Reclaiming Kate

Mystic Falls #4

by Mary Warren

Kate McPhee runs the bookstore in the town of Mystic Falls. She moved back to her hometown after leaving a bad relationship. She keeps to herself and her books. But after her brother comes home for the town’s winter celebration and convinces her to put her pads back on and get in front of the net one last time, she finds herself off balance. Throw in a meddling witch and her brother’s handsome teammate, she never stood a chance. Wes Darling is the young hotshot star of the Glendale Magic. He knows what he wants and he goes after it. When he goes home for the weekend with one of his teammates and meets Kate McPhee, he knows she’s it for him. With a little bit of magic from the mystic Scottish woman next door and the love and support from those around her, maybe Kate will finally be able to reclaim who she is and live the full life she had been pushing away.

Genres: Romance, Plus Size, Sports Romance, Hockey, Sports, Adult, Contemporary

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 23, 2024

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this sweet (but emotionally heavy at times), dual POV, reverse age gap romance between a pro hockey player and a curvy bookshop owner. Wes falls hard for Kate when he comes to her hometown of Mystic Falls for the Winter Festival to play in a charity tournament where he discovers the cute bookworm he met on the ice is also the team goalie.

Perfect for 'he falls first' fans with important domestic abuse survivor rep. Kate's ex was emotionally and physically abusive and really did a number on her causing her to doubt herself and her ability to trust anyone again. I loved how Wes was a secret book nerd too and gave Kate the space she needed to learn to love again.

While there are lots of fun cameos from previous characters in the Mystic Falls series, this can be read as a standalone. I would recommend the other books too though since I've enjoyed them all very much! I voluntarily read and reviewed an early copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

🔥Steam level: open door

[Ruth♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate se mudo de vuelta a su pueblito desde de una relación tóxica, quiere sanar pero no es sencillo para ella, se refugia en los libros, en una de esas conoce a Wes un compañero de equipo de su hermano, el queda enamorada de Kate desde que la ve y se propone conquistarla no importa lo que tenga que esperar y lo paciente que tenga que ser.
No sé si fui yo pero este libro me aburrió, no en todo pero como a la mitad sentía que nada interesante pasaba, los protagonistas se me hicieron mehh, la historia era interesante pero tal vez no fue mi momento de leerla 🫠 me gustaría probar más adelante con otros libros de la autora más nada por qué se hacen mención de otras parejitas y puedo decir que me interesaron un poco.

[•.~*Izzy*~.• · Rating 5 out of 5]

mary you actually did your big one on wes. that man literally had me kicking my feet and squealing. this book truly knocked it out of the park for me. also not to mention the spin off series that starts with kate’s brother?!?! sign me up expeditiously!!!

[kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A super cute and moving hockey player x bookseller romance.

Reclaiming Kate had the bones of something really fantastic. I adored Kate and Wes and the side cast were fun to get to know. The romance was tender and healing and I loved watching these two take care of one another.

My issue was that I craved more depth. The romance went from zero to a hundred so quickly, there didn’t feel like their relationship had time to develop or anywhere to go after the first few chapters. I also found some of the dialogue and sentences a little stilted and repetitive.

That said, I did have a good time with this and there were some really lovely and moving moments. I just feel as though, with a little more editing, this could have been a book I totally fell in love with.

what to expect:

• age gap
• plus size rep (fmc)
• golden retriever mmc
• they read together
• hockey player x bookseller
• small town


TW: past toxic relationship and domestic abuse.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏒: FMC, Kate is a former hockey player that gets reconnected back with playing throughout the book. I loved seeing this because Kate is a Fat MC and we need more fat bodied characters that engage in fitness and sports to combat the fatphobia surrounding fat bodies and movement.

Wes is also a hockey player and in town for an event with his teammate and friend, Kate’s twin brother. He mistakes Kate to be a new skater and offers to help her. She goes along with his help until her brother challenges her to a race and Wes finds out he has been played.

Kate is on a journey of ❤️‍🩹 herself and reconnection with hockey after she took the sport as far as she could as a female athlete. When she was losing the sport that made up so much of her identity she also was going through a domestic violent relationship that she is still healing and processing from. I loved seeing this in a book with a fat bodied character because I have wanted to see more than fat trauma in books with fat bodied characters. So I appreciate that Mary did that with this one.

This story is also about Wes learning to manage anger as he faces conflict in his career. Kate and Wes’ story is also full of love, heart and the small town charm I have come to love and expect in this series. My own personal wish is that it was more of a slow burn with Wes vs him falling so fast.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this small-town, hockey, brother's teammate rom-com. This book was a body positive romance that reminds its readers that every body deserves to be loved, not just the prototypical female main characters. Kate and Wes are swoon-worthy together and I adore all of the McPhees and want more stories centered around them. Thank you to Mary Warren for sending me this e-ARC ahead of its publication date.

[Teneisha (Teesbookjourney) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of Kate being a woman returning home after being away from hockey for a while immediately drew me in, despite being part of a family of hockey players. The dynamic between Kate and Wes, where he desires her from the start, added an element of anticipation that kept me engaged throughout the story.

What I found particularly compelling was the development and growth journey that Kate and Wes experienced together. Their struggles and how they navigated challenges as a couple added depth and authenticity to the narrative. Exploring a plus-size love story, a narrative often underrepresented, made "Reclaiming Kate" stand out for me.

While I wished for Kate and Wes to reunite sooner, I appreciated the need for the characters to have their own time and space for personal growth. The pacing of their reconciliation, though, felt realistic and added an emotional layer to their journey.

[Lyrik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotionally rich without being OTT and angsty. Wes was a wonderful book boyfriend and Kate was easy to root for.

[nicole 🧚🏼🎀 · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was one was so cute. i honestly was feeling a cozy read and this is exactly it. the biggest struggle is probably the third person pov but honestly, the love is so pure and i just love love love Wes so freaking much. he truly knew she was the ONE and he never backed down (never back down never whattt) but these two together were amazing. i loved how this story never focused on her being plus size, he never ever ever made her feel insecure and like that literally was not a thought. he loved her from the inside out the moment he laid eyes on her and i instantly swooned.

thank you mary for allowing me to arc read this

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author @fatgirlsinfiction for my ARC.

This was the first book I’ve read by this author, and it will not be my last. This was a sweet and emotional romance that covered some fundamental life topics. Mary did a beautiful job writing these characters, and I genuinely wanted them to be my friends. I’m also a sucker for a hockey romance with a curvy FMC who’s a bookshop owner. I also love that it’s a dual POV!

Kate McPhee is a member of Mystic Falls’ loved hockey family. She swore she would never date a hockey player, so Wes Darling is not on her radar. Wes is a professional hockey player with her brother. This is an open-door romance that can be read as a stand-alone. Please review the content warnings because this is a domestic abuse survivor rep. I highly recommend reading this book! Now I need to read Mary Warren’s other books ASAP!

[Daisy (bookishflower) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Mary Warren for an early arc copy.

This is my second Mary Warren book and I think I need to just accept that she isn’t the writer for me.

I wanted so hard to enjoy this. A plus-size hockey romance is definitely my thing, but I found the writing style too ‘tell-not-show-y’ and the instalove made the love story feel like it had no where to go. (However, I am aware that I read an early arc and the trope is soulmates).

This covers important themes of communication, DA recovery, and positive plus-size representation.

This is not a bad book, just not the book for me personally.

[Stephanie ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Mary Warren for providing me an advance copy of this book!

This book will be published on January 23rd.

Content Warning provided by Author:
Past Domestic Violence, Description of Domestic Violence, Confronting Abuser, Mention of Past Suicidal Ideation, Minor Anti-fatness, Injury/hospital (not related to domestic violence), Graphic Sexual Content

Mary Warren owns my heart! I just love the character she writes & she continues to wow me!
This is my 2nd hockey romance book and it definitely made me crave to read more. I can totally see why other readers love them!

"If I get a hat trick, you have to come home with me tonight."

My heart went out to Kate who was not expecting Wes to skate into her life and completely consume her. We learn over the book her complicated relationship with hockey and the trauma from her last relationship. There were some moments that I found myself feeling emotional for her because I just felt like I could feel her pain. I have never been an any sort of abusive relationship so I can only imagine the hesitancy in wanting to start something again. I loved Kate's relationship with her twin brother Conner. Though there was some strain with him being in the NHL, you could still tell they are close. Also kudos to Mary for having Kate be a badass hockey player! Absolutely love that!

Wes. Oh Wes. I absolutely loved him and his cocky grin. He made me absolutely swoon throughout this book! The part that is where my quote is from - SWOOOON. There were just so many moments small and big that I just admire him for. There was a moment towards the end that I had been waiting for to happen and when it happened it was perfect. He just was so understanding to her needs and patient. I am also a sucker for text message exchanges so I love seeing their relationship through that lens. He just had this heart of gold and I think even if he hadn't met Bridget, he would have found his way to Kate. He just loved her so much and it was apparent from the very beginning.

"Is this finally happening?"
"Oh, this is fucking happening."

As with her previous books, Mary did not hold back on the spice! And I was here for it each and every time. I love how Kate took control and that Wes just catered to her. The chemistry was just so good!

I have to admit this is the first book where Bridget's involvement felt much more natural compared to the others that I have read. Her meddling felt believable and wasn't just thrown in there. She is everyone's fairy godmother.

I am very excited already for the next one that will be focusing on Kate's brother Conner! Who I think I know who will be the love interest but we shall see if I am correct.

It is such an honor to be apart of Mary's street team. I admire the work she does in promoting books of all genres that have fat/plus size characters. She just knows how to write female plus size characters and in a way that empowers them and not always focus on their size and what they can't do.

Check this book out if you love hockey, small town feel, close family, spicy romance with a plus size fmc!

[Heather // myinfinitetbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was super cute.

I honestly don't know what it is, but there is just ~something~ about hockey romance. In this one, they BOTH play, and they're book nerds to boot 😍

I loved that the main focus was Kate reclaiming herself after ending a relationship with her toxic ex, and learning not to lose herself in another guy when hockey darling Wes works to earn her heart.

This author is becoming one of my go-to's for romance comfort reads. They're not needlessly dramatic but there's enough at stake to make it interesting, and body positive without mentioning it all the time. There were pieces that felt repetitive or dialogue clunky, but I read an advance copy and those things could very well have been fixed in final revisions. Regardless, the vibes were there.

This was my first foray in Mystic Falls but definitely won't be last.

Thanks to the author for an advance e-copy!

🏒𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
Small town
Meet Cute
Hockey x Book Nerds
Brother's teammate
Body positivity
He falls first
✨️A dusting of magic✨️
Open door spice

[Kayla Wondoloski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Release Day to this little gem! Coming back from a long hiatus. A lot of reading has commenced, but a lot of hibernation as well. This is me trying to get out of that funk! 🌸💕

⛸️He falls first
⛸️Spicy text exchange
⛸️ Book obsessed hero AND heroine
⛸️ Heroine who’s rediscovering who she is
⛸️Hockey romance

So getting into the book review, this isn’t my first time with this author, but this is my first time reading this series! While in the past, I’ve read some of her other books, this one felt a little deeper, a little more “character arc/angsty” which I appreciated. One of my main issues with this book, was Kates misconceptions she seems to be carrying around about Wes (we later learn why). It isn’t anything personal, it seems to be some baggage with men as a whole. While for most of the book, she seems to hang onto these, she really grows, and evolves, and relearns the power within herself…. Not to mention, Wes gives all the golden retriever energy, and the patient he shows Kate without rushing her or guilting her… SWOON.

@fatgirlsinfiction Thank you so much for giving me the oppurtunity to enjoy this ARC

[Sahana Ramnath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so frickin much, like ❤️❤️

-- the wholesomeness of the romance was >>>> the way they were respectful af of each other's feelings, the way they were so nice about the other person healing mentally, I'm in tears about it

-- The pacing of this book was done SO well, the author really dealt with every subplot with the exact right amount of time, and it was truly a pleasure to read this book 😭

-- I already mentioned this, but this book's depiction of a character healing from the trauma of a previous abusive relationship was really written so well 🥲

TWs - verbal and physical domestic abuse in a relationship (past, but it is present on page in flashbacks), panic/anxiety/PTSD on page, sexual assault (secondary character) and the abuser not facing any charges + witness to the assault grieving about it (this is on page), premeditated violence in a sports game leading to serious injuries

-- ty to the author for an advanced copy!

[Glo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love seeing plus size rep without the OBVIOUS keep mentioning that she’s plus size and making it the sole topic of the book.

Kat went through so much but finally found much needed healing in being with Wes. However I could’ve done without how much she told us she missed hockey which she does almost all of the book and I felt like we got that by 25% of the book.

Wes is a dream man. He is caring, immensely patient, reads her book recommendations while texting her updates AND praises her??? (hey God it’s me again😭😭)
He got Kat from the moment they met and I love the way he communicated his wants throughout while still giving her the space to feel the way she did.

It did feel repetitive constantly in terms of phrasing and their conversations but in the end I just felt happy that Kat found someone who loves her the way she deserves.

[Bissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've loved all the Mystic Falls books, so I jumped at the chance to read Reclaiming Kate.

Kate is a plus size, hockey 🏒 loving bookworm who works in a bookstore. Wes is a handsome, younger professional hockey player full of surprises.

When they meet its instant attraction.

**Spoilers Ahead**

Things I loved:
- She's plus size and her size is hardly mentioned.
- The cute assumptions they both made about each other
- Wes's library
- How obsessed he was about Kate and how he talked, very much gave 24 yrs old
- It's so wholesome! You can always guarantee everything works out in the end


Things that felt lacking:
- Their attraction was there, but I didn't feel the love / magic between them...it was more tell, not show
- Not enough sex

Overall good book! Not bad if my main complaint is more sex 😆

[Laura VanZant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I REALLY enjoyed "Reclaiming Kate", so much so that I will absolutely be going back to read the other Mystic Falls books.

Watching Kate reclaim her voice and her power while this absolute cinnamon roll golden retriever of a man played her personal hype man was so heartwarming. The overall vibe of this book is hopeful, even when it touches on some darker, more serious themes. I adored Kate and Wes, and their journey to an HEA.

Read this if you want:
- small town romance
- hockey romance (both of them play!)
- body positivity
- he falls first (and he falls HARD)
- book nerdery galore
- great chemistry, high heat
- character growth and support

Check your TWs for:
- domestic violence
- sexual assault

Thank you to the author for the advanced reading copy! All opinions are my own.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reclaiming Kate by Mary Warren is a small-town, hockey romance. There is also a small age-gap between the FMC and MMC. And it’s the FMC that’s older!

This is a story about pain and recovery from an abusive relationship. I encourage anyone reading it to please check the trigger warnings in regards to this.

This was a story filled with healing and finding oneself again. Kate is hesitant to try love again but finds the best kind in the younger Wes. There is plenty of spice as well. I’m very grateful to have been able to receive an ARC and have the opportunity to read this.

Bibliophilebookstackswithdi on IG

[ciin_leest · Rating 4 out of 5]

 I had so much fun reading this book. It made me feel all warm and cozy and before I knew, the book was finished. I could so much more about Kate and Wes. I think that for me it was the first time reading a book with a guy who is younger than the female lead in the book. But the way Wes is as a person, he is soo much more mature then so many men in the world. I loved the growth they both go through in the story, especialy Kate with her past trauma, she came out the ashes like a queen! I loved their story and can't wait to read more by Mary Warren. 

Thank you so much Mary Warren for this ARC to read and review. 

[Tara Kat (MagnoliaPigeonBookBlurbs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back to Mystic Falls with Mary Warren’s latest release, Reclaiming Kate! This cozy, spicy and swoon worthy romance is full of heartfelt emotion, healing and all the feels! Kate’s story is one of strength, vulnerability and the joy of finding oneself again. 10/10 recommend!!

🫶 Family
❤️‍🩹 Caretaking
🌶️ Spice
🏒 Professional Hockey
📚 Bookshop
✨ Magic

Ps. Reading Reclaiming Kate while watching women live out their dreams in the PWHL makes my athlete heart so happy!

Thank you so much Mary Warren for the advanced copy!

*Please check TW before reading.

[Pixel Sowelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Mary, for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This book was a balm to my soul. In a time of real emotional turmoil, the romance and sweetness of this book comforted me.
Is it a song to a woman who rebuilds herself after a traumatizing experience and to the power of love. Not only romantic love, but also love for oneself. Kate really blossoms when she starts loving herself.
Her journey inspired me and I hope to succeed in overcoming these type of experiences, like she did.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"He knew right then...he was going to marry that girl someday."

I was lucky enough to receive an arc copy of Reclaiming Kate, and get a sneak peek into Kate and Wes' story ahead of the publish date 🥰 and oh my gosh I am so glad I did! I was eagerly anticipating this book, and it did not disappoint.

Mary does a wonderful job of writing plus size women with major main character vibes, her female characters always leave me feeling inspired and a little more confident living in my own larger body.

Reclaiming Kate is the perfect cosy read with small town romance, a plus size FMC and a cocky-book-worm hockey player MMC who falls first... it has all the yummy vibes. It was definitely my favourite book in the series... but I probably said that last time too, so let's just assume I love all the stories and can't wait for the next one!

Tropes:

> Small town romance
> He falls first
> Age gap (she's older)

[Audrey Pantano · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you have if you mix small town romance, a golden retriever energy hockey player, 2 book lovers, a gorgeous curvy redhead and amazing fat representation? You have the amazing story of Kate and Wes in Reclaiming Kate.

Mary Warren always writes brilliant and loving characters and I’m so happy to have shared a slice of Kate and Wes’ life.

I loved how they took their time which other. Push each other to take more risks but never ignoring their boundaries.

And who would’ve thought I would swoon over a blond guy ? But I mean, he’s Wes freaking Darling!

Thank you Mary Warren for your trust and the ARC and I can’t wait for what’s next!

[Krista Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

You ever just read a book that makes you feel warm and cozy inside? Well this book was it for me. I don't know what Mary puts into these but they always make me walk away with a smile on my face. I finished this within two days. Would have only been a day but I needed sleep. I love Kate so much! She is funny and matter of fact when she needs to be. She is also very vulnerable and unsure of herself at times and for good reason. Wes.....Wes does things to my body. He is sweet, caring, protective and STRONG AS HECK!!! I mean my man picked out girl up and I was swooning HARD. This is my first hockey romance and I'm not mad about that. It actually made me want to watch a game. There is love, happiness, acceptance, trauma, passion and joy in this book wrapped in a nice bow. I will say check the content warnings because there is talk about abuse that may be hard for someone. Either way I loved this book so so so much!

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere between a 3.5 and 4 star read for me. I liked how it was a bit different from the other hockey rom coms I've read. Kate has a lot to learn about herself and I felt connected with her journey in discovering who she was again. Overall a really sweet book. Blog coming soon.

[Jenny Talbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this one the best out of the 4 Mystic Falls book. The author keep getting betting and better

[Cecelia🐈‍⬛ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have graciously received all of Mary Warrens books as ARCs and I’ve loved them all but I’ll have to say I think this is my favorite. Wes is an absolute cinnamon roll, he was the absolute sweetest. Loved reading how Kate dealt with her trauma and Wes being patient through it. They were just so perfect for each other and I had a great time reading this!

[Courtney Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, this isn’t my usual style of reading but I had fun. It was cute, had a nice epilogue, and most of the men weren’t unbearable.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Needs an editor.