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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
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:
No
Audiobook and Book Review
💜 Best friend’s sister
❤️ Marriage of convenience
💜 Best friends to lovers
❤️ Forced proximity
💜 Warm nuts 🤭
❤️ “Quick Draw”
💜 C*m play
❤️ Mental health rep
💜 Dog rooster
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an excellent friends to lovers romance! Maeve and Asher had been friends for ten years, but it wasn’t until her brother Beckett’s wedding two years ago that Asher realized his feelings might just be, more. But he feels that he’s broken, unable to love, and he doesn’t want to lose his best friend, so nothing can come of it. With each of the books in this series, Lauren Blakely gets us to fall harder in love with these characters. Let me tell you the narration is fantastic! Rob Hatchet is perfectly cast for Asher’s witty and playful demeanor. And Vanessa Edwin’s performance as the sassy, sultry, independent Maeve is stellar! The Love and Hockey series is absolutely worth the read/listen!
Maeve Hartley just wants to make it on her own. She wants her dream of being an artist to come true, to be able to make a name for herself. First and foremost though, a situation arises where she wants to keep her best friend Asher, from the claws of an “up and coming” beauty influencer who is out to use him. It’s this that brings the two of them to an unforgettable night in Vegas. Paying it Forward, and a Pact, alter their lives in a way they never dreamed of. What was to be an adventure, turned in to a marriage of convenience, which could have dire consequences for both Maeve and Asher if they can’t keep up appearances. Seeing the two of them work their way through this situation was so much fun!
There is more to Asher Callahan than the “best butt in hockey.” He is sweet, thoughtful, supportive, considerate, and dealing with something he never realized. His job is to help others, help everyone, and he’s exceptional at it. Asher thinks of things so that others don’t have to. I love that Asher listens to and is so supportive of Maeve. He doesn’t brush her off or ignore her feelings, he embraces them with her. In this story he definitely has more than one life changing revelation. I love his character and his growth. Plus he has a sinfully delicious mouth. 🫠 My goodness the man knows how to use his words…and his body.
Maeve is such a great FMC! She is always thinking of others, wanting to make things better for them. It’s this, plus the amazing chemistry she and Asher have, that makes them perfect for one another. Maeve doesn’t let Asher have control all the time, though, she does not mind one bit when he does…but, she gives it as good as she gets. The “work arounds” that the two come up with because of the ‘ground rules,’ and the anticipation/build up to the climax 😏 is incredibly entertaining. Plus, I loved their banter!
Some of Rob Hatchet’s ‘finest work’ is when he narrates characters like Asher. He brings their quirky, fun, and smoldery sides out with such brilliant skill. I LOVE it! There were the extra little laughs, sighs, and growly tones he gave that added so much depth to the story. That depth and skill is equally matched with the remarkably talented Vanessa Edwin. She effortlessly (though I’m sure it actually takes a lot of effort!) voices each and every character flawlessly. Edwin has a way of bringing out the ‘sexy’ side of the FMCs, especially Maeve, with such finesse and beauty. I love these two narrators so much on their own, so bringing them together for this audiobook was a delightful listening treat!
I have to thank Ms. Lauren Blakely (and her team!) again for choosing me for another ARC/ALC. I hope I continue to be blessed to get to read/listen and review these titles! I am in awe of Blakely’s writing and ability to create stories and worlds that we the reader fall in love with. It was amazing getting to know Asher and Maeve, as well as seeing what the other Sea Dogs and their partners are up to! I am SO looking forward to The Girlfriend Zone!
🏒“You look like…” Mine.
🎨“So you’re wearing monkeys tonight?” “A gentleman doesn’t tell,” I say. “Are you a gentleman?” Not in bed.
🏒“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.”
🎨“No one gets to treat you like that, Maeve. Not while I’m around.”
🏒“Keep count,” I tell her, dangling the toy in front of her. “Four,” she says, breathlessly. “Such a good wife,” I praise, then I slide it inside her soaked p***y.
🎨“I’m painting myself with your c**e,” she says. That’s it. She needs another org**m. “Rules are rules. You need three-to-one org**ms.”
🏒“What a good point. Be a good wife then and let me taste you for the first time.”
🎨“The sass in you. I want to f*** it right out of that pretty mouth.”
🏒“Good, then I’d like to see you get down on your hands and knees, wife.”
Ahh surprise wedding in Vegas is right up my alley!
This is a great story I very much enjoyed how these charaters and story were written
This is a great story I very much enjoyed how these charaters and story were written
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I seriously adore the Sea Dogs and their women! These story’s are just heartwarming and cozy with some serious spice!
This was Asher and Maeve’s story and it has some of my favorite tropes. Also Asher is one of those genuinely good guys who you’d never expect…but is a total daddy in the bedroom! They’ve been best friends for years and just never saw each other as more. Until they are in a situation and now all these feelings from years past come out to play. Neither of them saw it, but everyone around them did! I loved it. He’s a hockey player with a huge heart and she’s an aspiring artist who crazy things just happen too. They are a fun couple to read about and both aren’t what they seem. They are layered and so well written! I love this series!
Read:ARC/ALC
MMC: Asher Callahan
FMC: Maeve Hartley
Spice: 3.5🌶️
Tropes: Hockey, Marriage of Convenience, Brothers Best Friend, Long time Best Friends to Lovers, Marriage Pact, Found Family, Charity Auction Date, It’s Always Been You
This was Asher and Maeve’s story and it has some of my favorite tropes. Also Asher is one of those genuinely good guys who you’d never expect…but is a total daddy in the bedroom! They’ve been best friends for years and just never saw each other as more. Until they are in a situation and now all these feelings from years past come out to play. Neither of them saw it, but everyone around them did! I loved it. He’s a hockey player with a huge heart and she’s an aspiring artist who crazy things just happen too. They are a fun couple to read about and both aren’t what they seem. They are layered and so well written! I love this series!
Read:ARC/ALC
MMC: Asher Callahan
FMC: Maeve Hartley
Spice: 3.5🌶️
Tropes: Hockey, Marriage of Convenience, Brothers Best Friend, Long time Best Friends to Lovers, Marriage Pact, Found Family, Charity Auction Date, It’s Always Been You
lighthearted
medium-paced
A beautiful friend to lovers with some heavy issues interspersed throughout.
Asher and Maeve (plus her brother) met each other 10 years ago in a brief support group and have been best friends ever since. To save Asher from the clutches of a terrible woman at an auction, Maeve bets on him and wins a date to Vegas and comes back as Asher's wife.
I love that their Vegas affair got out so they had to play up the marriage but it helped them realize they needed each other. The journey to get there is full of fun, spice and an obsession that is heartwarming. Asher really looked out for Maeve and when it became too much, he got the help he needed which was very important.
Asher and Maeve (plus her brother) met each other 10 years ago in a brief support group and have been best friends ever since. To save Asher from the clutches of a terrible woman at an auction, Maeve bets on him and wins a date to Vegas and comes back as Asher's wife.
I love that their Vegas affair got out so they had to play up the marriage but it helped them realize they needed each other. The journey to get there is full of fun, spice and an obsession that is heartwarming. Asher really looked out for Maeve and when it became too much, he got the help he needed which was very important.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
Love & Hockey #3
If you like golden retriever hockey player falls for best friend strong fmc artist… this is the one for you!
🏒 Brother’s/FMC’s best friend
🎨 What happens in Vegas
🏒 Friends to lovers
🎨 Forced proximity
🏒 Hockey romance
🎨 Mental health rep
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/5
🌶️🌶️/5
Maeve and Asher, besties for years, end up with a trip to Vegas where they elope as a haha for the night. But surprise! Everyone at home knows the next day and they decide to play along for… just a little while. Only one of them decides to play for keeps and I don’t think Maeve minds one bit. Will they take the leap and risk it all?
The annual Big Adventure is so, so sweet. Asher is so, so sweet. I don’t know if I’d count a Vegas elopement as a Big Adventure, but then I think of everything Asher does for Maeve and I’m like ya know what… I see you girl. I see right through you.
Husbands, take notes on Asher.
I truly enjoyed this journey. I am not usually a friends to lovers gal myself because I like the sassy banter between enemies/rivals but Asher brought the sass enough for everyone! By the end, they was annoying me. Just say it. Just say the damn words. But also I get it could be insanely scary.
Ruby is everything. Thank you Lauren for our beloved pet babies.
TL;DR Amazing vibes, no notes.
Favorite quote:
“Something to make him feel special, because the right man will lay gifts, love, and adoration at your feet.”
Thank you Good Girls PR and Lauren Blakely for my advanced reader copy! This is my honest review 🫶
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
Complicated
The Proposal Play - Lauren Blakely
Love and Hockey Book 3
NARRATED BY: VANESSA EDWIN & ROBERT HATCHET
Thank you @laurenblakelybooks and @hambright_pr for this gifted Ebook and ALC copies.
Narrator Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
They both did an excellent job bringing these characters to life. I felt their pacing and tone were perfect also. They brought forth all the emotions the characters were meant to draw from the readers. Absolute perfection. This narration was done in duet which is my absolute favorite style. Robert brought so much feeling and warmth to his character and Vanessa was perfection and even had tears and crying in her parts. Excellent performance by both!
My Review:
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pages: 562
Genre: Romance
Tropes:
❤️🔥 Brother's Best Friend
👯♂️ Friends to Lovers
💒 Marriage of Convenience
🤝 Marriage Pact
🤫 He's Been Secretly In Love With Her For Years
🚪 Forced Proximity
💍 My Wife
🏒 Spicy Hockey Romance
Asher and Maeve have been best friends for a decade. He is also her brothers best friend. Maeve bids on him at a celebrity auction to keep a bidder with unscrupulous intentions from winning the date.
Their date was a trip to Vegas. Of course the best friends wake up married! Circumstances cause them to have to stay married for a few weeks. The expiration date keeps getting pushed back. You truly get to see each of them come to terms with how they feel about each other.
Asher’s caring personality will win you over immediately. Maeve’s sweet nurturing personality will keep you smiling! I loved reading how they navigated from best friends to lovers.
This book is truly a must read book and I honestly highly suggest you listen to the audiobook while reading along. I promise you will have a huge smile on your face from the first word until the last! I so very highly recommend this book. This truly is perfection!
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funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Absolutely adorable. I love this couple. They are both with their own issues, but it’s not so overwhelming that it’s distracting. It flows naturally and sweetly. Definitely one of my favorite in the series.