Audiobook Review for Code Violation by Ruth Stilling

 

The Rules of the Rink #2

Code Violation by Ruth Stilling, Raven Hawkins (Narrator), Tristan Josiah (Narrator)

Published: September 17, 2026 by Tantor Media

Genre:  Sports Romance, Hockey, Friends to Lovers

 

Taken from Goodreads:  Ruth Stilling presents Book 2 in the Rules of the Rink series.

I’m in love with my brother’s ex-girlfriend.

After years of acting like Vesper Stone isn’t the girl of my dreams, I owe it to myself to be honest, even if the confession can only ever remain a secret.

There are so many reasons why I should forget about her. As the captain of the Seattle Rogues, I shouldn’t betray my only sibling, and I ought to honor the promise I made to our late mom to stand by him.

But my brother isn’t a good man, and I can’t take my eyes off the stunning bartender with sleek black hair and a smile that falters whenever she gets a text from the guy who never deserved her.

Voicing my feelings is a terrible idea. My brother isn’t only a bad person, but he’s dangerous, too, and my top priority is protecting the one girl I can never have.

But I didn’t make it as a pro hockey player without going after what I wanted, and regardless of who she is to my family, I can’t stop showing up at her apartment.

Maybe we can just be friends. I’d rather have that than lose her altogether. My brother doesn’t need to know we hang out and eat pizza while watching a movie.

But friends don’t hold their breath whenever they catch each other’s gaze, and they definitely don’t do what we did the other night …

Contains mature themes.

 

My Thoughts:  I love hockey romance.   Hockey is my jam whether I am watching it or reading about it.  Code Violation is great.   The hockey players in this book are cocky, alpha males that love their sport and their women.   I felt like they are true to what you see on the ice. 

Silas is the perfect brother for Vesper.  Just stinks that she chooses the wrong one to start with.   But that just gives Silas the chance to prove how right he is for her.  Even before they were in a relationship, he did all he could to protect her and give her the life she deserves.  I love how attentive he is to her.  He is the perfect hockey player and man for her.   Vesper and Silas are meant to be.

I won’t give it away but there were a couple hmmm…okay that was awkward moments for me that made me cringe a little.  Not enough for me to stop reading and enjoying the story. 

Thank you Hambright PR for an audiocopy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Purchase your own copy on Amazon

 

Meet theAuthor (taken from Goodreads): Ruth Stilling is a lover of all things escapism and can be mostly found with her head buried in a spicy book, writing her latest romance novel or out in the open air and nature, away from the bustle of life. As clumsy as she is crazy, Ruth enjoys creating relatable, loveable, swoon-worthy and strong willed main characters who find their happy ending. That said, she prides herself on taking her readers on emotional rollercoasters and always recommends reading her books with tissues on hand to wipe away the tears of joy, laughter and sometimes heartache.

Ruth lives in Derbyshire, England with her own personal book boyfriend (lucky girl), her six year old son and her two feisty chihuahuas.