This was a super satisfying read. I enjoyed the established tension through the friends to lovers vibe and the fact that they communicated well. It definitely had me on the edge of my seat waiting to see how they ould work it out in the end. Great read, highly recommend!!

(No knowledge of hockey is required to enjoy this read)

Disclaimer: I was able to access this book for free in exchange for an honest review

3.5 stars! Definitely a fun read. The FMC and MMC were both very likable characters. Definitely a good read if you are a fan of enemies to lovers? Friends to lovers? I couldn’t figure out which trope it fit into but definitely good for both.

The narration of this audio book was fantastic. I love a duet narration, especially for romance books. Dual POV is always a win with me.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to listen to this advanced copy!

Writing Mr. Wrong by Kelley Armstrong
⭐⭐⭐.5 🌶️
🎧 ALC courtesy of @netgalley | Audio by Hachette Audio
Narrated by Patricia Santomasso & Sean Patrick Hopkins

Let’s start with the audio—because it was honestly the highlight! The narration was fantastic. This was my first time hearing either of these narrators, and they did such a great job. The chemistry was there, the duet narration flowed really well, and I loved the subtle sound effects (like the ping of a text). It added a ton of charm and made listening even more immersive.

I’ve been reading Kelley Armstrong since high school (yup, we go way back), and while this one is more contemporary romance than her usual paranormal/mystery edge, it was still enjoyable… just a little soft. A slow burn, with a fake-dating twist that’s a little more mutual than most—both characters want it, they just don’t quite know how to go for it.

That said, it never gave me that YESSSSS payoff moment I’m always hoping for. It was sweet, clean, respectful… but maybe a bit too vanilla for my tastes. The MMC is 100% about consent (love that!), but if you’re looking for edge or tension, this may feel a little too tame. Still, for lovers of soft, cozy contemporary romance? This will definitely hit the spot.

I almost always love everything that Kelley Armstrong writes. This novel is a different sort of take. Gemma is a debut writer whose book is loosely, (not really), based on her former high school crush, Mason.
Another person realizes that this is who she based her story on. Gemma needs the publicity that Mason can bring because he's this big hockey player, and he needs a fresher image, so they begin to "fake date".
One think that I absolutely hate in a novel is when conflicts can be solved with simply a conversation or two. This novel saves me by having the main characters actually talk things through. How adult!
Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for this audio ARC. Opinions expressed are strictly my own.

When the high school nemesis pulls together the jock and the nerd for the purpose of humiliating the nerd, it backfires in the best way possible.
Close proximity, fake dating, second chance-ish?, are all elements of this writer re-meets her hockey player high school crush romance.

The author’s previous book really caught my attention, so when I saw this one on NetGalley, I decided to request it. Luckily, I was approved for a copy!

Let’s start with the characters. I couldn’t warm up to Mason. He’s a jerk—both now and in the past (which, to be fair, he does acknowledge). Still, I didn’t find him very likeable. I didn’t mind Gemma, although her taste in men is... questionable, to say the least 😅

The romance itself was okay. At first, I was rooting for them, but then things happened way too quickly—they got together, a little conflict popped up, and then it was over. The whole “escaping from the island” scene was a bit too much for me. I don’t say this often, but the book felt too short. I needed more scenes between them to believe in the relationship. It just didn’t feel well-developed.

That said, I don’t regret reading it—I was entertained—but I also know I won’t remember much of it in a few days. It just didn’t leave a lasting impression.

I really enjoyed this book. It was refreshing to hear a story that was about an older couple versus people in their 20s. I’ll add a link to the social media post once that is up! Thank you for letting me listen to this book.

Thank you Netgalley and to Hachette Audio for providing me with this audio ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

I did enjoy the dual pov. Overall it was a good story but nothing too amazing. I felt myself not being excited to find out what happens next - therefore 3 stars. While I love fake dating, I didn't really feel the chemistry in the two leads. I did also like that Gemma and Mason knew each other from high school, I usually love that, but again it was just okay. Also, the ending felt a bit rushed. But overall it was a good book with cute and fun romance.

I really enjoyed the book, I absolutely love the fake dating trope it’s me of my favourites! I enjoyed the dynamic between the couple. I also liked the narration and how it was done by both a man and a woman enabling you to really visualise the characters! A great and fun romance book!

Never thought how a writer and a hockey player can click, but they just did.
Gemma and Mason had a past and they have a now also. It was a cute story, where - again - the male has made the female suffer, causing her trauma for life. Though if you ask me nothing that Mason did really should traumatize a woman, but Gemma is a bit sensitive. Nice story making itself readable.

The book starts with our main character, Gemma publishing her debut book and doing it's promotion and the catch is that a lot of readers think the description and the illustration on the book cover looks like a famous hockey player Mason Moretti, but its not the good thing because the character is not a good guy. what people dont know is it is based on Mason who was Gemma's first crush in high school and her experience with him is added in the story. After an explosive interview Mason and Gemma start fake dating for the press and thats how their story starts.
I think this story was really well done in terms of having elements which are important in today's romance books like a love interest who is hot, famous and kinda a bad guy and the nerdy woman, but then it avoided issues like third act of breakup. They actually communicated and resolved their issues, talked to each other about what exactly happened in high school. They expressed their feelings and were there for each other by supporting the person's career and putting the other person first but at the same time not harming their own career in the process. I liked how they were acting their age and not like young adults.
I liked their adventure on the island and the hockey plot kept me hooked.
Overall, I enjoyed the book.

Excellent character development. Loved the growth and emotional awareness that both the FMC and MMC achieve. Often I read/listen to books and the characters do not act their designated ages but this felt spot on for characters in their mid 30’s (also super refreshing). Can’t go wrong with a romance writer and hockey player trope with a HEA.

The narrators were great!

Gemma is like many of us, sometimes there's just that one person in life who did you wrong and you just can't forget it. However Gemma was able to get closure by writing that person for her into her new book. Little did she know that someone from her highschool would put two and two together and bring her enemy back into her life. Mason is unaware that Gemma didn't know he was there. He just wanted a chance to get back into her world, since he never saw her in his hockey world. Mason is a hockey star who is used to everyone bending to his will and loving every minute of being in his orbit. He isn't used to someone like Gemma who could care less about what he has to offer.
I loved reading about both of these characters and learning more about what truly happened back in the day. The way that Mason learns how to communicate and come out of his shell was refreshing. Especially since it didn't require Gemma having to change herself to fit into his world. I also really liked the narrators that were chosen for this audio. I hadn't heard them narrator before but will definitely look for their works in the future!

I really enjoyed the audio for this book!
The duet narration was done so well and the voices were perfect for the characters.

The story follows Mason and Gemma who knew each other when they were in school and then meet again when they are adults. There is some history between them which brings a bit of tension. Mason is a famous hockey player while Gemma is a romance writer.

I loved seeing the growth of both characters and their relationship. I especially enjoyed the growth of Mason's character and the change in mindset he went through.

One thing I also liked is that the spice was kept minimal which was really nice as I am not a huge fan of really spicy books.

Although there wasn't a huge amount of plot going on, I think it was a character driven story which I think fit really well!!

Thank you Hachette Audio and Net Galley for this audio ARC copy!

I really enjoy a second chance romance and this one didn't disappoint. I adored Mason and Gemma. Their story touched my heart and I liked how they worked on communicating with each other and really listened to what was being said. The narrators were amazing and brought the story to life. I could feel the tension and chemistry between Mason and Gemma. My favorite part of the story was the flashbacks to when they were younger and little Mason with his crush on Gemma.

This was such a fun listen. I’m a sucker for a fake dating trope, and this story absolutely delivered. The tension between the leads was so good - every little moment had that spark, and the chemistry built in a really satisfying way.

I especially loved that the main character is a writer. It always feels like a fun wink to the reader, almost like breaking the fourth wall. And Kelley Armstrong adds such a clever twist on the idea that some fictional characters might be inspired by people authors actually know 👀

The narration was a huge highlight. Patricia Santomasso brought such emotional depth to the story - her tone and delivery really made every scene land. And Sean Patrick Hopkins? Truly perfect casting. He sounds exactly like a swoony, slightly cocky hockey player lead should sound. (Respectfully!!)

Thank you Netgalley & Hachette Audio for the ARC!! <3

Thank you Hachette Audio for the ALC.
This sweet second chance romance is good for an easy read when you want to feel good.
Gemma is a debut novel and is freshly divorced. Her romance novel is based on her high school sweet heart that disappointed her and she has never forgiven him. Whilst on a local morning show said ex appears, not only is he the insipiration for the MMC in her book, but he is also a professional athlete, freshly embroiled in his own PR Scandal. Mason Moretti... The Mase.
Enter the fake dating trope (one of my favourite tropes). Mason convinces Gemma that they should go on a fake date to help publicise her books, as he understands the MMC is loosely based on him, however he fails to tell her that it will also help him.
Queue a few dates and a forced proximity scenario and the sparks ignite.
The spice hits.
And you get all the smooshy feels.
I overall enjoyed this book it was easy and fun. For me the character growth was minimal on both sides, the conflict lacked a little but over all I enjoyed it.

This was definitely a super cute read. I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed how they rediscovered each other, how their relationship grew. It's a light, easy and sweet read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Just not for me unfortunately. Right from the first chapter the heavy cussing started and it just put me off from the book.

But its probably more of a me than the book thing.

~ Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC ~

A cute story about a writer using someone from her past as inspiration for her mmc and ends up fake dating him.

What gave me the ick is using his entire government name more than should be allowed…

I love that the audio is a duet! The narrators did a great job.