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Hellcats Hockey #2
The Good Girl Exception
A steamy, forbidden, age-gap college hockey romance from USA Today Bestselling romance author Maren Moore.
Maisie
The night I decided to stop being the good girl…I met him.
Dark eyes. Rough hands. Dangerous edge.
A stranger who made me forget every rule I’ve ever lived by.
But turns out Wilder Hawthorne isn’t just the hookup I can’t stop thinking about.
He’s the new hockey coach at my university.
More than a decade older.
And the man who says I was a mistake…
Now we’re forced to work together, pretending nothing happened.
Soon every glance starts to feel like a promise.
Every touch feels dangerous.
The more time I spend with the grumpy, callous coach, the more I wonder if I’m the one thing he can’t resist.
The way he looks at me says he’s already broken his own rules.
And the more he tries to keep his distance, the more I want to push him over the edge.
Wilder
Getting kicked out of the NHL was supposed to be rock bottom.
Now the only way to fix my reputation is coaching at the one place I never wanted to return to…Orleans University.
New job. Clean image. No scandals.
Until her.
Maisie Delacroix.
The sunshiney preacher’s daughter I spent one reckless night with before I knew who she was.
College student. My team’s new philanthropy liaison. The off-limits distraction I can’t afford.
One rumor could cost me everything.
She’s too sweet. Too innocent. Too good for a guy like me.
But the more she looks at me like I’m worth saving, the more I realize the only thing more dangerous than crossing the line…is wanting to.
The Good Girl Exception is a complete standalone in the Hellcats Hockey Series set in the Orleans University world.
Tropes:
-Age Gap (10+ years)
-College Hockey Romance
-Coach x Student
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Bad Boy x Good Girl
-Virgin Heroine
-Forced Proximity
-Forbidden Romance
-Past Trauma
Maisie
The night I decided to stop being the good girl…I met him.
Dark eyes. Rough hands. Dangerous edge.
A stranger who made me forget every rule I’ve ever lived by.
But turns out Wilder Hawthorne isn’t just the hookup I can’t stop thinking about.
He’s the new hockey coach at my university.
More than a decade older.
And the man who says I was a mistake…
Now we’re forced to work together, pretending nothing happened.
Soon every glance starts to feel like a promise.
Every touch feels dangerous.
The more time I spend with the grumpy, callous coach, the more I wonder if I’m the one thing he can’t resist.
The way he looks at me says he’s already broken his own rules.
And the more he tries to keep his distance, the more I want to push him over the edge.
Wilder
Getting kicked out of the NHL was supposed to be rock bottom.
Now the only way to fix my reputation is coaching at the one place I never wanted to return to…Orleans University.
New job. Clean image. No scandals.
Until her.
Maisie Delacroix.
The sunshiney preacher’s daughter I spent one reckless night with before I knew who she was.
College student. My team’s new philanthropy liaison. The off-limits distraction I can’t afford.
One rumor could cost me everything.
She’s too sweet. Too innocent. Too good for a guy like me.
But the more she looks at me like I’m worth saving, the more I realize the only thing more dangerous than crossing the line…is wanting to.
The Good Girl Exception is a complete standalone in the Hellcats Hockey Series set in the Orleans University world.
Tropes:
-Age Gap (10+ years)
-College Hockey Romance
-Coach x Student
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Bad Boy x Good Girl
-Virgin Heroine
-Forced Proximity
-Forbidden Romance
-Past Trauma
492 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2026
147 people are currently reading
1704 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 372 reviews
March 24, 2026
I didn’t love the characters as much as I thought I was gonna 3.5 rounding up - will post review soon
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 ꪆৎ ˚⋅
I am maren moore #1 fan do I need to say more?
OK I GOTCHU:
age gap, assistant coach x college student, one night stand, strangers to lovers AYEEE
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 ꪆৎ ˚⋅
I am maren moore #1 fan do I need to say more?
OK I GOTCHU:
age gap, assistant coach x college student, one night stand, strangers to lovers AYEEE
Read
March 22, 2026a very quick read! rtc <3
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
i had fun with the previous book and ik this will prevent a slump!! over halfway through and it's very bingeable and easy to read!!
release date: march 26
✧˖°🏒 ⋆｡˚꩜ tropes & stuff to expect
⤷ ex nhl player turned college coach
⤷ age gap (13 years)
⤷ grumpy x sunshine
⤷ forbidden
⤷ workplace
⤷ bad boy x good girl
thank you maren moore for the e-arc!
↪ started march 20
↪ finished march 21
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
i had fun with the previous book and ik this will prevent a slump!! over halfway through and it's very bingeable and easy to read!!
release date: march 26
✧˖°🏒 ⋆｡˚꩜ tropes & stuff to expect
⤷ ex nhl player turned college coach
⤷ age gap (13 years)
⤷ grumpy x sunshine
⤷ forbidden
⤷ workplace
⤷ bad boy x good girl
thank you maren moore for the e-arc!
↪ started march 20
↪ finished march 21
March 24, 2026
Thank you to Maren Moore and her team for the advanced copy!
If you follow me, you know it is no surprise I love this book. The Bad Boy Rule, the first book in this series, was one of my top reads last year. So of course I was bound to love The Good Girl Exception.
Maisie was a character I could really see people relate to. She’s been put into a box, labeled as a good girl. She goes to church, she’s inexperienced, she’s the pastors daughter. And then she gets sick of it and changes that. I loved getting to see her character evolution and growth throughout that journey.
I also really loved the relationship between Maisie and Wilder. Theres little things he does where you can tell he cares about her, even when he is telling himself he doesn’t.
I love it when it’s supposed to just be an anonymous hookup and then the characters end up having to work together, which is what happened here. It is one of my favorite tropes, I eat it up every time.
Definitely make sure to check this book out when it’s released on March 26!! It’s one of my fav reads of the year and I recommend it if you’re wanting a good, smutty romance
If you follow me, you know it is no surprise I love this book. The Bad Boy Rule, the first book in this series, was one of my top reads last year. So of course I was bound to love The Good Girl Exception.
Maisie was a character I could really see people relate to. She’s been put into a box, labeled as a good girl. She goes to church, she’s inexperienced, she’s the pastors daughter. And then she gets sick of it and changes that. I loved getting to see her character evolution and growth throughout that journey.
I also really loved the relationship between Maisie and Wilder. Theres little things he does where you can tell he cares about her, even when he is telling himself he doesn’t.
I love it when it’s supposed to just be an anonymous hookup and then the characters end up having to work together, which is what happened here. It is one of my favorite tropes, I eat it up every time.
Definitely make sure to check this book out when it’s released on March 26!! It’s one of my fav reads of the year and I recommend it if you’re wanting a good, smutty romance
March 24, 2026
“You know what they say about playing with fire?”
If you know me, you know how deeply my love for Maren Moore and her books runs! I am convinced, this woman could write ANY trope and I would feral for each and every single one of them.
“Those days won’t feel so dark with you. You’re sunshine, Maisie. My sunshine girl. And even when you’re not with me, I feel you surrounding me. Your warmth. Your kindness.”
This age gap romance was PERFECT. Maren writes broken boys(men) so well. My heart quite literally BROKE for Wilder and his childhood trauma. He spent his whole life convinced he was unworthy of love because of his past. All it took was a walking ball of sass & sunshine to begin breaking down his walls, piece by piece.
“I will say it when you can’t. I will love you enough for the both of us, Wilder. I will love you even when you can’t love yourself. I will love you through the darkest days.”
This man was sitting there in the rain with his heart fully exposed and Maisie was able to see what no one else tried to, he was just a man wishing for love but never expecting to find it. The tears were FLOWING, friends.
“She’s taunting me, seeing just how far she can push me until I pass the point of no return. I can see it in her eyes, the sparkle of defiance shining brightly, the challenge.”
I dare you not to fall in love with Maisie. She grew up being the perfect pastor’s daughter but is finally ready to figure out who she wants to be. Maisie comes into herself so much throughout the book.
“The only good thing I’ve ever had in me is you.”
Prepare yourself! Wilder & Maisie have a soul deep connection. The spice was divine! These two have a thing for bathrooms and I am so here for it! 😂❤️🔥🥵
If you loved The Bad Boy Rule, you get to see Saint & Lennon being SO IN LOVE! I am so happy they got their HEA.
“Christ, I’m pretty positive her calling me Coach is the equivalent of how some guys like being called Daddy.”
Okay readers, it’s time for you to meet broken bad boy, Wilder Hawthorne! Coach is ready to call you his “good girl”! 🤭
Tropes:
🥵 One Night Stand
💋 Forbidden Romance
☀️ Ex NHL Bad Boy x Sunshine Preacher’s Daughter
🍷 Age Gap (21/34)
💃🏻 Forced Proximity
😷 They Take Care of Each Other
❤️🔥 Coach’s Desk Fun
❤️🩹 Past Trauma
If you know me, you know how deeply my love for Maren Moore and her books runs! I am convinced, this woman could write ANY trope and I would feral for each and every single one of them.
“Those days won’t feel so dark with you. You’re sunshine, Maisie. My sunshine girl. And even when you’re not with me, I feel you surrounding me. Your warmth. Your kindness.”
This age gap romance was PERFECT. Maren writes broken boys(men) so well. My heart quite literally BROKE for Wilder and his childhood trauma. He spent his whole life convinced he was unworthy of love because of his past. All it took was a walking ball of sass & sunshine to begin breaking down his walls, piece by piece.
“I will say it when you can’t. I will love you enough for the both of us, Wilder. I will love you even when you can’t love yourself. I will love you through the darkest days.”
This man was sitting there in the rain with his heart fully exposed and Maisie was able to see what no one else tried to, he was just a man wishing for love but never expecting to find it. The tears were FLOWING, friends.
“She’s taunting me, seeing just how far she can push me until I pass the point of no return. I can see it in her eyes, the sparkle of defiance shining brightly, the challenge.”
I dare you not to fall in love with Maisie. She grew up being the perfect pastor’s daughter but is finally ready to figure out who she wants to be. Maisie comes into herself so much throughout the book.
“The only good thing I’ve ever had in me is you.”
Prepare yourself! Wilder & Maisie have a soul deep connection. The spice was divine! These two have a thing for bathrooms and I am so here for it! 😂❤️🔥🥵
If you loved The Bad Boy Rule, you get to see Saint & Lennon being SO IN LOVE! I am so happy they got their HEA.
“Christ, I’m pretty positive her calling me Coach is the equivalent of how some guys like being called Daddy.”
Okay readers, it’s time for you to meet broken bad boy, Wilder Hawthorne! Coach is ready to call you his “good girl”! 🤭
Tropes:
🥵 One Night Stand
💋 Forbidden Romance
☀️ Ex NHL Bad Boy x Sunshine Preacher’s Daughter
🍷 Age Gap (21/34)
💃🏻 Forced Proximity
😷 They Take Care of Each Other
❤️🔥 Coach’s Desk Fun
❤️🩹 Past Trauma
March 20, 2026
This was an easy 5 ⭐️ read for me. I devoured it in two days. From the start, Maren hooks you with a jaw dropping opening: Maisie, a preacher’s daughter, sets out to lose her virginity to a stranger at a bar. What she doesn’t realize is that the stranger is Wilder (the new assistant hockey coach and ex NHL player) at her college. Of course, fate steps in, and they’re forced to cross paths again when she’s running a side project helping kids in need… and Wilder gets assigned to it.
The tension between these two had me foaming at the mouth. Maren does such a good job teasing just enough to keep you flipping pages nonstop. And when they finally hit that breaking point? It’s go time!!
Aside from the spice, there’s real depth here. Both characters are dealing with heavy, real-life struggles, and I loved slowly uncovering their trauma and watching how they navigate their age-gap, forbidden romance. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book!
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Quote:
“And now that I’ve seen the sun, I can never go back to living in the dark.”
Tropes:
🏒Hockey Coach x Student
💕Age Gap
🏒Virgin Heroine
💕Bad boy + Good girl
🏒Grumpy-Sunshine
💕Workplace / Forced Proximity
🏒Forbidden
I was lucky enough to get this ARC as part of Maren’s ARC team.
The tension between these two had me foaming at the mouth. Maren does such a good job teasing just enough to keep you flipping pages nonstop. And when they finally hit that breaking point? It’s go time!!
Aside from the spice, there’s real depth here. Both characters are dealing with heavy, real-life struggles, and I loved slowly uncovering their trauma and watching how they navigate their age-gap, forbidden romance. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book!
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Quote:
“And now that I’ve seen the sun, I can never go back to living in the dark.”
Tropes:
🏒Hockey Coach x Student
💕Age Gap
🏒Virgin Heroine
💕Bad boy + Good girl
🏒Grumpy-Sunshine
💕Workplace / Forced Proximity
🏒Forbidden
I was lucky enough to get this ARC as part of Maren’s ARC team.
March 22, 2026
“I think we’ve already established that my restraint is razor-thin when it comes to you, so please do not fucking try me, Maisie.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Good Girl Exception is book 2 in the Hellcats Hockey series by Maren Moore. Maisie is the quintessential good girl, preacher’s daughter who wants to take control of her life. She has a one night stand with a very sexy, older man who turns out to be the new assistant coach for the hockey team.
Wilder was kicked out of the NHL and is trying to save his reputation. He has a past full of trauma and doesn’t let anyone in. Fast forward to a sunshiney blonde who works her way into his life.
Maisie and Wilder are very sweet and work through a lot in this story. A lot of tough subjects are addressed alongside a sweet and spicy love story. There is a good amount of spice in this one.
Tropes:
-Age Gap (10+ years)
-College Hockey Romance
-Coach x Student
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Bad Boy x Good Girl
-Virgin Heroine
-Forced Proximity
-Forbidden Romance
-Past Trauma
Thank you to Maren Moore for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Good Girl Exception is book 2 in the Hellcats Hockey series by Maren Moore. Maisie is the quintessential good girl, preacher’s daughter who wants to take control of her life. She has a one night stand with a very sexy, older man who turns out to be the new assistant coach for the hockey team.
Wilder was kicked out of the NHL and is trying to save his reputation. He has a past full of trauma and doesn’t let anyone in. Fast forward to a sunshiney blonde who works her way into his life.
Maisie and Wilder are very sweet and work through a lot in this story. A lot of tough subjects are addressed alongside a sweet and spicy love story. There is a good amount of spice in this one.
Tropes:
-Age Gap (10+ years)
-College Hockey Romance
-Coach x Student
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Bad Boy x Good Girl
-Virgin Heroine
-Forced Proximity
-Forbidden Romance
-Past Trauma
Thank you to Maren Moore for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
March 22, 2026
ARC Review
Tropes
🩷Coach/Student
🩷Grumpy/Sunshine
🩷Virgin fmc
🩷Forbidden love
🩷Troubled mmc
I was really excited for these tropes and the storyline and although I did enjoy aspects of this book it did unfortunately fall a little flat for me
I really loved Wilder and his past and how it showcased his trauma and him healing from that, I really enjoyed how Maisie looked after him and calmed him down when it got to overwhelming, I did like that there was no miscommunication throughout and they were open and honest with each other
I did however find Maisie to be quite immature and I know there is an age gap and she is only 21 so I do totally understand that. I just didn’t like how he blatantly told her he didn’t want to lose his career but she went ahead and didn’t listen to him and tried to keep seducing him anyway.
I enjoyed the friendship of her and Lennon and getting cameos from the other characters! I am looking forward to the rest of the series. We need Bennet to get his girl!
Overall I enjoyed the storyline, thank you Maren for the chance to read this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion
Tropes
🩷Coach/Student
🩷Grumpy/Sunshine
🩷Virgin fmc
🩷Forbidden love
🩷Troubled mmc
I was really excited for these tropes and the storyline and although I did enjoy aspects of this book it did unfortunately fall a little flat for me
I really loved Wilder and his past and how it showcased his trauma and him healing from that, I really enjoyed how Maisie looked after him and calmed him down when it got to overwhelming, I did like that there was no miscommunication throughout and they were open and honest with each other
I did however find Maisie to be quite immature and I know there is an age gap and she is only 21 so I do totally understand that. I just didn’t like how he blatantly told her he didn’t want to lose his career but she went ahead and didn’t listen to him and tried to keep seducing him anyway.
I enjoyed the friendship of her and Lennon and getting cameos from the other characters! I am looking forward to the rest of the series. We need Bennet to get his girl!
Overall I enjoyed the storyline, thank you Maren for the chance to read this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2026
Ratings:
4.5 Stars
3 Spice
Format: eARC
Expect:
College Hockey Romance, Coach x Student, Grumpy x Sunshine, Age Gap (10+ years), Bad Boy x Good Girl, Virgin Heroine, One Night Stand, Forced Proximity, Forbidden Romance, Past Trauma, Dirty Talker, Creative Use of a Whistle
Thoughts:
I adored this book and Wilder & Maisie! I was soooooo excited for this one after how much I loved The Bad Boy Rule and with these tropes?!? Immediately sold. I am a sucker for a coach x student romance. Immediately so forbidden. My type of read and I'm so happy to report it did not disappoint!
First off, the chemistry!! Like insane from the very first page. I loved seeing Maisie take hold of her sexuality and go after what she wanted. Namely Wilder hahah. Of course when they figure out why they can't be together, they resist and the tension and banter was SO GOOD!! I loved seeing Maisie tempt Wilder. And when they snapped again, dang they were hot. Like Miss Maren Moore, some of those scenes I had to fan myself and will be living in my brain on repeat.
I was a little worried about 50-60% in that we were getting a lot of spice but not a ton of them actually talking and getting to know each other outside the bedroom. But then those parts came in and you could feel the love between them. I loved getting to know each of them, even though Wilder's backstory broke my heart. But I loved how they were there for each other and I felt they really fit together.
Also I looooooved Maisie's 21st birthday haha. Like I could picture me and my girlfriends out when I was in college and it felt so nostalgic to me for some reason lol. At times we definitely felt Maisie's age at 21 and her going after Wilder without a care of some of the repercussions. But other times you could see her maturity and I really ended up loving her as an FMC.
Also this was a bit longer at around 450 pages. It did feel a little long at times to where I feel it probably could have been shorter. But I still really enjoyed and am so glad I was able to meet these two early.
For my sports and forbidden romance fans out there, this is for you! Definitely recommend!
Thank you so much Maren Moore and team for the advanced copy!
4.5 Stars
3 Spice
Format: eARC
Expect:
College Hockey Romance, Coach x Student, Grumpy x Sunshine, Age Gap (10+ years), Bad Boy x Good Girl, Virgin Heroine, One Night Stand, Forced Proximity, Forbidden Romance, Past Trauma, Dirty Talker, Creative Use of a Whistle
Thoughts:
I adored this book and Wilder & Maisie! I was soooooo excited for this one after how much I loved The Bad Boy Rule and with these tropes?!? Immediately sold. I am a sucker for a coach x student romance. Immediately so forbidden. My type of read and I'm so happy to report it did not disappoint!
First off, the chemistry!! Like insane from the very first page. I loved seeing Maisie take hold of her sexuality and go after what she wanted. Namely Wilder hahah. Of course when they figure out why they can't be together, they resist and the tension and banter was SO GOOD!! I loved seeing Maisie tempt Wilder. And when they snapped again, dang they were hot. Like Miss Maren Moore, some of those scenes I had to fan myself and will be living in my brain on repeat.
I was a little worried about 50-60% in that we were getting a lot of spice but not a ton of them actually talking and getting to know each other outside the bedroom. But then those parts came in and you could feel the love between them. I loved getting to know each of them, even though Wilder's backstory broke my heart. But I loved how they were there for each other and I felt they really fit together.
Also I looooooved Maisie's 21st birthday haha. Like I could picture me and my girlfriends out when I was in college and it felt so nostalgic to me for some reason lol. At times we definitely felt Maisie's age at 21 and her going after Wilder without a care of some of the repercussions. But other times you could see her maturity and I really ended up loving her as an FMC.
Also this was a bit longer at around 450 pages. It did feel a little long at times to where I feel it probably could have been shorter. But I still really enjoyed and am so glad I was able to meet these two early.
For my sports and forbidden romance fans out there, this is for you! Definitely recommend!
Thank you so much Maren Moore and team for the advanced copy!
March 21, 2026
*4.5 rounded up and the only reason is that I wished the ending wasn’t so rushed! But this was FANTASTIC!
You are a distraction. Not for them, but for me.
~
“You pay attention to my dresses?” “I pay attention to you.”
~
Oh wow. Just wow. Maren hit the ground running with this book and never looked back. How do we bring Wilder Hawthorne to life? Because, yes please! A disgraced, ex-star hockey player forced to come back to the town he was desperate to escape and coach the team that started his journey? And a ray of sunshine junior in college who loves reading and her cat more than anything? What could possibly go wrong…or right? This book was so much. It was pure opposites attract and it was done so damn well that I was kicking my feet so much the whole time. Even though I knew it was coming, when Maisie and Wilder first…let’s say, reconnected, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see when it would explode. The lush and pull of trying to pretend nothing ever happened was the sweetest slow burn, and when things finally lit the powder keg? Deliciously written. I LOVED that we also got some pieces of Lennon and Saint! The emotional healing journeys that both Maisie and Wilder went on in this book was raw and stunning and happened so organically that l, just like them, didn’t even notice for awhile that they were finally coming into who they always were, but just didn’t realize until the other brought it out in them. If you’re looking for a perfectly done age-gap, coach, book lover, opposites attract and healing with a side of hockey, this is the book for you! I never want to leave OU and Maren has given us another masterpiece on the Hellcats campus!
You are a distraction. Not for them, but for me.
~
“You pay attention to my dresses?” “I pay attention to you.”
~
Oh wow. Just wow. Maren hit the ground running with this book and never looked back. How do we bring Wilder Hawthorne to life? Because, yes please! A disgraced, ex-star hockey player forced to come back to the town he was desperate to escape and coach the team that started his journey? And a ray of sunshine junior in college who loves reading and her cat more than anything? What could possibly go wrong…or right? This book was so much. It was pure opposites attract and it was done so damn well that I was kicking my feet so much the whole time. Even though I knew it was coming, when Maisie and Wilder first…let’s say, reconnected, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see when it would explode. The lush and pull of trying to pretend nothing ever happened was the sweetest slow burn, and when things finally lit the powder keg? Deliciously written. I LOVED that we also got some pieces of Lennon and Saint! The emotional healing journeys that both Maisie and Wilder went on in this book was raw and stunning and happened so organically that l, just like them, didn’t even notice for awhile that they were finally coming into who they always were, but just didn’t realize until the other brought it out in them. If you’re looking for a perfectly done age-gap, coach, book lover, opposites attract and healing with a side of hockey, this is the book for you! I never want to leave OU and Maren has given us another masterpiece on the Hellcats campus!
March 27, 2026
The next book in the Hellcats Hockey series is here!! Maisie and Wilder’s story was so good!! From their chemistry to their banter to alllllll the tension, I couldn’t help but immediately root for these two.
Maisie was tired of being labeled as “the good girl” and pastor’s daughter and wanted to let loose for one night. She never expected the man she met at a bar to be the new assistant coach for the Hellcats - and her new coworker for the year. The minute they both realize they know each other was so good - you could feel the tension through the pages.
Wilder was brooding and grumpy and tried so hard to ignore his feelings (and he was obsessed and possessive.) Let’s just say he has one heck a mouth on him! Maisie was bit of a spitfire and sunshine and I loved her sassy comments. I was really proud of her for deciding what she wanted in life and pursuing it and not letting expectations weigh her down.
Oh Wilder, his background was heart breaking and he was carrying so much trauma and we get to see him start to unpack it - and it’s not easy but Maisie is there for him.
✨What To Expect:
🥅Sports Romance
⚜️College / New Orleans Setting
🏒Hockey Coach x Student
💕Age Gap (10+ Year Difference)
💋She Has Her V-Card
👀Bad boy + Good girl 🌦️Grumpy x Sunshine
📌Workplace Romance
❤️🔥Forced Proximity 🚫Forbidden
🔥One Night Stand
❤️🩹Past Trauma
🐈⬛ Sebastian
Maisie was tired of being labeled as “the good girl” and pastor’s daughter and wanted to let loose for one night. She never expected the man she met at a bar to be the new assistant coach for the Hellcats - and her new coworker for the year. The minute they both realize they know each other was so good - you could feel the tension through the pages.
Wilder was brooding and grumpy and tried so hard to ignore his feelings (and he was obsessed and possessive.) Let’s just say he has one heck a mouth on him! Maisie was bit of a spitfire and sunshine and I loved her sassy comments. I was really proud of her for deciding what she wanted in life and pursuing it and not letting expectations weigh her down.
Oh Wilder, his background was heart breaking and he was carrying so much trauma and we get to see him start to unpack it - and it’s not easy but Maisie is there for him.
✨What To Expect:
🥅Sports Romance
⚜️College / New Orleans Setting
🏒Hockey Coach x Student
💕Age Gap (10+ Year Difference)
💋She Has Her V-Card
👀Bad boy + Good girl 🌦️Grumpy x Sunshine
📌Workplace Romance
❤️🔥Forced Proximity 🚫Forbidden
🔥One Night Stand
❤️🩹Past Trauma
🐈⬛ Sebastian
March 26, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The way this book kicked off was hot and had me immediately hooked. That opening one-night stand absolutely rocked my world, and the spice stayed top-tier the entire way through.
I’m usually a little cautious with age-gap romances, especially when one person holds more power, but this was written so well that it never pulled me out of the story. Maisie has lived such a sheltered life because of her preacher father, and watching her step into who she truly wanted to be was one of my favorite parts of the book. Her growth felt so satisfying and empowering.
Wilder is a smoking hot older former NHL player with basically no patience, and he and Maisie should not work on paper, but together they were so good. I loved seeing him slowly open up about his past, especially his experiences with his mother and the foster care system. The way Maisie became someone he could lean on when he needed it most was beautiful to watch.
And Wilder calling her a brat? Everything. The chemistry between them was off the charts, the emotional moments landed, and Maren Moore absolutely delivered on the spice yet again. Highly recommend if you want something steamy, emotional, and impossible to put down 🔥💛
The way this book kicked off was hot and had me immediately hooked. That opening one-night stand absolutely rocked my world, and the spice stayed top-tier the entire way through.
I’m usually a little cautious with age-gap romances, especially when one person holds more power, but this was written so well that it never pulled me out of the story. Maisie has lived such a sheltered life because of her preacher father, and watching her step into who she truly wanted to be was one of my favorite parts of the book. Her growth felt so satisfying and empowering.
Wilder is a smoking hot older former NHL player with basically no patience, and he and Maisie should not work on paper, but together they were so good. I loved seeing him slowly open up about his past, especially his experiences with his mother and the foster care system. The way Maisie became someone he could lean on when he needed it most was beautiful to watch.
And Wilder calling her a brat? Everything. The chemistry between them was off the charts, the emotional moments landed, and Maren Moore absolutely delivered on the spice yet again. Highly recommend if you want something steamy, emotional, and impossible to put down 🔥💛
March 27, 2026
Hear me out. I’d only ever read Maren’s holiday novellas. Never her full length novels. This was one of the hottest books I’ve ever read in my life, but it was soooo much more than just spice.
Maisie is the daughter of a preacher. She’s lived a straight and narrow life, but is ready to sow her wild oats. The prologue is literally her being ISO a guy to have a one night stand with…. Guys this prologue was life changing. It will suck you right in.
Que Wilder… he’s the assistant hockey coach at Maisie’s college. Oops. And an ex hockey star. He’s grumpy and gruff. What they thought was a one night stand turns into an awkward situation when they realize their paths will cross often during this school year.
I loved seeing Wilder turn into a cat daddy. They both help each other when they’re sick. The drunk email!!!!!!! And learning about Wilder’s trauma was tough but Maisie is so patient with him.
🏒College Hockey Coach x College Student
💕Age Gap (10+ years)
🏒Virgin Heroine
💕Broken Bad Boy + Good Girl
🏒Grumpy-Sunshine
💕Workplace / Forced Proximity
🏒Forbidden
💕Grumpy x Sunshine
🏒 nicknames (brat and coach!)
🩷 “So we’ll pretend that it never happened. End of story.”
🩷 “No one has to know. It can be between just the two of you. Whatever you want it to be, and it’s no one else’s business but yours.”
Maisie is the daughter of a preacher. She’s lived a straight and narrow life, but is ready to sow her wild oats. The prologue is literally her being ISO a guy to have a one night stand with…. Guys this prologue was life changing. It will suck you right in.
Que Wilder… he’s the assistant hockey coach at Maisie’s college. Oops. And an ex hockey star. He’s grumpy and gruff. What they thought was a one night stand turns into an awkward situation when they realize their paths will cross often during this school year.
I loved seeing Wilder turn into a cat daddy. They both help each other when they’re sick. The drunk email!!!!!!! And learning about Wilder’s trauma was tough but Maisie is so patient with him.
🏒College Hockey Coach x College Student
💕Age Gap (10+ years)
🏒Virgin Heroine
💕Broken Bad Boy + Good Girl
🏒Grumpy-Sunshine
💕Workplace / Forced Proximity
🏒Forbidden
💕Grumpy x Sunshine
🏒 nicknames (brat and coach!)
🩷 “So we’ll pretend that it never happened. End of story.”
🩷 “No one has to know. It can be between just the two of you. Whatever you want it to be, and it’s no one else’s business but yours.”
March 27, 2026
Well, I devoured this in practically one sitting. Maren had me hooked from that prologue. I loved everything about our sunshiney girl Maisie and our grumpy bad boy Wilder. The emotional growth between the two of them alone? Perfection. The spice? And that opening scene!? Hot as hell. The way they open up and love and care for each other? Everything! The tension and banter between these two was incredible and had me unable to put this book down. Maisie and her pure, sweet heart, and Wilder with his traumatic past. I absolutely love a broken boy and these two were the best combination. She continuously showed him that he was worthy of love and all the good things. The depth to this story was so much more than spice and a good time. I loved watching their stories unfold and how they really navigated all the difficult situations, together. Absolutely absolutely recommend this book, and this series.
Thank you to Maren and team for an arc!
read if you love:
student x hockey coach, virgin heroine, age gap, close proximity, forbidden, workplace, grumpy x sunshine, bad boy x good girl
Thank you to Maren and team for an arc!
read if you love:
student x hockey coach, virgin heroine, age gap, close proximity, forbidden, workplace, grumpy x sunshine, bad boy x good girl
March 27, 2026
Thank you Maren for the ARC 🫶🏻
Maren, my girl, you did it again! Y’all know how much I LOVE Lennon and Saint from The Bad Boy Rule, but Maisie and Wilder were everything I needed and more. 👏🏻
I was completely hooked from the prologue and couldn’t put this book down. Maisie is the perfect little ray of sunshine to Wilder’s dark grumpy exterior. I am such a sucker for a broken bad boy and no one can write them like Maren. Poor Wilder is beautifully broken but that doesn’t stop Maisie from pouring her heart and soul into him. She shines her light over him until his days don’t feel so dark. I loved the relationship they formed after Wilder stops fighting it. And the tension and chemistry between these two 🤤🔥 their chemistry from their very first meeting was off the charts and just got better from there. They were so hot but their connection was even better!
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
🩷 Forbidden Romance
💜 Grumpy x Sunshine
🩷 Age Gap
💜 Hockey Coach x Student
Maren, my girl, you did it again! Y’all know how much I LOVE Lennon and Saint from The Bad Boy Rule, but Maisie and Wilder were everything I needed and more. 👏🏻
I was completely hooked from the prologue and couldn’t put this book down. Maisie is the perfect little ray of sunshine to Wilder’s dark grumpy exterior. I am such a sucker for a broken bad boy and no one can write them like Maren. Poor Wilder is beautifully broken but that doesn’t stop Maisie from pouring her heart and soul into him. She shines her light over him until his days don’t feel so dark. I loved the relationship they formed after Wilder stops fighting it. And the tension and chemistry between these two 🤤🔥 their chemistry from their very first meeting was off the charts and just got better from there. They were so hot but their connection was even better!
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
🩷 Forbidden Romance
💜 Grumpy x Sunshine
🩷 Age Gap
💜 Hockey Coach x Student
March 20, 2026
i loved this book so much 😭 a age gap forbidden romance is one of my favorite things to read so OBVIOUSLY the spice was 10/10, but the real raw emotions these characters went through is what really stood out to me. poor sweet wilder just needed to be loved and maisie knew exactly how to provide that for him, their relationship and growth together was so sweet to read and im so happy to see their happy ending!! i love when good characters get the ending they deserve 🩷 thank u to the author for this arc!!!
March 26, 2026
💜💕 𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 💕💜
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
💜Age Gap
💕Bad Boy x Good Girl
💜Hockey Coach x Student
💕Grumpy x Sunshine
💜Virgin Heroine
“𝘏𝘦𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩”
“𝘏𝘦𝘺 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦”
Huge thanks to Maren Moore for the gifted copy of The Good Girl Exception. My girl, I am so damn proud of you!
Broken. Pissed off. Emotional unavailable. Wilder Hawthorne owns my heart. The newest assistant hockey coach at OU is a broken bad boy and I am obsessed.
Maisie is a preacher’s daughter and total good girl. She is tired of living under everyone else expectations and decides to lose her virginity in a bar bathroom to a stranger… only to realize that stranger just so happens to be Wilder Hawthrone.
The Queen of sugar and spice and once again delivered an absolute banger! I LOVED Wilder and Maisie. The forbidden tension, absolute gold! This book has attitude y’all and it’s so damn good! I loved every single page of The Good Girl Exception!
The push and pull.
The stolen moments.
A man down bad and spiraling.
Maren wrote the hell out of this bad boy!! Wilder’s story ripped my heart out, I was unwell. That ending… Maisie becoming the sunshine to Wilder’s dark world was so satisfying!
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
💜Age Gap
💕Bad Boy x Good Girl
💜Hockey Coach x Student
💕Grumpy x Sunshine
💜Virgin Heroine
“𝘏𝘦𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩”
“𝘏𝘦𝘺 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦”
Huge thanks to Maren Moore for the gifted copy of The Good Girl Exception. My girl, I am so damn proud of you!
Broken. Pissed off. Emotional unavailable. Wilder Hawthorne owns my heart. The newest assistant hockey coach at OU is a broken bad boy and I am obsessed.
Maisie is a preacher’s daughter and total good girl. She is tired of living under everyone else expectations and decides to lose her virginity in a bar bathroom to a stranger… only to realize that stranger just so happens to be Wilder Hawthrone.
The Queen of sugar and spice and once again delivered an absolute banger! I LOVED Wilder and Maisie. The forbidden tension, absolute gold! This book has attitude y’all and it’s so damn good! I loved every single page of The Good Girl Exception!
The push and pull.
The stolen moments.
A man down bad and spiraling.
Maren wrote the hell out of this bad boy!! Wilder’s story ripped my heart out, I was unwell. That ending… Maisie becoming the sunshine to Wilder’s dark world was so satisfying!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Maisie is a preacher’s daughter, sick of conforming to everyone’s expectations of who she should be, so she decides to take matters into her own hands, go to a bar and hook up with a stranger in hopes of cashing in her V-Card. Despite how amazing the encounter was, she has no expectations of ever seeing the man again, until she starts a new semester of college and heads to the arena to meet up with the hockey coach with whom she’ll be working on a literacy program, only to be introduced to the new assistant coach, her mystery man.
Wilder was forced out of a successful NHL career because of his temper, and now he was forced to return to New Orleans, the last place he ever wanted to be, and work as an assistant coach for his alma mater’s hockey team. The only bright spot since returning was one incredible hot night with a beautiful blonde, who he assumes he’ll never see again, until she walks into his rink. He knows he needs to stay away, not only is she a student on campus, but over a decade younger, and a true ray of sunshine, which he knows he can only tarnish with his darkness. But the more they try to stay apart, the more they are pulled together, so they agree to keep things casual, to protect them both.
I received an early copy of this book from the author and absolutely loved it! Maisie could easily come off as a goodie two shoes, but she’s anything but. While she exudes positivity, she understands Wilder’s darkness and is able to support him without changing him. Wilder has fought his demons on his own for so long, that it takes him awhile to realize what good Maisie brings to his life, and soon he’s able to see through the dark clouds and find hope that he could actually have a future. While they started off in completely different places, they complement each other so well, providing unwavering support to the other without even using words. I loved watching Wilder not only be vulnerable with her, but realize that she is the brightness that he needed in his life, making him able to let her in.
Wilder was forced out of a successful NHL career because of his temper, and now he was forced to return to New Orleans, the last place he ever wanted to be, and work as an assistant coach for his alma mater’s hockey team. The only bright spot since returning was one incredible hot night with a beautiful blonde, who he assumes he’ll never see again, until she walks into his rink. He knows he needs to stay away, not only is she a student on campus, but over a decade younger, and a true ray of sunshine, which he knows he can only tarnish with his darkness. But the more they try to stay apart, the more they are pulled together, so they agree to keep things casual, to protect them both.
I received an early copy of this book from the author and absolutely loved it! Maisie could easily come off as a goodie two shoes, but she’s anything but. While she exudes positivity, she understands Wilder’s darkness and is able to support him without changing him. Wilder has fought his demons on his own for so long, that it takes him awhile to realize what good Maisie brings to his life, and soon he’s able to see through the dark clouds and find hope that he could actually have a future. While they started off in completely different places, they complement each other so well, providing unwavering support to the other without even using words. I loved watching Wilder not only be vulnerable with her, but realize that she is the brightness that he needed in his life, making him able to let her in.
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March 25, 2026
I need more than 5 stars for this one! If you know me, you know Maren is one of my all time favorite authors, and she absolutely ATE with this one! Wilder and Maisie are fantastic!! I am obsessed with them! These two are a perfect embodiment of some of my favorite tropes! The hockey, the age gap, the forbidden (loooove me some sneaking around!), & grumpy x sunshine! All are chef's kiss in this one!
It starts quick, like HELLO Mr. Broody Bad Boy! I love when Maren puts in spicy prologues, just sayin'! Kick things off with a "bang" why don't ya haha! Not so much a "meet cute", but a "meet HOT"!
I love me some broken and/or bad boy, and bless Wilder, he is BOTH! This man carries the weight of his childhood heavily, and is haunted by all the trauma that he experienced. He is one of, if not the most, traumatized men that Maren has written, and she does it so well! Plus, I love that Wilder is only soft for Maisie! I loved how he progressively got freer with showing his softness with her too...Wilder gives Saint a run for his money in all ways! (Don't worry, I still think about him daily too!)...OH! And his nickname for Maisie is either "sunshine" or "baby", and those are two of my favorites of all time! "Baby" will never not be heartwarming, it makes me swoon!
Maisie, sweet and fierce, sunshine of person! I adored her! She is so girly, beautiful inside & out, and just the perfect match for Wilder! I love that she never gives up on him, & loves him how he needs through his darkness. ALSO, when she decides to attempt to make Wilder break?? I was clapping the whole time!! GET IT GIRL!
PS: their chemistry is insaaaane! The spice is spicin' with this one!! The teasing, the banter, when they give in, and the sneaky sneaking! Yesssss!
I could yap about them all day, but will end with YOU NEED THEM IN YOUR LIFE!
**Thank you to Maren & Team for the ARC opportunity**
It starts quick, like HELLO Mr. Broody Bad Boy! I love when Maren puts in spicy prologues, just sayin'! Kick things off with a "bang" why don't ya haha! Not so much a "meet cute", but a "meet HOT"!
I love me some broken and/or bad boy, and bless Wilder, he is BOTH! This man carries the weight of his childhood heavily, and is haunted by all the trauma that he experienced. He is one of, if not the most, traumatized men that Maren has written, and she does it so well! Plus, I love that Wilder is only soft for Maisie! I loved how he progressively got freer with showing his softness with her too...Wilder gives Saint a run for his money in all ways! (Don't worry, I still think about him daily too!)...OH! And his nickname for Maisie is either "sunshine" or "baby", and those are two of my favorites of all time! "Baby" will never not be heartwarming, it makes me swoon!
Maisie, sweet and fierce, sunshine of person! I adored her! She is so girly, beautiful inside & out, and just the perfect match for Wilder! I love that she never gives up on him, & loves him how he needs through his darkness. ALSO, when she decides to attempt to make Wilder break?? I was clapping the whole time!! GET IT GIRL!
PS: their chemistry is insaaaane! The spice is spicin' with this one!! The teasing, the banter, when they give in, and the sneaky sneaking! Yesssss!
I could yap about them all day, but will end with YOU NEED THEM IN YOUR LIFE!
**Thank you to Maren & Team for the ARC opportunity**
March 20, 2026
ARC Review ✨
First I would like to say a big thank you to Maren for letting me be a part of this ARC Team!
Rate: 5/5⭐️
Spice: 3.5/5🌶️
What to expect when reading ;
-Age Gap
-Student x Hockey Coach
-Workplace
-Forced Proximity
-Grumpy x Sunshine
This is book two of the Hellcats Hockey series! You get to follow Wilder and Maisie! Wilder has one goal and one goal only and that is get his butt back in the NHL and ditch the coaching gig. Maisie is tired of fitting into the “perfet” box, so she is going to do things spontaneous her way from now own. Let’s just say Maren fully served with this book! The self growth journey our main characters went through had you rooting for them. While some of the moments they had to through crushed my heart, the outcome was with it, for Wilder especially. Sometimes you have to be shown you don’t have to fight your demons on your own and Maisie definitely showed up for Wilder to fight his. While they had things to work through, they sure did keep things spicy as well. The sparks were flying in the prologue alone and they just kept getting hotter throughout the book. I’m a sucker for a man that hates everything and everyone but is a softie for his girl. This might be Maren’s spiciest book ever!! (& I’ve read them all lol)
Honestly I need a lot more of these two ASAP!
Side notes:
-LOVE Lennon
-Kori!
-Carl lmao
-Wilder vs Seb lol
Fav Quote:
•”Stop looking at me like that, Maisie”
•“My sunshine girl, so bright and so fucking good, has a little bit of dark in her too.”
Make sure you get your copy of the book when it releases 🤍
#bookstagram #romance #review
First I would like to say a big thank you to Maren for letting me be a part of this ARC Team!
Rate: 5/5⭐️
Spice: 3.5/5🌶️
What to expect when reading ;
-Age Gap
-Student x Hockey Coach
-Workplace
-Forced Proximity
-Grumpy x Sunshine
This is book two of the Hellcats Hockey series! You get to follow Wilder and Maisie! Wilder has one goal and one goal only and that is get his butt back in the NHL and ditch the coaching gig. Maisie is tired of fitting into the “perfet” box, so she is going to do things spontaneous her way from now own. Let’s just say Maren fully served with this book! The self growth journey our main characters went through had you rooting for them. While some of the moments they had to through crushed my heart, the outcome was with it, for Wilder especially. Sometimes you have to be shown you don’t have to fight your demons on your own and Maisie definitely showed up for Wilder to fight his. While they had things to work through, they sure did keep things spicy as well. The sparks were flying in the prologue alone and they just kept getting hotter throughout the book. I’m a sucker for a man that hates everything and everyone but is a softie for his girl. This might be Maren’s spiciest book ever!! (& I’ve read them all lol)
Honestly I need a lot more of these two ASAP!
Side notes:
-LOVE Lennon
-Kori!
-Carl lmao
-Wilder vs Seb lol
Fav Quote:
•”Stop looking at me like that, Maisie”
•“My sunshine girl, so bright and so fucking good, has a little bit of dark in her too.”
Make sure you get your copy of the book when it releases 🤍
#bookstagram #romance #review
March 26, 2026
"𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄'𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪."
The Good Girl Exception by Maren Moore
4☆
This book was pure chaos in the best, most absolutely addictive way.
Maisie—preacher’s daughter and lifelong good girl, decides she’s done playing perfect and attempts a one-night rebellion… only to accidentally pick Wilder Hawthorne. Ex-NHL player and the new assistant hockey coach at her college. Not to mention he’s a walking, emotionally damaged, cinnamon roll.
“𝙄𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙖𝙨 𝙛*𝙘𝙠 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙛 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙤 𝙛*𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜.”
And then they have to keep seeing each other. Because, of course they do.
Wilder is broken, guarded, and convinced he’s unworthy of love. Maisie is sunshine with a backbone, finally figuring out who she is and what she wants. And together, the tension and stolen moments, give way to a whole lot of “we should not be doing this” energy.
“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙛*𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙯𝙮, 𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙚. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙠 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜.”
Their chemistry is unreal. The push and pull was freaking addictive, leaving me feral for more. And when it finally snapped? It IGNITED.
“𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙙*𝙢𝙣 𝙞𝙩. 𝙁*𝙘𝙠 𝙞𝙩.”
It’s spicy (these two definitely have a thing for bathrooms), BUT there’s real depth here too. Trauma, healing, and a love that digs in deep and refuses to let go. It’s messy, but heartfelt, and was impossible to put down.
"𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣'𝙩. 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙪𝙨, 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧. 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣'𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛. 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨.”
*Thank you to Maren Moore for this arc opportunity!
The Good Girl Exception by Maren Moore
4☆
This book was pure chaos in the best, most absolutely addictive way.
Maisie—preacher’s daughter and lifelong good girl, decides she’s done playing perfect and attempts a one-night rebellion… only to accidentally pick Wilder Hawthorne. Ex-NHL player and the new assistant hockey coach at her college. Not to mention he’s a walking, emotionally damaged, cinnamon roll.
“𝙄𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙖𝙨 𝙛*𝙘𝙠 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙛 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙤 𝙛*𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜.”
And then they have to keep seeing each other. Because, of course they do.
Wilder is broken, guarded, and convinced he’s unworthy of love. Maisie is sunshine with a backbone, finally figuring out who she is and what she wants. And together, the tension and stolen moments, give way to a whole lot of “we should not be doing this” energy.
“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙛*𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙯𝙮, 𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙚. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙠 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜.”
Their chemistry is unreal. The push and pull was freaking addictive, leaving me feral for more. And when it finally snapped? It IGNITED.
“𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙙*𝙢𝙣 𝙞𝙩. 𝙁*𝙘𝙠 𝙞𝙩.”
It’s spicy (these two definitely have a thing for bathrooms), BUT there’s real depth here too. Trauma, healing, and a love that digs in deep and refuses to let go. It’s messy, but heartfelt, and was impossible to put down.
"𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣'𝙩. 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙪𝙨, 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧. 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣'𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛. 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨.”
*Thank you to Maren Moore for this arc opportunity!
March 25, 2026
The Good Girl Exception isn't just a spicy hockey romance. It's a raw, heart wrenching journey of two souls finally learning they are worthy of being seen. When Maisie, a preacher’s daughter suffocated by a lifetime of perfect expectations, decides to finally choose herself, she doesn't just rebel, she transforms.
And then there’s Wilder Hawthorne. Watching this guarded, broken ex-NHL star battle with a past that told him he was unlovable was soul-crushing. Every time he tried to push Maisie away to "save" her from his darkness, only to have her meet his gaze with unwavering strength and grace, I felt it deep in my soul! Their chemistry is a literal wildfire, but it’s the quiet moments of vulnerability that made me unable to put this book down. Witnessing the slow tearing down of Wilder’s emotional walls and Maisie’s fierce journey to self-discovery truly made this an unforgettable and relatable read.
My heart quite literally broke for Wilder’s childhood trauma, and seeing Maisie become his sunshine without losing her own identity was the most beautiful part of the story. She didn't try to fix him. She simply stayed until he realized he wasn't a lost cause. This book is empowering, deeply emotional, and deliciously spicy! It's a rare gem that reminds us that the "good girl" and the "bad boy" are often just two people waiting for someone to finally love the parts of them they’ve been taught to hide.
And then there’s Wilder Hawthorne. Watching this guarded, broken ex-NHL star battle with a past that told him he was unlovable was soul-crushing. Every time he tried to push Maisie away to "save" her from his darkness, only to have her meet his gaze with unwavering strength and grace, I felt it deep in my soul! Their chemistry is a literal wildfire, but it’s the quiet moments of vulnerability that made me unable to put this book down. Witnessing the slow tearing down of Wilder’s emotional walls and Maisie’s fierce journey to self-discovery truly made this an unforgettable and relatable read.
My heart quite literally broke for Wilder’s childhood trauma, and seeing Maisie become his sunshine without losing her own identity was the most beautiful part of the story. She didn't try to fix him. She simply stayed until he realized he wasn't a lost cause. This book is empowering, deeply emotional, and deliciously spicy! It's a rare gem that reminds us that the "good girl" and the "bad boy" are often just two people waiting for someone to finally love the parts of them they’ve been taught to hide.
March 27, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. Book 1 is one that will forever have a special place in my heart and now this one does too. I had so many emotions reading this book and I live when a book does that. Had tears in my eyes during some of this book. So good!
Maisie is the preacher's daughter and is just tired of being the "good" girl and wants to do and be who she wants to be. This leads to her letting loose one night and doing something with a guy she never had done before.
Wilder is the new assistant coach for OU and is not really happy about it but is doing it to get back to playing professional hockey. His story just had my heart breaking for him. He is grumpy and angry with good reasons.
When Maisie decides to do a project with the hockey team, she finds herself working with the new hockey coach. Except when she sees him she's shocked at who he is. Wilder needs to keep things professional with her but is proven really hard when he can't stop thinking about her and she seems ro be everywhere.
I just loved the chemistry and attraction these two had for each other. Maisie being the sunshine he definitely needs in his life. But will Wilder let go of everything and get the girl? You need to read this to find out. Exceptional book!
Maisie is the preacher's daughter and is just tired of being the "good" girl and wants to do and be who she wants to be. This leads to her letting loose one night and doing something with a guy she never had done before.
Wilder is the new assistant coach for OU and is not really happy about it but is doing it to get back to playing professional hockey. His story just had my heart breaking for him. He is grumpy and angry with good reasons.
When Maisie decides to do a project with the hockey team, she finds herself working with the new hockey coach. Except when she sees him she's shocked at who he is. Wilder needs to keep things professional with her but is proven really hard when he can't stop thinking about her and she seems ro be everywhere.
I just loved the chemistry and attraction these two had for each other. Maisie being the sunshine he definitely needs in his life. But will Wilder let go of everything and get the girl? You need to read this to find out. Exceptional book!
March 27, 2026
Maren… somewhere along the way, you turned me from a full-on “Satan” girlie into a Wild believer—and honestly, I’m not even mad about it. THAT PROLOGUE?! The way you hooked me instantly and had me completely locked in for the entire book… unreal. Every expectation I had? Obliterated. And now I’m just sitting here wondering how you’re possibly going to top this in book three.
Wilder. You are worthy. Worthy of love—giving and receiving it, especially with Maisie. Worthy of healing from everything you’ve been through. Worthy of speaking your truth, of being vulnerable, of protecting the people you love, and of figuring it all out in the end. Thank you for the reminder that I’m worthy too. P.S. THAT THING WITH THE WHISTLE?! Yeah… I will never look at whistles the same again.
Maisie, I want your kind of freedom. The kind that lets you be reckless, be fully yourself, and chase self-discovery without apology. The kind that doesn’t care about expectations, that supports without changing, that brings light into people’s lives. The kind that can completely undo a man with just words and presence. Maybe one day I’ll be that free too.
Thank you for giving me pieces of each of them—I’m carrying all of it with me.
So… I need to know. Bennett Legros next?
Wilder. You are worthy. Worthy of love—giving and receiving it, especially with Maisie. Worthy of healing from everything you’ve been through. Worthy of speaking your truth, of being vulnerable, of protecting the people you love, and of figuring it all out in the end. Thank you for the reminder that I’m worthy too. P.S. THAT THING WITH THE WHISTLE?! Yeah… I will never look at whistles the same again.
Maisie, I want your kind of freedom. The kind that lets you be reckless, be fully yourself, and chase self-discovery without apology. The kind that doesn’t care about expectations, that supports without changing, that brings light into people’s lives. The kind that can completely undo a man with just words and presence. Maybe one day I’ll be that free too.
Thank you for giving me pieces of each of them—I’m carrying all of it with me.
So… I need to know. Bennett Legros next?
March 24, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🤍grumpy x sunshine
🤍age gap
🤍forced proximity
🤍coach x student
💋Dramatic Thoughts💋
Maren..my girl! Why didn’t you tell me you were going to rip my heart from my chest? I was absolutely GUTTED during this incredible book, yet I’d sign up to do it again and again. Maren is truly an artist and I’m obsessed with this book!
If you love a closed off, broken, grumpy man - Wilder Hawthorne is the man for you!! I thought that Maren couldn’t write a man who came close to Saint..however my man Wilder just gave him a run for his money..holyyyy freaking hell!
Maisie was the perfect amount of nervous, college girl and a sassy, fierce woman who was always running her mouth to Wilder! They were literally a perfect match from the jump!!
After 400+ pages, I didn’t want the book to end - so that should tell you just how much I loved them!! If it wasn’t already obvious, 5 freaking stars!!
Formal petition for BENNETT to get his happily ever after literally as soon as possible because he’s one of the most fun side characters I’ve had the pleasure of meeting!!
🤍grumpy x sunshine
🤍age gap
🤍forced proximity
🤍coach x student
💋Dramatic Thoughts💋
Maren..my girl! Why didn’t you tell me you were going to rip my heart from my chest? I was absolutely GUTTED during this incredible book, yet I’d sign up to do it again and again. Maren is truly an artist and I’m obsessed with this book!
If you love a closed off, broken, grumpy man - Wilder Hawthorne is the man for you!! I thought that Maren couldn’t write a man who came close to Saint..however my man Wilder just gave him a run for his money..holyyyy freaking hell!
Maisie was the perfect amount of nervous, college girl and a sassy, fierce woman who was always running her mouth to Wilder! They were literally a perfect match from the jump!!
After 400+ pages, I didn’t want the book to end - so that should tell you just how much I loved them!! If it wasn’t already obvious, 5 freaking stars!!
Formal petition for BENNETT to get his happily ever after literally as soon as possible because he’s one of the most fun side characters I’ve had the pleasure of meeting!!
March 26, 2026
I absolutely devoured this book! Every book Maren writes I can guarantee that I am going to love it! This was definitely the spiciest and while still being able to keep the range of emotional depth is crazy! Also if you love banter this has it in spades. Definitely recommending this for anyone who loves a forbidden age gap!
Maisie and Wilder were actually perfect for each other. I think this may be one of if not my favorite couple she’s written. The way the relationship was navigated was incredible and I loved the Maisie was not some cliched virgin fmc. No this girl knew what she wanted and she took it! Wilder’s character was so tragic but the healing journey he went through was so worth the pain of reading it. I absolutely loved how he was written because how he learned to communicate and how much he developed his coping skills. Also the way he slowly started to warm up to Sir Sebastian was everything!
Maisie and Wilder were actually perfect for each other. I think this may be one of if not my favorite couple she’s written. The way the relationship was navigated was incredible and I loved the Maisie was not some cliched virgin fmc. No this girl knew what she wanted and she took it! Wilder’s character was so tragic but the healing journey he went through was so worth the pain of reading it. I absolutely loved how he was written because how he learned to communicate and how much he developed his coping skills. Also the way he slowly started to warm up to Sir Sebastian was everything!
March 27, 2026
The Good Girl Exception was such an amazing book! I've been looking forward to Maisie's story since I finished The Bad Boy Rule.
Maisie is walking sunshine and the all around good girl. But, she wants to break away from being the stereotypical "preacher's daughter and step outside of the box she was put into. She wants to find out who she is at her core and live her life on her own terms. Enter Wilder. Wilder is your typical bad boy. He's full of anger, a quick fuse, and a dirty mouth! He's a hardened man with walls built so high and fortified so strong that it will take a miracle to break through. But, Maisie isn't one to ignore her heart and it's led her straight to him.
If you enjoy reading forbidden romance, age gap, he's only soft for her, bad boy/good girl, spicy romances, then you're definitely going to want to grab this book immediately!
Thank you Maren Moore for this incredible ARC and I look forward to what you'll give us next!
Maisie is walking sunshine and the all around good girl. But, she wants to break away from being the stereotypical "preacher's daughter and step outside of the box she was put into. She wants to find out who she is at her core and live her life on her own terms. Enter Wilder. Wilder is your typical bad boy. He's full of anger, a quick fuse, and a dirty mouth! He's a hardened man with walls built so high and fortified so strong that it will take a miracle to break through. But, Maisie isn't one to ignore her heart and it's led her straight to him.
If you enjoy reading forbidden romance, age gap, he's only soft for her, bad boy/good girl, spicy romances, then you're definitely going to want to grab this book immediately!
Thank you Maren Moore for this incredible ARC and I look forward to what you'll give us next!
March 24, 2026
Wilder Hawthorne is EVERYTHING! His tortured soul sucked me in from the start and I just fell in love with him more with each page.
Maisie is a Queen status FMC! She is the perfect match to Wilder - she has innocence but a fiery passion that had me laughing and gasping throughout the book!
These two have enough chemistry to set the world on fire - my word the dirty mouth of Wilder matched with Maisie’s secret desires from her books.
Maisie’s friendship with Lennon is one of my favorites! Lennon is the shoulder she needs for tears but also there for a swift kick in the rear!
I wanted MORE! I was so sad I hit the last page.
Thanks to Maren Moore and her team for this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!
Maisie is a Queen status FMC! She is the perfect match to Wilder - she has innocence but a fiery passion that had me laughing and gasping throughout the book!
These two have enough chemistry to set the world on fire - my word the dirty mouth of Wilder matched with Maisie’s secret desires from her books.
Maisie’s friendship with Lennon is one of my favorites! Lennon is the shoulder she needs for tears but also there for a swift kick in the rear!
I wanted MORE! I was so sad I hit the last page.
Thanks to Maren Moore and her team for this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!
March 19, 2026
Thank you so much team Maren for this ARC 🫶🏻
Maisie, the preacher’s daughter and aspiring librarian, loses her v card at a bar with a hot stranger. Soon, she finds out he’s the new assistant hockey coach at her college, OU. They’re working on a project together and it’s completely forbidden.
Wilder is a former NHL star in some hot water for violence off the ice. As a former foster kid, he’s got a lot of childhood trauma. When he sees Maisie again, he can’t help but see her sunshine.
When these two start a secret tryst, Maisie is determined to show Wilder that he’s worthy of love. I was so proud of Wilder for overcoming his past to make a new future. When the going got tough, these two stuck together.
If anything, I wanted to read more of them! It was sweet, spicy, and addressed childhood abuse. Great read!
🥅📚
Maisie, the preacher’s daughter and aspiring librarian, loses her v card at a bar with a hot stranger. Soon, she finds out he’s the new assistant hockey coach at her college, OU. They’re working on a project together and it’s completely forbidden.
Wilder is a former NHL star in some hot water for violence off the ice. As a former foster kid, he’s got a lot of childhood trauma. When he sees Maisie again, he can’t help but see her sunshine.
When these two start a secret tryst, Maisie is determined to show Wilder that he’s worthy of love. I was so proud of Wilder for overcoming his past to make a new future. When the going got tough, these two stuck together.
If anything, I wanted to read more of them! It was sweet, spicy, and addressed childhood abuse. Great read!
🥅📚
March 22, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. Absolutely phenomenal read that I devoured. This is an age gap, forbidden romance and strangers to lovers. The chemistry these two had was WOW!! They are both dealing with heavy life struggles. Loved watching this all play out and get the ending they deserve!! Absolutely loved this book!!
“The Good Girl Exception is a complete standalone in the Hellcats Hockey Series set in the Orleans University world.”
Tropes:
-Age Gap (10+ years)
-College Hockey Romance
-Coach x Student
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Bad Boy x Good Girl
-Virgin Heroine
-Forced Proximity
-Forbidden Romance
-Past Trauma
“The Good Girl Exception is a complete standalone in the Hellcats Hockey Series set in the Orleans University world.”
Tropes:
-Age Gap (10+ years)
-College Hockey Romance
-Coach x Student
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-Bad Boy x Good Girl
-Virgin Heroine
-Forced Proximity
-Forbidden Romance
-Past Trauma
March 26, 2026
Maren just wrote my new fave book by her! Wilder & Maisie worked their way into my heart and I can’t get over how perfect they were!
Wilder, my sweet broken man! His childhood was tainted by a mom who was the worst, which caused him to feel unworthy of being loved or loving someone else. Then came Maisie, his sunshine girl. Gahh my heart squealed every time he called her sunshine. It was the perfect word for her! Always seeing the good in others but also caring for others.
They had hurdles to get through and wilder had walls to break down, and when it finally happened.. I was a SOBBING mess! I could barely see the pages through my tears and Kleenex!
Wilder, my sweet broken man! His childhood was tainted by a mom who was the worst, which caused him to feel unworthy of being loved or loving someone else. Then came Maisie, his sunshine girl. Gahh my heart squealed every time he called her sunshine. It was the perfect word for her! Always seeing the good in others but also caring for others.
They had hurdles to get through and wilder had walls to break down, and when it finally happened.. I was a SOBBING mess! I could barely see the pages through my tears and Kleenex!
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