Romance authors have such huge and wonderful imaginations. If anyone thinks that because romance has a formula that it’s boring, you couldn’t be more wrong. And with all of the hockey romance that’s out there, you would think that because it’s so niche, that there couldn’t be a different take on the subgenre. That’s where you’re wrong: enter "The Hockey Experiment" by Ava Miles. Think of this one as if Olive from "The Love Hypothesis" met Nate from "Icebreaker." Yep. You’re that mind blown emoji right now, aren’t you?

Dr. Valentina Hargrove and her best friend and partner Dr. Darla James are anthropologists that have been summoned out of the Congo to do a study on fictional NHL team the Minnesota Eagles. The team’s new owner (and Val’s dad, but shh don’t tell anyone) is determined to take this team that keeps bombing in the playoffs to the Stanley Cup finals this year and win. The hope is that Val and Darla’s study, which experiments with the hypothesis that hockey players are like cavemen, will uncover some new ways to approach and correct the team’s behaviors that will propel them to winning team status. Val is on board for the study, but is adamant that no one know who her or Darla are for fear it will taint the study. She’s content to be an unknown “analyst” and observer. But then she locks eyes with team captain Brock and the science of attraction has different plans.

Brock came back to his hometown, his best friend and teammate Finn, and to a former coach, Coach Chuck, to hopefully win the Stanley Cup for the first time and then retire to a love of finance and high school hockey coaching. He hasn’t given up on love, but after a two-year marriage that ended in divorce due to his career, his focus has to be on hockey right now. After all, he’s on a team with the newest NHL superstar player—a guy who relishes being in the penalty box more than helping his team win games. Brock is no tough guy, but he will do everything he can to get to the finals this year. Nothing can distract him, until he locks eyes with a mesmerizing, even if horribly dressed, mystery woman here to analyze the team.

What I noticed immediately is the dynamic between Val and Darla. These two couldn’t be more different as scientists, with Val being more cold and objective and Darla being more approachable and human about studying … humans. But their connection in the beginning shows a shared history and similar experiences being outcasts. These two are definitely best friends forever, and while this is obviously Val’s story, you’re rooting for Darla to find love too.

When Val formally meets Brock another thing struck me. "The Hockey Experiment" is a version of a grumpy- sunshine romance. For readers who love that trope done ala "Get A Life, Chloe Brown," you’ll love it here as well. Val is not so much a curmudgeon as she is reserved, secretive (for several reasons), and detached. She examines and hypothesizes about her urges and heart palpitations around Brock before she realizes she’s got it bad for the guy. Brock has taken in his sister and her two kids in the middle of a divorce and does his best to be a supportive, positive and loving family member. When he could easily take the bait and get into it with hotheaded rookie Mason, the new NHL star player, he steps back. He’s as genial as they come. But he is still a hockey player, so don’t get on his bad side.

Fans of the hidden identity trope will be lovingly frustrated here (as I imagine you are at most stories with this trope). And those who love a forbidden romance will also find that trope front and center here. From the moment Val and Brock lock their gazes on each other, it’s clear that a little thing like not fraternizing with co-workers will not stop them. But can they keep it hush from Brock’s niece and nephew?

"The Hockey Experiment" is an entertaining story for those who love nerdy romance and hockey romance. And if you weren’t sure if you liked those tastes together, this novel will convince you that yes, you do.