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Faircloud #3
The Games We Play
A flirty, emotional small-town second chance romance where a guarded bartender and a fiercely independent woman learn that love isn’t a game—it’s something you have to fight for.
Penny Hudson found her family in the people she chose—new friends, found sisters, and one fiercely protective old lady who took her in when she needed it most. Life in Faircloud was never picture-perfect, but Penny survived it with laughter and her favorite music cranked up loud.
Mac Ridley grew up behind the bar at The Tequila Cowboy, always working, always watching. He’s built his life by keeping his head down, stacking tips, and staying far away from anything that could tie him to his father’s messy legacy. Emotions? Not in the game plan.
But when friends and circumstance throw Penny and Mac together, a secret six-month fling turns into something that feels dangerously like more until one mistake tears them apart.
Now, Mac wants a second chance. But Penny isn’t making it easy, and maybe that’s exactly what he needs. Because this time, charm won’t cut it. If he wants her back, he’ll have to prove it with effort, with honesty, and maybe even on his knees.
The man so used to being chased becomes the chaser in The Games We a flirty, fiery, small-town romance about second chances and fighting for the love you almost lost.
Penny Hudson found her family in the people she chose—new friends, found sisters, and one fiercely protective old lady who took her in when she needed it most. Life in Faircloud was never picture-perfect, but Penny survived it with laughter and her favorite music cranked up loud.
Mac Ridley grew up behind the bar at The Tequila Cowboy, always working, always watching. He’s built his life by keeping his head down, stacking tips, and staying far away from anything that could tie him to his father’s messy legacy. Emotions? Not in the game plan.
But when friends and circumstance throw Penny and Mac together, a secret six-month fling turns into something that feels dangerously like more until one mistake tears them apart.
Now, Mac wants a second chance. But Penny isn’t making it easy, and maybe that’s exactly what he needs. Because this time, charm won’t cut it. If he wants her back, he’ll have to prove it with effort, with honesty, and maybe even on his knees.
The man so used to being chased becomes the chaser in The Games We a flirty, fiery, small-town romance about second chances and fighting for the love you almost lost.
423 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2025
About the author
M. Hartley
8 books204 followersM. Hartley is a hopeless romantic with a passion for crafting heartfelt stories about small-town charm and rugged fictional cowboys (with big hearts and big…) When she’s not writing, while drinking a glass of sweet red wine, she can be found doting on her beloved dog, Hank, or indulging in her absurd Swedish Fish addiction. Dedicated to making readers fall head over heels for romance, M. Hartley believes there’s nothing better than a love story that lingers long after the last page is turned.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
September 30, 2025
ARC REVIEW
RELEASES 10/7
Tropes-
Second chance
Tattooed MMC
Found family
Small town
"She didn’t have a damn thing to prove. She already had me. All of me. My heart. My soul. My entire fucking existence rested in the palm of her hand."
✨️ Thank you so much to M. Hartley and Page and Vine for this E-ARC for my honest review! I read the Story We Wrote last year and really enjoyed it, but M out did herself with this book. Although I missed Where We Call Home, and trust me I will immediately be going back and reading it. Because we get snippets of Theo and Rhodes in this book and I can't wait to read their book. This book had me giggling and kicking my feet the first chapter 🤭. Also, Penny literally tells Mac to "Grovel, bitch" 🤗. And who wouldn't love a MMC's who response is- "I'd move mountains, walk barefoot across hot coals. Brand my skin with your initials, Penny.” 😍 I mean, swoon right? I definitely recommend this book to my friends who enjoy second chances!
RELEASES 10/7
Tropes-
Second chance
Tattooed MMC
Found family
Small town
"She didn’t have a damn thing to prove. She already had me. All of me. My heart. My soul. My entire fucking existence rested in the palm of her hand."
✨️ Thank you so much to M. Hartley and Page and Vine for this E-ARC for my honest review! I read the Story We Wrote last year and really enjoyed it, but M out did herself with this book. Although I missed Where We Call Home, and trust me I will immediately be going back and reading it. Because we get snippets of Theo and Rhodes in this book and I can't wait to read their book. This book had me giggling and kicking my feet the first chapter 🤭. Also, Penny literally tells Mac to "Grovel, bitch" 🤗. And who wouldn't love a MMC's who response is- "I'd move mountains, walk barefoot across hot coals. Brand my skin with your initials, Penny.” 😍 I mean, swoon right? I definitely recommend this book to my friends who enjoy second chances!
May 21, 2026
5 ⭐️
⋆˙⟡ tropes ⟡˙⋆
💍 second chance
🍻 bartender x librarian
🏡 small town
📚 found family
🌹 he has tattoos
🗓️ past/present timeline
⋆˙⟡ thoughts ⟡˙⋆
a tatted man who reads her favorite romance novels???? 🙂↕️ she has done it again with another five star for this masterpiece!!!! penny and mac are hottt 🥵 the spice is spicing. the chemistry was off the charts. the fact that he was willing to do anything to win her back after everything they’ve been through!!!! a man. i lovee penny too like the glitter bomb??? i knew right then and there she’d be making me laugh.
alsooo can we have a moment for when penny tells him to grovel 😮💨 mac: “i’d move fking mountains. walk barefoot across across hot coals. brand my skin with your initials, penny.”
⋆˙⟡ synopsis ⟡˙⋆
penny found her family in the people she chose: new friends, found sisters, and one fiercely protective old lady who took her in when she needed it most. mac grew up behind the bar always working, always watching. he’s built his life by keeping his head down and staying far away from anything that could tie him to his father’s messy legacy.
but…. when friends and circumstance throw them together, a secret six-month fling turns into something that feels dangerously like more until one mistake tears them apart. now, mac wants a second chance but she isn’t making it easy, and maybe that’s exactly what he needs.
🎧audio: the narrators did soooooo good bringing penny and mac to life!!! i listened to it within a day because i was hooked to both the story and audio!!!
⋆˙⟡ tropes ⟡˙⋆
💍 second chance
🍻 bartender x librarian
🏡 small town
📚 found family
🌹 he has tattoos
🗓️ past/present timeline
⋆˙⟡ thoughts ⟡˙⋆
a tatted man who reads her favorite romance novels???? 🙂↕️ she has done it again with another five star for this masterpiece!!!! penny and mac are hottt 🥵 the spice is spicing. the chemistry was off the charts. the fact that he was willing to do anything to win her back after everything they’ve been through!!!! a man. i lovee penny too like the glitter bomb??? i knew right then and there she’d be making me laugh.
alsooo can we have a moment for when penny tells him to grovel 😮💨 mac: “i’d move fking mountains. walk barefoot across across hot coals. brand my skin with your initials, penny.”
⋆˙⟡ synopsis ⟡˙⋆
penny found her family in the people she chose: new friends, found sisters, and one fiercely protective old lady who took her in when she needed it most. mac grew up behind the bar always working, always watching. he’s built his life by keeping his head down and staying far away from anything that could tie him to his father’s messy legacy.
but…. when friends and circumstance throw them together, a secret six-month fling turns into something that feels dangerously like more until one mistake tears them apart. now, mac wants a second chance but she isn’t making it easy, and maybe that’s exactly what he needs.
🎧audio: the narrators did soooooo good bringing penny and mac to life!!! i listened to it within a day because i was hooked to both the story and audio!!!
October 8, 2025
Thank you so much to the author, Page and Vine and LuvBooksClub for the #gifted e-ARC!
I love, love, love when a second chance has a man groveling and when I tell you, Penny made Mac grovel, I really mean it. 🤭
I loved this continuation of the Faircloud series! Every character is so fun and the found family is top notch. Each of M. Hartley’s books have their own unique set of characters and circumstances that leave you unable to put the book down until you’ve finished! Purely addicting!
Penny was a force to be reckoned with! I knew right from the glitter bomb in the first chapter I was going to fall in love with her and I was so right. She’s sunshine in book character form and has the most fun personality.
I loved Mac’s willingness to try to win Penny back despite all they had been through. Their chemistry felt like an instant connection and I really adored them.
I would highly recommend to all my book besties who love a second chance, small town and the best found family! 🤍
I love, love, love when a second chance has a man groveling and when I tell you, Penny made Mac grovel, I really mean it. 🤭
I loved this continuation of the Faircloud series! Every character is so fun and the found family is top notch. Each of M. Hartley’s books have their own unique set of characters and circumstances that leave you unable to put the book down until you’ve finished! Purely addicting!
Penny was a force to be reckoned with! I knew right from the glitter bomb in the first chapter I was going to fall in love with her and I was so right. She’s sunshine in book character form and has the most fun personality.
I loved Mac’s willingness to try to win Penny back despite all they had been through. Their chemistry felt like an instant connection and I really adored them.
I would highly recommend to all my book besties who love a second chance, small town and the best found family! 🤍
October 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
She does it again with the third book in the series! I’ve completely fallen in love with the small town of Faircloud, Texas, and all of the people who call it home.
Mac is a man who knows how to grovel to win his girl back. Watching him open up his heart and truly work on himself so he could be there for her was everything. His growth and vulnerability made me love him even more.
Penny is a girl after my own heart, a librarian who leaves a bit of pink glitter (iykyk) everywhere she goes. Her relationship with Sandy was one of my favorite parts of the book. Seeing her finally find the mother figure she needed so badly made my heart ache in the best way.
I’m really hoping there will be more books in this series because I need some of the side characters’ stories.
Tropes:
✨ Second chance romance
✨ A MMC who grovels
✨ Tattooed MMC
✨ Small town romance
✨ Found family
She does it again with the third book in the series! I’ve completely fallen in love with the small town of Faircloud, Texas, and all of the people who call it home.
Mac is a man who knows how to grovel to win his girl back. Watching him open up his heart and truly work on himself so he could be there for her was everything. His growth and vulnerability made me love him even more.
Penny is a girl after my own heart, a librarian who leaves a bit of pink glitter (iykyk) everywhere she goes. Her relationship with Sandy was one of my favorite parts of the book. Seeing her finally find the mother figure she needed so badly made my heart ache in the best way.
I’m really hoping there will be more books in this series because I need some of the side characters’ stories.
Tropes:
✨ Second chance romance
✨ A MMC who grovels
✨ Tattooed MMC
✨ Small town romance
✨ Found family
June 7, 2026
This isn't bad, but it is extremely juvenile. Every single character is so dramatic and overreacts to every single thing that happens. Like teenagers have more emotional stability than this.
Okay, so they're in a no strings attached situationship and she's upset that he's married (tho separated) and in the process of getting a divorce.
He's such a dumbass that he thought Vegas weddings weren't "real".
The way this was built up so much I thought he was gonna have a criminal record or something actually serious other than a drunken night in Vegas mistake. That was such a letdown.
1) she has no right to be THIS upset. He did nothing wrong by her.
2) she opened his envelope - isn't that a federal crime or does it not count as being "mail" unless it's delivered through the postal system?
3) on a scale of 1 to 10 in terms of how much he fucked up, he says it's a 9.5?!
I'd say it's like maaaaybe a 2, yeah it's a big thing to not mention, but they're not in a relationship and have known one another for like 3 days, chill out.
Whhhhy are you sticking cherries into your coochie? This is how you get yeast infections!
Also, they're having sex on the bar top of a public business, ain't no way that's passing any sanitary inspection, AND he told his sister he was gonna be having sex in her bar and she, as the owner, was cool with it? He was being a whiny bitch about how he's been running the bar for forever so it should be legally his and then this is how he runs it?!? Later, it mentions that he cleaned it very well afterwards, but like, bodily fluids should not be coming into contact with food and beverage without the consumer being 100% aware of the risks associated with that.
Were supposed to believe that Penny is a librarian even though she doesn't have a Bachelor's Degree nor the required Masters of Library Sciences Degree? Uh huh, sure. Initially I thought she just worked at the library, but the further into the book we got the more it sounded like she was a full blown librarian with just a high school diploma. I know it's a small town, but I still don't see that happening. I did my undergraduate degree with someone who continued on to get their Masters in Library Sciences and there aren't a lot of librarian positions available...so they ended up... in a small town.
And a scavenger hunt? Really? Maybe it's just me, but I don't think it's cute to be given a whole bunch of errands to run. Plus, half of their "special" locations were events that happened off of the page.
Okay, so they're in a no strings attached situationship and she's upset that he's married (tho separated) and in the process of getting a divorce.
He's such a dumbass that he thought Vegas weddings weren't "real".
The way this was built up so much I thought he was gonna have a criminal record or something actually serious other than a drunken night in Vegas mistake. That was such a letdown.
1) she has no right to be THIS upset. He did nothing wrong by her.
2) she opened his envelope - isn't that a federal crime or does it not count as being "mail" unless it's delivered through the postal system?
3) on a scale of 1 to 10 in terms of how much he fucked up, he says it's a 9.5?!
I'd say it's like maaaaybe a 2, yeah it's a big thing to not mention, but they're not in a relationship and have known one another for like 3 days, chill out.
Whhhhy are you sticking cherries into your coochie? This is how you get yeast infections!
Also, they're having sex on the bar top of a public business, ain't no way that's passing any sanitary inspection, AND he told his sister he was gonna be having sex in her bar and she, as the owner, was cool with it? He was being a whiny bitch about how he's been running the bar for forever so it should be legally his and then this is how he runs it?!? Later, it mentions that he cleaned it very well afterwards, but like, bodily fluids should not be coming into contact with food and beverage without the consumer being 100% aware of the risks associated with that.
Were supposed to believe that Penny is a librarian even though she doesn't have a Bachelor's Degree nor the required Masters of Library Sciences Degree? Uh huh, sure. Initially I thought she just worked at the library, but the further into the book we got the more it sounded like she was a full blown librarian with just a high school diploma. I know it's a small town, but I still don't see that happening. I did my undergraduate degree with someone who continued on to get their Masters in Library Sciences and there aren't a lot of librarian positions available...so they ended up... in a small town.
And a scavenger hunt? Really? Maybe it's just me, but I don't think it's cute to be given a whole bunch of errands to run. Plus, half of their "special" locations were events that happened off of the page.
November 13, 2025
I really like this series and book 3 does not disappoint. Mac and Penny having a secret affair until she discovers his secret marriage. I loved the groveling that she made Mac do, but I also liked how much everyone came to Mac's defense and told Penny to snap out of it. You could tell their chemistry was off the charts and you could also see how they could be good friends. Super enjoyable!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2026
2.5 ⭐️ This book started strong, and I genuinely thought I was settling into another solid installment in the series. But the constant back‑and‑forth between present day and the past quickly became confusing, and by the 40% mark I was debating DNF’ing. That feeling came back more than once as I pushed through.
The FMC was incredibly unlikable and often immature, and the lack of communication and forgiveness over truly minor issues was mind‑boggling for adults. It made it hard to stay invested in her growth or the relationship.
Mac, on the other hand, was the bright spot. I loved how hard he tried to make things right with Penny, even going as far as reading the romance books she loved to get ideas *swoon*. Those moments were sweet and showed real effort. I also enjoyed the glimpses of past characters woven into the story; those callbacks were fun and nostalgic.
Overall, though, this book felt unnecessary for the series. The emotional payoff wasn’t strong enough to justify the chaos it took to get there.
The narration was great clean, expressive, and easy to follow even if the story itself didn’t land for me.
The FMC was incredibly unlikable and often immature, and the lack of communication and forgiveness over truly minor issues was mind‑boggling for adults. It made it hard to stay invested in her growth or the relationship.
Mac, on the other hand, was the bright spot. I loved how hard he tried to make things right with Penny, even going as far as reading the romance books she loved to get ideas *swoon*. Those moments were sweet and showed real effort. I also enjoyed the glimpses of past characters woven into the story; those callbacks were fun and nostalgic.
Overall, though, this book felt unnecessary for the series. The emotional payoff wasn’t strong enough to justify the chaos it took to get there.
The narration was great clean, expressive, and easy to follow even if the story itself didn’t land for me.
May 24, 2026
3.75 ⭐️ | 2.5 🌶️ | 🎧
Another very cute story by M. Hartley. The dual narration by Summer Morton and Ryan West was my favorite of the audiobooks so far! They both brought the characters and their vulnerabilities to life in the best way.
This one did feel longer and a little more drawn out than the other books, but it also felt like there was more happening and the author spent a good time setting up future stories as well (I am looking at you, Ellie and Logan). Each character had a lot to work through, and their development and struggles were well written.
And the spice 🫠 I loved the two of them together! They were hot and vulnerable together at the same time. Mack is literally the opposite type of man I would ever go for in real life, but her was written in a way that made me overlook the fact that he constantly had a cigarette in his mouth...so well done.
I have loved the series! It is so underhyped, and I am happy that it is now available in audiobook format to hopefully reach a wider audience, because they are all 100% worth reading.
Another very cute story by M. Hartley. The dual narration by Summer Morton and Ryan West was my favorite of the audiobooks so far! They both brought the characters and their vulnerabilities to life in the best way.
This one did feel longer and a little more drawn out than the other books, but it also felt like there was more happening and the author spent a good time setting up future stories as well (I am looking at you, Ellie and Logan). Each character had a lot to work through, and their development and struggles were well written.
And the spice 🫠 I loved the two of them together! They were hot and vulnerable together at the same time. Mack is literally the opposite type of man I would ever go for in real life, but her was written in a way that made me overlook the fact that he constantly had a cigarette in his mouth...so well done.
I have loved the series! It is so underhyped, and I am happy that it is now available in audiobook format to hopefully reach a wider audience, because they are all 100% worth reading.
June 3, 2026
4.5 rounded to 5 stars for Goodreads!
Nothing screamsss second chance romance quite like the FMC telling the MMC to GROVEL. *claps* Penny is rightfully pissed off. But, willing to give Mac another chance - but, he has to work for it. Boy does he. This man has the groveling figured out. It was so fun to read. They had really great chemistry - but, a really great friendship too. Also, I love Sandy. Her relationship with Penny was so sweet. I loved this smalltown, second chance romance so much! I love all of the characters and getting to see everyone from the previous books. Speaking of, poor Logan. Lol! He probably feels like he needs to bleach his eyes after these first 3 books. HAHA! But, I cannot wait for his story next!
Thank you so much to author M. Hartley, Dreamscape Media, and Netgalley for this ALC opportunity!
Nothing screamsss second chance romance quite like the FMC telling the MMC to GROVEL. *claps* Penny is rightfully pissed off. But, willing to give Mac another chance - but, he has to work for it. Boy does he. This man has the groveling figured out. It was so fun to read. They had really great chemistry - but, a really great friendship too. Also, I love Sandy. Her relationship with Penny was so sweet. I loved this smalltown, second chance romance so much! I love all of the characters and getting to see everyone from the previous books. Speaking of, poor Logan. Lol! He probably feels like he needs to bleach his eyes after these first 3 books. HAHA! But, I cannot wait for his story next!
Thank you so much to author M. Hartley, Dreamscape Media, and Netgalley for this ALC opportunity!
May 16, 2026
Thank you to Dreamscape Media & NetGalley for an ALC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.
I have been absolutely loving the Faircloud series, it’s such a good Cowboy Romance with a picture perfect small town, and the sweetest group of friends who are a found family. The narrator’s did a wonderful job bringing Penny & Mac to life in the audiobook!
Penny & Mac were such a sweet (and omg soooo spicy) second chance romance. I loved that the reason they split up and had to work to get back together was for a very real reason, it made their story that much more raw and emotional. All of that to say it was also so clear in the end these two were always going to be endgame, and I loved their story so much!
I have been absolutely loving the Faircloud series, it’s such a good Cowboy Romance with a picture perfect small town, and the sweetest group of friends who are a found family. The narrator’s did a wonderful job bringing Penny & Mac to life in the audiobook!
Penny & Mac were such a sweet (and omg soooo spicy) second chance romance. I loved that the reason they split up and had to work to get back together was for a very real reason, it made their story that much more raw and emotional. All of that to say it was also so clear in the end these two were always going to be endgame, and I loved their story so much!
May 21, 2026
3.25🌟 *NETGALLEY ALC* 🎧
Plot 🌟🌟🌟
Spice/Chemistry 🌟🌟🌟
Characters 🌟🌟🌟
Narrators 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This one started off strong and definitely felt like a step up in both the chemistry and characters compared to the previous book in the series. I LOOOOVE a good second-chance romance, so I was immediately invested.
The beginning had me hooked, but the middle, especially the groveling, didn’t fully hit for me. I was so looking forward to that part and wanted a little more emotional payoff. That said, the ending wrapped things up nicely, and overall I still had a good time with it.
Plot 🌟🌟🌟
Spice/Chemistry 🌟🌟🌟
Characters 🌟🌟🌟
Narrators 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This one started off strong and definitely felt like a step up in both the chemistry and characters compared to the previous book in the series. I LOOOOVE a good second-chance romance, so I was immediately invested.
The beginning had me hooked, but the middle, especially the groveling, didn’t fully hit for me. I was so looking forward to that part and wanted a little more emotional payoff. That said, the ending wrapped things up nicely, and overall I still had a good time with it.
July 4, 2026
3.75⭐️ I felt the most connected to this book in the series but that could be because three books in I’m growing to know and love all of the characters. The setting is becoming more familiar and I have enjoyed revisiting the town of Faircloud.
Penny had already earned a place in my heart in the previous book so I was excited to jump into this one. Penny and Mac’s story delivered all of the emotions and I enjoyed following their journey.
Cant wait to see where the author will take us next in the series.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Penny had already earned a place in my heart in the previous book so I was excited to jump into this one. Penny and Mac’s story delivered all of the emotions and I enjoyed following their journey.
Cant wait to see where the author will take us next in the series.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
June 23, 2026
Mac is the definition of a man willing to do the work to win his girl back. Watching him tear down his walls, open up his heart, and truly put in the effort to become the man she needed was such a rewarding journey. His growth felt genuine, his vulnerability hit all the right emotions, and by the end, I loved him even more than I did at the beginning.
May 28, 2026
M. Hartley has me in a freaking CHOKEHOLD! This series is top tier small town, with a side of cowboy 🤠
I’ve loved every couple! This story was spicy, fun and I love it so much!
I’ll take the next one now.. PLEASE AND THANK YOU!
I’ve loved every couple! This story was spicy, fun and I love it so much!
I’ll take the next one now.. PLEASE AND THANK YOU!
May 26, 2026
We love a man who grovels. Can we stop romantasizing smoking though?
June 4, 2026
I love Mac and Penny’s story!! Their intense attraction to each other is extra steamy! I’m loving the series and look forward to the next!!! I’m ready for Logan and Ellie’s story!!!
October 25, 2025
Cute book! 3.5? Maybe could have been a 4 if the MMC wasn’t a smoker. Just gives me the ick
November 20, 2025
I really liked Penny & Mac. However, I did feel like the conflict that the whole book was based on was kind of a non-issue. So for me, after the first half, the story kind of dragged a little bit. I really did love the ending though. I’m really enjoying this series and I’ll definitely be reading the last book in the series when it’s out.
Read
July 19, 2025the way i want to say READ THIS BOOK, but m. hartley got picked up as a ✨traditional author✨ soooo we have until who knows for release, buuuuut y'all will love mac & penny like to be expected!! also, SO PROUD OF YOU BB!!🥰🤍🎀✨
June 2, 2026
The Games We Play Book 3 in the Faircloud Series Narrated by Summer Morton and Ryan West.
These two narrators selected for this dual read they perfectly executed the story perfectly with the characters personalities
Mac Ripley and Penelope Hudson. Your story was the one i fell for. I thought it was Theo and Rhodes but you took the cake.
The suspense of what tore these two apart kept me on the edge of my seat until it was revealed.
Penny, I LOVED her. After finding out that Mac had hidden something from her, she cuts him out of her life. I love how she stood her ground and did not make the first move to go back to him. Her glitter prank on him had me laughing and kicking my feet. Even after Mac tried to talk to her, she didn't want to hear it. I loved that she made him grovel to win to her back. He really hurt her and I felt bad, so I was glad she didn't let him back into her life so easily.
Mac groveled in this book and I loved every second of it. I loved how he was willing to do anything to win Penny back. While he frustrated me with his actions and how he just let her walk away, he thought she would cool off and come back to him willingly without him having to show the remorse he felt for the secret he hid. He clearly didn’t know the Penny Hudson in front of him. I do think he redeemed himself. Some of the things he did for her were so cute and creative. This man has all the cards layers out, he knew that winning her back had to be original and he did just that. I mean for Pete’s sake he checked out her favorite romance novels! It was also sweet that he asked their friends for help and the way they all stepped into help Mac win her back. The found family vibes from the group are one in a million.
And this man can GROVEL. If you need lessons boys. Take it up with Mac and The Games we Play he knows what he is doing.
penny found her family in the people she chose: new friends, found sisters, and one fiercely protective old lady who took her in when she needed it most. mac grew up behind the bar always working, always watching. he's built his life by keeping his head down and staying far away from anything that could tie him to his father's messy legacy.
I loved how Mac and Lizzy rebuilt their relationship that was tethered all those years ago from their parents.
When a secret six-month fling turns into something that feels dangerously like more until one mistake tears them apart. Now, mac wants a second chance but she isn't making it easy, and maybe that's exactly what he needs.
When Penny told make to Govel, bitch- dead, deceased. I didn’t think I was coming back after that one.
The ‘red room’ in the bar lives rent free in my head.
And can we talk about the Hail Mary grand gesture that this man pulled off. I was stunned of the thoughtful need he went through and the hunt he lead her on. These two couldn’t have been better for aired together.
"You showed me that love isn't easy. It's earned. You made me better, Pen. You made me want to be better.!"
Those eyes could bring any man to his knees, Penelope.
The way this man calls her Penelope. I about died every time. His endearment to her had me holding on to everything this man did to show up for her and they were with it.
“The best love stories are built choosing to stay even after things fall apart not because it’s easy because it’s worth it”
“You’re my undoing, pen.”
“I am completely irrevocable yours.”
Flirty, emotional, small town goodness with sooo much heart. The audiobook made me love these two even more. I have fallen in love with how M.Hartley writes her small town romances. And am looking forward to Logan and Ellie in Where we First Fell coming out 7/21/26.
These two narrators selected for this dual read they perfectly executed the story perfectly with the characters personalities
Mac Ripley and Penelope Hudson. Your story was the one i fell for. I thought it was Theo and Rhodes but you took the cake.
The suspense of what tore these two apart kept me on the edge of my seat until it was revealed.
Penny, I LOVED her. After finding out that Mac had hidden something from her, she cuts him out of her life. I love how she stood her ground and did not make the first move to go back to him. Her glitter prank on him had me laughing and kicking my feet. Even after Mac tried to talk to her, she didn't want to hear it. I loved that she made him grovel to win to her back. He really hurt her and I felt bad, so I was glad she didn't let him back into her life so easily.
Mac groveled in this book and I loved every second of it. I loved how he was willing to do anything to win Penny back. While he frustrated me with his actions and how he just let her walk away, he thought she would cool off and come back to him willingly without him having to show the remorse he felt for the secret he hid. He clearly didn’t know the Penny Hudson in front of him. I do think he redeemed himself. Some of the things he did for her were so cute and creative. This man has all the cards layers out, he knew that winning her back had to be original and he did just that. I mean for Pete’s sake he checked out her favorite romance novels! It was also sweet that he asked their friends for help and the way they all stepped into help Mac win her back. The found family vibes from the group are one in a million.
And this man can GROVEL. If you need lessons boys. Take it up with Mac and The Games we Play he knows what he is doing.
penny found her family in the people she chose: new friends, found sisters, and one fiercely protective old lady who took her in when she needed it most. mac grew up behind the bar always working, always watching. he's built his life by keeping his head down and staying far away from anything that could tie him to his father's messy legacy.
I loved how Mac and Lizzy rebuilt their relationship that was tethered all those years ago from their parents.
When a secret six-month fling turns into something that feels dangerously like more until one mistake tears them apart. Now, mac wants a second chance but she isn't making it easy, and maybe that's exactly what he needs.
When Penny told make to Govel, bitch- dead, deceased. I didn’t think I was coming back after that one.
The ‘red room’ in the bar lives rent free in my head.
And can we talk about the Hail Mary grand gesture that this man pulled off. I was stunned of the thoughtful need he went through and the hunt he lead her on. These two couldn’t have been better for aired together.
"You showed me that love isn't easy. It's earned. You made me better, Pen. You made me want to be better.!"
Those eyes could bring any man to his knees, Penelope.
The way this man calls her Penelope. I about died every time. His endearment to her had me holding on to everything this man did to show up for her and they were with it.
“The best love stories are built choosing to stay even after things fall apart not because it’s easy because it’s worth it”
“You’re my undoing, pen.”
“I am completely irrevocable yours.”
Flirty, emotional, small town goodness with sooo much heart. The audiobook made me love these two even more. I have fallen in love with how M.Hartley writes her small town romances. And am looking forward to Logan and Ellie in Where we First Fell coming out 7/21/26.
May 29, 2026
🚨 SPOILER ALERT: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
I am giving The Games We Play by M. Hartley a 4.5-star review. ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
I'm a sucker for a small-town second-chance romance, especially when it features a sort of grumpy MMC like Mac Ridley and a sort of sunshine FMC like Penny Hudson! This book checked so many boxes for me, bringing all the cozy, high-tension country vibes right to my Kindle.
ALC Disclosure: A massive thank you to NetGalley for providing the advanced listening copy (ALC) of this audiobook! I am so grateful for the opportunity to listen and share my honest thoughts.
The Review
The Games We Play takes us deep into a charming, tightly knit small town where past history refuses to stay buried. The story follows Mac Ridley and Penny Hudson, former flames who are thrown back into each other's orbits years after a painful breakup. While the small-town backdrop provides the perfect blend of nosy neighbors, familiar haunts, and undeniable charm, it's the unresolved emotional baggage between Penny and Mac that takes center stage. Watching them navigate their current realities while constantly tripping over the ghosts of their past makes for an incredibly addictive, high-tension ride.
The Good
The character dynamics in this book are absolutely elite. Mac is the perfect brand of "sort of grumpy" that makes you want to uncover what's hiding beneath his tough exterior, and Penny shines as the absolute perfect "sort of sunshine" foil to his moodiness. Their chemistry is instantaneous and undeniable.
I'll be honest, the romance is incredibly passionate, and the spice was certainly spicing in this one! M. Hartley does not hold back when these two finally give in to their attraction. Beyond the heat, the narrative arc moves at a wonderful clip, blending sweet small-town moments with sharp, emotional confrontations that keep you completely locked in.
The Not So Good
To be entirely honest, for me, the reason they split up in the first place was a bit silly. Miscommunication, or a total lack of communication, played hard in this game where it shouldn't really have to... but hey, without it there's no second-chance romance story! While the stubborn refusal to just sit down and talk things out at the beginning had me shaking my head a little bit, the rest of the book was so thoroughly enjoyable that I was more than happy to overlook it.
🎧 AUDIOBOOK CORNER
Listening to this story unfold was a really fun experience, though it had one major missing piece for me. I'll say that again: I missed the southern accent that, for me, was completely necessary in these characters given the small-town setting! It took a second to adjust to the lack of a twang, but the rest of the production was absolutely stellar. The overall performance, tone of voice, and pacing were absolutely perfect, capturing the emotional highs and laugh-out-loud moments beautifully.
I am giving The Games We Play by M. Hartley a 4.5-star review. ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
I'm a sucker for a small-town second-chance romance, especially when it features a sort of grumpy MMC like Mac Ridley and a sort of sunshine FMC like Penny Hudson! This book checked so many boxes for me, bringing all the cozy, high-tension country vibes right to my Kindle.
ALC Disclosure: A massive thank you to NetGalley for providing the advanced listening copy (ALC) of this audiobook! I am so grateful for the opportunity to listen and share my honest thoughts.
The Review
The Games We Play takes us deep into a charming, tightly knit small town where past history refuses to stay buried. The story follows Mac Ridley and Penny Hudson, former flames who are thrown back into each other's orbits years after a painful breakup. While the small-town backdrop provides the perfect blend of nosy neighbors, familiar haunts, and undeniable charm, it's the unresolved emotional baggage between Penny and Mac that takes center stage. Watching them navigate their current realities while constantly tripping over the ghosts of their past makes for an incredibly addictive, high-tension ride.
The Good
The character dynamics in this book are absolutely elite. Mac is the perfect brand of "sort of grumpy" that makes you want to uncover what's hiding beneath his tough exterior, and Penny shines as the absolute perfect "sort of sunshine" foil to his moodiness. Their chemistry is instantaneous and undeniable.
I'll be honest, the romance is incredibly passionate, and the spice was certainly spicing in this one! M. Hartley does not hold back when these two finally give in to their attraction. Beyond the heat, the narrative arc moves at a wonderful clip, blending sweet small-town moments with sharp, emotional confrontations that keep you completely locked in.
The Not So Good
To be entirely honest, for me, the reason they split up in the first place was a bit silly. Miscommunication, or a total lack of communication, played hard in this game where it shouldn't really have to... but hey, without it there's no second-chance romance story! While the stubborn refusal to just sit down and talk things out at the beginning had me shaking my head a little bit, the rest of the book was so thoroughly enjoyable that I was more than happy to overlook it.
🎧 AUDIOBOOK CORNER
Listening to this story unfold was a really fun experience, though it had one major missing piece for me. I'll say that again: I missed the southern accent that, for me, was completely necessary in these characters given the small-town setting! It took a second to adjust to the lack of a twang, but the rest of the production was absolutely stellar. The overall performance, tone of voice, and pacing were absolutely perfect, capturing the emotional highs and laugh-out-loud moments beautifully.
June 13, 2026
Overall: 3.5
Audio: 4 stars, Story, 3.5ish Stars
I've completely fallen for the little town of Faircloud, Texas. As the third book in the series, this felt like such a fun return to a world and cast of characters I've grown really attached to. The found family vibes are still top tier, the romance delivered, and Mac absolutely grovels for his woman.
Penny and Mac's story is a second chance romance packed with chemistry, history, and plenty of heart. Their relationship is messy in the way second chance romances should be. There are hurt feelings, mistakes, and a whole lot of unresolved emotions standing between them. But watching Mac work to earn Penny's trust again was easily one of my favorite parts of the book. This man was willing to try everything to win her back. And a tattooed bartender reading her favorite romance novels for research? Say less.
Penny takes a minute to get on board with. She's somehow super likable yet immature all at once. And definitely over dramatic. She's funny, vibrant, and just full of feelings. I especially loved seeing the family she built around herself. The friendships, the found sisters, and her relationship with Sandy added so much heart to the story and reminded me why I love small town romances so much. She definitely grew on me, especially seeing her through Mac's eyes.
The chemistry between Penny and Mac was fantastic. The banter was fun, the emotional moments landed, and when things finally heated up...the spice was absolutely spicing. These two balanced vulnerability and attraction really well, which made their connection feel believable and easy to invest in.
One thing that didn't work quite as well for me was the dual timeline structure. The story moves between past and present, showing both their relationship and the aftermath of their breakup. While I appreciated seeing the full picture of their journey, it sometimes took me a minute to reorient myself, especially since the same characters were present in both timelines. It wasn't enough to lessen my enjoyment, but it did occasionally pull me out of the story. I think it just needed better sequencing of the past and present.
What stood out most was the growth. Both Penny and Mac have things they need to work through, and watching them confront old hurts and figure out who they are individually made the romance feel stronger. Mac's vulnerability in particular really won me over. Seeing him open his heart, own his mistakes, and genuinely put in the work made the eventual emotional arc feel very well fought.
I experienced this one on dual audio and absolutely flew through it. Summer Morton and Ryan West did such a wonderful job bringing Penny and Mac to life. They captured the emotional moments, the humor, the vulnerability, and all of that unresolved tension so well. Their performances made it easy to stay immersed in the story, and I genuinely had a hard time pressing pause. This was my favorite audiobook performances of the series so far.
What to Expect
🏡 Second Chance Romance
🏡 Tatted Bartender x Librarian
🏡Small Town Romance
🏡 Found Family
🏡 Past & Present Timelines
🏡 Groveling Hero
🏡Friends to Lovers
🏡 Emotional & Spicy Romance
🏡 Strong Female Friendships
Audio: 4 stars, Story, 3.5ish Stars
I've completely fallen for the little town of Faircloud, Texas. As the third book in the series, this felt like such a fun return to a world and cast of characters I've grown really attached to. The found family vibes are still top tier, the romance delivered, and Mac absolutely grovels for his woman.
Penny and Mac's story is a second chance romance packed with chemistry, history, and plenty of heart. Their relationship is messy in the way second chance romances should be. There are hurt feelings, mistakes, and a whole lot of unresolved emotions standing between them. But watching Mac work to earn Penny's trust again was easily one of my favorite parts of the book. This man was willing to try everything to win her back. And a tattooed bartender reading her favorite romance novels for research? Say less.
Penny takes a minute to get on board with. She's somehow super likable yet immature all at once. And definitely over dramatic. She's funny, vibrant, and just full of feelings. I especially loved seeing the family she built around herself. The friendships, the found sisters, and her relationship with Sandy added so much heart to the story and reminded me why I love small town romances so much. She definitely grew on me, especially seeing her through Mac's eyes.
The chemistry between Penny and Mac was fantastic. The banter was fun, the emotional moments landed, and when things finally heated up...the spice was absolutely spicing. These two balanced vulnerability and attraction really well, which made their connection feel believable and easy to invest in.
One thing that didn't work quite as well for me was the dual timeline structure. The story moves between past and present, showing both their relationship and the aftermath of their breakup. While I appreciated seeing the full picture of their journey, it sometimes took me a minute to reorient myself, especially since the same characters were present in both timelines. It wasn't enough to lessen my enjoyment, but it did occasionally pull me out of the story. I think it just needed better sequencing of the past and present.
What stood out most was the growth. Both Penny and Mac have things they need to work through, and watching them confront old hurts and figure out who they are individually made the romance feel stronger. Mac's vulnerability in particular really won me over. Seeing him open his heart, own his mistakes, and genuinely put in the work made the eventual emotional arc feel very well fought.
I experienced this one on dual audio and absolutely flew through it. Summer Morton and Ryan West did such a wonderful job bringing Penny and Mac to life. They captured the emotional moments, the humor, the vulnerability, and all of that unresolved tension so well. Their performances made it easy to stay immersed in the story, and I genuinely had a hard time pressing pause. This was my favorite audiobook performances of the series so far.
What to Expect
🏡 Second Chance Romance
🏡 Tatted Bartender x Librarian
🏡Small Town Romance
🏡 Found Family
🏡 Past & Present Timelines
🏡 Groveling Hero
🏡Friends to Lovers
🏡 Emotional & Spicy Romance
🏡 Strong Female Friendships
June 6, 2026
Gotta say the mechanic bull scene was fun!
Even though second chance romances are not my cup of tea and this story wasn't necessarily the exception, I have to admit the work of Summer Morton and Ryan West was so good that it made me enjoy the book.
On the other hand the story felt a bit redundant and lackluster going back and forth in time and then just stop doing it was also not for me, I do recognize it is a me thing with second chance romances, but again all the flowers for the narrators because otherwise i would have rated this book lower.
~Blurb~
Penny Hudson found her family in the people she chose—new friends, found sisters, and one fiercely protective old lady who took her in when she needed it most. Life in Faircloud was never picture–perfect, but Penny survived it with laughter and her favorite music cranked up loud.
Mac Ridley grew up behind the bar at The Tequila Cowboy, always working, always watching. He’s built his life by keeping his head down, stacking tips, and staying far away from anything that could tie him to his father’s messy legacy. Emotions? Not in the game plan.
But when friends and circumstance throw Penny and Mac together, a secret six–month fling turns into something that feels dangerously like more until one mistake tears them apart.
Now, Mac wants a second chance. But Penny isn’t making it easy, and maybe that’s exactly what he needs. Because this time, charm won’t cut it. If he wants her back, he’ll have to prove it with effort, with honesty, and maybe even on his knees.
The man so used to being chased becomes the chaser in The Games We Play: a flirty, fiery, small-town romance about second chances and fighting for the love you almost lost.
Tropes:
Second Chance Romance
Yearning
Small Town
Groveling
Tattooed MMC
Found Family
The Games We Play audiobook is already out, make sure to check it out!
Thanks to M. Hartley, Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for sending this ALC in exchange for my honest review
⭐ ⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Even though second chance romances are not my cup of tea and this story wasn't necessarily the exception, I have to admit the work of Summer Morton and Ryan West was so good that it made me enjoy the book.
On the other hand the story felt a bit redundant and lackluster going back and forth in time and then just stop doing it was also not for me, I do recognize it is a me thing with second chance romances, but again all the flowers for the narrators because otherwise i would have rated this book lower.
~Blurb~
Penny Hudson found her family in the people she chose—new friends, found sisters, and one fiercely protective old lady who took her in when she needed it most. Life in Faircloud was never picture–perfect, but Penny survived it with laughter and her favorite music cranked up loud.
Mac Ridley grew up behind the bar at The Tequila Cowboy, always working, always watching. He’s built his life by keeping his head down, stacking tips, and staying far away from anything that could tie him to his father’s messy legacy. Emotions? Not in the game plan.
But when friends and circumstance throw Penny and Mac together, a secret six–month fling turns into something that feels dangerously like more until one mistake tears them apart.
Now, Mac wants a second chance. But Penny isn’t making it easy, and maybe that’s exactly what he needs. Because this time, charm won’t cut it. If he wants her back, he’ll have to prove it with effort, with honesty, and maybe even on his knees.
The man so used to being chased becomes the chaser in The Games We Play: a flirty, fiery, small-town romance about second chances and fighting for the love you almost lost.
Tropes:
Second Chance Romance
Yearning
Small Town
Groveling
Tattooed MMC
Found Family
The Games We Play audiobook is already out, make sure to check it out!
Thanks to M. Hartley, Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for sending this ALC in exchange for my honest review
⭐ ⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
May 25, 2026
This book annoyed the absolute bejesus out of me. For the first quarter of the book, we’re tossed back and forth between the present day, where our FMC is angry and feeling deeply betrayed by something the hot bartender she was hooking up with did, and flashbacks showing their relationship. We aren’t given the details, but it’s framed like some earth-shattering betrayal.
So naturally I’m thinking: okay, he’s sleeping with other women… maybe there’s a secret baby… something MAJOR. But no! The big reveal ends up being a giant pile of nothing about him getting drunkenly married in Vegas. Seriously, it’s the dumbest non-issue imaginable, and this dull, milquetoast FMC acts like it’s some unforgivable act of treason.
Mind you, she finds out this information by violating his privacy and opening his mail. Ma’am. Y’all are glorified fuck buddies. You have some REAL audacity here.
Anyways, fast forward two months and she still doesn’t know the full story because she refuses to talk to him. Then when he finally forces the conversation and explains his side (which is completely reasonable and honestly shows no real wrongdoing) and she tells him, “You need to grovel.”
Grovel for WHAT, dummy? For not telling you something that was frankly none of your business when y’all weren’t even in a committed relationship?
I was honestly rooting for this man to walk his fine ass right out the door because WHAT are we doing here?! She deserved exactly zero groveling. He did nothing wrong, and she truly was not worth the trouble.
Meanwhile, this poor man is dealing with a mountain of family drama, which she of course barely cares about because she’s so painfully self-centered. By the end, I just wanted to shake him and tell him to go find a baddie who actually deserves his time.
So naturally I’m thinking: okay, he’s sleeping with other women… maybe there’s a secret baby… something MAJOR. But no! The big reveal ends up being a giant pile of nothing about him getting drunkenly married in Vegas. Seriously, it’s the dumbest non-issue imaginable, and this dull, milquetoast FMC acts like it’s some unforgivable act of treason.
Mind you, she finds out this information by violating his privacy and opening his mail. Ma’am. Y’all are glorified fuck buddies. You have some REAL audacity here.
Anyways, fast forward two months and she still doesn’t know the full story because she refuses to talk to him. Then when he finally forces the conversation and explains his side (which is completely reasonable and honestly shows no real wrongdoing) and she tells him, “You need to grovel.”
Grovel for WHAT, dummy? For not telling you something that was frankly none of your business when y’all weren’t even in a committed relationship?
I was honestly rooting for this man to walk his fine ass right out the door because WHAT are we doing here?! She deserved exactly zero groveling. He did nothing wrong, and she truly was not worth the trouble.
Meanwhile, this poor man is dealing with a mountain of family drama, which she of course barely cares about because she’s so painfully self-centered. By the end, I just wanted to shake him and tell him to go find a baddie who actually deserves his time.
June 6, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.75 Stars)
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!
This was another sweet visit to Faircloud, Texas, and while it wasn’t my favorite in the series, I still enjoyed my time with these characters.
Mac and Penny’s story is a second chance romance filled with growth, healing, and plenty of heart. Mac definitely earns points for putting in the work and showing up for Penny when it mattered most. I always appreciate a hero who actually has to work for his second chance, and Mac was willing to grovel when needed.
Penny was easy to root for, and I especially loved the found family aspects woven throughout the story. The small-town setting continues to be one of my favorite parts of this series, and Faircloud feels like a place I’d genuinely love to visit.
The audiobook was fantastic! The dual narration really brought the emotions, chemistry, and vulnerabilities of both characters to life. I found myself getting pulled into the story even more because of the performances.
My biggest issue was that this one felt a little longer than necessary at times, and I wasn’t quite as invested in the romance as I was with some of the previous couples. That said, there was still plenty to enjoy, and I loved seeing the groundwork being laid for future books.
If you enjoy second chance romance, small-town settings, found family, a tattooed hero, and a MMC willing to put in the work, this one is definitely worth checking out!
✨ Tropes ✨
📚 Second Chance Romance
🖤 Tattooed MMC
🏡 Small Town Romance
❤️ Found Family
🙏 MMC Grovel
#BookReview #RomanceBooks #SmallTownRomance #AudiobookReview #NetGalleyReads
October 7, 2025
“𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝓈𝒽𝑜𝓌𝑒𝒹 𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓈𝓃’𝓉 𝑒𝒶𝓈𝓎. 𝐼𝓉’𝓈 𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓃𝑒𝒹. 𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝓂𝒶𝒹𝑒 𝓂𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇, 𝒫𝑒𝓃. 𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝓂𝒶𝒹𝑒 𝓂𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇.”
After reading and loving the first two books in this series, I just knew that I had to read Penny and Mac’s story.
I loved Penny. After finding out that Mac had hidden something from her, she cuts him out of her life. I love how she stood her ground and did not make the first move to go back to him. Her glitter prank on him had me laughing. Even after Mac tried to talk to her, she didn’t want to hear it. I loved that she made him grovel to win to her back. He really hurt her and I felt bad, so I was glad she didn’t let him back into her life so easily.
Man, did Mac grovel in this book and I loved every second of it. I loved how he was willing to do anything to win Penny back. While he did frustrate me with his actions and how he just let her walk away, I do think he redeemed himself. Some of the things he did for her were so cute and creative. It was also sweet that he asked their friends for help.
I loved these two together. They had such great chemistry! I also loved getting snippets of Boone, Aspen, Theo, Rhodes, Logan and Ellie. They were great additions to the story and I loved seeing where they were at in their relationships.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I really enjoyed the pacing and loved how the long the groveling took. I would definitely recommend this book if you love a second chance, found family, small town romance.
Thank you to M. Hartley, Page and Vine and Luv Books Club for the ARC for an honest review.
After reading and loving the first two books in this series, I just knew that I had to read Penny and Mac’s story.
I loved Penny. After finding out that Mac had hidden something from her, she cuts him out of her life. I love how she stood her ground and did not make the first move to go back to him. Her glitter prank on him had me laughing. Even after Mac tried to talk to her, she didn’t want to hear it. I loved that she made him grovel to win to her back. He really hurt her and I felt bad, so I was glad she didn’t let him back into her life so easily.
Man, did Mac grovel in this book and I loved every second of it. I loved how he was willing to do anything to win Penny back. While he did frustrate me with his actions and how he just let her walk away, I do think he redeemed himself. Some of the things he did for her were so cute and creative. It was also sweet that he asked their friends for help.
I loved these two together. They had such great chemistry! I also loved getting snippets of Boone, Aspen, Theo, Rhodes, Logan and Ellie. They were great additions to the story and I loved seeing where they were at in their relationships.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I really enjoyed the pacing and loved how the long the groveling took. I would definitely recommend this book if you love a second chance, found family, small town romance.
Thank you to M. Hartley, Page and Vine and Luv Books Club for the ARC for an honest review.
June 14, 2026
Thank you to M Hartley for this ALC!
Another amazing second-chance romance and this has easily been my favourite book in the series so far! From the very first chapter, I was completely invested in Penny and Mac’s story and found myself hooked on every moment of their journey.
Penny and Mac’s chemistry was undeniable, but what I loved most was the depth of their history and the emotional complexity that came with reconnecting after time apart. Their relationship felt authentic and layered, making every interaction meaningful. The author did a fantastic job of balancing heartfelt, emotional moments with lighter scenes that made me smile and kept the story moving at the perfect pace.
Watching Penny and Mac work through past hurts, misunderstandings, and unresolved feelings was both rewarding and emotional. Their growth as individuals and as a couple made their eventual reconnection feel earned and incredibly satisfying. I found myself rooting for them from beginning to end and desperately wanting them to find their way back to each other.
The writing was engaging, the romance was swoon-worthy, and the emotional payoff was everything I hoped for in a second-chance romance. This book kept me turning pages late into the night because I simply needed to know what would happen next.
Without a doubt, this is my favourite instalment of the series so far and I’m already counting down the days until I can read the third book as an ARC in a few weeks!
Another amazing second-chance romance and this has easily been my favourite book in the series so far! From the very first chapter, I was completely invested in Penny and Mac’s story and found myself hooked on every moment of their journey.
Penny and Mac’s chemistry was undeniable, but what I loved most was the depth of their history and the emotional complexity that came with reconnecting after time apart. Their relationship felt authentic and layered, making every interaction meaningful. The author did a fantastic job of balancing heartfelt, emotional moments with lighter scenes that made me smile and kept the story moving at the perfect pace.
Watching Penny and Mac work through past hurts, misunderstandings, and unresolved feelings was both rewarding and emotional. Their growth as individuals and as a couple made their eventual reconnection feel earned and incredibly satisfying. I found myself rooting for them from beginning to end and desperately wanting them to find their way back to each other.
The writing was engaging, the romance was swoon-worthy, and the emotional payoff was everything I hoped for in a second-chance romance. This book kept me turning pages late into the night because I simply needed to know what would happen next.
Without a doubt, this is my favourite instalment of the series so far and I’m already counting down the days until I can read the third book as an ARC in a few weeks!
June 6, 2026
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Spice: 3-3.5🌶️
There’s always something so special about a second chance romance, and The Games We Play delivered all the emotions! I loved the immediate connection between Penny and Mac and how their chemistry never faded, even after everything they’d been through. While Penny is understandably hurt, I appreciated that she was willing to consider a second chance without losing sight of her own worth. Mac completely won me over with his determination to earn her trust back rather than expecting forgiveness. Their friend group was also a highlight and definitely helped create some fun moments as they nudged these two back together. The spice absolutely delivered!
I also enjoyed the flashbacks and getting a deeper look at their relationship before the breakup. My only hesitation was that the story felt a bit longer than necessary in places, but overall, I really enjoyed watching Penny and Mac find their way back to each other.
Ready for your next small town second chance romance? Def pick up The Games We Play!
Tropes
•second chance
•small town
•librarian/bartender
•groveling
•banter as foreplay
Spice: 3-3.5🌶️
There’s always something so special about a second chance romance, and The Games We Play delivered all the emotions! I loved the immediate connection between Penny and Mac and how their chemistry never faded, even after everything they’d been through. While Penny is understandably hurt, I appreciated that she was willing to consider a second chance without losing sight of her own worth. Mac completely won me over with his determination to earn her trust back rather than expecting forgiveness. Their friend group was also a highlight and definitely helped create some fun moments as they nudged these two back together. The spice absolutely delivered!
I also enjoyed the flashbacks and getting a deeper look at their relationship before the breakup. My only hesitation was that the story felt a bit longer than necessary in places, but overall, I really enjoyed watching Penny and Mac find their way back to each other.
Ready for your next small town second chance romance? Def pick up The Games We Play!
Tropes
•second chance
•small town
•librarian/bartender
•groveling
•banter as foreplay
December 2, 2025
⭐️ 4 | 🌶️ 2
I loved this fresh twist on a second-chance romance where the story takes place in that space between the third-act breakup and the HEA, felt refreshing.
The cat-and-mouse energy, between Penny and Mac, the flirty one-upmanship, the “who’s going to break first?” tension… perfection. Mac’s grovelling Elite. Top-tier.
The found family vibes were strong too, watching their friends rally behind Mac’s mission to win Penny back added so much heart. Not to mention Sandy loved the pseudo-grandmother relationship, between her and Penny and her heart-to-heart were full of sweetest, love and subtle life lessons.
The truce between Mac and Lizzie was another highlight. Seeing them acknowledge they were shaped by messy parents, but still choosing to do better and show up for each other, showed real character growth.
And that grand gesture at the end… with Mac pouring his heart out via a notes app speech. Adorable 🥰.
M. Hartley’s writing has come so far since her debut with the first book on this series. I cannot wait to see what in store for Ellie & Logan’s story next.
I loved this fresh twist on a second-chance romance where the story takes place in that space between the third-act breakup and the HEA, felt refreshing.
The cat-and-mouse energy, between Penny and Mac, the flirty one-upmanship, the “who’s going to break first?” tension… perfection. Mac’s grovelling Elite. Top-tier.
The found family vibes were strong too, watching their friends rally behind Mac’s mission to win Penny back added so much heart. Not to mention Sandy loved the pseudo-grandmother relationship, between her and Penny and her heart-to-heart were full of sweetest, love and subtle life lessons.
The truce between Mac and Lizzie was another highlight. Seeing them acknowledge they were shaped by messy parents, but still choosing to do better and show up for each other, showed real character growth.
And that grand gesture at the end… with Mac pouring his heart out via a notes app speech. Adorable 🥰.
M. Hartley’s writing has come so far since her debut with the first book on this series. I cannot wait to see what in store for Ellie & Logan’s story next.
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