Are you looking for a romance that involves turning off your brain and reading? This might be the one for you.

I am all for books that take me out of my life, and Kelley Armstrong does a pretty good job of taking me out of my life.

Gemma has just released her first published novel: a historical romance with a morally grey character. As inspiration, she used her childhood crush, now a major hockey star, Mason Moretti. The problem? An old classmate turned local morning show host invites them both onto the show and exposes the basis of the character. The publicity shoots up the sales of Gemma's book and helps Mason with his image problem. With a strong focus on mental health, the two decide to continue the charade to improve her sales and his image. Miscommunications ensue. Can they find their way to be together and work through their own issues?

Thank you to Forever, Grand Central Publishing, and Net Galley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Writing Mr. Wrong is a fun, witty rom-com and a must have for anyone who loves fake-dating with a hockey player.

This is a fun read. I didn’t like it as much as Kelley’s previous rom-com, but it’s still a solid fake-dating sports romance. This book is set in the same world as Finding Mr. Write, and we even get to quickly catch up with Daphne and Chris the MCs from that book. In this book, we get to spend time with Chris’s sister Gemma, who’s debut Highland romance is just about to be released, and much to Gemma’s embarrassment the world quickly knows that the inspiration for her male hero was Mason, a famous hockey player who she went to school with. This book is a bit of a “not for Ronny” book, in the sense that I do not enjoy a male MC who pins and is a bit angsty with his pinning, and I don’t like it even more when both MCs are super pinny. I don’t know why, but for whatever reason I just don’t enjoy that micro-trope and when it has a heavy presence in the book, it just becomes painful for me. I think I don’t enjoy a character who sits arounds and pins, because that is what they are doing, sitting, not acting, not declaring their love, or whatever, that lack of action and lack of confidence can be a bit of a turn off for me. Now, that is not to say that this book isn’t good, because it is. It’s a well written and entertaining rom-com, and if you like your MCs that have been pinning for each other since they were kids, then you are going to devour this book.

Kelley has taken that typical fake-dating trope and really done some interesting things with it. At first both Gemma and Mason agree to enter this fake-dating relationship to help promote Gemma’s book and to help improve Mason’s image in the hockey world. That kind of mutual agreement is pretty typical with a sport fake dating story, but then Kelley takes that agreement and changes it half-way through the book. Mason realizes that his actions often comes across as being a selfish asshole, and wants Gemma to help him change his behaviour. So now that fake-dating agreement becomes this new agreement that Gemma will help Mason think before he acts and speaks and in exchange Mason will whisk Gemma away to a quiet place where she can write. And that fake-dating trope, turns into a remote getaway these two are going to be stuck together in close quarters story. I liked that unexpected turn this story took. It felt like getting two great romances in one.

I enjoyed the characters besides for all the pinning. Mason is an interesting hero, because he isn’t that typical gruff, asshole superstar hockey player. He is a good guy at his core, he just doesn’t think about how his actions or words can affect someone. This often means he comes across as a jerk. He really is this different kind of character and I thought he was really refreshing. Gemma’s character is a bit more typical, but still a character I enjoyed being around. When we first meet Gemma, she is this shell of her former self. Her ex-husband really did suck that spark or zest for life that Gemma had. But of course, Mason helps her find the courage and reminds her that life is worth living and to take those chances.

These two are great together. Gemma has never put up with Mason’s crap and always knew he was capable of doing things outside of hockey. It’s pretty obvious that both characters are harbouring and have been harbouring some crush like feelings for each other since they were kids. There is a slight second chance romance feel to this story. There was a moment when they were teenagers when it looked like they were about to take that first step into becoming a romantic couple, but of course high school drama wrecked that. I liked their chemistry and enjoyed the fact that they got to know each other as adults before jumping into bed with one another. It made their relationship feel more real and less insta-lusty.

Writing Mr. Wrong is a fun, witty rom-com by the talent Kelley Armstrong.

Debut author Gemma Stanton knows romance readers love a bad boy—and she has the perfect prototype for her novel: Mason Moretti. High school hockey god-turned-pro player, Mason was Gemma's first crush, but she couldn't forget the sting of his very public rejection. So, she casts him as a hot-headed Highlander in her spicy new historical romance. She never expected readers would find out on live TV when a morning show host invites Mason for a surprise on-air reunion...

As an aging hockey player with a rep for being ruthless on the ice—and roguish off of it—Mason has an image problem. So, when his meet-cute with Gemma goes viral, Mason proposes they build on the momentum with a few fake dates to boost her book sales...and his sagging profile. But when the fictional flirting gets a little too real, Mason realizes Gemma actually makes him want to become a better man—someone worthy of her trust and her love.

I'm not really into the hockey craze that's hit the romance world, but this one grabbed my attention and I thought I'd check it out. This was so good! I loved the characters, the banter, and a great story! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

✨Review ⬇️✨

🏒 Writing Mr. Wrong 🏒
By Kelley Armstrong

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

💕 First of all- there isn’t a book by Kelley Armstrong that I haven’t loved. I have been reading her books for years, these are the books that turned reading into an addiction. That being said, I had not read a rom-com by her before and this did not disappoint!!

🏒 This is the next big hockey romance!! I absolutely loved this (audio)book!! Second chance is also my least favorite trope (enemies to lovers over here), but I am now a believer.

🗞️ The #1 New York Times bestselling author delivers a fun romantic comedy about a woman reconnecting with her high school ex after writing him into her latest romance book. 

💬 “Rough edges don’t matter. We all have them. It’s the ones that can cut that count.”

💕 Thank you Netgalley 📖 and Libro 🎧 for the ARC copies!
📅 Release date June 24, 2025

📕 What to read next: Icebreaker by Hannah Grace


✨ Read this if you like:
💕 Romance
💕 Hockey
💕 Second Chance
💕 Fake Dating
💕 Friends-to-Lovers
💕 Lighthearted Rom-Com
💕 Summer Reads

Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors so I’ll read anything she writes. I loved Finding Mr. Write last year and am so excited that we got Gemma’s story!
This is a fun second-chance romance between debut author, Gemma and pro hockey player, Mason who were childhood friends until they had a falling out during high school. Now twenty years later, Gemma is convinced she needs an alpha male hero to sell her book so she decides to write the perfect Mr. Wrong who just so happens to be based on her first crush. She’s certain no one will notice the similarities but when they do, Mason suggests they fake date to help promote her book. And if it helps improve his image well, that’s just a bonus.

I adored Gemma and Mason, they both felt very realistic and I loved that this was dual POV. Gemma is a divorcee trying to rebuild her confidence and Mason is struggling with the reality of being an aging hockey player. Mason is incredibly charming and comes off as careless but it’s easy to see how much he cares about Gemma and setting things right. He lost her once and refuses to lose her again. His character growth was amazing.
I really liked the flashbacks of their school days while seeing them reconnect as adults. And the best part? They actually know how to communicate 👏🏻

Highly recommend if you enjoy second-chance romance and if you haven’t read Finding Mr. Write yet, then you should definitely pick that one up as well!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the eARC!

4.5 stars.

Writing Mr. Wrong by Kelley Armstrong is an absolutely delightful romance.

Gemma Stanton is recently divorced and a newly published romance author. Her ex-husband did a number on her and she is finally beginning to regain her confidence. But the hero of her romance is outed as hockey star Mason Moretti. Gemma has a past with Mason and once their TV appearance goes viral, she reluctantly agrees to fake date him.

Gemma has not seen Mason for almost twenty years. He has exceeded his goal reaching the NHL while she gave up dreams in exchange for helping her ex reach his. Seeing Mason again brings back the feelings she once had for him. But is there any chance of a future with him?

Mason is a great guy but he can be a bit self-centered. He does not deal well with conflict so he is eager to ignore troubling things about his career. Mason is thrilled with the opportunity to finally date Gemma but will his thoughtlessness ruin their second chance at love?

Writing Mr. Wrong is a heartwarming romance with fantastic lead characters. Gemma is learning to stand up for herself while Mason discovers he cannot run away from his problems. Their scenes together are very sweet and their banter is quite fun. The storyline is well-written and compelling. Kelley Armstrong brings this charming romance to a wonderful conclusion.

After last years Finding Mr. Write, which I absolutely loved, I jumped at the chance to read and listen to Kelley Armstrong’s latest, Writing Mr. Wrong. I was hoping for another lighthearted and humor romance, especially as the cover matches the previously mention novel. Well, that’s not what I got. Oh, the romance is here, but this story has a more serious tone. Gemma is divorced, perhaps a bit jaded, but her novel is about to be a hit. She didn’t think anyone would recognize the person she’d based the male lead in her novel on, hockey sensation Mason Moretti, a man she’s had a history with going back to her childhood, and someone she has had mixed/resentful feelings about since high school. But people recognize him all right. And before she knows it the two are flung together, it’s great press for the book, but it also brings up bad memories. Mason is flattered, until he reads the book and sees how the main character acts. Is that how Gemma sees him? Is that how he really is? If so he wants to change…and he wants Gemma to help him. The book features one of my favorite tropes: fake dating, but as I said the story plays out in a more serious tone than I was expecting. That being said, it was still an enjoy tale, and I enjoyed both reading it and listening to it as both Patricia Santomasso and Sean Patrick Hopkins deliver solid performances. If you are a fan of Ms. Armstrong’s work (and you should be as she in incredibly talented no matter which genre she chooses to write) you’ll want to check this out. I’d like to thank Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC and Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of the audio version as well.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/writing-mr-wrong-kelley-armstrong/1146385900?ean=9781538742778&bvnotificationId=be459d87-5142-11f0-940f-0affde38dbe5&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/350352510

Gemna and Mason will have you simultaneously rooting for them while wanting to shake them both. It's a sports romance with a twist. The characters grow a lot through the story. There's a great dose of humor. And the perfect amount of steam. Most of all, there's heart.

This was simultaneously a quick, breezy romance and an examination of how outside forces can make a person act the way they do. I loathed Mason’s father and I can only be thankful he didn’t appear on the page.

On the one hand, I didn’t think the characters seemed super mature, but on the other hand, that gave the plot all its action and momentum, and I did like the plot. And as an avid hockey fan, Mason not being a jerk but seeming like one because he’s careless and clueless about other people’s feelings felt like perhaps the most accurate portrayal of a pro athlete I’ve read in romance. When these men are treated like a golden idol all their lives, they’re bound to end up like Mason. But I appreciated him for realizing that he wants to change. Did I love that it seemed to come about only because of Gemma? Not really. But the end result was good.

If you’re looking for a light, fun read, this is your book. You might get annoyed with Mason along the way, but it feels like a classic early 2000s rom com in that way

Writing Mr. Wrong is my first foray into sports romance, a subgenre in contemporary romance that I haven’t had any experience with. But as a fan of Kelley Armstrong’s writing for several years, I had faith that this would be a story that I would enjoy.

Gemma Stanton is a debut romance author whose “alpha” main male character bears a strong resemblance to Mason Moretti, the NHL hockey star, her former classmate and high school crush.

While hockey has meant everything to Mason, he’s never forgotten Gemma and when an unexpected encounter on a daytime talk show brings them face-to-face after twenty years, old feelings stir.

Gemma is still healing following her divorce and trying to regain the parts of herself she sacrificed in an effort to fit into a relationship that didn’t suit her. Straightforward and very grounded, she’s understandably hesitant to allow Mason to pursue her, which is partially due to a bad experience when they were in high school.

Mason Moretti is used to being viewed as a “bad guy” on the hockey rink. Off the rink, he’s charming, considerate and sometimes unintentionally oblivious. As an older player at thirty-six, his future in hockey is becoming questionable.

What begins as a fake-dating scenario to improve publicity for Gemma’s book and Mason’s public image, slowly becomes something more. Writing Mr. Wrong is a sweet novel with a second-chance romance and two main characters who struggle at times with their personal demons and yet still manage to communicate with one another like mature adults.

Miscommunication for the sake of plot is one of my least favorite tropes and Writing Mr. Wrong thankfully avoids it. There are stumbles and mishaps, fun banter and a bit of spice. I only wished that the novel was a bit longer, as the end seemed more sudden than I was expecting.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for providing access to this ebook. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Writing Mr. Wrong is a super cute second-chance romance following Gemma and Mason. Gemma is a romance author who published a novel in which she based the male main character on Mason, her high school crush, who is now a famous hockey player. While on a local morning talk show hosted by a former classmate, she comes face-to-face with Mason, who has been invited to the show without her knowledge. The host puts Gemma in an awkward position and tries to embarrass her by telling viewers that Gemma's male character is based on Mason. Instead, everyone is surprised when Mason actually helps Gemma. Soon after, a clip of the interaction gets lots of attention, leading to their publicists suggesting they pretend to date to help both of their careers.

I love a good fake relationship, and this one had the added element of Gemma and Mason having a complicated history. Not only are they trying to navigate the complexities of a fake relationship, but they are also forced to deal with suppressed feelings and past heartbreak. I loved witnessing the development of their relationship. The more time they spent together, the more they opened up and the better they understood who each other are as adults. The mature communication in this story made me so happy. I loved seeing how supportive Mason was of Gemma. Mason's growth really hit me in the feels. Turns out he is super swoony and underneath the hard exterior, he is a big softie. Gemma and Mason's slow-burn romance had a satisfying ending that left me with a smile on my face.

A fun, sweet rom-com about a debut romance novelist and the former classmate she modeled her a**hole alpha hero on, who is now a powerhouse hockey star. The novel is told through both Gemma's and Mason's POVs, and this was a nice palate cleanser of two good people working through their issues to find HEA. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for a digital review copy.

“What she feared, though, was stepping out that door and discovering it changed nothing. That she was free but still grounded forgetting how to fly.”

PUB DAY REVIEW

First off, thank you @readforeverpub for the free advanced readers copy of Writing Mr. Wrong!! Which hits shelves today!

Now let me tell you, I devoured this book! Legit, I read it in one sitting, four hours total.

I am not generally a big romance reader, I may read five a year if that. But when I do pick one up this is the type I am looking for.

1. It was fast paced and incredibly readable. Armstrong has you gripped from the beginning.

2. The character development of both Gemma and Mason is fantastic. They are both older, 36 to be exact. Gemma, the FMM, is recently divorced and working through the trauma of a toxic relationship and finding herself again. Mason is grappling with his identity and public persona as being a goon hockey player while struggling with anxiety, panic attacks, and the stigma of being dyslexic.

3. I actually noticed a considerable improvement to Armstrong’s prose in this novel. They are more refined and all around better in this book compared to her other work. As someone who grew up reading Armstrong (picked up Stolen when I was 13) it is nice to see and watch an author grow into their craft over the years. Especially when they are your favourite author.

4. There is no classic miscommunication trope or traditional third act break up!! 🙌🙌
This is because they are both grown adults that can talk about their feelings and resolve the conflict by properly communicating. What a wild concept?

If you enjoy second chance contemporary romances, with solid banter, and bing worthy writing I highly suggest you nab this one! It is the perfect summer beach read!

3.5/5⭐️ - 1/5🌶️

This romance started off pretty strong and had me laughing and having a great time. Towards the middle, it started to feel a bit disorganized. I also felt that the tension wasn’t very strong, so when they finally did get together, it wasn’t really exciting or seemingly a big deal. The beginning had more showing and then it seemed to turn into telling along the way. I did enjoy the banter, the premise, and the ending. It was a nice light and easy read.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. ✍🏻

📖 Title: Writing Mr. Wrong-can be read as a standalone

✍🏾 Author: Kelley Armstrong- I read Finding Mr. Write and gave it 4 ⭐

📅Publication date: 6/24/25 | Read 6/23/25

📃 Format: eBook 336 pgs.

Genre:
*Rom-Com
*Adult Fic

Tropes:
*beach read
*private getaway
*sports-hockey
*2nd chance romance
*fake dating
*forced proximity
*opposites attract
*book about books
*celebrity

👆🏾POV: 3rd person

⚠️TW: abusive parent-H, bullying, cheating-on h, dyslexia, miscarriages/infertility, adoption/foster care

🌎 Setting: Vancouver

Summary: Going on a Vancouver TV morning show to promote her new book, Gemma is surprised when the host-a high school mean girl- surprises her with a reunion with Mason. He was her high school crush who broke her heart and allowed his friends to joke that their first kiss was a dare. He's back to boost his profile from being a bad guy and hopes Gemma will agree to a fake dating arrangement that will help increase her book sales. Mason has an opportunity to make amends for treating Gemma badly in school.

👩🏾 Heroine: Gemma Stanton-36, a romance novelist who based her new historical romance hero on Mason.

👨🏾 Hero: Mason "Mace" Moretti-36, an aging pro hockey player of the Canadian Growlers.

🎭 Other Characters:

*Ashley- high school mean girl turned morning TV talk show host
*Alan-Gemma's ex-husband, married 9 years
*Camille-Mason's last hookup
*Jesse-Mason's BFF, former player
*Grandma Dot-Gemma's grandmother
*Nonna Jean-Mason's grandmother who he bought a restaurant
*Chris + Daphne-Gemma's brother and sister-in-law (a bestselling author)
*Denny-young hockey player Mason allegedly didn't protect and caused him a serious injury


🤔 My Thoughts: This was a great redemption arc for Mason. Being self-aware and willing to do the work by confronting his past mistakes was admirable. Gemma even forgave him and helped him understand why he did what he did. I loved the heart-to-heart Mason had with Denny. Overall, they never got over each other and pursued what could have been. Cute epilogue w/ the grannies.

Rating: 3.5/5 ✨
Spice level 3/5 🌶️ some fade to black

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever, and Kelley Armstrong for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

I loved this one as much as the first. Writing Mr Wrong comes in after the events of the Finding Mr Write. This story follows Gemma, Chris’s sister, and the man who hurt her in high school, Mason. Written like a second chance romance the past and present collide when they are brought into an interview together. What follows is a fun and entertaining fake dating experience that I couldn’t put down. 
The characters are just as good as the last story. They even have a cameo in the story. Gemma is a sweetheart, and Mason is the hockey star who pretends to be worse than he is. The way they are written really made the story what it was.

What happens when it becomes more that just pretend?
Author Gemma Stanton never expected that that the romance that she had written to get over her divorce would help her reconnect with Vancouver Growlers hockey star Mason Moretti that she had known since school. Only problem was that she had based the character on Mason and her high school nemesis had brought him out during her interview and talked about how the character was like Mason.

Mason Moretti know he’s on the downside of his hockey career and maybe he can use the books similarities to make Gemma pretend to date Mason for both of their benefits. But what happens when more than their hearts start to get more involved than pretending to date for the public.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Writing Mr. Wrong is just as cute as the other book in this world, Finding Mr. Write. This story gives Gemma and Mason a second chance to make their romance work in the most unexpected way. The mean girl from their high school has apparently not grown up because she surprises them on her morning show by saying that Gemma’s book debut is all about her crush on hockey star, Mason. Gemma is completely embarrassed and also not really happy to be reunited with Mason who hurt her in the past. Mason is convinced this is his second chance with Gemma and is determined to do anything to make it work. Unfortunately, the more Mason tries the more he messes up and comes to realize he might be just like the horrible hero from Gemma’s book. I really enjoyed how this story took a closer look at the alpha-holes that commonly show up in romances and questions if that role is really who should end up with the HEA. Definitely a unique romance!

I am not the biggest fan of second chance romances. I also don't love a fade to black scenario. Despite both of these, I really, really enjoyed this book. I'm an OG Kelley Armstrong fan, reading the Elena Michaels books as they were released, so I know I love Kelley's writing and storytelling. This holds true for her contemporary romcoms.

Gemma is a new author who wrote a book to appeal to the masses. To do so, she had to create a alphahole character, which she loosely based on someone in her past. When someone finds out, her secret becomes public, and she becomes tied to Mason, NHL hottie and former teenage crush. Meanwhile, Mason has some things going on in his life, and Gemma is the perfect old friend to talk to.

The sexual tension between these two is fabulous. If you're looking for serious spice, this isn't going to be your book; but if you want a great story with a bit of steam, this is your winner. The writing and development of the story are great. It's an easy read that may have made my eyes a little watery at one point.

This is an interconnected standalone. You don't need to read Finding Mr. Write, but it was too cute to skip, so read it anyway.

This book was SO cute!!

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Finding Mr. Write last year (which I also really enjoyed) and I jumped at the chance to read this one! Both books are connected, but can be read as stand-alones.

I loved this! It features some of my favorite tropes, hockey player MMC and fake dating, but I thought they were done in such a unique way!

Mason's character was sweet but quite misguided in the beginning. His redemption arc was fantastic! Both MCs, Gemma and Mason, felt real and honest. They had qualities and flaws, and they really grow together throughout the story!

They also had adult conversations about their issues, which was really refreshing!

I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it! Also, it was set in Vancouver, BC, and I always love when a book is set in Canada!