well hello Paul and Susie. what a delight you were to read about. a friendship that was already gorgeous then turning into something more. who could argue with that? banter, spice and connection is all there and we can alllll see it. dont hurt me you two. dont turn my heart upside down was quickly what i was telling these two in what was to come next.
the way these two develop though was so much part of what comes off these pages and ripple and vibes. they dont change for each other but they do just mould and work for each other, they work with each other. they both have their individual things going on and when someone in your life is there with you through it all you truly know they are made for you. the changes in our main character or the realisations also felt genuine and authentic. it didn't feel like a doozy male kidding us all and doing unbelievable turn about face just to get the girl( which can feel a bit sleaze in other books but never went there here.)
this hockey romance series is spot on for the sport romance genre. it fit there snuggly amongst the others in this series too.
you swirl around these two having the most fun and swoon moments. those ones that even make you as a reader turn a bit bashful and coy. the type you suddenly think dont let anyone in public see me doing these loved up goofy grins!
the growth in their own self worth throughout this book was just as melting as all the other parts too.
Hughes has got her characters down, knows them all so well that they just feel known, easy, and true. and in turn as a reader i felt closer to them and their stories too. the found family element in these books is really special too. it makes you want everyone in the world to have those people around them that have thier backs.
a really gorgeous read. just what i need when already the morning feels like its already getting dark.
i loved these books. i want to thank them all for helping me feel so much better about a world that does feel like its being nice to us at all.

Review from advanced copy from author! 🫶🏻

Holy Guacamole! I wasn't sure Paul was going to be able to top Jake, but he most definitely did! 🥵

Paul & Susie are to die for! Their friendship was amazing before anything else happened, which was so sweet and wholesome! The banter was top tier and the spice was so well written!

Their individual stories really pull at your heartstrings! Having friends really does make all the difference!!

I didn't ever wanna put this book down and I'm so sad it's over! Thanks M. J. for allowing me to read this beautiful work of art!

6 ⭐️

Read if you ❤️
🏒reformed playboys
🏒found families
🏒he falls first, and harder
🏒he teaches her (in more ways than one😉)
🏒secret relationships
🏒flirty MMCs
🏒possessive MMCs
🏒foul-mouthed grandmothers
🏒rambunctious chi-weenies
🏒no third act breakups
🏒🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book was EVERYTHING. It was funny and sweet and reflective and swoony and spicy and everything I never knew a hockey romance could be. For my first Hockey Romance, M. J. knocked it ouf it the fucking park (or should I say puck? 😉)

I came into this series having not read book 1 or 2, and other than sometimes getting names and spouses mixed up, not once did I ever feel like a truly missed any important lore (since this book did an amazing job of providing context clues and lore). 10/10 in the standalone interconnected series department.

I ADORED Susie and Paul’s dynamic. From the shameless flirting on his end to the constant banter and can we talk about her fucking growth and confidence?!?! They were too cute.

Truly feel in love with not only our MCs relationship but everyone else’s and the friend group. A found family if I’ve ever fucking saw one.

I will be working backwards and catching up on the rest of the series while I impatiently wait on book 4 with Clay and Lucy’s delicious enemies to lovers trope that I know is brewing.

Thank you to M.J. Hughes and her publisher for an advanced ebook copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is sweet, swoony, with a touch of spicy (🌶️🌶️🌶️)

I was going to “awww” through the whole book! Getting to see both the fmc and mmc’s characters grow as individuals was beautiful! Loved how close the friend group is and how they all care for each other!

But I mean who doesn’t love an mmc who builds up the fmc’s confidence and supports her to no end!

This book is book 3 in the interconnected standalone series with dual - first person pov

Tropes:
Hockey
Possessive mmc
Friends to lovers
Secret dating

Tender, emotional, and simmering with tension, this slow-burn best-friends-to-lovers romance keeps you turning pages long after you should’ve gone to sleep. Fake rules, real feelings, and unexpected love make this story impossible to resist.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC.
I’m a sucker for hockey romance and wow… this one had me BLUSHING. I need a Paul in my life immediately. How is a fictional man making me kick my feet like this???

I love a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers situation, and the little arrangement they have?? Amazing.

Spicy books are usually hit or miss for me because if there’s no emotional tension, I’m bored. This book understood the assignment when it comes to tension. I need buildup. I need longing. I need anticipation. And when the spice finally hit?? WORTH IT.

Also, for a book with this many characters, it flowed really well. Nothing felt confusing or overwhelming. And I am such a sucker for an MMC who actually changes and steps up for the woman he wants, Paul DELIVERED.

This was a fast, light, spicy, feel-good read. Perfect for getting out of your head after a long week. I read it in 24 hours because I literally couldn’t put it down, and now I’m sad it’s over.

Highly recommend. I’ll absolutely be reading more from this author