Holiday romances have a unique way of blending seasonal charm with heartfelt relationships, and Trick Play by Kim Findlay proves that even the most unexpected Halloween mishaps can lead to unforgettable romance. Originally published in the charity anthology Hockey Halloween, this short story combines humor, forced proximity, hockey culture, and emotional warmth into an entertaining read that captures the magic of finding love when life refuses to go according to plan.
Rather than relying on dramatic conflict or high-stakes suspense, Findlay embraces the joy of everyday chaos. A simple community event meant to help local children turns into an unforgettable evening when professional hockey player Larry Han finds himself literally handcuffed to a woman from his past. What begins as an embarrassing accident slowly transforms into an opportunity for reconnecting, rediscovering old feelings, and seeing someone through entirely new eyes.
Although Trick Play is a novella-length story, it delivers many of the qualities readers expect from a satisfying romance: memorable characters, witty dialogue, emotional sincerity, and enough chemistry to make readers cheer for the couple from beginning to end.
Some of the best romantic comedies begin with one outrageous situation, and Trick Play embraces that formula beautifully.
Larry Han has every reason to look forward to Halloween. As a Toronto native who recently signed with the Toronto Blaze, he enjoys playing close to family while representing a team where diversity is visible both on and off the ice. When teammates invite him to volunteer at a Halloween event for children, he happily agrees, expecting nothing more complicated than wearing a clown costume and helping create a fun evening.
Unfortunately, one small problem quickly leads to another.
His costume doesn’t fit.
His mother attempts to alter it.
A neighbor offers sewing supplies.
Then an old classmate’s prank leaves Larry handcuffed to the neighbor’s daughter—dressed as Raggedy Ann—with no key in sight.
From that moment onward, Halloween becomes considerably more complicated.
This wonderfully absurd setup immediately establishes the story’s playful tone while creating the perfect environment for forced proximity, one of romance’s most beloved tropes.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is Larry himself.
Rather than portraying a professional athlete as arrogant or emotionally unavailable, Kim Findlay introduces a hero whose kindness defines him far more than his hockey career.
Larry volunteers because he genuinely wants children to enjoy Halloween.
He values family.
He appreciates his mother’s support.
He remains patient even as one inconvenience after another disrupts his plans.
His frustration never overshadows his generosity.
These qualities make him easy to admire.
His identity as a successful hockey player certainly shapes his life, but the story wisely focuses more on his character than his athletic achievements. Readers see someone grounded despite professional success, making him feel authentic and approachable.
His reactions to the increasingly ridiculous situation are believable, balancing embarrassment, humor, and growing affection without ever becoming exaggerated.
The central romantic device in Trick Play is wonderfully simple.
Two people are physically unable to separate.
Forced proximity often succeeds because it removes emotional escape routes, encouraging honest conversations that might otherwise never happen.
Larry and his unexpected companion have no choice but to spend Halloween together.
The handcuffs create comedic moments, but they also encourage genuine connection.
Conversations become deeper.
Awkwardness gradually transforms into comfort.
Shared inconvenience slowly becomes shared understanding.
Rather than feeling artificial, the romance develops through everyday interactions that allow both characters to rediscover one another.
Kim Findlay understands that chemistry often grows strongest through ordinary moments rather than dramatic declarations.
Comedy is one of the novella’s greatest assets.
The chain of increasingly unfortunate events never feels forced because each problem logically grows from the previous one.
A costume problem becomes a sewing problem.
The sewing problem becomes a neighbor visit.
The visit becomes handcuffs.
The missing key creates the evening’s central conflict.
This escalating sequence gives the story excellent comedic momentum.
Readers are likely to smile at Larry’s increasingly resigned acceptance that absolutely nothing is going according to plan.
The humor remains warm rather than sarcastic.
Nobody becomes the target of cruel jokes.
Instead, readers laugh alongside the characters as they navigate an impossible situation with patience and good spirits.
Although romance drives the narrative, family relationships contribute significantly to the story’s emotional appeal.
Larry’s mother immediately demonstrates her love by trying to solve his costume problem.
Neighbors willingly help one another.
Teammates volunteer their time to support local children.
The Halloween event itself exists to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for kids.
These details create a comforting atmosphere built around kindness and community involvement.
Instead of existing in isolation, the romance grows within a supportive network of family, friends, and teammates.
That warmth makes the story especially enjoyable.
An especially refreshing aspect of Trick Play is Larry’s perspective on joining the Toronto Blaze.
Growing up in Toronto before signing with his hometown team already carries emotional significance.
Equally meaningful is his appreciation for playing on a roster where he is not the only player of color.
This detail is incorporated naturally into the story rather than feeling performative.
Representation becomes part of Larry’s lived experience.
His identity informs his perspective without defining every aspect of his personality.
This subtle approach strengthens both character authenticity and the overall reading experience.
Many seasonal romances simply decorate an existing love story with holiday imagery.
Trick Play goes further.
Halloween directly influences every major event.
The costumes create mistaken identities.
The volunteer event brings everyone together.
The prank occurs because of the festive atmosphere.
Even the Raggedy Ann costume contributes to the story’s visual charm.
Without Halloween, this romance simply could not exist.
That strong integration makes the seasonal setting feel meaningful rather than decorative.
Readers looking for a genuinely Halloween-themed romance will likely appreciate how fully the holiday shapes both plot and mood.
Kim Findlay writes with an approachable style that complements the novella’s lighthearted nature.
The pacing moves quickly while still leaving room for emotional development.
Dialogue feels natural, helping relationships evolve through conversation rather than lengthy exposition.
Descriptions remain vivid without slowing the story’s momentum.
The novella understands exactly what it wants to accomplish.
It entertains.
It makes readers laugh.
It creates emotional investment.
Then it delivers a satisfying romantic conclusion.
For a shorter work, that balance is impressive.
Beneath its comedy, Trick Play explores several thoughtful themes.
Sometimes life’s greatest moments arrive disguised as inconveniences.
Larry certainly doesn’t expect handcuffs to improve his evening.
Yet the accident opens doors that careful planning never could.
From family members helping with costumes to hockey players volunteering for neighborhood children, the story celebrates communities supporting one another.
Old acquaintances often carry outdated assumptions about each other.
Being forced together allows both characters to discover how much they have changed.
Neither character spends Halloween searching for romance.
That makes the emotional connection feel even more genuine when it develops naturally.
Trick Play is especially well suited for readers who enjoy:
Because it is a shorter story, readers looking for extensive relationship drama or elaborate subplots may wish it lasted longer.
However, those wanting a charming seasonal romance can easily finish it in one sitting.
The novella’s biggest accomplishment is its ability to accomplish so much within a relatively short page count.
The characters feel complete.
The romance feels earned.
The humor lands naturally.
The Halloween atmosphere remains memorable throughout.
Instead of attempting to become overly dramatic, Kim Findlay embraces warmth, kindness, and emotional sincerity.
That confidence allows the story to remain consistently enjoyable.
The combination of hockey culture, family relationships, holiday celebrations, and romantic comedy creates a reading experience that feels both comforting and refreshing.
The best thing about Trick Play is its ability to turn a simple, humorous premise into a genuinely heartwarming romance. What starts as a Halloween prank—leaving professional hockey player Larry Han handcuffed to an old classmate—quickly becomes an engaging story about reconnecting, discovering unexpected feelings, and embracing life’s unplanned moments. The forced-proximity setup is both funny and believable, creating plenty of opportunities for natural conversations and growing emotional intimacy.
Another standout feature is Larry Han’s character. Despite being a successful professional hockey player, he is portrayed as humble, thoughtful, and deeply connected to his family and community. His willingness to volunteer at a Halloween event for children and his patience throughout the increasingly chaotic evening make him an easy protagonist to root for.
The novella also shines because of its warm, feel-good atmosphere. The Halloween setting, supportive family relationships, and strong sense of community add charm without overshadowing the romance. Instead of relying on unnecessary drama, Kim Findlay focuses on kindness, humor, and authentic emotional connection.
Ultimately, the greatest strength of Trick Play is its reminder that love can appear when you least expect it. By combining witty humor, lovable characters, and a sweet, satisfying romance, the novella delivers an uplifting reading experience that lingers long after the final page.
Trick Play by Kim Findlay is a delightful reminder that life’s best surprises often come wrapped in complete chaos. What begins as a volunteer commitment for Halloween quickly spirals into a series of mishaps involving an oversized clown costume, a helpful neighbor, a misplaced key, and an unforgettable evening spent handcuffed to someone from Larry Han’s past.
The novella succeeds because it never loses sight of its emotional core. While the premise is undeniably humorous, the growing connection between the characters feels sincere and believable. Larry’s kindness, the supportive sense of family and community, and the festive Halloween backdrop combine to create a romance that is as heartwarming as it is entertaining.
Although brief, the story leaves a lasting impression through its blend of humor, chemistry, and optimism. Readers who enjoy hockey romances, holiday love stories, and feel-good contemporary fiction will find Trick Play an engaging and satisfying read.
Kim Findlay proves that sometimes the perfect romance doesn’t begin with fireworks or grand gestures—it begins with a practical joke, an unexpected inconvenience, and two people discovering that the last thing they want is to be set free.
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