I loved every moment if this book!

I have read alot of Kelley Armstrong's book but until I stumbled across Finding Mr Write i found another side of her writing that I did not know. I was over excited to find this one and had to request. My day was made when I got it.

Sports romance have neve been my thing, but what a good balance in this one!

Keep them coming!!!

The Rambling:

Kelley Armstrong is my favourite author. I've read most of her stuff (I have a little catching up to do on her books released during COVID). Since discovering NetGalley, I've requested a few of her ARCs. This time though, they reached out to me! The book wasn't even public on NetGalley yet. I was thrilled! And feeling pretty darn special.

The Review:

The story fell short for me. I enjoyed her first romance, Finding Mr. Write, even though it wasn't a 5-star read. But it was good (I gave it 4 stars). Writing Mr. Wrong didn't hit the same at all. The story was weird & the scenes played out like a B-movie. If I hadn't received the book as an ARC, I would have DNF'd it. The main characters were not likeable to me at all, especially the MMC. He was a mix of clueless & douche (the cluelessness bothered me the most). Both of them were stuck in high school, nearly 20 years later. I also felt that the FMC was overreacting about something that happened when they were teenagers. In short, I couldn't connect to them at all. And their connection wasn't believable.

Random:

The book is 336 pages long, and the word “asshole" came up 81 times. Kelley really wanted to drive the point home about the MMC, it seems!

I still love Kelley! I just feel that romance is not her best genre. Fantasy is where she really shines.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy. I am so grateful.

Mein Leseerlebnis

Die hockey romance in deren Zentrum eine zweite Chance steht, ist unterhaltsam geschrieben. Teils haben mich die Kapitel mitreißen und berühren können, das traf allerdings nicht auf alle zu. Interessanterweise fand ich Szenen mit Mason, dem Helden der Liebesgeschichte, oft einen Tick unterhaltsamer als die mit Gemma. Dabei war ich mir vor dem Lesen tatsächlich etwas unsicher, on ich Mason mögen würde. Diese Zweifel waren glücklicherweise unbegründet.

Nach dem Beenden des Buches hatte ich das Gefühl, Mason besser zu kennen als Gemma. Ich hätte mir mehr Szenen mit der Heldin gewünscht, in denen es nur um sie und nicht um sie in Verbindung mit Mason oder einem anderen Ex ging.

Im Verlauf des Romans wird ein Kurztrip der beiden Protagonisten benutzt, damit sie ihre Differenzen überwinden können. Alles was mit dem Kurztrip zu tun hatte, konnte mich leider nicht überzeugen. Ich hätte es bevorzugt, wenn sie sich im Alltag näher gekommen wären und auf diesem Weg ihre Differenzen bewältigt hätten. Der Grund für den Kurztrip fühlte sich für mich zudem etwas erzwungen und unglaubwürdig an.

In Bezug auf die zweite Chance muss ich ehrlich sagen, dass ich die Reaktion der Heldin dem Helden gegeüber etwas übertrieben fand. Bedenkt man, dass Mason zur Zeit ihrer Probleme erst 18 Jahre alt war und unter großem Druck stand, dann relativiert das für mich ein paar Sachen.

Blicke ich auf mein Leseerlebnis zurück, so habe ich den Liebesroman zwar gerne gelesen und fand auch das Happy End schön, gleichzeitig hätte man aus dem Roman meiner Meinung nach noch mehr rausholen können.

🖤🖤🖤 1/2

Für wen?

Wer Liebesromane um zweite Chancen für zwei Personen mag, die am Ende der High School für kurze Zeit was am Laufen hatten und die nun als Erwachsene wieder aufeinandertreffen, für den könnte das Buch eine Versuch wert sein.

Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of this book. I chose to review it and this in no way impacts my opinion of it.

When Gemma’s book sells, she ends up on a morning talk show to promote her debut novel. What she doesn’t expect is the talk show host (an old school bully) to bring the inspiration for her a-hole main male character onto the show with her. When the host tried to embarrass Gemma for using her high school crush as her inspiration, Mason derails her and flips the interview back to the newly released book.

I really wanted to love this one like I love the rest of Armstrong’s work, but sadly it just didn’t tickle my brain in the right ways. I did find this novel to be a quick read however I didn’t find anything to particularly love about it. The characters were okay, but I didn’t love them. I loved the concept behind the story but while it is marketed as an enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, I didn’t really believe that either of them hated the other or that they were enemies. Hurt, yes. But hate? No.

I can’t really put a finger on why this one missed the mark for me besides the fact that it just didn’t evoke any feelings in me like Armstrong’s books normally do.

If you enjoy the fake dating trope with a dash of forced proximity, you may love this novel. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Such a sweet story! Can’t argue with a Canadian hockey enforcer and an author.
Mason and Gemma were great characters and I liked how easily the story seemed to come together. I had a split second concern that it was going to delve down the road into the “miscommunication” trope, which I highly dislike, but she moved through that fairly well.
I was introduced to Kelley’s writing through her Rockton series, but both of her romance/romantic comedies have great!

Absolute home run. I loved every page. Second chance romance with a hockey star? Yes please. Strong woman learning to love herself again? Cherry on top. Well paced and fun from start to finish.

I loved this book from Kelley Armstrong. An excellent follow-up to Finding Mr Write, with great appearances from previous characters. This story has a well-paced plot, excellent characters with depth, and great writing: all hallmarks that fans of Kelley Armstrong have come to expect. Equal parts funny and moving, this book will have you rooting for Gemma and Mason all the way.

Writing Mr Wrong reminded me just how much I love and enjoy contemporary romances. This book’ has the perfect amount of hockey/hockey references, comedic timing, second change romance and excellent writing style. Highly recommended for anyone that the synopsis or book cover remotely appeals to because it’s that good! It’s a quick, easy, read with a happy ending.

After her divorce, Gemma returns to writing and pens a historical romance with a witty heroine and a kind hero. When publishers aren't interested, she follows the trend and turns her heroine is a doormat and makes her hero an @sshole. Drawing on her own experience with a high school classmate, Gemma crafts a different story... one that leads her back to Mason. A PR stunt to sell more books throws Mason and Gemma back together, though neither of them is who they were in high school. Can they find common ground or will reputation and hockey them apart?

Not your typical rom-com. Mason is at times self-aware but also a self-admitted @sshole. Gemma stands her ground while confronting her own relationship fears. I did enjoy this one more than the first novel in the series. Previous characters appear, do not take up too much space. Could be read as a standalone.

I don’t really read romance unless it is a part of something else—mystery, urban fantasy, etc. I definitely have no interest in hockey or hockey players and have never watched a full match. But did I love Writing Mr. Wrong by Kelley Armstrong? Of course! This woman just has story telling in her genes; she could probably write a refrigerator manual, and I would find it entertaining.

Main character Gemma Stanton is starting to find her voice again after a trying to be a corporate wife. When she bases a character in her book after a pro hockey player that she knew in high school, it brings Mace Moretti back into her life. He is the bad boy with sensitive interior-but with a twist. Circumstances ensue, and they get to know each other again.

Gemma has a strong outlook and isn’t going to let things stand in her way. She isn’t your typical romantic leading woman, and it’s great. Mason is more self-aware than he gets credit for, and actually wants to learn and grow, he doesn’t need to be tricked into it. In addition to fun characters who develop there are some great locations, some spicy scenes, funny moments, and excellent pacing.

I think I liked this one even more than Finding Mr. Right and would recommend it to anyone looking for some fun entertainment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the eARC.

This is a second chance, forced proximity, fake dating, sports romance between a hockey enforcer (apparently a position? lol I don't know sporty things) and a romance novelist. Author Kelley Armstrong, as previously demonstrated in her past works, writes with compelling language that pulls me in. I didn't want to put this one done. Mostly closed-door but a little but of spice toward the end, but definitely slow-burn. It's fun, indulgent romance novel that feels cute and is easy to read through.

The story was well written and cute. I love that we get to see a little bit of characters from book 1. the story line was quick but the characters had great development and I really enjoyed reading. This is one of my fo to authors for a feel good romance!

The character development was SO on point, this was such a refreshing and satisfying read! The romance, the pining and the growing trust and communication between the MCs were an absolute pleasure to read <3

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

I really enjoyed this one. I was worried about where this book was going to go with the story. But that ending SCREAMED If they wanted to they would, and I loved it!! That ending had me feeling like a little girl with a crush, kicking my feet back and forth 😅

This was my first novel by this author. The second chance romance had lots of potential. I liked the hockey player and author combination. Where this one lost me was that the characters didn’t seem to have much chemistry. Overall a nice read and I would try another by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the opportunity to read an early copy.

Received this book from NetGalley and was excited because I have loved all Kelley Armstrong writes. The Cainsville series, Rockton books, all of her strong paranormal female characters. So to get to read a rom-com by her was something I was looking forward to reading.

This one didn’t disappoint. It’s a fun rom-com story that brings characters with enough emotional intelligence to work on themselves and try not to repeat mistakes. I did enjoy the two-person narrative as well to be inside both minds.

On the day her debut romance novel is published, Gemma Stanton doesn't expect to see her high school crush, Mason Moretti. Nobody is supposed to know that he was the inspiration for her novel's "hothole" highlander hero, but it seems that the similarities are too obvious not to notice. When their first encounter in twenty years goes viral, pro hockey player Mason proposes that they fake date to help promote her book. Gemma agrees and as the two date, their old feelings bubble to the surface.

This was a fun book! I am really enjoying Kelley Armstrong's romance novels. They are entertaining stories with fun dialogue that I really enjoy. Although this book had some fun and flirty parts, it was balanced with some other more serious topics. What really captured my attention in this book was how real Gemma and Mason felt. They felt real in the sense that they were flawed and had very human feelings about things that they have experienced. Mason had surprisingly complicated feelings about his family, career, and recent events in his life. Being with Gemma helped him see that his feelings were valid even if he felt bad for having them.

The "it's always been you" and second chance romance tropes are two of my favorite tropes, and this one had all of the elements that I love about the tropes. We got to see them reminiscing about their relationship when they were younger and those parts were really sweet. The two secretly crushed on each other in those early years and needed to grow up to be able to see that they were meant for one another.

Pick this one up for wholly enjoyable second chance sports romance!

Steam level: 🔥🔥¾
⚠️: mention of divorce, miscarriage, abusive relationship

Writing Mr. Wrong is a very enjoyable rom-com about misunderstandings: taking a failed crush from the past and enabling a romance many years later. A lighthearted, fast read. I always look forward to and enjoy reading Kelley Armstrong's novels, regardless of the genre.

Gemma and Mason have known each other since kindergarten.. They each harbored secret crutches on each other. A humiliating result of a promising kiss the day before their High School graduation left Gemma devastated, but she played it cool. Fast forward 20 years, And she has used her disdain for Mason as inspiration for the jerk hero in her debut romance novel. No one is supposed to be able to recognize the character as being the NHL Superstar Mason Moretti since he is a tilted Scotsman. However, their classmate and mean girl invites Gemma on her daytime talk show to promote her book. She doesn't know Mason will be there. The result is that they trend on social media.. Mason's agent suggests they fake date to give his image a much needed boost.

I like both Gemma and Mason. They have many layers built from years of complicated relationships with people in their lives. I think she is good for him. .I love that he listens to audio books It was good that it was dual POV and flashbacked to what happened in high school.

I thought it was an awkward balance of slow burn, spicy, and close door romance. It was unrealistic that Gemma had no problem with Mason's past womanizing and felt comfortable discussing it with him.

I love the grandmothers and the other older woman toward the end of the book.

Overall. I enjoyed the book and read it in 2 days. I would recommend.

Thank you for an advanced copy and exchange for my honest opinion.

I hate it but I ditched this book at 68%. At this point, there was no growth, no romance and the same struggles repeated over and over. I was in it at first but I just needed some hope.