What Next

A River Road #3

by M.J. Hughes

No-strings-attached, no settling down, nothing serious; the words Paul Simmons, Barker University's hotshot goalie, has lived by. That is, until this arrangement with his best friend, Susie Cobble. An arrangement that has him teaching her everything there is to know about being confident.
But when lines are crossed, what's real versus what's fake becomes blurred, and there's one thing for this isn't just an arrangement for him anymore.

Self-confidence isn't a strong characteristic for Susie Cobble, not after what happened to her in high school. But she's determined to get back what she once had and she knows just the person to turn to for help.
Her new best friend, Paul Simmons, the man who radiates confidence in every way.
The plan is three lessons and they go back to their normal.
But how do you go back to normal when you've fallen for your best friend, knowing he couldn't feel the same?

Right?

394 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 21, 2026

About the author

Just an Oklahoma Indie Author chasing dreams of becoming a USA Bestselling Author, and spreading my books around the world 💗

I'm currently working on a spicy, college, hockey romance standalone series, A River Road Series, with the first two books available: What If and What Now 🏒


FIND ME ON MY SOCIAL MEDIA! 🫶🏻

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Newsletter: https://m-js-newsletter.beehiiv.com/

Reviews

[Leah Bodily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review from advanced copy from author! 🫶🏻

Holy Guacamole! I wasn't sure Paul was going to be able to top Jake, but he most definitely did! 🥵

Paul & Susie are to die for! Their friendship was amazing before anything else happened, which was so sweet and wholesome! The banter was top tier and the spice was so well written!

Their individual stories really pull at your heartstrings! Having friends really does make all the difference!!

I didn't ever wanna put this book down and I'm so sad it's over! Thanks M. J. for allowing me to read this beautiful work of art!

[Betty Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hockey romances are my way addiction. I’m happy to have had the opportunity to give this book a read and review.
The Susie and Paul’s story is set around a college hockey team where Paul is their star goalie and Susie is part of the team’s large friend group.
Susie and Paul are close in the terms of friends but their friendship becomes the foundation for what grows into more and that’s what completely sweet about this story.
The slow burn on the front side of the story really sets the stage for their growing feelings and you completely feel it! It’s there ever growing and becoming something neither of them can deny.
The major draw to the story for me was reading as Paul’s evolution from being a no strings/no relationships guy to falling so hard for one of his best friends and realizing that for the right person you can be the right boyfriend.
Building a stellar supporting cast of friends is important for a story like this one where the friends are an integral piece of the book. And this is a really cute friend group who are more like a family than anything else.
I found the book easy to read and even easier to fly through chapters. I am looking forward to reading more by M.J. Hughes!

[Hollie Feathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

* ARC READ*

Paul and Susie.. man oh man! I was a Jake Wiley girl through and through, but Paul may have just taken that top spot! The goalie with trauma, who fell in love with the best friend?! Need I say more? The way he loves and protects not only everyone in his friend troop but the sunshine girl! Man oh man! LANE ROSS deserved way more than a broken nose!!!!

Susie!!!!! Ma'am!! The trauma she went through during high school was awful, but to have the group of friends that she does, and to have the goodest friend in Paul? The way they work together to help her overcome her trauma? *chefs kiss*

And we can't forget about memes! The foul mouthed grandma who raised Paul when his egg donor didn't want to step up? She deserves the MVP!!

I can't wait for book 4!!!!!

[Alysa Ramos · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC READ*

Yet another amazing story. These hockey boys have my heart truly.

Paul and Susie are so freaking cute.
Besties turned lovers.

A past trauma has her not feeling confident about herself, so when the star football player asked her on a date she freaks out and asks her best friend for help.
They make an agreement that he will help her build up her confidence again and help her prepare for this date. But doing that while having feelings for her isn't going to be easy. On top of that, she starts to catch feelings too.

it was really good. I love the funny banter between all of the friends. Getting to continue to hear their stories always makes my heart happy.

Already can't wait for the next book. Clay and Lucy? 😏🤔

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book without having read the first two books in the series, and while there were a few moments that felt a bit confusing and a lot of characters to keep track of, it didn’t take away too much from the overall experience. I was still able to enjoy the story and follow along well enough.

The dating coach sessions were a highlight of the book, very fun and engaging.

One of the standout elements for me was the romance and the smut. Their chemistry was great, and I especially loved how often Paul checks in for consent: We love a king who gets consent!!! It was respectful and genuinely sexy. The dirty talk was 🔥🔥. When Paul talks her through it? 🥵

Overall, this was an enjoyable and entertaining read.

Thank you to M.J. Hughes for the Advanced Reader Copy!

[Charity Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed What Now and What If. But What Next is definitely my favorite of the River Road Series. Paul and Susie definitely belong together.
Paul is a self-proclaimed sexy, cocky, one and done kind of guy. Unless it comes to Susie, then he's protective teddy bear. Susie thinks she isn't strong, but boy, is she wrong.
What Next is a Hockey romance. With sassy banter, macho 6 players (until a dog gets involved), women who are strong minded, and some hard topics to talk about. With some spice that doesn't take away from the plot.

[Whitney Dutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's go to the boy aquarium!
Paul Simmons, the man you are, and the way you would burn the world for Susie Q. Good girl and baby... just words for some, but these words are everything to Susie.
Hurt her and die mode activated in all the best ways, and this book truly can't be beat.
Also, if Billy Randall doesn't get his damn dog out of Meme's yard, we're going to war!

[Connie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 did not disappoint. Loved their story and I have enjoyed reading about these friends becoming more. I had all the feels and emotions right along with the characters. 🤞🏻Hoping for a Book 4!!! 🧡🏒🤎🦫💚💙

[Sara Mendoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed getting to know Paul and Susie in this book! The character development was beautiful. There were moments that had me laughing, and moments where I felt the same anger as the characters. Definitely worth the read!