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Toronto Terror #5
If You Claim Me
Hockey’s most hated player just asked me to marry him.
Connor Grace is the league’s bad boy–and my best friend’s worst enemy.
He’s the fallen prince of a famous hotel chain dynasty.
Me? I’m the foster kid who grew up to be a librarian.
I never thought I’d end up in a marriage of convenience to make someone’s grandma happy, but here we are.
I have no plans to kiss my husband for any reason other than show.
I have no plans to fall in love with the arrogant man dressed in a custom suit hiding intricate tattoos.
But when we’re alone, he drops the mask he wears for the rest of the world.
He holds me like he means it when he says I’m his.
And I want to believe him.
Too bad I learned early on that fairytales aren’t real, and nothing good lasts forever.
A standalone marriage of convenience hockey romance.
Author Note: Please see my website for TW's.
Connor Grace is the league’s bad boy–and my best friend’s worst enemy.
He’s the fallen prince of a famous hotel chain dynasty.
Me? I’m the foster kid who grew up to be a librarian.
I never thought I’d end up in a marriage of convenience to make someone’s grandma happy, but here we are.
I have no plans to kiss my husband for any reason other than show.
I have no plans to fall in love with the arrogant man dressed in a custom suit hiding intricate tattoos.
But when we’re alone, he drops the mask he wears for the rest of the world.
He holds me like he means it when he says I’m his.
And I want to believe him.
Too bad I learned early on that fairytales aren’t real, and nothing good lasts forever.
A standalone marriage of convenience hockey romance.
Author Note: Please see my website for TW's.
456 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2025
1730 people are currently reading
21150 people want to read
About the author
Helena Hunting
93 books26.9k followersHelena Hunting is a USA Today and NYT bestselling author. She lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and angsty emo cat who can never get enough pets. She writes everything from romantic sports to new adult angst.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,303 reviews
October 19, 2025
Oh my GOD, If You Claim Me has become my FAVOURITE Helena Hunting book and I’m losing my mind😍🥹.
Reading this book, my heart squeezed painfully throughout the whole thing for Mildred and Connor!
Connor was so damn misunderstood, the world and sadly his family too, villainised him to the point where he believed their lies and misconceptions. But he was such a good person, of which we had already gotten a glimpse in I Could Be Yours.
And Mildred… oh my goodness, she might be my favourite BBB and that speaks volumes because I am a HUGE Hemi fan 😍. She went through hell in her life but survived every hurt and that made her know her self worth and I was obsessed with how she handled the hate that came from Connor’s father and all the barbs thrown her way even from Connor, who tried to protect his own heart… but as they say, hurt people hurt people and Connor had to learn the hard way the consequences of his actions and the ripple effect they caused…
There wasn’t a single thing I didn’t love in this book! The main couple, the twins, Meems, the mentions and appearances of characters from previous series (Quinn and Lovey 🥹) and of course, my forever love, Flip 🥹😭
I have waited so long for his story and this one revelation we got in If You Claim Me had my jaw drop 😱. His and Mildred’s friendship is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever read about.
Thank you so much to Helena Hunting for the eARC 🫶🏻🩵
Reading this book, my heart squeezed painfully throughout the whole thing for Mildred and Connor!
Connor was so damn misunderstood, the world and sadly his family too, villainised him to the point where he believed their lies and misconceptions. But he was such a good person, of which we had already gotten a glimpse in I Could Be Yours.
And Mildred… oh my goodness, she might be my favourite BBB and that speaks volumes because I am a HUGE Hemi fan 😍. She went through hell in her life but survived every hurt and that made her know her self worth and I was obsessed with how she handled the hate that came from Connor’s father and all the barbs thrown her way even from Connor, who tried to protect his own heart… but as they say, hurt people hurt people and Connor had to learn the hard way the consequences of his actions and the ripple effect they caused…
There wasn’t a single thing I didn’t love in this book! The main couple, the twins, Meems, the mentions and appearances of characters from previous series (Quinn and Lovey 🥹) and of course, my forever love, Flip 🥹😭
I have waited so long for his story and this one revelation we got in If You Claim Me had my jaw drop 😱. His and Mildred’s friendship is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever read about.
Thank you so much to Helena Hunting for the eARC 🫶🏻🩵
May 9, 2026
The Soft Side of Hockey’s Biggest Villain
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 🩷💚❤️💙
Spice/Steam: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋🙂😁😛
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Duet Narration
Characters, Backgrounds, and Plot Summary
If You Claim Me by Helena Hunting delivers a romance that perfectly balances heart, humor, tenderness, and the rough-and-tumble world of professional hockey. At the center of the story is Connor Grace, the Toronto Terror’s infamous enforcer whose reputation on the ice has earned him the title of hockey’s favorite villain. Off the ice, however, Connor is surprisingly thoughtful, devoted to his family, and deeply involved in the lives of the children around him—especially Callie, the daughter of his coach, whose hockey games he faithfully attends. Sitting beside him at those games is Mildred “Dred” Reformer, a warmhearted librarian who runs the children’s programming at the local library and has quietly observed Connor’s softer side for years.
Dred initially sees Connor as an intimidating contradiction: a billionaire hockey star known for violence on the ice, yet also the gentle giant who patiently helps kids and cares deeply for his grandmother Lucy. Their first real connection begins when Connor comes into the library searching for books for Lucy, one of Dred’s regular patrons. What starts as a simple favor slowly develops into a charming friendship filled with witty banter, growing trust, and undeniable chemistry. Helena Hunting excels at peeling back Connor’s layers, revealing a man who longs for genuine connection beneath his gruff exterior, while Dred’s kindness and intelligence make her an instantly lovable heroine.
Highlights and Limitations
One of the strongest aspects of the audiobook is how naturally the romance unfolds. Connor and Dred’s relationship develops through small moments—shared conversations, quiet acts of care, and mutual respect—which makes the emotional payoff incredibly satisfying. Connor’s devotion to the people he loves is especially appealing, and Dred’s grounded personality keeps the story emotionally authentic. The side characters also add warmth and humor, helping the world feel lived-in and connected.
The book’s biggest strength is the contrast between Connor’s intimidating public persona and the sweet, attentive man he truly is. Hockey romance fans will appreciate the sports backdrop, but the story never relies solely on hockey drama to carry the plot. Instead, it focuses heavily on emotional intimacy and character development. At times, the pacing in the middle slows slightly as the relationship builds, but the chemistry between the leads remains engaging enough to keep the story moving.
Narration
The audiobook narration elevates the story even further. Kat Auden and Jason Clarke perform the audiobook in duet narration mode, which makes the listening experience especially immersive. Jason Clarke is outstanding as Connor, capturing both his gruff hockey-player exterior and his deeply caring nature with ease. Kat Auden gives Dred warmth, humor, and emotional sincerity, making her instantly relatable. Together, they create fantastic chemistry that makes every interaction feel natural and emotionally charged. The duet style adds intimacy and realism to the dialogue, making the romance feel even more personal and engaging.
Final Opinion
Overall, If You Claim Me is a heartfelt and charming hockey romance filled with lovable characters, emotional depth, and terrific narration performances. Helena Hunting delivers a story that proves first impressions can be deceiving, and that sometimes the toughest players have the softest hearts. Fans of protective hockey heroes, slow-burn chemistry, and emotionally rich romances will find this audiobook incredibly satisfying.
Quotes
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 🩷💚❤️💙
Spice/Steam: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋🙂😁😛
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Duet Narration
Characters, Backgrounds, and Plot Summary
If You Claim Me by Helena Hunting delivers a romance that perfectly balances heart, humor, tenderness, and the rough-and-tumble world of professional hockey. At the center of the story is Connor Grace, the Toronto Terror’s infamous enforcer whose reputation on the ice has earned him the title of hockey’s favorite villain. Off the ice, however, Connor is surprisingly thoughtful, devoted to his family, and deeply involved in the lives of the children around him—especially Callie, the daughter of his coach, whose hockey games he faithfully attends. Sitting beside him at those games is Mildred “Dred” Reformer, a warmhearted librarian who runs the children’s programming at the local library and has quietly observed Connor’s softer side for years.
Dred initially sees Connor as an intimidating contradiction: a billionaire hockey star known for violence on the ice, yet also the gentle giant who patiently helps kids and cares deeply for his grandmother Lucy. Their first real connection begins when Connor comes into the library searching for books for Lucy, one of Dred’s regular patrons. What starts as a simple favor slowly develops into a charming friendship filled with witty banter, growing trust, and undeniable chemistry. Helena Hunting excels at peeling back Connor’s layers, revealing a man who longs for genuine connection beneath his gruff exterior, while Dred’s kindness and intelligence make her an instantly lovable heroine.
Highlights and Limitations
One of the strongest aspects of the audiobook is how naturally the romance unfolds. Connor and Dred’s relationship develops through small moments—shared conversations, quiet acts of care, and mutual respect—which makes the emotional payoff incredibly satisfying. Connor’s devotion to the people he loves is especially appealing, and Dred’s grounded personality keeps the story emotionally authentic. The side characters also add warmth and humor, helping the world feel lived-in and connected.
The book’s biggest strength is the contrast between Connor’s intimidating public persona and the sweet, attentive man he truly is. Hockey romance fans will appreciate the sports backdrop, but the story never relies solely on hockey drama to carry the plot. Instead, it focuses heavily on emotional intimacy and character development. At times, the pacing in the middle slows slightly as the relationship builds, but the chemistry between the leads remains engaging enough to keep the story moving.
Narration
The audiobook narration elevates the story even further. Kat Auden and Jason Clarke perform the audiobook in duet narration mode, which makes the listening experience especially immersive. Jason Clarke is outstanding as Connor, capturing both his gruff hockey-player exterior and his deeply caring nature with ease. Kat Auden gives Dred warmth, humor, and emotional sincerity, making her instantly relatable. Together, they create fantastic chemistry that makes every interaction feel natural and emotionally charged. The duet style adds intimacy and realism to the dialogue, making the romance feel even more personal and engaging.
Final Opinion
Overall, If You Claim Me is a heartfelt and charming hockey romance filled with lovable characters, emotional depth, and terrific narration performances. Helena Hunting delivers a story that proves first impressions can be deceiving, and that sometimes the toughest players have the softest hearts. Fans of protective hockey heroes, slow-burn chemistry, and emotionally rich romances will find this audiobook incredibly satisfying.
Quotes
“I will cover the legal costs and the rent owed on the apartment, and for every month we’re together, starting thirty days from our engagement forward, I’ll pay you a quarter of a million dollars. When Meems passes”—he makes the sign of the cross—“we’ll annul the marriage, and you’ll be free to live your life.”
“You’ll be married to me for an undetermined number of months. It could be a handful, or it could be more than a year if something miraculous happens. You’ll also have to meet my family, who loathe me almost as much as my teammates. That’s the catch, and it’s a pretty big one.”
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December 13, 2025
2.5 stars (rounded up, just because I love Dred)
I was so excited to read this since I saw Dred and Connor interact in Roman and Lexi’s book
but honestly, I was not a huge fan of this book
Connor pissed me off with all his self loathing and sabotage but I loved the set up with the marriage of convenience
honestly just excited to read tally and flip’s book… though I read the sneak peek if you keep me since it was at the end of this book and am not happy about how the story is being set up; I could change my mind because it was only the first chapter but yeah
I was so excited to read this since I saw Dred and Connor interact in Roman and Lexi’s book
but honestly, I was not a huge fan of this book
Connor pissed me off with all his self loathing and sabotage but I loved the set up with the marriage of convenience
honestly just excited to read tally and flip’s book… though I read the sneak peek if you keep me since it was at the end of this book and am not happy about how the story is being set up; I could change my mind because it was only the first chapter but yeah
November 6, 2025
“Let me pretend this is real. Just for tonight. Please.”
A marriage of convenience between the cute, broken librarian and the outsider, violent, tattooed hockey player who loves his grandma?? Yes.
Hell yes.
“You look hungry, husband.”
“And you look like everything I want, but don’t deserve.”
4.5 stars
She feels good in my arms. Like she belongs there. Like she should be mine.
This was so fun! I absolutely loved Dred and Connor, what broken characters, but done so beautifully. I do love an emotionally damaged character. I am a fucking sadist.
I think this is my second fav in the series so far!
Beautiful, smart, sassy, and slightly broken— she’s all my favorite things.
Anyway, I love the found family, character growth, and friendships that showed up here. I loved watching Connor's inner thoughts, how much he struggled, but how sweet he was too, and OF COURSE, Dewy the hedgehog, love him so much. AND Connor was covered in tattoos - please, sir, may I have more??
I absolutely hated his family, aside from Meems obviously, and kinda wish that his mother and father were just removed from their lives cuz they were horrible. I also wish that his sisters would leave their husbands because they are also pigs.
For a moment, I wish I was the good guy and not the villain. Or maybe with Mildred, I don’t have to choose. Maybe I could be both.
I’m super excited for the next one, I think we’ve all been waiting for that one lmao. Thank you so much to Helena and Sarah for this ARC!
“We’re all wearing masks, aren’t we? Hiding the parts we don’t want people to see.”
______________
Aw, that was so cute.
and emotionally devastating.
But cute.
Rtc
A marriage of convenience between the cute, broken librarian and the outsider, violent, tattooed hockey player who loves his grandma?? Yes.
Hell yes.
“You look hungry, husband.”
“And you look like everything I want, but don’t deserve.”
4.5 stars
She feels good in my arms. Like she belongs there. Like she should be mine.
This was so fun! I absolutely loved Dred and Connor, what broken characters, but done so beautifully. I do love an emotionally damaged character. I am a fucking sadist.
I think this is my second fav in the series so far!
Beautiful, smart, sassy, and slightly broken— she’s all my favorite things.
Anyway, I love the found family, character growth, and friendships that showed up here. I loved watching Connor's inner thoughts, how much he struggled, but how sweet he was too, and OF COURSE, Dewy the hedgehog, love him so much. AND Connor was covered in tattoos - please, sir, may I have more??
I absolutely hated his family, aside from Meems obviously, and kinda wish that his mother and father were just removed from their lives cuz they were horrible. I also wish that his sisters would leave their husbands because they are also pigs.
For a moment, I wish I was the good guy and not the villain. Or maybe with Mildred, I don’t have to choose. Maybe I could be both.
I’m super excited for the next one, I think we’ve all been waiting for that one lmao. Thank you so much to Helena and Sarah for this ARC!
“We’re all wearing masks, aren’t we? Hiding the parts we don’t want people to see.”
______________
Aw, that was so cute.
and emotionally devastating.
But cute.
Rtc
February 6, 2026
One of my absolute favorite Helena Hunting books! I’m such a sucker for a tortured hero, and Connor was the epitome of one. Such a big heart underneath his brokenness! I loved seeing him blossom as he loved Mildred!
As always, the secondary cast shines!! I cannot wait for the next one!
***ALC REVIEW
As always, the secondary cast shines!! I cannot wait for the next one!
***ALC REVIEW
November 6, 2025
ALC Review
Tropes-
Marriage of convenience
Hockey romance
Best friend's enemy
Grumpy x sunshine
Forced proximity
Found family
Thank you so much to Helena for this ALC for my honest review. This is 100% my favorite book of this series. I did not expect to love Connor as much as I did in this book. He was absolutely down bad for Dred. They both had a crappy upbringing in different ways and they each felt like they were hard to love, but I love how they tore down eachother's walls and built such a great relationship together. The narrators were absolutely amazing. Jason is one of my favorite narrators, so no surprise there, but I don't think I have heard anything narrated by Kat before, but I need more from her because I loved her as Dred. They made the story that much better. They brought the characters to life so well and this is one of the best audiobooks I've listened to in a while. 100% recommend even if you haven't read the others in this series. Pick this one up!
Tropes-
Marriage of convenience
Hockey romance
Best friend's enemy
Grumpy x sunshine
Forced proximity
Found family
Thank you so much to Helena for this ALC for my honest review. This is 100% my favorite book of this series. I did not expect to love Connor as much as I did in this book. He was absolutely down bad for Dred. They both had a crappy upbringing in different ways and they each felt like they were hard to love, but I love how they tore down eachother's walls and built such a great relationship together. The narrators were absolutely amazing. Jason is one of my favorite narrators, so no surprise there, but I don't think I have heard anything narrated by Kat before, but I need more from her because I loved her as Dred. They made the story that much better. They brought the characters to life so well and this is one of the best audiobooks I've listened to in a while. 100% recommend even if you haven't read the others in this series. Pick this one up!
November 6, 2025
4.5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)
Mildred Reformer aka Dred loves her job as a librarian at the local library. She has a friend group she cherishes, and life is good. Then suddenly everything that matters to her is at risk, and she's stressed out, and not sure how to fix things. She finds a solution to her problems in the most unexpected place, when she accepts a proposition from the man her best friend despises. Connor Grace is hockey's most-hated player, and known for his bad behavior on the ice. He's always serious, broody and closed off, but she finds him fascinating. They agree to a marriage of convenience to help each other. They both get something they need, and it will be like a business arrangement with clear rules. Romance has never been on her radar, so this situation should be easy. That is until she starts to see a different side of Connor. The more time she spends with him, the more she likes him. Could the defiant billionaire's son have a fragile heart under his cold exterior, and could this misunderstood villain be her happily ever after?
Connor Grace is a professional hockey player for the Toronto Terror, and the heir to the Grace Hotel dynasty. He has a reputation he's content with, and uses his arrogance as a shield. He's never fit in, and considers himself an outsider in most places. The only person that truly matters to him is his grandmother. His life revolves around his Meems, and he will do anything to make her happy. That leads to a negotiation with Dred. It's not supposed to be love. It's just pretend, but soon lines get blurred, and he cares too much. She's shifting his world, and things are getting complicated as she becomes a soft place for him to land. When feelings turn real will he still be able to walk away and let her go?
If You Claim Me by Helena Hunting is the fifth book in the Toronto Terror series. It's an all new standalone, opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, billionaire, found family, forced proximity, marriage of convenience, sports romance about self discovery, unexpected love, friendship and beautiful connections. It's full of emotion, humor, angst, chemistry and electric tension. I really love this series and these characters. Connor Grace was super swoony, and this story will hit you in all the feels. <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZW1YPPW?...
(ARC provided by author)
Mildred Reformer aka Dred loves her job as a librarian at the local library. She has a friend group she cherishes, and life is good. Then suddenly everything that matters to her is at risk, and she's stressed out, and not sure how to fix things. She finds a solution to her problems in the most unexpected place, when she accepts a proposition from the man her best friend despises. Connor Grace is hockey's most-hated player, and known for his bad behavior on the ice. He's always serious, broody and closed off, but she finds him fascinating. They agree to a marriage of convenience to help each other. They both get something they need, and it will be like a business arrangement with clear rules. Romance has never been on her radar, so this situation should be easy. That is until she starts to see a different side of Connor. The more time she spends with him, the more she likes him. Could the defiant billionaire's son have a fragile heart under his cold exterior, and could this misunderstood villain be her happily ever after?
Connor Grace is a professional hockey player for the Toronto Terror, and the heir to the Grace Hotel dynasty. He has a reputation he's content with, and uses his arrogance as a shield. He's never fit in, and considers himself an outsider in most places. The only person that truly matters to him is his grandmother. His life revolves around his Meems, and he will do anything to make her happy. That leads to a negotiation with Dred. It's not supposed to be love. It's just pretend, but soon lines get blurred, and he cares too much. She's shifting his world, and things are getting complicated as she becomes a soft place for him to land. When feelings turn real will he still be able to walk away and let her go?
If You Claim Me by Helena Hunting is the fifth book in the Toronto Terror series. It's an all new standalone, opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, billionaire, found family, forced proximity, marriage of convenience, sports romance about self discovery, unexpected love, friendship and beautiful connections. It's full of emotion, humor, angst, chemistry and electric tension. I really love this series and these characters. Connor Grace was super swoony, and this story will hit you in all the feels. <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZW1YPPW?...
October 29, 2025
My favourite read of 2025. If you claim me blew it out of the water. Connor is going to be a hard book boyfriend to beat and this book deserves all the stars and more.
Addiction can be an unhealthy habit but when it comes to Helena Hunting I welcome it. I can’t get enough of her books especially this series.
Dred is a librarian with a problem. Her small apartment is about to bankrupt her due to a misunderstanding and even escaping into a book isn’t going to give her the solution.
Connor is used to playing the villain. He disappointed his family by not following in their footsteps. He’s not accepted by his hockey team and the press likes to make him into the bad guy.
His grandma is fragile and he wants to show her he can find happiness before she passes away. After finding out about Dreds problem he offers to marry her in a deal that will give them both more than they realise.
Conner reminds me of Eeyore. He has that gloomy quality that just makes you want to show him what he truly deserves. He’s so much more than he realises and it makes him such a great book boyfriend.
I absolutely loved this book. It’s addictive, loveable and so much more than I can put into words.
Addiction can be an unhealthy habit but when it comes to Helena Hunting I welcome it. I can’t get enough of her books especially this series.
Dred is a librarian with a problem. Her small apartment is about to bankrupt her due to a misunderstanding and even escaping into a book isn’t going to give her the solution.
Connor is used to playing the villain. He disappointed his family by not following in their footsteps. He’s not accepted by his hockey team and the press likes to make him into the bad guy.
His grandma is fragile and he wants to show her he can find happiness before she passes away. After finding out about Dreds problem he offers to marry her in a deal that will give them both more than they realise.
Conner reminds me of Eeyore. He has that gloomy quality that just makes you want to show him what he truly deserves. He’s so much more than he realises and it makes him such a great book boyfriend.
I absolutely loved this book. It’s addictive, loveable and so much more than I can put into words.
October 26, 2025
I knew these two would be my fav couple of this series and I can confirm they are!
Five freaking stars for this beautiful marriage of convenience story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dred and Connor were exactly what I expected but at the same time not at all what I expected.
They are the sweetest couple with such heartbreaking family situations.
This book is def different from the rest. Less funny situations, more heavy background, but the same found family goals. I love this group of friends so much!!!
Good writing, good character developments, oh the characters - just 🥹🥹🥹
I love how these two were to each other. How their feelings developed and how they found their way back to each other. They are the sweetest couple but also have this playful banter - the best combo!
Tropes:
-marriage of convenience
-best friend’s worst enemy
-hockey romance
-librarian x hockey player billionaire
-grumpy/sunshine
-tortured hero
-hedgehog pet
-found family
-NOT overly dramatic
-spicyyy and the spice is spicing but as an addition to the plot, not main focus
Special shoutout for Flip and how he dealt with this whole situation (iykyk)
I ignored all other books and read it in one day (would be one sitting if only I had uninterrupted block of time) as soon as the ARC hit my mailbox.
This story made me feel so much ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
I can’t believe I’m saying it cause I’m not a fan of age gap trope but I am actually very excited for the next book 🤭 I mean, of course I am, I’m following this whole series, but I’m not not excited for the age gap trope this time.
Releases 6 Nov
Can be read as standalone, tho I highly recommend reading the whole series in order
🎧🎧🎧Update🎧🎧🎧
I got the ALC as well and did a reread (does it count as a reread if I listened to the ALC a week after reading the eARC?) and OH MY GOD THE AUDIOBOOK IS SOOOOOO GOOD
I fell in love with Dred and Connor even more. I didn’t think it was possible but the audio performance (especially the female narrator one) was so damn good!!!
Listening speed: 1.75x
Audiobook length: 12h 45min
DUET narration by Jason Clarke and Kat Auden
Five freaking stars for this beautiful marriage of convenience story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dred and Connor were exactly what I expected but at the same time not at all what I expected.
They are the sweetest couple with such heartbreaking family situations.
This book is def different from the rest. Less funny situations, more heavy background, but the same found family goals. I love this group of friends so much!!!
Good writing, good character developments, oh the characters - just 🥹🥹🥹
I love how these two were to each other. How their feelings developed and how they found their way back to each other. They are the sweetest couple but also have this playful banter - the best combo!
Tropes:
-marriage of convenience
-best friend’s worst enemy
-hockey romance
-librarian x hockey player billionaire
-grumpy/sunshine
-tortured hero
-hedgehog pet
-found family
-NOT overly dramatic
-spicyyy and the spice is spicing but as an addition to the plot, not main focus
Special shoutout for Flip and how he dealt with this whole situation (iykyk)
I ignored all other books and read it in one day (would be one sitting if only I had uninterrupted block of time) as soon as the ARC hit my mailbox.
This story made me feel so much ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
I can’t believe I’m saying it cause I’m not a fan of age gap trope but I am actually very excited for the next book 🤭 I mean, of course I am, I’m following this whole series, but I’m not not excited for the age gap trope this time.
Releases 6 Nov
Can be read as standalone, tho I highly recommend reading the whole series in order
🎧🎧🎧Update🎧🎧🎧
I got the ALC as well and did a reread (does it count as a reread if I listened to the ALC a week after reading the eARC?) and OH MY GOD THE AUDIOBOOK IS SOOOOOO GOOD
I fell in love with Dred and Connor even more. I didn’t think it was possible but the audio performance (especially the female narrator one) was so damn good!!!
Listening speed: 1.75x
Audiobook length: 12h 45min
DUET narration by Jason Clarke and Kat Auden
October 28, 2025
Copy received from author for an honest review
Connor! Dred! I have been waiting for their story.
And it did not disappoint.
Dred is in trouble. Connor has a solution. And when their fauxmance turns in to more, I am here for it.
Absolutely freaking love Connor (he can call me Darling any time!). And Dred sees the man behind the grumpy, a-hole that everyone sees him as. He doesn't disavow anyone of that image, but I see you Connor Grace.
Add in Connor's grandma, Dred's found family and the extended Terror family, and you have a story that is full of laughter,flirting, friendship - but also so much more.
I need more. I need Flip's talse - STAT!
Connor! Dred! I have been waiting for their story.
And it did not disappoint.
Dred is in trouble. Connor has a solution. And when their fauxmance turns in to more, I am here for it.
Absolutely freaking love Connor (he can call me Darling any time!). And Dred sees the man behind the grumpy, a-hole that everyone sees him as. He doesn't disavow anyone of that image, but I see you Connor Grace.
Add in Connor's grandma, Dred's found family and the extended Terror family, and you have a story that is full of laughter,flirting, friendship - but also so much more.
I need more. I need Flip's talse - STAT!
November 17, 2025
It hurts
The villian villains and I'm supposed to feel bad for the FMC. Let's all just forget that she lied to his face repeatedly after he spent the whole day doing things she wanted to do. Never apologized for it either. Then when they both know they're in love and the FMC believes he loves her too, she gets insecure and takes the first act out of fear. Next scene FMC is flabbergasted when MMC reacts out of fear. These third act break ups are so old for this series. Are you telling me these teammates and incredibly smart and independent women can't learn from each other's mistakes? One intelligent empathetic woman in love can't be vulnerable for the sake of her relationship and share how she feels first because she is smart enough to see what her partner is going through after months of him bending over backwards and down low to put her first? I always love these books and then every time, without fail, each strong character acts out of character, unlearning all the growth and development up to that point, for the sake of a third act break up. Then come the sickening chapters of female manipulation and masculine flagellation in the name of insecurity cloaked as feminism. And now we're bringing young women into the mix and holding the FMCs up as role models for positive relationships? Woof. At this point I feel like the one messing up for still believing she can write a love story without the same ridiculous lazy ending. Please put me out of my misery. Yes relationships are hard. An FMC to actually aspire to goes a long way. I would also love to see the people with money choose to spend some on professional mental health care. You can do better, love.
The villian villains and I'm supposed to feel bad for the FMC. Let's all just forget that she lied to his face repeatedly after he spent the whole day doing things she wanted to do. Never apologized for it either. Then when they both know they're in love and the FMC believes he loves her too, she gets insecure and takes the first act out of fear. Next scene FMC is flabbergasted when MMC reacts out of fear. These third act break ups are so old for this series. Are you telling me these teammates and incredibly smart and independent women can't learn from each other's mistakes? One intelligent empathetic woman in love can't be vulnerable for the sake of her relationship and share how she feels first because she is smart enough to see what her partner is going through after months of him bending over backwards and down low to put her first? I always love these books and then every time, without fail, each strong character acts out of character, unlearning all the growth and development up to that point, for the sake of a third act break up. Then come the sickening chapters of female manipulation and masculine flagellation in the name of insecurity cloaked as feminism. And now we're bringing young women into the mix and holding the FMCs up as role models for positive relationships? Woof. At this point I feel like the one messing up for still believing she can write a love story without the same ridiculous lazy ending. Please put me out of my misery. Yes relationships are hard. An FMC to actually aspire to goes a long way. I would also love to see the people with money choose to spend some on professional mental health care. You can do better, love.
November 12, 2025
This was such a beautiful book!
Connor and Mildred were both excellent, and it was heartbreaking to read about their family situations. The heavy themes in this book are written so beautifully, and Connor was so misunderstood; I loved him so much!He was such a great person, and Dred went through so much. I loved how their marriage-of-convenience setup grew into much more. Their beautiful relationship and found-family dynamics were wonderful to read.
If you love:
✨marriage of convenience
✨grumpy x sunshine
✨librarian x hockey player
✨forced proximity
✨found family,
then read this book.
Thank you so much Helena Hunting for the ARC!🩷
Connor and Mildred were both excellent, and it was heartbreaking to read about their family situations. The heavy themes in this book are written so beautifully, and Connor was so misunderstood; I loved him so much!He was such a great person, and Dred went through so much. I loved how their marriage-of-convenience setup grew into much more. Their beautiful relationship and found-family dynamics were wonderful to read.
If you love:
✨marriage of convenience
✨grumpy x sunshine
✨librarian x hockey player
✨forced proximity
✨found family,
then read this book.
Thank you so much Helena Hunting for the ARC!🩷
November 7, 2025
2.5 these books just keep getting more and more ridiculous the character theatrics keep getting more and more stupid but I literally still have to consume these the second they come out lmao
October 19, 2025
If You Claim Me is the 5th book in the Toronto Terror series. Mildred “Dred” Reformer finds out that she owes a lot of money in back rent payment. Connor Grace is the “hockey villain” of the Toronto Terror team, and his family owns a hotel chain that’s worth billions. His grandmother wants to see him settled down and happy. Dred and Connor agree to marry, because Dred loves Connor’s grandmother, Lucy. Dred and Lucy already has a friendship that was struck up at library where Dred works. Her friends, including Connor’s nemesis (think deflowering a sandwich and a t-shirt reveal in the last book) Flip! They have a lot in common as they both had bad parents. They grow close to each other, and their marriage isn’t fake anymore. There is a marriage of the silly, the sweet, and the spicy in the way Helena Hunting told this story. Mostly, though there is a lot of emotional depth to characters, which made them feel flawed and Real. The romance was well written as were all of the characters. Seeing all of the characters from the Toronto Terror series and her past hockey series was a lot of fun! I particularly loved seeing Quinn Romero play hockey with Connor and Kodiak. For the book to be over 400 pages, I flew through it! The story sucked me in and I couldn’t wait to see what happened! I love Dred and Connor’s characters, romance, growth, and all of the characters that were a found family.
Thank you to Helena Hunting for an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to Helena Hunting for an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 19, 2025
You just knew there would be layers upon layers to Connor Grace and it would take someone truly special to peel them back and it could only be Dred. Despite all the difficult things Dred has been through growing up she’s still loves easily with the friends she’s chosen as family but the kind of love she sees her friends experiencing with their partners is something she doesn’t think will happen for her. So when she finds herself in an unforeseen financial situation, it’s the one person she never expected to come to her recuse who does with a solution involving marriage.
Dred and Connor’s marriage of convenience solves Dred’s financial problems and fulfills one of Connor’s grandmother’s wishes which is to see him happy and not alone and as much as Connor resisted letting himself be included it became impossible not to be because of Dred. Dred changed so much for Connor and his life and I loved that he called her not by her nickname Dred but by her full name Mildred and it was just one of the many actions that showed his feelings for her. Connor’s actions spoke volumes about his feelings for Dred and he wanted nothing more than to see her happy and surrounded by the people who mean the most to her.
Besides Connor’s grandmother, Dred was the only person to truly know and see Conor and understand him. And because of Dred, Connor slowly stopped seeing himself as an outsider and let those around them see beneath the billionaire hockey player villain persona and just see Connor.
We truly got to see how supportive this group is with this book and it’s honestly the best. They stepped up for Dred and Connor in big and small ways through their relationship journey and only made their bonds stronger. The last book in the Terror series is next and we are finally getting Flip’s story and after the few unknown tidbits we learned through Flip and Dred’s friendship you know it’s gonna be good. We are all ready to see our favorite coach’s daughter get her happily ever after with the reformed Flip.
Thank you @helenahunting for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback
Dred and Connor’s marriage of convenience solves Dred’s financial problems and fulfills one of Connor’s grandmother’s wishes which is to see him happy and not alone and as much as Connor resisted letting himself be included it became impossible not to be because of Dred. Dred changed so much for Connor and his life and I loved that he called her not by her nickname Dred but by her full name Mildred and it was just one of the many actions that showed his feelings for her. Connor’s actions spoke volumes about his feelings for Dred and he wanted nothing more than to see her happy and surrounded by the people who mean the most to her.
Besides Connor’s grandmother, Dred was the only person to truly know and see Conor and understand him. And because of Dred, Connor slowly stopped seeing himself as an outsider and let those around them see beneath the billionaire hockey player villain persona and just see Connor.
We truly got to see how supportive this group is with this book and it’s honestly the best. They stepped up for Dred and Connor in big and small ways through their relationship journey and only made their bonds stronger. The last book in the Terror series is next and we are finally getting Flip’s story and after the few unknown tidbits we learned through Flip and Dred’s friendship you know it’s gonna be good. We are all ready to see our favorite coach’s daughter get her happily ever after with the reformed Flip.
Thank you @helenahunting for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback
January 15, 2026
4.75 stars
This series started off super weak but the last two have been amazing and so much fun to read! The characterization and pacing in this one are excellent and Connor is a spectacular MMC. Rounded out perfectly by Dred and the twins and MEEMS (!!) who is definitely my favorite character of the series.
This series started off super weak but the last two have been amazing and so much fun to read! The characterization and pacing in this one are excellent and Connor is a spectacular MMC. Rounded out perfectly by Dred and the twins and MEEMS (!!) who is definitely my favorite character of the series.
November 15, 2025
Book Title: If You Claim Me (Book 5 of the Toronto Terror Series)
Author: Helena Hunting
Publishers: Ink & Cupcakes Inc/Dreamscape Media
Publication Dates: October 30, 2025 (paperback), November 6, 2025 (audiobook)
Currently Available on KU? ✅
Audiobook? ✅
🍿 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: I swear, the Toronto Terror series just keeps getting better and better, and If You Claim Me is hands down my favorite book yet. Helena Hunting even moved away from the ‘humping dots’ IYKYK 😏
🧺 𝚁𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚖 𝙼𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜: I would love to wrap myself in this storyline like it was a blanket, and I loved every single moment. Connor and Mildred “Dred” are seemingly an unlikely couple, but they were clearly meant to be. Dred’s past hit me like a ton of bricks, and this book made me so emotional! This is now the second book of the series that I cried during, and I loved the depth of both the characters and topics Hunting covered. It had a more serious tone than the other 4 books of the series, and I just wanted to give Dred a huge hug and tell her everything would be ok. 🥺 Also, there is a bit less spice in this one than the others!
🎧 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒩𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃: Kat Auden & Jason Clarke were the best narrators to bring this book to life and they nailed Dred and Connor. They made this even more of an emotional roller coaster for me, and I would listen to them narrate anything and everything!
💭 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴: Even the secondary (and I don’t mean the hockey players) stand out in this installment, and some of them made me say nasty things aloud while I was reading! I loved that this story was more about Dred and Connor and their families/pasts instead of the spice, and that makes it a standout read in my book. You can read these as standalones, but it is most fun to read them in order!
T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🥹💘📚🏨🫦
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝙼𝚢 𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 🌶️🌶️.5
I received a complimentary copy of this book as well as an advanced listening copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Author: Helena Hunting
Publishers: Ink & Cupcakes Inc/Dreamscape Media
Publication Dates: October 30, 2025 (paperback), November 6, 2025 (audiobook)
Currently Available on KU? ✅
Audiobook? ✅
🍿 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: I swear, the Toronto Terror series just keeps getting better and better, and If You Claim Me is hands down my favorite book yet. Helena Hunting even moved away from the ‘humping dots’ IYKYK 😏
🧺 𝚁𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚖 𝙼𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜: I would love to wrap myself in this storyline like it was a blanket, and I loved every single moment. Connor and Mildred “Dred” are seemingly an unlikely couple, but they were clearly meant to be. Dred’s past hit me like a ton of bricks, and this book made me so emotional! This is now the second book of the series that I cried during, and I loved the depth of both the characters and topics Hunting covered. It had a more serious tone than the other 4 books of the series, and I just wanted to give Dred a huge hug and tell her everything would be ok. 🥺 Also, there is a bit less spice in this one than the others!
🎧 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒩𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃: Kat Auden & Jason Clarke were the best narrators to bring this book to life and they nailed Dred and Connor. They made this even more of an emotional roller coaster for me, and I would listen to them narrate anything and everything!
💭 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴: Even the secondary (and I don’t mean the hockey players) stand out in this installment, and some of them made me say nasty things aloud while I was reading! I loved that this story was more about Dred and Connor and their families/pasts instead of the spice, and that makes it a standout read in my book. You can read these as standalones, but it is most fun to read them in order!
T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🥹💘📚🏨🫦
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝙼𝚢 𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 🌶️🌶️.5
I received a complimentary copy of this book as well as an advanced listening copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 20, 2025
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘦.”
“𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳? 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦?”
I absolutely loved If You Claim Me, the latests book in Helena Hunting’s Toronto Terror series. I think it’s my favourite book in the series (if not it’s tied with book 1, If You Hate Me). I don’t know what it is about the fake marriage trope, but I eat it up every time. There’s just something about that movement when the relationship between the characters turns into something real and beautiful.
Connor is the villain in the eyes of the hockey world and the black sheep of his family, with the exception of his beloved grandmother, whom he calls Meems. He would do anything to make his Meems smile, including showing her he’s finally happy and settling down… Enter Dred, who just found out she’s about to loose her apartment. Not wanting to be a burden on her friends, she strikes a deal with Connor, who just so happens to be the grandson of one her favourite her favorite patrons at the library where she works. The deal? For them to get married to make Meems happy, and in exchange, Connor will help Dred with her apartment and her debt.
Both Connor and Dred have been hurt by their families, the people who were supposed to love them unconditionally. Both a little broken, it takes them time to open up and trust, but once they do, you can tell how perfect they are for each other. Connor has been portrayed as a villain in the past, but he was such a caring and loving character. It made me so to see him loved, seethed and finally becoming friends with his teammates. Also, he was just the sweetest when it came to his Meems.
Once again with every Helena book, this is a mix of laughter, heartfelt movement, and spice. On top of the beautiful relationship between the main characters, the friendships and found family in the book were so special and made the book shine. Everyone deserves a group of friends who will do anything for you and are always there no matter what.
I can’t recommend this book and the entire Toronto Terror series enough! Biggest thank you to Helena for sending me the eARC to review.
“𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳? 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦?”
I absolutely loved If You Claim Me, the latests book in Helena Hunting’s Toronto Terror series. I think it’s my favourite book in the series (if not it’s tied with book 1, If You Hate Me). I don’t know what it is about the fake marriage trope, but I eat it up every time. There’s just something about that movement when the relationship between the characters turns into something real and beautiful.
Connor is the villain in the eyes of the hockey world and the black sheep of his family, with the exception of his beloved grandmother, whom he calls Meems. He would do anything to make his Meems smile, including showing her he’s finally happy and settling down… Enter Dred, who just found out she’s about to loose her apartment. Not wanting to be a burden on her friends, she strikes a deal with Connor, who just so happens to be the grandson of one her favourite her favorite patrons at the library where she works. The deal? For them to get married to make Meems happy, and in exchange, Connor will help Dred with her apartment and her debt.
Both Connor and Dred have been hurt by their families, the people who were supposed to love them unconditionally. Both a little broken, it takes them time to open up and trust, but once they do, you can tell how perfect they are for each other. Connor has been portrayed as a villain in the past, but he was such a caring and loving character. It made me so to see him loved, seethed and finally becoming friends with his teammates. Also, he was just the sweetest when it came to his Meems.
Once again with every Helena book, this is a mix of laughter, heartfelt movement, and spice. On top of the beautiful relationship between the main characters, the friendships and found family in the book were so special and made the book shine. Everyone deserves a group of friends who will do anything for you and are always there no matter what.
I can’t recommend this book and the entire Toronto Terror series enough! Biggest thank you to Helena for sending me the eARC to review.
October 29, 2025
This is such a cute sports romance that will have your emotions rolling! It also helped that I listened to the audiobook which has AMAZING narrators that keep you immersed in the story, especially since it’s duet style narration!
The author introduces Mildred (Dred) and Connor to the Toronto Terrors series hitting it right off with a fake marriage. This book hits different than most fake relationship books because it’s not about furthering someone’s career or stopping an arranged marriage.. instead Connor asks Dred to marry him so that he can make his Meems (grandmother) happy before she passes from heart issues. Right off the bat I was obsessed with Meems, she is that side character that comes and goes but when she is there, she has you cracking up and smiling the whole time. What makes it even better is that Connor is known to be a bad boy grump who always starts fights, but when it comes to his Meems, he’s a true cinnamon roll. It’s what draws Dred in and in true fake relationship fashion, has her falling head over heels for him. It might also help that he’s been crushing on her but didn’t know how to tell her. Over time both start to realize that maybe they’re more similar in ways than they thought and in a sense they trauma bond. It’s tear jerking at times!!
The only thing that had me blehh was when Connor turns cold and stops trying after they were finally getting to a real relationship status. If anything, he should’ve been more attentive to Dred than cut her out, but that’s just my thoughts of course. I’m SOOO glad Meems put Connor in his place and soon had him running back to Dred with heartfelt apologies. It just cemented my love for Meems hahaha.
Overall, it was a great book and the narrators were amazing! I cannot wait for more of the Toronto Terrors!
Rated: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
* I received a free ALC of this book via Helena Hunting’s Badass Babe Brigade and am voluntarily leaving a review."
The author introduces Mildred (Dred) and Connor to the Toronto Terrors series hitting it right off with a fake marriage. This book hits different than most fake relationship books because it’s not about furthering someone’s career or stopping an arranged marriage.. instead Connor asks Dred to marry him so that he can make his Meems (grandmother) happy before she passes from heart issues. Right off the bat I was obsessed with Meems, she is that side character that comes and goes but when she is there, she has you cracking up and smiling the whole time. What makes it even better is that Connor is known to be a bad boy grump who always starts fights, but when it comes to his Meems, he’s a true cinnamon roll. It’s what draws Dred in and in true fake relationship fashion, has her falling head over heels for him. It might also help that he’s been crushing on her but didn’t know how to tell her. Over time both start to realize that maybe they’re more similar in ways than they thought and in a sense they trauma bond. It’s tear jerking at times!!
The only thing that had me blehh was when Connor turns cold and stops trying after they were finally getting to a real relationship status. If anything, he should’ve been more attentive to Dred than cut her out, but that’s just my thoughts of course. I’m SOOO glad Meems put Connor in his place and soon had him running back to Dred with heartfelt apologies. It just cemented my love for Meems hahaha.
Overall, it was a great book and the narrators were amazing! I cannot wait for more of the Toronto Terrors!
Rated: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
* I received a free ALC of this book via Helena Hunting’s Badass Babe Brigade and am voluntarily leaving a review."
October 27, 2025
Connor and Dred have vaulted to the top for a favorite couple of this series! I would say they are almost competing for the number one spot. Idk what it is about Tris and Rix though those two have just held my heart. But man Connor and Dred’s story is so deep, emotional and just gave me butterflies.
Both come from completely different backgrounds, yet share so much in the way that they grew up feeling alone. How other people shaped them to see themselves. It’s sad, but also incredibly interesting to see how they both deal with that. Connor has had to play this role to protect the ones he cares for and does everything behind the scenes. Dred sees him though, and he sees her. Both have incredibly big hearts and I love how Dred helped bring the real Connor to the forefront. I loved getting more of the other couples and Connor’s grandmother is amazing. I truly adored this couple with my whole heart!
I absolutely can’t wait for Flip’s story!
Couple Rankings:
1. Tristan & Rix
2. Connor & Dred
3. Roman & Lexi
4. Dallas & Hemi
5. Hollis & Hammer
Read: ALC🎧/Earc📱
MMC: Connor Grace
FMC: Mildred (Dred) Reformer
Spice: 2.5🌶️
Tropes: Hockey, Marriage of Convenience, Best Friend’s Enemy, Forced Proximity, Billionaire, Grumpy+Sunshine, Opposites Attract, Tortured H
Both come from completely different backgrounds, yet share so much in the way that they grew up feeling alone. How other people shaped them to see themselves. It’s sad, but also incredibly interesting to see how they both deal with that. Connor has had to play this role to protect the ones he cares for and does everything behind the scenes. Dred sees him though, and he sees her. Both have incredibly big hearts and I love how Dred helped bring the real Connor to the forefront. I loved getting more of the other couples and Connor’s grandmother is amazing. I truly adored this couple with my whole heart!
I absolutely can’t wait for Flip’s story!
Couple Rankings:
1. Tristan & Rix
2. Connor & Dred
3. Roman & Lexi
4. Dallas & Hemi
5. Hollis & Hammer
Read: ALC🎧/Earc📱
MMC: Connor Grace
FMC: Mildred (Dred) Reformer
Spice: 2.5🌶️
Tropes: Hockey, Marriage of Convenience, Best Friend’s Enemy, Forced Proximity, Billionaire, Grumpy+Sunshine, Opposites Attract, Tortured H
November 4, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This is my favorite one from the series so far! I swear I think they just keep getting better with every Toronto Terror book that comes out. Here are a few things I loved:
📖 I loved how Connor was with his grandma aka Meems. My heart broke for him and his story made me cry.
📖 He calls her darling. Seriously so cute.
📖 The after wedding brunch banter between everyone was such a small part of the book but I loved this scene.
📖 He spoils her - drawing her baths, reading to her while she’s in said bath, pours her a drink. Did I mention I love Connor?
📖 Dred’s upbringing was so heartbreaking but she had so much love in her heart. She was so kind and warm to everyone.
📖 I loved getting to visit the rest of the team and can’t wait for Flip’s book.
📖 The narration was fantastic. Jason Clarke of course can do no wrong, but I loved Kat Auden in this book! She seamlessly went from narrating as an elderly grandma, to a little girl, and back to the FMC in one scene. I could NOT tell that it was the same narrator for each character. Truly impressed!
Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This is my favorite one from the series so far! I swear I think they just keep getting better with every Toronto Terror book that comes out. Here are a few things I loved:
📖 I loved how Connor was with his grandma aka Meems. My heart broke for him and his story made me cry.
📖 He calls her darling. Seriously so cute.
📖 The after wedding brunch banter between everyone was such a small part of the book but I loved this scene.
📖 He spoils her - drawing her baths, reading to her while she’s in said bath, pours her a drink. Did I mention I love Connor?
📖 Dred’s upbringing was so heartbreaking but she had so much love in her heart. She was so kind and warm to everyone.
📖 I loved getting to visit the rest of the team and can’t wait for Flip’s book.
📖 The narration was fantastic. Jason Clarke of course can do no wrong, but I loved Kat Auden in this book! She seamlessly went from narrating as an elderly grandma, to a little girl, and back to the FMC in one scene. I could NOT tell that it was the same narrator for each character. Truly impressed!
Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC!
November 19, 2025
5 "I see you" stars!
I have been desperate for Connor ever since I met him in the Toronto Terror series and his book did not disappoint. If You Claim Me delivers an unforgettable romance between Connor, the villain of the Terror hockey team and Mildred, whose best friend happens to be Connor's biggest enemy. Their love story takes the fake romance trope and puts it's own spin on it. Mildred is in a bind with her landlord and Connor can make things right...if she agrees to marry him. He wants to make his grandmother, Meems, happy and being in a relationship with Mildred will do just that. What starts as a simple business agreement turns very real when these two get to know each other, and what follows is a swoony and sweet romance.
I absolutely love stories with fake relationships and this one is unputdownable. From the beginning there is a spark between Connor and Mildred but Connor has always been the bad guy when it came to the team and no one lets hims live it down. One of the best things about Mildred, known as Dred to her friends, is that she always sees the best in people and never treated Connor like he’s the villain everyone else seems to think he is.
Dred grew up in the system and moved from foster home to foster home. She had been let down more times than she can count and she never had a family to call her own. Conner is the black sheep of his family. He wanted to pursue hockey not work for the family business and that made things awful between him and his father. H'es often misunderstood and tends to play into the character he thinks people expects him to be, which is so not him at all.
Spoiler alert - Connor is the perfect man. Even with his faults, he is perfect. He has such a huge heart. My heart hurt for his and the struggles he’s dealt with. I absolutely loved how he treats Dred and how he loves her. The friendship bracelet scene is everything and it shows how well he knows her and how much he loves her. My heart was full during that scene.
Dred is also such a wonderful character. She too has a big heart and puts everyone before her. She never believed that Connor was truly bad and she saw his goodness and love. Understanding what he went through, she may be the only one besides Meems and understood how good he was. She
These two start as friends but quickly realize there is something between them. I felt their chemistry and they really knew how to light the pages on fire. But beyond the steam, these two were lovely individuals. They care so much about the people they love and fell hard and fast for both of them.
There's heartache towards the end but it is not drawn out. There is growth and understanding and their challenges are worth going through to meet them on the other side. The epilogue is perfect for them and I turned the last page with a huge smile on my face, wishing I could relive their story from the beginning again.
I have to note that the audiobook has duet narration and that format is my favorite kind of audiobook. This one was fantastic. I usually prefer reading a book but that was not the case when it came to this book. The way the narrators brought the story to life had me hooked from the first word. I felt everything they went through and loved the whole experience.
Overall, I loved Connor and Mildred's love story, and it just may be my favorite of the series.
*ARC generously provided by the author*
I have been desperate for Connor ever since I met him in the Toronto Terror series and his book did not disappoint. If You Claim Me delivers an unforgettable romance between Connor, the villain of the Terror hockey team and Mildred, whose best friend happens to be Connor's biggest enemy. Their love story takes the fake romance trope and puts it's own spin on it. Mildred is in a bind with her landlord and Connor can make things right...if she agrees to marry him. He wants to make his grandmother, Meems, happy and being in a relationship with Mildred will do just that. What starts as a simple business agreement turns very real when these two get to know each other, and what follows is a swoony and sweet romance.
I absolutely love stories with fake relationships and this one is unputdownable. From the beginning there is a spark between Connor and Mildred but Connor has always been the bad guy when it came to the team and no one lets hims live it down. One of the best things about Mildred, known as Dred to her friends, is that she always sees the best in people and never treated Connor like he’s the villain everyone else seems to think he is.
Dred grew up in the system and moved from foster home to foster home. She had been let down more times than she can count and she never had a family to call her own. Conner is the black sheep of his family. He wanted to pursue hockey not work for the family business and that made things awful between him and his father. H'es often misunderstood and tends to play into the character he thinks people expects him to be, which is so not him at all.
Spoiler alert - Connor is the perfect man. Even with his faults, he is perfect. He has such a huge heart. My heart hurt for his and the struggles he’s dealt with. I absolutely loved how he treats Dred and how he loves her. The friendship bracelet scene is everything and it shows how well he knows her and how much he loves her. My heart was full during that scene.
Dred is also such a wonderful character. She too has a big heart and puts everyone before her. She never believed that Connor was truly bad and she saw his goodness and love. Understanding what he went through, she may be the only one besides Meems and understood how good he was. She
These two start as friends but quickly realize there is something between them. I felt their chemistry and they really knew how to light the pages on fire. But beyond the steam, these two were lovely individuals. They care so much about the people they love and fell hard and fast for both of them.
There's heartache towards the end but it is not drawn out. There is growth and understanding and their challenges are worth going through to meet them on the other side. The epilogue is perfect for them and I turned the last page with a huge smile on my face, wishing I could relive their story from the beginning again.
I have to note that the audiobook has duet narration and that format is my favorite kind of audiobook. This one was fantastic. I usually prefer reading a book but that was not the case when it came to this book. The way the narrators brought the story to life had me hooked from the first word. I felt everything they went through and loved the whole experience.
Overall, I loved Connor and Mildred's love story, and it just may be my favorite of the series.
*ARC generously provided by the author*
November 5, 2025
Dred + Connor
We all remember those two - Dred is besties with her neighbor Flip and Connor is Flip's arch enemy. And the hockey league bad boy.
But he's not really that bad. He just pretends for the world and his horrible parents. The only 'thing' really important to him is his grandma and that's why he offers Dred a deal. Marry him for a year to make his grandma happy and he pays off her debt.
Dred loves his grandma too - she's her favorite library visitor. So she agrees. What could go wrong?
LET THE FUN TIMS BEGIN!
════════════════
Adorable!
That was so sweet and funny and sparky and a bit heartbreaking with Dred's past and Connor's family and his lonely childhood. At least he had his grandma. Dred had no one.
And now they have each other. But not really. At least not yet.
So adorable!
I really enjoyed reading it - especially because there wasn't too much hockey in here. Lol. I'm not the biggest hockey romance fan - but I still read a lot of them!
This was a really great fake marriage romance.
With lots of Terror cameos and lots of adorable and emotional moments and some amazing friends and family moments.
I just love a good billionaire romance where the grumpy guy is doinig good things with his money!
I loved Dred's pet and the grandma and the twins and ... just everything!
Can't wait for the next books.
FLIP!
IF YOU CLAIM ME was such a sweet and adorable and fun and emotional and just beautiful fake marriage cinderella love story! Run to your nearest book dealer for your own Connor - this one is so mine.
If you can't click the buy-links
from your phone - click ► HERE!
💜
💜
November 2, 2025
Librarian Dred (short for Mildred) has a fabulous group of friends, a job she loves, and a soft place in her heart for foster kids like her younger self. After being asked to deliver books to a wealthy patron’s home, she finds herself face to face with the patron’s grandson, who just happens to be her BFF’s nemesis and NHL teammate.
Born into a privileged but frosty family, (except for his dear grandmother) Connor defied the expectations of his parents for joining the family business by becoming a professional hockey player. He also had no problem accepting blame to cover for his siblings’ actions while they were growing up, to spare them the same derision and punishments their father would mete out against him.
When an opportunity arises for Connor to help Dred out of an untenable situation, he offers her a fake marriage to placate his beloved grandmother whose frail health has him desperate to see her happy about his life choices.
Their fake relationship quickly becomes something much more, but Connor may be too damaged to grasp the happiness that’s within his reach and embrace the marriage in truth. Dred can scarcely dare to hope that what she and Connor feel for each other is real, and can last.
This is such a beautiful story of love, redemption, and found family interwoven with humor and lots of steamy moments. The inclusion of characters in the prior books of the series didn’t preclude this from working well as a standalone.
I was fortunate to have been furnished an advance reader copy from Helena Hunting and The Author Agency, and I’m pleased to share my honest review.
Born into a privileged but frosty family, (except for his dear grandmother) Connor defied the expectations of his parents for joining the family business by becoming a professional hockey player. He also had no problem accepting blame to cover for his siblings’ actions while they were growing up, to spare them the same derision and punishments their father would mete out against him.
When an opportunity arises for Connor to help Dred out of an untenable situation, he offers her a fake marriage to placate his beloved grandmother whose frail health has him desperate to see her happy about his life choices.
Their fake relationship quickly becomes something much more, but Connor may be too damaged to grasp the happiness that’s within his reach and embrace the marriage in truth. Dred can scarcely dare to hope that what she and Connor feel for each other is real, and can last.
This is such a beautiful story of love, redemption, and found family interwoven with humor and lots of steamy moments. The inclusion of characters in the prior books of the series didn’t preclude this from working well as a standalone.
I was fortunate to have been furnished an advance reader copy from Helena Hunting and The Author Agency, and I’m pleased to share my honest review.
November 5, 2025
Dred and Connor are here and they are perfect! I had such high hopes for this book and it absolutely delivered. Helena has this magical way of making her characters multi-faceted and so real. Dred and Connor have completely different backgrounds but are broken in all the same ways. They heal each other in ways only they can and I was so invested in their story.
Connor is down bad for Dred. Since he is too afraid of his big man feelings, he shows her time and time again. I loved their banter, their softness with each other, and their chemistry was off the charts. Him continuously calling her “wife” had me swooning.
One of my favorite things about this series is the found family. The Terror crew immediately start to warm to Connor out of respect for Dred and in return they see who he is underneath the villain mask. Connor finally finds his people both within the team but also with some of his family. This was sweet, spicy, and another great addition to this series!
I highly recommend the audio if you are an audiobook lover. The narrators were perfectly cast and did a phenomenal job.
Thank you to Helena and Dreamscape Media for this ALC in return for my honest review. My opinions are my own.
Connor is down bad for Dred. Since he is too afraid of his big man feelings, he shows her time and time again. I loved their banter, their softness with each other, and their chemistry was off the charts. Him continuously calling her “wife” had me swooning.
One of my favorite things about this series is the found family. The Terror crew immediately start to warm to Connor out of respect for Dred and in return they see who he is underneath the villain mask. Connor finally finds his people both within the team but also with some of his family. This was sweet, spicy, and another great addition to this series!
I highly recommend the audio if you are an audiobook lover. The narrators were perfectly cast and did a phenomenal job.
Thank you to Helena and Dreamscape Media for this ALC in return for my honest review. My opinions are my own.
October 24, 2025
I had so much fun reading this hilarious, heartfelt, and steamy marriage of convenience romance! This fifth book in the Toronto Terror series is about Connor and Mildred (Dred), two fascinatingly flawed characters, who just want to be accepted and loved. They come from completely opposite backgrounds, Connor from affluence and excess, and Mildred from foster care, working hard for and appreciating what little she had. They are both generous, and thoughtful, but Mildred's leads to found family and community, where Connor plays the villain when helping, making himself an outsider. He gets to know Mildred and is attracted to her. When she is in a bind, he offers his help if she will marry him to make his ailing grandmother happy. Connor starts spoiling Mildred to make his grandmother happy, but he soon does it because when Mildred is happy, it makes him feel good as well. Mildred brings out Connor's softer side, and he soon discovers that his teammates are not his enemies, but friends who support him. Mildred loves feeling the security that Connor gives her, and the man he is behind the closed off villain. But when his grandmother starts to recover, and their contract nears it's end, will Connor be able to convince Mildred to stay? I loved the chemistry between Connor and Mildred, they were so perfect together, really seeing and understanding each other. I loved their fun banter, how they took care of and brought joy to others, and their sizzling passion was off the charts! They had me totally swooning and rooting for their HEA as they find themselves and each other! I loved catching up with their friends and teammates who I've loved from previous books and who are so essential in each others lives. This was such an incredibly fun, sweet and sizzling romance! It is a seriously entertaining, heartwarming and completely addicting read!
October 29, 2025
ALC review!
I absolutely loved this audiobook!! Narration by Jason Clarke & Kat Auden was so fantastic!
Book 5 in this hockey romance series!!
I am a sucker for a good marriage of convenience and this one was so great! Connor & Dred had me absolutely hooked it!! Hockey romance with best friends enemies! Yes please!! The chemistry between these two was so obvious to everyone around them! I was here for it!! This one had a little bit of everything, banter, humor, steamy moments, & loaded emotions! I always love the added aspect of foster care & adoption & this truly pulled at all of my heart strings, right until the last paragraph!
Thank you Helena Hunting & NetGalley for this ALC opportunity
I absolutely loved this audiobook!! Narration by Jason Clarke & Kat Auden was so fantastic!
Book 5 in this hockey romance series!!
I am a sucker for a good marriage of convenience and this one was so great! Connor & Dred had me absolutely hooked it!! Hockey romance with best friends enemies! Yes please!! The chemistry between these two was so obvious to everyone around them! I was here for it!! This one had a little bit of everything, banter, humor, steamy moments, & loaded emotions! I always love the added aspect of foster care & adoption & this truly pulled at all of my heart strings, right until the last paragraph!
Thank you Helena Hunting & NetGalley for this ALC opportunity
October 20, 2025
I’m so in love with Connor and Dred’s story! It was beautiful and loving. The ending was fantastic! ❤️❤️
Connor offers Dred a way out of a situation by agreeing to marry him. Connor is prickly. He is used to playing the victim and does it well. Mildred (Dred) knows he is broken like her. She loves his grandmother and sees how he cares for her. She knows he isn’t the bad guy he pretends to be. She is also strong enough to call him out on it. The marriage of convenience moves to feelings and neither are sure if the other genuinely feels love or if it’s just because of the contract.
Every single time he called her darling I melted. Connor is so thoughtful and I couldn’t love him more. “She’s mentioned wanting to pretend it’s real, so maybe if I do things right, she’ll want more than just pretend. Then she could be mine forever.” 😍Swooning😍
Dred is amazing. We see that in the previous books and her warmth just continues to spread. He is her sweet villain. She is just the best kind of person. All the BBB girls are. I want to dive into this world and be in the BBB.
Connor offers Dred a way out of a situation by agreeing to marry him. Connor is prickly. He is used to playing the victim and does it well. Mildred (Dred) knows he is broken like her. She loves his grandmother and sees how he cares for her. She knows he isn’t the bad guy he pretends to be. She is also strong enough to call him out on it. The marriage of convenience moves to feelings and neither are sure if the other genuinely feels love or if it’s just because of the contract.
Every single time he called her darling I melted. Connor is so thoughtful and I couldn’t love him more. “She’s mentioned wanting to pretend it’s real, so maybe if I do things right, she’ll want more than just pretend. Then she could be mine forever.” 😍Swooning😍
Dred is amazing. We see that in the previous books and her warmth just continues to spread. He is her sweet villain. She is just the best kind of person. All the BBB girls are. I want to dive into this world and be in the BBB.
November 3, 2025
How are we already up to book 5 in this series? But as with all the previous books, I loved everything about Connor and Dred’s story. In one of the first books I thought Dred might have ended up with Flip, but after finishing this book I couldn’t imagine her with anyone else but Connor.
Their story begins as a fake relationship, but as with every book featuring this trope, it doesn’t stay that way. Reading their relationship evolve was amazing, but boy they had quite a few things stacked against them - mainly a certain family member of Connor’s.
Both of them have terrible pasts, both totally different but it does bring them together in a certain way. It’s not smooth sailing, but even with what they’ve lived through, they each have a heart of gold which they are happy to share with the closest people around them.
This was an absolutely beautiful book to read, which made me cry, put a smile on my face but mostly warmed my heart.
Their story begins as a fake relationship, but as with every book featuring this trope, it doesn’t stay that way. Reading their relationship evolve was amazing, but boy they had quite a few things stacked against them - mainly a certain family member of Connor’s.
Both of them have terrible pasts, both totally different but it does bring them together in a certain way. It’s not smooth sailing, but even with what they’ve lived through, they each have a heart of gold which they are happy to share with the closest people around them.
This was an absolutely beautiful book to read, which made me cry, put a smile on my face but mostly warmed my heart.
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