A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I got Wild in Minnesota as an ARC, and I’m seriously so glad I did—this book wrecked me in the best way. It had all the emotional chaos, steamy tension, and laugh-out-loud moments I love in a good romance.

Fern is this sarcastic, no-BS nurse who’s been through it, and Gabe is her brother’s best friend—a widower still trying to heal. They get stuck together as maid of honor and best man, and you already know the forced proximity leads to tension, heat, and a whole lot of feelings.

What starts as just a fling turns into something way deeper.

The chemistry? So good.
The banter? Hilarious.
And the emotional stuff? Hits hard.

It touches on cancer, grief, alcoholism—all heavy topics—but it does it with so much honesty and heart.

Bottom line: This book had me laughing, tearing up, and completely hooked. Five stars. Would 100% reread and feel all the feelings again.

Huge thank you to Mary Lee Painter, NetGalley, and Melange Satin Romance for the e-ARC.

#NetGalley #MaryLeePainter #WildInMinnesota #MelangeSatinRomance #eARCreview

This book is actually the most amazing thing ever! I couldn’t get enough of it! I’ve said it once, and I will say it again, men written by the Painter women are the best men to ever grace the page of a book.
This book is the story of how Fern may or may not have punched the most lovely guy Gabe, in a misunderstanding, then made up, then another misunderstanding, then made up, then another, but you get the point.
This book was soooo amazing! It was hard truth, it was heartbreaking, and it was all encompassing. Gabe though, the man you are. And Fern, I felt bad for her poor soul but was glad Gabe always made up for it. I highly recommend this book. Thank you Mary Lee Painter for the ARC for exchange of my honest review!

I enjoyed reading Wild in Minnesota by Mary Lee Painter. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

I loved this one! It was such a cute story with amazing characters! I was hooked from the very beginning and I loved every page! I giggled so much and I didn’t want to put it down

Loved this book way more than I thought I would.
Is it because I live in Minnesota and can relate to so much?... Hockey, the scenery, all of it?... maybe.
But with that out of the way, this was an incredible cute book and I can't wait to read more from this author (even if they aren't all based in Minnesota).
Fern wasn't looking for a new love when she stayed at the cabin before the wedding. She definitely wasn't expecting to have an NHL player from the Wild burst through the doors. I personally don't feel this is complete enemies to lovers as I feel is was more banter between the two, but I absolutely loved everything about this book.
And yes, I did read a book about hockey, snow, and Minnesota in the summer!

📚 Title: Wild in Minnesota
✍️ Author: Mary Lee Painter
🗓️ Release Date: June 23, 2025
📘 Format: Ebook (ARC) – Provided by NetGalley and the author in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5 Glorious Stars

An emotional rollercoaster with rom-com chaos, heart-melting chemistry, and more llamas than one might expect from a hockey romance.

⸻

💬 Review:

From the first punch to the last page, Wild in Minnesota is a rom-com that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. Mary Lee Painter delivers a brilliant blend of humor, heart, and healing in a romance that’s as unexpectedly wild as the title suggests.

Set in a remote Minnesota cabin, the story kicks off when Fern—an emotionally guarded, delightfully sarcastic maid of honor—is startled by an unexpected housemate. Enter Gabe: NHL superstar, best friend to Fern’s brother, and the unintentional recipient of her well-aimed punch to the face. What follows is an unforgettable “weekend pass” arrangement that quickly turns into something deeper… and a whole lot messier.

Despite the absurdity (yes, there are llamas), this novel never feels overdone. It thrives on contrast: slapstick moments paired with emotional honesty, witty banter tempered by gut-wrenching revelations, and romance that simmers in quiet, closed-door intimacy.

⸻

🔥 Tropes You’ll Love:
• Brother’s Best Friend
• Forced Proximity
• Dual POV
• Touch Her and Die
• Forbidden Love
• Breakup & Makeup
• Revenge Plot
• Healing Through Connection

⸻

📈 Plot & Pacing:

This story moves. Painter paces it masterfully, balancing high-octane drama with heartfelt moments. From pizza dates and taco nights to high-speed chases and a missing bride, every twist feels earned and engaging. What begins as a rom-com quickly evolves into a deeply layered narrative of loss, addiction, and redemption—without ever losing its sharp sense of humor.

The cabin scenes are cozy and electric; the wedding weekend is total chaos in the best way; and the final act? Let’s just say I need a sequel yesterday because that CANNOT be how it ends!!!!!

⸻

👥 Characters & Chemistry:

Fern and Gabe are lightning in a bottle. Their chemistry is palpable from the moment they collide (literally), but what really sets them apart is the emotional depth Painter gives them. Fern’s hesitation, Gabe’s trauma, patience and vulnerability—it’s a slow burn that builds on trust, laughter, and one unforgettable weekend.

Gabe is a true standout. He’s the kind of leading man who doesn’t just bring the swoon—he brings substance. Equal parts fierce protector and golden retriever energy, his devotion to Fern is felt in every small gesture. Their emotional intimacy is far more powerful than any explicit scene.

And Fern? She’s a beautifully flawed heroine—tough, funny, and heartbreakingly real.

⸻

💬 Favorite Quote:

“You did this so I could have pizza?”
– Fern
“I’d swim across shark-infested waters to bring you a slice.”
– Gabe

(And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the bar now.)

⸻

🎯 Themes & Depth:

This isn’t just a love story—it’s a story about second chances-third chances-more chances. Painter deftly explores themes of grief, addiction, and identity without ever bogging the story down.Gabe’s past mistakes don’t define him, and Fern’s little BFF fiasco is truthfully forgivable. Together, they create a safe space to heal and rediscover joy, one moment (and llama) at a time.

⸻

✅ Would I Recommend It?

Absolutely. Wild in Minnesota is for fans of The Hating Game, Icebreaker, and The Unhoneymooners—but with more emotional depth and a storyline that dares to go beyond the typical rom-com beats. If you’re into:
• Banter so sharp it could cut glass
• Closed-door romance with emotional intimacy
• Hockey players with hearts of gold
• Strong heroines learning to trust again
This one’s for you.

⸻

📝 Final Thoughts:

Wild in Minnesota took me by surprise in the best possible way. It’s chaotic, heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply romantic. Mary Lee Painter doesn’t just write a love story—she writes the story you’ll want to revisit again and again. I’m already hoping for a full Minnesota Wild Hockey Team series because these characters (and their antics) deserve so much more page time.

Let this be your official invitation: jump into the wild!!!


📣 Disclaimer: ARC provided for free in exchange for an honest review.

Wild in Minnesota is a fun romance about Fern, who comes home to be Maid of Honor at her cousin’s wedding. While getting ready at a cabin, she meets Gabe, a hockey player and her brother’s teammate. They start off clashing but feel a strong attraction. They agree to keep things casual—no strings attached.

After a wild wedding weekend, things get complicated when Fern overhears something that makes her rethink everything.

If you like lighthearted romance with strong characters and some drama, this is a great read. It’s about unexpected connections, personal growth, and figuring out what really matters.

Wild in Minnesota is a whirlwind romance that packs in humor, chaos, and heat all at once. Fern’s reluctant return home quickly spirals into a weekend full of unexpected chemistry, reckless fun, and a mystery that takes a surprisingly serious turn. The dynamic between her and Gabe is magnetic, especially as their fake fling collides with real feelings and family drama. I enjoyed the fast pace, the spicy tension, and the way Fern's vulnerability gave real depth to the fun. It was the kind of read that kept me smiling and flipping pages late into the night.

Cabin punches, hockey hunk, and wedding drama? Yes please!

Okay, Wild in Minnesota had me grinning, gasping, and googling "how to punch hot intruders" all in one sitting. I mean, Fern and Gabe's kitchen brawl meet-cute?? Iconic. This book is equal parts steamy, hilarious, and wild (pun intended), and if you’ve ever had a messy weekend turn into an unexpected heart-throb love story—with a side of missing bride mystery—then you already know you need to read this. 10/10 would fake-date again. 💋🥶🏒

“He was so handsome it made me a little wiggly and giggly”.

This book centres around maid of honour Fern trying to fight her feelings for best man Gabe, who’s her brother’s best friend. I knew I’d enjoy this book when I saw that the playlist at the front contained country music. This book had everything; humour, suspense, love and spice. Dave and Fern’s sibling bond is full of competitiveness and care. The chemistry between Gabe and Fern is instant; I couldn’t wait to see how it progressed with each chapter. Their characters complimented each other perfectly; Gabe and his protectiveness, Fern and her firecracker personality. This book is an easy, funny, chaotic rom-com with a perfect ending that is definitely worth reading.

Cabin Fights, Wedding Fiascos, and One Wild Weekend

This book is like crashing a wedding in hockey skates—messy, hot, hilarious, and absolutely impossible to put down!