She married him to stay in the country. She didn’t expect him to feel like home.
Sarah Stone never meant to marry a hockey player.
She doesn’t even like hockey—too loud, too violent. But when her visa runs out and going home isn’t an option, marrying one of her brother’s teammates becomes the fastest way to stay in the country.
Carter Williamson is boyishly handsome, charming, and exactly the kind of man who makes a temporary marriage feel dangerous in all the wrong (right?) ways. He respects the rules, takes the pretending seriously, and somehow manages to make her feel safer than she has in years.
Which is inconvenient because he’s also determined to keep things strictly business.
Or so he says. Something about the way he looks at her makes Sarah think he’s struggling as much as she is to remember their marriage is fake.
But then a crisis on the ice sends them both into a tailspin, and Carter and Sarah have to decide if the fragile life they’ve built together is one they want to fight for.
This was supposed to be paperwork. Not feelings.
Definitely not love.
About The Author
My Review
This book is about a marriage of convenience that slowly turns into something real, tender, and impossible to ignore. In the story, Sarah Stone agrees to marry her brother’s hockey-player teammate, Carter Williamson, to solve her visa problem—fully intending to keep the relationship strictly business.
The dual POV adds wonderful depth, letting readers experience the slow shift from obligation to genuine emotion from both sides. The tension thrives on restraint as Sarah and Carter carefully follow the rules they’ve set, even while their growing feelings threaten to break every boundary. Carter is especially endearing; he clearly falls first, and watching him try to convince himself it’s all practical is equal parts sweet and entertaining.
The romance builds at a satisfying pace. Rather than rushing into love, the story focuses on small, meaningful moments—supporting Sarah’s art, encouraging each other’s dreams, and learning to trust. Their connection feels grounded in kindness and mutual respect, making the emotional payoff especially rewarding.
Warm, charming, and heartfelt, this hockey romance perfectly blends humour, longing, and slow-burn chemistry into a feel-good love story that truly scores.
My Rating
Link To Purchase
My Sanctuary 