Book cover of 'Stick Side' by Jillian MacLean, featuring Ben and Melody with a piano in the background.
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Stick Side

CHICAGO CHALLENGERS SERIES
BOOK 1

She’s the girl of his dreams.

He’s the man she shouldn’t want but can’t resist.

After a decade in the NHL, Benjamin Logan is finally playing for the Chicago Challengers. With only a year to prove himself to his new team, he can’t afford distractions. And that includes stunning brunettes who make his heart race and draw feelings from him no one else ever has.

Once burned, twice shy, Melody McGuire is embracing a fresh start in a new city after being unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend. She’s nervous about dating anyone again after the way her last relationship ended, but she’s downright flustered when one of her father’s players starts sending warm smiles and flirty repartees her way.

Can the coach’s daughter and one of his star players really find happily ever after? Or will media sensationalism and deep-seated insecurities sabotage their budding romance and chance at love?

Stick Side is a sweet and spicy dual POV hockey romance filled with heart, humor, and happily ever after. It is the first book in the Chicago Challengers series.


  • Sweet & spicy hockey romance

    He falls first - and hard

    Coach’s daughter

    Cinnamon roll MMC

    Romantically inexperienced FMC

    Witty banter

    Slow burn


  • Sexual content (consensual)

    Profanity

    Perceived love triangle (respectful communication, no cheating)

What Readers Are Saying

  • “Ben was the ultimate, and y’all, I mean ULTIMATE of all time ultimate boyfriend. When that man fell for her, he fell hard! He treated her right, was self-aware, was sexy as sin, and that body! If Melody ever leaves Ben, I hope the author will write ME into the story!”


  • “Melody and Ben practically sizzled together in their cuteness and compatibility.”

  • “This is one hockey romance that’s really a lot more about the charm of the human spirit than just the underbelly of the competitive sport.”



  • “I truly love the characters you’ve created with the Challengers; they’re a cozy little bright spot in the world.”

  • “Disney for adults meets Hallmark movie vibes.”

  • “Stick Side is a sweet love story that makes you believe romantacism is still alive. Jillian’s characters are compelling and relatable. I got attached to Melody right from the beginning and couldn’t wait to see how her journey would end.”

  • “A great debut that has me ready for the rest!”

  • “Melody and Ben are so swooooony! A love story that will have you kicking your feet and laughing, and maybe a little bit of blushing 😛.”


  • “Stick Side is a debut novel that will surely turn into one of my favorite series. The balance of characters and sport made it a perfect hockey romance to me. 100000% recommend!”

Also in this series:

FAQs

  • Stick Side follows NHL player Benjamin Logan as he joins the Chicago Challengers for a pivotal season and falls hard for his coach’s daughter, Melody McGuire. Told in dual POV, the story explores their slow burn romance as they navigate media attention, personal insecurities, and the challenges of opening up to someone new.

  • Yes. Stick Side is Book 1 in the Chicago Challengers series.

  • Key tropes in Stick Side include sweet & spicy hockey romance, he falls first (and hard), coach’s daughter, green flag hero, romantically inexperienced FMC, witty banter, and slow burn.

  • Yes! Ben and Melody’s romance resolves within the book, but it introduces the world and characters that continue in Book 2, Puck Bunny.

  • Stick Side explores romantic love, passionate attachment vs deep friendship, and the challenges of navigating boundaries in a high‑profile sports environment.

  • Stick Side is a moderately spicy open door romance. It contains two explicit scenes, containing adult content and language, but it doesn’t explore racier forms of intimacy.

  • Stick Side is a feel-good romance filled with heart, humor, and happily ever after. It’s a great option for readers who want to fall into a sweet and spicy romance that reminds them pure, honest love really does exist.