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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
I thoroughly enjoyed Jack and Mara’s story! Dani did such a great job of having representation for chronic pain illnesses and the struggles that go along with it. I loved the banter between Jack and Mara. If you like single parents, hockey romance, marriage of convenience, and some great spice definitely pick this one up! I also loved that Jack was the brat and Mara was the Domme! I loved seeing the little family they became with all of their kids too!
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I hadn't read the first book in the series. I did worry a wee bit that it would make this book make no sense. That was not the case. It was perfectly fine reading this first. I really enjoyed it. Hockey men. What is not to love? Really appreciated the disability rep as I am a disabled person also.
The story was written so well. Mara's chronic conditions were written about so sensitively and with such kind care. I have chronic pain with Fibromyalgia, Peripheral Neuropathy and Raynaud's Phenomenon aka Raynaud's Syndrome. So thank you Dani. The story flowed well and there were no lose ends by the time the story finished. It tied up perfectly.
The characters. I loved Mara. She's a chronic pain warrior. I can't imagine what it's like for her. Or anyone one with her condition - hyoermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS). That just the tip of her ice berg but you will find out if you read it. She's a great disability rep.
Jack Leroy. Hello book boyfriend number 5 I think. I may have lost count. He had a dark side to him but he was such a sweet and caring man too. I liked him a lot. Plus hockey player. What's not to love!
The side characters were great and made the experience even more enjoyable.
The book was written in first person, dual POV format. Mara and Jack's. It was good having both perspectives. We got to see how Mara coped with chronic health conditions and we saw how far Jack would go to protect those he cares for.
I recommend this to all of you. Especially if you're a hockey romance fan!
The story was written so well. Mara's chronic conditions were written about so sensitively and with such kind care. I have chronic pain with Fibromyalgia, Peripheral Neuropathy and Raynaud's Phenomenon aka Raynaud's Syndrome. So thank you Dani. The story flowed well and there were no lose ends by the time the story finished. It tied up perfectly.
The characters. I loved Mara. She's a chronic pain warrior. I can't imagine what it's like for her. Or anyone one with her condition - hyoermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS). That just the tip of her ice berg but you will find out if you read it. She's a great disability rep.
Jack Leroy. Hello book boyfriend number 5 I think. I may have lost count. He had a dark side to him but he was such a sweet and caring man too. I liked him a lot. Plus hockey player. What's not to love!
The side characters were great and made the experience even more enjoyable.
The book was written in first person, dual POV format. Mara and Jack's. It was good having both perspectives. We got to see how Mara coped with chronic health conditions and we saw how far Jack would go to protect those he cares for.
I recommend this to all of you. Especially if you're a hockey romance fan!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual content, Medical content, Medical trauma
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Ableism, Violence, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the second book lately that has hooked me with the dedication alone! This was such a great book - I loved Jack and Mara and their kids so much and the side characters were amazing too!
Jack is such an interesting character. He seems like a complete a-hole jackass…but once you get past very bristling exterior…sigh…there is so much more to him beneath the surface. He is protective and will do anything for his family.
Mara has several different chronic conditions (EDS, POTS, MCAS) and I thought they were portrayed with care and authenticity. She is this wonderful character, living her life (and she’s a badass dom too!)
While this can be read as a standalone, there are connections to the Unintentional Puck Bunny series in L.A. and the Ohio Rusties hockey series in Columbus. I do highly recommend these other books!
✨What To Expect:
🏒Hockey Romance
💘Single Parent x Single Parent
💍Marriage of Convenience
⚕️Chronic Illness Rep
☠️Touch them and 💀
💋She’s Dominate
🩶Morally Gray MMC
🔥Steamy Scenes
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is one hockey romance you don’t want to miss reading. The story is about a marriage of convenience/found family between two single parents. A single dad who seems to go through Nannies and is now banned from the agency, and the single mom who is struggling financially due to her health issues.
The way the author wrote the story makes the characters relatable and has your heart melting for them. The emotions, humor and spice will keep you pulled in from the beginning to end. Does have a gothic type vibe. Definitely a must read if you like a hockey romance with marriage of convenience, grumpy x sunshine, a little humor thrown in and with some added spice.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
CREED?!?!? A MAN WHO LOVES CREED?!? INSTANT FIVE STARS!
My little emo heart swelled with this steamy book! It was never a phase!
As a single mom who deals with the emotions of my sons from not having their father in their life I went through it with Mara. Add in my chronic pain and I basically felt like I was her.
Jack was let down by too many people in his life who were supposed to love him and it has left him broken. He doesn’t love himself or believe he’s worthy of love.
Mara was made to feel like she was an inconvenience because of her health issues and she just needs someone who can respect that she can always take care of herself but won’t make her.
Then we have the adorable children. Hazel and her bond with Jack was so freaking cute. Aspen and his deep desire for a father who wouldn’t disappoint him was amazing because Jack wanted to be that for him. Then the way Mara loved Harper and Jace and allowed them to be children was beautiful.
Thank you to Dani for allowing me to ARC read another wonderful book in this series! She never lets me down!
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.75 ⭐️/ 4🌶
A hockey player dad. 🏒 A disabled mom. A marriage of convenience. 💍 They turn out to be just what each other needed. Both single parents, trying to move past the damages their previous relationship had left behind.
Jack and Mara's story was deep. Jack, not thinking he deserved to be loved the way Mara loved him. 💔Mara, thinking she has to be the strong one all the time. They worked well together. They helped each other. They grew together.❤️
That being said. I wasn't a fan of their intimate relationship. There was spice, but it turned me off. I can't put my finger on it. Don't get me wrong, I loved how powerful of a Dom Mara was. I just didn't like the way it was portrayed. Other than that, a little bit more hockey 🏒, would have been nice.
A hockey player dad. 🏒 A disabled mom. A marriage of convenience. 💍 They turn out to be just what each other needed. Both single parents, trying to move past the damages their previous relationship had left behind.
Jack and Mara's story was deep. Jack, not thinking he deserved to be loved the way Mara loved him. 💔Mara, thinking she has to be the strong one all the time. They worked well together. They helped each other. They grew together.❤️
That being said. I wasn't a fan of their intimate relationship. There was spice, but it turned me off. I can't put my finger on it. Don't get me wrong, I loved how powerful of a Dom Mara was. I just didn't like the way it was portrayed. Other than that, a little bit more hockey 🏒, would have been nice.
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another great storyline by Dani Galliaro. I love this series so far. This book featured Jack and Mara. Both have been hurt and needed the other in some way. This led to a marriage of convenience, but soon, real feelings started. Add in 4 cute kids to the mix, and things get real, really fast. I loved Mara's character. She was so strong despite her body doing everything it could to slow her down.
⭐️ 4/5 🌶 4/5
⭐️ 4/5 🌶 4/5
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 Stars
Huge thanks to SunnyBabe PR and Dani Galliaro for the ARC of Unthinkable! 💙🏒
Jack Leroy doesn’t believe in love, but when a parenting dilemma forces him into a marriage of convenience with Mara, a chronically ill single mom, his tough-guy walls start to crumble. What follows is a whirlwind of family chaos, unexpected tenderness, and a whole lot more spice than I was expecting! 🔥🥵
The chemistry? Off the charts. Some of the scenes? Really, really well done. The spice level? Way kinkier than I anticipated (not a complaint, just… wow). I’m also not used to seeing the FMC take charge in that way, but honestly? Didn’t hate it. 👀
The writing leaned a bit more casual than I prefer, sometimes feeling a little over-the-top, but the heart of the story kept me hooked. If you love single-parent romance, hockey heroes with soft centers, and steam that *brings the heat*, this one’s for you!
Huge thanks to SunnyBabe PR and Dani Galliaro for the ARC of Unthinkable! 💙🏒
Jack Leroy doesn’t believe in love, but when a parenting dilemma forces him into a marriage of convenience with Mara, a chronically ill single mom, his tough-guy walls start to crumble. What follows is a whirlwind of family chaos, unexpected tenderness, and a whole lot more spice than I was expecting! 🔥🥵
The chemistry? Off the charts. Some of the scenes? Really, really well done. The spice level? Way kinkier than I anticipated (not a complaint, just… wow). I’m also not used to seeing the FMC take charge in that way, but honestly? Didn’t hate it. 👀
The writing leaned a bit more casual than I prefer, sometimes feeling a little over-the-top, but the heart of the story kept me hooked. If you love single-parent romance, hockey heroes with soft centers, and steam that *brings the heat*, this one’s for you!