Lia Riley

Harriet is a computer programmer and AI developer, and Gale is her childhood friend turned hockey player who's in a playing slump. When Harriet enlists Gale to help beta test her AI sports performance enhancement program, things take a romantic turn despite Harriet's best efforts to keep things professional. This was a quick read with good pacing and enough going on to keep me engaged. It's an interesting premise but the execution was a little formulaic in places (there's a lot of typical show more "falling in love with my best friend's sibling" angst going on here). The concept of AI becoming sentient is not new, but having it play matchmaker (while also not new) is a fun twist. 2nd in a series, but it works fine as a standalone. I've read the first book in the series, and in this book the author continues to employ the intelligent woman/dude-bro dynamic. It's not my favorite, but I think it works a little better in this book since the two MCs have an established friendship and background. The "bro" personality characteristics aren't quite so blatant with Gale as they were with Tuck, and he feels like he has more depth. I will say that you should definitely suspend disbelief with the science around how the AI works, you'll just distract yourself with questions that will take you out of the story. This was an entertaining open-door romance with an HEA, perfect if you're looking for an enjoyable weekend of escapist reading. Publishes December 2, 2025. This review was based on a complimentary eARC of the story, all opinions are my own. show less

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Lia Riley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Cute time travel plot. Pride & Prejudice with Kate & Leopold and a bit of Outlander. Trying to mansplain Hockey to a lady in 1812 was painful, it's such a 20th century sports staple it doesn't translate well. It was cute watching him try and wondering if he was going to change the future. He's watched too many movies. Lizzy is certainly a show more progressive lady surrounded by equally progressive women. He goal in life is to either be happily single or happily widowed. This leads us into dealings with Tuck. Cute read and well written. Not historically accurate but that's not to be expected in this case.

#NetGalley #PuckandPrejudice #LiaRiley #Avon #timetravelromance #hockey #femaleauthors #contemporaryromance show less

The E.M.M.A. Effect by Lia Riley
Regals Hockey series #2. Contemporary romance, romantic comedy. Best friend’s brother troupe. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Harriet Smythe has always has a crush on her best friend’s younger brother. Using him to prove her AI program is viable will take a little convincing, but this is her future! Getting a little too close to Gale is just a minor misstep and nothing to worry about. Her AI program will pinpoint what’s needed to improve his game and they show more will go their separate ways. Nothing to worry about! Until the AI insists they Harriet is the answer to Gale’s regaining peak performance. And wow, does he know it. He’ll follow her every demand.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook and audiobook for this story. The narration is a duet (voices in conversation) by Alexander Cendese, Brittany Pressley, and Samantha Summers. I love duet narration though I know it’s more expensive and difficult for the actors. The simulation of conversations in a duet format brings the characters to life and interacting as if watching a play. All three performers were easy to listen to and brought emotions to the forefront. We heard how much Gale yearned and while knowing Harriet was super smart, we heard her anxiety in being matched with Gale from the AI program. The intimacy scenes were intense hearing the two voices together.
Definitely the choice of format if you love audiobooks. I did listen at 1.5 and slightly higher to be closer to my reading speed.

Smart women know how to handle their own desires. Harriet has created an innovative AI program and she’s going to prove it to the right company. Harriet also likes to be dominant in a relationship and Gale is all in. Harriet needs to realize she can have it all if she wants it.
Shivers and steam, confidence is just a couple steps ahead.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher HarperAudio Adult. show less

I. Loved. This. Book!

It feels like a betrayal to say this, but Neve and Tor's story might even top Breezy and Jed's. The enemies-to-lovers element (with a hint of You've Got Mail/The Shop Around the Corner vibes make this one so much fun to read--I can't tell you how many bits I read out loud to Mini Moe #2 (I had a captive audience while reading much of it--she was driving me around for half of the day). And the way Tor interacted with his ten-year-old daughter, Olive? Heart. Melting.

The show more conflict here was a believable one--a sports reporter and the coach of her favorite hockey team, the guy her editor loves for her to skewer in articles such as "The Five Worst Coaches in the NHL," complicated by the fact that his best friend and the former captain is living with Neve's sister--and for the most part, they handled things like grown-ups, which was nice. There were a few things that I would have liked expanded on (the way their main conflict is resolved literally comes out of the blue--was she working on that prior? Or did it seriously fall into her lap the way it seems in the book?) but overall this was just a really fun read, even if it was sadly lacking in hockey (I don't even want to say why, for fear of a real-life repeat of that nightmare scenario).

Head Coach works just fine as a standalone--even though the hero and heroine of book one ( Mister Hockey ) are in this book a few times, they're usually kissing. (You'll probably be tempted to find out how they got together, though, so I highly recommend reading their book to find out.) The next in the series, Virgin Territory . doesn't come out until March, so you've got plenty of time! ;)

Rating: 4 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. show less