the_romance_regent 's review for:

The Proposal Play by Lauren Blakely

5.0

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Lauren Blakely’s “The Proposal Play” is hockey romance at its best! This third book in the Love and Hockey series has it all: best friends-to-lovers, fake marriage, sizzling chemistry and mental health. 

Here’s the deal: Maeve impulsively bids on her best friend Asher at a bachelor auction (because PR nightmares are no fun), but then… Vegas happens. They wake up married and suddenly their fake love story is trending everywhere. They agree to keep up the charade for his charity launch and her big art gig, but surprise! That off-the-charts chemistry and years of friendship make faking it a little complicated.

Asher stole the show for me. He’s not just hot on the ice—he’s got layers. Emotional depth? Check. An instinct to protect and support Maeve? Double check. Their connection feels so genuine. You can tell these two have been through it all together, and watching them realize their feelings was so satisfying., and how they tackle life’s challenges together should be a  template for future romance writers . 

Add in unmatched friendships and you’ve got a total winner. Whether you’re here for the swoon, the spice, or the heartfelt moments, you’re going to love this book. Go grab it—and while you’re at it, check out the rest of the series too!

🎧 The audiobook is a total win! Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet deliver an amazing duet performance as Maeve and Asher, perfectly capturing their chemistry, banter, emotions, and spice. Robert’s timing and humor were spot-on, and Vanessa’s portrayal of Maeve was flawless (her “crying while speaking” moments? So real!). If you love duet narration, this one’s a must-listen—5 stars all the way!

Thank you @laurenblakelybooks and @hambright_pr for the gifted ebook ARC and ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.