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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
If you are looking for a book with a bit of tension, banter, spice and laughs - Helena Hunting got you!
Nate and Essie has history and now they are best man/maid of honor for BFF and brother's wedding. The story is fun and full of casts from Hunting's books as it is about Rix and Tristan's wedding. I have not read their story and did not feel lost. I was able to see other beloved hockey players in her other books.
There's a lot of funny moments and tender moments as well. The wedding setting was so perfect to have these two get together.
I did find the comment about how pretty Essie was a bit over the top. This was a big theme in the story but it was knocked in our head a bit too many times for me.
The duet performance by Savanah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton truly made the story come to life.
Thank you @dreamscape_media @netgalley for a copy of this audiobook.
Nate and Essie has history and now they are best man/maid of honor for BFF and brother's wedding. The story is fun and full of casts from Hunting's books as it is about Rix and Tristan's wedding. I have not read their story and did not feel lost. I was able to see other beloved hockey players in her other books.
There's a lot of funny moments and tender moments as well. The wedding setting was so perfect to have these two get together.
I did find the comment about how pretty Essie was a bit over the top. This was a big theme in the story but it was knocked in our head a bit too many times for me.
The duet performance by Savanah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton truly made the story come to life.
Thank you @dreamscape_media @netgalley for a copy of this audiobook.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
I loved this so much! Nate and Essie's second chance romance was so addicting that I couldn't put it down! The charged tension, fiery banter, and electric chemistry all had me absolutely hooked, and completely invested in their journey to their HEA. Nate and Essie shared a passionate kiss when they were in high school, but Nate ghosted her when he went off to college, not wanting the stress of a long distance romance. Now they both back in the same city, with successful careers, and back in each other's lives. Nate is the best man for his brother's wedding and Essie is the made of honor for her best friend. They are both in charge of activities, and their competition to make their ideas the best is hilarious! Essie is all light and sunshine, while being completely organized, and Nate is dark and grumpy, flying by the seat of his pants. I love the way they clash, and the tension between them is their foreplay, leading to some very sizzling hot passion together. They try to keep it secret so that the focus is on the bride and groom, which leads to even more hilarious and tense moments. They both guarded their hearts because they are complete opposites. Essie wants romance and love, and Nate doesn't believe he is worthy of love after being burned in the past. What will happen when the wedding is over, will they go back to being frenemies, or will they open their hearts and fight for each other? I loved Nate and Essie together and cheered hard for their HEA! I loved how strong Essie was and knew what she wanted, including Nate and his nerdy engineering adorkableness, and also being there for him when no one else was. Nate is so swoony with a heart of gold, but my heart broke for him as he struggled with his past, and then soared when he was sweet, caring, and deliciously dirty. It was so much fun catching up with all their friends and family too, who were meddlesome, supportive and loving, adding so much fun and heart to this story. This story really has it all: humor, healing, forgiveness, found family and love. I couldn’t put it down, loving every moment.
Savannah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton did an amazing job with this story. Their voices were so complimentary and were perfect for Essie and Nate. They easily move from light to genuine, deep emotion, making my heart race between laughter, anguish, passion, and tears of joy. I really enjoyed their performance and thought they did a great job bringing these characters, and this story to life!
Savannah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton did an amazing job with this story. Their voices were so complimentary and were perfect for Essie and Nate. They easily move from light to genuine, deep emotion, making my heart race between laughter, anguish, passion, and tears of joy. I really enjoyed their performance and thought they did a great job bringing these characters, and this story to life!
I Could Be Yours is the perfect melding of all Helena Hunting books. We meet a couple who already has a backstory, who have all the same friends and family, and who use humor and sex to cover up their emotions. It already sounds perfect, right? Except then we find out the setting for half of the book is actually at a wedding where we are reunited with an abundance of characters from previous books and storylines. We even hear what’s going on in some other characters' lives and that they too will be receiving their own book soon! Believe me when I say the tidbits of Lavender and Kodiak are reason enough to read I Could Be Yours… But back to Essie and Nate—there is not a single moment that I didn’t believe their love story. There isn’t a single moment I thought felty rushed or too slow. This couple to me was real, it was adults with childhood memories trying to reconcile the past with the present. It was enemies to lovers and lovers to friends (who also love each other). This story felt so real to me. Essie is an incredible young woman trying to make her way (and succeeding) who really rolls with the punches. She is so on top of everything! I thought I was organized and on top of my planner?? Essie threw me out of the water! Nate is a shy young man who is trying to do what’s best for his family above all. He doesn’t know how to communicate with someone who has a different communication style than him, but boy does he learn. Watching these two stumble through their relationship was incredible and I just can’t wait to see what else they do next. This is the perfect read-it-in-one-sitting book for anyone who wants an afternoon to themself and their favorite characters.
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
Best man / Maid of honor
Dis like to love
Grumpy / sunshine
Second chance
Sports romance
Opposites attract
Hurt/comfort
Duet narration- Teddy Hamilton & Savannah Peachwood
Amazing narration!
Essie and Nate are so cute. I loved the banter between them and the sexual tension was palpable. These two shared one kiss back in high school but Nate ghosted Essie leaving her with a distaste for him.
Years of banter and tension build up to a boiling point and these two give in to the temptation of opposites attract.
Nate is Tristan’s brother who is a hockey player for the Toronto Terrors. He is the best man in Tristan and Beatrix wedding for which Essie is the maid of honor. Nate is a hot nerd with abandonment issues. He doesn’t believe in long lasting love. Could Essie be the key to changing his views?
Essie is a make up artist and Beatrix best friend. She dreams of the fairytale love story. All the romantic things and a love that will withstand the test of time. She has had her heart broken more times than she can count because she falls deep too fast. Could Nate be the one to make her dreams come true?
I loved listening to this story. Truly enjoyed the development of their HEA. The spice was fantastic. And I loved Essie’s sassyness. Helena has given us another great love story.
Dis like to love
Grumpy / sunshine
Second chance
Sports romance
Opposites attract
Hurt/comfort
Duet narration- Teddy Hamilton & Savannah Peachwood
Amazing narration!
Essie and Nate are so cute. I loved the banter between them and the sexual tension was palpable. These two shared one kiss back in high school but Nate ghosted Essie leaving her with a distaste for him.
Years of banter and tension build up to a boiling point and these two give in to the temptation of opposites attract.
Nate is Tristan’s brother who is a hockey player for the Toronto Terrors. He is the best man in Tristan and Beatrix wedding for which Essie is the maid of honor. Nate is a hot nerd with abandonment issues. He doesn’t believe in long lasting love. Could Essie be the key to changing his views?
Essie is a make up artist and Beatrix best friend. She dreams of the fairytale love story. All the romantic things and a love that will withstand the test of time. She has had her heart broken more times than she can count because she falls deep too fast. Could Nate be the one to make her dreams come true?
I loved listening to this story. Truly enjoyed the development of their HEA. The spice was fantastic. And I loved Essie’s sassyness. Helena has given us another great love story.
You could definitely pick up a sexually charged vibe between Essie and Nate when you see them interact in Chase Lovett Wants Me so I was curious about their back story and we definitely got it and I’m glad they figured out their sh*t cause they are good together.
Nate knew he had feelings for Essie but he didn’t know how to handle them much like his older brother Tristan (when it came to Rix) and he started to realize he needed to talk to someone before being who Essie needed him to be. Essie knew she could fall for Nate but she didn’t want to give up her fairytale dreams and wasn’t sure he could be that for her so she held back. Both of them needed to realize things about the other and how they processed/viewed things differently so they could be good for them other. They both put in the work and Nate really put in the work not only for himself but for Essie and those closest to him.
I cannot wait for Dredd and Conor’s story and we are getting in later this year. We got tiny bits and pieces of what it could be in the last few books and soon we will finally get the answers.
Thank you @helenahunting for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thanks, Helena, for the advanced copies!
Essie Lovelock is busy doing all the maid of honor things for her best friend's wedding. The only hitch in her plans is Nate Stiles, best man and brother to the groom. He's a rain cloud personified. The master of the furrowed brow. He's also the one who gave her the best kiss of her life six years ago and - GASP - ghosted her!
Now they're thrown together organizing this destination wedding, the stag and doe and it's putting thoughts in their heads. The Aruba vibes are bringing romance vibes - she's in love with love and he doesn't believe it even exists. Can they find a common ground? Or is this just going to be yet another hookup?
Aaaaaah! I LOVED this one! This is quintessential Helena Hunting with the banter, the swoon, the friends, everything.
Though this can be read as a standalone, if you have been reading her books, you'll be in heaven. The wedding couple is Rix and Tristan. Nate is Tristan's brother. Essie is Cammie's sister. Flip is Rix's brother and as this is a wedding, well, the gang is all here!
This one has everything: grumpy hero, sunshine heroine, destination wedding shenanigans, fun in the sun, found family, the cucumber and sandwich jokes (IYKYK)...
I loved it 3000. And it gets even better when you listen to the audiobook. Essie and Nate come with the voices of Savannah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton in duet! They were absolutely PERFECT in this. Savannah's voice is melodious and so versatile in portraying all the girls. Teddy is just adorable as the grumpy, besotted Nate who reluctantly falls head over heels (or rather admits that he has always been in love) with the girl he once ghosted.
I am Helena Hunting card-carrying fan and it's a joy when a book comes out. This was no exception. I devoured this one twice, first reading and then through audio.
All the jeweled, heart-shaped barbels! ;)
Content notes: mentions of child abandonment, financial insecurity, food insecurity (all historical)
A laugh out loud, own your heart kind of good time. Hunting sets the senses ablaze with humor and energy that dares to bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart. Nate and Essie walk a fine line between lighthearted and tempestuous. I Could Be Yours pushes all the right buttons.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
You know a book is that good when you finish reading it & a few days later, you immediately jump back in when you have the audio in hand. That's what happened for me with this one. This might be my favorite Helena Hunting book yet. It's a hockey-adjacent romance with characters we've met from the Toronto Terrors series - this can be read as a standalone, but I do suggest reading The Way I Hate You (book 1 of Toronto Terrors) to get the full backstory here.
This is Nathan & Essie's story - best man & maid of honor to Nate's brother Tristan & Essie's best friend Beatrix. Nathan & Essie grew up together & due to a fumble on Nate's part, there is a bit of angsty dislike between them. Yet the tension & chemistry, plus incredible banter, are there in spades as Nate & Essie navigate all the wedding festivities together. Nate is the anti-love grump to Essie's happily forever sunshine. But when they finally give in to their attraction, Nate's views on relationships start to shift.
This story has not only the best steam, wonderful banter & great found family from all the Toronto Terror favs, but the character growth here is one that I really enjoyed. Nate's arc evolving as he starts to let his guard down with Essie & how this story really promotes therapy in such positive ways is something I really gravitated towards. He's a very complex character who starts to see the light once he realizes what & who he wants.
Essie might be one of my favorite FMCs. She knows who she is & she's so much more than her good looks. I love the vulnerability she shares & how she's not afraid to be exactly who she is. She is Nate's perfect match & I really just adored them together.
I devoured this book twice - the audio in duet narration with Savannah Peachwood & Teddy Hamilton is phenomenal. This also sets up some future stories & I cannot wait until the next Toronto Terror book (no spoilers but the trope & couple are revealed!)
💕 Second Chance Vibes
❣️ Best Man x Maid of Honor
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🏡 Forced Proximity
🏒 Hockey Adjacent
🫶 Found Family
⚡️ Opposites Attract
✌🏻 Dual POV in Duet Narration
This is Nathan & Essie's story - best man & maid of honor to Nate's brother Tristan & Essie's best friend Beatrix. Nathan & Essie grew up together & due to a fumble on Nate's part, there is a bit of angsty dislike between them. Yet the tension & chemistry, plus incredible banter, are there in spades as Nate & Essie navigate all the wedding festivities together. Nate is the anti-love grump to Essie's happily forever sunshine. But when they finally give in to their attraction, Nate's views on relationships start to shift.
This story has not only the best steam, wonderful banter & great found family from all the Toronto Terror favs, but the character growth here is one that I really enjoyed. Nate's arc evolving as he starts to let his guard down with Essie & how this story really promotes therapy in such positive ways is something I really gravitated towards. He's a very complex character who starts to see the light once he realizes what & who he wants.
Essie might be one of my favorite FMCs. She knows who she is & she's so much more than her good looks. I love the vulnerability she shares & how she's not afraid to be exactly who she is. She is Nate's perfect match & I really just adored them together.
I devoured this book twice - the audio in duet narration with Savannah Peachwood & Teddy Hamilton is phenomenal. This also sets up some future stories & I cannot wait until the next Toronto Terror book (no spoilers but the trope & couple are revealed!)
💕 Second Chance Vibes
❣️ Best Man x Maid of Honor
☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine
🏡 Forced Proximity
🏒 Hockey Adjacent
🫶 Found Family
⚡️ Opposites Attract
✌🏻 Dual POV in Duet Narration
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a complete standalone novel, but if you have been following the Toronto Terror series, you may have come across Nate and Essie before. He is the brother of Tristan and she is the bestie of Beatrix and now as Best Man and Maid of Honor, Nate and Essie have to work together to give them the best wedding ever. Along the way other characters reappear and it’s a whole lot of fun to catch up with them all.
Some might call them opposites, as he is the grump to her sunshine, she believes in love and he doesn’t, but I feel they had more in common than not. Nate has a bond with his dad and brothers that is super strong, because their mother walked out on them. That family committed between the men resonates with Essie as she and her family are very close. They are both serious and take their jobs and responsibilities very seriously so planning the wedding events becomes a competition between them. Not sure who won though because both excelled there. So with all these similarities you’d think they would get along famously right? Ah…no. It all started back when they shared a kiss six years ago and then Nate ghosted her. So now it’s a love hate relationship with a whole lot of sexual tension.
I really liked this couple, they were supportive of each other in so many ways and their connection felt real. Nate had long lasting trauma from his mother who seemed to keep pushing his buttons and Essie was right by his side helping him deal with her. Some things he needed to work through himself and she was always on his side for that too. It wasn’t one sided either, he was her biggest fan and encouraged her all the time. Their relationship was sweet and adorable and I was extremely pleased with their HEA, even more so after the bonus scenes.
I couldn’t finish without mentioning the audiobook as well. I have never ever disliked a book that Teddy Hamilton has narrated, he is the bomb! He gets HH’s humor and his tone and expressions were perfect for Nate. Savannah Peachwood did a wonderful job with Essie as well. I can definitely recommend this book and audio.
Some might call them opposites, as he is the grump to her sunshine, she believes in love and he doesn’t, but I feel they had more in common than not. Nate has a bond with his dad and brothers that is super strong, because their mother walked out on them. That family committed between the men resonates with Essie as she and her family are very close. They are both serious and take their jobs and responsibilities very seriously so planning the wedding events becomes a competition between them. Not sure who won though because both excelled there. So with all these similarities you’d think they would get along famously right? Ah…no. It all started back when they shared a kiss six years ago and then Nate ghosted her. So now it’s a love hate relationship with a whole lot of sexual tension.
I really liked this couple, they were supportive of each other in so many ways and their connection felt real. Nate had long lasting trauma from his mother who seemed to keep pushing his buttons and Essie was right by his side helping him deal with her. Some things he needed to work through himself and she was always on his side for that too. It wasn’t one sided either, he was her biggest fan and encouraged her all the time. Their relationship was sweet and adorable and I was extremely pleased with their HEA, even more so after the bonus scenes.
I couldn’t finish without mentioning the audiobook as well. I have never ever disliked a book that Teddy Hamilton has narrated, he is the bomb! He gets HH’s humor and his tone and expressions were perfect for Nate. Savannah Peachwood did a wonderful job with Essie as well. I can definitely recommend this book and audio.
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
Nate is just sooo against love and that everyone will leave him eventually. Essie is seeking her forever after fairytale ending, despite being heartbroken multiple times. Their story really started six years ago with the one kiss they shared, and it affected both of them more than they thought.
I really ended up enjoying Nate and Essie's story! This is like the true representation of grumpy meets sunshine. And adding on a second chance between them too?! It was magical indeed.
This story involved alot of cameos from the Toronto Terror books, so it's much better if you read this book after reading those to really get to know the characters! But if not, it is explained in the story who each character is in relation to each other and their friend group.
I absolutely love this found family dynamic from the Toronto Terrors and the spin offs.
This book does also allude to the couple for book 5 of Toronto Terror and I'm so excited to see what's to come!
Now for the audiobook, it is a duet narration and I absolutely ate it up. My new favorite way to read is having my book pulled up alongside the audiobook. It is just way more immersive for the story. The audiobook also felt very hot in some scenes but oh so worth it 🙈 I will devour any of Teddy's works tbh. Savannah Peachwood is a new narrator to me and I really enjoyed her as Essie in this book!
Thank you Helena Hunting for the ARC and Dreamscape Media for the ALC!!
I really ended up enjoying Nate and Essie's story! This is like the true representation of grumpy meets sunshine. And adding on a second chance between them too?! It was magical indeed.
This story involved alot of cameos from the Toronto Terror books, so it's much better if you read this book after reading those to really get to know the characters! But if not, it is explained in the story who each character is in relation to each other and their friend group.
I absolutely love this found family dynamic from the Toronto Terrors and the spin offs.
This book does also allude to the couple for book 5 of Toronto Terror and I'm so excited to see what's to come!
Now for the audiobook, it is a duet narration and I absolutely ate it up. My new favorite way to read is having my book pulled up alongside the audiobook. It is just way more immersive for the story. The audiobook also felt very hot in some scenes but oh so worth it 🙈 I will devour any of Teddy's works tbh. Savannah Peachwood is a new narrator to me and I really enjoyed her as Essie in this book!
Thank you Helena Hunting for the ARC and Dreamscape Media for the ALC!!