Hearts on the Fly

A wallflower and a former hockey star are thrown together for this charming second-chance romance from Shiloh (In Search of a Prince). Val Elliot, the obedient middle daughter of a family that owns a sports agency, has spent her life making everyone happy but herself. When a client encourages her to go on a Valentine’s Day blind date, Val’s surprised to find herself out with Jabari Hall, a handsome pro hockey player who also happens to be her older sister’s ex. Thirty-three and facing the end of his career after a brain injury left him with macular degeneration, Jabari finds comfort in Val’s faith. Meanwhile, Val wrestles with guilt over betraying her sister even as Jabari teaches her to seek her own happiness over her family’s approval. As their connection deepens, both question their feelings; Val fears she’s a stand-in for the career Jabari has lost and Jabari worries he’s Val’s latest charity case. When the attraction becomes harder to ignore, the pair must navigate family tensions, insecurities, and a few other curveballs before starting a future together. The sweet central love story gains welcome depth from the sensitive portrayal of Jabari’s disability and Shiloh’s nuanced exploration of faith as both a comfort and a challenge. Fans of Emma St. Clair should snap this up. (Feb.)