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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
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
I have loved Essie since the first time we met her and I loved watching her and Nate come together for their second chance HEA.
THOUGHTS đź’
🩷 People underestimate Essie and think she’s pretty with no substance; I loved getting to know her organized, intelligent, selfless self a bit more.
⛸️ The competitiveness and the enemies to lovers vibe makes the build-up between Essie and Nate so very hot! When they finally break and can’t stay away from each other? And the f-it moment? And the dirty talk?! đź«
🩷 It’s always amazing to see our previous MCs pop up in new books in the series. To see Bea and Tristan’s wedding from their best friend’s/sibling’s POV is so fun!
⛸️ The Stiles boys have gone through some hard times and are still working through the trauma of their mother abandoning them. Your heart breaks for them.
🩷 Poor Nate doesn’t believe in love and went on a journey to believe in it again, to think he’s worthy of it, and to understand that not everyone leaves.
⛸️ As always, the Terror family is perfection! The found family in this world is just the best and it’s so fun to see all of our favorite characters, particularly the BBB!
Thanks so much to Helena Hunting for the ARC of this book!
THOUGHTS đź’
🩷 People underestimate Essie and think she’s pretty with no substance; I loved getting to know her organized, intelligent, selfless self a bit more.
⛸️ The competitiveness and the enemies to lovers vibe makes the build-up between Essie and Nate so very hot! When they finally break and can’t stay away from each other? And the f-it moment? And the dirty talk?! đź«
🩷 It’s always amazing to see our previous MCs pop up in new books in the series. To see Bea and Tristan’s wedding from their best friend’s/sibling’s POV is so fun!
⛸️ The Stiles boys have gone through some hard times and are still working through the trauma of their mother abandoning them. Your heart breaks for them.
🩷 Poor Nate doesn’t believe in love and went on a journey to believe in it again, to think he’s worthy of it, and to understand that not everyone leaves.
⛸️ As always, the Terror family is perfection! The found family in this world is just the best and it’s so fun to see all of our favorite characters, particularly the BBB!
Thanks so much to Helena Hunting for the ARC of this book!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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 absolutely loved this book!! Nate and Essie’s story was perfect. I loved that the book was centered around Tristan and Rix’s wedding. We got to see all the previous characters in the series celebrating the couple that started it. “Being your best man, Tristan, and being able to be part of this journey with you has really restored my faith in love.” I love that not only did we get the team and the Badass Babe Brigade, but Kodiak and Lavender from Love, Hearts and Truths series, and Cammie and Chase from Tilton University were included in the wedding celebrations. I love how all these series are being brought together. Not to mention the teaser that Quinn Romero was traded to the Terror. Nate and Essie were so great together. I felt so bad for how Nate believed he was so broken and unlovable, but it was so satisfying seeing him grow and wanting to be better for Essie. “She could be mine, and I could be hers.” Essie is such a sweetheart and I love that we were able to see her being more than the pretty girl and that she found her Grumpy Prince who showed he could be Prince Charming for her. I love that all the characters are imperfect and that it is constantly shown that no matter what trauma or insecurities you have, you can overcome them and be happy, as long as you make the effort. I CAN’T wait for If You Claim Me, seeing Connor help out with Tristan and Rix’s Wedding issues and the teaser of Dred and Connor announcing their engagement out of nowhere.
Loveable characters:
Yes
This one was pure romcom fun with a glittery heart and a grumpy soul. Essie is a sunshiney, pink-loving Maid of Honor who is determined to give her best friend the perfect wedding. Nate is the broody Best Man who once ghosted her after the best kiss of her life. Now they are stuck planning every wedding event together and the tension is unreal.
Their chemistry was off the charts and their banter had me hooked. The callbacks to other Helena Hunting books were such a fun bonus.
Teddy Hamilton and Savannah Peachwood nailed the narration. I love a good duet performance and they brought these characters to life so well.
Teddy Hamilton and Savannah Peachwood nailed the narration. I love a good duet performance and they brought these characters to life so well.
This is the perfect feel-good summer listen and a great standalone for grumpy sunshine and second chance fans.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Essie is caring, loving and so compassionate who is the maid of honor for her best friends wedding but soon realizes that she is forced to coordinate wedding events with Nate Stiles...the best man who pretty much ghosted her after a kiss years ago. Nate is perpetually serious, grumpy and a believer that love is overrated.
I absolutely ate this book up. All the banter, drama and tension between these two had me so giddy and laughing. Nate really proved hisself to Essie. I love that we get to see so many characters from the Toronto Terror series. I would recommend reading that series first just so you can get to know all the characters.
If you’re a fan of grumpy/sunshine pairings, witty banter, forced proximity, I highly recommend grabbing this one for your summer TBR.
“Take your broody asshole down a notch, Nathan. Your black cloud is dimming my shine.”
I have no faith in love. No faith that it can endure, because in my experience, it doesn’t.
I absolutely ate this book up. All the banter, drama and tension between these two had me so giddy and laughing. Nate really proved hisself to Essie. I love that we get to see so many characters from the Toronto Terror series. I would recommend reading that series first just so you can get to know all the characters.
If you’re a fan of grumpy/sunshine pairings, witty banter, forced proximity, I highly recommend grabbing this one for your summer TBR.
“Take your broody asshole down a notch, Nathan. Your black cloud is dimming my shine.”
I have no faith in love. No faith that it can endure, because in my experience, it doesn’t.
This is classic Helena Hunting! I’ve been looking forward to Nate and Essie’s story since Chase Lovett Wants Me. These two are the ultimate grumpy x sunshine duo!
Essie is determined to make Rix’s wedding go off without a hitch. Nate is determined to be just as good of a best man for Tristan (he’s very competitive). These two constantly butt heads but once they give into their attraction things def heat up!
My heart def went out to Nate and all his baggage. One of the things I love about Helena’s storytelling is the way she has her characters accept and deal with their emotion trauma.
You’ll love this book if you enjoy:
🌴 Second Chance
🌴 Grumpy x Sunshine
🌴 Dis-like to Love
🌴 Opposites Attract
🌴 Best Man & Maid of Honor
Thanks to Helena Hunting for the advance copy to read and review.
Essie is determined to make Rix’s wedding go off without a hitch. Nate is determined to be just as good of a best man for Tristan (he’s very competitive). These two constantly butt heads but once they give into their attraction things def heat up!
My heart def went out to Nate and all his baggage. One of the things I love about Helena’s storytelling is the way she has her characters accept and deal with their emotion trauma.
You’ll love this book if you enjoy:
🌴 Second Chance
🌴 Grumpy x Sunshine
🌴 Dis-like to Love
🌴 Opposites Attract
🌴 Best Man & Maid of Honor
Thanks to Helena Hunting for the advance copy to read and review.
Nate and Essie shared a kiss six years ago but then he ghosted her. Now, they are thrown together planning Rix and Tristan's wedding. (They are from book one in this series, "If You Hate Me.") Rix is her best friend and Tristan is his brother. Nate and Essie's banter in the beginning of the book is fun - sarcastic wit.
The more time they spend together the more their attraction takes over and past issues between them get resolved. But, Nate has family issues he needs to work through-- especially with his mother abandoning him. It was nice to see him accepting of therapy and having time for himself.
There are so many characters appearing from past books in this series. I love that their story was told through the planning of Rix and Tristan's wedding. The character teasers at the end definitely intrigues me for future stories!
I mainly listened to the audio narrated in duet by Teddy Hamilton and Savannah Peachwood. Both are so good.
Thank you to the author for an ARC/ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The more time they spend together the more their attraction takes over and past issues between them get resolved. But, Nate has family issues he needs to work through-- especially with his mother abandoning him. It was nice to see him accepting of therapy and having time for himself.
There are so many characters appearing from past books in this series. I love that their story was told through the planning of Rix and Tristan's wedding. The character teasers at the end definitely intrigues me for future stories!
I mainly listened to the audio narrated in duet by Teddy Hamilton and Savannah Peachwood. Both are so good.
Thank you to the author for an ARC/ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I had such a good time with I Could Be Yours! Helena Hunting knows how to craft a romance that’s the perfect mix of chemistry, banter, and heat—and Nate and Essie were no exception. Their dynamic was magnetic from the start. The push and pull between them was deliciously addictive, the kind that makes you grin one second and fan yourself the next. You could just feel the tension simmering beneath their banter, and watching them toe that line made for such a satisfying slow build.
Essie is smart, fiery, and totally unapologetic—my kind of FMC. Nate’s blend of confidence, protectiveness, and genuine care made him impossible not to fall for. The way they challenged each other while still seeing each other was beautifully done.
It was also so fun seeing Bea and Tristian play such a big part in this book. Their presence grounded the story in a cozy familiarity, and their relationship added another layer of emotional depth and warmth to everything.
And let’s be real—this book is sexy. Helena Hunting always delivers on the steam, but this one? Well done. 🔥
If you’re into witty, well-paced romance with heat, heart, and sharp banter, this one should be on your list.
Essie is smart, fiery, and totally unapologetic—my kind of FMC. Nate’s blend of confidence, protectiveness, and genuine care made him impossible not to fall for. The way they challenged each other while still seeing each other was beautifully done.
It was also so fun seeing Bea and Tristian play such a big part in this book. Their presence grounded the story in a cozy familiarity, and their relationship added another layer of emotional depth and warmth to everything.
And let’s be real—this book is sexy. Helena Hunting always delivers on the steam, but this one? Well done. 🔥
If you’re into witty, well-paced romance with heat, heart, and sharp banter, this one should be on your list.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
If you’re not sure which beach read to dive into this summer, look no further. I Could Be Yours is an overload of romantic cuteness combined with a generous dose of angst. Nate and Essie’s story is a standalone; however, Hunting cleverly entwines other characters from previous books so naturally that newbies are guaranteed a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Nate did a runner years back, and that was enough for Essie. Now she’s determined that his black cloud won’t rain on her sunshine, especially seeing that they’re planning every minute detail for her bestie’s and his brother’s nuptials. She takes being maid of honour seriously, and Nate, who’s to be best man, soon realises that if he’s going to meet her organisational skills–the spreadsheets are something else–he’ll have to up his competitiveness. And so the fun and games begin.
I couldn’t have enjoyed Essie and Nate’s banter and inner thoughts more while listening to the dual narration. Teddy Hamilton’s husky tone suited Nate's character to a tee, and Savannah Peachwood conveyed what Elsie was striving for perfectly. I cried in a couple of scenes. Struggling with past traumas, Nate’s situation devastated me, and even though he’s a love sceptic, the chemistry between them is undeniable. Trying to protect their hearts isn’t as easy as either of them thought. Therefore, I questioned whether they’d be able to find middle ground.
Not only did Nate and Essie steal the show, but other family members and friends shone too. Essie, with all her positive virtues, is easy to love, and Nate, who is super protective of his own, quickly swept me off my feet. And I’m keeping my fingers crossed that one of Hunting’s characters gets his story. To say how he literally saved the day, and how angered I was with the individual involved, would be putting it mildly.
Queen of well-timed laugh-out-loud moments, Hunting has delivered a fast-paced and engaging romcom. Grumpy-sunshine second chances, family dynamic tension built on past and present issues and sizzling steaminess, it’s all here. Bravo, Hunting! And to Hamilton and Peachwood, kudos for knocking Hunting’s words out of the park.
I have been itching to get my hands on Nate and Essie’s story since I read their charged encounter at the dinner in Chase Lovett Wants Me. I’m so glad that it’s finally here!
For those who are already fans of Helena Hunting, Nate is Brody and Tristan’s (of Chase Lovett Wants Me and the Toronto Terror series) brother, and Essie is Cammie’s sister and Rix’s best friend (of the same book and series). Current fans will also be excited to see characters from the Lies, Hearts & Truths series in this book as well. For those new to her books, I hope this one whets your appetite and you explore Hunting’s other books after reading this story.
Essie and Nate shared a kiss years ago at the end of high school, and then he ghosted her. With all of their mutual connections, it would be impossible to stay out of each other’s orbits forever. Now Nate, who doesn’t believe in love, and Essie, who has always loved fairytales, find themselves working together as the best man and maid of honor for Tristan and Rix’s wedding.
He’s grumpy; she’s sunshine; and the antagonism is coming off them in waves.
As they spend more and more time together preparing for all the wedding-related events, they realize that attraction never went away. They agree to enter into a no-strings situation. (We all know how that goes. 👀) She’s always diving headfirst into love and has decided that this is the time she won’t just as he’s beginning to realize he has real feelings for her.
Read it for
- The banter
- The humor
- The heat
- The found family
- More time with favorite characters
- How Nate appreciates Essie for more than just her looks
- Seeing how both characters heal
The audiobook has duet narration from Teddy Hamilton and Savannah Peachwood. They capture the humor and emotion well, and I enjoyed their voices for the various characters.
I received advance copies from the author and Dreamscape Media. All review opinions are my own.
For those who are already fans of Helena Hunting, Nate is Brody and Tristan’s (of Chase Lovett Wants Me and the Toronto Terror series) brother, and Essie is Cammie’s sister and Rix’s best friend (of the same book and series). Current fans will also be excited to see characters from the Lies, Hearts & Truths series in this book as well. For those new to her books, I hope this one whets your appetite and you explore Hunting’s other books after reading this story.
Essie and Nate shared a kiss years ago at the end of high school, and then he ghosted her. With all of their mutual connections, it would be impossible to stay out of each other’s orbits forever. Now Nate, who doesn’t believe in love, and Essie, who has always loved fairytales, find themselves working together as the best man and maid of honor for Tristan and Rix’s wedding.
He’s grumpy; she’s sunshine; and the antagonism is coming off them in waves.
As they spend more and more time together preparing for all the wedding-related events, they realize that attraction never went away. They agree to enter into a no-strings situation. (We all know how that goes. 👀) She’s always diving headfirst into love and has decided that this is the time she won’t just as he’s beginning to realize he has real feelings for her.
Read it for
- The banter
- The humor
- The heat
- The found family
- More time with favorite characters
- How Nate appreciates Essie for more than just her looks
- Seeing how both characters heal
The audiobook has duet narration from Teddy Hamilton and Savannah Peachwood. They capture the humor and emotion well, and I enjoyed their voices for the various characters.
I received advance copies from the author and Dreamscape Media. All review opinions are my own.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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 love how Helena Hunting gives us HEAs for so many of the characters that we meet in her stories, in their own books like this one! While this is more of a standalone – not in any of the other series exactly – we do know about our characters from the other series, like the Toronto Terrors, Pucked, All In, and Lies, Hearts & Truths. While our couple in this story aren’t actually a part of the hockey world, they are adjacent. Nate is the brother of Tristan who we met in If You Hate Me, and Essie was also introduced in that story as Rix’s best friend.
This story takes place around the events of Tristan and Rix’s wedding. Nate and Essie are best man and maid of honor. They did all go to school together, and so there was one kiss, back in high school, that led Essie to have a dislike of Nate. And Nate is just altogether a grump like Tristan was in his book. Nate of course is also dealing with their mother leaving them, and shortly after he dealt with his girlfriend cheating on him and then leaving him. So he doesn’t think that love is real, and thinks everyone will leave in the end. Essie is into all things princess, she’s always been the girl that was bubbly and all the guys wanted to date, but she would fall quick, and of course they never stayed with her either.
The two have to work together to make the wedding and all the events leading up to it as wonderful as possible for the best friend/brother. Of course working together it is hard for Nate to not fall under the charm of the bubbly Essie. And it’s hard for her to not to see more of him and realize all the things that are behind his grumpy exterior. Both of them have some science type of background with their jobs, and so have that connection. And it doesn’t hurt that we start off with Nate helping Essie get out of a dress she’s stuck in and when it falls to the floor, he sees that she has two piercings. So of course the physical attraction is all there.
So many disasters that the two of them help the other out of and save things for the wedding. And of course both of them are gun-shy at letting it go any further than just a fun fling for during the wedding events. I was of course annoyed that both knew how the other had been hurt in the past, yet both were quick enough to believe the other one if they didn’t immediately cave or agree that it could be more. But I do like how things got solved. It wasn’t one grand gesture to get them back together. Nate finally started talking to someone. Essie waited until she thought he was actually ready and wouldn’t hurt her again, but she didn’t drag it way out.
So many fun moments in this, lots of steamy moments as well, and a lot of emotion. Another great story from Helena Hunting!