The End Goal

A star NHL player goes toe-to-toe with his team’s new data analyst over the right strategy to make the playoffs, but will their heated feud on the ice turn into something even steamier off it?

“I'm obsessed with The End Goal! Lauren Pennyʼs debut is everything I want from a hockey romance—tension, passion, banter for days, and the perfect amount of spice.”—#1 New York Times bestseller Lauren Blakely

She's there to make the rules. He's determined to break them.

Bree Morgan, a fiery financial wiz, is out of her league. Yesterday, she’d never seen a hockey game; today, she’s the senior advisor for her boss's new acquisition, an NHL team based in Buffalo. Armed with analytics, she's guaranteed a position as the youngest partner ever at her competitive Wall Street firm if she gets the team to the playoffs.

There’s just one person standing in her way: Jake Paxton, the thirty-two-year-old, 6’4’’ hockey captain with a reputation larger than his stature. He’s been the star player for years, but with all eyes on his paycheck and his age (er, experience), Jake’s upcoming contract renewal isn’t a sure thing. He’ll do whatever it takes to win the championship and secure his spot on the roster . . . except listen to some Manhattan data analyst who only understands numbers, not the game.

When Bree and Jake are forced to work together, building frustration begins to feel dangerously like attraction. As sparks fly, the ice between them starts to melt. But with Bree returning to New York City soon, can they risk taking a shot on love, or is their budding romance doomed to end with the season?

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs