Wild Darling (The Darling Devils, Book 3)

By Alexandra Moody

Electric Monkey 2026

Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey

It feels like sports romances, especially ice hockey, are everywhere at the moment. The sub-genre is having quite a time in the spotlight, and Australian author Alexandra Moody has found a cozy spot on the bench with her Darling Devils series. Wild Darling is the third in the series that follows high school hockey sensations Parker, Grayson and Reed Darling.

We start meeting Mackenzie at hockey camp, a young girl who loves playing goalie and has been all but benched by her famous former NHL star father. Finally given a chance to attend his famous camp, her ice hockey dreams are slashed after a chance encounter with Parker Darling and a confusing kiss that has them both sent off.

When Mackenzie starts year twelve in a new town where her dad’s newest high school coaching job is, she quickly discovers that none other than Parker Darling is the reigning king of the halls as well as the rink. It’s clear neither entirely recovered from the kiss or the punishment, and the mutual animosity sparks an all-out war. But as Parker’s dreams of captaining in his senior year begin to melt away, he seems left with only one option: convince Mackenzie to step in as goalie to prove to her dad she deserves a place on the team, and earn himself the big C on his chest. And playing together, training together, is going to be fine. Right? Right??

Wild Darling hits that wonderful sweet spot in YA romance where the burn is low and slow, but the climax is still just some innocent, passionate kissing. It’s refreshing to read a story for teens that doesn’t end with the love interests taking their clothes off (it kind of happens, but definitely not in the way you’d expect) or moving beyond what may be appropriate for younger teen readers. The banter is enticing, the characters authentic and carried by individual voices, and the chemistry is undeniable. The twists and turns will have you laughing out loud and burying your face in your hands in turn, all the while cheering for any outcome that means both Mackenzie and Parker get what they deserve. Whatever that means.

For readers 14+