What If

by M.J. Hughes

In the heart of Barker University, a bond as strong as steel forms between Clara Lowe, a girl with a heart full of kindness and resilience, and Liam Russell, a rising hockey star with a steadfast sense of loyalty–until a betrayal shatters it, leaving Clara broken. When fate intervenes, bringing Liam back into Clara’s life, she stands at a crossroads: can she give their friendship a second chance, or is the damage already done? As they navigate the complexities of their rekindled bond, Clara begins to uncover depths of feelings she never realized were there.

Liam has always put loyalty first, and his connection with Clara was no exception. Recognizing something extraordinary from their very first class together, his feelings deepened into something much more that is most definitely one-sided. A misstep with a past flame fractures the trust that once seemed unbreakable. Now, destiny offers Liam a rare opportunity for redemption. With everything on the line, Liam knows one thing for certain: he’s regained his world in Clara, and he’ll fight with all he has to never lose her again.

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 17, 2024

About the author

Just an Oklahoma Indie Author chasing dreams of becoming a USA Bestselling Author, and spreading my books around the world 💗

I'm currently working on a spicy, college, hockey romance standalone series, A River Road Series, with the first two books available: What If and What Now 🏒


FIND ME ON MY SOCIAL MEDIA! 🫶🏻

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Reviews

[irem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book. It’s everything and MORE 🥺 while reading I was transported and felt like I was part of that world and I absolutely love it when authors do that, or are able to do so. This story was cute and man did I devour this. I can HIGHLY recommend it to everyone !!!!

[Jade Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cute! It is such a sacred friendship between Clare and Liam. Once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. You’re met with a lot of What If questions, laughs, hurt, tears. I went through all the emotions with this book! It really is a feel good book!

[Shanna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first college sports book and what a ride it was. Not the normal trope I am used to but it was a nice change of pace. However, the one thing that drives me nuts was the miscommunication and misunderstandings about 60% of the book. Oh boy did I yell at my tablet more times then I could count!

Clara (cheerleader) and Liam (hockey player) just can't seem to get their feelings together. The most fun parts of the book were Liam's teammates/roommates/friends and the fact that they all knew both Clara and Liam had so many feelings for one another. Just the banter between everyone put a smile on your face.

The slow burn was well worth it towards the end and made the book even better. If you don't mind the lack of communication and misunderstanding for most of the beginning of the book you will love it. A lesson one might learn is that What If's can make the difference between being with someone you truly love.

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

More 4 1/2 🌟 What If is the perfect name for this book! Clara and Liam are best friends and this story takes you on an emotional journey of discovery as they learn what they mean to each other. Set in college, Liam a hockey player and Clara a cheerleader and is full of college banter and drama. This story had me invested from the beginning and is the first book in the A River Road Series and I can’t wait to read the rest. A great read! I received a complementary copy from the author.

[Cheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first sports romance- I was lucky enough to be apart of her ARC team! I thought this super cute and I loved the banter in it. The friendships that developed in the 2nd half were great. I loved the tension between the main characters and the lovestruck man fawning over the clueless lady trope will get me every damn time. The whole book made me feel nostalgic and it had me kicking my feet and giggling at certain points. Can't wait for more of M. J Hughes work!

[Alondra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it!!! Can’t wait for the next one!!!!

A certified stud hockey player and a beautiful cheerleader!
Looking for a best friends to lovers? This book is it!
I felt all the emotions with Clara, while reading. I enjoyed the friendship but also loved how they grew back together!

[Readwithlace · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if? This was the main plot of this book but man did it it hit the mark! I cannot wait to read about the rest of this friend group in future books. I love me a good hockey romance

[Amanda Scarr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an adorable and fun friends to lovers story. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting. I loved the FMC with her personality and banter through out. Slow burn with a slightly spicy ending. I can’t wait for the rest of the books in the series. 100% recommend!!!!

[Caitlynn Burnaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute story! The slow-burn struggle paid off in the love story between hockey player, Liam, and cheerleader, Clara. I love a good story where two people go from acquaintances - to friends - to 'it's complicated' - and then, finally, decide to lay it all on the line for each other. Liam and Clara did exactly that. And Clara...you go girl, for being the first to make a real move!

[Cassie Lalama · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was absolutely adorable, i am a sucker for a man who is head over heels in love and falls first! The betrayals threw me for a loop! An amazing cute and quick hockey romance read!

[Charity Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if she doesn't feel the same? What if we ruin our friendship? What if it's too late? What if we never met that day? What if....
These are all questions both Clara and Liam have wondered. This friends to lovers, college sports romance (hockey and cheer) follows the friendship and love between best friends. They take you through the ups and downs of being scared to confront one another, being mad at each other, to finding their way. I absolutely love being able to hear both points of view. While getting to know a little about there friends. Thankfully, this is Book 1, so I will get to know more about the others. This is one book I could read over again.

[Janina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book & btw pineapples does belong on pizza!
It was great to be an Arc reader!!!!

[Imani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its actually a 4.75, but this is so good.
If you love hockey cheerleader, love triangle, besties to lovers romance go buy it on july 17th. It was an honor to be an ARC reader 💋

[TaleshaReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is such a fun read if you love college and sports vibes. It had me feeling all the feels. I love it when a book can make me feel giddy, and this one did it for me multiple times. I felt my heart break for the characters and be put back together little by little with every chapter.

Background: Clara is a cheerleader who finds herself a best friend when doing an introduction game on the first day, which happens to be a hockey player named Liam. Their friendship grows over the following months, but just like most relationships, a problem arises and causes them to go separate ways. Will their friendship prove to be stronger?

[Nyaria Scales · Rating 5 out of 5]

So reading the synopsis I was a bit scared with this book because I’m all for golden retriever besties and enemies to lovers however after getting through this book this trope truly took me through it I loved their bond but I also loved them as enemies I just wish we saw the transformation she went through even more when they weren’t friends. I’m a hugeeee smut slut but I love the fact that it was tamed smut and kept you on your toes. I’m so proud of this author from Walmart days to publishing I can’t wait to see what her next steps are. This book deserves a five because truly once I started I couldn’t put it down!

[mango · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much for the ARC!

This is a best friends to lovers, hockey player/cheerleader romance with a slow burn and dual POV.

This book was very easy to read and get into, however I had some issues connecting with the characters at first. But I ended up being so invested in the relationships, and absolutely loved the banter!

This book had so many cute and heated moments, times when I felt so frustrated and times when I felt tearing up. A lot of ups and downs and teetering the line between friendship and being something more.. Very fun read and I’m looking forward to the next book!

[Susy Napier · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars!
This was my first read from this author and I absolutely loved it. I love a good friends to lovers if it’s done right and this most definitely was! I loved how genuine their friendship was and how you could really feel how much they cared for each other.
It did bother me that the MMC hooked up and dated the other mutual best friend and FMC characters roommate….although at her insistence. They both frustrated me at times but that just adds to the angst of the story! I only wish there was more time of them together….it felt short lived and I didn’t want it to end. If you love a good sports romance then don’t sleep on this book!
Thank you for the ARC!

[Mrs Sophie Tustian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Proud to say this was my first ARC! Not my normal kind of book but I was really happy to receive it. Romance isn't usually for me but this was a good read, my hubs started as my bestie so this bought it all back.
Well written bit of easy going romance. I especially liked the little flashbacks. There was a little sub plot introduced with some of the secondary characters so hoping that gets explained in the next book.

[Belinda Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

M.J. has crafted a truly enjoyable read that perfectly captures the essence of teen life, navigating the complexities of friendship and love. The characters are both likeable and captivating, drawing you into their world. At the heart of the story are Clara and Liam, best friends who clearly have deeper feelings for each other. They are held back by the fear of jeopardizing their cherished friendship, which is the bedrock of their lives. Ultimately, they find the courage to confess their true feelings and discover that love, indeed, wins. It is a heartwarming story about friendship, love, and taking chances.

[Emilee Purcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book at a book signing for a local author at a local book store with absolutely no clue what it was about— I didn’t even read the back of the book. I can say I LOVED this book. The friends to enemies to friends to lovers. UGHHH AMAZING! I can’t wait to see what MJ Hughes does next. SUPPORT LOCAL AUTHORS!! You may just find your next favorite author. She was so down to earth, I loved talking to her and sharing book recs!

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is friends to enemies then enemies to friends then friends to lovers. I spent most of the book thinking Liam and Clara need to get with the program! Definitely kept me on the edge of my seat, and their group of friends adds so much to the dynamic. Oh and there's hockey 🏒 😀 10/10 would recommend!

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if? Have you ever wondered if things would have been different with a certain someone in your life.. Clara and Liam find themselves asking the same sort of questions in this friends to lovers easy read. I found myself not being able to put this book down, because I just had to know what was going to happen with the two main characters! I give this book 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing and cute. Liam was a hockey player and Clara was a cheerleader. Clara had two best friends which Liam and Bri. Bri and Liam were dating each other. Liam had feelings for someone else. As Clara and Liam friendship grows, will Liam find enough courage to express his feelings for Clara.

[Ashley Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have this book 3.75 stars but rounded up to 4. I would have loved to have seen Clara and Liam’s relationship established maybe in childhood or high school. I think that could have made that break between them and all of the “what if” questions a little more tense. I think this book has great potential to be a YA/contemporary romance series. Great job!

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

For my first hockey read , I LOVED IT! You go through all the emotions with all of the characters, it was such a good read. So excited for more!!! I definitely cannot wait to grab the physical book when it releases!

[Jayme Migliaccio · Rating 3 out of 5]

What If is a cute quick summer read. The main characters are well developed and relatable. I enjoyed the story & wish it had been a big longer. I did wish the main characters had communicated better throughout the book. I really enjoyed this book!

[Mia Lockhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freaking loved it I would love for others to read it both characters has special place in my heart cause I’m in college too I would love to read this book again. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this beautiful book.

[Heather H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good sports/college romance book. I enjoyed it very much.

Edit: one of the things I really enjoyed about this book was the friendship between the two main characters. That level of friendship is hard to get nowadays. Even though there was definitely some miscommunication.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book as an ARC! There are sports, friendships and rethinking of relationships! What would you do if you started to have feelings for your friend that you've known a long time? Would you say something or be worried you would ruin the friendship! If you want to know read What If!

[crystal huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this book was one of the ones I was on the edge of my seat. I absolutely love the connection of Liam and Clara.so happy they found the way to each other despite the obstacles that they went through to get there. Omg the roommates had me giggling. I can’t wait to see the other stories come to life.