Review of Double Shift: By Riley Cross

As someone who studies the intersection of psychology and human behavior, I’m always drawn to stories that authentically explore the psychological complexity of difficult decisions. The contemporary romance novel “Blackwood Bears” (while fictional) offers a surprisingly nuanced examination of how young adults navigate competing desires, family dynamics, and personal identity formation under intense pressure.

The Setup: More Than Just a Love Triangle

The story centers on Jocelyn Cooper, daughter of a college hockey coach, who finds herself torn between two very different brothers on her father’s team. But what initially appears to be a standard romance trope quickly evolves into something more psychologically rich. The author doesn’t just ask “who will she choose?” but rather “how do we make authentic choices when external pressures threaten to overwhelm our internal compass?”

From a psychological perspective, Jocelyn’s situation represents a perfect storm of decision-making complexity. She’s operating under what psychologists call “multiple audience pressure,” simultaneously trying to maintain professional boundaries, manage family expectations, preserve friendships, and honor her own emotional needs. This kind of multi-layered pressure often leads to what researchers term “decision paralysis,” where the fear of making the wrong choice prevents any choice at all.

The Brothers: Two Models of Identity Formation

What makes this story psychologically compelling is how the two brothers represent different approaches to identity development. Isaac embodies what psychologist James Marcia would call “identity achievement through foreclosure.” he’s always been the golden boy, the natural talent, someone whose identity was largely predetermined by external validation and innate ability.

Carter, conversely, represents “identity achievement through moratorium and exploration.” He’s had to work for everything, question his worth, and actively construct his identity rather than simply accepting what others projected onto him. This difference becomes crucial as the story progresses, because it affects not just how they approach relationships, but how they handle failure and growth.

The author does something particularly interesting with Isaac’s character arc. Rather than making him the villain of his own privilege, the story explores what psychologists call “imposter syndrome in reverse” — the anxiety that comes from wondering whether your successes are truly earned or simply the result of natural advantages.

The Psychology of Romantic Choice

Jocelyn’s decision-making process reflects several key psychological principles that research has identified in how people choose romantic partners. Initially, she’s drawn to what psychologist Robert Sternberg calls “passionate love” — the excitement and intensity that Isaac offers. But as she matures, she begins to recognize the value of what Sternberg terms “companionate love” — the deeper compatibility and understanding she finds with Carter.

However, the story takes an unexpected turn that I found psychologically authentic. Jocelyn ultimately chooses Isaac, but not for the reasons she initially found him attractive. Instead, she chooses him because she recognizes that he challenges her to grow in ways that feel uncomfortable but necessary. This reflects what psychologist Carol Dweck calls “growth mindset”, the recognition that discomfort and challenge are essential for personal development.

The Family Systems Component

One of the most psychologically sophisticated elements of the story is how it handles family dynamics. Coach Russo isn’t just “the protective father” , he’s a man trying to balance multiple roles and relationships while maintaining professional integrity. His conversations with Jocelyn about boundaries and consequences reflect real understanding of how family systems work.

The brothers’ relationship is particularly well-developed from a psychological perspective. Their competition isn’t just sibling rivalry, it’s about differentiation, the psychological process by which family members establish individual identities while maintaining connection. The story shows how this process can be both destructive and ultimately healing when handled with maturity.

Where Psychology Meets Sports Psychology

As someone interested in performance psychology, I appreciated how the author handled the relationship between emotional state and athletic performance. The way the brothers’ personal drama affects their on-ice chemistry reflects real research about how interpersonal relationships impact team dynamics and individual performance.

Carter’s eventual success after being forced to step out of Isaac’s shadow aligns with sports psychology research about “identity foreclosure” in athletes, how some performers need to separate from external expectations to discover their authentic capabilities.

The Resolution: Growth Over Gratification

What makes this story psychologically satisfying is that the resolution prioritizes character growth over simple wish fulfillment. Each character ends up in a place that reflects genuine development rather than just getting what they initially wanted. Isaac learns to find value in work rather than just natural ability. Carter discovers his own worth independent of comparison to others. Jocelyn learns to make choices based on growth potential rather than just comfort or excitement.

This reflects what positive psychology research tells us about well-being, that sustainable happiness comes from personal growth, meaningful relationships, and purpose rather than just pleasure or achievement.

While this is ultimately entertainment rather than a psychology textbook, stories like this serve an important function in helping young adults think through complex decision-making processes. The characters face realistic consequences for their choices, model healthy communication during conflict, and demonstrate that growth often requires discomfort.

For anyone interested in the psychology of decision-making, identity formation, or family systems, this novel offers a surprisingly rich case study wrapped in an engaging narrative. It’s a reminder that the best fiction doesn’t just entertain, it helps us understand ourselves and others with greater complexity and compassion.

The story ultimately suggests that the most important choice isn’t who we choose to be with, but who we choose to become in the process of making that choice. That’s a psychological insight worth pondering, regardless of whether you’re a sports fan or romance reader.

This review reflects my personal reading experience and psychological perspective. The book serves as an interesting lens for examining decision-making under pressure, though readers should approach it primarily as entertainment rather than psychological guidance.

Read it for yourself here: https://a.co/d/5HD9e1p