Writing Mr. Wrong is not "just another hockey romance," it reunites debut author and devorcee Gemma with K-12 school classmate the beloved hometown pro- hockey superstar, Mason. After their televised meet cutie has the city rooting for them, they devise their fake dating plan. Follow along as the couple navigates where life took them and brought them back to each other. I appreciated that this was deeper than most sports romances, touching on self discovery for both characters, building trust in a relationship, and processing changing career stages. It was a wonderful listen. 4.25 stars.

This was very cute. I enjoyed her using him as inspiration and his embracing it but also trying to do better.

I truly loved the premise of this book—it drew me in right away and made for a thoroughly enjoyable read. The second-chance romance was thoughtfully executed, striking a perfect balance between emotional weight and hopeful possibility. The connection between the two main characters felt genuine and well-developed, both in their shared past and in the way they navigated their present-day interactions.
What stood out most to me was the emotional depth and mutual understanding between the love interests. Their history didn’t just serve as a convenient backdrop; it added meaningful layers to their dynamic and made their eventual reconnection feel earned. I appreciated how the story made it clear why they were drawn to each other initially, and just as importantly, why it took time—and growth—for them to find their way back.
While there were a few small things that kept it from being a full five stars for me, overall this was a heartfelt, satisfying read that I would definitely recommend to fans of second-chance romance. It left me smiling and thinking about the characters long after I finished the final page.

Gemma & Mason Deserve a Win 10 Stars
I fell in love with this book almost immediately. And the narrators did an awesome job. They conveyed not only the words well but the emotions too. With clever dialogue ! They pulled me right into the story.
Gemma was a sweet, snarky, funny but also a good girl done wrong ! I loved her and her sassy thoughts and comments.
Mason was a OFTEN clueless guy, who really is trying to make things better with Gemma. He feels like he owes her. And he does. But, he also has misstep after misstep, even not taking his close friend, Jesse's advice on how to do that. Mason had a catch phrase, "Don't worry.I got this." Gemma knew that he didn't, "got this", lol. He was clumsy with personal relationships, often rude and it was coming back to bite him in the butt. And Gemma, would tell herself that she was over good looking bad boys. Her ex, Alan had cured her of that. So, why was Alan after again now? Was it because of Mason Moretti? Everyone either loved or hated Mason, which became clear in the story. Mason was an Enforcer with the Canadian team called, "The Growler's". I even liked the name of the team that was chosen. There will some "F" bombs spoken as well as a few shit ones spoken but not too many, thankfully !
I liked hearing Mason's point of view as well. He really wanted another chance with Gemma and I began to feel really sorry for him. I wanted to see him win !!
My last comments are that: I loved the creative cover for this eBook and I absolutely loved the voices. Narrated by Patricia Santomasso; Sean Patrick Hopkins, I could envision what was being spoken. That's quite an accomplishment! Kudos author and narrators !
Thank you Netgalley and Kelly Armstrong for the opportunity to listen to this book!

This book was adorable and I really enjoyed it. It was a sweet second chance/enemies(ish) to lovers rom-com. The characters felt well rounded and believable, almost to the point that I could predict how they would react in certain situations because I knew their behaviors and thought processes so well. There was a lot of miscommunication in this book, like A LOT, and I usually don't care for that, but the situations were handled quickly and realistically. Nothing dragged on for too long or was blown out of proportion. All in all I really enjoyed this author's writing style and would read from them again.

I really liked the narrators and thought they did a fantastic job portraying the characters and emotions. Would definitely look into more of their work.

*Thank you to Netgalley and to Hachette Audio for providing me with an ALC.*

Writing Mr. Wrong by Kelley Armstrong is all about having a good redemption arc. I liked Gemma. She had a lot of personal issues to work out after being hurt in romantic relationships, including her divorce. Gemma writes a character in her first book, as a published author, based on a famous hockey player that she used to know. She needed an asshole character, and she thought he was the perfect example for that.

For Gemma's book launch, she is hosted on a talk show, and they bring Mason on as well, who is the hockey player the main male character is based on. The public loved Mason and Gemma together, so Mason's publicist came up with the idea for them to have a fake dating relationship. IT can help with Gemma's book sales and improve Mason's current image. People are eating it up. Gemma soon realizes she is not over Mason and still has a crush on him. All Mason wants is to be in Gemma's good graces.

I enjoyed this one. I thought the author's take on several common tropes was extremely entertaining. It isn't very often that I want a book that has the miscommunication trope. I also listened to the audiobook, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I thought the dual narration was fantastic. I would recommend listening to this audio. As far as the miscommunication went, they eventually figured it out in the end. I am glad the characters ended up figuring things out; otherwise, my opinion would have been very different.

I can’t tell if this book is meant to be satire, and making fun of itself, or if the author thought they had actually accomplished a good character arc with Mason?
The main character, Gemma, is a romance novelist who pulled inspiration from her high school crush: hockey player, Mason, to write the perfect jerk. Which is something Gemma doesn’t enjoy writing, but knows it will sell. (Is the author making fun of her own readers here?)
When it becomes public that Mason was her inspo, he takes that as his chance to make up for being an @$$ to her back in highschool, and proposes that they fake date to drum up popularity for her book. (Which seems a lot like her relying on him for her success)
While fake dating, Gemma highlights all the ways Mason is still being an clueless jerk to the people around him. Mason uses this as a guise to spend more time with her, asking for her help to stop being an @$$hole…. All while ignoring messages from his actual therapist.
Why is it Gemma’s problem to fix the man that hurt her? I’m still wondering.
Then when it comes time for Mason to explain why he hurt her back in the day we just get a “my dad was a jerk to my mom, and I don’t actually know why I do anything that I do.” And Gemma (who is supposedly a “take no crap” kind of woman) just accepts this very immature answer.
The characters hook up, Mason makes no actual effort to be a better person, and then the book abruptly ends with them talking about fostering children together, six months later. We don’t ever actually see what a real relationship looks like between them.
Seems like Gemma fell for the exact kind of guy she said she hated the whole book.
The funny moments in this “romcom” feel forced, and way too dragged out. There are a few cute, and steamy moments throughout, but even those feel lacking.
The only redeeming quality in this, was the fantastic narrators that brought this story to life in the audiobook. If it weren’t for them, I would’ve chucked this into my DNF pile.

Debut author Gemma Stanton’s writing friends told her that people love a bad boy hero in a romance book, so she draws inspiration from an old high school classmate: pro hockey player Mason “the Mace” Moretti. She never expected people to realize he was her inspiration, but the anchor of a live TV interview the morning her book debuted brought him out as a surprise. Fans loved seeing the two of them together, so they make a deal – Gemma and Mason will appear together in public on a few dates. It will help her book sales and Mason’s reputation. Gemma makes Mason want to be a better man. Will Gemma give him a second shot, for real?

I really appreciated the way the two characters communicated with each other and deliberately worked on changing themselves for the better. <spoiler>It was also refreshing to have a romance without a third-act breakup. </spoiler> Patricia Santomasso and Sean Patrick Hopkins did an excellent job with the narration of the audiobook. Despite all the things I liked about it, however, I never quite connected with the characters or felt invested in the plot. I think I would have liked to see more of Gemma and Mason’s lives outside of just each other – how could they fit into friend groups, families, etc?

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book.

I love when multiple books by authors are in the same universe! Kelley Armstrong did a great job adding to her previous book's universe with Writing Mr. Wrong. Gemma has written a book and used her old grade school crush as her inspiration. The same grade school crush who is known as the NHL Enforcer in hockey, Mason Moretti. Mason is flattered that his old high school friend used him as inspiration until her reads the book and realizes the way he was perceived by Gemma. He decides to make it up to her but continuously makes mistakes and doesn't know how to "woo" a woman the right way. When Gemma agrees to a crazy deal he is making her, sparks can't stay hidden for long.

This was a fun, light hearted romance that had dual narration. It was very well done and the narrators kept me engaged. The story line was fun but did feel a little unrealistic with some of the plot. But hey, its fiction! The chemistry between Gemma and Mason was spicy and fun and I loved how there was not a third act break-up!

3.5

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get to this title before the archive date and it disappeared from my app. I appreciate the ability to have had the app and will definitely be picking up this title in the future.

✍🏽Bookish Thoughts
This was such a fun second chance, fake dating romance! Super cute and lighthearted! I loved both Gemma and Mason. Was it a little silly and cheesy? Yes. Did I eat it up? Also yes. I listened to this in one sitting!

Gemma and Mason were friends in high school but had a falling out. Years later, Gemma writes a book with an MMC totally inspired by Mason… not that she intended for anyone to find out. Naturally this goes viral and ends with a fake dating scheme! Which then turns into Gemma giving Mason reformation lessons for being a bit of a jerk. Honestly though, he wasn’t a total jerk.... just kind of clueless, which made him more lovable.

The audiobook was AMAZING! Duet narration is my favorite, and this one delivered. More duet audiobooks, please.

🏒 What to Expect
• Hockey player MMC
• Author FMC
• Fake dating
• Forced proximity
• Viral book drama

📖 Final Score: 5 stars
🎧 Audio Score: 5 star
🎙️ Narration Style: Duet

📅 Pub Date: June 24, 2025
Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.

Great fake-dating trope!

Gemma, a debut author, has written a highland romance, basing the hero on her high school crush, Mason Moretti. She hasn’t seen him since high school, when he broke her heart. Recently divorced, Gemma is trying to rediscover the old Gemma—the one she was before her marriage. She thinks no one will realize her hero is inspired by the now-famous hockey player, but an old classmate figures it out, and the secret is out.

Mason Moretti, an enforcer for a Canadian hockey team, excels at his role, but in his last game, a teammate was injured. Mason knows his hockey career is nearing its end—he’s practically a dinosaur at his age. After the incident, he needs positive PR. When he learns Gemma wrote a book based on him, he’s eager to reconnect. He had a huge crush on her in high school. Maybe this is his chance to make things right. A fake-dating arrangement could boost both their careers.

With both POVs, it’s easy to root for Gemma and Mason and their second-chance romance. Furthermore, the novel was wonderfully narrated by Patricia Santomasso and Sean Patrick Hopkins.

I’ve always loved Kelley Armstrong’s fantasy books, and now I can say I enjoy her romances too..

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Hachette Audio & Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute story! A perfect palate cleanser for those looking to change the pace and just enjoy the story!

This was a lighthearted story, with very few pacing issues. I felt the chemistry between the characters from the beginning, but the romance part was a little bit rushed in my opinion. It just seemed like it needed a bit more build up and tension between Gemma and Mason before they had their first kiss.

I really enjoyed the premise of the story being Gemma writing a story that included a boy that broke her heart when she was a teenager, only to fall back in love with the same guy many years later.

If you're looking for a cute, lighthearted romance this is a book for you!

When it comes to the production of the audiobook I really enjoyed both of the narrators – the pitch and tone of their voices was perfect for a romance book. I didn't see any pacing issues and I stayed focused on the story thanks to their great job. I'd certainly get another audiobook with these voice actors.

This was such a cute story - a perfect blend of a hockey romance and a book about book vibes. Mason and Gemma have organic chemistry and it felt meant to be worh the banter and wit.

4.5 stars!

This book was so much fun! Gemma Stanton used her high school crush turned pro hockey player, Mason Morreti, as inspiration for a character in her debut historical romance book. After Gemma and Mason are reunited on a morning show interview, Mason suggests fake dating to boost her book sales and his reputation.

I loved that Gemma and Mason have known each other since kindergarten. The history is deep! This book is in one timeline, but the reader seamlessly learns about what happened in the past, which really worked for me. I really enjoyed Gemma and Mason’s reconnection. There was healing, love, and healthy communication!

The audiobook is narrated by Patricia Santomasso and Sean Patrick Hopkins. I enjoyed both of their voices for these characters. The audiobook is duet narration, which means the male narrator says the MMC’s lines in the FMC’s point of view chapters and vice versa. Duet narration is my favorite, and this one was so well done! Another little bonus was the added sounds for text messages, which I hadn’t heard before and I loved. I definitely recommend this book, especially in audio if you enjoy that format!

Thank you to Kelley Armstrong, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for this ALC; opinions are my own.

Read if you like:
💕 Fake dating
💕 Second chance romance
💕 Dual POV
💕 Duet narration
💕 Dyslexia rep
💕 Older characters (mid 30s)

Thank you Netgalley for my ALC of this book!

Writing Mr. Wrong by Kelley Armstrong
A romance writer accidentally bases her new love interest on a grump hockey player she used to go to school with and had a crush on. He needs good PR so they lean into the story and fake date, only to actually fall for each other.
This was another cute enough but kind of forgettable romance. There was plenty to like, but nothing that was particularly standout about this one. The main characters were both in their 30’s but seemed a bit immature. Idk I just feel like I wanted more out of this one! 3⭐️

What do you get when a romance author accidentally turns her childhood crush into a kilt-wearing Highland heartthrob… and he finds out? A fun, trope-filled rom-com, that's what!

Gemma’s post-divorce journey includes channeling her frustration into fiction by writing and anti-hero inspired by her high school crush, NHL enforcer Mason Moretti. She’s sure no one will make the connection between her grumpy Highland laird and the real-life hockey star… until someone does. Cue a viral reunion, an ambush from a high school mean girl turned morning show host, and a fake dating scheme that unexpectedly starts to feel very real. (Thankfully, that mean girl moment totally backfires — and Mason handles it like the gentleman he is.)

This is a low-drama, emotionally satisfying story that’s easy to read (or binge-listen!). It delivers on all the beloved romance tropes without falling into tired clichés. What really shines here is the character growth and healthy communication. Gemma and Mason are flawed, relatable, and learning to be vulnerable in real time.

That said, my only gripe is the conflict’s foundation. The drama between Gemma and Mason stems from a single kiss back in high school which Gemma believes was a dare. For two grown adults (Gemma is literally divorced!), still carrying that wound felt a bit flimsy. Honestly, I was more emotionally invested in the heartbreak of her divorce - her ex cheated, showed up to the divorce meeting with a new wife and a baby, and somehow Gemma still casually chats to him? Where’s the rage?? THAT was the emotional wound I wanted explored more.

But overall? I adored it. The romance was heartfelt, the banter charming, and the happily ever after? *Chef’s kiss*.

And the audiobook? Next-level!
🎧 The duet narration by Patricia Santomasso and Sean Patrick Hopkins is exceptional. They fully embody their characters, delivering warmth, banter, and emotion in every scene.
🎧 The production quality is top tier — seamless transitions and light, thoughtful sound design (the subtle “ding” for text messages is a delight!) make for a fully immersive experience.

If you're in the mood for a feel-good, fake-it-til-you-make-it love story with a side of hockey romance and a dash of sweet revenge on the resident mean girl, this one’s for you.

Thanks Netgalley & Hachette Audio!!!

Love the fake dating and enemies to lovers tropes. This title definitely caught my attention.

A fun read with lots of humour. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would which is always a bonus.

Narrators were amazing at bringing the story to life.

The title definitely caught my attention.

It was a pretty fun read! It has two tropes I love - second chance and fake dating. Gemma is a great FMC and Mason is absolutely swoon worthy!

Gemma is a great FMC - fresh out of a failed marriage with a controlling ex, she stands tall, calls Mason out on his crap, and owns every scene with zero apologies. 💪✨

Their banter sparkles like verbal fireworks; snarky digs and playful jabs with the tension palpable in every scene. 🔥🫦

Mason is outright swoon-worthy, a former jerk on a redemption arc who actually puts in the work to be better. He’s cute, self-aware, and endlessly earnest. 🥰📈

What really stole the show for me was their emotional maturity: they talk about their issues, face the hard truths, and resolve conflicts with without the too-common miscommunication trope. 🤝💬

The audiobook narrators did an absolutely amazing job bringing the characters’ charm to life with emotions and flair.👂👏

📖 Reading format: audiobook 🎧
⭐️ Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️ Spice level: 🌶️🌶️

*Thank you to Netgalley and to Hachette Audio for providing me with an ALC.*