Keeping the Score by Kelly Jamieson
This wasn’t my favorite from Kelly Jamieson, and as someone who typically loves her hockey romances, I found myself a little surprised by how different this one felt. While the premise—a single dad, hockey player, and a woman who steps in to help—sounded right up my alley, I struggled to connect with both Ford and Andi for most of the book.
Ford’s POV had moments of humor (his fashion choices made me smile), but his dynamic with Andi often felt transactional. She seemed more like convenient childcare than someone he genuinely appreciated, especially early on, and the book never clearly explained why she felt so obligated to go above and beyond for him.
That said, there were still things I enjoyed. Ford’s relationship with his parents—particularly his mom—was a sweet touch, and Andi’s resilience as a business owner was admirable. I also appreciated that, despite her struggles, she remained deeply caring and supportive of those around her.
The miscommunication trope played a big role here, and while it did add tension, it also led to a lot of avoidable frustration. I wanted more honest dialogue between them earlier on.
The twist toward the end caught me off guard—it does bring clarity to the biological mother’s actions, which had felt confusing for most of the book. I do think this development could benefit from a content warning in the final version, as it’s potentially triggering and quite emotional.
Bonus points for Alfie! He was such a standout secondary character, and I’d love to see him get his own story in the future.
While Keeping the Score wasn’t a total win for me, there were still enough engaging moments to keep me reading. If you’re a fan of single dad romances and emotional slow burns, this might still be worth checking out.
Book Stats:
Rating: 3/5
Series: The New Jersey Storm
🏒 Tropes in the Book
- Single Dad
- Found Family
- Close Proximity
- Caretaker Romance
- Opposites Attract
- Slow Burn
- Miscommunication
- Emotional Baggage
- Hockey Romance
- Secret from the Past / Surprise Twist
