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Golden Meadow Polo Series #1
Faking the Shot
Jack Hennicke is the polo world’s most profound playboy.
He’s arrogant, dangerous, a successful polo professional… and Maggie Rynne’s longtime neighbor.
When Maggie’s dad fires her from working for him, she’s forced to work for the player next door, and he isn’t shy about his intentions.
But what happens when one mistake turns their entire world upside down?
He drags her across the country and gives her his last name.
Now they are faking a marriage with a baby on the way. Living thousands of miles from home in a big empty house… alone.
Co-parenting is their first priority, but the attraction that lies between them is undeniable. The line between real and fake becomes more blurred by the day, and Maggie isn’t sure which way is up.
She swore off marriage forever and nothing was going to change that.
Until Jack decides to change it anyway.
He’s arrogant, dangerous, a successful polo professional… and Maggie Rynne’s longtime neighbor.
When Maggie’s dad fires her from working for him, she’s forced to work for the player next door, and he isn’t shy about his intentions.
But what happens when one mistake turns their entire world upside down?
He drags her across the country and gives her his last name.
Now they are faking a marriage with a baby on the way. Living thousands of miles from home in a big empty house… alone.
Co-parenting is their first priority, but the attraction that lies between them is undeniable. The line between real and fake becomes more blurred by the day, and Maggie isn’t sure which way is up.
She swore off marriage forever and nothing was going to change that.
Until Jack decides to change it anyway.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2025
7 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Jolie Dunn
3 books16 followersJolie is a romance author who has been obsessed with reading for as long as she can remember. She loves curling up in her writing nook with her golden retriever and disappearing into her world of heroes and heroines. When she isn’t writing, Jolie enjoys traveling to new places, hiking, riding horses, and cooking.
Her love for horses and the big open sky drives her to create heartwarming, swoon-worthy stories that connect readers to the outdoors through her pages.
Her love for horses and the big open sky drives her to create heartwarming, swoon-worthy stories that connect readers to the outdoors through her pages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
June 9, 2025
This is the authors debut book and she did a great job on. I was hooked. I have never read a polo romance story, but I enjoyed it.
Maggie aspired to be a successful and known woman polo player. She was determined to make a name for herself. It was just her and her alcoholic father ever since her mother left when she was younger. She didn’t want marriage or love. She was strong, independent, caring, and nurturing. She never wanted to ask for help from anyone.
Jack was the ultimate playboy. He was good with the ladies and a heck of a polo player. He was Maggie’s friend and current fling. Jack has dealt with anxiety since he was young. He hid it from everyone, didn’t want anyone to see him as weak.
One night lead to the two of them discovering they would be parents and then they were moving to Wyoming to start over and for Jack’s work. It all started as a fake relationship and then just doing it for the baby. But the two of them started to grow closer. Jack was very protective and wanted to take care of Maggie and the baby she was carrying. Maggie could sense when something was off with Jack and just wanted to help him. She was a natural when it came to nurturing. The two of them struggled to let each other in and accept any feeling because of their mothers and the abandonment they felt from it. Both characters grew so much by the end of the story. They found a belonging and home in Wyoming that they didn’t know they needed.
Maggie aspired to be a successful and known woman polo player. She was determined to make a name for herself. It was just her and her alcoholic father ever since her mother left when she was younger. She didn’t want marriage or love. She was strong, independent, caring, and nurturing. She never wanted to ask for help from anyone.
Jack was the ultimate playboy. He was good with the ladies and a heck of a polo player. He was Maggie’s friend and current fling. Jack has dealt with anxiety since he was young. He hid it from everyone, didn’t want anyone to see him as weak.
One night lead to the two of them discovering they would be parents and then they were moving to Wyoming to start over and for Jack’s work. It all started as a fake relationship and then just doing it for the baby. But the two of them started to grow closer. Jack was very protective and wanted to take care of Maggie and the baby she was carrying. Maggie could sense when something was off with Jack and just wanted to help him. She was a natural when it came to nurturing. The two of them struggled to let each other in and accept any feeling because of their mothers and the abandonment they felt from it. Both characters grew so much by the end of the story. They found a belonging and home in Wyoming that they didn’t know they needed.
June 13, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
It’s hard to believe this is Jolie Dunn’s debut novel! Maggie and Jack are just such a beautiful, loving and REAL couple. Both Maggie and Jack come from broken homes and both have lost a strong maternal figure. I loved watching them grow as individuals and as partners. Jolie does a phenomenal job describing how hard they had to work to become vulnerable with each other. I especially loved watching Jack work through his anxiety. It was so heartbreaking at times because it felt so real. Maggie and Jack consistently work hard and fight for their relationship, their family and each other. An absolutely beautiful story of resiliency, friendship, perseverance, commitment and love. This book is for fans of #LylaSage, #ElsieSilver, and #AvaHunter. I have a feeling this series is going to take off. I can’t wait to see what happens next at the Golden Meadow Polo Club.
It’s hard to believe this is Jolie Dunn’s debut novel! Maggie and Jack are just such a beautiful, loving and REAL couple. Both Maggie and Jack come from broken homes and both have lost a strong maternal figure. I loved watching them grow as individuals and as partners. Jolie does a phenomenal job describing how hard they had to work to become vulnerable with each other. I especially loved watching Jack work through his anxiety. It was so heartbreaking at times because it felt so real. Maggie and Jack consistently work hard and fight for their relationship, their family and each other. An absolutely beautiful story of resiliency, friendship, perseverance, commitment and love. This book is for fans of #LylaSage, #ElsieSilver, and #AvaHunter. I have a feeling this series is going to take off. I can’t wait to see what happens next at the Golden Meadow Polo Club.
June 11, 2025
eARC review
Jack Hennicke is the bad boy playboy of polo and when Maggie finds herself working for her dangerously charming neighbor she’s spent years avoiding, she wasn’t prepared for what would happen next. Faking a marriage and preparing for a baby, all while living across the country. This book was full of emotions, tension, great character growth, and so much love. Great 1st book by Jolie Dunn - can't wait to read what she has next.
Tropes:
Small town
Childhood friends to lovers
Accidental pregnancy
Fake Dating
He falls first
Reformed playboy
Spice 1.5/5
*Thank you to Greys Promotions and Jolie Dunn for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.
Jack Hennicke is the bad boy playboy of polo and when Maggie finds herself working for her dangerously charming neighbor she’s spent years avoiding, she wasn’t prepared for what would happen next. Faking a marriage and preparing for a baby, all while living across the country. This book was full of emotions, tension, great character growth, and so much love. Great 1st book by Jolie Dunn - can't wait to read what she has next.
Tropes:
Small town
Childhood friends to lovers
Accidental pregnancy
Fake Dating
He falls first
Reformed playboy
Spice 1.5/5
*Thank you to Greys Promotions and Jolie Dunn for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.
May 30, 2025
Wow, this was everything I wanted. Oh—the growth, the love, the banter, the anxiety. It was everything good and sweet 🥹 Jolie did an incredible job handling difficult topics with truth and care. I gotta say—I love the Hennicke’s 😭 Idk if it was because I had a surprise baby in a new relationship in my real life that turned into a beautiful life too, but I just connect so much with the reality of the fear AND excitement of it! Now I need Lina’s book 😉
June 10, 2025
4/5:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Greys Promotion and Jolie Dunn for the ARC!
There’s plenty of tropes/ micro tropes in this book that I LOVE! Here’s a few:
•Forced Proximity
•No Third Act Breakup
•Player Reformed
•Fake Relationship
•Only One Bed
•Small Town Romance
•Cowboy Romance
•He falls first
If you enjoy any of these I highly recommend this book! It was so sweet and cute and I just LOVE when the character actually communicate instead of ending things and being miserable without each other for a few chapters.
Jack Hennicke (mmc) is a polo player and is also well known to be a playboy. Maggie Rynne (fmc) is Jacks neighbor and has been for a long time. Her father fires her and she’s forced to work with Jack. One night. One mistake turns their world upside down and next thing you know Jack is dragging Maggie across the country.
Jack and Maggie are so sweet and I absolutely adored both of them. I can’t wait for everyone to read this one!
Faking the shot out 6/10/25
Thank you Greys Promotion and Jolie Dunn for the ARC!
There’s plenty of tropes/ micro tropes in this book that I LOVE! Here’s a few:
•Forced Proximity
•No Third Act Breakup
•Player Reformed
•Fake Relationship
•Only One Bed
•Small Town Romance
•Cowboy Romance
•He falls first
If you enjoy any of these I highly recommend this book! It was so sweet and cute and I just LOVE when the character actually communicate instead of ending things and being miserable without each other for a few chapters.
Jack Hennicke (mmc) is a polo player and is also well known to be a playboy. Maggie Rynne (fmc) is Jacks neighbor and has been for a long time. Her father fires her and she’s forced to work with Jack. One night. One mistake turns their world upside down and next thing you know Jack is dragging Maggie across the country.
Jack and Maggie are so sweet and I absolutely adored both of them. I can’t wait for everyone to read this one!
Faking the shot out 6/10/25
June 13, 2025
This book portrayed the struggles of accidental pregnancy from two scorned people. From thinking they never wanted kids thanks to their less than fantastic parents, to figuring out life together as partners and maybe more.
July 14, 2025
📚 Review ~ Faking the Shot
📚 Golden Meadow Polo Series #1
🖋 Author ~ Jolie Dunn Author
🖋 Genre: Small Town Romance, Sports Romance, Polo Romance, Friends to Lovers Romance
⭐️ Rating: 5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Maggie and Jack
He always knew his life would change. He just never thought she would be the reason.
This is the first time I’ve tried Jolie Dunn. And, Faking the Shot was a wonderful read! I have never read a book that includes Polo. But I’m glad I picked this as my first one. Jolie did a seamless job of weaving the intricacies of the sport with the storyline. Beyond that, her characters felt real.
Maggie and Jack are friends from childhood, so it is no surprise that benefits would eventually follow. And, Maggie’s surprise pregnancy isn’t a surprise either because friends with benefits usually aren’t foolproof. What is a beautiful surprise is the journey that both Maggie and Jack take to find their happiness together.
The fear, the uncertainty in their futures, the brave way these two come together, devoting themselves to a fresh start and a commitment to be the best parents despite their childhood examples, is at first commendable. Their initial obligation to their baby, of course, is not necessarily to each other, yet though Jack is careful with Maggie, making sure that she and the baby have what they need.
Once Jack and Maggie got their footing, I enjoyed seeing them grow into each other as well as discovering the best parts of themselves. At times, it was wrenching as they separately experienced the fear and panic of not only becoming parents, but coming to the realization that they are not their parents, and that they truly do love and trust one another.
🐴Maggie and Jack🐴
💍Protective Hero
🚿Reunited Lovers
💍Fake marriage
🚿Accidental pregnancy
💍Friends with benefits
🚿Horse - Sports Romance
🖋 Enjoyment: 5. Readability: 5. Writing: 5.
🖋 Setting: 5. Plot: 5. Characters: 5.
#writer #editor #review #books #bookstagrammers #bookreviewer #reader #MustRead #bookclub #bookish #booklover #bookworm #readers #currentlyreading #readersofinstagram #brokenwingbookreviews #ravenblackbird74 #booktok #FakingtheShot #GoldenMeadowPoloSeries #JolieDunn #SmallTownRomance #SportsRomance #PoloRomance #FriendstoLoversRomance #RomanticComedy #SmallTownRomance #ProtectiveHero #CowboyRomance #PlayerReformed #ReunitedLovers Grey's Promotions
📚 Golden Meadow Polo Series #1
🖋 Author ~ Jolie Dunn Author
🖋 Genre: Small Town Romance, Sports Romance, Polo Romance, Friends to Lovers Romance
⭐️ Rating: 5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Maggie and Jack
He always knew his life would change. He just never thought she would be the reason.
This is the first time I’ve tried Jolie Dunn. And, Faking the Shot was a wonderful read! I have never read a book that includes Polo. But I’m glad I picked this as my first one. Jolie did a seamless job of weaving the intricacies of the sport with the storyline. Beyond that, her characters felt real.
Maggie and Jack are friends from childhood, so it is no surprise that benefits would eventually follow. And, Maggie’s surprise pregnancy isn’t a surprise either because friends with benefits usually aren’t foolproof. What is a beautiful surprise is the journey that both Maggie and Jack take to find their happiness together.
The fear, the uncertainty in their futures, the brave way these two come together, devoting themselves to a fresh start and a commitment to be the best parents despite their childhood examples, is at first commendable. Their initial obligation to their baby, of course, is not necessarily to each other, yet though Jack is careful with Maggie, making sure that she and the baby have what they need.
Once Jack and Maggie got their footing, I enjoyed seeing them grow into each other as well as discovering the best parts of themselves. At times, it was wrenching as they separately experienced the fear and panic of not only becoming parents, but coming to the realization that they are not their parents, and that they truly do love and trust one another.
🐴Maggie and Jack🐴
💍Protective Hero
🚿Reunited Lovers
💍Fake marriage
🚿Accidental pregnancy
💍Friends with benefits
🚿Horse - Sports Romance
🖋 Enjoyment: 5. Readability: 5. Writing: 5.
🖋 Setting: 5. Plot: 5. Characters: 5.
#writer #editor #review #books #bookstagrammers #bookreviewer #reader #MustRead #bookclub #bookish #booklover #bookworm #readers #currentlyreading #readersofinstagram #brokenwingbookreviews #ravenblackbird74 #booktok #FakingtheShot #GoldenMeadowPoloSeries #JolieDunn #SmallTownRomance #SportsRomance #PoloRomance #FriendstoLoversRomance #RomanticComedy #SmallTownRomance #ProtectiveHero #CowboyRomance #PlayerReformed #ReunitedLovers Grey's Promotions
June 7, 2025
First I want to say congratulations to author Jolie Dunn on her 1st book! I’ve never read anything with a polo trope or idea. So that was a brand new thing for me. I rated this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 starts! Jack and Maggie are no strangers to each other. They have been friends since they were kids and their dads played polo together and they lived next door to each other. Through out the years, things changed and they both took different pasts (to a point), but they would hook up to have “fun” when they each needed something. Jack is a reformed player and has a fear of people leaving him and Maggie has sworn off marriage, men and pretty much trusting anyone. One night left them changed forever. Maggie and Jake move across the country so he can play polo for a new club, and she goes with him to keep their secret safe, for the time. However, in order of this to work, they are “married” and act for everyone like a married couple.
As time goes by, they have a strong connection that keeps getting stronger and it’s just not for the sex. They learn to lean on one another, and start to trust that the other person is going to be there for them. They both learn what real love is from someone other a than their fathers. In order to finally figure out that they love each other, it takes a visit from her father and a situation to happen for them to admit their true feelings for each other.
The banter, the love, the passion and the growth these two have, develop and experience with each other makes you fall in love with them. They learn that no matter what, the other is going to be there even when it gets tough. I loved that they get to grow through the whole story and you get to witness it with them. the author pulls you into the story, makes you laugh with them, have the feelings they do. I would recommend this book even if you are not in the polo thing. While it was part of the book, it wasn’t the whole story and it part of the background once they moved and discovered themself. I cant wait to see what the next book will bring to the series.
As time goes by, they have a strong connection that keeps getting stronger and it’s just not for the sex. They learn to lean on one another, and start to trust that the other person is going to be there for them. They both learn what real love is from someone other a than their fathers. In order to finally figure out that they love each other, it takes a visit from her father and a situation to happen for them to admit their true feelings for each other.
The banter, the love, the passion and the growth these two have, develop and experience with each other makes you fall in love with them. They learn that no matter what, the other is going to be there even when it gets tough. I loved that they get to grow through the whole story and you get to witness it with them. the author pulls you into the story, makes you laugh with them, have the feelings they do. I would recommend this book even if you are not in the polo thing. While it was part of the book, it wasn’t the whole story and it part of the background once they moved and discovered themself. I cant wait to see what the next book will bring to the series.
June 13, 2025
📚ARC Review – Faking the Shot by Jolie Dunn 📚
•Rate:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🫶🏻First of all, I’m so sorry for posting this late—I have some health issues and got a little behind on reading.
✨About the characters:
Maggie:
Maggie is ambitious, sweet, kind, and strong. She’s trying to help her dad become better, all while maintaining her own life. She doesn’t believe in love because of her mom, but with Jack… she finds it. I loved how she took responsibility, especially when she found out she was pregnant. She handled everything with maturity and heart. She just wants to find herself and be brave—and honestly, she is.
Jack:
Jack is cocky and determined, but he’s also passionate—about his job and about Maggie. He shows up when you need him, he cares, and he’s patient. Sure, some of the things he said could’ve been worded better, but the way he handled the baby news really showed his growth. He has trust issues, but with Maggie by his side, he starts to open up. And that made me like him even more.
✨ My thoughts:
This is Jolie’s debut novel, and I can honestly say it was a really good one. The story was sweet, and even though there were struggles, everything came together beautifully in the end.
Sometimes I wished Jack handled things differently, but I still liked him. He and Maggie have similar childhood wounds in a way, and it affects them both—but they don’t stay stuck. They grow.
I loved how they communicated and tried to work through their problems—even when Jack was scared to open up at first.
The polo aspect was also such a unique touch—there were a lot of little details that made the story more interesting and different (In a good way)
The emotions felt real, the pacing worked, and the character growth stood out. Jack and Maggie’s connection had so much depth. From the tender moments to the more difficult ones, their story felt honest and full of heart.
This book had the kind of romance that’s messy and imperfect, but still soft and healing in all the right ways. I’m really excited to see what Jolie writes next.
•Rate:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🫶🏻First of all, I’m so sorry for posting this late—I have some health issues and got a little behind on reading.
✨About the characters:
Maggie:
Maggie is ambitious, sweet, kind, and strong. She’s trying to help her dad become better, all while maintaining her own life. She doesn’t believe in love because of her mom, but with Jack… she finds it. I loved how she took responsibility, especially when she found out she was pregnant. She handled everything with maturity and heart. She just wants to find herself and be brave—and honestly, she is.
Jack:
Jack is cocky and determined, but he’s also passionate—about his job and about Maggie. He shows up when you need him, he cares, and he’s patient. Sure, some of the things he said could’ve been worded better, but the way he handled the baby news really showed his growth. He has trust issues, but with Maggie by his side, he starts to open up. And that made me like him even more.
✨ My thoughts:
This is Jolie’s debut novel, and I can honestly say it was a really good one. The story was sweet, and even though there were struggles, everything came together beautifully in the end.
Sometimes I wished Jack handled things differently, but I still liked him. He and Maggie have similar childhood wounds in a way, and it affects them both—but they don’t stay stuck. They grow.
I loved how they communicated and tried to work through their problems—even when Jack was scared to open up at first.
The polo aspect was also such a unique touch—there were a lot of little details that made the story more interesting and different (In a good way)
The emotions felt real, the pacing worked, and the character growth stood out. Jack and Maggie’s connection had so much depth. From the tender moments to the more difficult ones, their story felt honest and full of heart.
This book had the kind of romance that’s messy and imperfect, but still soft and healing in all the right ways. I’m really excited to see what Jolie writes next.
June 7, 2025
Congrats to Jolie Dunn!!! I can’t believe this is a debut novel. It has every thing I like in romance books!
I must confess that I thought it would be harder to read because I don’t know nothing about polo world but she explains it so naturally that everything was fine.
This book is about Jack, a renowned polo player, also known to be player with women. And Maggie, his next door neighbour and also a polo player, who swears off marriage and relationships because of her parents divorce. She is a force of nature. She is kind and caring but independent and something I really love about Maggie and Jolie’s way of writing her is that she’s not stubborn. Usually the FMC with that kind of past and determination is shown as stubborn but not Maggie. She’s lovable and sensitive and the only thing I wanted is her to be happy.
And Jack, his cockiness is hiding a huge anxiety issue. And they’re are healing themselves and each other. From their past and their parents influence in them.
They were having a hookup relationship until something happened and their lives turned upside down.
Tropes you can find in this book (spoiler alert*):
- small town romance
- childhood friends
- he falls first and hard
- anxiety representation
- alcohol addiction representation (not main characters)
- * no 3rd act break up
- dual 1 st person POV
- * surprise pregnancy
This book is an open-door example, with a build up sexual tension that when it comes, it explodes!! It’s like an slow burn, completely worth it!
My ratings:
4,5/5⭐️ 2/5🌶️
I’ve received this book as an ARC and I’d like to thank Jolie Dunn and her team at Grey’s Promotions for letting me read this book in advance and allow me to give my honest opinion.
I must confess that I thought it would be harder to read because I don’t know nothing about polo world but she explains it so naturally that everything was fine.
This book is about Jack, a renowned polo player, also known to be player with women. And Maggie, his next door neighbour and also a polo player, who swears off marriage and relationships because of her parents divorce. She is a force of nature. She is kind and caring but independent and something I really love about Maggie and Jolie’s way of writing her is that she’s not stubborn. Usually the FMC with that kind of past and determination is shown as stubborn but not Maggie. She’s lovable and sensitive and the only thing I wanted is her to be happy.
And Jack, his cockiness is hiding a huge anxiety issue. And they’re are healing themselves and each other. From their past and their parents influence in them.
They were having a hookup relationship until something happened and their lives turned upside down.
Tropes you can find in this book (spoiler alert*):
- small town romance
- childhood friends
- he falls first and hard
- anxiety representation
- alcohol addiction representation (not main characters)
- * no 3rd act break up
- dual 1 st person POV
- * surprise pregnancy
This book is an open-door example, with a build up sexual tension that when it comes, it explodes!! It’s like an slow burn, completely worth it!
My ratings:
4,5/5⭐️ 2/5🌶️
I’ve received this book as an ARC and I’d like to thank Jolie Dunn and her team at Grey’s Promotions for letting me read this book in advance and allow me to give my honest opinion.
June 9, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 stars)
Faking The Shot by Jolie Dunn is a heartfelt and emotionally rich debut that explores the power of love, healing, and second chances. This story follows Maggie and Jack—two people from broken homes, both carrying the weight of abandonment and complicated family dynamics. Despite their pasts, they find strength in each other and build something beautiful from the ground up.
Maggie, who once swore off marriage, finds herself pregnant and determined to create a better life for her child. She follows Jack to Wyoming, where they begin a new chapter, pretending to be married. What unfolds is a touching journey of partnership, vulnerability, and growth. Jack, dealing with his own insecurities and panic attacks, steps up as a protector and partner, showing unwavering support for Maggie.
What I loved most about this book was the theme of true partnership—Maggie and Jack were always there for each other, with a strong emphasis on clear communication and mutual respect. The story beautifully illustrates that our pasts don’t have to define our futures, especially when it comes to love and parenting. It was also heartwarming to see Maggie’s father seek professional help, adding a hopeful layer to the narrative.
If I had one critique, it would be that the book felt a bit longer than necessary in parts. I also would’ve loved to see more about Maggie’s career journey after becoming a mother—it felt like a loose thread that could’ve added even more depth to her character arc.
That said, I’m so glad I discovered Jolie Dunn! For a debut, this was incredibly well done, and I’m already looking forward to her future books. I’m especially curious to see what happens with Felix and Lina—fingers crossed we get their story next!
Faking The Shot by Jolie Dunn is a heartfelt and emotionally rich debut that explores the power of love, healing, and second chances. This story follows Maggie and Jack—two people from broken homes, both carrying the weight of abandonment and complicated family dynamics. Despite their pasts, they find strength in each other and build something beautiful from the ground up.
Maggie, who once swore off marriage, finds herself pregnant and determined to create a better life for her child. She follows Jack to Wyoming, where they begin a new chapter, pretending to be married. What unfolds is a touching journey of partnership, vulnerability, and growth. Jack, dealing with his own insecurities and panic attacks, steps up as a protector and partner, showing unwavering support for Maggie.
What I loved most about this book was the theme of true partnership—Maggie and Jack were always there for each other, with a strong emphasis on clear communication and mutual respect. The story beautifully illustrates that our pasts don’t have to define our futures, especially when it comes to love and parenting. It was also heartwarming to see Maggie’s father seek professional help, adding a hopeful layer to the narrative.
If I had one critique, it would be that the book felt a bit longer than necessary in parts. I also would’ve loved to see more about Maggie’s career journey after becoming a mother—it felt like a loose thread that could’ve added even more depth to her character arc.
That said, I’m so glad I discovered Jolie Dunn! For a debut, this was incredibly well done, and I’m already looking forward to her future books. I’m especially curious to see what happens with Felix and Lina—fingers crossed we get their story next!
June 18, 2025
Such a sweet debut novel!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
🤠He falls first
💛Fake Marriage
🌸Accidental Pregnancy
🫶Childhood Friends
🏇Small Town Romance
This is such a sweet romance book! If you’re looking for all town cozy vibes you 1000% need to pick up this debut novel by Jolie Dunn. This had such sweet moments, great spice, fun banter, and amazing character growth. In this Maggie & Jack are childhood friends who reconnect as adults because they are neighbors both in the polo world. This is actually my first time reading a book centered around polo so I had no idea what to expect of the sport but I really truly enjoyed it. I can’t say if any terminology was correct, because I’ve never watched polo, but I will say I think the author did a ton of research because it all seemed so well put together.
This book centers around accidental pregnancy so if you aren’t a fan of that trope this won’t be the book for you. For me, I absolutely love an accidental pregnancy trope when it’s done well. This book is done so well. Jack is immediate in his stepping up to be there for Maggie and the baby and the lengths he goes to for them is so swoon worthy. Maggie is trying her best to protect her heart for so long she pushes Jack away quite a bit. When she finally gives in and accepts the love they have between each other their love is so heartwarming and authentic.
I absolutely adored this book and I think it set up well to become a series. I can’t wait to see what else this author releases I will definitely be picking up any future books! After the hints we got of the side characters throughout this I am so curious to see where their stories go!
Thank you to Grey’s Promo for the ARC of this book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
🤠He falls first
💛Fake Marriage
🌸Accidental Pregnancy
🫶Childhood Friends
🏇Small Town Romance
This is such a sweet romance book! If you’re looking for all town cozy vibes you 1000% need to pick up this debut novel by Jolie Dunn. This had such sweet moments, great spice, fun banter, and amazing character growth. In this Maggie & Jack are childhood friends who reconnect as adults because they are neighbors both in the polo world. This is actually my first time reading a book centered around polo so I had no idea what to expect of the sport but I really truly enjoyed it. I can’t say if any terminology was correct, because I’ve never watched polo, but I will say I think the author did a ton of research because it all seemed so well put together.
This book centers around accidental pregnancy so if you aren’t a fan of that trope this won’t be the book for you. For me, I absolutely love an accidental pregnancy trope when it’s done well. This book is done so well. Jack is immediate in his stepping up to be there for Maggie and the baby and the lengths he goes to for them is so swoon worthy. Maggie is trying her best to protect her heart for so long she pushes Jack away quite a bit. When she finally gives in and accepts the love they have between each other their love is so heartwarming and authentic.
I absolutely adored this book and I think it set up well to become a series. I can’t wait to see what else this author releases I will definitely be picking up any future books! After the hints we got of the side characters throughout this I am so curious to see where their stories go!
Thank you to Grey’s Promo for the ARC of this book!
June 10, 2025
This is really a 3.5 star review (rounded up to 4).
This is Jolie Dunn's debut novel - well done! Such an accomplishment. I've never read a polo themed sports romance, but I was here for it :)
Maggie and Jack have known each other nearly their whole lives, and there's always been an attraction/chemistry/connection since they were young. Maggie winds up with a surprise pregnancy as Jack is leaving for Montana to play in a polo league there. They ultimately decide for Maggie to come along and pretend to be married. You can imagine what happens from there.
These two each come with their own emotional baggage, and while Jack continues to show up as a partner, he gets too in his head from his own childhood trauma. I would have loved for the author to explore this baggage from both characters a little deeper, but it ultimately fell flat for me. It was a lot of surface level questioning, and a lot of repeating the same hesitancies/struggles.
While it had some enjoyable beats and a promising setup, Faking the Shot left me wanting more substance and stronger character development. I’m rounding up to 4 stars because of the easy pacing and polished prose—but this one didn’t fully stick with me. If you’re in the mood for a light, low-angst romance and don’t mind less layered characters, it might still hit the spot. I also think as the author becomes more established, this series will become stronger. I am definitely willing to give the second book a chance so I can watch her flourish as an author.
This is Jolie Dunn's debut novel - well done! Such an accomplishment. I've never read a polo themed sports romance, but I was here for it :)
Maggie and Jack have known each other nearly their whole lives, and there's always been an attraction/chemistry/connection since they were young. Maggie winds up with a surprise pregnancy as Jack is leaving for Montana to play in a polo league there. They ultimately decide for Maggie to come along and pretend to be married. You can imagine what happens from there.
These two each come with their own emotional baggage, and while Jack continues to show up as a partner, he gets too in his head from his own childhood trauma. I would have loved for the author to explore this baggage from both characters a little deeper, but it ultimately fell flat for me. It was a lot of surface level questioning, and a lot of repeating the same hesitancies/struggles.
While it had some enjoyable beats and a promising setup, Faking the Shot left me wanting more substance and stronger character development. I’m rounding up to 4 stars because of the easy pacing and polished prose—but this one didn’t fully stick with me. If you’re in the mood for a light, low-angst romance and don’t mind less layered characters, it might still hit the spot. I also think as the author becomes more established, this series will become stronger. I am definitely willing to give the second book a chance so I can watch her flourish as an author.
June 18, 2025
I am absolutely in love with Jolie Dunn’s writing style 🥰 this is her debut novel and it did not disappoint at all. When I first started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down! This is my first time reading a polo romance book and I wish I took a career in polo riding. We meet Maggie, who is trying her best to succeed in the polo industry as a female rider. Her dad is a famous rider who has a reputation of being an alcoholic and a cheater. She has learned the hard way when her mom abandoned her that marriage and love weren’t in the cards for her.
However, she was always down to hooking up with her next door neighbor and childhood friend Jack Hennicke. He is known as the polo world’s most profound playboy, someone Maggie has sworn to never get close to with her heart. However, one night changes everything and they end up moving to Wyoming with a baby on the way. Maggie didn’t think that Jack had it in him to accept his responsibility and is surprised with how much Jack has stepped up to do for them. To the world, Jack is this arrogant, charming playboy but in reality Jack uses that facade to cover up the fact that his mother also left him.
It’s such an amazing story bc we see the journey that both Maggie and Jack take, individually and as a couple. They both have severe trauma from their mothers leaving them and they are trying their best to navigate the world without their mother’s love. However, these two are literally the epitome of neighbors turned to lovers 😍 and that baby is just a blessing that united them even more.
Rating: 5/5
Steamy scenes: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
However, she was always down to hooking up with her next door neighbor and childhood friend Jack Hennicke. He is known as the polo world’s most profound playboy, someone Maggie has sworn to never get close to with her heart. However, one night changes everything and they end up moving to Wyoming with a baby on the way. Maggie didn’t think that Jack had it in him to accept his responsibility and is surprised with how much Jack has stepped up to do for them. To the world, Jack is this arrogant, charming playboy but in reality Jack uses that facade to cover up the fact that his mother also left him.
It’s such an amazing story bc we see the journey that both Maggie and Jack take, individually and as a couple. They both have severe trauma from their mothers leaving them and they are trying their best to navigate the world without their mother’s love. However, these two are literally the epitome of neighbors turned to lovers 😍 and that baby is just a blessing that united them even more.
Rating: 5/5
Steamy scenes: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
June 18, 2025
What a sweet story
Faking the Shot is the story of Maggie and Jack, two 20-something’s that got together for a night of passion and left with a growing baby. They both come from broken homes, where the mothers were absent and this created a lot of insecurity within them both. When they find themselves in their predicament they decide to go off together and pretend to get married but really they’re friends and co parents. This goes exacted as you imagine it would.
This story is so sweet. Jack and Maggie are Nextdoor neighbors and they’ve been around each other their entire lives. They had a physical relationship in high school and started back up a bit when Maggie got back from college. I really liked this aspect of the story, there was history there but not an unbelievable history. It was relatable. Maggie really struggled with her father’s alcoholism and Jack really struggled to respect her father because his infidelity is what lead to Maggie’s mother leaving and never contacting Maggie again. Jack’s own mother went off on her own, though she did keep in contact, she did abandon Jack and his father. These things really set the stage for the rest of the book. They both are so afraid of being abandoned again, that they’re terrified of letting the other in completely. They have to do a little living and go through a couple things. While I loved this story, it was incredibly predictable. The thing with stories like this is sometimes predictability is nice, it’s exactly what you need. I loved this book and I’m looking forward to the Lena and Felix story.
Faking the Shot is the story of Maggie and Jack, two 20-something’s that got together for a night of passion and left with a growing baby. They both come from broken homes, where the mothers were absent and this created a lot of insecurity within them both. When they find themselves in their predicament they decide to go off together and pretend to get married but really they’re friends and co parents. This goes exacted as you imagine it would.
This story is so sweet. Jack and Maggie are Nextdoor neighbors and they’ve been around each other their entire lives. They had a physical relationship in high school and started back up a bit when Maggie got back from college. I really liked this aspect of the story, there was history there but not an unbelievable history. It was relatable. Maggie really struggled with her father’s alcoholism and Jack really struggled to respect her father because his infidelity is what lead to Maggie’s mother leaving and never contacting Maggie again. Jack’s own mother went off on her own, though she did keep in contact, she did abandon Jack and his father. These things really set the stage for the rest of the book. They both are so afraid of being abandoned again, that they’re terrified of letting the other in completely. They have to do a little living and go through a couple things. While I loved this story, it was incredibly predictable. The thing with stories like this is sometimes predictability is nice, it’s exactly what you need. I loved this book and I’m looking forward to the Lena and Felix story.
June 20, 2025
•Polo sports romance
•Childhood friends
•Accidental pregnancy
•Fake marriage
•Forced proximity
They’ve known each other since they were kids, were each others first everything and now being back home old habits are hard to break. Having no strings attached gets a little complicated when Maggie starts work as his pony groom and even more so after two little lines show up right before Jack is packing up to Wyoming for the polo season.
Maggie is a polo player hoping to make a name for herself, when she realizes she’s pregnant. She never planned to fall for the guy, get married , or have a baby since she never had a maternal figure growing up. Going away gives them the time to plan for the baby, and figure out how to coparent while pretending to be married to benefit their careers. Jack and Maggie mirror each other in a lot of ways with their negative stances on relationships, having abandonment issues due to mothers and being accomplished polo players.
The story was sweet and loved I the forced proximity, and the one bed trope and seeing the walls slowly breakdown between Maggie and Jack and them building a foundation in a new place where they just felt at home with one another, made me invested in their story. For being about a sport that I really knew nothing about, the author wrote it in a way where you could piece together what was happening without holding the story back.
Thank you to greys promotions and Jolie Dunn for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
•Childhood friends
•Accidental pregnancy
•Fake marriage
•Forced proximity
They’ve known each other since they were kids, were each others first everything and now being back home old habits are hard to break. Having no strings attached gets a little complicated when Maggie starts work as his pony groom and even more so after two little lines show up right before Jack is packing up to Wyoming for the polo season.
Maggie is a polo player hoping to make a name for herself, when she realizes she’s pregnant. She never planned to fall for the guy, get married , or have a baby since she never had a maternal figure growing up. Going away gives them the time to plan for the baby, and figure out how to coparent while pretending to be married to benefit their careers. Jack and Maggie mirror each other in a lot of ways with their negative stances on relationships, having abandonment issues due to mothers and being accomplished polo players.
The story was sweet and loved I the forced proximity, and the one bed trope and seeing the walls slowly breakdown between Maggie and Jack and them building a foundation in a new place where they just felt at home with one another, made me invested in their story. For being about a sport that I really knew nothing about, the author wrote it in a way where you could piece together what was happening without holding the story back.
Thank you to greys promotions and Jolie Dunn for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
June 9, 2025
“𝕆𝕗 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕖, 𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕕 𝕦𝕡 𝕒𝕤 𝕞𝕪 𝕜𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕚𝕟 𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕡𝕠𝕝𝕠 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕥𝕤.”
This was my first Polo romance and I want more. This was such an amazing debut by Jolie I cannot wait for more from her.
This was low angst high reward. They grew up together as neighbors/friends when they became teens they experimented with each other having a friends with benefits situation since they both have commitment issues. When Jack returns home they start to fall back into the same routine but with Maggie wanting to also get into Polo her dad recommends she works for Jack to help with connections and practice. Even with rules one fateful night and two pink lines next thing we know they are headed to Wyoming for a job for Jack while prentending to be married.
So much push and pull heavy topics but such a heartwarming story loved it cannot wait to see what happens next hopefully Lina’s situation.
~~What to Expect~~
✨Sports Romance- Polo
✨Accidental Pregnancy
✨One Bed
✨He Falls First
✨Fake Marriage
✨Friends with Benefits
✨Forced Proximity
✨Small Town
✨Work Place
✨No 3rd Act Break Up
~~Quotes~~
🧡I swore I would never get married, and you just went and made me fall in love with you any way
🧡I couldn’t look at her without thinking one thing: Mine
This was my first Polo romance and I want more. This was such an amazing debut by Jolie I cannot wait for more from her.
This was low angst high reward. They grew up together as neighbors/friends when they became teens they experimented with each other having a friends with benefits situation since they both have commitment issues. When Jack returns home they start to fall back into the same routine but with Maggie wanting to also get into Polo her dad recommends she works for Jack to help with connections and practice. Even with rules one fateful night and two pink lines next thing we know they are headed to Wyoming for a job for Jack while prentending to be married.
So much push and pull heavy topics but such a heartwarming story loved it cannot wait to see what happens next hopefully Lina’s situation.
~~What to Expect~~
✨Sports Romance- Polo
✨Accidental Pregnancy
✨One Bed
✨He Falls First
✨Fake Marriage
✨Friends with Benefits
✨Forced Proximity
✨Small Town
✨Work Place
✨No 3rd Act Break Up
~~Quotes~~
🧡I swore I would never get married, and you just went and made me fall in love with you any way
🧡I couldn’t look at her without thinking one thing: Mine
June 10, 2025
Beautifully written book with major emotional pulls.
The beginning was very fast paced as we had to get to know the characters and the context and their history etc… but the rest was paced really well (not too fast and not too slow).
There are some really emotional parts of this book (so I would recommend checking the trigger and content warnings before hand) which made me actually cry and I never… I repeat NEVER cry at books.
It does get marked down a few in my eyes as I would’ve liked to see Maggie (our FMC) stay career driven as well as family and relationship oriented, but I feel that she kind of met a guy and had a baby and suddenly that was her whole world.
Which is fine! Obviously!
But she was so set on her life ambitions at the start and it was a shame to see her loose all of those dreams.
The story and connection between the two main characters is really strong and prevalent and is a very realistic take on relationships. Such as how they handle their own and each others emotions.
I really loved how Jolie tied in mental health struggles and it was so loving to see them navigate such issues together as a developing couple.
All round a well written moving and joyful piece of work.
Well done Jolie and Team xx
The beginning was very fast paced as we had to get to know the characters and the context and their history etc… but the rest was paced really well (not too fast and not too slow).
There are some really emotional parts of this book (so I would recommend checking the trigger and content warnings before hand) which made me actually cry and I never… I repeat NEVER cry at books.
It does get marked down a few in my eyes as I would’ve liked to see Maggie (our FMC) stay career driven as well as family and relationship oriented, but I feel that she kind of met a guy and had a baby and suddenly that was her whole world.
Which is fine! Obviously!
But she was so set on her life ambitions at the start and it was a shame to see her loose all of those dreams.
The story and connection between the two main characters is really strong and prevalent and is a very realistic take on relationships. Such as how they handle their own and each others emotions.
I really loved how Jolie tied in mental health struggles and it was so loving to see them navigate such issues together as a developing couple.
All round a well written moving and joyful piece of work.
Well done Jolie and Team xx
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2025
This book was pure magic! It was my first polo romance ever and wow, it did not disappoint. Maggie and Jack’s story starts with them as childhood neighbors who move in the same polo circles (their dads both play professionally), and then shifts into a surprise hookup, an unexpected pregnancy, and a fake marriage.
With her career on pause, Maggie moves to Golden Meadow, Wyoming so Jack can chase his pro polo dreams, and they can raise their baby together. Golden Meadow gives them the fresh start they didn’t know they needed. Maggie falls in love with teaching as a riding instructor, Jack begins thriving on the field again, and they slowly build a circle of friends that starts to feel like found family.
Thanks to some forced proximity, real feelings begin to grow between them. But it’s not all sunshine and butterflies—both carry deep-rooted abandonment issues (thanks, moms), and that emotional baggage makes their connection feel even more raw and real. I absolutely adored their journey—messy, vulnerable, and full of growth. Huge congrats to Jolie on a captivating debut, I already can’t wait to read more!
** thank you to Jolie Dunn & Greys Promo for this e-ARC**
With her career on pause, Maggie moves to Golden Meadow, Wyoming so Jack can chase his pro polo dreams, and they can raise their baby together. Golden Meadow gives them the fresh start they didn’t know they needed. Maggie falls in love with teaching as a riding instructor, Jack begins thriving on the field again, and they slowly build a circle of friends that starts to feel like found family.
Thanks to some forced proximity, real feelings begin to grow between them. But it’s not all sunshine and butterflies—both carry deep-rooted abandonment issues (thanks, moms), and that emotional baggage makes their connection feel even more raw and real. I absolutely adored their journey—messy, vulnerable, and full of growth. Huge congrats to Jolie on a captivating debut, I already can’t wait to read more!
** thank you to Jolie Dunn & Greys Promo for this e-ARC**
June 15, 2025
Maggie and Jack have known each other all their lives. They’ve been each other’s first in everything except a relationship. What happens when these two, who don’t believe they can ever commit to anyone, are suddenly planning for a new baby?
Faking the Shot is a story about two people who have to finally see what has been there all along. Maggie is an independent, sassy FMC who is trying to break into professional polo while also taking care of an alcoholic father. Jack is a renowned playboy and polo player who doesn’t think he can ever commit to anyone but finds himself drawn to Maggie.
As the story unfolds for these two there are fun, sweet, and emotional moments that will make you want to root for them. Both battling feelings of not being enough and afraid to get hurt by someone else, Maggie and Jack go on a journey of discovery and growth that only they can help each other through.
I loved reading Faking the Shot and can’t wait to read the rest of the series. If you’re looking for a romance that will immediately have you loving the characters and the story, you should take a swing at Faking the Shot.
Faking the Shot is a story about two people who have to finally see what has been there all along. Maggie is an independent, sassy FMC who is trying to break into professional polo while also taking care of an alcoholic father. Jack is a renowned playboy and polo player who doesn’t think he can ever commit to anyone but finds himself drawn to Maggie.
As the story unfolds for these two there are fun, sweet, and emotional moments that will make you want to root for them. Both battling feelings of not being enough and afraid to get hurt by someone else, Maggie and Jack go on a journey of discovery and growth that only they can help each other through.
I loved reading Faking the Shot and can’t wait to read the rest of the series. If you’re looking for a romance that will immediately have you loving the characters and the story, you should take a swing at Faking the Shot.
June 17, 2025
A mixed bag for me. I am not sure I could quite understand some of the family dynamics and/or relate to how their pasts translated into who the characters were as people in the present. Also, it turns out, I have zero interest in learning about polo. I didn’t realize that until I tried to read through the pieces with information on polo. Zzz… Who knew?? (Haha). I wonder if that’s how people feel when I talk about softball…
Anyway, I really liked Jack… and mostly liked Maggie. (She grew on me, anyway). I appreciated moments that made a lot of sense (like the night they conceived and her feelings of shame about her dad)… those were real and raw moments that I could absolutely relate to and understand.
There were moments the story veered and the writing just seemed less engaging as a reader, but throughout, I kept rooting for them to work things out. I don’t want to leave any spoilers, so I’m not getting any further in than that. I will say, give it a read (and just skim through/past the polo parts of you are like me) because there are great moments and a love story worth hearing, as well.
Anyway, I really liked Jack… and mostly liked Maggie. (She grew on me, anyway). I appreciated moments that made a lot of sense (like the night they conceived and her feelings of shame about her dad)… those were real and raw moments that I could absolutely relate to and understand.
There were moments the story veered and the writing just seemed less engaging as a reader, but throughout, I kept rooting for them to work things out. I don’t want to leave any spoilers, so I’m not getting any further in than that. I will say, give it a read (and just skim through/past the polo parts of you are like me) because there are great moments and a love story worth hearing, as well.
June 21, 2025
4.5⭐️ This book made me an emotional mess more than once and I absolutely fell head over heels in love with the MMC Jack. What a sweetheart. He has some of the most swoony lines.
The maternal trauma they both had experienced growing up was gut-wrenching, the alcoholism that the FMC Maggie dealt with, with her dad was heartbreaking as well. They both had deep relationship fears and wounds to overcome, but even so, they were able to use it as a bonding point and as a “what not to do” guide in a sense. They used it as motivation to be better in their life and with their “accidental” family they’d created. They truly were perfect for each other. I loved this take on a childhood friends to lovers story. They weren’t best friends, but they still had a good bond & foundation to start with. And it was just the sweetest story.
This book has LOTS of open door spice, but also depth, connection, vulnerability, banter, fun, friendships, flirtation, drama…. All the makings of a beautiful contemporary romance. I’d definitely read this one again, and looking forward to more from this debut author!
The maternal trauma they both had experienced growing up was gut-wrenching, the alcoholism that the FMC Maggie dealt with, with her dad was heartbreaking as well. They both had deep relationship fears and wounds to overcome, but even so, they were able to use it as a bonding point and as a “what not to do” guide in a sense. They used it as motivation to be better in their life and with their “accidental” family they’d created. They truly were perfect for each other. I loved this take on a childhood friends to lovers story. They weren’t best friends, but they still had a good bond & foundation to start with. And it was just the sweetest story.
This book has LOTS of open door spice, but also depth, connection, vulnerability, banter, fun, friendships, flirtation, drama…. All the makings of a beautiful contemporary romance. I’d definitely read this one again, and looking forward to more from this debut author!
Read
May 31, 2025“Don’t underestimate the choices life gives you. You never know what you’ll get from choosing the road you never thought you would.”
Faking the Shot is a sports romance that features one I’ve never read and know absolutely nothing about…Polo! I enjoyed being immersed in a sports culture that I’m completely unfamiliar with. Workplace romance with a fake marriage, an accidental pregnancy, and emotional breakthroughs? I’m in! A solid debut from Jolie Dunn!
—
this and that:
♡ dual pov
♡ fake marriage
♡ forced proximity
♡ friends with benefits
♡ he falls first
♡ one bed
♡ open door spice
♡ polo
♡ reformed playboy
♡ roadtrip
♡ small town
♡ unexpected pregnancy
♡ workplace romance
triggers:
☞ alcoholism
☞ anxiety
☞ child abandonment
☞ panic attacks
—
thank you to Grey’s Promotions for the gifted review copy!
—
♡ find me on Instagram!
Faking the Shot is a sports romance that features one I’ve never read and know absolutely nothing about…Polo! I enjoyed being immersed in a sports culture that I’m completely unfamiliar with. Workplace romance with a fake marriage, an accidental pregnancy, and emotional breakthroughs? I’m in! A solid debut from Jolie Dunn!
—
this and that:
♡ dual pov
♡ fake marriage
♡ forced proximity
♡ friends with benefits
♡ he falls first
♡ one bed
♡ open door spice
♡ polo
♡ reformed playboy
♡ roadtrip
♡ small town
♡ unexpected pregnancy
♡ workplace romance
triggers:
☞ alcoholism
☞ anxiety
☞ child abandonment
☞ panic attacks
—
thank you to Grey’s Promotions for the gifted review copy!
—
♡ find me on Instagram!
June 13, 2025
Having seen the hurt that a failed marriage can cause Maggie is not looking for love or a relationship. She has enjoyed a friendship and physical relationship with Jack in the past and now that she is working for him it only seems natural for that to continue. What wasn’t part of the plan was to find out she was pregnant and now they must decide where they go from here.
Jack is single and intends to stay that way especially since his career as a polo player is causing him to relocate. The time he spent with Maggie was supposed to fun and casual but finding out she is pregnant changes everything and it will cause him to not only reassess being a father but his feelings for Maggie as well.
This is a story of two people who have a lot in common from their views on relationships to their careers which allows them to understand what the other is feeling. What began as a way to co-parent turned into a love that neither thought they wanted.
Jack is single and intends to stay that way especially since his career as a polo player is causing him to relocate. The time he spent with Maggie was supposed to fun and casual but finding out she is pregnant changes everything and it will cause him to not only reassess being a father but his feelings for Maggie as well.
This is a story of two people who have a lot in common from their views on relationships to their careers which allows them to understand what the other is feeling. What began as a way to co-parent turned into a love that neither thought they wanted.
June 17, 2025
⭐️ 4.5 / 5
If you love a cowboy romance with an accidental pregnancy you will love this book. The fact that this is Jolie Dunn’s debut novel is incredible. She did a fantastic job writing Maggie and Jack. Their connection was jumping off the pages for me. From their love for each other, even though it was extremely messy (in my opinion) to the banter, this book is the perfect summer read. It’s one of those cute reads that you just can’t put down. The ending was really good, Jolie did a fantastic job tying everything back together. Even though I am normally not a fan of slow burn romances, this one, I enjoyed very much.
I can not wait to the second book in her Golden Meadow Polo series and for any other books Jolie writes because I will definitely give it a read.
Thank you to Grey's Promotions and Jolie Dunn letting me read this book early with an ARC.
(sorry for the late review, I was away longer then I expected)
If you love a cowboy romance with an accidental pregnancy you will love this book. The fact that this is Jolie Dunn’s debut novel is incredible. She did a fantastic job writing Maggie and Jack. Their connection was jumping off the pages for me. From their love for each other, even though it was extremely messy (in my opinion) to the banter, this book is the perfect summer read. It’s one of those cute reads that you just can’t put down. The ending was really good, Jolie did a fantastic job tying everything back together. Even though I am normally not a fan of slow burn romances, this one, I enjoyed very much.
I can not wait to the second book in her Golden Meadow Polo series and for any other books Jolie writes because I will definitely give it a read.
Thank you to Grey's Promotions and Jolie Dunn letting me read this book early with an ARC.
(sorry for the late review, I was away longer then I expected)
June 2, 2025
I believe Faking the Shot is this authors debut novel as well as being the first book in Golden Meadow Series. It’s a solid start to both her career and the series which is set in the world of polo. This is Jack and Maggie’s friends to lovers story and I enjoyed everything about it from the exciting world of polo to the adorable characters and everything in between.
Jack is arrogant and a successful polo player and Maggie Ryne is his longtime neighbor. When Maggie’s father tells her she can’t work for him anymore she is forced to work for the man next door and that’s when one night passion leaves them with a surprise bundle….
This book took me to a world and sport I know very little about so it was exciting. I enjoyed this read, the characters are strong and the story is captivating and believable.
Jack is arrogant and a successful polo player and Maggie Ryne is his longtime neighbor. When Maggie’s father tells her she can’t work for him anymore she is forced to work for the man next door and that’s when one night passion leaves them with a surprise bundle….
This book took me to a world and sport I know very little about so it was exciting. I enjoyed this read, the characters are strong and the story is captivating and believable.
June 10, 2025
This is a debut from this author, and she has done an incredible job in weaving this storyline, and she is certainly a name to look out for in the future!
Jack is the world’s most profound playboy, and polo player, while Maggie is a next-door neighbor, and she has always aspired to become a successful woman’s polo player. These two have known each other all off their lives, and when Maggie’s dad fires her from working with him, she is forced to ask Jack for work.
This is a well written easy to read story, with family, friendships, emotions, boss / employee, forced proximity, friends / lovers, fake relationship, humor, witty banter, determination, tension, challenges, undeniable chemistry, reformed playboy, and love, which leads to an entertaining, small-town romance.
I look forward to reading more from this author whose work I recommend.
Jack is the world’s most profound playboy, and polo player, while Maggie is a next-door neighbor, and she has always aspired to become a successful woman’s polo player. These two have known each other all off their lives, and when Maggie’s dad fires her from working with him, she is forced to ask Jack for work.
This is a well written easy to read story, with family, friendships, emotions, boss / employee, forced proximity, friends / lovers, fake relationship, humor, witty banter, determination, tension, challenges, undeniable chemistry, reformed playboy, and love, which leads to an entertaining, small-town romance.
I look forward to reading more from this author whose work I recommend.
June 11, 2025
This was a great debut novel for author Jolie Dunn! I really enjoyed the depth each character had and the real struggles they faced.
I loved seeing the Jack from the beginning of the book transform into the Jack from the end. There were some bumps along the way, but it felt like a very genuine journey and not something rushed or superficial.
The same can be said for Maggie! My favorite part of the story was how Maggie developed. I loved seeing her with the horses.
There is a great transition with each character, from their focus on polo to changing priorities and focusing on family that I loved.
Overall, the book was a little long, and there were a few repeating scenes or situations throughout that could have been cut, but I loved that this isn't a typical sports romance and the story felt original so those couple things didn't take away too much from my enjoyment.
I loved seeing the Jack from the beginning of the book transform into the Jack from the end. There were some bumps along the way, but it felt like a very genuine journey and not something rushed or superficial.
The same can be said for Maggie! My favorite part of the story was how Maggie developed. I loved seeing her with the horses.
There is a great transition with each character, from their focus on polo to changing priorities and focusing on family that I loved.
Overall, the book was a little long, and there were a few repeating scenes or situations throughout that could have been cut, but I loved that this isn't a typical sports romance and the story felt original so those couple things didn't take away too much from my enjoyment.
June 11, 2025
Maggie: polo player, abandonment & commitment issues; pregnant & “married” to her childhood friend
Jack: polo player; commitment & mommy issues; “married’ & expecting a baby with his childhood friend
This was a fantastic debut book! I enjoyed reading this book.
Maggie and Jack knew each other better than they thought. They have a connection start is based on friendship. Reading the evolution of their relationship was beautiful. They were there for each other when doubts go in the way. They had fears but they still believed in each other.
Jack and Maggie both ha abandonment issue due to both their mom’s leaving. I think internally it scarred them but it also pushed them to be better parents to their baby. They were going to let their past issues affect their child. I loved them together. They made each other feel safe.
10/10 would recommend
Jack: polo player; commitment & mommy issues; “married’ & expecting a baby with his childhood friend
This was a fantastic debut book! I enjoyed reading this book.
Maggie and Jack knew each other better than they thought. They have a connection start is based on friendship. Reading the evolution of their relationship was beautiful. They were there for each other when doubts go in the way. They had fears but they still believed in each other.
Jack and Maggie both ha abandonment issue due to both their mom’s leaving. I think internally it scarred them but it also pushed them to be better parents to their baby. They were going to let their past issues affect their child. I loved them together. They made each other feel safe.
10/10 would recommend
June 18, 2025
Jack and Maggie's story was a great way to start a new series. They were childhood friends, neighbors, more than friends, and then they weren't. When two pink lines show up on a test, they must figure out what is next for them. When they move to Wyoming for a new start, Jack and Maggie are great together and there for each other every step of the way. When Jack needs some help she is there without questions asked. Maggie is a strong character, she is independent, caring, and a natural nurturer.
This is my first polo book and I learned a lot about the sport. I think that this was a well written story and I was hooked from the beginning. These are great characters and I am looking forward to what is next for this author and Golden Meadow Polo.
Received ARC from Jolie Dunn and Grey's Promotions in exchange for honest review.
This is my first polo book and I learned a lot about the sport. I think that this was a well written story and I was hooked from the beginning. These are great characters and I am looking forward to what is next for this author and Golden Meadow Polo.
Received ARC from Jolie Dunn and Grey's Promotions in exchange for honest review.
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