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Sin Bin with the Scrooge: A Pucks and Presents Standalone
by Brooke O'BrienPublished by Self-Published on September 22, 2026
SubGenres: Contemporary Romance
Format: ALC
Pages: 310
Narrator: Amy Hall, Gabriel Spires
Length: 8 Hours And 19 Minutes
Source: the author
Audience: 18+/Adult
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It's the most wonderful time of the year... to end up snowed in with your ex-boyfriend's brother.
Clay Barlowe's NHL career ended the night his knee gave out. One torn ACL was bad enough. The second? Game over.
Now he's the guy with a reputation—grumpy, stubborn, hotheaded. Every teammate would agree he's impossible, and he hasn't bothered to prove them wrong. Coaching might be his second chance… if he can avoid distractions and keep the rumors under wraps.
Which is why being snowed in with Tessa St. James is a temptation he can't afford.
Their families spent every Christmas together. Everyone thought she'd grow up to marry Clay's brother. No one knew her heart quietly belonged to Clay.
She's sunshine, sugar cookies, and Christmas cheer. He's a grinch, cold as ice, with more coal than candy canes.
When one kiss melts the line between right and wrong, Tessa isn't just snowed in…
She's stuck in the sin bin with the scrooge.
And this holiday season, the only thing at risk is her heart.
Sin Bin with the Scrooge is a standalone snowed-in, forced proximity, only-one-bed Christmas romance with an ex-boyfriend's pro-hockey player brother.
I think we’re all hoping for cooler weather right now, and maybe reading some wintry books will help. That’s where Sin Bin with the Scrooge by Brooke O’Brien comes in. If you want to get into the holiday mood and are hoping for chilly days again, this festive story is a great choice for your TBR. The book is about a former pro hockey player, Clay, who tries not to fall for the FMC, Tessa, especially since she once dated his brother. But when they end up traveling home for Christmas together, things take a turn. They get snowed in, and those hidden feelings finally come out, leading to a chemistry between them that’s impossible to ignore.
I always enjoy an opposites attract story, especially since I’m married to my complete opposite. These stories really warm my heart. It helps that the characters, even though they’re so different, are both lovable and relatable. At times, one of them made me want to jump into the book and give some advice, especially with how they handled things and kept pushing the other away. I understood why, but I didn’t have to like it. I appreciated how the other character eventually stood up for themselves, and the message about not hiding feelings anymore. I loved that communication played such an important role in this story.
What stood out to me most was the strong chemistry between Clay and Tessa when they finally got together. That’s why things never worked out between Tessa and Clay’s brother; she was always meant for Clay. They’re a much better match, especially since she brings out the best in him. Clay’s hockey career ended because of injuries, and while he’s trying to move on and find a new path, some people can’t let go of his past, and it’s hard on him. I loved how Tessa supported him when others doubted him. She truly was his biggest supporter and anchor.
Just a heads up: this book takes place during the holidays, mostly over college winter break since Tessa is in college and Clay starts working at her college. It has a Christmas and New Year’s theme, but the main focus is on the characters finally getting their happily ever after.
You can really read this book any time of year, even in summer (like I did, a few days before fall starts actually), if you want to imagine cooler weather. Brooke O’Brien made me feel all the emotions and had me rooting for Clay and Tessa to finally get the happily ever after they’ve wanted, especially since their families are so close. Overall, it’s an emotional, impactful, steamy, and holiday-themed story. I give it four stars and recommend it to anyone who enjoys these kinds of books. Plus, it’s a standalone, which is another great reason to pick it up.
Audiobook Review: I listened to the audiobook version of Sin Bin with the Scrooge and really enjoyed the narrators. They brought Clay and Tessa to life and did a great job with the story. My only small issue was that even at 2.5x speed, the male narrator’s voice still sounded slow, which was a bit frustrating. That’s not his fault; I just follow along better with faster narration. It might sound odd, but if you knew me in real life, I tend to talk fast and get excited when I speak; I really prefer audiobooks at a quicker pace. Other than that, I enjoyed the audiobook and recommend it to readers who love listening to your books.
What to Expect:
🎄Holiday Romance
💔Ex-Boyfriend’s Brother
🏒Pro Hockey Player Hero
❄️Snowed In
✔️Forced Proximity
🛏️Only One Bed
About Brooke O'Brien
USA Today Bestselling author Brooke O'Brien writes steamy and swoon-worthy new adult romances. She is best known for her sports and rock star romances.
Brooke believes a love worth having is worth fighting for, and she brings this into her stories where her characters risk it all for love.
When she isn't writing or falling in love with a new book boyfriend, you can find her spending time with her family, cheering on her favorite sports teams, listening to ASMR, or binge-watching the latest true crime documentary. She loves rockin' a comfy hoodie with leggings and believes the best days include a good nap.
Brooke loves connecting with readers and hopes you'll join her on her social pages or reader group to stay in touch.
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