Last updated on 02/23/2026
The snail doc wants a baby. I volunteered to do the deed. But it isn’t long before I realize a “donation” will never be enough. I want to be a dad, but most of all, I want her.
Franky
When confronted with the cold, hard facts of her diminishing chances to be a mom, what’s a woman of science to do?
Make a spreadsheet of eligible donors, of course.
Finding a man for life is not in the cards, but one for this singular purpose? I can do that. As the daughter of a Chicago Rebels legend and an expert in the field of gastropods—more commonly known as snails and slugs—I have plenty of choices in the worlds of both hockey and academia. The selection process should be easy, especially as my methodology has already eliminated several options, including Jason Isner, childhood nemesis and recently acquired defenseman for the Rebels. I’ve always considered him arrogant, cruel, and to be honest, not the brightest bulb.
I’m rarely wrong. But I might have been mistaken about Jason . . .
Jason
I surprised even myself when I offered to be Franky St. James’s baby daddy, but fatherhood has been a dream of mine forever. If I can achieve my goal without the hassle of a relationship, even better. I won’t be one of those “pump and dump” donors, though. I want the whole package: nighttime feedings, shopping for cute onesies, teaching my kid to skate. I’m in it for life, and as Franky and I travel this road together, I start to imagine what that life might look like. Not just a baby, but a family of my own.
The thing is, the doc has all sorts of hypotheses about jocks and relationships, and it’s going to take a lot of persuasion—sexy and otherwise—to prove her wrong. She might think the mating rituals of her beloved snails are the only “coupling” worth studying, but I’m determined to show her that when it comes to seeking a mate, this player is as driven as any species in the animal kingdom.
Because making a baby is just the beginning . . .
* She needs a sperm donor * Hockey romance * STEM heroine who studies snails * Childhood nemesis * Enemies to lovers * She watches him make his “donation” * Her brain turns him on * Spicy
Review:
I feel like I’ve been looking forward to this book forever! (OK, OK, it’s only been since the summer. But the need to read this one was strong!)
Franky and Jason’s story was a lot of fun…I mean, what’s not to love with a snail scientist who’s determined to have a baby on her own terms and the hot hockey player (who she’s always had a fascination/hate relationship with) who’s determined to help her? TBH, I did get a bit frustrated with how gosh darn long it took them to get over their hang ups and issues–especially Franky–and admit what they had was the real deal, but the journey to get there was fun and the ending was everything I wanted it to be, so I’m in a forgiving mood. 😉
Absolutely LOVED what the baby’s name ends up being, especially given what I watched just a few days after finishing #olympicshockey #goldmedalgame
For fans of Ms Meader’s hockey romances, you’ll see *so many* characters from past books absolutely everywhere here–somehow it felt like even more than in the first two series books? But maybe that’s just me–which was just delightful. Newbies might need to start a list (or maybe a flow chart? Series of family trees?) to try and keep track–it is a lot. Or better yet, just start at the beginning and work your way up to this latest series and this book. You can thank me later 🙂
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Be First to Comment