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Relationsteps #3
Three Words
Bargaining for a fake relationship was never part of the plan.
Bekah Reynolds knows what she wants. And what she doesn’t. When the captain of her university’s hockey team asks her out, she turns him down, barely standing to be around him but when her editor makes it clear he won’t give her a column unless she makes herself invaluable, she sees opportunity.
Evan Fitzpatrick has his eyes set on one thing and one thing only—the NHL. It is all he has ever wanted, but when the team starts tanking under his leadership and his coach starts to question his ability to commit, he starts to wonder if he really has what it takes. When Bekah comes to him with a plan—she’ll fake being his girlfriend to prove he can commit to his coach if he agrees to do the athletic profile he has notoriously refused to do—how can he say no?
The plan is foolproof, but when feelings that have always been there become harder to ignore. Can they really say it’s still fake?
Bekah Reynolds knows what she wants. And what she doesn’t. When the captain of her university’s hockey team asks her out, she turns him down, barely standing to be around him but when her editor makes it clear he won’t give her a column unless she makes herself invaluable, she sees opportunity.
Evan Fitzpatrick has his eyes set on one thing and one thing only—the NHL. It is all he has ever wanted, but when the team starts tanking under his leadership and his coach starts to question his ability to commit, he starts to wonder if he really has what it takes. When Bekah comes to him with a plan—she’ll fake being his girlfriend to prove he can commit to his coach if he agrees to do the athletic profile he has notoriously refused to do—how can he say no?
The plan is foolproof, but when feelings that have always been there become harder to ignore. Can they really say it’s still fake?
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2025
5 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Kathleen
4 books16 followersAshley Kathleen is an Alberta-born indie romance author of swoonworthy heroes and strong heroines. When she’s not writing, she can be found buying more books than she knows what to do with and obsessing over fictional hockey players and cowboys. To stay up to date, follow her on social media @ashkathwrites.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
October 31, 2025
ARC REVIEW
Let me start this by saying, “If the universe did one thing right, it was giving women the ability to write fictional men” might single handily be the best opening line of any book I’ve ever read. Iconic.
I am a big fan of the fake dating trope & the evolution of Bekha & Fitz’s relationship from fake to real flowed so seamlessly. They had such good banter, which I feel really added to their dynamic.
Bekha is very much a ‘I can do it myself’ girl, & Fitz is her ‘I know you can but let me help any other’ boyfriend. This is easily one of my favourite micro-tropes & it gets me every-time - this is no exception.
I did feel at times chapters would end really abruptly. There were a few moments where chapters ended on really big moments then instead of the next chapter being a follow up, it’s never mentioned again or mentioned several chapters later. This left me with several unanswered questions and at times made the timeline feel a bit jarring.
Three Words is a fun and cute read, that holds up as a standalone, despite being the third book in the series.
Thank you to Ashley & her team for the ARC !
Let me start this by saying, “If the universe did one thing right, it was giving women the ability to write fictional men” might single handily be the best opening line of any book I’ve ever read. Iconic.
I am a big fan of the fake dating trope & the evolution of Bekha & Fitz’s relationship from fake to real flowed so seamlessly. They had such good banter, which I feel really added to their dynamic.
Bekha is very much a ‘I can do it myself’ girl, & Fitz is her ‘I know you can but let me help any other’ boyfriend. This is easily one of my favourite micro-tropes & it gets me every-time - this is no exception.
I did feel at times chapters would end really abruptly. There were a few moments where chapters ended on really big moments then instead of the next chapter being a follow up, it’s never mentioned again or mentioned several chapters later. This left me with several unanswered questions and at times made the timeline feel a bit jarring.
Three Words is a fun and cute read, that holds up as a standalone, despite being the third book in the series.
Thank you to Ashley & her team for the ARC !
November 17, 2025
"If the universe did one thing right, it was giving woman the ability to write fictional men. God knows the real ones suck."
Such a fabulous line to start a book on 😂
Bekah & Fitz are just the cutest couple and totally meant to be ... as soon as they can figure some shit out. The chemistry and banter between these two is brilliant - I had a stupid grin on my face for 99% of this book... I definitely understood Bekah's face pain in the end
My 1% mad face was for Asher who truely sucks!! 🙄
but then we have Fitz who is the perfect fictional man to make it all better, he gives Bekah every choice, every step of the way 🫠
The characters and their struggles are real and well written and I enjoyed their growth and journey do much, this was a book I did not want to put down
Thank you Ashley Kathleen for such a wonderful book and the ARC opportunity, I can't wait to read everything you write 💕
Such a fabulous line to start a book on 😂
Bekah & Fitz are just the cutest couple and totally meant to be ... as soon as they can figure some shit out. The chemistry and banter between these two is brilliant - I had a stupid grin on my face for 99% of this book... I definitely understood Bekah's face pain in the end
My 1% mad face was for Asher who truely sucks!! 🙄
but then we have Fitz who is the perfect fictional man to make it all better, he gives Bekah every choice, every step of the way 🫠
The characters and their struggles are real and well written and I enjoyed their growth and journey do much, this was a book I did not want to put down
Thank you Ashley Kathleen for such a wonderful book and the ARC opportunity, I can't wait to read everything you write 💕
November 19, 2025
Thank you so much to Ashley Kathleen for gifting me an e-arc of Three Words in exchange for an honest review!
It was such a joy stepping into this world for the first time. Although this is book 3 in the series, it is the first I have read and I didn't have any issues with treating it as a standalone. I will however be going back to read the first two in the series because I just liked this one so much.
Three words is a fluffy, feel-good hockey romance following our FMC Bekah and MMC Evan (aka Fitz). I haven't read a college/university based book in a while but this one reminded me of everything I loved about these books - because these were the books that got me into reading! Ashley Kathleen did this age and trope so well that I didn't get that 'ick' that I sometimes feel when I pick up a book like this.
I wasn't really sure what my expectations were for this book, but consider them exceeded by a mile. The banter, witty humour, swoony scenes, healthy relationship (!!!) & character development in Three Words make for a wonderful little escape from reality.
It was such a joy stepping into this world for the first time. Although this is book 3 in the series, it is the first I have read and I didn't have any issues with treating it as a standalone. I will however be going back to read the first two in the series because I just liked this one so much.
Three words is a fluffy, feel-good hockey romance following our FMC Bekah and MMC Evan (aka Fitz). I haven't read a college/university based book in a while but this one reminded me of everything I loved about these books - because these were the books that got me into reading! Ashley Kathleen did this age and trope so well that I didn't get that 'ick' that I sometimes feel when I pick up a book like this.
I wasn't really sure what my expectations were for this book, but consider them exceeded by a mile. The banter, witty humour, swoony scenes, healthy relationship (!!!) & character development in Three Words make for a wonderful little escape from reality.
November 20, 2025
“i don’t think i’ll ever get over how much she feels like home.”
this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and i am so very happy to report that it delivered exactly what i expected it to deliver.
bekah and fitz are so swoony together, and that’s not a word that i use often. they both bring out the best sides of each other, which is such a beautiful thing to witness. as soon as bekah realized what she deserved when it came to her career, it was soooo over for whoever was trying to tell her what to do/silence her. fitz never doubted her and always found an opportunity to praise her whenever he could, which had me kicking my feet and giggling a million times over. their back and forth banter breathed life back into me in such a specific way that i can’t explain how it felt, you’re all just going to have to read the book (because it’s that freaking good). oh, and don’t even get me started on the spice…it was too good. too freaking good.
i will absolutely be rereading this book soon, and i cannot wait for what ashley has planned for the future! each and every one of her books has been an immediate 5 star read! bekah and fitz will forever have a special place in my heart. thank you so much to ashley for the e-arc! 💜
some of my favourite quotes (so i can convince you all to read this book immediately):
she’s all fire and i get the great pleasure of being the pain in the ass that brings it out of her.
“you’re relentless.”
“and you’re gorgeous.”
“you’re about to learn just how much of a gentleman i can be, baby.”
“i hate you.”
“i know, baby.”
his voice is warm and comforting, a slice of home i didn’t know i was missing.
i think she likes this just as much as i do. even if it’s all for show.
“ever since you spent the night, i can’t sleep.”
i don’t think i’ve ever been someone’s favourite person before, but being his feels like a privilege.
i don’t think i’ll ever get over how much she feels like home.
this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and i am so very happy to report that it delivered exactly what i expected it to deliver.
bekah and fitz are so swoony together, and that’s not a word that i use often. they both bring out the best sides of each other, which is such a beautiful thing to witness. as soon as bekah realized what she deserved when it came to her career, it was soooo over for whoever was trying to tell her what to do/silence her. fitz never doubted her and always found an opportunity to praise her whenever he could, which had me kicking my feet and giggling a million times over. their back and forth banter breathed life back into me in such a specific way that i can’t explain how it felt, you’re all just going to have to read the book (because it’s that freaking good). oh, and don’t even get me started on the spice…it was too good. too freaking good.
i will absolutely be rereading this book soon, and i cannot wait for what ashley has planned for the future! each and every one of her books has been an immediate 5 star read! bekah and fitz will forever have a special place in my heart. thank you so much to ashley for the e-arc! 💜
some of my favourite quotes (so i can convince you all to read this book immediately):
she’s all fire and i get the great pleasure of being the pain in the ass that brings it out of her.
“you’re relentless.”
“and you’re gorgeous.”
“you’re about to learn just how much of a gentleman i can be, baby.”
“i hate you.”
“i know, baby.”
his voice is warm and comforting, a slice of home i didn’t know i was missing.
i think she likes this just as much as i do. even if it’s all for show.
“ever since you spent the night, i can’t sleep.”
i don’t think i’ve ever been someone’s favourite person before, but being his feels like a privilege.
i don’t think i’ll ever get over how much she feels like home.
November 23, 2025
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
DNF'd at 44%
I should've done it before but I was stubborn and thought I must go through until I couldn't.
Every other page FMC is rolling her eyes and this repetition was getting boring. The book started to get uninteresting, there's nothing about her that stands out. It's as if she's trying too hard to stay 'grumpy'. 😭 Like girl, just figure it out already. Some of her dialogue made me cringe.
"Aren't you supposed to be all alpha male and tell me not to wear anything too revealing?"
like I'm sorry but no. 💀
I did like the fact how MMC bought a chocolate shake for himself which is meant for her because she couldn't decide. He was also respectful. Also, I understand the pressure of leadership roles and the fact that FMC feels overshadowed by her brothers.
DNF'd at 44%
I should've done it before but I was stubborn and thought I must go through until I couldn't.
Every other page FMC is rolling her eyes and this repetition was getting boring. The book started to get uninteresting, there's nothing about her that stands out. It's as if she's trying too hard to stay 'grumpy'. 😭 Like girl, just figure it out already. Some of her dialogue made me cringe.
"Aren't you supposed to be all alpha male and tell me not to wear anything too revealing?"
like I'm sorry but no. 💀
I did like the fact how MMC bought a chocolate shake for himself which is meant for her because she couldn't decide. He was also respectful. Also, I understand the pressure of leadership roles and the fact that FMC feels overshadowed by her brothers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2025
ARC Review ✨
I liked this book even more because the FMC has the same first name as me (spelling too which is not common)
Three Words by Ashley Kathleen completely pulled me in from the first page. It’s emotional, honest, and beautifully written. The characters feel real—you can’t help but root for them as they navigate love, heartbreak, and healing. I loved how the story shows that sometimes the simplest words can carry the deepest meaning.
I liked this book even more because the FMC has the same first name as me (spelling too which is not common)
Three Words by Ashley Kathleen completely pulled me in from the first page. It’s emotional, honest, and beautifully written. The characters feel real—you can’t help but root for them as they navigate love, heartbreak, and healing. I loved how the story shows that sometimes the simplest words can carry the deepest meaning.
November 1, 2025
˚.༄ Thank you to the author Ashley Kathleen for the provided eARC in exchange for an honest review! 💌 ꒷·˚ ༘
4 ⭐️
Oh my - Bekah and Fitz, what a journey it’s been! I read this in under 24 hours and would’ve probably taken even less time to do so, if it hadn’t been for my studies. I was so tangled up in the story of the two, I literally could not put the book down! (Yes, literally. I stayed up ‘till 3 AM to finish it, because it was just that good. 🤭)
I really enjoyed the fake dating trope in this one! It’s got all the good stuff: a cinnamon roll MMC and a black cat FMC, plus so much found family! (Yes, Dylan, I am mostly talking about you.) Oh, and the banter? Amazing.
I got a bit frustrated with Bekah at times, because she did run out on Fitz at some points in the book rather than just talk it out with him, but I get why she did it, so no hard feelings (I still love her).
⤷ ❝ 𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐧. 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐤. ❞ (This was her first line, btw. And wow did Fitz prove her wrong.)
And speaking of Fitz? My god, he really raises the bar of fictional men! Giving Bekah every choice in whatever step they were taking? And encouraging her to voice every possible concern and thoughts she may have? Yes, this should be the bare minimum, but something about this had me swooning for hours.
⤷ ❝ 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐤𝐚𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞. 𝐁𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐤. 𝐄𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐄𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐟 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐬. ❞
It was also refreshing to see how they both struggled (putting it like that sounds weird, but stay with me lmao!): Fitz with feeling like he didn’t give the (unwanted) captaincy his all and Bekah with being afraid of being a quitter and people constantly leaving her. Very realistic problems that I really enjoyed reading about. It gave them a lot of room to grow and oh my did they grow!
⤷ ❝ ”𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐚𝐲.” “𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞?” “𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐛𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞.” ❞ We hear you, Fitz, we hear you. Loud and clear. 🫠🫠
All in all: I had so much fun reading Three Words and Ashley Kathleen is now definitely a must read author of mine! 🌸
Oh and Asher? You suck. I hope your sleeves slide down every time you wash your hands.
4 ⭐️
Oh my - Bekah and Fitz, what a journey it’s been! I read this in under 24 hours and would’ve probably taken even less time to do so, if it hadn’t been for my studies. I was so tangled up in the story of the two, I literally could not put the book down! (Yes, literally. I stayed up ‘till 3 AM to finish it, because it was just that good. 🤭)
I really enjoyed the fake dating trope in this one! It’s got all the good stuff: a cinnamon roll MMC and a black cat FMC, plus so much found family! (Yes, Dylan, I am mostly talking about you.) Oh, and the banter? Amazing.
I got a bit frustrated with Bekah at times, because she did run out on Fitz at some points in the book rather than just talk it out with him, but I get why she did it, so no hard feelings (I still love her).
⤷ ❝ 𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐧. 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐤. ❞ (This was her first line, btw. And wow did Fitz prove her wrong.)
And speaking of Fitz? My god, he really raises the bar of fictional men! Giving Bekah every choice in whatever step they were taking? And encouraging her to voice every possible concern and thoughts she may have? Yes, this should be the bare minimum, but something about this had me swooning for hours.
⤷ ❝ 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐤𝐚𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞. 𝐁𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐤. 𝐄𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐄𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐟 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐬. ❞
It was also refreshing to see how they both struggled (putting it like that sounds weird, but stay with me lmao!): Fitz with feeling like he didn’t give the (unwanted) captaincy his all and Bekah with being afraid of being a quitter and people constantly leaving her. Very realistic problems that I really enjoyed reading about. It gave them a lot of room to grow and oh my did they grow!
⤷ ❝ ”𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐚𝐲.” “𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞?” “𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐛𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞.” ❞ We hear you, Fitz, we hear you. Loud and clear. 🫠🫠
All in all: I had so much fun reading Three Words and Ashley Kathleen is now definitely a must read author of mine! 🌸
Oh and Asher? You suck. I hope your sleeves slide down every time you wash your hands.
November 12, 2025
Three Words by Ashley Kathleen was given to me in exchange for an honest review — and honestly? It turned out to be one of those warm, wholesome reads that just makes your heart feel full.
This book doesn’t try too hard to be deep or complicated. There are no over-the-top twists or unnecessary angst — just an easy, feel-good story that leaves you smiling when you flip the last page. It’s short, sweet, and perfect for when you need something comforting but not shallow.
The story begins with Bekah, a passionate journalist who dreams of having her own column. The problem? Her editor is the definition of sexist and dismissive — a man who believes women don’t belong in the male-dominated world of sports journalism. He constantly undercuts her and refuses to take her seriously, no matter how hard she works.
Then we meet Evan, a hockey player whose entire world revolves around the sport. His one goal? To make it to the NHL. But when he’s unexpectedly promoted to captain, things start spiraling — the team’s performance drops, the coach starts questioning his leadership, and Evan’s confidence takes a serious hit.
Desperate to prove himself, Evan hatches a plan — and the first person he turns to is, of course, Bekah. The irony? She can’t stand him. She’s not into sports, she thinks he’s arrogant, and the two have zero patience for each other. But when a fake-dating setup pulls them together, the line between “pretend” and “real” starts to blur faster than either of them expected.
From their very first kiss, you can feel the walls between them start to fall — especially Bekah’s. The chemistry feels natural, the banter is playful without being forced, and their emotional connection grows so quietly that you almost don’t notice when it becomes real.
What I loved most about this book is how light yet heartfelt it feels. The tension isn’t built on drama or big misunderstandings — it’s built on genuine growth and emotional honesty. You watch two people learn how to trust again, open up, and let love in without the chaos of unnecessary conflict.
It’s one of those stories you finish reading and still think about later — not because it breaks your heart, but because it warms it.
If you’re in the mood for a cozy, low-angst romance with a sweet fake-dating trope and two characters who actually communicate and grow, Three Words is such a lovely choice.
Final Rating: 🌟 4.5/5 — a soft, heartwarming story that’s as comforting as a lazy Sunday afternoon.
This book doesn’t try too hard to be deep or complicated. There are no over-the-top twists or unnecessary angst — just an easy, feel-good story that leaves you smiling when you flip the last page. It’s short, sweet, and perfect for when you need something comforting but not shallow.
The story begins with Bekah, a passionate journalist who dreams of having her own column. The problem? Her editor is the definition of sexist and dismissive — a man who believes women don’t belong in the male-dominated world of sports journalism. He constantly undercuts her and refuses to take her seriously, no matter how hard she works.
Then we meet Evan, a hockey player whose entire world revolves around the sport. His one goal? To make it to the NHL. But when he’s unexpectedly promoted to captain, things start spiraling — the team’s performance drops, the coach starts questioning his leadership, and Evan’s confidence takes a serious hit.
Desperate to prove himself, Evan hatches a plan — and the first person he turns to is, of course, Bekah. The irony? She can’t stand him. She’s not into sports, she thinks he’s arrogant, and the two have zero patience for each other. But when a fake-dating setup pulls them together, the line between “pretend” and “real” starts to blur faster than either of them expected.
From their very first kiss, you can feel the walls between them start to fall — especially Bekah’s. The chemistry feels natural, the banter is playful without being forced, and their emotional connection grows so quietly that you almost don’t notice when it becomes real.
What I loved most about this book is how light yet heartfelt it feels. The tension isn’t built on drama or big misunderstandings — it’s built on genuine growth and emotional honesty. You watch two people learn how to trust again, open up, and let love in without the chaos of unnecessary conflict.
It’s one of those stories you finish reading and still think about later — not because it breaks your heart, but because it warms it.
If you’re in the mood for a cozy, low-angst romance with a sweet fake-dating trope and two characters who actually communicate and grow, Three Words is such a lovely choice.
Final Rating: 🌟 4.5/5 — a soft, heartwarming story that’s as comforting as a lazy Sunday afternoon.
November 19, 2025
Thank you to author Ashley Kathleen for providing me with an ARC copy of this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I would say this is a 3.5 rounded up. It honestly took me a bit to get in to this book, and I think it's because I didn't read the first two books in the series. I know it says they can be stand alone, but the supporting characters were introducdd and fleshed out in those books and it made it harder for me to connect with them jumping in without any of that back knowledge. So I would recommend reading them in order.
Once I did get in to the book, I absolutely loved our two main characters. Bekah is closed off and reserved at the start, and it was great to see her come into herself and find her confidence throughout the book due to her developing relationship with Fitz. Bekah's friends are supportive, and become a sort of found family for her, and I enjoyed seeing a larger, positive, supportive, mixed gender friend group, as you don't really get that in these types of books.
Our MMC Fitz is absolutely dreamy. Perfect book boyfriend material. IMO, he set a new standard for MMCs. He's harbored feelings for Bekah for years, but never pressures her to be anything more than friends. When they do start their fake relationship, he helps her stand up for herself, defends her, and again, never pressures her to go further/faster or be more than she's ready for. All throughout he's a walking green flag (as the saying goes). The will they/won't they tension between them made me not want to put the book down.
Overall, I found this to be a sweet story with great characters, and I look forward to going back and reading the first two books of the series.
I would say this is a 3.5 rounded up. It honestly took me a bit to get in to this book, and I think it's because I didn't read the first two books in the series. I know it says they can be stand alone, but the supporting characters were introducdd and fleshed out in those books and it made it harder for me to connect with them jumping in without any of that back knowledge. So I would recommend reading them in order.
Once I did get in to the book, I absolutely loved our two main characters. Bekah is closed off and reserved at the start, and it was great to see her come into herself and find her confidence throughout the book due to her developing relationship with Fitz. Bekah's friends are supportive, and become a sort of found family for her, and I enjoyed seeing a larger, positive, supportive, mixed gender friend group, as you don't really get that in these types of books.
Our MMC Fitz is absolutely dreamy. Perfect book boyfriend material. IMO, he set a new standard for MMCs. He's harbored feelings for Bekah for years, but never pressures her to be anything more than friends. When they do start their fake relationship, he helps her stand up for herself, defends her, and again, never pressures her to go further/faster or be more than she's ready for. All throughout he's a walking green flag (as the saying goes). The will they/won't they tension between them made me not want to put the book down.
Overall, I found this to be a sweet story with great characters, and I look forward to going back and reading the first two books of the series.
November 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I would like to say a big thank you to Ashley Kathleen and her team for sending me a digital ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Three words is the third book in Ashley's Relationsteps series and this book can also be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the first two books but I will be purchasing them ASAP.
Three Words is a fun and exciting hockey romance with two main characters that have been written so incredibly well that you will be hooked and want to know more!
🏒Hockey Romance
📚Fake Dating
🏒Down Bad MMC x Black Cat FMC
📚Loathe to Love You
🏒She can’t stand Him, He can’t get Enough
📚Neighbours to Lovers
🏒He falls First, She falls Harder
📚Found Family
🏒Dual POV
Three Words follows the story of Bekah Reynolds who works on her school newspaper and Evan Fitzpatrick (Fitz) who is the captain of the hockey team. Fitz has always had his eyes set on Bekah who has never given him the time of day but one day everything changes. Bekah needs to get Fitz to agree to an interview to get her own column in the school newspaper and Fitz needs to prove to his coach that he can commit to something. Both agree to help each other in their careers which includes fake dating.
I devoured this book, it’s so good! I couldn’t put it down and I needed to know more. I could feel the chemistry straight from the page and I thought Ashley's writing style and pace was excellent. I thought Ashley balanced her story very well from the fun and flirty side of the characters, to showing their emotions and vulnerability to each other.
If you love a fun, cute sports romance that includes fake dating then this book is for you! I read this book in a day and I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
My final three words are... I loved it!!!
I would like to say a big thank you to Ashley Kathleen and her team for sending me a digital ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Three words is the third book in Ashley's Relationsteps series and this book can also be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the first two books but I will be purchasing them ASAP.
Three Words is a fun and exciting hockey romance with two main characters that have been written so incredibly well that you will be hooked and want to know more!
🏒Hockey Romance
📚Fake Dating
🏒Down Bad MMC x Black Cat FMC
📚Loathe to Love You
🏒She can’t stand Him, He can’t get Enough
📚Neighbours to Lovers
🏒He falls First, She falls Harder
📚Found Family
🏒Dual POV
Three Words follows the story of Bekah Reynolds who works on her school newspaper and Evan Fitzpatrick (Fitz) who is the captain of the hockey team. Fitz has always had his eyes set on Bekah who has never given him the time of day but one day everything changes. Bekah needs to get Fitz to agree to an interview to get her own column in the school newspaper and Fitz needs to prove to his coach that he can commit to something. Both agree to help each other in their careers which includes fake dating.
I devoured this book, it’s so good! I couldn’t put it down and I needed to know more. I could feel the chemistry straight from the page and I thought Ashley's writing style and pace was excellent. I thought Ashley balanced her story very well from the fun and flirty side of the characters, to showing their emotions and vulnerability to each other.
If you love a fun, cute sports romance that includes fake dating then this book is for you! I read this book in a day and I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
My final three words are... I loved it!!!
November 9, 2025
Let me start by saying that Fitz is way too flirty, and honestly… I wouldn’t have survived 😭 So Bekah, I truly admire you 🫡
Thank you, Ashley, because this was exactly the book I needed.
From the dedication: “To all the women who are seen and not heard, you are a force of nature. Be brave.”
I already felt a hug straight to my heart. 💖
Reading everything Bekah had to go through made me a little sad, but it also made me admire her even more. She was brave, faced her fears, and even in her hardest moments, she had her friends by her side.
And Fitz… even though he doubted himself as a captain, he proved to be an incredible one. He always had it in him, he just needed to see it.
Three Words tells the story of Bekah and Fitz, who decide to fake date for mutual benefit. But we all know how that goes with fake dating, right? 🫣
Fitz fell for Bekah from the very beginning. He knew exactly how he felt and was willing to wait for her.
Bekah, on the other hand, didn’t let people in easily —fear and past wounds made her keep her guard up. She claimed she couldn’t stand Fitz, but sometimes she couldn’t help playing along.
Eventually, she realized he was worth the risk. Fitz became her safe place, and she was his too🥹
It was a story full of flirting, tension, and chemistry, the kind that makes you scream at the book because they keep getting interrupted 🤭
I absolutely loved this book. Thank you, Ashley, for letting me read the ARC 💖
Thank you, Ashley, because this was exactly the book I needed.
From the dedication: “To all the women who are seen and not heard, you are a force of nature. Be brave.”
I already felt a hug straight to my heart. 💖
Reading everything Bekah had to go through made me a little sad, but it also made me admire her even more. She was brave, faced her fears, and even in her hardest moments, she had her friends by her side.
And Fitz… even though he doubted himself as a captain, he proved to be an incredible one. He always had it in him, he just needed to see it.
Three Words tells the story of Bekah and Fitz, who decide to fake date for mutual benefit. But we all know how that goes with fake dating, right? 🫣
Fitz fell for Bekah from the very beginning. He knew exactly how he felt and was willing to wait for her.
Bekah, on the other hand, didn’t let people in easily —fear and past wounds made her keep her guard up. She claimed she couldn’t stand Fitz, but sometimes she couldn’t help playing along.
Eventually, she realized he was worth the risk. Fitz became her safe place, and she was his too🥹
It was a story full of flirting, tension, and chemistry, the kind that makes you scream at the book because they keep getting interrupted 🤭
I absolutely loved this book. Thank you, Ashley, for letting me read the ARC 💖
December 11, 2025
What can I say about “Three Words” By Ashley Kathleen, that someone else hasn’t said. Ashley’s writing was fun. I enjoyed following the characters in their journey.
The story was very relatable. And I love that I am finally seeing women in stories that aren’t the average woman. We are starting to see the black-cat or more introverted personalities in stories.
I feel the Bekah has that personality in some ways. She’s okay with not being in the spotlight within the newspaper. She wants to do more behind the scenes work. That would make her happy.
She did pitch for a column to the editor-in-chief Asher, but like every power hungry young man, he refuses. He likes to threw his weight around and make he do the things that he deems are important. And to show her that he is above her, he always calls her by the wrong name, which just shows how much he truly respects the people around him.
Bekah may not stand up for herself to him but she dos know how to stand up for herself when she wants too. She does it regularly when Evan “Fitz” keeps asking her out. Maybe it’s because on some level she has always felt this comfort from him she didn’t know she had around him. To her, she couldn’t stand him, and she let him know it at every turn. If it was by a look, flipping him off, a snide comment.
Fitz absolutely loved the fire in Bekah. He gets great pleasure in the beginning being a pain to her. He loves to push all her buttons when he can.
Both Bekah and Fitz are fighting battle of their own that ends up bringing them together. Fitz’s coach wants him to comment more as he is the Hockey team’s captain, and needs to be doing more for the team. Or the coach will be finding a new captain. Bekah just doesn’t know if she wants to stay on at the paper anymore, what’s the use when all they do is what Asher wants anyways.
When Asher realizes that Bekah knows Fitz and is on friendly terms with him. He holds a carrot out to her. Get Fitz to do the Athletic Profile and she gets to do her column. And the only way Bekah can think to get Fitz to agree to that is by giving him what he has always wanted.
So she goes to their practice and has one of her friends that’s on the team get her in to see Fitz. They were actually in the weight room at this time and not on the ice. She keeps thinking how crazy she is for doing this but still walks up to him, straddles his legs while he is on the bench press and says
“Dylan told me your coach has been on your back about cleaning up your act, so….. I’ll be your girlfriend for as long as you need. Go to games and whatever else you need me for if you do the Athletic Profile for The Press.”
Fitz jumped at the opportunity to be with her. But he had one stipulation to doing the Profile. She had to be the one writing it. He wasn’t going to give someone else credit who did nothing but sit back on his a*s while she did all the work.
He wasn’t good for her. She had a lot that she had to work thru emotionally. I don’t think she ever really felt important. So when Fitz started making her his focus, it spooked her a lot. She may have thought it was fake dating from the beginning but I don’t think Fitz did at all. I think he was all in from the beginning. And he was slowly working to break down her walls for her to see him for who he could be for her.
I don’t think she realized what lengths he would go to for her until he confronted Asher multiple times. Once when he over heard him call her by the wrong name and second when Asher made it public that Fitz and Bekah were in a fake relationship. But what Asher didn’t realize is that. They had the entire team behind them.
When Fitz mom made a comment about how she had never seen that look on her son’s face before. About how something could be more important than hockey. That put Bekah in a spiral.
But Fitz being who he is takes matters into his own hands. He knows she spooks easily but he needs he to hear him and finally understand how he truly feels,
“I f*cking love you,” he says, whispering it into the space between us. “And I know that scares you, but I need you to hear me, baby. I am and have always been yours. I’m not going anywhere.”
The story was very relatable. And I love that I am finally seeing women in stories that aren’t the average woman. We are starting to see the black-cat or more introverted personalities in stories.
I feel the Bekah has that personality in some ways. She’s okay with not being in the spotlight within the newspaper. She wants to do more behind the scenes work. That would make her happy.
She did pitch for a column to the editor-in-chief Asher, but like every power hungry young man, he refuses. He likes to threw his weight around and make he do the things that he deems are important. And to show her that he is above her, he always calls her by the wrong name, which just shows how much he truly respects the people around him.
Bekah may not stand up for herself to him but she dos know how to stand up for herself when she wants too. She does it regularly when Evan “Fitz” keeps asking her out. Maybe it’s because on some level she has always felt this comfort from him she didn’t know she had around him. To her, she couldn’t stand him, and she let him know it at every turn. If it was by a look, flipping him off, a snide comment.
Fitz absolutely loved the fire in Bekah. He gets great pleasure in the beginning being a pain to her. He loves to push all her buttons when he can.
Both Bekah and Fitz are fighting battle of their own that ends up bringing them together. Fitz’s coach wants him to comment more as he is the Hockey team’s captain, and needs to be doing more for the team. Or the coach will be finding a new captain. Bekah just doesn’t know if she wants to stay on at the paper anymore, what’s the use when all they do is what Asher wants anyways.
When Asher realizes that Bekah knows Fitz and is on friendly terms with him. He holds a carrot out to her. Get Fitz to do the Athletic Profile and she gets to do her column. And the only way Bekah can think to get Fitz to agree to that is by giving him what he has always wanted.
So she goes to their practice and has one of her friends that’s on the team get her in to see Fitz. They were actually in the weight room at this time and not on the ice. She keeps thinking how crazy she is for doing this but still walks up to him, straddles his legs while he is on the bench press and says
“Dylan told me your coach has been on your back about cleaning up your act, so….. I’ll be your girlfriend for as long as you need. Go to games and whatever else you need me for if you do the Athletic Profile for The Press.”
Fitz jumped at the opportunity to be with her. But he had one stipulation to doing the Profile. She had to be the one writing it. He wasn’t going to give someone else credit who did nothing but sit back on his a*s while she did all the work.
He wasn’t good for her. She had a lot that she had to work thru emotionally. I don’t think she ever really felt important. So when Fitz started making her his focus, it spooked her a lot. She may have thought it was fake dating from the beginning but I don’t think Fitz did at all. I think he was all in from the beginning. And he was slowly working to break down her walls for her to see him for who he could be for her.
I don’t think she realized what lengths he would go to for her until he confronted Asher multiple times. Once when he over heard him call her by the wrong name and second when Asher made it public that Fitz and Bekah were in a fake relationship. But what Asher didn’t realize is that. They had the entire team behind them.
When Fitz mom made a comment about how she had never seen that look on her son’s face before. About how something could be more important than hockey. That put Bekah in a spiral.
But Fitz being who he is takes matters into his own hands. He knows she spooks easily but he needs he to hear him and finally understand how he truly feels,
“I f*cking love you,” he says, whispering it into the space between us. “And I know that scares you, but I need you to hear me, baby. I am and have always been yours. I’m not going anywhere.”
November 18, 2025
I adore this book, I was given a arc copy and all opinions are my own.
It has fake dating, slow burn, sport romance and just the perfect amount of banter mix with yearning.
Bekah comes up with a plan to fake date the captain of the hockey team (who she barley tolerates even though they have mutual friends) in exchange to do a feature article on him and he gets to improve his image with his coach.
He falls first but she falls harder. She has a lot of character growth and self discovery while Fitz or shall i say Captain supports her just the right amount by being there for her and giving her confidence to stand up for herself without overstepping and taking over as guys often do. He knows when to listen and when to act.
This book has good spice but also has a Dicktionary (the name alone tells you the author has fantastic humor) at the end that lists the chapters should you want to avoid or reread.
This is the 3ª book in the series but can definitely be read as l stand alone, although after reading this l am definitely reading the first two and very much looking forward to the next one, I am hoping for Dylan but will be just as happy if it features Campbell (I do have a theory there)!
The opening line also deserves a honorable mention:
“If the universe did one thing right, it was giving women the ability to write fictional men. God knows the real ones sucks. ”
It has fake dating, slow burn, sport romance and just the perfect amount of banter mix with yearning.
Bekah comes up with a plan to fake date the captain of the hockey team (who she barley tolerates even though they have mutual friends) in exchange to do a feature article on him and he gets to improve his image with his coach.
He falls first but she falls harder. She has a lot of character growth and self discovery while Fitz or shall i say Captain supports her just the right amount by being there for her and giving her confidence to stand up for herself without overstepping and taking over as guys often do. He knows when to listen and when to act.
This book has good spice but also has a Dicktionary (the name alone tells you the author has fantastic humor) at the end that lists the chapters should you want to avoid or reread.
This is the 3ª book in the series but can definitely be read as l stand alone, although after reading this l am definitely reading the first two and very much looking forward to the next one, I am hoping for Dylan but will be just as happy if it features Campbell (I do have a theory there)!
The opening line also deserves a honorable mention:
“If the universe did one thing right, it was giving women the ability to write fictional men. God knows the real ones sucks. ”
November 28, 2025
This was my very first book from Author Ashley and the moment I saw the tropes, I knew I had to read it.
Then the first line of the book: "If the universe did one thing right, it was giving women the ability to write fictional men. God knows the real ones sucks." I instantly felt, oh yes, this is going to be amazing!!!!
If you like slow burn tension, banter, lots of flirting and that kind of chemistry that gives you butterflies and has you silently screaming into your pillow, then Three Words is absolutely going to be your thing!!!
The fake dating dynamic here is written SO well, she can’t stand him (or at least she thinks she can’t) and he simply cannot get enough of her. He’s the charming, flirty guy who falls first and falls hard…and she’s the reader girl trying to protect her heart but secretly melting every time he’s near. Their push and pull?? ADORABLE.
Both have their own struggles and watching them grow made the whole journey feel so satisfying. There were moments that made me smile like an idiot, a few that made my heart squeeze a little, and honestly… I did not want to put this book down.
A cute, warm, fluttery read that delivers exactly what a fake dating romance should. Ashley, I’m officially a fan and I can’t wait to read more 💜🤭
Then the first line of the book: "If the universe did one thing right, it was giving women the ability to write fictional men. God knows the real ones sucks." I instantly felt, oh yes, this is going to be amazing!!!!
If you like slow burn tension, banter, lots of flirting and that kind of chemistry that gives you butterflies and has you silently screaming into your pillow, then Three Words is absolutely going to be your thing!!!
The fake dating dynamic here is written SO well, she can’t stand him (or at least she thinks she can’t) and he simply cannot get enough of her. He’s the charming, flirty guy who falls first and falls hard…and she’s the reader girl trying to protect her heart but secretly melting every time he’s near. Their push and pull?? ADORABLE.
Both have their own struggles and watching them grow made the whole journey feel so satisfying. There were moments that made me smile like an idiot, a few that made my heart squeeze a little, and honestly… I did not want to put this book down.
A cute, warm, fluttery read that delivers exactly what a fake dating romance should. Ashley, I’m officially a fan and I can’t wait to read more 💜🤭
November 19, 2025
*ARC Review*
Ashley Kathleen’s Three Words blends hockey drama with the vulnerability of young adulthood. The romance builds at a nice slow pace, letting the tension simmer until it scores the goal.
What makes this story stand out is how it balances banter and chemistry with real struggles: Bekah’s fear of abandonment and Evan’s insecurity as captain and letting his coach and team down. Her first meeting with his family comes in an awkward, memorable moment that adds realism, while both of their friend groups/teammates rally behind them, giving the romance the feel of a genuine support system.
Add in the realistic challenge of Bekah pushing back against a male‑dominated world that tries to claim credit for her work during the interview with Evan—the spark that launches their fake relationship—and the story gains even more depth.
To get the full impact, read the first two Relationsteps books before this one. It’s a strong continuation, and I’m hoping Kathleen has more stories in this series to come.
Ashley Kathleen’s Three Words blends hockey drama with the vulnerability of young adulthood. The romance builds at a nice slow pace, letting the tension simmer until it scores the goal.
What makes this story stand out is how it balances banter and chemistry with real struggles: Bekah’s fear of abandonment and Evan’s insecurity as captain and letting his coach and team down. Her first meeting with his family comes in an awkward, memorable moment that adds realism, while both of their friend groups/teammates rally behind them, giving the romance the feel of a genuine support system.
Add in the realistic challenge of Bekah pushing back against a male‑dominated world that tries to claim credit for her work during the interview with Evan—the spark that launches their fake relationship—and the story gains even more depth.
To get the full impact, read the first two Relationsteps books before this one. It’s a strong continuation, and I’m hoping Kathleen has more stories in this series to come.
November 25, 2025
🔖 Three Words by Ashley Kathleen
⭐️ 5/5
🌶️ 2.5/5
I am swooned at the unhealthy amount of times Fitz calls Beks “baby” because I’m a simple creature. You call me baby, I’m on the floor 🫣🤭
I’m so touched at how Bekah is getting confused with her own feelings and emotions as she has never felt what it’s like being loved. Sure, she has lots of friends, lovely housemates but to actually be loved romantically, she’s never had that and Fitz is there to show her all of that.
Fitz is so good at making Bekah voluntarily opens up to him. He never forced her to do anything that she didn’t want to, especially when exploring her emotions and feelings. As much as Fitz needed his safety net, to have a ground to stand on as he is, not a captain of his team, he never failed to make Beks comfortable with him.
No amount of screaming is enough for me to tell you how much I love this book. I just love everything about it. I need more of Fitz and Beks because this isn’t enough!!! 🤪🤣
Thank you for the ARC!! I really enjoyed ittttttt
⭐️ 5/5
🌶️ 2.5/5
I am swooned at the unhealthy amount of times Fitz calls Beks “baby” because I’m a simple creature. You call me baby, I’m on the floor 🫣🤭
I’m so touched at how Bekah is getting confused with her own feelings and emotions as she has never felt what it’s like being loved. Sure, she has lots of friends, lovely housemates but to actually be loved romantically, she’s never had that and Fitz is there to show her all of that.
Fitz is so good at making Bekah voluntarily opens up to him. He never forced her to do anything that she didn’t want to, especially when exploring her emotions and feelings. As much as Fitz needed his safety net, to have a ground to stand on as he is, not a captain of his team, he never failed to make Beks comfortable with him.
No amount of screaming is enough for me to tell you how much I love this book. I just love everything about it. I need more of Fitz and Beks because this isn’t enough!!! 🤪🤣
Thank you for the ARC!! I really enjoyed ittttttt
November 1, 2025
“Pancakes or waffles? Waffles.” 🧇
(For some reason, that’s one of my fave lines)
Bekah and Fitz are adorable together, fake or not. Their relationship was full of chemistry since the beginning, their banter was always top tier, and the sparks? WOW. This book made me so happy, I was giggling so much every time they were being cute, which was quite often.
I loved seeing the growth in both characters. Bekah trusting in people, standing up for herself, and healing that abandonment wound, and Fitz gaining confidence in himself and his abilities. The way Fitz was written was pure perfection. He’s obsessed -in a good way- with Bekah and it’s just adorable to see a man loving a woman with everything they have.
I do feel like the book was weird at times with the timeline, sometimes it was very abrupt or had me a little bit lost, but besides that, everything was amazing!
Thank you to the author, Ashley Kathleen, for the ARC in exchange of my honest review.
(For some reason, that’s one of my fave lines)
Bekah and Fitz are adorable together, fake or not. Their relationship was full of chemistry since the beginning, their banter was always top tier, and the sparks? WOW. This book made me so happy, I was giggling so much every time they were being cute, which was quite often.
I loved seeing the growth in both characters. Bekah trusting in people, standing up for herself, and healing that abandonment wound, and Fitz gaining confidence in himself and his abilities. The way Fitz was written was pure perfection. He’s obsessed -in a good way- with Bekah and it’s just adorable to see a man loving a woman with everything they have.
I do feel like the book was weird at times with the timeline, sometimes it was very abrupt or had me a little bit lost, but besides that, everything was amazing!
Thank you to the author, Ashley Kathleen, for the ARC in exchange of my honest review.
November 10, 2025
While this is book 3 of the series, it is the first book of Ashley Kathleen’s I have read. And I really liked it! Her writing style is easy to follow and her characters are incredibly likable and relatable.
While I normally don’t relate much to college aged kids anymore (you know - cuz that was a long time ago for me 🤦🏼♀️), I appreciated that the story line didn’t feel juvenile. Bekah & Fitz start fake dating so they both can make strides in their school careers. She needs to interview him to get the column she wants for the school paper, & he needs to prove to his coach he can commit to something. I loved that he fell first and fell hard. Whenever he was flirting, it just made me smile. Bekah took a little longer to let her walls fall, but she had solid reasons. But after a slow burn, that fake dating wasn’t so fake anymore.
I’m excited to go back and read the first two of the series. I am sure it will connect some dots from the other friends in the group.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖: arc team
While I normally don’t relate much to college aged kids anymore (you know - cuz that was a long time ago for me 🤦🏼♀️), I appreciated that the story line didn’t feel juvenile. Bekah & Fitz start fake dating so they both can make strides in their school careers. She needs to interview him to get the column she wants for the school paper, & he needs to prove to his coach he can commit to something. I loved that he fell first and fell hard. Whenever he was flirting, it just made me smile. Bekah took a little longer to let her walls fall, but she had solid reasons. But after a slow burn, that fake dating wasn’t so fake anymore.
I’m excited to go back and read the first two of the series. I am sure it will connect some dots from the other friends in the group.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖: arc team
November 17, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
💜 hockey romance
🤍 fake dating
💜 reverse grumpy sunshine
🤍 golden retriever MMC
💜 independent FMC
🤍 no third act breakup
I really enjoyed the Bekah and Fitz’s story! Even though the fake dating starting quickly, their true relationship was a bit of a slow burn. Normally I love a good third act breakup, but this wouldn’t have worked for them so I’m glad there wasn’t one! It took a while for Bekah to come around to Fitz but he was patient and perfect 😍
The only thing I didn’t quite understand was their initial relationship - why exactly did she not like him? Other than being an arrogant, cocky jock? All of her friends seemed to firmly understand she didn’t like him, but I didn’t see that. My assumption is those side character relationships were developed in the first two books, which I didn’t read. I absolutely plan to read them soon though because I really enjoyed the small glances of the MCs in those books.
🌶️🌶️
💜 hockey romance
🤍 fake dating
💜 reverse grumpy sunshine
🤍 golden retriever MMC
💜 independent FMC
🤍 no third act breakup
I really enjoyed the Bekah and Fitz’s story! Even though the fake dating starting quickly, their true relationship was a bit of a slow burn. Normally I love a good third act breakup, but this wouldn’t have worked for them so I’m glad there wasn’t one! It took a while for Bekah to come around to Fitz but he was patient and perfect 😍
The only thing I didn’t quite understand was their initial relationship - why exactly did she not like him? Other than being an arrogant, cocky jock? All of her friends seemed to firmly understand she didn’t like him, but I didn’t see that. My assumption is those side character relationships were developed in the first two books, which I didn’t read. I absolutely plan to read them soon though because I really enjoyed the small glances of the MCs in those books.
November 16, 2025
I am very appreciative of Ashley Kathleen and their team for the opportunity to read an e-ARC of Three Words!
I knew I would like this book from the very first page! This was such a sweet and entertaining read! I loved the found family aspect of this book and the emphasis on friendship. I love a fake dating/enemies to lovers trope!
Seeing Bekah and Fitz’s relationship evolve was so wholesome. Fitz’s unwavering support, encouragement, and protection was so nice to see—they both modeled healthy communication and/or working together as a team to build that open communication.
I also enjoyed reading about Bekah’s personal exploration and discovery that she is loved and cared for. That she could trust those around her to show up for her. Plus, no third act breakup or easily resolved miscommunication 👏 👏
Overall, Three Words was a sweet story that I read in one sitting!
I knew I would like this book from the very first page! This was such a sweet and entertaining read! I loved the found family aspect of this book and the emphasis on friendship. I love a fake dating/enemies to lovers trope!
Seeing Bekah and Fitz’s relationship evolve was so wholesome. Fitz’s unwavering support, encouragement, and protection was so nice to see—they both modeled healthy communication and/or working together as a team to build that open communication.
I also enjoyed reading about Bekah’s personal exploration and discovery that she is loved and cared for. That she could trust those around her to show up for her. Plus, no third act breakup or easily resolved miscommunication 👏 👏
Overall, Three Words was a sweet story that I read in one sitting!
November 19, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
My Review
This book was such a fun, easy read, the kind of romance that makes you smile without all the extra drama. Bekah and Fitz have the cutest chemistry. Their banter feels natural, their growth feels real, and the way the fake-dating slowly turns into something genuinely sweet had me fully locked in.
Bekah’s “I’ll handle it myself” energy mixed with Fitz’s “I know you can, but let me support you anyway” vibe honestly reminded me a lot of me and my fiancé, which made their dynamic even more enjoyable to read. Their emotional connection builds so quietly and authentically that you almost don’t realize how invested you are until you’re in deep.
Overall, it’s light, heartfelt, and such a feel-good read, perfect when you want something comforting with great character chemistry.
Thank you for the ARC and giving me the opportunity to step into this world! ✨
My Review
This book was such a fun, easy read, the kind of romance that makes you smile without all the extra drama. Bekah and Fitz have the cutest chemistry. Their banter feels natural, their growth feels real, and the way the fake-dating slowly turns into something genuinely sweet had me fully locked in.
Bekah’s “I’ll handle it myself” energy mixed with Fitz’s “I know you can, but let me support you anyway” vibe honestly reminded me a lot of me and my fiancé, which made their dynamic even more enjoyable to read. Their emotional connection builds so quietly and authentically that you almost don’t realize how invested you are until you’re in deep.
Overall, it’s light, heartfelt, and such a feel-good read, perfect when you want something comforting with great character chemistry.
Thank you for the ARC and giving me the opportunity to step into this world! ✨
November 20, 2025
ARC Review
The way I love Bekah and Fitz, they are my new favorite couple! Black cat girl meets cinnamon roll guy is exactly how I describe the both of them. I loved how Bekah didn't change who she was around Fitz just because of who he was. She didn't care he was the captain of the hockey team and that's what he loved about her. She didn't treat him differently because of his status or hold him to a higher standard, he was human and that's what she treated him as.
They needed each other as a favor, but everyone knew Bekah hated Fitz, so they would see right through them dating.
They had to sell it.
She tried to keep him at arm's length in the beginning, but when one of her friends told her to let him in and she did? Everything changed.
This is one that I would 100% read again in the future!
The way I love Bekah and Fitz, they are my new favorite couple! Black cat girl meets cinnamon roll guy is exactly how I describe the both of them. I loved how Bekah didn't change who she was around Fitz just because of who he was. She didn't care he was the captain of the hockey team and that's what he loved about her. She didn't treat him differently because of his status or hold him to a higher standard, he was human and that's what she treated him as.
They needed each other as a favor, but everyone knew Bekah hated Fitz, so they would see right through them dating.
They had to sell it.
She tried to keep him at arm's length in the beginning, but when one of her friends told her to let him in and she did? Everything changed.
This is one that I would 100% read again in the future!
December 30, 2025
Three Words was a beautiful story about learning to trust. While it had a bit of a slow start, Belah and Fitz had an easy chemistry from the start. It was filled with anticipation of "will they/won't they."
I think my only issue with the book was that some scenes had inconsistent timing. For example, one thing would happen, but then several other (big) things also happened within the same time frame, but the timing of the scenes felt like it didn't fit in the time frame of everything else.
Overall, I really enjoyed Three Words. It is the third in an inter-connected series, but I was able to read it as a standalone. That said, I definitely want to go back and read the other two stories.
Thank you to the author for sending me this as an ARC. This has been my voluntary review. All opinions are my own.
I think my only issue with the book was that some scenes had inconsistent timing. For example, one thing would happen, but then several other (big) things also happened within the same time frame, but the timing of the scenes felt like it didn't fit in the time frame of everything else.
Overall, I really enjoyed Three Words. It is the third in an inter-connected series, but I was able to read it as a standalone. That said, I definitely want to go back and read the other two stories.
Thank you to the author for sending me this as an ARC. This has been my voluntary review. All opinions are my own.
November 19, 2025
ARC Review: Three Words by Ashley Kathleen
“If the universe did one thing right, it was giving women the ability to write fictional men.”
No opening line has ever described a book more accurately, because Ashley absolutely delivered when she wrote Fitz.
This is a slooooow burn with a one-sided enemies-to-lovers vibe, a sprinkle of fake dating, and a full-on hockey romance swoonfest. I am weak for fake dating. The banter? The tension? The knowing what’s coming but having to wait for it? Yes. Inject it directly.
Bekha is a tough-cookie kind of heroine with a solid friend group and a hard exterior, but as the story goes on, you realize how much of that is armor. She’s very much an “I don’t need help, I got it” kind of girl, and I felt that deep. More than once, I wanted to shake her and tell her to just let him in already! And once we learn what she’s been holding onto… my heart. I just wanted to hug her.
And Fitz. Fitz. He is a golden retriever in truest form. Loyal, patient, persistent, and absolutely set on just getting the girl to say yes to a date. Then he has no intention of keeping fake for long. The way he sees Bekha? The way he shows up for her? Pure softness.
“You make me want to be brave.”
“Be brave then, baby.”
Hello?!
There are a couple small typos and grammar blips in the ARC, but nothing that took me out of the story.
Overall: This book is for the girlies who love grumpy hearts being carefully undone by sunshine boys. For the slow burn fans. For the ones who love longing. For the ones who want to watch someone choose love even when it’s scary.
Fitz and Bekha worked their way into my chest and set up camp.
“If the universe did one thing right, it was giving women the ability to write fictional men.”
No opening line has ever described a book more accurately, because Ashley absolutely delivered when she wrote Fitz.
This is a slooooow burn with a one-sided enemies-to-lovers vibe, a sprinkle of fake dating, and a full-on hockey romance swoonfest. I am weak for fake dating. The banter? The tension? The knowing what’s coming but having to wait for it? Yes. Inject it directly.
Bekha is a tough-cookie kind of heroine with a solid friend group and a hard exterior, but as the story goes on, you realize how much of that is armor. She’s very much an “I don’t need help, I got it” kind of girl, and I felt that deep. More than once, I wanted to shake her and tell her to just let him in already! And once we learn what she’s been holding onto… my heart. I just wanted to hug her.
And Fitz. Fitz. He is a golden retriever in truest form. Loyal, patient, persistent, and absolutely set on just getting the girl to say yes to a date. Then he has no intention of keeping fake for long. The way he sees Bekha? The way he shows up for her? Pure softness.
“You make me want to be brave.”
“Be brave then, baby.”
Hello?!
There are a couple small typos and grammar blips in the ARC, but nothing that took me out of the story.
Overall: This book is for the girlies who love grumpy hearts being carefully undone by sunshine boys. For the slow burn fans. For the ones who love longing. For the ones who want to watch someone choose love even when it’s scary.
Fitz and Bekha worked their way into my chest and set up camp.
November 18, 2025
Literally got everything I like in one book : a hockey guy, a fake dating trope and the sweetest, most understanding and attentive man ever! I loved the way he kept reassuring her. Evan and Bekah were definitely made for each other and I loved the fact that he was literally pining after her for two years prior to this. Dylan really intrigued me though… next book? Anyway, this book was the first I read in this series and it really made me want to read the first two. Fitz made me melt with the way he listened and really knew when Bekah wasn’t fine. The dicktionary at the end was just the perfect final touch at the end of a perfect book (although I thought it would be better at the beginning of the book).
Thank you for letting me read this book, I loved it!
Thank you for letting me read this book, I loved it!
Read
November 19, 2025If you love slow-burn tension, fiery banter, and a sunshine-x-grumpy romance that grabs you from page one, Three Words will have you kicking your feet like a teenager again, literally!
From the moment Bekah mutters her first sarcastic line and Fitz smirks like he owns the place, I knew I was gonna be a gone girl. Ashley Kathleen writes chemistry so intensely that it practically crackles off the page. The hockey setting, the friendship dynamics, and the found family vibes, it was just warm, real, and addictive.
Bekah’s struggle to be seen and heard hit me right in the chest. And Fitz? The man is a walking green-eyed problem. The kind who annoys you, flusters you, and somehow makes your heart melt in the process.
The dual POV? Perfection.
From the moment Bekah mutters her first sarcastic line and Fitz smirks like he owns the place, I knew I was gonna be a gone girl. Ashley Kathleen writes chemistry so intensely that it practically crackles off the page. The hockey setting, the friendship dynamics, and the found family vibes, it was just warm, real, and addictive.
Bekah’s struggle to be seen and heard hit me right in the chest. And Fitz? The man is a walking green-eyed problem. The kind who annoys you, flusters you, and somehow makes your heart melt in the process.
The dual POV? Perfection.
October 31, 2025
ARC REVIEW
I really enjoyed this book. A really joyful, funny, sassy, sweet story that you’ll get into so easily and read in a day or two.
This is a fake dating sports romance with an entertaining group of friends / found family. All the bits just hit soooo well
The love hate relationship. The sassiness from Bekha and the annoying but cute and charming flirting from Fitz was so much fun to read.
Definitely got invested in their story.
First book I’ve read by Ashley but definitely won’t be the last.
If you enjoy a fake dating, sports romance, black cat x golden retriever vibes then this is for you.
Three Words will be out 19th November
I really enjoyed this book. A really joyful, funny, sassy, sweet story that you’ll get into so easily and read in a day or two.
This is a fake dating sports romance with an entertaining group of friends / found family. All the bits just hit soooo well
The love hate relationship. The sassiness from Bekha and the annoying but cute and charming flirting from Fitz was so much fun to read.
Definitely got invested in their story.
First book I’ve read by Ashley but definitely won’t be the last.
If you enjoy a fake dating, sports romance, black cat x golden retriever vibes then this is for you.
Three Words will be out 19th November
November 9, 2025
This was one hell of a ride! It’s a fake-dating hockey romance with the best found family. I had so much fun reading this book. Every character was so nice and sweet that it actually made me a little sad. This found family is one I’d swap for my own in a heartbeat. There were quite a few plot twists I didn’t expect, and they were written really well. The pacing was just right, not too fast, not too slow. The author’s writing style was smooth and engaging, and I literally flew through the book. This story made me giggle and reminded me that real love does exist. I’d definitely recommend it to the romance readers who love hockey stories with a fake-dating trope.
⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
November 19, 2025
I was lucky enough to be chosen to get an ARC of this book and it did not disappoint! Fitz and Bekah are so cute together. I love how she brushes him off all the time but secretly steals glances at him. It makes the dislike to lovers that much sweeter. Fitz is the epitome of best book boyfriend. He’s only got eyes for her…he was love at first sight….super protective…just the BEST book boyfriend ever! Going into this book, I didn’t realize there were 2 others before this one. I am definitely going to have to read the first 2 now so that I can see how the other couples developed and also see little snippets of Bekah and Fitz 🥰 10/10 recommend!
November 21, 2025
This book makes me so happy. Enemies to lovers to the extreme here. I love how much Bekah hates Fitz at the start. It is so amusing to watch. I could see them bantering and annoying each other at the games so easily.
Ashley did an amazing job bringing me right in, getting me all cozy with all the people, and making me adore them all. Well, except Asher the a$$hat. Him I really wanted someone to punch. Hard.
Spicy, slow burn, enemies to lovers, hockey, college, the works for tropes. And I am here for them all. I devoured this book so quickly, and now I am kind of sad it is over. It is definitely be on my re-read list.
I can’t wait to dive into more from Ashley.
Ashley did an amazing job bringing me right in, getting me all cozy with all the people, and making me adore them all. Well, except Asher the a$$hat. Him I really wanted someone to punch. Hard.
Spicy, slow burn, enemies to lovers, hockey, college, the works for tropes. And I am here for them all. I devoured this book so quickly, and now I am kind of sad it is over. It is definitely be on my re-read list.
I can’t wait to dive into more from Ashley.
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