Writing Mr. Wrong was such an amazing and I couldn’t turn it off until I finished the whole story. The backstory between the two characters finding each other in the future was charming. Mason, the MMC may be one of my most favorite MMC written. The maturity between the conflicts in this story was refreshing and the miscommunication was not the same third act breakup that happens in other rom coms. The spice in this story isn’t overdone and the fun witty banter and conversations made this a refreshing read.

I can't express to you how lovely this audiobook was! I mean the narration duet was perfection. Patricia Santomasso & Sean Patrick Hopkins knocked it out of the park. This was such a fun story and a very bingeable audiobook. I cruised through it in less than a day.

Although not a series, I am really enjoying Kelley Armstrong's dip into romcoms. As far as I can tell, she has two so far (this and <i> Finding Mr. Write</i>). Both are standalones, but follow author MFC's and take new spins on some favored tropes.

Writing Mr. Wrong follows Gemma who is a debut author who "accidentally" wrote her MMC based off her ex and now famous hockey star, Mason. She goes viral, the two fake date, and wholesome comedy ensues.

If you're looking for a fun romcom for summer, look no further!

I really enjoyed this (audio)book. The narrators did an amazing job performing the story.

The story itself was good and felt honest and relatable. It was a romantic story with what felt like real stories. Both the FMC and MMC had their own issues that they would discuss when they became an issue in the story. No issues due to miscommunication, but real issues that where talked about which made them real and not just some issues to bring some plot or some story forward.
It might not have been a story that will stick with me long, but it is a perfect light summer read. And sometimes that's all we need. It was a delight reading this one and recommend you do the same.

Overall Enjoyment: 4 stars ⭐️
Romance: 4 stars⭐️
Plot: 4 stars⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for allowing me to listen to and honestly review this audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read through audiobook.
Audiobook rating: 4.5⭐️

The FMC, Gemma writes a MMC based on her high school rival secret crush, it blows up after a classmate reunites her and Mason on air just to embarrasse her. Mason and Gemma come together and make a plan, Gemma helps Mason clean up his behavior, Mason helps Gemma sell her new release. Caos ensues, feelings and emotional are revealed, both MCs are great at communicating to each other until they don’t and one runs. It was a fun read with lots of humor and witty side characters.

3.5 stars

I’ve loved Kelley Armstrong’s urban fantasy and suspense for years, so I was intrigued to see what she’d do with a romance. Writing Mr. Wrong was my first dip into that side of her writing, and it was interesting to read about. The book had its highs but had a fair few lows.

The premise is a fun mix of fake dating, second chances, and a hunky ice hockey player. There were some twists, and the story definitely isn’t your everyday romance storyline, which I appreciated. That said, it felt a bit too long. Some scenes felt like they were added just to stir up drama, and not all of it felt necessary. What I did love was that the characters are older and actually feel like they’ve lived life. It’s always refreshing to read about people with real-world experience. The heroine’s family added a nice, cosy layer too.

I struggled a bit with the heroine. She kept finding fault in the hero’s actions — even when he was clearly trying, and some of her reasoning felt petty. I found myself disagreeing with her more than rooting for her, which pulled me out of the story at times.

I have to say it wasn't my favourite book by Kelley, but I’m glad I gave it a go.

This book was so good. I love how they came together. The FMC tried so hard to stay away from the MMC.

If you’re a fan of hockey romance, Writing Mr. Wrong is an absolute gem that you won’t want to miss! This audiobook takes you on a fun, steamy, and heartfelt ride that’ll leave you laughing, swooning, and maybe even shouting at your headphones.

The story is about a romance writer who finds herself drawn to the last person she ever expected: a brooding, sometimes annoying, yet undeniably charming hockey player. What makes this audiobook such a joy is how seamlessly it blends humor, heart, and a little bit of steam—all set against the backdrop of the high-stakes world of professional hockey.

One of the highlights? The dual narration! The narrators absolutely killed it. With one voice for the FMC and another for the MMC, it brings an extra layer of authenticity to the story. The chemistry between Mason and Gemma is felt even more strongly because you get to hear both perspectives, which makes the witty banter and romantic tension feel real. The pacing and energy are perfect, and both narrators really capture the essence of their characters—from the playful teasing to the swoon-worthy moments.

Whether you’re already a die-hard hockey romance fan or just looking for a fun, escapist listen, Writing Mr. Wrong is an audiobook that checks all the boxes. A mix of tension, humor, and heart that you won’t want to stop listening to!

One of the things I love best about Armstrong's new romance series is that there isn't the stereotypical big emotional fallout between the MMC and the FMC. You know, the big, silly emotional conflict that unnecessarily obstructs the progression of the relationship. Instead, Armstrong relies on any number of very real scenarios that could cause a relationship to stall before it's had a chance to start and treats them like the emotionally intelligent and secure adults we should all aspire to be. I also love how introspective Armstrong is about dipping into the hard romance genre. She excels at being tongue-in-cheek about the tropes and pitfalls of 'regular' romance novels without throwing shade at other authors. Whether by luck or by meticulous planning, she always finds a way to carve a niche for herself in whatever genre she lands in: the epitome of adaptive.

What gives it unexpected weight is its cultural timing. It lands during a moment when toxic male behaviour in Canadian hockey is sparking conversations across national media, and it makes the story feel surprisingly reflective. Armstrong’s male lead is imperfect but growth-oriented. In a time when we’re asking more of the men in our headlines, it’s refreshing to see a character who proves emotional intelligence and self-reflection don’t make a man less interesting — they make him more attractive.

My second favourite thing is that throughout Armstrong's expansive genre-swapping catalogue, she writes badass women of all shapes and sizes. Sure, the women are flawed, but there’s always an internal strength and capability that keeps them from being passive. Gemma is no different. She’s made teenage mistakes, carries baggage from a bad marriage, and wrestles with doubt, but her true strength shines through at all times, even in vulnerable moments. Mason’s emotional growth arc is genuinely attractive. Underneath the attitude, he’s got actual emotional depth - just how Armstrong likes 'em.

Small detail, big win: Armstrong slips in a nod to Indigenous representation that feels intentional without being performative. Jamie’s role may be minor, but he’s got a cool job and even sparks a brief conversation around culturally respectful working relationships. It’s not a spotlight moment, but it’s a meaningful inclusion and worth acknowledging.

One last very special shoutout to the folks who did the narration. Wonderful job! I love the performer cast as Mason, I've heard him in other books and he's got a delicious voice.

So, what's the takeaway? If you enjoy a good rom com with searing wit and lots of laughs, self-aware cheesy jokes, strong female characters, and second-chance romances that depart from the toxic norm, I highly encourage you to check this out.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever Books, and Kelley Armstrong for the opportunity to listen to this ARC in exchange for an enthusiastically honest review.

In Writing Mr. Wrong, we meet Gemma and Mason. Gemma is a romance author who uses some real life inspiration for her male main character in her upcoming book. Mason is a successful hockey player still holding a flame for his highschool friend, Gemma. They are reunited and strike a mutually beneficial fake dating relationship that triggers the events of the book.

The actual love story is so sweet and the characters felt mature and well developed. They spent their 'dates' rebuilding their relationship and working through their individual and mutual issues. All the conflict was handled so well - communication is the word and they worked to avoid any miscommunication. It's a wonderfully healthy slow burn with a fade to black. If you like some innuendos in your life, this story is filled with them and had me smiling throughout the book.

I listened to this as an audiobook and it was such an enjoyable experience. Patricia Santomasso and Sean Patrick Hopkins did an excellent job with the dual narration of the story. There was specific care for the immersion, with them even adding dings when texts were being exchanged. I love any audio book that utilizes individual character narration rather than POV chapter narration. It adds so much to the listening experience.

Although this is perfect anytime, I feel like this will be an excellent summer read. It's easy, breezy and sweet. Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

—— 3.5 stars☆

✧˖*°࿐

synopsis.
gemma is a debut romance novelist who bases the hero in her book on mason moretti, her high‑school crush. when a former classmate turned morning show host invites gemma on tv to promote the book, she’s stunned when mason turns up unexpectedly and the reunion goes viral. to capitalize on the buzz, the two agree to a series of fake dates, to boost her book.

my thoughts.
this was a pretty cute book, and i felt like it had the potential to be amazing, but there were a few things i honestly didn’t enjoy that much. like the fact that the main issue was something that happened back in high school and it was still such a big deal for her after all those years, it felt a bit immature to me. i really enjoyed the slow burn though. and i gotta say, the voices in the audiobook did an amazing job, i loved how it was narrated. i’d definitely read more from this author in the future.

tropes.
- author x hockey player
- second chance
- fake dating
- forced proximity

thank you to netgalley and to hachette audio for providing me the audio of this book.

I really enjoyed this second chance at love story about debut romance author Gemma and pro hockey player Mason. The storyline is a cute one, and I absolutely loved Gemma’s grandma Dot. She is hilarious!

The duet narration of this audiobook is phenomenal! Pure perfection. Both narrators, Patricia Santomasso & Sean Patrick Hopkins, did an amazing job!

Thank you Hachette Audio and NetGalley for providing this ALC.

4 Stars

This was a super cute story, and a duet audio which I LOVEEE. Both of the narrators were great fits and made it an enjoyable listen.

Gemma and Mason have known each other since childhood and had a brief brush with romance, and by breif, i mean one kiss in high school. But all these years later they’re still occupying each other’s minds.

Gemma is writing an jerky MMC in her debut romance novel, modeled after Mason, a pro hockey player, and people noticed this.

Mason reads the book and realizes that he is kind of an asshole, and he wants to be better, because he wants to be a man that Gemma deserves.

Like yesss voluntary character growth from a hot leading man. I love a bit of a second chance romance.

Gemma’s grandma is also the best side character. I love her, and I read an entire book following her and whatever she does all day.

Mason Moretti
Mason Moretti
Mason Moretti

Great name for the male crush in this book. Gemma had a crush on Mason in high school and he realized his dream of becoming a pro hockey player.

I listened on audio, and there was a female and male narrator that made the characters’ personality come to life. The banter between Gemma and Mason was entertaining, and the author did a good job of revealing the true natures of Gemma and Mason in due time. I also loved the grandma in this book. I recommend this romcom as an easy and entertaining read.

Thanks to Net Galley, the publisher and the author for the audio version of this book for my honest opinion.

Tried this romance after not vibing with the author’s older books. Better, but still mixed. The pacing is solid, and I liked the dual POV and the blend of sports + writing world. There are some interesting themes (like ageism and creative pressure), but they’re only lightly touched on. The characters, both 36, feel a bit emotionally stuck in high school. Still, it’s a fast, easy read with a satisfying epilogue and the narrator was pretty nice. Good for travel or beach days.

I loved this!
Couldn’t stop listening to it.
Super cute story with a bit of spice.
Actors reading it were great!
Love love love

This story is about an author who uses a past crush as the inspiration (not all of which is positive) for her leading hero of her debut book. The only problem is that this inspiration takes the form of a famous hockey player whose resemblance to the character in the book catches national attention. When the two decide to fake date, they begin to repair the damages that were done to their relationship years ago and begin to have a second chance at a future together. This audiobook was short and sweet, I just had a hard time feeling truly invested in the story due to the pacing, which took a long time for the romance develop. It was fine, just nothing that really stuck with me about the story or the way the resolution occurred between the characters.

Many thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audiobook, all opinions are my own.

I was really glad to receive an ARC copy for this audiobook. I love Kelley Armstrong's writing and this book was no exception. She also had an awesome Narrator to Tell this story I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook!

I'm not normally a romance reader. but occasionally I like to give them a go! This one was cute and fluffy and had me kicking my feet at times. I found both characters likeable for the most part and enjoyed being in both of their heads. There were some things about the plot and characters that I wasn't fond of, like the panic attack that was suddenly gone in just a couple of seconds. The FMC also felt a bit "not like other girls" at times, particularly when she talked about herself or compared herself to others. But overall, it was still enjoyable! The narrators were great and kept my interest.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

OMG this book was EVERYTHING. There were moments that I was giggling OUT LOUD. Do you know how good a book has to be to make me giggle out loud?

Gemma and Mason’s tension was WILD. Especially 70% into the book. I was getting butterflies as Gemma was processing Mason’s hotness. This is one of my favorite book couples in a long time.

The innuendos, the tension? Chef’s kiss. Honestly. One of my favorite books of the year thus far.

This book was good, though it did seem to drag a bit at times. It was somewhat predictable, but I love a pro athlete trope, so I'm not mad about it. I really enjoyed the dual narration and felt it added a lot to this audiobook.