Desire Or Defense

Desire or Defense by Leah Brunner is a heartfelt contemporary romance set in Washington, DC, where the chill of winter mirrors the guarded hearts of its main characters. Mitch “The Machine” Anderson, a famously gruff and misunderstood defenseman for the DC Eagles hockey team, finds himself suspended from the NHL after a temper-fueled incident. To salvage his reputation, he’s assigned to coach a youth hockey team, a role he resents—until he meets Andie Downsby, a spirited ICU nurse who has recently become guardian to her younger brother after a family tragedy. Their first encounter is anything but smooth, but as their paths cross on and off the ice, both must confront their emotional walls and the pain of their pasts. Told through dual points of view, Desire or Defense explores themes of grief, family, and the courage it takes to open up to love. The story balances humor and tenderness, with the chemistry between Mitch and Andie unfolding in a slow, believable way. This is a closed-door romance, making it a wholesome choice for readers seeking emotional depth without explicit content. Brunner’s relatable characters and authentic portrayal of healing and connection make this book especially appealing for fans of clean, character-driven love stories with a sports twist.