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Aston Archers Hockey #2
Make Your Play
Falling for my best friend’s brother was not a part of my plan… especially while I was pregnant with someone else’s child.
In my defense, I got pregnant by a guy who wants absolutely nothing to do with me or the baby.
And, just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, my health insurance drops me, claiming I lied about a pre-existing condition.
Being in this alone is scary enough, but trying to figure out how I’m going to pay for my medical care? That’s a whole new level of terrifying.
When Nash Simmons—my best friend’s brother, and Aston Archers star hockey player—finds out about the predicament I’m in, he steps in to save me from a financial disaster with an offer I can’t possibly refuse.
His proposal: I marry him for his insurance and we get it annulled after the baby is born.
It seems like the perfect solution, but as our arrangement unfolds and we continue to grow closer, it becomes even harder to ignore the electricity sizzling between us.
The lines between real and fake are starting to blur, and I can’t help but wonder if there’s room for my son and I in his future.
Or am I only fooling myself by thinking this could ever be more than what it was supposed to be?
____________________________________________
From bestselling romance author, Cali Melle, Make Your Play is a fun and steamy standalone from the Aston Archers series. Each book can be read alone and follows a fictional professional player falling in love.
MAKE YOUR PLAY TROPES:
Pro Hockey Romance
Surprise Pregnancy (it's not his)
Best Friend's Sibling
Marriage of Convenience
Forced Proximity
He Falls First
In my defense, I got pregnant by a guy who wants absolutely nothing to do with me or the baby.
And, just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, my health insurance drops me, claiming I lied about a pre-existing condition.
Being in this alone is scary enough, but trying to figure out how I’m going to pay for my medical care? That’s a whole new level of terrifying.
When Nash Simmons—my best friend’s brother, and Aston Archers star hockey player—finds out about the predicament I’m in, he steps in to save me from a financial disaster with an offer I can’t possibly refuse.
His proposal: I marry him for his insurance and we get it annulled after the baby is born.
It seems like the perfect solution, but as our arrangement unfolds and we continue to grow closer, it becomes even harder to ignore the electricity sizzling between us.
The lines between real and fake are starting to blur, and I can’t help but wonder if there’s room for my son and I in his future.
Or am I only fooling myself by thinking this could ever be more than what it was supposed to be?
____________________________________________
From bestselling romance author, Cali Melle, Make Your Play is a fun and steamy standalone from the Aston Archers series. Each book can be read alone and follows a fictional professional player falling in love.
MAKE YOUR PLAY TROPES:
Pro Hockey Romance
Surprise Pregnancy (it's not his)
Best Friend's Sibling
Marriage of Convenience
Forced Proximity
He Falls First
326 pages, Paperback
Published January 24, 2025
1652 people are currently reading
7904 people want to read
About the author
Cali Melle
30 books1,298 followersCali Melle is a USA Today Bestselling Author who writes sports romance that will pull at your heartstrings. You can always expect her stories to come fully equipped with heartthrobs and a happy ending, along with some steamy scenes.
In her free time, Cali can usually be found living in a magical, fantasy world with the newest book or fanfic she's reading or freezing at the ice rink while she watches her kids play hockey.
In her free time, Cali can usually be found living in a magical, fantasy world with the newest book or fanfic she's reading or freezing at the ice rink while she watches her kids play hockey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 680 reviews
February 10, 2025
doing my monthly walk of shame from tiktok to goodreads because once again i started reading a book only because i saw a quote on tiktok🧍♀️
January 22, 2025
“You’re not alone.” I pause, my heart pounding harder in my chest. “I’m right here with you.” I let out a soft breath, emotion washing over me as I get lost in the swirling hues of green in her eyes. “You’ll never be alone.”
Listen, I loved Make Your Move, the first book in the Aston Archer’s series. Lincoln + Nova had my heart. But then I read the sneak peek for Make Your Play and I was like, oh yes. This is gonna make me feral. And I’m happy to report, I’m feral for Nash + Riley 🤭
Nash is Nova’s (the FMC in book #1’s) brother and Riley is Nova’s childhood best friend. Lo and behold, growing up over the years, both Nash and Riley have had mutual secret feelings for one another but never acted on it. Well, they’re both adults now and Riley happens to wind up pregnant with a *lovely* human being who wants nothing to do with her and the baby. What a great guy, right? 😅
No worries, because unbeknownst to Riley, someone who has ALWAYS been there shows up in unexpected ways. Nash is the MVP of this book because the way that he supports her throughout this pregnancy when he doesn’t even need to??? Chef’s kiss. I don’t want to share how he supports her because you need to read it for yourself but it brought me to tears MULTIPLE times 😭 Their solid base of friendships turns into the most beautiful relationship that had me kicking my feet, giggling, giddy, swooning, and crying over fictional characters. Their chemistry and tension was PALPABLE. And let’s just say we have a “good boy” moment AND a 💦 in the 👖 moment. I know, double whammy for the win 👏
I seriously couldn’t have loved these two more. They’re so stinking cute and I loved how they found their way to each other. Absolutely worth the read and a beautiful follow up in the series!
4.5⭐️/3.5🌶️
pro hockey romance
childhood best friends to lovers
surprise pregnancy (and it’s not his)
forced proximity
marriage of convenience
chronic illness rep
Listen, I loved Make Your Move, the first book in the Aston Archer’s series. Lincoln + Nova had my heart. But then I read the sneak peek for Make Your Play and I was like, oh yes. This is gonna make me feral. And I’m happy to report, I’m feral for Nash + Riley 🤭
Nash is Nova’s (the FMC in book #1’s) brother and Riley is Nova’s childhood best friend. Lo and behold, growing up over the years, both Nash and Riley have had mutual secret feelings for one another but never acted on it. Well, they’re both adults now and Riley happens to wind up pregnant with a *lovely* human being who wants nothing to do with her and the baby. What a great guy, right? 😅
No worries, because unbeknownst to Riley, someone who has ALWAYS been there shows up in unexpected ways. Nash is the MVP of this book because the way that he supports her throughout this pregnancy when he doesn’t even need to??? Chef’s kiss. I don’t want to share how he supports her because you need to read it for yourself but it brought me to tears MULTIPLE times 😭 Their solid base of friendships turns into the most beautiful relationship that had me kicking my feet, giggling, giddy, swooning, and crying over fictional characters. Their chemistry and tension was PALPABLE. And let’s just say we have a “good boy” moment AND a 💦 in the 👖 moment. I know, double whammy for the win 👏
I seriously couldn’t have loved these two more. They’re so stinking cute and I loved how they found their way to each other. Absolutely worth the read and a beautiful follow up in the series!
4.5⭐️/3.5🌶️
pro hockey romance
childhood best friends to lovers
surprise pregnancy (and it’s not his)
forced proximity
marriage of convenience
chronic illness rep
January 26, 2025
• Sister's best friend
• It's always been you
• Accidental Pregnancy (its not his)
• Hockey Romance
• Marriage of Convenience
• Forced Proximity
• Second book in series
Oh, how I am loving this series. Cali Melle won me over with the first book in this series, Make Your Move, and I was so excited to dive into this one! The way Cali has brought some of the sweet characters to life is one of my favorite parts of this series. I feel hard for Nova and Lincoln. And then when I found out that this was Nova's best friend's and brother's book! SIGN ME UP! And with this incredible trope list! And like her first book in this series it was ridiculously sweet! I loved every second of getting to know Nash and Riley.
This was wonderfully done "It's always been you" trope style book! Nash's feelings about Riley have always been more than just platonic for his sister's best friend. And we get to learn that those feelings are beautifully reciprocated as Riley falls harder and harder for Nash. Honestly, I don't know how she couldn't; he made it unbelievably hard for her not to! With the way he cared for her and not only put her first but also her sweet unborn baby.
This sweet little trio will have you melting!
• It's always been you
• Accidental Pregnancy (its not his)
• Hockey Romance
• Marriage of Convenience
• Forced Proximity
• Second book in series
Oh, how I am loving this series. Cali Melle won me over with the first book in this series, Make Your Move, and I was so excited to dive into this one! The way Cali has brought some of the sweet characters to life is one of my favorite parts of this series. I feel hard for Nova and Lincoln. And then when I found out that this was Nova's best friend's and brother's book! SIGN ME UP! And with this incredible trope list! And like her first book in this series it was ridiculously sweet! I loved every second of getting to know Nash and Riley.
This was wonderfully done "It's always been you" trope style book! Nash's feelings about Riley have always been more than just platonic for his sister's best friend. And we get to learn that those feelings are beautifully reciprocated as Riley falls harder and harder for Nash. Honestly, I don't know how she couldn't; he made it unbelievably hard for her not to! With the way he cared for her and not only put her first but also her sweet unborn baby.
This sweet little trio will have you melting!
January 29, 2025
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️.5
Okay so this is my favorite book Cali has written. Nash Simmons will live in my brain rent free for the rest of eternity!
As someone who doesn’t love accidental pregnancy, I was blown away with how much I absolutely ate up every bit of this. When she is pregnant and it’s not his baby is a twist on the trope that will absolutely devour every time. And Cali did this one to absolute perfection.
This man is the literal definition of if he wanted to he would and I’m absolutely here for the way he loved Riley and showed up for her in a thousand different ways. What starts as them getting married for health insurance reasons end in one of the sweetest love stories ever, because let em tell you this man was all in even before he said “I do.”
Also a “my wife” moment is one i always go feral for and this one was top notch! Please do yourself a favor and read this book.
✨ Hockey Romance
✨ Best Friend’s Brother
✨ Marriage of Convenience
✨ He Falls First
✨ Accidental Pregnancy (not his baby)
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️.5
Okay so this is my favorite book Cali has written. Nash Simmons will live in my brain rent free for the rest of eternity!
As someone who doesn’t love accidental pregnancy, I was blown away with how much I absolutely ate up every bit of this. When she is pregnant and it’s not his baby is a twist on the trope that will absolutely devour every time. And Cali did this one to absolute perfection.
This man is the literal definition of if he wanted to he would and I’m absolutely here for the way he loved Riley and showed up for her in a thousand different ways. What starts as them getting married for health insurance reasons end in one of the sweetest love stories ever, because let em tell you this man was all in even before he said “I do.”
Also a “my wife” moment is one i always go feral for and this one was top notch! Please do yourself a favor and read this book.
✨ Hockey Romance
✨ Best Friend’s Brother
✨ Marriage of Convenience
✨ He Falls First
✨ Accidental Pregnancy (not his baby)
July 15, 2025
Rating - ⭐⭐⭐.75
Spice - 🌶🌶🌶
Trope - best friends brother, accidental pregnancy (it's not his), dad who stepped up, marriage of convenience, forced proximity, high risk pregnancy, found family, chronic illness rep, friends to lovers, it's always been you, no-third act breakup, slow burn, sports romance, HEA
Bonus chapter - 1
After the last one turned out, I had little to no hope from this one, but this was much better than I anticipated. The characters had more story and personality.
Riley has a high-risk pregnancy, and her insurance doesn't cover all her charges, so Nash proposes a marriage of convenience. However, they keep the marriage under wraps until the very end, so NO DRAMA and ANGST in this context.
Nash was so damn sweet and caring. His whole personality was so giving, and I loved that about him. He didn't have to step up, but he did it anyway, and he did it in the best possible way. The way he memorised all her favourite things had me swooning. Nash!! He was so gentle with Riley, and the time when he talked to her belly was so beautiful. Also, DID I MENTION HE CALLED HER MAMA and LOVE, OMFG.. He was such a loving dad; the initial moments between him and the baby were precious.
Riley was so strong and bold. I can't imagine how she felt throughout the pregnancy, regardless of the way she fought and dealt with the situation, was superior. She was independent and had a hard time asking for help, and Nash showed up every single time; they were a perfect match for one another.
The chemistry and relationship between the MCs were beautiful and caring. I loved how they communicated and loved each other throughout the book.
The last few chapters were sweet and scary. I almost cried reading about all the possibilities, but I was so relieved when things went well. The epilogue was wholesome, it was sweet, sexy and filled with love.
The "my wife" moment was sweet, but it was short-lived. Again, no drama after the revelation - everyone was shocked but also okay.
Things I didn't like much -
1. Literally NO drama. Up to 50% of the book, they didn't tell anyone about the marriage, not even the doctor, which was odd because they got married pretty early in the book.
2. There were so many similarities between the first book and this one - many lines, scenes and traits were repeated, and it just took away the uniqueness of the characters and couple.
3. I was ready to blindside the repetition throughout the book, but when it happened in the bonus chapter, I was so disappointed. I almost dropped the rating from 4 to 3, but then it also had its kick, so I just reduced 0.25.
This was much better than the first book. I really enjoyed it.
After the small glimpse, I'm excited for Rowan's book.
Overall 3.75/5
Spice - 🌶🌶🌶
Trope - best friends brother, accidental pregnancy (it's not his), dad who stepped up, marriage of convenience, forced proximity, high risk pregnancy, found family, chronic illness rep, friends to lovers, it's always been you, no-third act breakup, slow burn, sports romance, HEA
Bonus chapter - 1
After the last one turned out, I had little to no hope from this one, but this was much better than I anticipated. The characters had more story and personality.
Riley has a high-risk pregnancy, and her insurance doesn't cover all her charges, so Nash proposes a marriage of convenience. However, they keep the marriage under wraps until the very end, so NO DRAMA and ANGST in this context.
Nash was so damn sweet and caring. His whole personality was so giving, and I loved that about him. He didn't have to step up, but he did it anyway, and he did it in the best possible way. The way he memorised all her favourite things had me swooning. Nash!! He was so gentle with Riley, and the time when he talked to her belly was so beautiful. Also, DID I MENTION HE CALLED HER MAMA and LOVE, OMFG.. He was such a loving dad; the initial moments between him and the baby were precious.
Riley was so strong and bold. I can't imagine how she felt throughout the pregnancy, regardless of the way she fought and dealt with the situation, was superior. She was independent and had a hard time asking for help, and Nash showed up every single time; they were a perfect match for one another.
The chemistry and relationship between the MCs were beautiful and caring. I loved how they communicated and loved each other throughout the book.
The last few chapters were sweet and scary. I almost cried reading about all the possibilities, but I was so relieved when things went well. The epilogue was wholesome, it was sweet, sexy and filled with love.
The "my wife" moment was sweet, but it was short-lived. Again, no drama after the revelation - everyone was shocked but also okay.
Things I didn't like much -
1. Literally NO drama. Up to 50% of the book, they didn't tell anyone about the marriage, not even the doctor, which was odd because they got married pretty early in the book.
2. There were so many similarities between the first book and this one - many lines, scenes and traits were repeated, and it just took away the uniqueness of the characters and couple.
3. I was ready to blindside the repetition throughout the book, but when it happened in the bonus chapter, I was so disappointed. I almost dropped the rating from 4 to 3, but then it also had its kick, so I just reduced 0.25.
This was much better than the first book. I really enjoyed it.
After the small glimpse, I'm excited for Rowan's book.
Overall 3.75/5
January 21, 2025
I have just found my newest favorite Cali Melle book! Make Your Play has to be Cali's best book to date. Did I devour this book in one setting? Yes, yes I did. Do I now love when it’s an accidental pregnancy and he is not the father? Why, yes I do! This book is literal perfection and you NEED to add this one to your TBR immediately!
The moment I was introduced to Nash and Riley in the first book in this series, I was impatiently feral for their book. Their chemistry was palpable from the start of this series and all I'm going to say is Nash Simmons is pure perfection. Nash is Riley's best friend's older brother and they have been mutually pining for each other for years. And when Riley ends up pregnant with another man's baby, our boy Nash refuses to let Riley do it on her own especially when Riley starts experiencing pregnancy complications.
I know the accidental pregnancy trope is one that is controversial but this one was done so well. And what I loved most about it, is the fact that Nash is not the father. The man stood right the fuck up and wanted to be a part of Riley's life no matter what and was determined to be the father that her baby deserved. And to say that this man made my knees so damn weak, I am not lying. He just made me swoon so damn hard throughout this whole book.
Now I won't lie, I really related to Riley on so many levels. She is fiercely independent and refuses to ask for help. And then you have Nash who literally shows his love through acts of services, which is exactly what she has a hard time accepting. But it's exactly what she needs. It was seriously such a beautiful relationship. And their growth through vulnerability was perfect.
Cali, seriously, you outdid yourself with this one! I loved everything about this book and Nash is pure perfection! Hands down my new favorite book of yours. You will have a very hard time topping Nash for me. He just did something to me.
You should most definitely read this book if you like:
- Hockey Romance
- Accidental Pregnancy (it isn't his!)
- Marriage of Convenience
- Best Friend's Brother
- Mutual Pining
- Forced Proximity
- No Third Act Break Up
* I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Cali Melle for allowing me the absolute pleasure to read Make Your Play as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
The moment I was introduced to Nash and Riley in the first book in this series, I was impatiently feral for their book. Their chemistry was palpable from the start of this series and all I'm going to say is Nash Simmons is pure perfection. Nash is Riley's best friend's older brother and they have been mutually pining for each other for years. And when Riley ends up pregnant with another man's baby, our boy Nash refuses to let Riley do it on her own especially when Riley starts experiencing pregnancy complications.
I know the accidental pregnancy trope is one that is controversial but this one was done so well. And what I loved most about it, is the fact that Nash is not the father. The man stood right the fuck up and wanted to be a part of Riley's life no matter what and was determined to be the father that her baby deserved. And to say that this man made my knees so damn weak, I am not lying. He just made me swoon so damn hard throughout this whole book.
Now I won't lie, I really related to Riley on so many levels. She is fiercely independent and refuses to ask for help. And then you have Nash who literally shows his love through acts of services, which is exactly what she has a hard time accepting. But it's exactly what she needs. It was seriously such a beautiful relationship. And their growth through vulnerability was perfect.
Cali, seriously, you outdid yourself with this one! I loved everything about this book and Nash is pure perfection! Hands down my new favorite book of yours. You will have a very hard time topping Nash for me. He just did something to me.
You should most definitely read this book if you like:
- Hockey Romance
- Accidental Pregnancy (it isn't his!)
- Marriage of Convenience
- Best Friend's Brother
- Mutual Pining
- Forced Proximity
- No Third Act Break Up
* I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Cali Melle for allowing me the absolute pleasure to read Make Your Play as an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts, opinions and review.
January 26, 2025
✨️ARC Read
Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶
HEA:🌟🌟🌟/3
❗️Safety and Small Spoilers Below❗️
📌 Triggers: High-Risk Pregnancy (on-page) Pre-Eclampsia (On-page) POTS (on-page)
📌 HEA: Still Married and Living Together
📌 No Cheating/Sharing
📌 No OWD
📌 No OMD: Bio dad of the FMCs baby wanted nothing to do with her or the kid. He's never introduced in the book.
📌 MCs both had crushes on each other for years. They kept their feelings hidden from their families and each other.
📌 No Third-act Breakup
📌 Physical Separations due to MMCs job
Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶
HEA:🌟🌟🌟/3
❗️Safety and Small Spoilers Below❗️
📌 Triggers: High-Risk Pregnancy (on-page) Pre-Eclampsia (On-page) POTS (on-page)
📌 HEA: Still Married and Living Together
📌 No Cheating/Sharing
📌 No OWD
📌 No OMD: Bio dad of the FMCs baby wanted nothing to do with her or the kid. He's never introduced in the book.
📌 MCs both had crushes on each other for years. They kept their feelings hidden from their families and each other.
📌 No Third-act Breakup
📌 Physical Separations due to MMCs job
January 24, 2025
This was so cute!
I just wish it was longer tho!!!! And I was disappointed that both the epilogue and the extended epilogue were just sex ☹️ we didn’t get to see them together with the baby at all which is so disappointing
I just wish it was longer tho!!!! And I was disappointed that both the epilogue and the extended epilogue were just sex ☹️ we didn’t get to see them together with the baby at all which is so disappointing
January 13, 2025
Stop stop stop!
What is this book? A beautiful 5 star read.
This story was lovely, Nash could not hide his feelings for Riley AT ALL. He had it bad! The way he cared for her and took her whole life on was incredible he never doubted once that’s what he wanted and had no fear in him at all with what the future held for them. He was going to have her completely and fully!
My heart felt for Riley and how scared she would have been, the heartbreak would have been unreal but Nash really came through and helped her heal a heart he didn’t break!
This story was phenomenal and I didn’t doubt it from the first this wouldn’t follow with the 5 stars.
Cali Melle is an auto reader for me everytime.
What is this book? A beautiful 5 star read.
This story was lovely, Nash could not hide his feelings for Riley AT ALL. He had it bad! The way he cared for her and took her whole life on was incredible he never doubted once that’s what he wanted and had no fear in him at all with what the future held for them. He was going to have her completely and fully!
My heart felt for Riley and how scared she would have been, the heartbreak would have been unreal but Nash really came through and helped her heal a heart he didn’t break!
This story was phenomenal and I didn’t doubt it from the first this wouldn’t follow with the 5 stars.
Cali Melle is an auto reader for me everytime.
January 12, 2025
Nash & Riley — That is all 😍
Just kidding, but really they are perfect. This is the definition of how a best friend’s brother trope should go. I love that they were the last to know they wanted each other 🤣
I love even more that everyone openly vocalized their support. When Riley finally let her guard down & let him in and let him help her… it melted my heart 🫠
Cali did a great job with her inclusion & description of pregnancy issues & how series they can become at the drop of a hat. As someone who went through the severe preeclampsia & emergency C-section because of the baby being in distress, this hit close to home - i read pieces to my husband & he was impressed at the feelings from Nash’s point of view & how realistic it was laid out. 💕
This book was beautiful & I screamed at the nonchalant Rowan chapter 🤣💕
Just kidding, but really they are perfect. This is the definition of how a best friend’s brother trope should go. I love that they were the last to know they wanted each other 🤣
I love even more that everyone openly vocalized their support. When Riley finally let her guard down & let him in and let him help her… it melted my heart 🫠
Cali did a great job with her inclusion & description of pregnancy issues & how series they can become at the drop of a hat. As someone who went through the severe preeclampsia & emergency C-section because of the baby being in distress, this hit close to home - i read pieces to my husband & he was impressed at the feelings from Nash’s point of view & how realistic it was laid out. 💕
This book was beautiful & I screamed at the nonchalant Rowan chapter 🤣💕
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2025
officially cali melle’s #1 fan!!!! her books genuinely keep getting better and better it’s insane
i loved lincoln so much in make your move but, oh man, nash truly has my whole heart now <3 the way he cared for riley (and she cared for him right back) was so special to me. they fit together so perfectly, and ended up creating the best little family <3
and the set up for the next book??? 10/10 i can’t wait!!
thank you cali for the arc!!
i loved lincoln so much in make your move but, oh man, nash truly has my whole heart now <3 the way he cared for riley (and she cared for him right back) was so special to me. they fit together so perfectly, and ended up creating the best little family <3
and the set up for the next book??? 10/10 i can’t wait!!
thank you cali for the arc!!
January 12, 2025
ARC review****
I absolutely devoured this book in half a day. I don’t know what the author put in this book, but it was high addicting. The first book didn’t completely sell me, but the second book made me realize i definitely want more. If you’re a fan of marriage of convenience and/or a pregnancy trope, this one is for you. I also lost it at “where’s my fucking wife” that line never gets old.
I absolutely devoured this book in half a day. I don’t know what the author put in this book, but it was high addicting. The first book didn’t completely sell me, but the second book made me realize i definitely want more. If you’re a fan of marriage of convenience and/or a pregnancy trope, this one is for you. I also lost it at “where’s my fucking wife” that line never gets old.
January 25, 2025
“I’ll always take care of her and she’ll always be safe with me. They both will.”
ATTENTION CINNAMON ROLL MMC LOVERS, NASH SIMMONS IS FOR YOU!
He married her.
Paints for her .
Cooks for her.
He reads to know how to help her feel better.
These are just a some of the things Nash Simmons did for his sisters best friend. Nash and Riley secretly pined for each other since they were kids. Now she’s pregnant from a person who doesn’t want anything to do with her or his baby. Riley is having issues with her insurance coverage . Nash finds out and offers to marry her, so she can use his insurance. The more time they spend together, the more tensions between them build. Was this marriage actually ever fake?
I fell just as hard for Nash, as Riley did. I was awing every single time he did something for her. The way he supported her though out her pregnancy and all the unexpected things he did. Swoon baby swoon! This couple left you giddy, smirking, crying, and wiggling in your seat. Nash can be a very good boy. They were so adorable together. I loved the progression from friendship to lovers. Cali rocked this book. I loved it. I’m excited to see what she has next for us.
Tropes: hockey, childhood friends to lovers, surprise pregnancy (it’s not his) , forced proximity, marriage of convenience, my wife, sister’s best friend,chronic illness rep.
Thank you so much Cali for the ARC!
ATTENTION CINNAMON ROLL MMC LOVERS, NASH SIMMONS IS FOR YOU!
He married her.
Paints for her .
Cooks for her.
He reads to know how to help her feel better.
These are just a some of the things Nash Simmons did for his sisters best friend. Nash and Riley secretly pined for each other since they were kids. Now she’s pregnant from a person who doesn’t want anything to do with her or his baby. Riley is having issues with her insurance coverage . Nash finds out and offers to marry her, so she can use his insurance. The more time they spend together, the more tensions between them build. Was this marriage actually ever fake?
I fell just as hard for Nash, as Riley did. I was awing every single time he did something for her. The way he supported her though out her pregnancy and all the unexpected things he did. Swoon baby swoon! This couple left you giddy, smirking, crying, and wiggling in your seat. Nash can be a very good boy. They were so adorable together. I loved the progression from friendship to lovers. Cali rocked this book. I loved it. I’m excited to see what she has next for us.
Tropes: hockey, childhood friends to lovers, surprise pregnancy (it’s not his) , forced proximity, marriage of convenience, my wife, sister’s best friend,chronic illness rep.
Thank you so much Cali for the ARC!
April 20, 2025
Make Your Play (ARC review)
Thank you to Cali Melle for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Cali did it again!!! I'm OBSESSED! This woman just keeps writing masterpieces! Nash and Riley were EVERYTHING! The pining between them, the chemistry, the passion, they all were perfect! I can't express how much I enjoyed each chapter and how hard I was rooting for them. These two had a beautiful connection, and in each moment, I could see they were meant to be. They cared deeply for each other and they were each other's person. They sought comfort to each other, and slowly yet beautifully, they fell in love. I adored how Nash did everything for Riley and truly teated her like the best thing in his life. You could definitely see how much she meant to him. For me Riley is my favorite girl in this series. I loved her strong character and her caring side. She did everything to be the best mother and she deserved all the love she received from Nash. They were made to be together and I can say each moment they shared together was so special to me! Their love was so beautiful and truly a magical thing to witness. The epilogue was perfection!
Book by: Cali Melle
Tropes:
• Sports romance
• Surprise pregnancy
• Single parent
• Best friend's brother
• Marriage of convenience
• Forced proximity
• He Falls First
My rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice level: 2,5/5 🔥
Thank you to Cali Melle for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Cali did it again!!! I'm OBSESSED! This woman just keeps writing masterpieces! Nash and Riley were EVERYTHING! The pining between them, the chemistry, the passion, they all were perfect! I can't express how much I enjoyed each chapter and how hard I was rooting for them. These two had a beautiful connection, and in each moment, I could see they were meant to be. They cared deeply for each other and they were each other's person. They sought comfort to each other, and slowly yet beautifully, they fell in love. I adored how Nash did everything for Riley and truly teated her like the best thing in his life. You could definitely see how much she meant to him. For me Riley is my favorite girl in this series. I loved her strong character and her caring side. She did everything to be the best mother and she deserved all the love she received from Nash. They were made to be together and I can say each moment they shared together was so special to me! Their love was so beautiful and truly a magical thing to witness. The epilogue was perfection!
Book by: Cali Melle
Tropes:
• Sports romance
• Surprise pregnancy
• Single parent
• Best friend's brother
• Marriage of convenience
• Forced proximity
• He Falls First
My rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice level: 2,5/5 🔥
March 22, 2025
If “this could have been an email” was a book, it would be this book.
This book sucked. Only continued reading because it’s short and I can’t not finish a book…
This book sucked. Only continued reading because it’s short and I can’t not finish a book…
January 26, 2025
˚ ࣪˖ ⋆ ᝰ｡˚⋆ “𝓦𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓘 𝓼𝓪𝓲𝓭 𝓘 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓘 𝓶𝓮𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓲𝓷 𝓪 ‘𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻’ 𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓭 𝓸𝓯 𝔀𝓪𝔂.” ˚ ࣪˖⋆ ᝰ ｡˚⋆
4★
𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖
ᝰ 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁
ᝰ 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
ᝰ 𝗙𝗲𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗲
ᝰ 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗼𝘆/𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼
ᝰ 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗸
ᝰ 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀
︵‿︵‿୨☠︎︎୧‿︵‿︵
⋆ ⁺₊❅.𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨⋆ ⁺₊❅.
𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘳𝘦. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘺𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘔𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘱𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥. 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴, 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦. 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩. her 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴; 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘯𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘷𝘶𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘯𝘦'𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯𝘦'𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺.
︵‿︵‿୨☠︎︎୧‿︵‿︵
⋆ ⁺₊❅.𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨⋆ ⁺₊❅.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵, 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘔𝘪𝘢'𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳. 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴. 𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘰𝘳, 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯.
4★
𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖
ᝰ 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁
ᝰ 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
ᝰ 𝗙𝗲𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗲
ᝰ 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗼𝘆/𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼
ᝰ 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗸
ᝰ 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀
︵‿︵‿୨☠︎︎୧‿︵‿︵
⋆ ⁺₊❅.𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨⋆ ⁺₊❅.
𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘳𝘦. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘺𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘔𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘱𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥. 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴, 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦. 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩. her 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴; 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘯𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘷𝘶𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘯𝘦'𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯𝘦'𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺.
︵‿︵‿୨☠︎︎୧‿︵‿︵
⋆ ⁺₊❅.𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨⋆ ⁺₊❅.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵, 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘔𝘪𝘢'𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳. 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴. 𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘰𝘳, 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯.
January 24, 2025
*ARC provided by Cali Melle*
Title: Make Your Play by Cali Melle ( @authorcalimelle )
Release Date: Today (Link in bio 💖)!!!
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tissue Moments: 2 🤧🤧
Relatable Medical Moments 3: 🩺🩺
Favorite tropes: Sister’s best friend/Best Friend’s Brother, Dual POV, FMC with POTs, Marriage of Convenience, Friends to Lovers, Hockey
This is easily my favorite read of the year! Nash has loved Riley since the first time he saw her, but after she became best friends with his sister, she felt off limits. Riley felt sparks towards Nash but blocked him off since he was her best friend’s brother. Only the person she ended up with left her high and dry after she found out she was pregnant. On a high-risk chart, due to her POTs, her insurance is practically refusing to pay for any of her prenatal appointments. Nash decides on a whim to ask her to marry him so he can provide for her like he’s always dreamt of & share his medical insurance with her. Only what started as a marriage of convenience slowly turned into a real marriage.
Added Personal Note: As someone who has POTs & Hashimotos, nothing felt more realistic than hearing Riley sob about how her body hates her. I can’t recall how many times I’ve sat on the phone crying when things that used to be so simple aren’t anymore, and to see it reflected on a page made me feel less alone.
Title: Make Your Play by Cali Melle ( @authorcalimelle )
Release Date: Today (Link in bio 💖)!!!
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tissue Moments: 2 🤧🤧
Relatable Medical Moments 3: 🩺🩺
Favorite tropes: Sister’s best friend/Best Friend’s Brother, Dual POV, FMC with POTs, Marriage of Convenience, Friends to Lovers, Hockey
This is easily my favorite read of the year! Nash has loved Riley since the first time he saw her, but after she became best friends with his sister, she felt off limits. Riley felt sparks towards Nash but blocked him off since he was her best friend’s brother. Only the person she ended up with left her high and dry after she found out she was pregnant. On a high-risk chart, due to her POTs, her insurance is practically refusing to pay for any of her prenatal appointments. Nash decides on a whim to ask her to marry him so he can provide for her like he’s always dreamt of & share his medical insurance with her. Only what started as a marriage of convenience slowly turned into a real marriage.
Added Personal Note: As someone who has POTs & Hashimotos, nothing felt more realistic than hearing Riley sob about how her body hates her. I can’t recall how many times I’ve sat on the phone crying when things that used to be so simple aren’t anymore, and to see it reflected on a page made me feel less alone.
January 23, 2025
“𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘙𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘴.”
4/⭐️
2/🌶️
Nashhhh 🥰 this man, omg he’s literal perfection! I was so smitten with him. Cali always writes some of my favorite MMCs!
And let’s talk about that beginning, from page one I was rooting for these two!! You couldn’t convince me they weren’t going to end up together.. Riley may end up pregnant with someone else’s child, but that isn’t going to stop Nash! I adored that storyline!!
I loved Riley so much — I felt like I could relate to her on so many levels! She was so independent and wanted to do things herself, and didn’t know how to accept Nash wanting to do things for her. But I loved how it unfolded, and how much Nash cared for Riley!!
Also the Aston Archers??? These guys, oh my gosh I was laughing out loud!! I love these men and I can’t wait for more of their stories!! 🫶🏼
💍 Marriage of Conveniece
💜 She’s Pregnant, but its Not His
💍 Best Friend’s Brother
💜 Hockey Romance
💍 He Falls First
4/⭐️
2/🌶️
Nashhhh 🥰 this man, omg he’s literal perfection! I was so smitten with him. Cali always writes some of my favorite MMCs!
And let’s talk about that beginning, from page one I was rooting for these two!! You couldn’t convince me they weren’t going to end up together.. Riley may end up pregnant with someone else’s child, but that isn’t going to stop Nash! I adored that storyline!!
I loved Riley so much — I felt like I could relate to her on so many levels! She was so independent and wanted to do things herself, and didn’t know how to accept Nash wanting to do things for her. But I loved how it unfolded, and how much Nash cared for Riley!!
Also the Aston Archers??? These guys, oh my gosh I was laughing out loud!! I love these men and I can’t wait for more of their stories!! 🫶🏼
💍 Marriage of Conveniece
💜 She’s Pregnant, but its Not His
💍 Best Friend’s Brother
💜 Hockey Romance
💍 He Falls First
January 25, 2025
There are two serious formatting/editorial issues as of 01/24/2025
First, a chapter repeats itself.
And second, there is a chapter mislabeled on whose POV it's from.
The FMC was very very annoying. So many times she had to be convinced to eat, sleep, rest or allow her husband to help her was aisine. I get wanting to write a strong female lead, but there is a fine line between strong/independant and just being headstrong for a plot device.
This would have been a 3.5 star review, but the formatting errors prevented that.
First, a chapter repeats itself.
And second, there is a chapter mislabeled on whose POV it's from.
The FMC was very very annoying. So many times she had to be convinced to eat, sleep, rest or allow her husband to help her was aisine. I get wanting to write a strong female lead, but there is a fine line between strong/independant and just being headstrong for a plot device.
This would have been a 3.5 star review, but the formatting errors prevented that.
January 28, 2025
Honestly, one of the most boring hockey romances.The characters have no chemistry and it all hinges on the fact that they've always liked each other but never did anything about it until she has a baby with another guy. Poorly portrayed. The characters are easy to forget. I've read about 10 of the same books and this was the weakest of the bunch.
February 12, 2025
Sucky, boring, blah. Absolutely no chemistry between the MCs and everything was so rushed it made the entire thing uninteresting. The spice was boring and overall the relationship was icky.
January 14, 2025
5 ⭐
3 🌶️
🏒 Pro Hockey Romance
🩷 Surprise Pregnancy (It's Not His)
🏒 Best Friends Sibling
🩷 Marriage Of Convenience
🏒 He Falls First
🩷 Forced Proximity
Riley and Nash are one of my favorite couples that I have read so far this year! I love the friends to lovers trope but not nearly as much as I love the It's not his but She's Pregnant trope. It will probably always be in my top 5 tropes.
Cali wrote these two characters so well, and I loved that she wrote them in such a way that they not only complimented each other but that they were in love with each other from the beginning.
Riley is a woman after my own 🩷 heart. She didn't like to ask for help because she didn't want to be in debt to anyone, even if they asked her if she needed the help. At times its so hard to accept it even if you need it. I loved Riley and how she embraced her found family in Nash's family and brothers on his hockey team throughout the book.
Nash, Nash, Nash. You sexy son of a beast you 😍. You have all the girls purring when you walk by, but I love how he only had eyes for Riley. No one else mattered but her, she was his home. This man pulled out all the stops when it came to showing her how he cared. It wasn't a monetary love, it was a I'm going to actually show you I love you. I loved his gestures and how he took care of her even when she wasn't expecting it. He really showed her what being loved and cared for was truly like.
When she was truly in peril he went Hulk at the hospital and I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't rooting for him. Because I sure was! I was like you get your wife, Sir!! He blew everyone else away when he came in roaring! What I would have gi en to be a fly on that wall when he said his wife 👀!!!
Nash had so much ❤️ love to give to Riley and her little one and I couldn't have loved this man more for it!! Once he was able to truly express how much he loved Riley I think she was finally able to see how much he wanted to be in her life even though she struggled to see it.
Those moments that he got to spend being a daddy with their little one was so beyond precious 💞. I had tears in my eyes 😭 and I couldn't help but feel the live as it poured off of the page. Their little family unit was absolutely adorable and I couldn't imagine feeling that precious moment that so many describe 🥰🥰🥰.
🔥 Let's Talk About Sex Baby 🥵: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Riley and Nash were some spicy 🥵 folks!!
I LOVED IT!! Let's first talk about spicy 🔥 micro tropes that were covered in this book:
He 💦 👖
He has a Jacobs 🪜- IYKYK
Toys In the Bedroom
Breeding Kink
Praise Kink- Good/Bad Girl/Boy
They weren't afraid to spice things up! I loved that they were adventurous in the bedroom! They kept things going by doing different positions and in different places!
I received a complimentary copy via Cali Melle. All opinions are my own, honest and voluntary.
3 🌶️
🏒 Pro Hockey Romance
🩷 Surprise Pregnancy (It's Not His)
🏒 Best Friends Sibling
🩷 Marriage Of Convenience
🏒 He Falls First
🩷 Forced Proximity
Riley and Nash are one of my favorite couples that I have read so far this year! I love the friends to lovers trope but not nearly as much as I love the It's not his but She's Pregnant trope. It will probably always be in my top 5 tropes.
Cali wrote these two characters so well, and I loved that she wrote them in such a way that they not only complimented each other but that they were in love with each other from the beginning.
Riley is a woman after my own 🩷 heart. She didn't like to ask for help because she didn't want to be in debt to anyone, even if they asked her if she needed the help. At times its so hard to accept it even if you need it. I loved Riley and how she embraced her found family in Nash's family and brothers on his hockey team throughout the book.
Nash, Nash, Nash. You sexy son of a beast you 😍. You have all the girls purring when you walk by, but I love how he only had eyes for Riley. No one else mattered but her, she was his home. This man pulled out all the stops when it came to showing her how he cared. It wasn't a monetary love, it was a I'm going to actually show you I love you. I loved his gestures and how he took care of her even when she wasn't expecting it. He really showed her what being loved and cared for was truly like.
When she was truly in peril he went Hulk at the hospital and I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't rooting for him. Because I sure was! I was like you get your wife, Sir!! He blew everyone else away when he came in roaring! What I would have gi en to be a fly on that wall when he said his wife 👀!!!
Nash had so much ❤️ love to give to Riley and her little one and I couldn't have loved this man more for it!! Once he was able to truly express how much he loved Riley I think she was finally able to see how much he wanted to be in her life even though she struggled to see it.
Those moments that he got to spend being a daddy with their little one was so beyond precious 💞. I had tears in my eyes 😭 and I couldn't help but feel the live as it poured off of the page. Their little family unit was absolutely adorable and I couldn't imagine feeling that precious moment that so many describe 🥰🥰🥰.
🔥 Let's Talk About Sex Baby 🥵: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Riley and Nash were some spicy 🥵 folks!!
I LOVED IT!! Let's first talk about spicy 🔥 micro tropes that were covered in this book:
He 💦 👖
He has a Jacobs 🪜- IYKYK
Toys In the Bedroom
Breeding Kink
Praise Kink- Good/Bad Girl/Boy
They weren't afraid to spice things up! I loved that they were adventurous in the bedroom! They kept things going by doing different positions and in different places!
I received a complimentary copy via Cali Melle. All opinions are my own, honest and voluntary.
January 26, 2025
Make Your Play ARC Review
i was very fortunate to receive an ARC of Make Your Play by Cali Melle. All opinions are my own and given freely. 💜
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️.5/5
“you’re my home, you’re my safe space where i can just forget about everything else going on. my heart just knows you and it always has. there has always been something that felt like it was missing and i think it was you. my soul has just been waiting for you.”
i will never not love a book written by cali melle, and this book is no different!!! this was such a cutesy little romance and the best friend's brother trope was just done really well. marriage of convenience and accidental pregnancy tropes are usually hit or miss for me but i think cali really nailed it in this book. cali also did such an incredible job of highlighting the struggles and scariness that is associated with complications from pregnancy.
riley and nash are electric together. it’s clear from page one that their connection and chemistry was through the roof! i just loved how nash immediately stepped up in riley's time of need. the way he took care of her and was just there for her is something so admirable. he really showed her what being loved and cared for was truly like. but i also loved the fact that riley was still able to keep her independence, while also leaning on nash when she needed to.
i cannot wait for cali’s next book!!! and once again thank you so much for giving me the chance to read make your play early! 💜
i was very fortunate to receive an ARC of Make Your Play by Cali Melle. All opinions are my own and given freely. 💜
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️.5/5
“you’re my home, you’re my safe space where i can just forget about everything else going on. my heart just knows you and it always has. there has always been something that felt like it was missing and i think it was you. my soul has just been waiting for you.”
i will never not love a book written by cali melle, and this book is no different!!! this was such a cutesy little romance and the best friend's brother trope was just done really well. marriage of convenience and accidental pregnancy tropes are usually hit or miss for me but i think cali really nailed it in this book. cali also did such an incredible job of highlighting the struggles and scariness that is associated with complications from pregnancy.
riley and nash are electric together. it’s clear from page one that their connection and chemistry was through the roof! i just loved how nash immediately stepped up in riley's time of need. the way he took care of her and was just there for her is something so admirable. he really showed her what being loved and cared for was truly like. but i also loved the fact that riley was still able to keep her independence, while also leaning on nash when she needed to.
i cannot wait for cali’s next book!!! and once again thank you so much for giving me the chance to read make your play early! 💜
January 26, 2025
4.5/5
NASH F*CKING SIMMONS EVERYONE.
Talk about a man down bad.
MYP is now my favourite Cali Melle book. Everything about this one was just so amazing. I was in a bit of a slump before I picked this one up, and just like I expected, it brought me out of the slump.
Riley is a fiercly independent person who rarely asks for help. Although she has a support team around her, she's used to doing things on her own. However, when she starts to have some health problems during her pregnancy, she has no choice but to slow things down.
Enter Nash; brother of Luna, aka Riley's best friend, who has been in love with Riley for years. Nash wants nothing more than to help Riley. Not only does he want to be part of her life, but also part of her baby's, even though it's not his. Nash makes it known that he's not going anywhere, but is it enough for Riley to finally let him in?
When I tell you I swooned while reading this one, I mean I f*cking melted into a puddle on my floor. I have such a soft spot for Cali's books and Nash & Riley have officially become my favourite CM couple.
🌶🌶🌶️
Tropes/themes
✨best friend's brother
✨marriage of convenience
✨accidental pregnancy (but it's not his)
✨long time mutual pining
✨MMC down bad
✨no 3rd act breakup
✨acts of service
*check CW before reading
NASH F*CKING SIMMONS EVERYONE.
Talk about a man down bad.
MYP is now my favourite Cali Melle book. Everything about this one was just so amazing. I was in a bit of a slump before I picked this one up, and just like I expected, it brought me out of the slump.
Riley is a fiercly independent person who rarely asks for help. Although she has a support team around her, she's used to doing things on her own. However, when she starts to have some health problems during her pregnancy, she has no choice but to slow things down.
Enter Nash; brother of Luna, aka Riley's best friend, who has been in love with Riley for years. Nash wants nothing more than to help Riley. Not only does he want to be part of her life, but also part of her baby's, even though it's not his. Nash makes it known that he's not going anywhere, but is it enough for Riley to finally let him in?
When I tell you I swooned while reading this one, I mean I f*cking melted into a puddle on my floor. I have such a soft spot for Cali's books and Nash & Riley have officially become my favourite CM couple.
🌶🌶🌶️
Tropes/themes
✨best friend's brother
✨marriage of convenience
✨accidental pregnancy (but it's not his)
✨long time mutual pining
✨MMC down bad
✨no 3rd act breakup
✨acts of service
*check CW before reading
January 28, 2025
⚠️TW - MC with PoTS, loss of parent and grandparent mentioned, preeclampsia, emergency C-section, ⚠️
🔥Spice Ahead (varying degrees)🔥
Chapter 14
Chapter 19
Chapter 22
Chapter 24
Epilogue
Make Your Play by Cali Melle was a cute fun read. There were some topics that got a little emotional, but for the most part it was sweet and had me smiling. Riley is a fierce independent woman who found herself struggling with health complications during her pregnancy and needing more help than she would like. Nash is a caring and loyal guy who has cared for Riley as long as he can remember.
I loved reading Riley slowly realize her feelings for Nash and that his feelings go far beyond her just being his sister's best friend. I've never read a pregnant by another man book before, and I really enjoyed it. I loved how Nash stepped in without hesitation to be there for Riley and her unborn baby. 4/5⭐
🔥Spice Ahead (varying degrees)🔥
Chapter 14
Chapter 19
Chapter 22
Chapter 24
Epilogue
Make Your Play by Cali Melle was a cute fun read. There were some topics that got a little emotional, but for the most part it was sweet and had me smiling. Riley is a fierce independent woman who found herself struggling with health complications during her pregnancy and needing more help than she would like. Nash is a caring and loyal guy who has cared for Riley as long as he can remember.
I loved reading Riley slowly realize her feelings for Nash and that his feelings go far beyond her just being his sister's best friend. I've never read a pregnant by another man book before, and I really enjoyed it. I loved how Nash stepped in without hesitation to be there for Riley and her unborn baby. 4/5⭐
March 3, 2025
Took a risk on a new author and it did not disappoint. Loved the progression of their relationship and how vulnerable they both were with one another. This is the first pregnancy trope book I've read where the hero actually had sex with the heroine while she was pregnant with another man's baby. And she's heavily pregnant too.
Call me weird but I think it's touching when a H is super caring when an h is preggo. And she wasn't embarrassed about her body which I loved. She was also pregnant the entire book up until about the 80% mark. The "my wife" statements were so swoony too. 😊
There was some verbage that didn't jive with me like "she's an exceptional woman," because a guy in his 20's wouldn't say that. There were also some scenes that were pivotal but we didn't get thoughts from the main characters but I enjoyed the love story enough I was able to get over it.
I would definitely read this again. I identified with the h when she talked about her medical issues and how she didn't want to burden anyone. I totally get that!
Call me weird but I think it's touching when a H is super caring when an h is preggo. And she wasn't embarrassed about her body which I loved. She was also pregnant the entire book up until about the 80% mark. The "my wife" statements were so swoony too. 😊
There was some verbage that didn't jive with me like "she's an exceptional woman," because a guy in his 20's wouldn't say that. There were also some scenes that were pivotal but we didn't get thoughts from the main characters but I enjoyed the love story enough I was able to get over it.
I would definitely read this again. I identified with the h when she talked about her medical issues and how she didn't want to burden anyone. I totally get that!
January 18, 2025
Thank you so much Author Cali Melle, for the absolute beautiful opportunity to read an ARC of your new upcoming Sports Romance Novel🩵🏒❄️✨
“Make Your Play”
The second installment in the-
“Aston Archers Hockey Book Series”
7⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Read!!! I'm still blown away by how rapidly I read this fantastic book! In just a blink of an eye the hours just disappeared in a flash by the way I was so engrossed into this book. “Make Your Play,” is an extraordinary achievement, with every detail carefully considered to evoke strong beautiful emotions and captivate the author's audience. Cali Melle's talent as a writer is truly impressive! She consistently demonstrates her skill in her outstanding work. The I was thoroughly absorbed in this literary treasure, unable to tear myself away as I voraciously devoured each chapter with an unrelenting curiosity is breathtaking🩵🥹The author's masterful storytelling crafts a cinematic narrative that each page is impossible to resist and I definitely look forward to it being a movie/show in the future🙏🏼✨
Every sentence in this book is imbued with passion, emotion, and creativity, endlessly🤩especially with the two main characters who you will fall so deeply in love with the way the grasp your heart in seconds♥️✨
“Make Your Play,” Takes readers on a journey through the beautiful lives of-
(⟡ ݁₊ . Riley Harris and Nash Simmons ₊ . ݁⟡)
:Riley's world was rocked when she developed feelings for her best friend's brother, Nash. But that was only the beginning. She's pregnant, and the father wants nothing to do with her or the baby. And if that wasn't enough, her health insurance cancelled her policy, leaving her to navigate the financial burden of her medical care alone. That's when Nash, the charming hockey player, steps in with a proposal that could be her salvation. A marriage of convenience: he proposes, and she agrees to marry him for his insurance, with the understanding that they'll part ways after the baby arrives. But as they continue to live together, the artificial nature of their relationship starts to give way to real feelings. She begins to question whether their arrangement could become something more - or if she's just letting her emotions get the better of her🥹
As we journey through the story, we encounter a rich tapestry of hockey romance, convenient marriages that simmer with tension, moments of poignant beauty that will move you, and adorable moments of connection between the two main characters that will leave you smiling and wanting more🥹🩵But to discover how this cinematic story begins to fully unravel, you'll have to read on ASAP!!! But not only does the book boast an incredible plot of love, but Cali Melle also showcases her remarkable talent through her two main characters-
Riley Harris, my favorite girlie radiates such a beautiful energy, especially when she’s surrounded by flowers and the lovely ones at the shop, she's a remarkable individual with a passion that's contagious and a strength that's admirable, Her presence profoundly touches hearts, particularly those of mothers. With a unique blend of joy and vulnerability, she embodies the beauty of womanhood with the way she loves her baby boy so much, expressing emotions with gratitude and hope and she does it with a lively fiery spirit that has a deep-seated effect on Nash🩷inspiring him to fall even more deeply in love with her affectionate and tender personality each time especially from their youth years✨The way Riley tries her hardest to shield Nash from any harm is both heartwarming and laudable, and their love is a shining example of the beauty and promise that love can bring unexpectedly🥹🩷
Nash, the love of my life💋✨A professional Hot Hockey player in NHL🏒💙That happens to have a heart that is a treasure trove of pure gold and kindness and compassion, evident in everything he does. As soon as you start reading this book, you'll be amazingly smitten with him. His charming personality is a true delight, warming hearts and captivating minds with his loving words🥰Witnessing Nash's devotion to Riley and his favorite little one is truly inspiring. As their relationships blossom, you're struck by the profound beauty and depth of their endless banters of love together going through every emotional moments together. Nash's protectiveness is not only endearing but also powerful. Through thick and thin, Nash and Riley's bond has only grown stronger since they were younger and my admiration for them knows no bounds💖Nash is a magnificently crafted character who embodies all the qualities I cherish. He enriches the narrative, sparking fervor and brilliance that resonates with each page and chapter, especially with his sharp wit and laughable humor that stays with you every step of the way!! It's impossible not to fall even more deeply in love with him as he surrounds his loved ones with stunning, heartfelt moments and endless love, declaring his love at every opportunity❤️
The author poured her heart and soul into this masterpiece, and it shines with emotion and beauty!! This unforgettable 7 star read has had a profound impact on me, and I'm eagerly anticipating what's to come
“There has always been something that felt like it was missing and I think it was you. My soul has just been waiting for you.”-Nash Simmons💋✨
Pre-order
“MAKE YOUR PLAY”
Releasing January 24th 2025🩵🏒❄️
Asap for a love story to tell on for years to come🥹
And you can do just that by visiting the author’s social media @authorcalimelle On IG and also get the chance to view her previous work and amazing character artwork along teasers🩷✨
“Make Your Play”
The second installment in the-
“Aston Archers Hockey Book Series”
7⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Read!!! I'm still blown away by how rapidly I read this fantastic book! In just a blink of an eye the hours just disappeared in a flash by the way I was so engrossed into this book. “Make Your Play,” is an extraordinary achievement, with every detail carefully considered to evoke strong beautiful emotions and captivate the author's audience. Cali Melle's talent as a writer is truly impressive! She consistently demonstrates her skill in her outstanding work. The I was thoroughly absorbed in this literary treasure, unable to tear myself away as I voraciously devoured each chapter with an unrelenting curiosity is breathtaking🩵🥹The author's masterful storytelling crafts a cinematic narrative that each page is impossible to resist and I definitely look forward to it being a movie/show in the future🙏🏼✨
Every sentence in this book is imbued with passion, emotion, and creativity, endlessly🤩especially with the two main characters who you will fall so deeply in love with the way the grasp your heart in seconds♥️✨
“Make Your Play,” Takes readers on a journey through the beautiful lives of-
(⟡ ݁₊ . Riley Harris and Nash Simmons ₊ . ݁⟡)
:Riley's world was rocked when she developed feelings for her best friend's brother, Nash. But that was only the beginning. She's pregnant, and the father wants nothing to do with her or the baby. And if that wasn't enough, her health insurance cancelled her policy, leaving her to navigate the financial burden of her medical care alone. That's when Nash, the charming hockey player, steps in with a proposal that could be her salvation. A marriage of convenience: he proposes, and she agrees to marry him for his insurance, with the understanding that they'll part ways after the baby arrives. But as they continue to live together, the artificial nature of their relationship starts to give way to real feelings. She begins to question whether their arrangement could become something more - or if she's just letting her emotions get the better of her🥹
As we journey through the story, we encounter a rich tapestry of hockey romance, convenient marriages that simmer with tension, moments of poignant beauty that will move you, and adorable moments of connection between the two main characters that will leave you smiling and wanting more🥹🩵But to discover how this cinematic story begins to fully unravel, you'll have to read on ASAP!!! But not only does the book boast an incredible plot of love, but Cali Melle also showcases her remarkable talent through her two main characters-
Riley Harris, my favorite girlie radiates such a beautiful energy, especially when she’s surrounded by flowers and the lovely ones at the shop, she's a remarkable individual with a passion that's contagious and a strength that's admirable, Her presence profoundly touches hearts, particularly those of mothers. With a unique blend of joy and vulnerability, she embodies the beauty of womanhood with the way she loves her baby boy so much, expressing emotions with gratitude and hope and she does it with a lively fiery spirit that has a deep-seated effect on Nash🩷inspiring him to fall even more deeply in love with her affectionate and tender personality each time especially from their youth years✨The way Riley tries her hardest to shield Nash from any harm is both heartwarming and laudable, and their love is a shining example of the beauty and promise that love can bring unexpectedly🥹🩷
Nash, the love of my life💋✨A professional Hot Hockey player in NHL🏒💙That happens to have a heart that is a treasure trove of pure gold and kindness and compassion, evident in everything he does. As soon as you start reading this book, you'll be amazingly smitten with him. His charming personality is a true delight, warming hearts and captivating minds with his loving words🥰Witnessing Nash's devotion to Riley and his favorite little one is truly inspiring. As their relationships blossom, you're struck by the profound beauty and depth of their endless banters of love together going through every emotional moments together. Nash's protectiveness is not only endearing but also powerful. Through thick and thin, Nash and Riley's bond has only grown stronger since they were younger and my admiration for them knows no bounds💖Nash is a magnificently crafted character who embodies all the qualities I cherish. He enriches the narrative, sparking fervor and brilliance that resonates with each page and chapter, especially with his sharp wit and laughable humor that stays with you every step of the way!! It's impossible not to fall even more deeply in love with him as he surrounds his loved ones with stunning, heartfelt moments and endless love, declaring his love at every opportunity❤️
The author poured her heart and soul into this masterpiece, and it shines with emotion and beauty!! This unforgettable 7 star read has had a profound impact on me, and I'm eagerly anticipating what's to come
“There has always been something that felt like it was missing and I think it was you. My soul has just been waiting for you.”-Nash Simmons💋✨
Pre-order
“MAKE YOUR PLAY”
Releasing January 24th 2025🩵🏒❄️
Asap for a love story to tell on for years to come🥹
And you can do just that by visiting the author’s social media @authorcalimelle On IG and also get the chance to view her previous work and amazing character artwork along teasers🩷✨
January 22, 2025
Did I just smash this out in one sitting? Hell yeah I did.
I enjoyed Lincoln & Nova from Make Your Move. But this one absolutely fucking ate.
I loved Riley. Her independence was immaculate. Especially considering she couldn’t *be* as independent as she normally would be.
I loved the found family aspect in this one. Seeing how the Simmonses embraced her into their family? Yeah. That’s the one.
BUT THE REAL CAKE EATER WAS FREAKING NASH. Why are MMCs named Nash so hot?? Is this their green flag? YEAH I THINK THE FUCK SO.
I’m saying this with my whole entire chest: this was so damned good. I loved it.
I enjoyed Lincoln & Nova from Make Your Move. But this one absolutely fucking ate.
I loved Riley. Her independence was immaculate. Especially considering she couldn’t *be* as independent as she normally would be.
I loved the found family aspect in this one. Seeing how the Simmonses embraced her into their family? Yeah. That’s the one.
BUT THE REAL CAKE EATER WAS FREAKING NASH. Why are MMCs named Nash so hot?? Is this their green flag? YEAH I THINK THE FUCK SO.
I’m saying this with my whole entire chest: this was so damned good. I loved it.
January 25, 2025
Make Your Play was perfection…and features some of my favorite tropes! Riley and Nash have always shown an interest in one another. The only reason they never took the next step? Nash is Riley’s best friend’s brother. Riley, who is expecting her first child with a man who wants nothing to do with her or the baby, finds herself in a bind because of her health insurance. Enter Daddy Nash, who steps in with a solution that she wasn’t expecting, but that leads to their relationship turning into more than they ever expected.
To say I’m obsessed with Nash Simmons would be an understatement. He easily made his way onto the list of top book boyfriends. It takes a real man to step up the way he does, and not everyone is built for it. Nash is just superior. The dirty talk, the praise, the “Good Boy”, and “My Wife”...this book left no crumbs!
MYP Tropes:
Pro Hockey Romance Surprise Pregnancy (it's not his) Best Friend's Sibling Marriage of Convenience
Forced Proximity
He Falls First
To say I’m obsessed with Nash Simmons would be an understatement. He easily made his way onto the list of top book boyfriends. It takes a real man to step up the way he does, and not everyone is built for it. Nash is just superior. The dirty talk, the praise, the “Good Boy”, and “My Wife”...this book left no crumbs!
MYP Tropes:
Pro Hockey Romance Surprise Pregnancy (it's not his) Best Friend's Sibling Marriage of Convenience
Forced Proximity
He Falls First
January 24, 2025
This is the second book in the Aston Archers Hockey series, but it can absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone. It follows the touching story of Nash and Riley. Riley, pregnant and navigating the challenges of doing it all on her own, finds herself in an even tougher spot when her insurance drops her. That’s when Nash, her best friend’s brother, steps in with an offer of marriage, so she can access his benefits. But Nash doesn’t just marry her, he becomes her rock, offering unwavering support and kindness. As they spend more time together, their once practical arrangement begins to feel real for the both of them. This is such a sweet heartwarming read and definitely one to add to your TBR.
Thank you, Calie Melle for the ARC.
Thank you, Calie Melle for the ARC.
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