Published February 10th 2025
Read August 9th 2026
Whitmore University Hockey #3
Final Rating: 7.14/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Back to Whitmore University we go! Daring the Defender continues the hockey romance series and this time the spotlight shifts to Shelby and Reid.
Fans of the series will already recognize both characters. Shelby has been mentioned several times throughout Guarded by the Goalie, while Reid has quietly been hanging around in the background of the previous books. It was nice to finally see the focus land on them and get their full story.
Characters: 7/10
Shelby is Axl's younger sister, and if you've read the earlier books, you already know Axl is Whitmore University's star goalie. Shelby lives a life that has been carefully planned out for her, largely due to her controlling minister father. Every decision seems to have already been made before she even gets a chance to make it herself.
Then there's Reid, Whitmore's star defenseman. Unlike Shelby, Reid's life has been anything but stable. Growing up in and out of foster care, he's never really had a place that truly felt like home. More than anything, he's searching for a family and a sense of belonging.
Of the two, Shelby easily stole the show for me. Watching her character develop was one of the strongest parts of the book. She starts out incredibly sheltered, timid, and hesitant to take risks. Over the course of the story, though, she slowly learns to stand up for herself and go after the life she wants. Her transformation felt genuine and was honestly a lot of fun to watch.
Reid was likable, but I felt like there was room to dig deeper into his character and backstory. His struggles and experiences had a lot of potential, and I would have loved to see them explored a little more.
Atmosphere: 7/10
We're firmly back in the Whitmore Universe, so readers will already feel at home in the familiar settings. Most of the story unfolds between The Manor and The Beaver Den, which have become staple locations in the series.
A few new places make appearances, but they're mostly brief stops along the way. While we get occasional glimpses beyond the usual settings, they weren't substantial enough to leave a lasting impression. The atmosphere works well for the story, but it doesn't really expand the world in any major way.
Writing: 7/10
This was probably the area where I felt the book was a little weaker compared to previous installments.
The romance develops smoothly, and the adult scenes are present without overwhelming the story. More importantly, they actually serve Shelby's journey and personal growth instead of feeling thrown in for the sake of it.
That said, the overall execution felt a bit restrained. Everything worked, but nothing really wowed me. I especially felt the author could have done more with Reid's emotional arc to create a stronger impact.
Plot: 8/10
I really enjoyed the central storyline.
Shelby is a sheltered young woman trying to break free from her parents' expectations and control, and that's a premise that's easy to get invested in. One thing I particularly appreciated was how the story handled her interactions with Whitmore's hockey team.
Far too often, stories with this setup lean into situations where the inexperienced heroine gets manipulated or taken advantage of. Instead, Shelby finds herself surrounded by genuinely good people who support her growth and independence. It was refreshing to read a version of this trope where the focus remained on empowerment rather than drama for drama's sake.
Intrigue: 7/10
The story kept me engaged the entire time.
Was it packed with shocking twists? Not really. But I was still invested in Shelby and Reid's journey and wanted to keep turning the pages to see how everything would unfold. Sometimes that's all a story needs to do.
Logic: 7/10
The book stays consistent with the themes and tone established throughout the series.
There aren't any major curveballs or unexpected detours, and everything progresses in a way that feels natural for these characters. By the end, all the major story threads are neatly tied together. Maybe a little too neatly, but it fits the feel-good nature of the series.
Enjoyment: 7/10
Overall, I had a really good time with this one.
It's a quick, easy read that flows smoothly from beginning to end. I was invested in seeing how Shelby's story would play out, and I finished the book satisfied with where things landed.
Final Thoughts
Daring the Defender is an enjoyable addition to the Whitmore University Hockey series. It doesn't bring a ton of angst or major surprises, and most readers will probably see the ending coming from a mile away. But honestly, that's part of its charm.
Shelby is absolutely adorable, and watching her grow from a frightened, sheltered young woman into someone willing to fight for her own future was easily the highlight of the book. Reid is a solid love interest, although I still wish his character had been explored in greater depth.
If you're already invested in the Whitmore series, this is a satisfying continuation that expands the world and gives two familiar side characters their moment in the spotlight. A fun, heartwarming hockey romance that's easy to recommend to existing fans.
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