Why we’re excited
Summer works as nanny to the young daughter of Gabriel Carter, a hockey star with a reputation. The house rules say she is off limits, and he has never been good at rules.
Avery Keelan's Offside introduced Gabe's parents, Chase and Bailey, and this opens a next-generation series called Top Shelf. It works as a standalone, so newcomers can start here. Readers who like single-dad romances, hockey settings and forced proximity under one roof should keep an eye on its release.
On our most-anticipated list since 22 October 2026. See all the most anticipated books →
What to know about Playmaker
We haven’t reviewed Avery Keelan before, so this would be our first look at their work.
It sits at No. 13 on our December 2027 most-anticipated list, which ranks the month's books by how many readers have saved them.
From the publisher
Summer
I know better than to fall for Gabriel Carter, notorious NHL playboy. Not only has he broken innumerable hearts during his 7 years in LA, he's my boss—even if he does have a smile that leaves me weak in the knees, a body built for sin, and enough charm to melt my sundress clean off.
So what if I swoon a little over the way he sings Everly to sleep every night he's not on the road? So what if he's deliciously protective and alpha-male over me whenever the paparazzi get too close? It doesn't mean anything... or does it?
I try to tell myself it's just a job, but between the stolen kisses and blurry lines, playing house with him is starting to feel a little too real.
Gabe
Summer Crawford loves nothing more than putting me in my place. She's five feet, five inches of sweet southern sass— and temptation sleeping in the bedroom next to mine.
When all the rules go out the window one night, everything changes. After knowing how explosive our chemistry is together, there's no way I can go back to pretending we're just friends.
There's one small Summer is my employee. My daughter Everly's nanny. Ev needs her, which means she's completely off-limits. Or at least, she should be... but I've never been good at following the rules.
Turns out, I need Summer too. Now I'm playing for keeps—and I always win.
PLAYMAKER is a standalone steamy single dad & nanny sports romance. This is a next-generation spinoff from OFFSIDE featuring Gabriel Carter, Chase & Bailey's son.
Description supplied by the publisher.
We haven’t read Playmaker yet. When our review goes up, it will replace this page.