Writing Mr. Wrong was a quick and enjoyable read. The romantic aspects are mostly kept behind closed doors and don't happen until later in the story. Mason, the male main character (MMC), seemed a touch immature for being mid-30s. It was a bit hard to warm up to him especially when he seemed oblivious to very obvious things. There was a mention of Mason's team having 7 wins, 2 ties, and 1 loss, which anyone who knows hockey knows that games never truly end in a tie. There's always overtime or a shootout, if needed. There's always a winner. That being said, overall, it was a satisfying read.

Writing Mr. Wrong by Kelley Armstrong was one of the best rom-coms I have ever read. High school lovers reconnecting and one of them writing a book about it - what could possibly be better!! I loved this one!!!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & the publisher for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

ontemporary romance is my go-to genre when life gets chaotic and I don’t have the time or emotional fortitude for a long series or epic fantasy—and I ATE THIS BOOK UP. The only reason I didn’t finish it in one sitting is because I started it at 11 p.m., and staying up past 1am probably would’ve lead to me getting fired. But trust me, I was TEMPTED. I finished it in about six hours total because it was just that good.

One of the first things I loved was how the author introduced the main characters. We got the backstory and context right away, and it felt super natural. I personally can’t stand when I’m stuck in one POV for a bunch of chapters just waiting for the MMC to show up—like, where is the sexy man already?? So this was a big win in my book.

The dual POV was also chef’s kiss. I really needed it to connect with Mason. His emotional immaturity usually wouldn’t be my thing (not immature exactly, just… stunted), but getting inside his head and seeing how badly he wanted to grow and be better for Gemma? That sold me. Total golden retriever vibes.

Honestly, my favorite part of the book was Gemma’s healing journey after the mess with her ex. It wasn’t loud, dramatic trauma—it was that slow, soul-crushing kind that sneaks up on you. The kind where even after you leave, you’re still stuck emotionally, trying to figure out "how did I get here and how do I get out?". Watching her find herself again was so powerful. And the way Mason supported her and hyped her up the whole time? Wholesome and swoony.

The writing was great, the story wrapped up nicely, and even though I usually lean more toward open-door romances, this one was absolutely perfect without the spice. Didn’t miss it one bit.

Highly recommend if you're into second chances, sports romance, and stories with heart.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kelley Armstrong, and Forever for the opportunity to read this ARC!

She gets ghosted by a hockey player, so she writes a book about him?! Genius!
This romcom was such a great read!
High-school friends who share a kiss then he ghosts her. Fast forward many years later. Gemma is divorced and Mason doesn't want to commit to any woman.
She is struggling to write a read-worthy MMC so she thinks of the jerk who once broke her heart, the hockey player who is now a Pro!
They cross paths and the truth comes out. They agree to fake dating to benefit them both but sparks fly and things aren't that simple.
Loved this book! Laughed so many times and I loved how hard he worked to win Gemma's heart.
Mason was stubborn but trying to be better, loved his heart.
Thank you Netgalley and @readforeverpub for the ARC!

Writing Mr. Wrong is the second book in Kelley Armstrong's romance series, following Finding Mr. Write (although it would absolutely work as a standalone as well if you haven't read the first). Kelley has a way of writing that makes it easy to read and keeps you wanting more and this new novel does not disappoint.

Gemma is just getting back to writing after her now ex-husband convinced her she didn't have what it takes. Her first novel, based on her absolutely Mr. Wrong first crush, Mason Moretti, goes viral after a "reunion-cute" interview goes sideways. Mason is now an NHL enforcer with some drama of his own, and he could use some good PR, so suggests they fake date to help sell her book.

Gemma remembers the old Mason, one she crushed on and the other who crushed her. Can she trust him again not to break her heart and make this all about him? Told from alternating perspectives of Gemma and Mason, this book is sure to take readers on a emotional roller coaster of wanting love to win and wanting to tell Mason where to go.

I gave this book 4 stars - I felt it fell short of that fifth star solely due to a bit too much "I love him, but he hurt me" internal drama that was a bit cringe-worthy at times. Overall, I loved the premise and the writing, but could have done with a little less pity party.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this e-book in exchange for my honest review.

Rating - 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - April 22, 2025
Publication Date - June 24, 2025

*I received an E-ARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @kelleyarmstrongauthor, @readforeverpub and @netgalley!

I always think it's fun to read books about books, especially when one of the main characters is an author! Writing Mr. Wrong has a great concept that I was excited to read and see how it all played out. I appreciated that the characters have their flaws and don't completely change by the end of the book. It felt real because change takes a lot of time and effort, which can be difficult to realistically fit into the timeline of a story. Since the characters are both flawed, I think it shows that people don't need to have all their stuff together before getting into a relationship because you can grow together and learn from each other.

If you like books about books, fake dating and second chance (ish) romances, you should try Writing Mr. Wrong!

Get excited to read Writing Mr. Wrong, available June 24! 🎉

I have loved so many of Kelley Armstrong's books and this was no exception! The plot was a cute and I liked how the characters both had a bit of redemption to earn and were able to help one another.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

I disliked both main characters who seemed stuck in high school even though they were 36 years old. He was completely clueless about everything, and she was a doormat. Why was she still taking calls and reading email from her jerk of an ex-husband?? That made no sense. The morning show host from high school was like a cartoon villain, and why didn't either one of them call her out when they had the chance? The entire vacation on the island scenario was so far-fetched, I was rolling my eyes. I think I skimmed more than I read. Great concept that didn't live up to the premise at all. I was particularly disappointed since I'd just finished another book by this author that was 5-star fantastic. Oh well, you can't like them all.

Kelley Armstrong can write a strong novel in any genre. This is the second romance that I have read by this author and it was another winner. This one was set in Vancouver and between a writer and a professional hockey player. Gemma had a crush on Mason in high school but he turned out to be a massive jerk. Fast forward twenty years later and Gemma has become a published author using Mason as inspiration for her alpha male lead in her first novel. Mason is a professional hockey player nearing the end of his career and has recently gotten bad publicity after he failed to support his teammate. Gemma and Mason are set up on a TV show and it ends up helping both of their careers. They decide to go out again to help their careers and sparks begin to fly. Everything should work out perfectly except there is more to both of their stories.

This was a really cute contemporary romance. It was easy to get lost in the story and I really liked both characters. I did wish that there was a little more action but the romance was solid. I also liked learning a little more about hockey. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and anyone who loves romance or just a great story will enjoy this book.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for this ARC.

I love this author and I love this series. It is so different from a lot of the rest of her books. But it is kind of like a pallet cleanse from the darker horror books that she is putting out.

I have been a fan of Kelley Armstrong for a while. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but this one fell a little flat for me. When Gemma got flirty, she seemed like an entirely different character. It seemed like it was supposed to be a slow burn, but here didn't really feel like a lot of romance/sexual tension between Gemma and Mason so when they finally got together it was somewhat anticlimatic.

A clever and witty romance about a woman who "accidentally" writes her ex into a book. The story is funny, romantic, and full of surprises. Fans of romantic comedies will love this one. The author's sharp writing and relatable characters make it standout in this genre.

Thank you NetGalley for an Arc of Writing Mr. Wrong by Kelley Armstrong

Another must read from Kelley Armstrong! Well-developed, memorable, evolving characters with humor and grace round out this fast-paced enthralling book. The emphasis on strong women is the cherry on top!

Just the most fun summer read! Gemma and Mason were the most amazing romantic leads. This book had everything you could want from a love story. It threaded the line of feeling real and heartfelt by giving them real feelings and obstacles to overcome. But kept the angst from taking over too much and remained lighthearted. I don’t always love a second chance romance but this one changed up the formula a bit and surprised me. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this one early. It is a fantastic beach read for anyone wanting to read about some love under the sun.

Many thanks to the author, Kelley Armstrong, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for the ARC!

This was my first Kelley Armstrong book, and I really enjoyed it! It’s a slow-burn, second-chance, enemies-to-lovers romance that also includes fake dating and miscommunication—all in one story. That’s a lot of tropes packed into one book, but it never felt overwhelming or confusing. In fact, it was a lot of fun!

The story follows Gemma, a debut novelist, and Mason, a well-known hockey player, who reconnect after nearly two decades apart. Gemma is recently divorced and finally free from a toxic marriage. Her ex-husband had tried to mold her into the perfect corporate wife, which never fit who she really is. Meanwhile, Mason is nearing the end of his pro hockey career and dealing with not only aging in a physically demanding sport, his retirement but also past family issues/drama—and now, Gemma re-entering his life.

Back in high school, the two shared a kiss that went south quickly. Gemma was left hurt and angry, and Mason regretted how he handled things but never apologized. Years later, they cross paths again when they're invited on a show to talk about Gemma’s debut novel—where the male lead just happens to be inspired by Mason. From there, they're roped into a fake dating scheme for publicity, which (of course) leads to real/old feelings to resurface and forces them to confront the past. Eventually, they end up stuck together on a private island, where old wounds are addressed and feelings are finally confessed.

I really liked that both main characters are older and more mature, each carrying their own baggage. It made them and their relationship feel more grounded and relatable. The story moved quickly, was fun and engaging, but also touched on some deeper issues, which added another layer to the romance.

Overall, I highly recommend it—it was a great read with both heart and humor.
4.5⭐️!

Yesssss yes yes yes! I have yet to find one Kelley Armstrong book/series I haven’t liked!! Her newer books that are more romance are absolutely amazing! I will never stop recommending her books, including this one! Soooo good!!

Writing Mr. Wrong by Kelley Armstrong
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

Writing Mr. Wrong is a fun, feel-good romance with sharp writing, a smart premise, and refreshingly mature characters. Gemma, a romance author fresh out of a bad marriage, finds inspiration in an old high school nemesis—Mason, now a pro hockey player—for her new "bad boy" book character. When their paths cross again and a fake dating scheme unfolds, sparks fly and secrets surface.

It’s witty, warm, and exactly the kind of lighter romance I like to pick up between heavier reads. Another solid, satisfying read from an author who can truly do it all.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my copy of this book — all thoughts in my review are my own.

I love everything Kelley writes and this one did not disappoint! A very fun quick read with amazing tropes.

Debut author Gemma Stanton knows romance readers love a bad boy—and she has the perfect prototype for her novel: Mason Moretti. He is based off her high school crush and now a major league hockey player. This was a fun read and I loved the characters.

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!!!