Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner: Book Review, Summary

First off, a big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC of Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner! As soon as I saw the synopsis brother’s best friend + hockey romance, I was like YES PLEASE! Those tropes usually never miss for me… but with this one, I realized they can go slightly wrong.😬 The cringe hit early and kind of took me out of the story faster than I expected.

Summary of Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner

A 6’5 NHL goalie walks into a bar and meets the love of his life… no, this isn’t the start of a bad joke.

I had a chance encounter in a dimly lit bar that led to an earth-shattering kiss with a beautiful stranger.

But then the next morning my world is rocked again–when I walk inside my team captain’s house and see her.

Farrah Remington isn’t a mysterious stranger after all—she’s the little sister of my captain and best friend. A woman firmly off limits to anyone on the D.C. Eagles.

Now, I have to pretend that kiss never happened. But the more I see Farrah, the hotter our chemistry burns, and the stronger our connection grows—until we can’t resist each other any longer.

Sneaking around isn’t ideal, but what my team captain doesn’t know won’t hurt him (or piss him off in the middle of the Stanley Cup playoffs).

I’m with my dream girl and my team is sailing through playoffs**…** until the truth comes out.

Now my team captain hates me, I can’t keep pucks out of my net to save my life, and the woman I love won’t speak to me.

Can I save my relationship, my friendship, and enough goals to help the D.C. Eagles finally win the Cup… or will I get shut out of Farrah’s life forever?

Review of Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner

So this one is actually the final book in an interconnected standalone series. And honestly? I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if I had read the earlier ones first, just to feel a bit more connected to the characters and their world. But it didn’t stop me from following the story or having a good time with it.

I did enjoy listening to Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner, the storyline had potential, and I was rooting for the romance… kind of. But the cringe moments? Yeah… they got to me. 😬 They pulled me out of the story more than once, and honestly, that lowered my overall enjoyment (and rating) of the book.

Anyway, here’s the rest of my thoughts, let’s dive in! 🎧📖

Plot Analysis of Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner

One unforgettable night. That’s all it took for NHL goalie Bruce McBride to fall, deep. A chance meeting at a bar turned into hours of conversation, shared wings, and one electric kiss. But for Farrah Remington, it was also the night she officially closed a chapter of her life by signing her divorce papers. Emotionally drained and not ready to open her heart again, she walked away.

Since then, Bruce has been patiently waiting in the background, respecting her pace, and the unspoken rule about not dating the team captain’s sister. With Farrah living so close to her brother and his wife, keeping their connection under wraps is harder than either of them expected. But the closer they grow, the more impossible it becomes to stay a secret… and to stay apart.

Characters of Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner

Farrah Remington : I really liked Farrah’s character. There was just something so real about her, especially with everything she’s been through. Her struggles with infertility and the way her past with her ex still affects her… it all felt honest and relatable. I really felt for her. I understood why she had her guard up, and I appreciated how the book didn’t rush her healing. Watching her slowly grow, work through her fears, and start believing she deserved love again? That part hit me. Her journey felt raw and genuine, and I was rooting for her the whole way.

Bruce McBride : I’m sorry, but Bruce just wasn’t it for me 😅. He gave me secondhand embarrassment so many times. Between the cheesy pickup lines and some of his “smooth” moves (that were not smooth), I was out here rolling my eyes like it was a workout. 😂 He did have a few sweet moments , I’ll give him that, but overall, the cringe was too strong for me to fully enjoy his character. I wanted to root for him… but instead, I was mostly rooting for him to stop talking. 🙈

Farrah & Bruce : I really loved the slow build of their relationship, it felt real and thoughtful, not rushed at all. The pacing gave them time to open up to each other, and it made the emotional moments feel more earned. I especially appreciated how patient Bruce was with Farrah. Even though he personally wasn’t my favorite character (yes, I cringed a lot 😂), I can’t deny that his devotion to her was sincere and sweet. He wasn’t fazed by her struggles, and he didn’t try to fix her, he just showed up, consistently, and wanted to be there for her. That part of their dynamic really worked for me, and honestly? It’s what kept me rooting for them as a couple. 🫶

Pacing & writing style

Leah Brunner’s writing in Secret or Shutout is really easy to follow and quick to get through. It’s definitely one of those reads you can fly through without thinking too hard. But I’ve gotta be honest, the cringe got me. A lot. Like, a lot. There were so many moments where I was like… why is this happening 😅

One thing that really bugged me was Farrah’s brother. I mean, she’s a grown-ass woman, not a teenager. I didn’t get why he was acting like he needed to babysit her love life. It didn’t feel protective in a sweet way, more like controlling. I feel like if the author had made his concern more about her emotional wellbeing, especially with everything she’s been through, it would’ve felt more mature and real.

That said, one thing I really appreciated was how the book handled infertility. It was done with care, and it added a lot of emotional depth to Farrah’s story. That part felt honest and well-written. 💛

BUT… can we talk about the nickname?

Bleu yeux?? Please. As a French person, I just couldn’t. Nobody says that in real life. It pulled me out every single time. It was so awkward and just… no 😬

The pacing in Secret or Shutout was pretty solid overall, especially when it came to the romance. I liked how things between Farrah and Bruce built up gradually, and it didn’t feel rushed or forced. But I will say, the third-act breakup felt a bit rushed. Like it happened too quickly and was resolved just as fast, without the emotional depth it needed. I wish there had

Tropes and Trigger warnings of Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner

Tropes of Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner

• Hockey Romance
• Brother’s best friend
• Reverse age gap
• Found family
• Forced proximity

Trigger warnings of Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner

• Fertility issues

Final Thought

Secret or Shutout had a mix of highs and lows for me. I enjoyed the easy writing style, the emotional weight behind Farrah’s storyline, and the slow, steady build of the romance. I really appreciated how the topic of infertility was handled with care and sensitivity, that part felt genuine and important. Farrah as a character really stood out to me, and her personal growth was something I truly rooted for.

On the flip side, Bruce just didn’t work for me. His cringey one-liners and awkward charm pulled me out of the story more than once. And while I did love his patience with Farrah, I still struggled to connect with him overall. The brother’s overprotectiveness also felt a bit out of place, like, she’s an adult! I just wish that dynamic had been approached with more emotional maturity.

All that said, it was still a quick and enjoyable listen. If you’re into sports romance with emotional depth and don’t mind a little (okay, a lot) of cheese, this might work better for you than it did for me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy of the audiobook! 🎧 I’m always grateful for the chance to discover new authors and stories.

About the author

Practical Information for Readers

Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner Book Formats

Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner is available in various formats to suit every reader’s preference:

• Paperback: Ideal for readers who enjoy the tactile experience of holding a physical book.
• eBook: Convenient for on-the-go reading, available on all major e-reader platforms.
• Audiobook: Narrated with emotional depth, available on platforms like Audible.
• PDF Secret or Shutout : While some may search for a PDF version, it’s recommended to opt for legal eBook options to support the author.

Where to find Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner PDF

1. Amazon Kindle: Offers a user-friendly interface with customizable reading settings.
2. Barnes & Noble Nook: Another popular platform with a wide selection of e-books.
3. Apple Books: Provides seamless integration with Apple devices and a smooth reading experience.

Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner Age Rating

I’d recommend Secret or Shutout by Leah Brunner to readers 17 and older, even though it’s a closed-door romance, because it explores mature themes like infertility and emotional healing, which may be more suitable for a slightly older audience.