The Blindside Game
(2026)(The first book in the Austin Stampede Hockey Romance series)
A novel by Maddie Langley
KEVIN
I’ve spent my entire NHL career anchoring the Austin Stampede’s defense. But I’ve never been able to defend my own heart against Sarah Townsend.
It started with a dog. I went for a run and came home with Ranger (the best hockey dog in Texas) and an eighteen-month crush on the woman who runs the rescue that saved him. After my return from one crazy road trip, we drew up rules and swore we’d stay friends with benefits.
Turns out that is one game plan I don’t want to follow.
SARAH
I’ve poured everything into Lone Star Paws because dog relationships are less complicated than people. Especially when it comes to one particular pro hockey player who became my unlikely best friend. But then two pink lines change everything, and the status quo goes out the window.
Now Kevin’s showing up everywhere, in all the right ways. It seems perfect, except he’s never said a word about being in love. And every smart woman knows there’s a big difference between a real forever and one that’s built because of obligation.
On the ice, a blindside is the hit you never see coming. But can a blindside in life be the best chance you never planned on taking?
🏒TROPES YOU'LL LOVE '''
The Blindside Game is a friends-to-lovers hockey baby romance packed with locker-room banter, ride-or-die female friendships, Texas-sized feels. This one’s for the readers who enjoy pro team sports romance vibes, one big found family, and top tropes like these:
I’ve spent my entire NHL career anchoring the Austin Stampede’s defense. But I’ve never been able to defend my own heart against Sarah Townsend.
It started with a dog. I went for a run and came home with Ranger (the best hockey dog in Texas) and an eighteen-month crush on the woman who runs the rescue that saved him. After my return from one crazy road trip, we drew up rules and swore we’d stay friends with benefits.
Turns out that is one game plan I don’t want to follow.
SARAH
I’ve poured everything into Lone Star Paws because dog relationships are less complicated than people. Especially when it comes to one particular pro hockey player who became my unlikely best friend. But then two pink lines change everything, and the status quo goes out the window.
Now Kevin’s showing up everywhere, in all the right ways. It seems perfect, except he’s never said a word about being in love. And every smart woman knows there’s a big difference between a real forever and one that’s built because of obligation.
On the ice, a blindside is the hit you never see coming. But can a blindside in life be the best chance you never planned on taking?
🏒TROPES YOU'LL LOVE '''
The Blindside Game is a friends-to-lovers hockey baby romance packed with locker-room banter, ride-or-die female friendships, Texas-sized feels. This one’s for the readers who enjoy pro team sports romance vibes, one big found family, and top tropes like these:
- Golden Retriever MMC and He Falls First
Best Friends to Lovers with a Surprise Pregnancy
Friends with Benefits That Starts with a Bang
She Takes Care of Him After Games and He Takes Care of Her When She's Sick
Found-Family Team Chaos along with a Ride-or-Die Girl Gang
Steamy/Spicy NHL Hockey Romance that’s a Standalone with Guaranteed HEA
Low Angst Romance Book with No Third-Act Breakup
Genre: Romance
Used availability for Maddie Langley's The Blindside Game