⭐⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Yes. An entertaining, fun read with excellent banter and emotional character growth.

Gemma hasn’t written in years, but post-divorce, she dove back into writing romance. When her proposal didn’t sell, she became convinced it was because no one wanted her nice-guy heroes and decided to write and absolute Mr. Wrong…based on her first crush, Mason Moretti, now a star hockey player. She’s sure no one will make the connection between her highland laird and an NHL enforcer. Of course, someone does, and her secret is out. 

Mason is going through some drama of his own as an aging hockey player, and when his “reunion-cute” with Gemma goes viral, he proposes some media-worthy fake dating to help her book. Which is so sweet and not at all to help solve his own image problem. Gemma reluctantly agrees. Mason convinces Gemma to go away with him so she can finish her overdue second book while giving him anti-asshole lessons. And if he really just wants to get time away with her, that’s not an bad move, right? Or is it? 

MY THOUGHTS

I love that Gemma took all the worst parts that she remembered about Mason to create her alpha a-hole hero. It was clear that she herself didn’t care much for this character. Mason was drowning in guilt, and the fake relationship, along with Gemma’s book, provided him with a distracting outlet. Until he realized the truth about his character. Some of the best parts were when Mason was listening to Gemma’s book. His reactions were priceless.

Gemma and Mason had a wonderful teasing back-and-forth, great chemistry, and I especially enjoyed their smart-mouthed inner thoughts. Plenty of introspection and personal development happened that led them to the love they both deserved.

I am a huge Kelley Armstrong fan and the writing drew me in, as expected. It was entertaining, hilarious at times, and effectively dealt with Mason’s pain without the emotions becoming too overwhelming. I can recommend this if you like a light-hearted second-chance romance that also deals with complex issues and feelings. See what other readers are saying on Goodreads.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Were you hooked by that book? Let me know in the comments below.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication: June 24, 2025
Sensuality Rating: Warm
Tropes: Fake Dating, Hockey Romance, Second Chances, He Falls First