Line Change
Portland Timberwolves, #4
by AJ Alexander
January 21st 2026
A reckless rookie. A PR intern with everything to lose. One team, one secret, and one fake romance that feels way too real.
Hockey has always come easy to me. I know how to charm the media, light up the ice, keep the world guessing. But none of that matters when Alycia Torres, the one girl I can’t forget, looks right through me like I’m a stranger.
She doesn’t remember that night in college, when everything between us burned fast and bright. But when we get stuck in an elevator and she offers me fifty bucks to fake being her boyfriend at a family dinner, I take the deal with a wink and a kiss on the cheek.
She figures I’ll vanish after dessert, just another harmless flirt she’ll never have to think about again… until I walk into her office the next morning as the Timberwolves’ newest rookie and her PR department’s biggest complication.
Now we’re pretending to be a couple for her mom, dodging rumors in the media, and trying to keep our hands to ourselves while working side by side. And the more time we spend together, the more the lines start to blur.
But secrets don’t stay secret forever.
And if mine comes out, it won’t just wreck my shot with Alycia, it’ll shatter them.
I didn’t come to Portland for hockey, or even for my brothers. I came for her.
And I’m not sure I’ll survive it if I lose her all over again.
Perfect for fans of:
✔️ Fake dating with way too many real feelings
✔️ Forced proximity, secret pining, and PR disasters
✔️ The reckless rookie who’s more than his swagger
✔️ Brotherly chaos, found family, and messy growth
✔️ Emotional slow burns with swoony payoff
✔️ ALL OF THE YEARNING!!!
Line Change is book 4 in the Portland Timberwolves series. Each book in this small town, professional hockey series can be read as a standalone with a guaranteed happily ever after. For content warnings and bonus material, visit the author's website.
The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . LINE CHANGE (Portland Timberwolves, #4) . . . ๐ A Rookie with a Reckless Heart!
AJ Alexander hits the ice with another absolute winner! Line Change is a masterclass in the fake-dating trope, blending the high-stakes world of professional hockey with the cozy, messy charm of a small town. If you’re a fan of "all the yearning" and a hero who is far more than his swagger, this Portland Timberwolves installment is going to be your new obsession.
⛸️ Fake Dating and Real PR Disasters
Alycia Torres is a PR intern with everything to lose. When she gets stuck in an elevator with a handsome stranger and offers him fifty bucks to play her boyfriend at a family dinner, she thinks it’s a one-and-done deal. Little does she know, that "stranger" is Caleb, the reckless rookie she once shared a "fast and bright" night with in college—a night she doesn't even remember.
The tension reaches a fever pitch when Caleb walks into her office the next morning as the Timberwolves' newest player. Now, they are forced to maintain the charade for her family while dodging media rumors and working side-by-side. Caleb didn't come to Portland just for hockey or his brothers; he came for her, and watching him pine while they pretend is pure emotional gold.
๐ Diversity and Real-World Romance
One of the reasons I absolutely love AJ Alexander is her ability to craft romance that reflects the real world. Her stories aren't one-sided; they are a beautiful mix of races, cultures, and economic backgrounds. She shows the world that beauty truly comes in all shades and shapes, and the chemistry she writes is always electric and authentic. This isn't just a hockey book—it’s a celebration of found family and messy, beautiful growth.
✨ Why This Book Earns the GW (Goal Win):
All the Yearning: Caleb’s secret pining for Alycia is heart-wrenching in the best possible way.
The "Fake" Dynamic: Watching the lines blur between their public act and their private feelings is incredibly swoony.
Small Town Meets Pro Sports: It perfectly balances the tight-knit community feel with the glitz of the NHL.
The Secret: The looming reveal of Caleb’s true reasons for being in Portland adds a layer of suspense that keeps you turning pages.
My Final Verdict
Line Change is an emotional slow burn with a massive payoff. AJ Alexander continues to be a standout author for her inclusive, heartfelt, and steamy storytelling. Whether you’re here for the "brotherly chaos" or the "forced proximity," Caleb and Alycia will win your heart. It’s a five-star play all the way! ๐๐ฅ⛸️
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Small town romance Romance Entertaining Great world building Easy-to-read Wonderful characters Realistic
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