Secret Husband (Chicago Players)

Kate Meader

Jul 2026 · Chicago Players Book 4 · Kate Meader LLC

About this ebook

Years ago, I broke her heart, but fate has given me a second chance. I am here to claim my wife—and I will fight like hell to make her mine.

Lauren

I might be late to the game of life, but things are finally starting to go my way. I’ve just started my own sports talent agency, stepped on the first rung of the property ladder, and landed myself a normal boyfriend who’s about to propose. (I found the ring!)

Unfortunately, I have a slight problem—as in a husband who is surplus to requirements. Somehow, I got married without even realizing it to the guy who broke my heart years ago. Now he’s back in my life, making demands and turning my world upside down. Except I’m no longer that starry-eyed girl in love with the Russian hockey star. These days I’m a ball busting tigress for my clients, and the last thing I need is Alexei Nazarov ruining everything for which I’ve worked so hard.

But when he makes me an offer I can’t refuse, I wonder if I’ve struck a bargain with the devil who knows my heart better than anyone … 

Alexei

Years ago, I met a hockey playing spitfire and fell ass over skates for her. But my life was in disarray, and I had to let her go. When a chance comes to reconnect with her, I grab it with both hands.

There are obstacles. A boyfriend (unworthy), her disdain for me (admittedly, hot), and the fact I hurt her deeply (my biggest regret). It won’t be easy, but nothing worth doing ever is. Known for fighting dirty on the ice, I am not opposed to fighting dirty off it to get what I want.

And I want Lauren Yates …

Second chances * Accidentally married ... but she already has a boyfriend! * Sports agent/former player * Russian hockey god * Best friend's sister energy * Right person, wrong time * A touch of blackmail * It's always been her * Spicy

Ratings and reviews

4.5 stars. I loved Alexei & Lauren. They have history from college, a Vegas night, broken hearts & a marriage that wasn’t supposed to be real. Now she’s ready for her boyfriend to propose & Alexei shows up in her city ready to make things permanent. The banter is dry & witty, these two are made for each other, but she’s going to make him work for it. A second chance romance that’s full of emotion, heart, sweetness & steam, plus a great group of characters (including a few from previous books).

SECRET HUSBAND is the fourth instalment in Kate Meader’s contemporary, adult CHICAGO PLAYERS erotic, second generation, hockey romance series, set in the author’s Chicago Rebels and Rookie Rebels series. This is professional hockey player Alexei Nazarov,and former women’s professional hockey player turned sports agent Lauren Yates’ story line. The character driven premise is startling, spirited and edgy; the rekindling romance is seductive and emotional; the characters are animated

Secret Husband is sports agent Lauren Yates and NHL player Alexei Nazarov’s second chance, accidental marriage, hockey romance. It’s book four in the Chicago Players series and from the first chapter I knew I was going to be entertained, I loved everything about this book from the characters to the smile I was left with. Lauren has just started her own boutique sports agency and she is living her dream until a drunken night in Vegas has her waking up next to the Russian hockey star who broke

About the author

Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron, fire hose, or hockey stick, and she’s there. Now traveling the world with her soulmate, she writes sexy contemporary, hockey, and LGBTQ romance with big-hearted guys and strong heroines and heroes who can match their men quip for quip.