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Ruby Ridge #2
Defensive Hearts
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jan 26My agent says I need a fake marriage to fix my image, but she doesn’t know I’ve only ever wanted one woman.
Amelia Hamilton.
She’s all dark ink, sharp edges, and with a smile I’d burn my career to see again. I’ve been hooked since the first time she rolled her eyes at me, and now I have the perfect reason to keep her in my life.
She swears this is just an act, but every smirk, every touch, every moment alone makes it harder to pretend. I don’t care about the cameras, the headlines, or the rules—I care about her.
And when our time is up, I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure she stays mine.
Amelia Hamilton.
She’s all dark ink, sharp edges, and with a smile I’d burn my career to see again. I’ve been hooked since the first time she rolled her eyes at me, and now I have the perfect reason to keep her in my life.
She swears this is just an act, but every smirk, every touch, every moment alone makes it harder to pretend. I don’t care about the cameras, the headlines, or the rules—I care about her.
And when our time is up, I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure she stays mine.
Unknown Binding
Expected publication January 7, 2026
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 24, 2025
4.5⭐️
I typically gravitate towards darker reads, but the teasers I kept seeing for Defensive Hearts had me intrigued. So glad I reached out and received a copy of this book to read prior to release. I enjoyed it immensely.
This small town romance is the second in the series, and I will be going back to read Carter and Catalina’s story soon.
Maverick Hayes is the golden boy quarterback, but according to his agent he needs to clean up his image. Her suggestion? A fake marriage to appear more wholesome and appease his sponsors. He has just the woman in mind - Amelia, best friend of his older brother’s wife. He’s not stopped thinking about since meeting two years ago when she wouldn’t give him the time of day. What could go wrong?
This story was packed with emotion - giggles and tears on my end were abundant. And we know I love a book that makes me feel. I loved the we see all of the raw parts of the characters. Maverick hides his struggles with humor, but lays his heart on the line for Amelia. Letting him see the cracks in his armor and the anxiety and heaviness he struggles with under the surface. Seeing this 6’8” star quarterback break had me sobbing - and really thinking about the mental health issues men struggle with as well. He’s expected to put on a smile for the cameras and protect his “image” at the cost of himself. I wanted to hug him and pet his hair so many times. His character had so much depth and personality he was impossible to not fall for, just ask Amelia.
Amelia has built her walls taller than the stadiums Mav plays in, and she isn’t ready to let anyone in. Despite being intrigued by the charismatic football player’s offer - pretend to be his wife until the end of the season in exchange for anything she asks for - she doesn’t believe in love, and certainly not men. She’s been abused and let beaten down by her past relationship. Sharp, witty and claws out she’s the exact opposite of our golden boy MMC.
As the story unfolds we see both questioning where the line between fake marriage and real feelings is drawn. Mav didn’t stand a chance, and despite her best efforts to stay guarded Amelia finds herself falling for him too.
Their relationship is messy and chaotic in all the right ways. I loved seeing them grow as individuals and a couple. I was messaging the author with updates along the way, and am so glad I took a chance too. Can’t wait to read the other books in this series.
I typically gravitate towards darker reads, but the teasers I kept seeing for Defensive Hearts had me intrigued. So glad I reached out and received a copy of this book to read prior to release. I enjoyed it immensely.
This small town romance is the second in the series, and I will be going back to read Carter and Catalina’s story soon.
Maverick Hayes is the golden boy quarterback, but according to his agent he needs to clean up his image. Her suggestion? A fake marriage to appear more wholesome and appease his sponsors. He has just the woman in mind - Amelia, best friend of his older brother’s wife. He’s not stopped thinking about since meeting two years ago when she wouldn’t give him the time of day. What could go wrong?
This story was packed with emotion - giggles and tears on my end were abundant. And we know I love a book that makes me feel. I loved the we see all of the raw parts of the characters. Maverick hides his struggles with humor, but lays his heart on the line for Amelia. Letting him see the cracks in his armor and the anxiety and heaviness he struggles with under the surface. Seeing this 6’8” star quarterback break had me sobbing - and really thinking about the mental health issues men struggle with as well. He’s expected to put on a smile for the cameras and protect his “image” at the cost of himself. I wanted to hug him and pet his hair so many times. His character had so much depth and personality he was impossible to not fall for, just ask Amelia.
Amelia has built her walls taller than the stadiums Mav plays in, and she isn’t ready to let anyone in. Despite being intrigued by the charismatic football player’s offer - pretend to be his wife until the end of the season in exchange for anything she asks for - she doesn’t believe in love, and certainly not men. She’s been abused and let beaten down by her past relationship. Sharp, witty and claws out she’s the exact opposite of our golden boy MMC.
As the story unfolds we see both questioning where the line between fake marriage and real feelings is drawn. Mav didn’t stand a chance, and despite her best efforts to stay guarded Amelia finds herself falling for him too.
Their relationship is messy and chaotic in all the right ways. I loved seeing them grow as individuals and a couple. I was messaging the author with updates along the way, and am so glad I took a chance too. Can’t wait to read the other books in this series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I laughed. I cried. I healed a lil bit of myself with these two.
when Mav said; “I know Mama’s been gone for over ten years, but... fuck, Reed. I need her. I need her so bad right now, and she’s just... not here.”
GUTTED!!!
I am utterly in love with Maverick Hayes and the goofy, amazing, caring , out of this world, man that he is. I want to hold him and protect him from the world.
The My Wife trope will always be top tier 💗💗💗
it's the way they are both vulnerable with each other. how he opens up to her and shows his true self and not the curated "golden boy" everyone else always expects him to be. he brings all his walls down for her cause she makes him feel safe. feel seen. feel heard. 😭😭😭
it's all the small things, the tiny details, the notes on the mirror showing and telling her how much she means to him.
it's him not giving up on her when her fear made her shut down and bring every wall back up. afraid to be hurt again, but Mav showing with his actions that he would NEVER cause he absolutely WORSHIPS her.
it's her standing up and protecting her man when they are disregarding him and only seeing dollar signs and not seeing him as a person
may their loveeee always find us.
when Mav said; “I know Mama’s been gone for over ten years, but... fuck, Reed. I need her. I need her so bad right now, and she’s just... not here.”
GUTTED!!!
I am utterly in love with Maverick Hayes and the goofy, amazing, caring , out of this world, man that he is. I want to hold him and protect him from the world.
The My Wife trope will always be top tier 💗💗💗
it's the way they are both vulnerable with each other. how he opens up to her and shows his true self and not the curated "golden boy" everyone else always expects him to be. he brings all his walls down for her cause she makes him feel safe. feel seen. feel heard. 😭😭😭
it's all the small things, the tiny details, the notes on the mirror showing and telling her how much she means to him.
it's him not giving up on her when her fear made her shut down and bring every wall back up. afraid to be hurt again, but Mav showing with his actions that he would NEVER cause he absolutely WORSHIPS her.
it's her standing up and protecting her man when they are disregarding him and only seeing dollar signs and not seeing him as a person
may their loveeee always find us.
December 28, 2025
Dead. Deceased. Taken OUT. GUYS!!! I can’t even tell you how many scenes had me in full on, hardcore belly laughs. I felt like I had accidentally enrolled in a Jenny Craig weight loss program and my ribs STILL hurt. 🤣
Amelia absolutely terrorizes this poor, lovable, sweet, big oaf of a man (husband)…and my GOD, he accepts it like it’s his life’s calling. He has it BAD. The push and pull between them? Unmatched. And the spice? 🥵🌶️ FILTHY. This man is adventurous and Amelia gives it right back..she’s a freakin’ baddie….(wife)
AND THEN THERE’S THE CAT.
Rex. The wrinkly. Mutha f’in. Cat. I was wheezing. Fighting for my life. That cat had NO BUSINESS being that funny.
But listen…have your tissues ready. Beneath the chaos and laughs, this book is packed with raw emotion. Maverick hides his pain behind humor, and Amelia hides hers by pushing people away. And yes, there are moments you will ugly cry.
I didn’t think this would top Book 1-Wild Hearts because I loved that one so much but I think this one takes the number 1 spot. 💯 LOVED!!
Thank you A M Fernandez for the advanced copy to read.
Amelia absolutely terrorizes this poor, lovable, sweet, big oaf of a man (husband)…and my GOD, he accepts it like it’s his life’s calling. He has it BAD. The push and pull between them? Unmatched. And the spice? 🥵🌶️ FILTHY. This man is adventurous and Amelia gives it right back..she’s a freakin’ baddie….(wife)
AND THEN THERE’S THE CAT.
Rex. The wrinkly. Mutha f’in. Cat. I was wheezing. Fighting for my life. That cat had NO BUSINESS being that funny.
But listen…have your tissues ready. Beneath the chaos and laughs, this book is packed with raw emotion. Maverick hides his pain behind humor, and Amelia hides hers by pushing people away. And yes, there are moments you will ugly cry.
I didn’t think this would top Book 1-Wild Hearts because I loved that one so much but I think this one takes the number 1 spot. 💯 LOVED!!
Thank you A M Fernandez for the advanced copy to read.
October 1, 2025
“I’ll find you in every lifetime, Amelia. You’ve been it for me since the first moment I laid my eyes on you. There’s no version of me that doesn’t end up with you.”
BETA / ARC REVIEW (thank you for trusting me with this book Ana🤍)
the back and forth, wittiness, tension, groveling, and every thing else about this book, OBSESSED!
everything you could possibly want in an mmc, Maverick had my heart from the very first note 😏 Amelia was one of the most relatable fmc’s ever, we’ve all been in her shoes at some point😩
fall in love with Mav at your own risk… i have the softest spot for him🥹 and don’t think for one second he didn’t have a dirty mouth on him… and oh yea he wears The Scream mask💦
- quarterback x tattoo artist
- fake dating / marriage of convenience
- forced proximity
- black cat x golden retriever
- he falls first
BETA / ARC REVIEW (thank you for trusting me with this book Ana🤍)
the back and forth, wittiness, tension, groveling, and every thing else about this book, OBSESSED!
everything you could possibly want in an mmc, Maverick had my heart from the very first note 😏 Amelia was one of the most relatable fmc’s ever, we’ve all been in her shoes at some point😩
fall in love with Mav at your own risk… i have the softest spot for him🥹 and don’t think for one second he didn’t have a dirty mouth on him… and oh yea he wears The Scream mask💦
- quarterback x tattoo artist
- fake dating / marriage of convenience
- forced proximity
- black cat x golden retriever
- he falls first
September 24, 2025
Yall I’ve found my second 6 star read of the year!! When I say I’ve gone through ever emotion actually possible I truly have!! Maverick truly tackled his way into my heart with no helmet on and I’ll GLADLY keep him there. Amelia had me wanting to scream girls night because man has she been through it like someone pour my girl a glass and light some sage! But seriously if you haven’t read this book this is your sign READ IT FEEL IT AND GET READY FOR THE GAME AND BUZZING OF THE TATTOO GUN 🙂↕️
December 23, 2025
A rollercoaster of a ride!! I fear Maverick and Amelia are my favorite.
The banter was top tier and let’s not forget the begging! Who doesn’t love a man who would literally let himself be walked all over by the woman he loves.
From start to finish this was a raw story. You could feel everything both characters were going through. Amelia is so relatable, made me want to slap myself because some of her scenes were so me😭
This is a sports romance but it’s also so much more. 10/10 recommend🥹
The banter was top tier and let’s not forget the begging! Who doesn’t love a man who would literally let himself be walked all over by the woman he loves.
From start to finish this was a raw story. You could feel everything both characters were going through. Amelia is so relatable, made me want to slap myself because some of her scenes were so me😭
This is a sports romance but it’s also so much more. 10/10 recommend🥹
September 21, 2025
ADD THIS ONE TO YOUR TBR!
Just finished reading though and Ya’ll aren’t ready for the emotions!!! You’re gonna giggle, cackle, swoon, melt, pant, over heat, get PO then get giddy and happy.
You’ll like this one if you like age gap, forced proximity, fake marriage/marriage of convenience, reverse grumpy/sunshine, sports romance, tattoo artist/NFL player
Just finished reading though and Ya’ll aren’t ready for the emotions!!! You’re gonna giggle, cackle, swoon, melt, pant, over heat, get PO then get giddy and happy.
You’ll like this one if you like age gap, forced proximity, fake marriage/marriage of convenience, reverse grumpy/sunshine, sports romance, tattoo artist/NFL player
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews