I have loved Helena's books from the first time I picked them up. I love the way she writes and all the banter she includes in her stories. I laugh as well as swoon over her characters, and that has not changed over the years!

This story is of Nate and Essie, if you have read the other books you already have been introduced to them. But getting their story is so much better than what I could have thought. This dislike to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, second chance, opposites attract romance will have you swooning just like me.
Essie radiates sunshine and brightens the room when she walks in. I absolutely adored her character and the way that she loves love. Nate is grumpy and doesn't believe in love like Essie does. But he knows there is attraction there, and they fight it until they can't.
This story is one that I loved a lot. It captured me from the start.
The audio of this is done in DUET with one of my favorite duos! Teddy Hamilton and Savannah Peachwood are magical together. I couldn't stop listening once I started. The way Teddy and Savannah brings these characters to life is perfectly done. Savannah has the perfect voice for sweet Essie! I could feel her emotions right along with her while listening. Teddy is just amazing. His voice is great for a grumpy character. But Teddy can also have a little bit of lightness to his tone that makes Nate not seem so rough around the edges.
This is one of my favorite audios I have heard. And I will definitely listen to it again!

I Could Be Yours is a sweet and steamy escape brought to life by the stellar narration of Savannah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton. This summer holiday romance has all the good stuff—grumpy/sunshine vibes, second chances, and a swoon-worthy love story between the best man and the maid of honor. The chemistry crackles, the banter is sharp, and the emotional moments hit just right. Perfect for fans of feel-good heat, heartfelt growth, and that irresistible slow burn that turns into something real. Helena Hunting adds another amazing title to her growing world of swoony guys and the ladies who make them work for it!

Nate and Essie second chance, enemies to lovers, second romance has become one of my new favorite couples. I did not want to put this one down once I started. The tension, banter and verbal sparring between these two was top tier. I loved the way they became comfort for each other. This story made me laugh, cry and swoon and I loved every moment!

Savannah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton perform this book in duet narration. Savannah showcased Essie’s supportive and caring personality. Teddy does amazing at portrays Nate’s grumpy personality and issues he had due to his past with his mother and ex-girlfriend. These two were the perfect duo to bring to life Essie and Nate.

Thank you to team Helena for an alc!

“We don’t always get to choose the emotions we feel, but we do get to choose how we allow them to rule us.”

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Helena Hunting for an ALC of Helena Hunting’s I Could Be Yours.

I am a HUGE fan of Helena Hunting and am even a member of her influencer page but that doesn’t mean I won’t be honest with my reviews of her books. This one is 5 stars.

I Could be Yours could easily be considered part of the Toronto Terror Series and I actually thought it was until I realized this was being advertised as more of a standalone. To be honest, I can see why that is. You don’t need to know all of the other couples to enjoy this book, although I do have to say that knowing all of the other couples and their storylines made it more enjoyable for me since it gave more history to what was happening throughout the book.

Nate and Essie grew up in the same town and ran in the same circle and actually hooked up 6 years prior. Then Nate ghosted Essie. Now, they are Best Man and Maid of Honor in a wedding and will be spending lots of time together between planning and being at events. Nate does not believe in love after his mother leaving his family when he was young but Essie believes in fairytales and wants to have her happily ever after. While the two of them spend time together and let down their guards, they realize they like each other more than they originally thought.

Both Nate and Essie were introduced in previous books in the Toronto Terror series. Throughout the prior books you could tell they had history but you didn’t know what it was. Their chemistry was off the charts. I could tell from the beginning that both of their characters would be the one the other needed to be whole. Essie was the calming, mother-type figure that Nate was missing when he was growing up.

#HelenaHunting #ICouldBeYours #NetGalley #DreamscapeMedia #Romance #Fiction #ContemporaryFiction #RealisticFiction #ChickLit #ALC #ARC #FriendsToLovers #ChildhoodFriends #SecondChances #EnemiesToLovers #FamilyYouChoose #ForcedProximity #GrumpySunshine #DamagedHero
#Audiobook #July #2025

First of all. Helena did it again!! Made me fall head over heels with a grumpy nerd!
Helena has been a long time trusted author of mine, and for good reason. So much dopamine and serious heat.
10:10!!

Helena hunting has truly done it again. I Could Be Yours is the new standalone in the Toronto Terror series and this time if follows Essie and Nate. I loved getting little glimpses of them in earlier books and have been (im)patiently waiting for their book. From the very begging I was laughing my butt off at Essies crazy, fun-loving personality. The dress debacle had me absolutely in tears from laughter. And Nate…well he’s a grump, and even more of a grump around Essie because while she is a hopeless romantic, he doesn’t believe in love at all. They couldn’t be more opposite, except when it comes to being nerdy. With her being Rix’s Maid of Honor, and him being Tristans Best Man, they are forced to co-host and plan several events for the wedding. I just couldn’t love her and her planning and spreadsheets more, as someone who loves a good spreadsheet herself haha. Their chemistry is off the charts, and oh boy once they let it out its out of the stratosphere! The banter that Helena writes is simply marvelous and I love how she continues little jokes for all the characters throughout the series. And even though this is a comedy movie, there is a lot of heart as well with struggles that both characters face and overcome as individuals and together. This NEEDS to be on your summer reading list.

I listened to the audio narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Savannah Peachwood. Teddy isn’t new to Helena, but he only has a few of her books under his belt. I very much enjoyed him as Nate and thought he played the grumpy nerd extremely well. To my knowledge, this is the first HH book for Savannah and I LOVED it! I thought she voiced Essie so well with her hopeless romantic-ness. Her voice has such a mature yet youthful sound to it that I think fit the character very well. Both of them together as a duet, made an already great story even greater.

🎧𝗔𝗟𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪🎧
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𝗜 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗕𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦 by Helena Hunting

𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: Standalone (Interconnected with Toronto Terror & Tilton U series)

𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧: Audiobook (Duet narration produced by Lyric Audiobooks)
Savannah Peachwood
Teddy Hamilton

𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: 4.5/5 ⭐️

𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: 2.5/5 🔥

𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: 5/5 🎙️

𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: Contemporary Romance

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Second Chance Romance, Grumpy x Sunshine, Miscommunication & Emotional Healing, Best Man x Maid of Honor

𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗬 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: 8, 11, 14, 19, 23, 27, 40

Nate and Essie have been patiently hanging out in the background of the Toronto Terror and Tilton U series and I’m so glad we finally got their happily ever after!

As the best man and maid of honor duties overlap in preparation of Rix and Tristan’s destination wedding, Nate and Essie are forced to work alongside each other for the sake of the special couple. Irritation flares, competition ensues and sparks fly between these two as they maneuver the baggage of their past. She craves love and acceptance while he doesn’t believe in love.

I totally connected with Essie’s take-charge, insanely organized, supportive event planning personality and I loved how “politely dirty” Nate could be!

Also, I hope Nate’s mom has a reserved seat in hell next to Halsey’s Mom! (iykyk)

I’ve listed to this narrating duo in dual multiple times, but Savannah and Teddy in duet is a whole new experience! This performance just highlights their chemistry that speaks to how comfortable they must be working together. I love the playfulness they created in the playful moments and the button-pushing moments between the MCs. While Teddy did a wonderful job highlighting Nate’s vulnerable side, Savannah nailed Essie’s sultry softness.

If you enjoy Nate & Essie’s story and want to get to know the rest of the Bada$$ Babe Brigade and the men who love them, I recommend starting with ‘If You Hate Me’, book 1 of the Toronto Terror series which is Rix & Tristan’s book and my personal favorite!

Thank you to Helena Hunting for the ALC!

#bookstagram #romancereader #audiobook #alcreviewer #currentlistening #booksbooksbooks #ilovebooks #romancebooks #spicybooks #newrelease #torontoterror #summerholidayromance #icouldbeyours #destinationwedding

Amazing as always, I was sucked straight into Nate and Essie’s story.

Nate and Essie have a history, after sharing what she says is the best kiss of her life with Nate… he ghosted her. 6 years later they are thrown together again while they help arrange bachelorette / bachelor parties for Essie’s BFF Rix and Nate’s brother Tristan.

This brings out their competitive sides and it’s so funny how they try to one up each other, both of them being control freaks doesn’t help either. But the more time they spend together the more they realise there’s some unfinished business

Nate is the grumpy to Essie’s sunshine, he doesn’t believe in love and Essie just wants to find her Prince Charming, she loves love and falls hard and fast.
But being around Essie makes Nate start to think that maybe he can love…. That he’s not a lost cause and deserves to be loved.

They both have emotional trauma they are dealing with, they kinda bring out the best in eachother. The banter and spice between them was on point!

I loved Flip in this book too he was a little chaos demon haha

I have also listened to the audio book for this since reading and both Narrators are great as Nate and Essie but OMG 🥵 Teddy Hamilton was the perfect Nate!

I Could Be Yours was a hilarious romantic comedy that I absolutely loved.
Essie and Nate were such a fun pair, and I thoroughly enjoyed their witty banter, quick comebacks, and also their devotion to friends and each other. The best man and the bridesmaid constantly running into each other while planning bachelor and bachelorette parties.
I always love being sucked into one of Helena's stories, and I did not want this one to end. The narration was perfect, Teddy and Savannah did such an amazing job bringing these characters to life.

Just when I think I’m good with the Toronto Terrors, a new book comes out that brings back the love I have for this series (this one is a standalone, but all our fav characters from the TT are here). I absolutely loved the book, the characters and the plot. It’s exactly how I pictured this grumpy/sunshine duo. They are so relatable and I put myself in their shoes way too many times to count.
Also, the narrators are phenomenal! Highly recommend both physical and audio versions!!

This was not the story I expected for Nate and Essie, but I absolutely loved it regardless.

This was a cute story, between a best man and maid of honour who grow close during the run up to his brother and her best friend's wedding. Essie is the sunshine to Nate's grumpy, they are both extremely competitive, with more in common than they think and they just couldn't stay away from each other.
Nate had a lot to work through, especially his abandonment issues from his mum and his ex while Essie was taking a break from chasing the fairytale romance she desperately wanted. I feel like both characters had a lot of personal growth especially near the end of the book and it was done in a way that felt quite normal.

They had really great chemistry, both in the spicy scenes, but also theur general back and forth. Similar to Helena's other books, this had a strong found family feels,  genuine heartwarming moments and random but absolutely hilarious scenes. I also really liked that these "macho" hockey players are big advocates for therapy.

I also listened to the Audiobook and as someone who usually struggles cringing at audio books, I really enjoyed this. The narrators felt natural and it being a duet really helped!

I received an ARC and ALC and this is my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️🌶️

I Could Be Yours is another incredibly funny, sweet, steamy, spicy, heartwarming romance by Helena Hunting. Helena just consistently knocks it out of the park with main characters that are strong, relatable, flawed, and extremely lovable.

Trix and Tristan (from If You Hate Me in the Toronto Terror series) are getting married and Trix’s best friend Essie, and Tristan’s brother, Nate, are the maid of honor and best man, respectively. 6 years ago when they were 19 they shared a hot kiss and Nate said he’d call Essie but then ghosted her. Now they’re forced together as they help with all of the wedding festivities.

I absolutely loved the forced proximity and that the chemistry between these two is there from the very start. I also really appreciated that even though Nate’s ghosting is mentioned and addressed, it’s not a significant roadblock that takes a long time for them to get past. I loved that Essie felt comfortable in her own skin, and in what she wanted, and was able to communicate that in most situations to Nate. She also called Nate out on his grumpiness and didn’t let him sit in it too long. She wasn’t shy about her sexuality and went after what she wanted, which was hot. For Nate’s part, his grumpiness and resistance to relationships made sense with his background, and his grumpiness just made his sweet and caring moments with Essie even more satisfying. The way everything unfolds with the wedding and family dynamics makes Nate’s character growth feel realistic and earned.

We also get scenes with all of the main (and some secondary) Toronto Terror and Tilton U characters, which was a supreme delight. The call backs to those books and Easter eggs for future books were perfectly incorporated and so fun for anyone who has read those books. If you haven’t read those other books, this is still a standalone and you can absolutely go straight to this one (though I recommend the others!).

I’m so grateful to be a part of Helena’s Badass Babe Brigade and to have received an ALC and e-ARC of this delightful book! Teddy Hamilton and Savanah Peachwood delivered excellent performances, as always. There’s a scene where Essie asks Nate to explain some science concept while they’re getting frisky, and Teddy Hamilton’s narration of the chemical composition of steel was actually so hot, lol. It was the perfect example of “This narrator could read the phone book and I’d be hooked.” 😂 And Savannah felt perfectly cast for Essie, where Essie’s strength, sass, and vulnerability came out so well through Savannah’s performance.

Please add this to your TBR for the perfect summer romance.

Thank you to Helena Hunting and to NetGalley for the ALC. I wrote this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

Mia Loves Reading 📚💕

Review 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I’m absolutely swooning 😭❤️

This book gave me everything I love in a romance — childhood friends to lovers, steamy longing tension, a grumpy hero with a soft kind heart, and enough steam to fog up my Kindle 🔥

The audio was so great, the voices really immersed me into the story!

It was a great book! I loved Essie & Nate! I love how crazy he was for her and how she wanted nothing less than the prince of her dreams. Loads of steam and chemistry 🥵🥹💋😏 Never settle and never accept anything less.


I could feel the longing between Nate and Essie. That kind of slow-burn chemistry that simmers and then explodes in the best way. And the emotional moments? I was clutching my chest at some parts and screaming in others. Helena Hunting really knows how to write characters who give all the feels and make you root for them.

Also, wedding vibes + enemies-to-lovers? One of the best combos! Weddings always have love in the air and bring about the hope of forever love.

If you love love like I do, and you want a book that’ll make you laugh, blush, and maybe tear up a little (in the best way), I Could Be Yours is your next obsession.💍💘

I love how we always get to see favorite characters from previous books and get a taste of potential couples for future books, I’m still sold on Flip & Tally.

I absolutely loved this fun and flirty read! I’m a huge fan of a dual narrative and this one didn’t disappoint.

Essie and Nathan kissed 6 years ago. With water under the bridge it took a bit for them to welcome each other into their orbits. Helena Hunting did a superb job of incorporating the couples from the series. This is one of the best beach reads of 2025. Savannah Peach Wood and Teddy Hamilton did an excellent job bringing this story to life

loved this book! Nate and Essie have known each other since they were kids, but Nate doesn’t believe in love and Essie is looking for her fairytale. They have an enemy vibe between them (with an underlying attraction), but now they have to help plan a wedding. I loved seeing their story evolve, but also loved that this is the story of Rix and Tristan’s wedding- which was amazing! I loved that we saw all of the characters from the Toronto Terrors, but also from Tilton University. I can’t wait for the next Terror book!
The narrators do a phenomenal job with this story in full duet.

I Could Be Yours by Helena Hunting is a dazzling, emotional & heartwarming spicy romance when the best man & maid of honor of their best friend’s wedding are at ends with each other. The buildup to the wedding, the planning & constant events provide ample forced proximity for these opposites to get to know each other (again) & see that maybe their stories & their hearts just might be linked together.

I Could Be Yours is an epic romance based off side characters from the Toronto Terror series. It can easily be read as a standalone, but it’s also really fun if you know the characters, the friends, family, team & their world, so I do recommend that whole series also!

I Could Be Yours Is great for those looking to read…
🩷 Best Friend’s Brother in Law x Sister in Law’s Best Friend
🩷 Second Chance Romance
🩷 Forced Proximity
🩷 Grumpy x Sunshine
🩷 Opposites Attract
🩷 Hurt/Comfort
🩷 Dislike to Love

I was fortunate enough to listen to the audiobook of this & the narrators were absolute fire. They brought this story to life & it was just pure joy listening to them.

There are so many characters from this world that I want to see have their own stories. I am like a kid at Christmas levels of excited to keep reading from this author & their incredible work.

If you are looking for a fairytale ending that perfectly balances real world emotions, undeniable chemistry & off the charts spice, I highly recommend I Could Be Yours.

Massive thanks to the author, NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

I Could Be Yours
Author- Helena Hunting
Series- Toronto Terrors Series Spinoff (Standalone)
Rating- 5 Stars out of 5
Genres- Contemporary Romance
Tropes- Rivals to Lovers, Grumpy x Sunshine, He Doesn’t Believe in Love She’s Looking For Prince Charming, He Ghosted Her, Her Best Friend Marrying His Brother, Maid of Honor x Best Man, Forced Proximity, FWB
Main Characters- Essie x Nate
Narrators- Savannah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton
Spice Level- 4/5
HEA

I Could Be Yours is the newest book by, one of my favorite authors, Helena Hunting, and I was obsessed with this story. We have gotten Essie as an important side character in the first Toronto Terrors book If You Hate Me as she is the female lead, Rix’s best friend and in Chase Lovett Wants Me as FL Camie’s older sister. Nate on the other hard, while the brother of the male lead of If You Hate Me, Tristan we haven't had as much on page time. He's been around but nothing too in depth, in the few scenes with both Essie and Nate you can sense major chemistry between them but also a history of some sort.
From the start of the book there still the chemistry that we sow in previous books, but now that they are working together on Rix and Tristan's wedding a rivalry begins to form. Mostly its on Nate's part for his own reasons but Essie definitely participates. But from that forced proximity from working together the tension between them grows and grows.
I really enjoyed Essie and Nate's book and I can’t wait to get more of the Toronto Terrors and any books in Helena Huntings’ world.
And let me tell you the narration of this book really brought this story and the characters to life.

I listened to I Could Be Yours on audio and it was so good! I adored this story so much. The narration was PERFECTION and really brought Nate and Essie to life! I really enjoyed this second chance vibe romance and getting to spend time with the gang again! They are some of my all time fave characters of Helena's, and I cannot wait for the next book!

I’ve loved Essie since If You Hate Me, and was hoping she’d get her own book so I was ecstatic to receive an ARC for this book! The vibes between her and Nate have been strong throughout the series, with all the lipgloss applications to back it up 👀. Tensions between them are running high while trying to plan the perfect wedding, and high tension = the best spice (duh).
Essie is such a loving, beautiful person and seeing her in all of the Toronto Terror books really ups the anticipation and the appreciation for her as a character. She’s a pink loving, fairytale princess with a heart of gold and so much faith in love that it’s admirable. Nate is such a complex character, and we’ve known this since book one as well, but learning his story from his perspective is everything. Having been burned before and carrying abandonment issues, he’s quite the opposite of Essie. Of course this pairing made for the perfect grumpy x sunshine!

Something I’ve always loved about Helena’s writing is that we see so much of other characters and how their lives contribute to the main characters.The constantly changing group dynamics, friendships, and romantic relationships make this universe one of my all time favorites. The Easter eggs for the next book were chef’s kiss! This book was an absolute win and I’m so grateful to have received it early. Not sure if anyone will ever dethrone my favorite Helena Hunting couple, but if anyone’s going to come close it’s 1000% Nate and Essie ✨