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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
***ARC/ALC Hybrid Review ***
I Could Be Yours by Helena Hunting
Narrated in Duet by Teddy Hamilton and Savannah Peachwood
Releases July 10th in all formats & free on KU!
Essie and Nate have a history and don't get along, but they've known each other since they were young and her best friend, Rix, is marrying his older brother, Tristan. They are the Maid of Honor and Best Man for the destination wedding in Aruba, so they're forced to work together on the pre-wedding functions and will be in close proximity for the wedding vacation.
The two bicker and push each others buttons constantly. And while they are insanely attracted to one another, they couldn't be more different. Essie is a make-up artist, and Nate is an engineer. She loves everything pink, princess, and fairytale, and he wears dark monochromatic clothes. She's sunshine & rainbows, and he's a human storm cloud. Essie believes in true love and happily ever after, and Nate doesn't believe in love.
But, the party planning shows Nate a side of Essie he's never seen before. She's not just the pretty face he and everyone else has always seen her as. She's organized, hard working, "math smart", and she can create a sexy spreadsheet. Turns out, they're both into Big Brains, and soon they're giving in to the tension and starting an F-buddies situation.
Essie knows better than to let her squishy heart feel anything for Nate after he kissed her then ghosted her 6 years ago, but Mr. Anti-Relationship/Love starts falling pretty quickly! His messed up family and relationship history has kept him from love and happiness, but maybe he's ready now... Or is it just the wedding magic in the air?
The tension, banter, and chemistry between Nate and Essie is amazing! They really are so good together, perfect for each other, if they can just get on the same page!
Although this is a standalone book, it does exist in the well-established Helena Hunting Universe. Rix and Tristan are the main characters in If You Hate Me, the first book of the Toronto Terror series, and many characters from that series make cameos in this book.
š§Audiobook: Savannah and Teddy perfectly captured Essie's bright-eyed optimism and Nate's growly yet sweet nature. It was a great audiobook experience!
4.75ā 2.5š¶ļø
I received advanced copies of this ebook and audiobook, and this is my honest review. Thank you to Helena Hunting for the ARC! <3BBB
I Could Be Yours by Helena Hunting
Narrated in Duet by Teddy Hamilton and Savannah Peachwood
Releases July 10th in all formats & free on KU!
Essie and Nate have a history and don't get along, but they've known each other since they were young and her best friend, Rix, is marrying his older brother, Tristan. They are the Maid of Honor and Best Man for the destination wedding in Aruba, so they're forced to work together on the pre-wedding functions and will be in close proximity for the wedding vacation.
The two bicker and push each others buttons constantly. And while they are insanely attracted to one another, they couldn't be more different. Essie is a make-up artist, and Nate is an engineer. She loves everything pink, princess, and fairytale, and he wears dark monochromatic clothes. She's sunshine & rainbows, and he's a human storm cloud. Essie believes in true love and happily ever after, and Nate doesn't believe in love.
But, the party planning shows Nate a side of Essie he's never seen before. She's not just the pretty face he and everyone else has always seen her as. She's organized, hard working, "math smart", and she can create a sexy spreadsheet. Turns out, they're both into Big Brains, and soon they're giving in to the tension and starting an F-buddies situation.
Essie knows better than to let her squishy heart feel anything for Nate after he kissed her then ghosted her 6 years ago, but Mr. Anti-Relationship/Love starts falling pretty quickly! His messed up family and relationship history has kept him from love and happiness, but maybe he's ready now... Or is it just the wedding magic in the air?
The tension, banter, and chemistry between Nate and Essie is amazing! They really are so good together, perfect for each other, if they can just get on the same page!
Although this is a standalone book, it does exist in the well-established Helena Hunting Universe. Rix and Tristan are the main characters in If You Hate Me, the first book of the Toronto Terror series, and many characters from that series make cameos in this book.
š§Audiobook: Savannah and Teddy perfectly captured Essie's bright-eyed optimism and Nate's growly yet sweet nature. It was a great audiobook experience!
4.75ā 2.5š¶ļø
I received advanced copies of this ebook and audiobook, and this is my honest review. Thank you to Helena Hunting for the ARC! <3BBB
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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:
Yes
Smart Banter, Emotional Depth, and a Slow Burn RomanceāFlawlessly Narrated from Start to Finish
š Book Review (Story: 4.5ā Spice: 2.5š¶ļø)
I've been devouring Helena Hunting's books since forever, and I Could Be Yours reminds me exactly why I never hesitate to grab her new releases. This swoony, slow-burn rom-com gives us all the sunshine vs. stormcloud vibes with Essie and Nate, who get thrown together as maid of honor and best man at their friends' wedding. Their opposites-attract romance has it all. And I particularly loved the sharp banter that quickly turned into the kind of emotional, soul-deep connection that makes you believe in second chances. Huntingās ability to make my heart squeeze after more than a decade is why I continue to come back time after time.
Essie is pure charm and glittery optimism, chasing the fairytale. Sheās the kind of character who'd probably have a glitter phone case and believe in wishing on stars. She's unapologetically holding onto her romantic dreams despite numerous disappointments.
Nate, on the other hand, is the emotionally guarded type. A hot engineer who hides behind sarcasm, spreadsheets, and a pretty heartbreaking backstory. Their chemistry is off the charts. And their emotional growth? Ohhh, so earned, layered, and deeply satisfying.
One of the things Iāve always loved about Huntingās writing is how effortlessly she balances humor, vulnerability, and heart. Her stories donāt shy away from laugh-out-loud moments or a well-placed left cross to the feelsā¦ Her prose is sharp, smart, and so emotionally intuitive. She lets her characters unravel in a way that feels honest, giving them room to stumble, self-sabotage, grow, and ultimately find healing. They're real in a way that not all authors can create. Add in some fantastic cameos from the Toronto Terrors crew, and this one had me smiling through the angst. Fair warning: while this isn't the steamiest book on your shelf, the emotional connection hits deep and the emotional intimacy more than delivers.
š§ Audiobook Review (Performance: 5 ā)
Savannah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton brought I Could Be Yours to life in the best way. Without a doubt, they were perfect choices for these roles. Their duet-style narration made it effortless to stay immersed in both POVs, and their voices felt perfectly matched to these characters. Savannah gives Essie all the sparkle, sass, and soul she deservesāeffortlessly moving between humor and heartbreak. Her delivery made Essie feel bright but grounded, and I believed every word.
Teddy Hamilton absolutely nails Nate's whole vibe. He captured Nateās quiet brooding and buried tenderness with so much subtle emotion. The way his voice softened in vulnerable scenes added depth to Nateās internal struggle, and his natural cadence made even the silences feel heavy with meaning. Together, they absolutely nailed the banter, the buildup, and those quiet, emotionally charged pauses that hit in all the right ways.
Even when the story slowed a little, the narration never lost me. Their chemistry made every scene feel fully lived in, adding texture and tone that enhanced the entire experience. It wasnāt just well-performed. I felt it. If youāre an audiobook lover, this is the kind of emotional performance that makes a great story even better.
Overall Rating: 5ā
Performance: 5ā
Story: 4.5ā
Spice: 2.5š¶ļø
Genre:
š¤ Contemporary RomCom
Tropes:
š¤Sports Romance
š¤Best Man/Maid-of-Honor
š¤Holiday Romance
š¤Opposites Attract
š¤Grumpy/Sunshine
š¤Annoyance to Love
š¤Second Chance Romance
š¤Hurt/comfort
š¤Competition
š¤Tortured Hero
š¤She's Pierced
š Book Review (Story: 4.5ā Spice: 2.5š¶ļø)
I've been devouring Helena Hunting's books since forever, and I Could Be Yours reminds me exactly why I never hesitate to grab her new releases. This swoony, slow-burn rom-com gives us all the sunshine vs. stormcloud vibes with Essie and Nate, who get thrown together as maid of honor and best man at their friends' wedding. Their opposites-attract romance has it all. And I particularly loved the sharp banter that quickly turned into the kind of emotional, soul-deep connection that makes you believe in second chances. Huntingās ability to make my heart squeeze after more than a decade is why I continue to come back time after time.
Essie is pure charm and glittery optimism, chasing the fairytale. Sheās the kind of character who'd probably have a glitter phone case and believe in wishing on stars. She's unapologetically holding onto her romantic dreams despite numerous disappointments.
Nate, on the other hand, is the emotionally guarded type. A hot engineer who hides behind sarcasm, spreadsheets, and a pretty heartbreaking backstory. Their chemistry is off the charts. And their emotional growth? Ohhh, so earned, layered, and deeply satisfying.
One of the things Iāve always loved about Huntingās writing is how effortlessly she balances humor, vulnerability, and heart. Her stories donāt shy away from laugh-out-loud moments or a well-placed left cross to the feelsā¦ Her prose is sharp, smart, and so emotionally intuitive. She lets her characters unravel in a way that feels honest, giving them room to stumble, self-sabotage, grow, and ultimately find healing. They're real in a way that not all authors can create. Add in some fantastic cameos from the Toronto Terrors crew, and this one had me smiling through the angst. Fair warning: while this isn't the steamiest book on your shelf, the emotional connection hits deep and the emotional intimacy more than delivers.
š§ Audiobook Review (Performance: 5 ā)
Savannah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton brought I Could Be Yours to life in the best way. Without a doubt, they were perfect choices for these roles. Their duet-style narration made it effortless to stay immersed in both POVs, and their voices felt perfectly matched to these characters. Savannah gives Essie all the sparkle, sass, and soul she deservesāeffortlessly moving between humor and heartbreak. Her delivery made Essie feel bright but grounded, and I believed every word.
Teddy Hamilton absolutely nails Nate's whole vibe. He captured Nateās quiet brooding and buried tenderness with so much subtle emotion. The way his voice softened in vulnerable scenes added depth to Nateās internal struggle, and his natural cadence made even the silences feel heavy with meaning. Together, they absolutely nailed the banter, the buildup, and those quiet, emotionally charged pauses that hit in all the right ways.
Even when the story slowed a little, the narration never lost me. Their chemistry made every scene feel fully lived in, adding texture and tone that enhanced the entire experience. It wasnāt just well-performed. I felt it. If youāre an audiobook lover, this is the kind of emotional performance that makes a great story even better.
Overall Rating: 5ā
Performance: 5ā
Story: 4.5ā
Spice: 2.5š¶ļø
Genre:
š¤ Contemporary RomCom
Tropes:
š¤Sports Romance
š¤Best Man/Maid-of-Honor
š¤Holiday Romance
š¤Opposites Attract
š¤Grumpy/Sunshine
š¤Annoyance to Love
š¤Second Chance Romance
š¤Hurt/comfort
š¤Competition
š¤Tortured Hero
š¤She's Pierced
The Toronto Terror hockey group is back together for Rix and Tristenās wedding activities in I Could Be Yours, and we get the grumpy sunshine goodness of Nate and Essie!
Tropes:
š“ Engineer x Makeup Artist
š“ Best Man x Maid of Honor
š“ Grumpy x Sunshine
š“ Second Chance Romance
š“ Vacation Fling
š“ Secret Romance
Nate (Tristanās brother) and Essie (Rixās best friend) are their best man/maid of honor. Nateās grumpy and anti love, where Essie is rainbows and loves love. She falls in love easy, so sheās decided sheās on a love hiatus. Too bad sheās in close proximity to Nate, and neither one of them can stop thinking about their kiss from 6 years ago.
Nate and Essieās story is so good. It was so fun to see the group together doing wedding activities and participating in the tropical paradise wedding. There were a lot of laughs, a lot of sweet moments, some past pain, and a lot of growth. Thereās a fantastic jellyfish scene that I absolutely adored. I loved the Essie and Tristan push Nate to go to therapy to heal from the similar traumas Tristan has.
š¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļø
Thank you, Helena, for sending me a copy of this book!
Tropes:
š“ Engineer x Makeup Artist
š“ Best Man x Maid of Honor
š“ Grumpy x Sunshine
š“ Second Chance Romance
š“ Vacation Fling
š“ Secret Romance
Nate (Tristanās brother) and Essie (Rixās best friend) are their best man/maid of honor. Nateās grumpy and anti love, where Essie is rainbows and loves love. She falls in love easy, so sheās decided sheās on a love hiatus. Too bad sheās in close proximity to Nate, and neither one of them can stop thinking about their kiss from 6 years ago.
Nate and Essieās story is so good. It was so fun to see the group together doing wedding activities and participating in the tropical paradise wedding. There were a lot of laughs, a lot of sweet moments, some past pain, and a lot of growth. Thereās a fantastic jellyfish scene that I absolutely adored. I loved the Essie and Tristan push Nate to go to therapy to heal from the similar traumas Tristan has.
š¶ļøš¶ļøš¶ļø
Thank you, Helena, for sending me a copy of this book!
I love the Toronto Terror series, and Helena has been hinting at Nate and Essieās story since book one. Itās the perfect summer read filled with romantic tension, chaotic wedding shenanigans, humor and banter, and a second chance romance that has to overcome heartache and family drama.
Nate and Essie are the perfect example of opposites attract. Heās a broody engineer (hello hot nerd), and is grumpy, driven, smart, competitive, damaged, and doesnāt believe in love. Sheās a cute, fun, bubbly, makeup artist, who falls in love with every guy sheās ever dated and longs for her own happily ever after. Sheās super smart, organized, and driven and is tired of men never taking her seriously. Sheās sweet to everyone besides Nate, who sheās sassy and a little mean to. I love it.
Theyāve always been in each otherās orbits because they grew up around each other and Essieās best friend is marrying Nateās brother. They had some romantic run-ins in the past, and have stayed away from each other since then, but now they have to be best man and maid of honor in the same wedding and canāt keep their distance anymore. It started off hilarious with competitive limbo competitions and generally trying to irritate each other, but became really sweet when they both catch feelings and Essie helps Nate when heās stung by a jellyfish.
The audio was duet narration with Savannah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton and they were absolutely perfect. They brought Nate and Essie to life and made me laugh out loud with their shenanigans and banter. I highly recommend listening to this one!
Thank you to Helena Hunting and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC. I love being a part of the BBB!
šI Could Be Yours
āļø Helena Hunting
š July 10, 2025
āļøāļøāļøāļøāØ
READ IF YOU LIKE:
šbest friendās fiancĆ©ās brother
šbest men & maid of honor
šopposites attract
šgrumpy x sunshine
šsecond chance
šdual POV
*Connect With Me*
https://instagram.com/shanisshelves?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
https://www.tiktok.com/@shanisshelves
Nate and Essie are the perfect example of opposites attract. Heās a broody engineer (hello hot nerd), and is grumpy, driven, smart, competitive, damaged, and doesnāt believe in love. Sheās a cute, fun, bubbly, makeup artist, who falls in love with every guy sheās ever dated and longs for her own happily ever after. Sheās super smart, organized, and driven and is tired of men never taking her seriously. Sheās sweet to everyone besides Nate, who sheās sassy and a little mean to. I love it.
Theyāve always been in each otherās orbits because they grew up around each other and Essieās best friend is marrying Nateās brother. They had some romantic run-ins in the past, and have stayed away from each other since then, but now they have to be best man and maid of honor in the same wedding and canāt keep their distance anymore. It started off hilarious with competitive limbo competitions and generally trying to irritate each other, but became really sweet when they both catch feelings and Essie helps Nate when heās stung by a jellyfish.
The audio was duet narration with Savannah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton and they were absolutely perfect. They brought Nate and Essie to life and made me laugh out loud with their shenanigans and banter. I highly recommend listening to this one!
Thank you to Helena Hunting and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC. I love being a part of the BBB!
šI Could Be Yours
āļø Helena Hunting
š July 10, 2025
āļøāļøāļøāļøāØ
READ IF YOU LIKE:
šbest friendās fiancĆ©ās brother
šbest men & maid of honor
šopposites attract
šgrumpy x sunshine
šsecond chance
šdual POV
*Connect With Me*
https://instagram.com/shanisshelves?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
https://www.tiktok.com/@shanisshelves
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
I Could Be Yours is a complete standalone novel with close ties to both the Toronto Terror and Tilton University series. We follow Nate as he struggles with falling in love with the best friend of his brother's fiance.
Nate is the middle brother, between older brother and hockey star Tristan (from If You Hate Me) and younger brother Brody. Their mother left them when they were young and none of them have ever gotten over it. He has been soured on relationships as he has had them go bad without warning. So instead, he is choosing to just have a simple, physical relationship with the one person he knows he should not be having it with.
Essie is Rix's (from If You Hate Me) best friend since forever. Her little sister, Cami (from Chase Lovett Wants Me), is involved with Nate's little brother's best friend Chase. Talk about six degrees of separation. Throw in the fact that she is the Maid of Honor and Nate is the Best Man for Tristan and Rix which forces them to work together to plan and organize all of the wedding related events.
Essie is a very organized person. She creates lists and schedules to make sure everything gets done, on time and on budget. Nate likes to fly by the seat of his pants. After seeing everything Essie has done to make the wedding events a success, he knows he needs to step up.
Years ago, Nate and Essie shared a kiss. It was right before he left for college. He was supposed to call her, but he never did. She has hated him ever since. But when a mishap occurs and they get locked in the bathroom together, while sniping at each other, sparks start flying. These two have massive chemistry, but are working overtime to ignore it.
But what happens if they decide to just have a physical relationship. No feelings, no expectations. Can they do that?
Nate has had relationships go bad. So has Essie. She is notorious for falling in love immediately and planning her happily ever after too soon. He has mommy issues, and abandonment issues, that he really needs to work through. So what will happen when they both catch feelings?
So many things happen in this story. Baby brother Brody is the drunk of the group. Dad has a new girlfriend. Jelly fish. Young and dumb pranks. Jet skis. A surprise visitor. And an ally no one expected.
So many emotions went through me as I listened to this book. I have to admit I laughed so hard at the the results of the one adventure that ended with vomit. Holy cow, I could totally see that happening. But then my anger rose with the surprise visitor who thought they had the right to attend the wedding. Top it off with the one person I never expected to help clean up this mess, let alone the way it was done, and this story just rocks.
Listening to Tristan and Rix get married and seeing all of the love between them and among all of their friends and family clinched this as one of my favorite Helena Hunting books ever.
Teddy Hamilton has been in my ears a lot lately. That should tell you how much I enjoy listening to him. Savannah Peachwood is one of my absolute favorite female narrators. Sadly, until recently I have not listened to her much. So this was such a nice listen for me.
Nate is the middle brother, between older brother and hockey star Tristan (from If You Hate Me) and younger brother Brody. Their mother left them when they were young and none of them have ever gotten over it. He has been soured on relationships as he has had them go bad without warning. So instead, he is choosing to just have a simple, physical relationship with the one person he knows he should not be having it with.
Essie is Rix's (from If You Hate Me) best friend since forever. Her little sister, Cami (from Chase Lovett Wants Me), is involved with Nate's little brother's best friend Chase. Talk about six degrees of separation. Throw in the fact that she is the Maid of Honor and Nate is the Best Man for Tristan and Rix which forces them to work together to plan and organize all of the wedding related events.
Essie is a very organized person. She creates lists and schedules to make sure everything gets done, on time and on budget. Nate likes to fly by the seat of his pants. After seeing everything Essie has done to make the wedding events a success, he knows he needs to step up.
Years ago, Nate and Essie shared a kiss. It was right before he left for college. He was supposed to call her, but he never did. She has hated him ever since. But when a mishap occurs and they get locked in the bathroom together, while sniping at each other, sparks start flying. These two have massive chemistry, but are working overtime to ignore it.
But what happens if they decide to just have a physical relationship. No feelings, no expectations. Can they do that?
Nate has had relationships go bad. So has Essie. She is notorious for falling in love immediately and planning her happily ever after too soon. He has mommy issues, and abandonment issues, that he really needs to work through. So what will happen when they both catch feelings?
So many things happen in this story. Baby brother Brody is the drunk of the group. Dad has a new girlfriend. Jelly fish. Young and dumb pranks. Jet skis. A surprise visitor. And an ally no one expected.
So many emotions went through me as I listened to this book. I have to admit I laughed so hard at the the results of the one adventure that ended with vomit. Holy cow, I could totally see that happening. But then my anger rose with the surprise visitor who thought they had the right to attend the wedding. Top it off with the one person I never expected to help clean up this mess, let alone the way it was done, and this story just rocks.
Listening to Tristan and Rix get married and seeing all of the love between them and among all of their friends and family clinched this as one of my favorite Helena Hunting books ever.
Teddy Hamilton has been in my ears a lot lately. That should tell you how much I enjoy listening to him. Savannah Peachwood is one of my absolute favorite female narrators. Sadly, until recently I have not listened to her much. So this was such a nice listen for me.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
5 Can She Make Him Believe In Love Stars!
Nate and Essie couldn't be more opposite individually, but they're perfect together as a couple. It wasnāt a smooth road to their becoming a couple thatās for sure. Iām getting a little bit ahead of myselfā¦ Nate and Essie are two people that weāve met previously in this series and Iām so incredibly happy we got their story. This book is filled with some of the best banter, undeniable chemistry and a history that truly affected both of them in different ways.
I absolutely love and adore Essie. Sheās a girl that is sunshine personified. Sheās had some bad experiences with love, but that doesnāt stop her from finding the good in everyone and still wanting to find love. Preferably with Nate, but this man doesnāt make it easy. Essie has such a deep love for her friends and sheās going all out in the planning and preparation of Tristan and Rixās wedding and there are some amazing laugh out loud moments that had me rolling!
Nate is a man that has a deep seeded fear of love and being abandoned and for good reason. It broke my heart to get his inner dialogue at times. I mean heās so attracted to Essie but canāt seem to let himself believe that heās deserving of all the love she has to give to him. He fumbles and makes some massive blunders and this man is competitive when it comes to planning any of the activities related to his brother and Rixās weddingā¦. And Iām there for it all!!
What canāt be denied is the chemistry thatās still simmering between them. It all finally comes to head though at the Doe and Stag Party and let me tell youā¦ not only was it HOT HOT HOT, but I also let out a couple of snort laughs! And that sets the stage for these two to not only make up for lost time, but also for an apology that was long time coming. I loved how Ms. Hunting developed their love and brought us on a journey that wasnāt all rainbows and unicorns but also made me fall in love with these two so much!
I was lucky enough to be able to listen to this book as well as reading it and the duet narration by Teddy Hamilton and Savannah Peachwood was spectacular! Theyāre both two of my very favorite narrators and I was obsessed with listening to this book. I laughed and swooned and all the emotions in between. While this book isnāt necessarily part of the Toronto Terrors series, all my favorites are in this book and I have a perpetual smile on my face! This is a definite must read/listen for any fan of a grumpy/sunshine, enemies to lovers, second chance romance books.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another amazing book by Helena Hunting you guys if you have not yet read any of her books you are really honestly missing out/ I really enjoyed this book but you guys donāt shoot me for this it wasnāt my favorite. Yes I loved Nathan and Essie however I donāt know if I just hyped them up in my head so much since all of the other books have been phenomenal. I mean donāt get me wrong I still loved Essie and Nate they were both great and I loved them together. My heart broke for them and what that poor excuse that gave birth to them does. So it was definitely not the story maybe I was just expecting it to be different then what it was. I still loved it and I would definitely recommend. You guys Iām extremely excited and Iām hoping and I have a feeling in my gut that my favorite ones are going to be and that they are going to be super emotional and raw well that what Iām hoping for. But Iām hoping that Connor and Dredās book is going to be on point and burn the pages off the my kindle. However you guys Iām eager awaiting for Flip and Tally. I know those two books are going to be something special at least thatās my hope and I feel it in my bones. Definitely grab this book and stray her if you have not started the series yet. However if you havenāt what are you waiting for your missing out.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
Loveable characters:
Yes
FMC Essie and MMC Nate are side characters in the Toronto Terror series and while this book is not technically a part of the Terror series is a companion to the series. Essie is best friends with Rix and Nate is the brother of Tristan (the characters from the first book in the Terror series, If You Hate Me). Tristan and Rix are getting married in Aruba and Essie is the Maid of Honor and Nate is the Best Man. These specific characters (and Rixās brother and Tristinās best friend, Flip) all grew up together and have history. Essie and Nate shared a kiss the summer after high school and Nate ghosted her after the kiss, because he was off to college and was afraid of a long distance relationship. Essie was the āitā girl growing up. Essie is sunshine, sparkles, rainbows, love, light, and fairytales. Nate is grumpy, moody, cloudy, and very hurt by the relationship with his mother. As with a lot of her books, the found family in this series is amazing and believable. The world building and side characters are great and make you excited to read the other books in the series, as well as the spin offs. I read the Kindle version of this book AND listened to the audiobook. The duet narration by Savannah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton was great. I loved Teddy Hamiltonās embodiment of Nate. This book was very entertaining and it was very easy to get immersed in this world and the tropical location of the destination wedding!
Sweet and spicy, Helena Huntingās latest in her Toronto Terror hockey series is such a treat! These two, Essie and Nate are more team adjacent. Essie is a professional makeup artist & Rixās bestie, and Nate is an engineer & Tristanās brother. While the whole crew is on vacation for Rix and Tristanās (If You Hate Me) destination wedding, Nate and Essie realize that maybe a week-long fling is just what they need.
āI realize that somewhere along the way this did stop being about just the sex. What would she say if I wanted more than this week?ā
Essie and Nateās romance is the perfect summer pool or beach read! Their growing trust and vulnerability with each other was such beautiful to read. And the friend/family group is always a treat, especially the Badass Babes! Though this could work as a standalone, I recommend starting with Rix and Tristanās to be fully up to speed on the whole crew. The audiobook is also amazing - Savannah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton are impeccable as Essie and Nate, and itās in duet!
I received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.
I received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I couldnāt wait to get this story. I have loved so many of Helena Hunting's books and was so looking forward to Nate and Essie's story!
Essie is all rainbows and sunshine while Nate is grumpy and broody. Both like to try and not show that they are attracted to each other bit with them being in Essie's best friend and Nate's brother's wedding they will be spending a lot of time together.
The beginning of this book was hilarious and I just love the banter there is between the two of them. I laughed and I cried and also was fanning myself.
Nate definitely had struggles especially with abandonment which were warranted for everything he went through but to watch him spend time with Essie and open up was swoon-worthy.
Essie seems all bubbly but she has her struggles also with finding the right guy. She is just there for her best friend and so organized, just love her.
Will these two be able to find what they need in each other or will their fears win out? Read this book to find out!
Essie is all rainbows and sunshine while Nate is grumpy and broody. Both like to try and not show that they are attracted to each other bit with them being in Essie's best friend and Nate's brother's wedding they will be spending a lot of time together.
The beginning of this book was hilarious and I just love the banter there is between the two of them. I laughed and I cried and also was fanning myself.
Nate definitely had struggles especially with abandonment which were warranted for everything he went through but to watch him spend time with Essie and open up was swoon-worthy.
Essie seems all bubbly but she has her struggles also with finding the right guy. She is just there for her best friend and so organized, just love her.
Will these two be able to find what they need in each other or will their fears win out? Read this book to find out!