Playing Defense: A Grumpy Sunshine Hockey Romance

by Lyssa Lemire

Genres: Hockey Romance

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 9, 2026

Reviews

[Jessica Nicewonger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great wrap up to the series. The only disappointment was that we will not be getting a Veikko-Felix book.
The way that Jamie and his virginity was written was well done and the fact that Carmen wasn’t written to “take” his virginity but rather for them to find vulnerability and love in each other made this trope work so well.

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Any MMC who is a bumbling idiot in front of the FMC and owns it is a winner in my book. Book 6 of Lyssa Lemire’s Sin Bin series gives us a deeper look into Jamie, a virgin hockey player who holds his secret tight to his chest. Although every girl on campus knows who he is, he is able to ignore most of them. Until he meets Carmen who doesn’t seem to fall for his good looks, big muscles, and boyish charm.

Jamie will do anything to be around Carmen, so he proposes an agreement where they both can relieve tension. Carmen will teach Jamie all about bedroom behavior and in return get some “release” to hopefully help clear her writer's block. I really liked reading about them keeping their part of the agreement held, while trying to fight off real feelings forming. Jamie is a complete delight and total golden retriever for Carmen.

Lyssa has given readers so much in this series as a whole. I am happy whenever I see a new book coming out as I need to get to know all these players. She includes past couples and characters which gives a consistent reader the feeling of visiting with friends.

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
🏒Grumpy x Sunshine
☕Hockey Romance
🏒College Romance
☕He Falls First
🏒Found Family
☕Virgin MMC

[Cheryl McTyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sixth and final book in the Sin Bin series from Lyssa Lemire was a sweet, fun and steamy ending to the series. Jamie O'Donnell is captain of the Brumehill Bears Hockey team, and he's a virgin. Carmen is the grumpy barista in her aunt's coffee shop. He's been crushing on her for months, she knows it and so do the guys on his hockey team. Carmen is taking a gap year to follow her own dream of writing a novel. She knows Jamie has the crush, it should bother her, but instead she's intrigued.

As the two hang out and become friends, she wants more. He can help her understand what she wants in her love scenes and she can take what he's offering. Full of fun, witty banter and being reminded of why you fell in love with your partner. Always wanting more. A few side plots, visits from old friends and two HEAs makes this book a 5-star read. I'll read this series again and watch out for Lyssa's next series.

Tropes include:
Virgin male lead
Grumpy (her)/Sunshine (him)
He falls first, hard and often

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

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmens taking a gap year working in the coffee shop, whilst writing her novel. Jamie is the smitten hockey player whose drawn to Carmen, but shes not one for even friendships let alone romance, and he still has vcard, when she relents to a physical arrangement, Jamie takes his chance at making this more than a passing fling, hes playing for keep. Well written engaging steamy reverse grumpy/ sunshine, hocky playing romance.

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

[Whitney Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

• Grumpy x sunshine • he falls first • virgin mmc • friends with benefits • college hockey • dual POV •

Jamie is the blushing, awkward virgin who has it bad for Carmen, the grumpy barista/aspiring writer. This is a slow building romance where he falls first & she knows it. Enjoyed seeing everything play out - even though some parts may have been a tad predictable.

Sad this series is ending. Veikko & Felix deserve their own book after the TENSION in the subplot of this one!.

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

[mikenlar · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐

I keep reading these books even though I never really love any of them. they are not great but I found them good as pallet cleansers no matter how bad they get lol. and the mistakes too!! though they are extremely fast reads and I feel like my brain can just shut off and sometimes these type books are the only ones that can achieve it 😊

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamie has fallen for a grumpy barista. Carmen wants nothing to do with him or basically anybody. Loved the push pull between the sunshine and grumpy between the two. I enjoyed the growth of their relationship, humor, some twists, sizzle,
team antics and the wonderful HEA. Sad to see the series ending!

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

[Samm Sciarratta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell for Jamie when we first met him & I loved Carmen's influence on him. I have to say I was here more for the subplot between 2 other characters though 👀 also, if the next series doesn't have Carter, I may be sad. Great end to Sin Bin!

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

they are just so cute together <3 <3

[Ashlie · Rating 2 out of 5]

hockey players discovering gay people in 2026

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Mimi Parraguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

me encanto el libro, me lo lei en una sentada, me encanto todo y me da una pena gigante que sea el último

[Rebecca Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute and I was excited to get the Jamie story. And even more excited with the side love story in this one too

[KVV · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

GAY HOCKEY PLAYERS