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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
Lauren!!! Lauren!!! Lauren!!!! These books have no right to be as great as they are. Do you want to get lost in a book for hours? Lauren’s books how you do that. Her audiobooks are also top tier. I put them on as I started to take down my Christmas decor and could not stop listening to it. I love it so much! @readbyrob and #vanessaedwin are amazing as well.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
The Proposal Play is the third book in the Love and Hockey series. This is Asher Callahan and Maeve Hartley’s story. Asher is the best cinnamon roll! I loved both Asher and Maeve. But wow Asher, wow!
Maeve won a trip to Vegas with Asher after bidding on him in a charity auction. He is a very hawt hockey star & Asher is both Maeve and Beckett’s (Maeve’s brother) are BFF’s. Asher and Maeve made a marriage pact at her brother’s wedding. Both Asher and Maeve upheld the marriage pact and got married in Vegas. They thought they could have their marriage annulled but when they got home after the trip, they realized they needed to stay married a little while longer.
Oh boy there were several scenes that I loved! One of them being that Asher is sponsored by CheekyBeast and I want to see him in his flamingo underwear.
The second scene was when Asher tells her “It’s your studio, but you’re my canvas tonight. Maeve is an artist. “When the painter becomes the painted”
I loved Asher and Maeve’s story, and I can’t wait for the next book in this series! 5 STARS
#1 The Boyfriend Goal - Wesley Bryant and Josie Winter
#2 The Romance Line - Max Lambert and Everly Rosewood
Maeve won a trip to Vegas with Asher after bidding on him in a charity auction. He is a very hawt hockey star & Asher is both Maeve and Beckett’s (Maeve’s brother) are BFF’s. Asher and Maeve made a marriage pact at her brother’s wedding. Both Asher and Maeve upheld the marriage pact and got married in Vegas. They thought they could have their marriage annulled but when they got home after the trip, they realized they needed to stay married a little while longer.
Oh boy there were several scenes that I loved! One of them being that Asher is sponsored by CheekyBeast and I want to see him in his flamingo underwear.
The second scene was when Asher tells her “It’s your studio, but you’re my canvas tonight. Maeve is an artist. “When the painter becomes the painted”
I loved Asher and Maeve’s story, and I can’t wait for the next book in this series! 5 STARS
#1 The Boyfriend Goal - Wesley Bryant and Josie Winter
#2 The Romance Line - Max Lambert and Everly Rosewood
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
I loved this book so much! I was laughing, swooning, tearing up, feeling everything. I just couldn’t stop listening to it. It’s chunky, but I never once felt like it was long, I flew through it. And Asher has my heart, I love him!
Robert Hatchet was a new narrator to me, and he did an amazing job bringing Asher to life! And Vanessa Edwin was so good, as always. I love her voice so much!
I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book
Robert Hatchet was a new narrator to me, and he did an amazing job bringing Asher to life! And Vanessa Edwin was so good, as always. I love her voice so much!
I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent
**ARC REVIEW** Y’all, The Proposal Play by Lauren Blakely is EVERYTHING I love about a swoony rom-com! It was so fun to watch Maeve and Asher’s journey from their accidental “I do” to figuring out their forever love. They try so hard (sort of) to keep things strictly friendly in their “temporary marriage” , but how could they with all of that buried s-xual tension?
Thoughts on Maeve…
I love Maeve so much. She’s witty, driven , and has this incredible way of grounding Asher while shining in her own right. 🌟 Her passion for her art and the vulnerability she shows in this whirlwind situation made her feel so relatable. 💕I definitely relate to her in many ways, especially in the way that she carries feelings from past relationships into her current situation, not allowing herself to truly BE herself.
Thoughts on Asher…
Oh, Asher. 😍🏒 On the surface, he’s a protective, take-charge hockey star 💪, but Lauren Blakely does an amazing job of peeling back those layers to show the weight he carries. He’s got past trauma that makes him feel responsible for everyone, and watching him navigate that while opening himself up to Maeve was beautiful. 🫶
Together, Maeve and Asher are pure magic. ✨ Their teasing and flirty banter made me giggle 🤭, but when things got steamy…whew!
Thoughts on Maeve…
I love Maeve so much. She’s witty, driven , and has this incredible way of grounding Asher while shining in her own right. 🌟 Her passion for her art and the vulnerability she shows in this whirlwind situation made her feel so relatable. 💕I definitely relate to her in many ways, especially in the way that she carries feelings from past relationships into her current situation, not allowing herself to truly BE herself.
Thoughts on Asher…
Oh, Asher. 😍🏒 On the surface, he’s a protective, take-charge hockey star 💪, but Lauren Blakely does an amazing job of peeling back those layers to show the weight he carries. He’s got past trauma that makes him feel responsible for everyone, and watching him navigate that while opening himself up to Maeve was beautiful. 🫶
Together, Maeve and Asher are pure magic. ✨ Their teasing and flirty banter made me giggle 🤭, but when things got steamy…whew!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 is the 3rd book in the 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙃𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 by Lauren Blakely, featuring a sweet and spicy best friends to lovers romance for Asher and Maeve that you don’t want to miss! When Maeve makes an impulse decision to buy a date with Asher at a bachelor auction to save him from a PR nightmare, she doesn’t expect to wake up married in Vegas to their own viral story. Pretending to be in love to help bolster the launch of his new charity and her new huge art commission shouldn’t be a problem, except for the blazing hot chemistry between them and the growing feelings…
I love a good best friend to lovers story, and Asher and Maeve truly embodied that. You could feel their deep connection, and the way they wanted to take care of each other, especially Asher!! That man was on another level, giving way to emotional depths and storylines I wasn’t expecting, but I loved so much!! He was kind of an enigma with the way he was this fun golden retriever caretaker, while also being able to turn the alpha and heat dial 𝙖𝙡𝙡 the way up!!🔥 And yet, he also had a hidden vulnerability that had such a grip on him. Maeve was sassy, fun, and totally loyal. I loved every minute of watching this characters grow together, especially among the amazing core group of friends and family that they’ve found!
The audio was narrated by Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet in duet, and their performance was flawless! They nailed the connection, the banter, the emotional moments, and the spicy scenes! The duet format had become my favorite way to listen, and this story was a 5-star performance across the board! I highly recommend it!
I received an ARC for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
✦Series: Love and Hockey # 3
✦POV: Dual first-person + duet narration
✦Spice: Open door, explicit 😮💨🫠
» Maeve and Asher have been best friends for a decade and would do anything for each other. When Maeve overhears a social media influencer planning to win a date with Asher at a charity auction to further her brand (which is already sketchy), she plans to put a stop to it by outbidding her.
Turns out the date is in Vegas, and while they lean into the whole “what happens in Vegas” theme, they didn’t plan for their fake marriage to get so real, so fast.
» I’ve been desperate for Maeve’s story since the start of Love and Hockey. She has big feelings and navigates them with the support of her friends, "The Padlockers". Her growth felt natural as she learned to trust and believe in herself. Self-actualisation for the win! I connected with her easily.
» Asher Callahan, you sweet, filthy man. He’s got it so bad for Maeve that he can’t help being devastatingly swoony at every turn. Not to mention his words and their delivery made my tummy flip 😮💨 He’s demanding in a very hot way but also kind, generous, and overall, an A+ book boyfriend.
» Their romance has been hinted at in previous books, and it was worth the wait. It’s been years in the making for them and I love that in friends-to-lovers romances. Their compromises are equally flimsy and delicious! 🫠
» Lauren Blakely’s books never disappoint. The pacing is comfortable and the story flows seamlessly between scenes. It’s easy to open the book and totally lose myself.
✩ Duet narration by Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet was superb. They emote believably and really brought Maeve and Asher to life!
✦POV: Dual first-person + duet narration
✦Spice: Open door, explicit 😮💨🫠
» Maeve and Asher have been best friends for a decade and would do anything for each other. When Maeve overhears a social media influencer planning to win a date with Asher at a charity auction to further her brand (which is already sketchy), she plans to put a stop to it by outbidding her.
Turns out the date is in Vegas, and while they lean into the whole “what happens in Vegas” theme, they didn’t plan for their fake marriage to get so real, so fast.
» I’ve been desperate for Maeve’s story since the start of Love and Hockey. She has big feelings and navigates them with the support of her friends, "The Padlockers". Her growth felt natural as she learned to trust and believe in herself. Self-actualisation for the win! I connected with her easily.
» Asher Callahan, you sweet, filthy man. He’s got it so bad for Maeve that he can’t help being devastatingly swoony at every turn. Not to mention his words and their delivery made my tummy flip 😮💨 He’s demanding in a very hot way but also kind, generous, and overall, an A+ book boyfriend.
» Their romance has been hinted at in previous books, and it was worth the wait. It’s been years in the making for them and I love that in friends-to-lovers romances. Their compromises are equally flimsy and delicious! 🫠
» Lauren Blakely’s books never disappoint. The pacing is comfortable and the story flows seamlessly between scenes. It’s easy to open the book and totally lose myself.
✩ Duet narration by Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet was superb. They emote believably and really brought Maeve and Asher to life!
❝ ❞
“A kiss doesn’t start with lips. It starts with want. With desire. With anticipation,” he says, and I whimper from his words and the way they’re tugging low in my belly. Then, he slides a hand down my bare arm, watching as the little hairs on my arm rise up.
“It does.”
“There’s one more thing I want you to remember about kissing,” he says, like a professor.
“What is it?”
“A good kiss starts with me getting you so wound up, you’re…” He stops, dips his face to my ear, then whispers, “wet before I even kiss you.”
The sound I make— it’s needy. It’s feral🫠
❝ ❞
♡ The Proposal Play exceeded my expectations and I heartily recommend it for readers who dig brother's best friend, friends to lovers, and marriages of convenience mixed with pining in a hockey romance. So many tropes, so well-developed!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨ Thank you to Lauren Blakely for providing advance reader and listener copies in exchange for an honest review.
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Death of parent
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you Hambright PR for my gifted book and audiobook!
I loved this on audio! This was super quick to listen to, and I loved the friends to lovers trope! I was really happy with the third act as it wasn’t what your normally expect in a romcom. I’m even more excited for the lead up to the next book in the series!
I loved this on audio! This was super quick to listen to, and I loved the friends to lovers trope! I was really happy with the third act as it wasn’t what your normally expect in a romcom. I’m even more excited for the lead up to the next book in the series!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-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:
Yes
Big thanks to the author and Hambright PR for the early copy. All opinions are my own!
"The Proposal Play" is a delightful friends-to-lovers romance that hits all the right emotional notes. Maeve and Asher’s decade-long friendship provides the perfect foundation for a love story full of depth, humor, and heart. Their connection was evident from the start, built on years of mutual care and unwavering support, making their accidental Vegas wedding feel like a twist of fate rather than a fluke. Watching them navigate their evolving relationship, while trying to protect the friendship that means so much to both of them, was captivating.
This book excels at showcasing the subtle beauty of falling in love with someone who has always been by your side. Asher’s “he falls first and harder” energy is irresistible, and Maeve’s journey toward realizing her feelings was heartfelt and relatable. Their chemistry crackles as they balance playful banter with tender moments, proving that sometimes the best love stories are rooted in genuine friendship. The marriage-of-convenience angle adds a fun layer of tension, especially as they juggle public appearances, secret feelings, and a viral wedding.
Hockey romance fans and lovers of the found family trope will adore "The Proposal Play." Maeve and Asher’s story is not just about falling in love—it’s about embracing vulnerability, trusting your heart, and taking a leap of faith with someone who’s always been your biggest cheerleader. This is a warm, feel-good read that will leave you grinning and swooning in equal measure!
"The Proposal Play" is a delightful friends-to-lovers romance that hits all the right emotional notes. Maeve and Asher’s decade-long friendship provides the perfect foundation for a love story full of depth, humor, and heart. Their connection was evident from the start, built on years of mutual care and unwavering support, making their accidental Vegas wedding feel like a twist of fate rather than a fluke. Watching them navigate their evolving relationship, while trying to protect the friendship that means so much to both of them, was captivating.
This book excels at showcasing the subtle beauty of falling in love with someone who has always been by your side. Asher’s “he falls first and harder” energy is irresistible, and Maeve’s journey toward realizing her feelings was heartfelt and relatable. Their chemistry crackles as they balance playful banter with tender moments, proving that sometimes the best love stories are rooted in genuine friendship. The marriage-of-convenience angle adds a fun layer of tension, especially as they juggle public appearances, secret feelings, and a viral wedding.
Hockey romance fans and lovers of the found family trope will adore "The Proposal Play." Maeve and Asher’s story is not just about falling in love—it’s about embracing vulnerability, trusting your heart, and taking a leap of faith with someone who’s always been your biggest cheerleader. This is a warm, feel-good read that will leave you grinning and swooning in equal measure!
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
This is such an adorable best friends to lovers story! 10 years of friendship, and a slow burn romance, Asher & Maeve tie the knot in Vegas on a whim - citing their previous marriage pact as their motivation. But as time goes on, they both realize just how deeply they care for one another. Once they get physical, there is no going back. Asher is at the height of his NHL career, getting tons of sponsorships and starting up his own charity. Maeve is finally getting some recognition for her art, but is it now that she’s Mrs Callahan? Or because of her talent?
Their love burns hot. Both fearing unrequited love, the only people that don’t know that Asher and Maeve are in love with each other, are Asher and Maeve.
funny
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
✨eARC Review✨
Holy moly the spice 🔥
Asher (pro hockey player) and Maeve (struggling artist) have been best friends for 10 years. They make a marriage pact and two years later follow through one night in Vegas! It goes viral and they must pretend their marriage is real… but was it ever fake?
First of all, chapters 32 and 33 had me in a chokehold 🥵
The spice in this one is 💯💯💯
I thought the mental health aspect (anxiety and trauma) was well depicted in this! The character development was really good! Maeve coming in to her own and building her confidence as an artist. And asher coming to terms with his anxieties and how it affects his relationships.
4 ⭐️
Holy moly the spice 🔥
Asher (pro hockey player) and Maeve (struggling artist) have been best friends for 10 years. They make a marriage pact and two years later follow through one night in Vegas! It goes viral and they must pretend their marriage is real… but was it ever fake?
First of all, chapters 32 and 33 had me in a chokehold 🥵
The spice in this one is 💯💯💯
I thought the mental health aspect (anxiety and trauma) was well depicted in this! The character development was really good! Maeve coming in to her own and building her confidence as an artist. And asher coming to terms with his anxieties and how it affects his relationships.
4 ⭐️