Reviewed by Mal
TITLE: Top Shelf
SERIES: Love the Game
AUTHOR: E.M. Lindsey
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 242 Pages
RELEASE DATE: October 14, 2025
BLURB:
No one ever explained to me what to do when the man who took your virginity turns out to be the one in charge of your physical therapy.
NHL veteran Quinn Rhodes was supposed to be a one-time thing: just a hookup who kisses like a dream and screws like a god.
Then, three weeks later, a freak accident threatens to destroy my debut NHL career before it begins. And if almost losing my spot on my team wasn’t bad enough, I walk into my PT’s office and find him assigned to my recovery.
I can handle this, damn it. I can keep it professional.
And for a short while, it seems like Quinn’s willing to do the same. But it doesn’t take long for the two of us to shut our mouths and let our bodies do the talking.
If this was just physical, two guys scratching an itch, I could handle it. But deep down, I know there’s more to it.
These stolen moments between us mean something. After all, Quinn doesn’t smile for just anyone, and the way he holds me when our hookups are over tells me that this thing between us doesn’t have to end the moment my knee is healed.
The only question is, will either one of us be brave enough to take a shot on that goal?
Top Shelf is a stand alone, MM high heat, grumpy/sunshine rom-com set in the Love The Game Universe. It contains a freshly signed NHL prospect with autism, a crochet habit, and no idea what direction he wants his future to go in, a retired NHL player who just wants a calm, quiet existence, several moments of being at the right place at the right time—even when it feels wrong—dates that they don’t know are dates, amigurumi as a love language, and a swoony, steamy happily ever after.
REVIEW:
absolutely adored this story, EM Lindsey is a sensational writer and I love all their stories – each one is special in it’s own way and this was no different
Ferris is precious, real, must be protected at all costs and Quinn, man he is so much sweetness and hurt and swoon .
Quinn has has a tough break, his career upended in a flash but he has managed to get back on his feet and he is building something, coming out from behind his protective wall can’t have been easy but he does it and meets Ferris. Ferris is neurodiverse and on the way to the NHL – he has his own insecurities to deal with but he is importing on Quinn fast – but they agree it’s a one time thing – and on a side note that one time thing – good lord the fire the heat the sheer spicy spice is a mind blowing white hot night.
Circumstances put Ferris back in Quinn’s path and they take some risks because they want to be together – I find there is no one size fits all to a situation – life is full of nuances and I love that EM Lindsey always makes space for that.
There is a dash of angst and a ton of heat and amazing characters and I couldn’t put down this story, it’s brilliant. I loved how Quinn met Manisha and then later Liam – I goggle snorted so hard. They are the best.
I loved the frat house found family, I loved Ferris’s mom and dad, I’m curious about the other couples so I will definitely be checking out their stories in this series
Highly recommend reading this book you won’t regret it
RATING: 
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