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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
ARC Review - Nate and Essie’s story gave me all the feels. It’s absolutely everything you want in a grumpy sunshine romance. Nate is the perfect storm cloud to Essie’s sunshine and rainbows and their story is everything I hoped it would be. 🩷 As a huge Helena Hunting fan, of course I loved every glimpse of some of my favorite characters from the Terror, Tilton University, and Lies, Hearts, and Truths series. And Helena’s mental health representation is always top tier. As always, it left me dying for the next installment in the Helena universe.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Nate and Essie’s have a complicated past, but they overcome it, work through their own struggles before they become a couple. They realize they can’t have a healthy relationship unless they are “healthy” themselves.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
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
Quick Summary: A madly, deeply romance
My Review: I Could Be Yours by Helena Hunting is a "summer holiday romance." It is scheduled for release on 7/10/25.
About the Book: "The best man ghosted me six years ago after kissing me, and now I have to plan every wedding event under the sun with him."
In My Own Words: Timing always seems to be off between two people who have shared a long history of chemistry, passion, and intense interest in each other. Will a summer wedding between their loved ones be the just right time to find their forever love with one another?
About the Leads:
Essie Lovelock - > I loved Essie on the whole. She was caring, attentive, aware, compassionate and loving. She was a caretaker of hearts. The way she positioned herself in the lives of those she cared for said it all. When and how she showed up for Nate was golden.
Nate Stiles - > This beautiful, broken man... He stole my heart right out of my chest. Despite his rough spots and grumpiness, he was a good guy. I can see why Essie was in her feelings about him.
About the Characters: This novel was filled with a boatload of interesting characters. Their troubled backgrounds, familial and friendship bonds, professions, and statuses completely captured my attention. I could not get enough of them. I had hoped that this book served as the start of a whole new series. Fingers crossed on that!
Character of Interest: CONNER
I cannot wait to get into the dets about him. Yass!
About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by Savannah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton. They did an excellent job. I was thoroughly entertained.
My Final Say: I Could Be Yours was everything I needed it to be. The unrequited love angle rolled into a forever romance love story. I was here for it. The emotional connection and sexual tension between Essie and Nate was chef's kiss.
I loved that mental health was presented & promoted so positively.
Other: Readers who enjoy enemies to lovers, summer weddings, athletes, richy rich professionals, engineers, makeup artists, second chance romances, grumpy vs sunshine personalities, family dysfunction stories, found family relationships, and spicy hot situationships will like this book.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Level: 🌶️🌶️
Audiobook: Yes (8 Hours, 42 Minutes)
Narration: +
My Review: I Could Be Yours by Helena Hunting is a "summer holiday romance." It is scheduled for release on 7/10/25.
About the Book: "The best man ghosted me six years ago after kissing me, and now I have to plan every wedding event under the sun with him."
In My Own Words: Timing always seems to be off between two people who have shared a long history of chemistry, passion, and intense interest in each other. Will a summer wedding between their loved ones be the just right time to find their forever love with one another?
About the Leads:
Essie Lovelock - > I loved Essie on the whole. She was caring, attentive, aware, compassionate and loving. She was a caretaker of hearts. The way she positioned herself in the lives of those she cared for said it all. When and how she showed up for Nate was golden.
Nate Stiles - > This beautiful, broken man... He stole my heart right out of my chest. Despite his rough spots and grumpiness, he was a good guy. I can see why Essie was in her feelings about him.
About the Characters: This novel was filled with a boatload of interesting characters. Their troubled backgrounds, familial and friendship bonds, professions, and statuses completely captured my attention. I could not get enough of them. I had hoped that this book served as the start of a whole new series. Fingers crossed on that!
Character of Interest: CONNER
I cannot wait to get into the dets about him. Yass!
About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by Savannah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton. They did an excellent job. I was thoroughly entertained.
My Final Say: I Could Be Yours was everything I needed it to be. The unrequited love angle rolled into a forever romance love story. I was here for it. The emotional connection and sexual tension between Essie and Nate was chef's kiss.
I loved that mental health was presented & promoted so positively.
Other: Readers who enjoy enemies to lovers, summer weddings, athletes, richy rich professionals, engineers, makeup artists, second chance romances, grumpy vs sunshine personalities, family dysfunction stories, found family relationships, and spicy hot situationships will like this book.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Level: 🌶️🌶️
Audiobook: Yes (8 Hours, 42 Minutes)
Narration: +
I loved how the author intertwines her books and we are able to see other characters but it still flows and all makes sense!
Essie and Nate know each other and shared a kiss before university but Nate ghosted Essie. Now they are organizing a wedding for Nate’s brother and Essie’s best friend so they have to manage to deal with one another.
We see them really grow. They had to move forward with past trauma and to do things even when you are scared. Nate realizes he needs help and he seeks the help he needs to better himself and the one he loves. I loved that the author highlighted men’s mental health and getting the support they need! Essie and Nate have great chemistry and tension!
Such a great summer read.
I really enjoyed this frienemies to lovers story. The banter between Essie and Nate was on point, it's like foreplay to them and it is great.
And OMG the "adventures" that they have in the bedroom, especially towards the end of the book, are soo fricking good.
You can really feel both of their emotions through their journey and the feeling like they'll never quite fit in. But finding that within each other.
The fact that they embraced the passions that the other had is the best because those made them who they were and finding the one who helps you enjoy them is everything.
I really enjoyed this frienemies to lovers story. The banter between Essie and Nate was on point, it's like foreplay to them and it is great.
And OMG the "adventures" that they have in the bedroom, especially towards the end of the book, are soo fricking good.
You can really feel both of their emotions through their journey and the feeling like they'll never quite fit in. But finding that within each other.
The fact that they embraced the passions that the other had is the best because those made them who they were and finding the one who helps you enjoy them is everything.
Random thoughts: the Brody and Nate banter was great.
There were a lot of side characters to keep track of. I had a hard time of it, even though I’ve read all the books in the various series that make up this world.
But as for side characters, I need more of Sam and Isaac. The rest I can take or leave.
Nate is exactly the kind of guy for me. Hot big brain nerd. I loved how Nate and Essie got together despite the silly high school ghosting. It was so trivial and also so high school.
There were a lot of side characters to keep track of. I had a hard time of it, even though I’ve read all the books in the various series that make up this world.
But as for side characters, I need more of Sam and Isaac. The rest I can take or leave.
Nate is exactly the kind of guy for me. Hot big brain nerd. I loved how Nate and Essie got together despite the silly high school ghosting. It was so trivial and also so high school.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Say hello to Nate, a MMC who makes both Connor Grace and Flip seem emotionally intelligent. He's given up on love entirely while also contradicting himself and falling deeply in lust with Essie of whom he's had a crush on her since high school - but messed it up because he was not emotionally available start anything then. Not that he's any better now.
Then we have Essie, she's your everyday manic pixie dream girl who brings the sunshine wherever she goes. She also happens to fall in love entirely too fast and has decided to take a break from relationships for the foreseeable future. What could go wrong?
Obviously, this duo is perfect to be Rix and Tris's MoH and Best Man for their upcoming nuptials. They're both competitive and very much into excel. They would do well in corporate America, but these Canadians are using their skills for good - not evil. We get loads of excel formula speak and they even bring in chemistry - and not only in the bedroom. One of the main themes seems to be that Nate is obviously a smart nerd who also happens to be good looking (I mean he's Tristan's brother).
Meanwhile, Essie's smarts are overlooked by everyone (exaggeration - mainly her shit ex's), and she definitely wears that chip on her shoulder. We already loved Essie prior to this story, so we knew that in advance. Nate sees her for who she is because he's extremely turned on by her spreadsheets - because, nerd, obviously.
This story takes us through the different parties for Rix and Tris's wedding leading up to a destination wedding in Aruba. We get steam from Nate and Essie starting at the Stag and Doe and it continues until the culmination of the events, when Nate's momster decides to make an appearance. It brings up feelings. Good, bad, and other. Safe to say Nate and his brother have mommy issues. Connor comes to save the day and we move forward with the ceremony.
What we learn. All these Stiles boys are well endowed. They really have abandonment issues. They have a very good relationship with the family that remains. Brody definitely came out of his shell in this one, partially due to alcohol and to his bestie who happens to be a massive golden retriever. I can't wait for his book. We also find out that Quinn Romero has been picked up to play for the Terror, so maybe we'll finally get his story. I enjoyed seeing Lav and Kodiak outside of their normal friend group. Honestly, Lav's help with the Tristan and Nate was gold. Their poor moosenuckles. Isaac and Sam were also great. Solid relief for cliff diving, the commenting on the size of the Stiles' family jewels, and outing Nate and Essie.
I did cry for this one. Helena Hunting brought out my emotions with this one, so of course, that means 5 stars. No cucumbers were harmed in the making of this story - BUT there was a cucumber salad at the shower, as a nod.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.3
Tropes: 2nd Chance romance, grumpyxsunshine, forced proximity, stuck in a small space together
For full transparency, I was granted an arc from Helena Hunting and her team in return of an honest review
Then we have Essie, she's your everyday manic pixie dream girl who brings the sunshine wherever she goes. She also happens to fall in love entirely too fast and has decided to take a break from relationships for the foreseeable future. What could go wrong?
Obviously, this duo is perfect to be Rix and Tris's MoH and Best Man for their upcoming nuptials. They're both competitive and very much into excel. They would do well in corporate America, but these Canadians are using their skills for good - not evil. We get loads of excel formula speak and they even bring in chemistry - and not only in the bedroom. One of the main themes seems to be that Nate is obviously a smart nerd who also happens to be good looking (I mean he's Tristan's brother).
Meanwhile, Essie's smarts are overlooked by everyone (exaggeration - mainly her shit ex's), and she definitely wears that chip on her shoulder. We already loved Essie prior to this story, so we knew that in advance. Nate sees her for who she is because he's extremely turned on by her spreadsheets - because, nerd, obviously.
This story takes us through the different parties for Rix and Tris's wedding leading up to a destination wedding in Aruba. We get steam from Nate and Essie starting at the Stag and Doe and it continues until the culmination of the events, when Nate's momster decides to make an appearance. It brings up feelings. Good, bad, and other. Safe to say Nate and his brother have mommy issues. Connor comes to save the day and we move forward with the ceremony.
What we learn. All these Stiles boys are well endowed. They really have abandonment issues. They have a very good relationship with the family that remains. Brody definitely came out of his shell in this one, partially due to alcohol and to his bestie who happens to be a massive golden retriever. I can't wait for his book. We also find out that Quinn Romero has been picked up to play for the Terror, so maybe we'll finally get his story. I enjoyed seeing Lav and Kodiak outside of their normal friend group. Honestly, Lav's help with the Tristan and Nate was gold. Their poor moosenuckles. Isaac and Sam were also great. Solid relief for cliff diving, the commenting on the size of the Stiles' family jewels, and outing Nate and Essie.
I did cry for this one. Helena Hunting brought out my emotions with this one, so of course, that means 5 stars. No cucumbers were harmed in the making of this story - BUT there was a cucumber salad at the shower, as a nod.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.3
Tropes: 2nd Chance romance, grumpyxsunshine, forced proximity, stuck in a small space together
For full transparency, I was granted an arc from Helena Hunting and her team in return of an honest review
I don’t understand the logic, or lack of it, but how satisfying is it that the man who ghosted me all those years ago can’t keep his hands off me now?
4.25 stars
Helena is such a queen when it comes to romance of any kind. We have a second-chance romance with an island getaway/wedding with the best man and the maid of honour. Throw in some grumpy-sunshine, “Fuck it”, a competitive streak both in public and in the bedroom, SHE’S pierced, dirty talk, trauma, and a variation of one-room, and you’ve got the makings of a great book. To top it all off? The banter! I loved their banter.
“Take your broody asshole down a notch, Nathan. Your black cloud is dimming my shine.”
I still love all the cameos, and you really need to read the Toronto Terror series to get anything from this book because you meet all the characters in there, including the bride and groom, Bea and Tristan! What a great little ending for them!
I have no faith in love. No faith that it can endure, because in my experience, it doesn’t.
The spice was spicing. The emotions were emoting. The beach was vibing. I am pumped for the next books in this series (because yes, please read the Terror series first, and Cammie’s book) and the lead-ups they got in this one!
I snake one arm around her waist, holding her close, though I worry she’ll come to her senses and slap me across the face or bite me. Based on the way my dick kicks at the possibility, I’m not opposed to the latter.
Thank you to Helena and Sarah for this ARC!
All this time, she’s been right in front of me, and I finally see her.
4.25 stars
Helena is such a queen when it comes to romance of any kind. We have a second-chance romance with an island getaway/wedding with the best man and the maid of honour. Throw in some grumpy-sunshine, “Fuck it”, a competitive streak both in public and in the bedroom, SHE’S pierced, dirty talk, trauma, and a variation of one-room, and you’ve got the makings of a great book. To top it all off? The banter! I loved their banter.
“Take your broody asshole down a notch, Nathan. Your black cloud is dimming my shine.”
I still love all the cameos, and you really need to read the Toronto Terror series to get anything from this book because you meet all the characters in there, including the bride and groom, Bea and Tristan! What a great little ending for them!
I have no faith in love. No faith that it can endure, because in my experience, it doesn’t.
The spice was spicing. The emotions were emoting. The beach was vibing. I am pumped for the next books in this series (because yes, please read the Terror series first, and Cammie’s book) and the lead-ups they got in this one!
I snake one arm around her waist, holding her close, though I worry she’ll come to her senses and slap me across the face or bite me. Based on the way my dick kicks at the possibility, I’m not opposed to the latter.
Thank you to Helena and Sarah for this ARC!
All this time, she’s been right in front of me, and I finally see her.
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.
I Could Be Yours was a swoony read. It stars Nate and Essie, Tristan's brother and Rix's best friend from the Toronto Terror series. Nate and Essie have a history and strong dislike for each other at the start, and their fall into love was a lot of fun to read. Here are some of the things I loved about this book:
* The fun and humor were there along with the emotional aspects of the story.
* Nate was a sourpuss while Essie was sunshine and rainbows.
* The hate between Nate and Essie was a cover up for how they both really felt about each other.
* All of the pre-wedding activities that Nate and Essie were involved in for Rix and Tristan were entertaining and I loved how working together brought them together.
* How loving and thoughtful Essie was toward best friend and also Nate.
* Nate willingly doing things to help Tristan out even though he was not for the idea of love or getting married.
* The wedding was so sweet! I loved getting that update.
* The found family all of the characters have together along with the strong family ties.
* Flip being annoying while also helping Nate out.
* Essie's princess love made me smile.
* The couple/people Nate and Essie were together and how their relationship blossomed.
* I'm already waiting for more side characters to get their own books. Flip was still a lovable idiot who I can't wait for to fall in love. I am also super excited for Dred to get her book.
Overall, I Could Be Yours was a wonderful romance. It was a good addition to the Toronto Terror series, even if it's not exactly part of the series.
I Could Be Yours was a swoony read. It stars Nate and Essie, Tristan's brother and Rix's best friend from the Toronto Terror series. Nate and Essie have a history and strong dislike for each other at the start, and their fall into love was a lot of fun to read. Here are some of the things I loved about this book:
* The fun and humor were there along with the emotional aspects of the story.
* Nate was a sourpuss while Essie was sunshine and rainbows.
* The hate between Nate and Essie was a cover up for how they both really felt about each other.
* All of the pre-wedding activities that Nate and Essie were involved in for Rix and Tristan were entertaining and I loved how working together brought them together.
* How loving and thoughtful Essie was toward best friend and also Nate.
* Nate willingly doing things to help Tristan out even though he was not for the idea of love or getting married.
* The wedding was so sweet! I loved getting that update.
* The found family all of the characters have together along with the strong family ties.
* Flip being annoying while also helping Nate out.
* Essie's princess love made me smile.
* The couple/people Nate and Essie were together and how their relationship blossomed.
* I'm already waiting for more side characters to get their own books. Flip was still a lovable idiot who I can't wait for to fall in love. I am also super excited for Dred to get her book.
Overall, I Could Be Yours was a wonderful romance. It was a good addition to the Toronto Terror series, even if it's not exactly part of the series.
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.