Play For Keeps: A Not His Baby x Forced Proximity Hockey Romance

Los Angeles Comets

by Alexandra Silva

She’s the governor’s daughter.
He’s hockey’s most dangerous playboy.
One night ruined everything.
Now, the truth could destroy them both—
unless love does first.

FULL BLURB COMING SOON

Genres: Sports, Sports Romance

714 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 1, 2026

About the author

Alexandra Silva is a USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense. Her stories are raw, heartfelt, and sexy. With flawed, dirty talking and sexy as hell heroes, and feisty heroines that give them a run for their money.

Alex is a tequila loving book hoarder. She lives in London with her boys and man, as well as their three cats.

Salted Caramel Coconut lattes are a real weakness, along with dark, taboo romance and angst heavy new adult reads.

She blames the classics and a nutty English teacher for her obsession with books and fiction. Come rain or shine with either coffee or wine in hand, you can find her with her nose stuck in a book and her head in the clouds.

FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM / TWITTER / BOOKBUB / AMAZON

Reviews

[ReadingWithNikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏒💗 Matheo Said “That’s My Baby” and I Folded 💗🏒

I read the first book in the series, Falling Offsides—Auguste and Courtney—but missed books two and three (Elijah, Jayden, and Fin 👀). Honestly though, I didn’t feel lost stepping back into the world of the LA Comets.

That said… yeah, I’ll be circling back because now I need everyone’s story 😌📚

OMFG MATHEO.
This man was EVERYTHING.

The way he showed up for Christina during her pregnancy—even knowing the baby might not be his—had me in my feelings the entire time. From the moment he found out, there was zero hesitation: she was his and that baby was his. 🥹

And the moments???
THE MOMENTS.

🧸 Bringing home a stuffed animal to match the baby’s size each week??? I’m unwell.
🔥 “Hold on to the headboard” — sir… respectfully… I folded.

He wasn’t just sweet—he was intentional, protective, and completely all in. He cared for both of them so deeply, and you could feel it in every single scene.
Now let’s talk about Professor Elliot Colesdon…
Immediate ick. Instant dislike. Straight to jail 🚫

From the second we meet him, you know something’s off—and it only gets worse. The way he treated Christina had me ready to fight fictional characters like it was my full-time job 😤
But what I loved most?

For every moment she was torn down, Matheo was right there lifting her back up—reminding her how strong, capable, and absolutely badass she is. And THAT is the energy we deserve 👏

This was such a satisfying HEA for Christina and Matheo, and I’m officially locked back into the LA Comets world. I need more of these characters, more stories, and more men setting the bar this high 🔥

#ReadingWithNikki 💗📚 #SportsRomance 🏒 #BookBoyfriendEnergy 💕 #ProtectiveHero 🔥 #HEAFeels ✨ #PregnancyTrope 🤍 #SpicyReads 🌶️ #KindleThrowMoments 😤 #RomanceReadersOfIG 📖

[Kat Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much to love about Matheo and Christina, the next couple in Alexandra’s LA Comets world.
Matheo grabbed me immediately when we see him in the previous books. I loved Christina and Finely’s friendship in Break the Ice and Cross the Line and I couldn’t wait to see what happened after she and Matheo “bump in to each other”. He is so endearing and obsessed with her that it broke my heart they weren’t together. There’s a right person wrong time element to their story that kept me on the edge of my seat.
Alexandra always writes a love story with deep connections that make me emotional in the best way. Literally all the feels and Mattie and Tee were no exception. Mattie is confident and constant and so easy to love and swoon over. Christina is strong and capable. She deserves a person who sees her and knows what she needs when she can’t articulate it herself. To stand beside her or even behind her to support the strength she already has. She doesn’t need to be saved. She needs a partner. Matheo gets that. It was so fulfilling to read them evolve as a couple as the book goes on. Their chemistry is on fire! Even though they are both very confident they don’t duel for control. They willing hand it over to each other which made their sexy time burn up the pages. Daddy Matheo… oh my ovaries! They are better together and I think Alexandra always writes that so beautifully.
The dark part of what Christina is going through when the story starts set a tone that made me really needing justice to be served.
I am in love with this series! Each book has grabbed at my heart and taken me through all the emotions. By the end of each of the books the characters have become part of my book family that will undoubtedly live in my heart forever.

[Imogen Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christina
Matheo

Thank you for this ARC Alexandra and team!

I love a good hockey romance, they are my faves.

I inhaled this book like a cigarette and I don’t even smoke 🔥 Easiest 5⭐️ read ever!!

Guys who call their woman ‘my girl’ like hot hot hot 🔥 He was calling her his girl as soon as the book started

They have such cute nicknames for each other like ahhhh, he calls her different things in his language 🥹 he is a lovesick puppy from the get go for her

Christina’s character and what she goes through is so emotional and gut wrenching, she was so vulnerable and I loved how she eventually opened up. I just wanted to go into the pages and hug her, nobody should go through what she did but she was super strong

This book made me cry from the very start so I recommend tissues!!

Matheo you are adorable. Ladies and gentleman if you want a man who crawls for their girl then this is the book for you!

Love the found family in this, you can tell how much all of the characters love and support each other through thick and thin like a real family should. Matheo when he was told the baby had a slim chance of being his but he was all in regardless and also how supportive others were about the topic, it gave Christina strength to push forward

If you’re looking for a book that has hockey, found family, drama, cute animals, a pining MMC then this one is for you

No Virgins- He was a playboy before her.
He is also Pierced and Tattooed down below 🥵

No condom use- she is pregnant and they have both been tested for STI’s. I am assuming he has used them in the past

10/10 recommend

[MaeReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️
4/5🌶️

Tropes:
🍼Unexpected Pregnancy
🏒Second Chance
🍼Banterrrr
🏒Man Obsessed
🍼Found Family Vibes
🏒Trauma + Healing

Triggers:
‼️some serious triggers here so please read the lovely warning at the beginning <3

Summary:
The book opens with Christina (FMC) and Matheo (MMC) as they reunite at their friends' wedding. They previously had a fling, which Christina broke off. Of course, that's kinda crazy because their chemistry is OF THE CHARTS YALL! After they hook up, Christina is no where to be found and Matheo is YEARNING! She soon finds out that she is pregnant and loses her job. Even though there is a good chance the baby is not Matheo's, he swoops in to help her in every way she'll let him, even when she's too proud to ask for help.

Let Me Rant Yall
Ok, the first and only thing you need to know before you read this is that Matheo is a captial Y yearner and will stop at nothing to please his girl. He was such a supportive, breath of fresh air to all the hardship Christina was going through. It made me so sad (and yes, I cried like a baby through half the book) to see Christina suffer so much. I have to give props to Ms. Alexandra Silva for making one of THEE strongest, most powerful FMC's ever. And I loved that we sort of saw her learn that it doesn't take away from her strength to lean on others, like Matheo and Finley, her best friend, when she's going through something. That it's okay to let others in and let them see your emotions. Ugh okay, I'll stop gushing over it now, but seriously, this book is where it's at with the unexpected pregnancy trope.

Thank you to Alex Silva + Julie Race for the ARC, I ate that book UP! 💗💗

[Della · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I am not going to lie, I applied to get an ARC of Play for Keeps with the intention of reading the other novels in the Los Angeles Comets series first, but ran out of time. This means I started the novel with trepidation as I was worried I wouldn't get as much out of the characters and the length of the novel was also intimidating!

But boy, did I get proved wrong.

I instantly fell in love with the plot line and both the FMC and MMC. I could immediately relate to our fierce, independent FMC Christina. She is someone who is so used to having to work through issues on her own that when she meets Matheo, who would (and does) crawl on his knees for her, she really doesn't know how to cope.

What made Play for Keeps a five star read for me was the emotional growth of both characters. I love a sports romance, but I find often you just get the spice and the sport, without the emotion and Alexandra Silva had me on a chokehold and feeling all the feels.

This book is perfect for fans of
🏒 hockey romance
💔 reformed playboy x escort
🫦 yearning
🤰 not his baby
🤲 acts of service
🏵️ secret tattoo
🫂 found family
👩‍🎓 women in STEM
🏡 forced proximity
🍆 c*ckwarming
🧎 he crawls
🚫 s-x ban
🧷 pierced MMC
🧘 plus-size FMC

I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this ARC by Alexandra Silva 🥰

[B Worthington · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Y'all are not ready for the perfection that is @alexandrasilvaauthor 's new novel, Play for Keeps 😍🔥

This book is part of an interconnected series but it's the first one I read and it can definitely be read as a standalone (although I will absolutely be going to read the previous books asap).

Matheo is absolutely obsessed. He is so head over heels for Christina from day one and from the moment he learns about "Smudge", he's all in for that precious baby as well, regardless of the fact it is likely not biologically his baby. He is telling anyone who will listen (and anyone who won't) that Christina will be his wife. There is no turning back for him.

Christina is in a vulnerable position, being taken advantage of and scared to commit to Matheo because of the possible repercussions. She's seen the perfect examples of what love shouldn't be and she isn't sure if she can truly be chosen and loved unconditionally.

Matheo is ready to actively prove her wrong.

You will fall in love with this couple, their found family, and their pets.

There is high spice, incredible banter, drama, and so much love. ❤️

This was my first Alexandra Silva book but it sure won't be my last.

#arcreview #kindleunlimited #hockeyromance #hefallsfirst #spicyromance

[Ivy Fern · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book felt like I was reading a dark romance at times. Especially when I read that content warning page. Alas, I am a curious person and dove into it.
How can one explain this book and the roller coaster of feelings you get in it? I personally feel like any summary would be a disservice but I’ll try.
Both the MCs are well built; they have dept; they have a bond that had me giggling and kicking my feet at times; and there’s a baby. Now, let me tell you I am not the biggest fan of pregnancy plots BUT this one felt so different.
I only have about… two complaints? But I still felt they affected me enough to not give the 5 stars to this book.
I personally don’t love when characters use random words in another language out of the blue and Matheo does that sometimes throughout the book. I can’t exactly explain why; but having random words in other languages thrown in sentences feels weird to me. The second thing is more on me. I; admittedly; have not read the first book. This book is technically a standalone but ,giving a poor comparison, it’s a standalone like any books in the Mile High series is a standalone. You can read it; and you will eventually catch on but you will be grasping at straws for at least the first ten pages.

[Desiree Hogue · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

Mattie and Tee both have my heart! This was a book that made me feel all of the emotions. Their relationship started a little rocky but was full of so much love. I loved learning about the MCs separate pasts as well as the history they had together. I loved how these two communicated with each other, and I really felt like they had such a healthy relationship with one another. They were able to over come so much! This book has a great found family, and I loved their interactions as well. This was the first book I had read of this series, however I loved it so much, I plan to go back to read about the previous characters as well, and look forward to the next books! I will love to see more of Mattie and Tee in the future. A "not my baby" book is one of my favorite tropes, and I loved how committed Mattie was immediately to Tee and their baby. He was definitely a man obsessed, and he ended up becoming one of my favorite book boyfriends! I loved the suspense and obstacles that were added in this book and loved seeing how the different characters overcame the drama that was thrown their way. Alexandra Silva really knows how to make us fall for her characters, and I cannot wait to read more of her books!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Definitely recommend!

[Bella Russo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.6 / 5 ⭐
Spices: 4.4 / 5🌶️

Play For Keeps is an emotionally rich sports romance that blends passion, vulnerability, and healing into a story that feels both intense and deeply human. Set within the high-energy world of professional hockey, the novel goes beyond the typical romance formula and instead explores what it means to feel safe with another person after life has taught you not to trust love easily.

At the heart of the story are Christina and Matheo, two characters whose chemistry is undeniable from the very beginning. Their dynamic is charged with tension, banter, and a push-and-pull that makes every interaction feel meaningful. Even in the opening chapters, their connection is written with a sense of familiarity and emotional weight, showing how attraction.

What stood out most to me was the emotional depth and the way the story explores vulnerability and personal growth. The pacing leans toward the slower side at times, but it allows the characters and their relationship to develop in a meaningful way.

Overall, this is a heartfelt and engaging romance that will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven stories with emotional substance and supportive relationships.

[Diana Garcia Del Prado · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Please. I don’t do love. Love’s just a four letter word in my world, and it means nothing. Zero. Zilch”

Meet Christina, our FMC, who has serious commitment issues and refuses to believe she may have some pretty strong feelings for a certain hockey player.

“It was like someone rewired my heart. Like my rhythm finally made sense for the first time. And now, when she’s not around, it’s like something’s missing.”

Now meet Matheo, our MMC, who is absolutely obsessed with Christina and will stop at nothing to prove they are meant to be.

And honestly…they are.

Matheo and Christina’s story was so beautiful and unique. This isn’t your typical romance story, Christina is dealing with real hardships, and the story shows a lot of growth from both characters as they learn to navigate that together. The author did an incredible job building their relationship in a way that feels genuine and emotional.

I was so unbelievably hooked from start to finish, it is hard to believe this is a 700 page book.

If you’re looking for a book where he literally crawls to her, worships her, and is fiercely protective (like willing to unalive someone protective), this is it.

Rating: 5/5
Spice Level: 3/5

[Diatee Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made me cry. A LOT.

This story was a rollercoaster of emotions.
The ANGST in this ?! Unbelievable.

We have Christina, our strong female lead who suffers HELL. Every time I saw her suffering and keeping it internally, I was SCREAMING, tell someone, please baby !! My girl had more assholes in her life and less good people. However, I'm glad she has Matheo.

Matheo, he was perfect for Tee. He WORSHIPS the fuck outta Tee and would literally do ANYTHING for her! How he had easily accepted Tee's baby even knowing that it's not his just because it's a part of Tee.

“The tide never stays gone. It always comes back to shore. It comes home. And that’s what we are, Tee. You’re the tide, and I’m the shore.”

This describes their relationship perfectly.

There were also a few villains,that I wished I could MURDER. ESPECIALLY that creep of a professor.

Overall, the plot was heartbreaking and moving ( I dunno how many tissue boxes I finished), the characters endearing ( aside from the disgusting and hateful villains), the spice was HOOTTT. Like blazing hot and it was quite a satisfying read.

Highly recommend it to readers who love angst , a brave FMC and a golden retriever MMC who worships his lady.

This is my unbiased review of this book.

[C Lou Gray]

Although a lot of this book is set around Christina being a college student studying for a diploma, this very much didn’t feel like a typical college romance.

6 months on from Christina ending her fling with hockey star Matt, their paths cross once more at her best friend’s wedding. She resigns herself to have one last night with him but that decision has sinister consequences.

Now pregnant with no certainty of the paternity, the book follows Christina and Matt as they navigate their relationship, Christina’s gruelling studies, and her secrets which threaten to ruin them all.

The book is packed with suspense, a vulnerable FMC, a sweetheart baby daddy, and a strong case of found family. It’s a really wholesome story with a happily ever after, though the journey to get there is really challenging.

A huge thanks to Alexandra’s team for the opportunity to read this eARC!

About the book:
▫️Mature college romance (25/29yo)
▫️Possibly not his baby
▫️Friends with benefits to lovers
▫️Sports backdrop (hockey - not pivotal to the plot)
▫️Suspense
▫️Found family
▫️Open door spice (Chapters 2, 16, 17, 19, 24, 29, 34, 40 & 41)

Warnings:
▪️sexual assault (on page, fade to black)
▪️murder (off page

[Marielena “Marlee” · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an easy 5-star read for me. The story had just the right amount of spice—perfectly balanced without ever overpowering the plot. The writing itself felt incredibly polished, making it effortless to get lost in the world and fully immerse myself in the characters’ journey.
Matteo and Christina’s chemistry was undeniable. Their connection felt natural, layered, and genuinely compelling, which made every interaction between them so enjoyable to read. I also really appreciated the strong representation of family relationships—it added depth and warmth to the story and made everything feel more grounded and real.
One of my favorite aspects was the pacing. Nothing felt rushed. I had the time to truly get to know the characters, understand their motivations, and become emotionally invested in their story. It made the payoff that much more satisfying.
This book delivered on all fronts—plot, romance, character development, and overall storytelling. It gave exactly what I was hoping for and more. I’m already looking forward to reading more of Alexandra’s work and spending more time in the Comets world.
Highly recommend—definitely a 5-star read!

[Mandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Alexandra Silva and now I've already started to gobble up everything else she has written.

Without a doubt, Mattie & Tee will stay in my heart and mind for the rest of my life. Not only for the love, we all hope to find in life.But for everything they fought and overcame for that love.

I ugly girl sobbed for christina throughout most of this book, I cried just as many happy tears for her as well. She is without a doubt the fiercest FMC I have ever read. She has lived a life that would have broken most people, and yet she remained strong. Matheo jusy personifies joy. He is loud and fun in everything he does.There is not a single moment in this book that he was not putting christina first.

I have never in my life wanted a happy ending for a couple more than I wanted one for Mattie and Tee. Ok ok ok maybe for Niko and Bran if you really know me 😂 but these two were an extremely close second.

And I haven't even mentioned the amazingly hot, bilingual, tatted, PIERCED (4 of them 😉) brazilian hockey player who loves her baby like she is his! And I mean, never once wavering, that she is his daughter.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

So grateful to have received this ARC read and it did not dissapoint! 👏🏻

A hockey romance that 4% in and we’re already in the spice?? Say less 😝 No slow burn needed when the chemistry is THIS good.🌶

My heart broke for Christina right away (Professor Colesdon = absolute trash, respectfully 🥊), and Matheo?? Certified golden retriever energy. The way that man yearns… I was DONE. And not even fazed about the baby possibly not being his?? SIR 🫠

The spice hit every time — and that “hold the headboard” moment followed by him literally CRAWLING to her?? Goodbye. I’ve ascended.😫

I was FLYING through the pages when it came to that labour scene — stress levels 📈📈📈

Loved the found family vibes and all the side characters (I’m a sucker for that trope), and honestly even without reading the others, I was hooked.

Only tiny gripe: could’ve been a bit shorter in places… and I needed a paternity reveal 😭

But overall?? If you love sports romance, a top-tier MMC, drama, tension, and DOGGOS… this one’s IT 🐶🏒💖

[alexia’s romance library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an arc review, I was given the ebook by the author and her team in exchange for my honest opinion ✨

I’ll start off by saying that this is my first time reading anything by Alexandra Silva and that should be a crime by itself! I can’t believe I didn’t know this author before getting the chance to be an arc reader for this book!

Playing for keeps in intense, is emotional, the plot is constantly hooking you in so you can’t put it down and the chemistry between Matheo and Christina could spark a fire if left unattended. There is a reason by obsessed heroes are superior and Matheo represents this category in every way imaginable. The nicknames? The constant unwavering support? The loyalty he has to her above all? This is what romance books are made of.

I love this book and I’m quite mad at myself that this is book 5 and I’ve missed out on reading the series before but I’ll be diving in to catch up on all the previous HEAs and after reading this arc, Alexandra Silva is on my shelf of authors to follow for sure. Thank you for the arc! It’s a very well deserved 5 star read ✨

[Readswithdari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc Review

•Hockey romance
•Unexpected pregnancy
•Obsessed MMC
•Trauma/healing
•Found family
•Spice 4/5🌶️
•HEA

I really enjoyed this book. Matheo and Christina’s relationship was just so sweet and they had really good banter. Matheo is such a sweetheart and a big yearner, from the moment he met Christina he was all in and completely obsessed. And when he finds out about the baby he immediately falls in love with smudge and steps into the role of fatherhood, which was so heartwarming to read. I also loved how he always reminded Christina how amazing, smart and beautiful she is and how she deserves everything in the world, even when she struggles to see it herself. Christina has been through so much, and throughout the book you see her strength and resilience, it was heartbreaking seeing everything she went through but watching her grow and work through her trauma was really great to see. Both Matheo and Christina have their own traumas and seeing them be there for one another and support each other through tough times was beautiful.

[Lemonnyyy · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏒💛Play For Keeps by Alexandra Silva💛🏒

714 Pages

Los Angeles Comets Book 4

Oh my lordy, what a journey this book takes you on! I was so ready to keep reading about them, they may be my favourite couple on the Comets.

Their chemistry is undeniable and you can feel the sexual tension between them as if you were in the same room, and this did not waiver throughout, I am absolutely besotted by them and their journey I was not ready for it to end!

Christina and Matheo are put through the ringer from the get go and have many hurdles to navigate before getting their Happily Ever After, and boy does it keep you on the edge of your seat, as always I love a book that brings back characters from previous books in the series and how their lives have progressed since the events of their own books,

I would highly recommend this book as well as the previous in the Los Angeles Comets Series! For Fans of Hockey Romance, Forced Proximity, Not His Baby, Yearning, Found Family and some very very delicious Spicy Goodness.

[Mindy Diegel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this books from the beginning. Christina is a tough cookie. She is a person who is used to having to figure out life on her own. She is an independent sassy firecracker. Who isn't having the best luck at the moment. Matheo just barges into her life and turns it upside-down. He is so into her it is not even funny. He grabs on with both hands and just will NOT let go. He gets under her skin and she can not shake him no matter how hard she tries. Mattie is a charming big hearted hockey player that has a mischievous streak a mile wide when it comes to her. He will do ANYTHING for her and anything to win her. When he finally wins her over it is magic. I love watching them find their rhythm.  Watching him take care of her is something to behold. He is so gone for her it is insane. He sets the bar very high.  He will set the world on fire and tear it down for her. I'm so glad that they are getting their happily ever after cause they both deserve it after all that they have been through!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a rollercoaster.

It was heavy with emotions from the beginning and you could already tell this was gonna be a hard emotional book.

Matheo is known as the playboy who is loud and isn't serious. But he proves them all wrong and shows them he was just waiting on his girl to be ready for him!
He was everything Christina needed and the rock in all the craziness that kept happening to them.

Christina was a mess. Her life was anything but easy or peaceful and all she wanted was to take care of everyone around her and make sure she didn't drag anyone down.
Her story was not a pretty one and it was so hard to read sometimes her self hate and struggles.

This book is not a cute story and you need to be prepared for the rough subjects in it.
But the author makes up for all the emotional traume with some very hot 🔥 scenes and trust me when I say you are not ready!

[Morally Gray Shae · Rating 4 out of 5]

🖤 DAMAGE REPORT
went in: having read the first 3 books of the series
first impression: confused / intrigued / immediately hooked
reading experience: easy / emotional / all-consuming
the romance felt: soft / intense / obsessive
my moral compass: intact / questionable / gone
attachment level: casual / invested / I would defend them in court

Darkness: light / grey / dark
obsession level: mild / consuming / life-ruining
sleep after finishing: slept / stared at ceiling / immediately started another book
would I survive this relationship: yes / no / willingly not
book hangover: none / mild / severe
would I reread: yes / no / already thinking about it
final condition: stable / fragile / destroyed
no-spoiler thoughts: This book has everything I love in a hockey romance!

[Jocelynne Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how the book includes a playlist that deepened the mood while I read, and the pregnancy-centered drama—mixed with angst, chemistry, suspense, and well-balanced spice—kept me hooked to the very end. It sometimes felt like a dark romance, but the main characters were well developed and their bond (plus the family dynamics) added real warmth and depth. My only drawbacks were occasional random foreign words in dialogue and some initial confusion from not having read the first book, though overall the pacing, polished writing, and character development made it an immersive, satisfying read that left me eager to explore more in the same world.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carleigh boose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Play for Keeps was such an emotional and heartfelt read.

Christina’s story really hit me she had to grow up fast and survive in a world that kept getting harder. With her dad turning his back on her while she supported her mom, she ended up taking a path most people wouldn’t even consider just to make ends meet.

And Matheo… wow. I absolutely loved him. A pro hockey player with a huge heart, all he wanted was to protect Christina and keep his family safe. His backstory was heartbreaking too especially everything involving his dad and the loss of his twin. It added so much depth to his character.

One of my favorite parts was Matheo’s mom and sister along with his hockey family. They brought so much warmth to the story and added that strong found-family element. The way they all showed up for Christina when she found out she was pregnant.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It had emotion, found family, and a strong romance that kept me hooked the whole time.

[Chloe Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve ever read from this series and oh. My. God. It is everything. A Not his baby hasn’t always been my favourite trope but Matheo Hillier.. take a bow. He is a MAN. THE MAN. The relationship, chemistry and banter between him and Christina (FMC) is so good. I related to Christina so much, in the way that she never feels good enough, never feels deserving of love unless someone wants something from her but when Mattie came along and proved to her she is worthy, reminding her how incredible she is, just being present and seeing her, it’s everything. Still waiting for my real life Mattie but until then, this one can hold a top spot for book boyfriend!

5 stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 every day of the week.

[Cody Ray Hawes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okayyyy okayyyy where do I start!

First I can’t believe this book was over 700 pages!?👀 it definitely didn’t feel that way! I fell in love so quickly he’s definitely the golden retriever and she is a black cat. She has to take care of everyone and you can tell that it’s a burden for her and he just wants to help. He just wants to love her.

First of all sex ban crazy!👀 KINKY LOVE thank you for that😂🤭

I definitely think I’m gonna read this book again because I just kept crying out of frustration, sadness, anger sometimes when I was happy, I was just giggling and crying at the same time!

🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Courtney Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow. DO NOT let the 700 pages intimidate you. You will miss an AMAZING book. I could not put it down once I finally sat down to read it. Some angst, great spice, and all the feels❤️

Christina has so much going on in her life. Trying to finish her grad thesis, supporting her and her recovering addict mom, work, an asshat of a professor, and Matheo the persistent hockey player. Then, life throws her an impossible decision.

All Matheo knows is that Christina is his. His girl, his future, his Coração. And no one will change that. No matter how far she runs, he will always he there for her. And the baby she's growing? Yeah, thats his too, no matter the DNA.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an emotional experience this book is!!! The way Matheo makes my heart melt, how strong Christina is, how she learns to let Mattie in... their chemistry I could feel! This is the first book I've read in this series and now I'm going back to books 1 and 2!! Seriously loved how detailed Alexandra wrote this book... you think 714 pages is a lot but they are very well written and didn't feel that long to me, I was sucked in and couldn't put it down!! And the way Daddy Mattie was... going on the top of my book boyfriend list for sure!!! Definitely recommend if you like found family, not his baby, he falls first, burn the world for her, hockey romance!!

[Heather Deffley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hit so hard in so many ways! Mattheo and Christina are brilliant and all their furr babies.

So many elements of this book I could resonate with, especially the pregnancy complications and the prem baby, having suffered through both of those myself I loved how accurate the writing was and how it worked into the story so effortlessly.

Mattie is the absolute best MMC and totally amazing. Protective, possessive, thoughtful, caring and rich 😜.

This is a brilliant book and I would recommend reading. Xx

[Chareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I experienced a lot of emotions while reading this book.
This book had some heavy themes. Check your triggers before reading it.
I fell in love with Matheo. He is obsessed and knows what he wants.
He shows up for Christina and becomes the man she deserves and needs.

You clearly need to read this book because it’s amazing, well-written, and really good. It's easy to care about and love the main characters.

[Belize Esperanza Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent 30% angry & the asshat professor
then 40% crying because the asshat professor
then 10%crying wanting to hug tee because the asshat professor
then 10% crying again because baby gabby was to precious
the remaining 10% i was swooning at our matheo because he was something special. basically if you want to cry for 3 days straight then pick this up because it was sooooooo good