Review: Sweet Thing by Kate Meader (Chicago Players #1)


Note: An advance reader copy (ARC) was provided by Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op.

Chicago Players is the new spin-off hockey romance series from Kate Meader, and if you're familiar with the author's Rookie Rebels series, then Theo Kershaw should be no stranger, what with him finding his own happy ending in Instacrush, the second book in the aforementioned older series. Now the veteran on the Chicago Rebels hockey team, Theo is the oldest active player in the league. This spin-off features his adult children, as well as a new batch of Rebels. Having said that, it isn't wholly necessary to read Instacrush or any other previously released book in the Chicago Rebels universe prior to reading this one.

Lars Nyquist, a thirty-five-year-old defenseman for the Chicago Rebels, loves playing hockey. He gets along with almost everyone on the team, and there's no denying the chemistry he has with future hall of famer Theo Kershaw. Having a baby dumped on him by a married woman he spent time with in the past throws him for a loop. The Kershaws offer him support, but it's his teammate's oldest daughter--and second oldest child--who proves to be a life saver. Twenty-three-year-old Adeline Kershaw has returned after a year spent traveling, just in time to not only witness the guy she's been crushing on for years to learn he's a father, but to offer up some much needed help caring for his daughter, Mabel. As long as she remembers to keep her heart out of it. Easier said than done when Addy is falling for Lars all over again.

When I heard that Kate Meader had a new hockey series featuring Theo's family and the Chicago Rebels, I was thrilled. I loved her Chicago Rebels series, and her Rookie Rebels series was addictive. So naturally, I was looking forward to reading the Chicago Players series starter, and my expectations were lofty. However, I found myself at a bit of a loss while reading. I just didn't feel the chemistry between Lars and Addy. It didn't have anything to do with the age gap nor was I turned off by Theo being one of Lars's closest friends. The twosome didn't fully click with me, making it hard to be more emotionally invested in them. The writing also wasn't as on-point as it usually is with Meader. I'm giving Sweet Thing three stars.

Release Date: 15 July 2025

Date Read: 13 July 2025

Learn more about Kate Meader.

Pre-order Sweet Thing on Amazon | Apple Books | B&N | Google Play | Kobo.

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