Matthew, the third installment in Alisa Jean’s Los Angeles Quakes Hockey series, follows enforcer Matthew Holt as he navigates life after the devastating loss of his sister, Samantha. Grieving, guilt-ridden, and hardened by heartbreak, Matthew returns to the ice with a chip on his shoulder and a target on his back. But when he meets Phoebe Anderson, a sweet, klutzy marketing assistant with a past of her own, his world starts to thaw. Their passionate, complicated fling tests boundaries, including the sacred “bro code,” since Phoebe is the sister of one of Matthew’s teammates. Packed with emotion, scorching chemistry, and hockey grit, this story dives deep into grief, healing, and the jagged road back to love.

I was pulled in right from the first chapter. Alisa Jean’s writing is raw and vivid. Matthew’s voice, sarcastic, foul-mouthed, but deeply broken, felt so real I could practically hear him cursing in my ear. His visits to his sister’s grave wrecked me. I wasn’t ready for that level of emotional gut-punch, especially in a sports romance. And then there’s Phoebe. She’s charming and clumsy, but with just enough edge to hold her own against a man like Matthew. Their banter cracked me up. The way they fumbled (and then sprinted) into bed was spicy, but what surprised me was how tender those moments ended up being. This was about finding someone who sees past your wreckage.

The story sprints between emotional trauma, lighthearted flirtation, and steamy scenes without always giving time to breathe. Some transitions felt abrupt, especially between moments of intense grief and casual, almost comedic dialogue. And yet, I didn’t want to put it down. The supporting cast, especially the hockey boys, gave the story color and camaraderie, even if they sometimes felt like they belonged to another book. The tension between Matthew and Phoebe’s brother added great stakes, but I wished it had been explored a bit more. Still, I couldn’t help rooting for them.

Matthew is a messy, fiery, emotional rollercoaster of a romance with heart. It’s not just about two people falling in lust or love. It’s about falling apart and having the guts to let someone see the broken pieces. I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves sports romance with emotional depth, a broody alpha with a soft center, and heroines who trip in heels but still manage to land on their feet. If you like your love stories hot, hilarious, and heartbreaking all at once, this one’s for you.

Pages: 290 | ASIN : B0DKCMPG8W