Ruthless Game (Kings of Reina University #3) by Jo Brenner

 

The rugged, blue-eyed, easygoing hockey player was once the love of my life. Now all David Lawson wants is revenge. Reina University's star goalie thinks I betrayed him, when he's the one who betrayed me - and destroyed my heart. I've tried to move on. But Lawson's determined to get me out of his system, one dark, depraved intensely exhilarating act at a time. I can't resist him, and not just because he's theatening to expose secrets about my brother that could ruin his life. Lawson's not the boy I knew. Between his cruel touch that sets me on fire and moments of tenderness that crumble the walls around my heart, I no longer know which way is up. All I know is I won't go down without a fight. I'll prove he's wrong about me. About everything. But even if Lawson realizes his mistake, it may be too late - because an enemy is waiting in the shadows, eager to destroy us both.  Ruthless Game by Jo Brenner was published on October 11th, 2026. This is the third book in the Kings of Reina University series. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Jo Brenner and The Smuthood. Before I begin, I should let you know that I did not read the previous two books in the series before I read this book. While there are some things that I didn't understand when meeting some characters, I didn't feel like it took away from the plot. I absolutely loved the main female character Emma. She is a child who grew up in the foster care system but then finally got adopted by a lovely family. I felt like some of her trust issues through the book stemmed from wanting to appease her parents through the book. I also like the main male character as he had his own baggage through the book from being a child of an abusive father. While, I felt bad for him I still thought though the book that I wanted to hate him as well. I did not like how many times Max would flip the script in how he treated Emma. I felt bad for her and wished so many times that she would just leave him. To not worry about the blackmail that Max was holding over her. Though the smut scenes in this book were spicy....many times I turned red from second hand frustration. I absolutely loved this book and I can't wait to read more by Jo Brenner. 

Kings of Reina University Series

1. Brutal Game

2. Heartless Game

3. Ruthless Game 

Tropes 

Sports - Hockey 

College/ New Age 

Enemies to Lovers 

Second Chance 

Forced Proximity 

Dark Romance 

Troublemaker: A Dark College Hockey Romance (Tabb U #2) by Jo Brenner

Lucy Braverman might be eighteen, but she's my ward. Half my age, and completely off limits. I haven't seen her since she was an awkward, lonely orphan being shipped off to boarding school. Now she's brilliant, beautiful, and reckless. Every rebellious word that passes those lips makes me want to do dark and depraved things. So when she enrolls at the University where I'm the head hockey coach, I do everything in my power to stay away. But the hot little spitfire is determined to get under my skin. Control means everything to me...and if I have to exert dominance to protect her, I will. If I have to do illegal, immoral things to have her, I will. If I have to embrace the darkest parts of both of us to keep her, I will. Because Lucy may be completely off limits. But she's mine. Troublemaker by Jo Brenner was published November 15th, 2025. 

I was given this book for my honest review from Jo Brenner and The Smuthood. The characters in this book had me so into it that I needed more. They both had many many faults and a lot of strengths. They both grow through the book together and separate. While I enjoyed the book and its plot I still had the heebie jeebies knowing that Coach was also the guardian who was supposed to be like a father figure to Lucy. I was able to overlook the relationship knowing that Coach was able to send Lucy to a boarding school for most of the time. The story had some great ups and downs throughout the book. They had some massive build-up to some of the scenes that make you squeal. I highly recommend that you check it out. 

Quotes that I Loved 

"Well, as fun as it would be to desecrate something that's important to Coach, I don't think I want to come all over his whistle. Although....No, I'll find better ways to torture him." 

"You touch her?....Tell me. Did. You. Touch. Her?" 

"Yeah, he's hard for you, troublemaker. And I promise you're going to become intimately acquainted with him. But for now, daddy wants to eat." 

"Don't tell me I can't. Don't tell me anything right now. Daddy's eating, and he doesn't want any interruptions." 

Tabb U Series 

1. Butterfly: A Dark College Hockey Romance

2. Troublemaker: A Dark College Hockey Romance 

Tropes 

Age-Gap

Dark Romance 

Hockey 

Grumpy/Sunshine 

Forbidden Romance 

BDSM