March 17, 2026

The Hockey Problem by Kendall Ryan - ARC Review



He’s the NHL’s most guarded single dad.
She’s the one woman who can’t afford to fall for him.

Tori Wells didn’t fight her way into the NHL just to become another cautionary tale. As a team physical therapist, she lives by strict rules: heal the players, protect her career, and never—ever—cross the line with a hockey player.

Then she’s assigned to Zayden Bishop.

On the ice, he’s untouchable—a French-Canadian superstar with a reputation for being cold, private, and impossible to read. Off the ice, he’s a devoted single father running on discipline, stubbornness, and too little sleep. Until a serious shoulder injury threatens his season—and the stability he’s built for his six-year-old daughter.

Tori is in charge of his rehab. Full oversight. Daily sessions.
No room for mistakes.
No room for attraction.

Except Zayden isn’t what she expected.

The more time they spend together—early mornings, quiet road trips, late-night conversations—the harder it becomes to pretend this is just professional. Because Zayden doesn’t just need his shoulder fixed. He needs someone who sees the man behind the jersey.

And Tori is dangerously close to becoming that someone.

Crossing the line could cost her everything she’s worked for. And Zayden can’t risk bringing anyone into his daughter’s life unless he’s certain they’ll stay.

Perfect for fans of Meghan Quinn, Elle Kennedy, and Monica Murphy, this slow-burn, single dad, forced-proximity hockey romance brings the heat—and the heart—in all the best ways.


Book one in a brand-new hockey romance series. Each book can be read as a standalone.





This is a slow burn that just works, I think because it builds on the little things that are a foundation for any relationship. I love a story that builds the relationship while the reader is present, so slow burn stories do tend to be some of my favorites.

Add in the workplace connection that makes it forbidden and adds a little tension, and I was all in on this story. I loved the addition of his daughter and the ways in which him trusting her with his daughter was one of the ways their connection with one another deepened.

I also liked that the reason they couldn't be together was real, and it was something that wasn't necessarily easily resolved. It did work out, but it's a romance so it was going to, but it wasn't without stress and reasons to think that maybe it wasn't. I also, without spoilers, liked his involvement in the way the story resolved, as it not only worked but it made it feel real and that he was invested in their relationship, even though as a reader you know this by that point.

This was an enjoyable read and I definitely recommend it. I am looking forward to the next one in the series.