Lawson by Samantha Whiskey

POV: Dual 1st Person
3rd ACT BREAK-UP: Yes
TROPES: Skating Coach, Coaches Daughter; Forbidden, Instant Connection; Hockey; Girl Gang; Friends to Lovers; Slow Burn; Hidden Identity
SERIES: The Bangor Badgers (book 1)
TYPE OF SERIES: Series of Standalones
RELEASE DATE: December 11, 202
PoP: 56%

Welcome to Bangor Badgers Hockey!

If you’re a fan of romance with burgeoning  friendship, a dash of forbidden love, and the high-stakes excitement of professional hockey, Lawson by Samantha Whiskey will have you hooked from the first page.

The story centers around  Blakely, a talented figure skater coach who joins Badgers as the skating coach.  Her father is the head coach of the struggling NHL team, and they work together to transform the team into champions. One of things I loved about Blakely is the fact that while she lived for hockey and could have used her connections… She went after the job and got it on her own merit by not using her dad’s name. Which leads to the hidden identity portion of the romance.

Lawson is the team’s rising rookie star who lives and breathes the game. And while he had his heart set on the Seattle Sharks, life worked out a little differently.

From the moment Lawson and Blakely meet, their connection is electric, but their romance is fraught with complications. Their budding relationship toes the line of propriety, complicated by team dynamics, her father’s role as head coach, and the looming threat of him discovering who she truly is. The forbidden nature of their bond creates a delicious tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

The book doesn’t just excel in romance—it also shines in its portrayal of friendship and teamwork. Blakely has an incredible set of girlfriends who offer, humor, warmth, and fierce loyalty to the story. Meanwhile, the hockey team’s start of evolution from a group of misfits to a unified brotherhood adds depth and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. These Badgers are under new ownership, and have yet to create the team dynamic on or off the ice because of all the upheaval happening.

Samantha Whiskey seamlessly blends the thrill of NHL games with heartfelt character interactions, creating a story that’s as much about personal growth as it is about love. The hidden identity trope is expertly handled, especially when the truth comes out. Whiskey blends the intensity of the game with tender, introspective moments, creating a story that’s as much about personal growth and resilience as it is about love.

Lawson is an absolute treat for readers who enjoy hockey romances, forbidden love, and stories where the supporting cast is as compelling as the main characters. With its heartfelt moments, this book will leave you cheering for the team and the romance.

We are big fans of Samantha Whiskey on the podcast.

Listen to this Sip and Discuss episode when we chat about Crimson Covenant.
Listen to Lindsey and Becky chat Ethan from her Billionaires Game Series.
Check out Becky’s Rabbit Hole journey down the Samantha Whiskey Backlist.