Published in 2024, Face Off is a contemporary sports romance by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Chelsea Curto. It is the first installment in The D.C. Stars Series. The novel follows Emerson “Emmy” Hartwell, a gifted hockey player who gets a historic call-up to the struggling NHL team, the D.C. Stars. As the first woman to play in a regular-season game, Emmy must navigate a male-dominated sport, intense media scrutiny, and a contentious rivalry with the team’s star captain and notorious playboy, Maverick Miller. Curto is also the author of other romance series, including Love Through a Lens.

The novel explores several key themes. Through Emmy’s journey, it addresses The Double Standard for Female Athletes, examining the systemic sexism and disproportionate pressure she faces from the media and a past emotionally abusive relationship. As Emmy and Maverick move from antagonistic teammates to romantic partners, the story illustrates Vulnerability as the Foundation of Intimacy. Their relationship develops within the supportive network of their teammates, who demonstrate the theme of Found Family as Emotional Anchor. Face Off was initially self-published before being acquired for traditional publication by Atria Books.

This guide refers to the 2024 self-published e-book edition.

Content Warning: The source text and this guide contain depictions of bullying, cursing, sexual content, sexual violence, gender discrimination, graphic violence, emotional abuse, substance use, mental illness, and illness.

Plot Summary

Emerson “Emmy” Hartwell, a star left winger for the ECHL’s San Diego Iguanas, receives an unexpected call-up to the DC Stars, their struggling NHL affiliate team. The Stars, plagued by a long losing streak, need a replacement after their rookie winger suffers a season-ending injury. Before leaving, Emmy’s best friend and teammate, Grady Whitlock, warns her about the Stars’ captain, the notorious playboy Maverick Miller. Emmy relocates to DC and moves in with her high school friend Piper Mitchell. Piper works for the Stars and confirms Maverick’s womanizing reputation but also highlights his kindness and leadership. Emmy, anxious about being the first woman to play a regular season NHL game, fears she’s merely a diversity hire. Meanwhile, Maverick, nursing a hangover, is chided by his best friend and teammate, Hudson Hayes, for not preparing for the new player’s arrival. At the arena, Maverick mistakes Emmy for a fan and flirts with her only to be embarrassed when her identity is revealed in a meeting with head coach Brody Saunders. Their first on-ice session is tense, but Emmy’s skill and preparation quickly earn his respect.

During her first press conference, Emmy endures sexist questions from a reporter, Simon Buttecker, but Maverick intervenes, vehemently defending her and threatening to revoke the reporter’s press access. This is a turning point in their dynamic. Although Emmy initially rebuffs his invitations to team gatherings, their connection grows through text exchanges and on-ice collaboration, culminating in her first NHL goal assist. Their relationship deepens after a tough loss when Maverick finds Emmy practicing alone late at night. He joins her, and they share vulnerable stories about their pasts, such as her struggles with an emotionally abusive ex-boyfriend. This emotional intimacy leads to a passionate night together in a Chicago hotel room, which they agree is a one-time event to relieve their tension.

The “one-time thing” becomes a recurring secret on road trips, coinciding with a sudden winning streak for the Stars. They agree to an exclusive friends-with-benefits arrangement, which they hide from their teammates. Their bond strengthens significantly when Emmy falls violently ill with food poisoning and Maverick nurses her back to health. This vulnerability prompts them to share their deepest secrets: Maverick reveals he grew up in foster care, explaining his past behavior as a search for validation, while Emmy confides about her fraught relationship with her mother and a hockey accident that paralyzed her father. The confession solidifies their connection. Maverick’s affection becomes more apparent when he wears Emmy’s jersey for the team’s Heroes and Legends night, a grand gesture that leads them to admit they want a real relationship. They officially begin dating, though they continue to keep their romance a secret from the team. 

The relationship is tested when Emmy learns her abusive ex-boyfriend, Cole Meyers, has been called up to play against them. She confides in her teammates about Cole’s past cruelty. The Stars rally around her and relentlessly target Cole. After Emmy scores the opening goal, Maverick orchestrates a fight, giving him the freedom to brutally beat Cole on the ice. As he’s escorted off, bruised and bleeding, he makes a heart shape with his hands toward Emmy, a public declaration of his devotion. 

Following the game, Maverick’s feelings intensify. When Emmy’s father visits for a game in Detroit, he asks Maverick how long he has been in love with his daughter, forcing Maverick to confront the depth of his emotions. Just as he accepts his love for Emmy, Coach Saunders informs him of a potential trade that would relocate Emmy and two other assets to Toronto in exchange for a superstar player. Devastated but determined, Maverick confesses his love to Emmy and tells her about the trade. Emmy reciprocates his feelings, and they vow to make a long-distance relationship work. The trade is finalized, and after an emotional farewell where they reveal their relationship to their supportive teammates, Emmy departs for Toronto. One year later, she has signed a long-term contract with a new Baltimore-based expansion team, allowing her to live with Maverick in DC. During a pre-game promotional photoshoot on the ice, Maverick proposes. Emmy joyfully accepts as their teammates and loved ones rush onto the ice to celebrate.