a 3rd grader, he taunts him because he likes him!? I get that Darrius is an elementary PE teacher, but readers are expected to believe he hasn’t matured beyond the level of education he teaches?
This line of reasoning felt forced and only served to tick the “enemies to lovers” box.
That being said, readers can expect things to get spicy. Especially with only “one bed”.
If you’re looking for a spicy little “romance” where hockey is merely the setting and you can suspend your disbelief in the likelihood of this pairing; you’ll enjoy Peaches and Pucks.
Your Esteemed Reviewer
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2026
2.5⭐️ (rounded up) thank you to Grey’s Promotion & the author for an early copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
I always love a short and spicy sports romance, only one bed, close proximity read, however this one quite simply fell flat for me. I thought the plot had promise and loved the school teacher x coach dynamic, but the juvenile nature of one of the MMC’s and the closed mindedness of the other just put me off. These are two grown adults acting like the children they teach… and why were we ALWAYS mentioning the hat Darius wore??????
I thought their chemistry was great and love love loved the dates they went on where they explored that connection. You could really tell how much they liked each other and wanted to be together, which was lovely, and it was definitely humorous in all the right places. However, I wanted to see a bit more tension or yearning when the conflicts and dates were happening, but alas there was none. The spice wasn’t terrible, but it also didn’t feel very realistic, but I could totally be wrong as I am not a man in a MM relationship. I just didn’t see the need for switching positions every 2 seconds and water breaks?
Overall, Peaches & Pucks wasn’t a terrible read, but it could have been better. I wish I could say more positively because the writing style was nice, I just can’t at this time.
I always love a short and spicy sports romance, only one bed, close proximity read, however this one quite simply fell flat for me. I thought the plot had promise and loved the school teacher x coach dynamic, but the juvenile nature of one of the MMC’s and the closed mindedness of the other just put me off. These are two grown adults acting like the children they teach… and why were we ALWAYS mentioning the hat Darius wore??????
I thought their chemistry was great and love love loved the dates they went on where they explored that connection. You could really tell how much they liked each other and wanted to be together, which was lovely, and it was definitely humorous in all the right places. However, I wanted to see a bit more tension or yearning when the conflicts and dates were happening, but alas there was none. The spice wasn’t terrible, but it also didn’t feel very realistic, but I could totally be wrong as I am not a man in a MM relationship. I just didn’t see the need for switching positions every 2 seconds and water breaks?
Overall, Peaches & Pucks wasn’t a terrible read, but it could have been better. I wish I could say more positively because the writing style was nice, I just can’t at this time.
Review of advance copy
Whilst PEACHES & PUCKS is about an elementary school hockey team, a significant aspect is one of the main character's sense of belonging within hockey culture and sports and the other main character's feelings of otherness within the same areas. Harry is a Year 5 teacher and is so not about the sports! Darius is the PE Teacher and is all about the sports! Darius has been relentless in his chirping at Harry for the entire time they have worked together.
We see a great balance of both men's points of view - Harry in expressing his doubts about whether a relationship can work given he and Darius are so different, and Darius in dealing with the stereotype that because he looks a certain way and has certain interests, then he is (I guess) not as gay, doesn't "present" gay or couldn't be gay.
Seeing Harry and Darius explore beyond their initial physical attraction to sharing dates and learning more about one another absolutely made this book, with their variable emotions in the mix. It seemed incredibly real, not withstanding the physical attraction that remained evident (and thank goodness for that). Both had supportive people in their corners wanting the best for them in relationships as well. From the scene where Harry goes to his first game (needs a t-shirt saying "I brought a book in case I'm bored"), to where Darius relies on the advice of his mentor about relationships, this novella has it all. Sport, storyline and spice - and in just the right doses.
Can recommend.
We see a great balance of both men's points of view - Harry in expressing his doubts about whether a relationship can work given he and Darius are so different, and Darius in dealing with the stereotype that because he looks a certain way and has certain interests, then he is (I guess) not as gay, doesn't "present" gay or couldn't be gay.
Seeing Harry and Darius explore beyond their initial physical attraction to sharing dates and learning more about one another absolutely made this book, with their variable emotions in the mix. It seemed incredibly real, not withstanding the physical attraction that remained evident (and thank goodness for that). Both had supportive people in their corners wanting the best for them in relationships as well. From the scene where Harry goes to his first game (needs a t-shirt saying "I brought a book in case I'm bored"), to where Darius relies on the advice of his mentor about relationships, this novella has it all. Sport, storyline and spice - and in just the right doses.
Can recommend.
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