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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

Published February 21, 2026

8 people are currently reading
42 people want to read

About the author

M.J. Hughes

3 books82 followers
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! 🫶🏻

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_mjhu...

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5 stars
29 (44%)
4 stars
24 (36%)
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10 (15%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for Sia.
30 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 20, 2026
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I’m gonna be honest—the main reason I requested this ARC was because of the tropes. They really intrigued me, and they’re the kind of storylines I usually enjoy. Unfortunately, though, I just couldn’t get into it this time.

I wasn’t able to get past chapter 12, and honestly, I was forcing myself to read. The book didn’t capture my interest, and the writing style just wasn’t for me. I really wanted to enjoy it, but it didn’t quite click, and I wasn’t connecting with the characters or the story.

So, unfortunately, I can’t say much about the book itself. It’s not that it’s a bad story—just not the right fit for me at this moment.

ׂ╰┈➤ Tropes
•Friends to lovers
•Slow burn
•Spicy romance
•Hockey romance
•“Teach me”
•Sunshine girl x hockey playboy
Profile Image for Leah Bodily.
107 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 22, 2026
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!
Profile Image for Alexandra Vaverka.
139 reviews9 followers
January 7, 2026
ARC REVIEW: Releases 02/21/2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️🌶️

Look at that! First 5⭐️ read of 2026 and of course it was the third book of the River Road series that I’m obsessed with.

Every single book of hers just gets better and better and this one was no different. I love this friend group and their dynamic so much. Paul is such an angel and I loved watching him fall harder and harder for our Susie Q. Friends to lovers isn’t my favorite trope just because it can get very redundant and I live for the tension. This author packed the tension tenfold. It was bursting at the seams and dying to fly off the page! Not to mention the character development we get to see from our Barker U playboy. I am a sucker when an MMC changes for that one girl in his life.

This is such a fun series to read and it started my love for hockey (in real life) and hockey romances. Each one of her books are so different from the other and I enjoy getting to read about previous characters. Also, 2 adorable new characters make their debut and I loved them! Overall, this friends to lovers was perfectly executed and was filled with amazing character and relationship growth!

#arc #whatnext #mjhughes #hockeyromance
Profile Image for Anahi Moore-Medina.
8 reviews
February 1, 2026
What Next by M.J. Hughes is hands down my favorite book in the River Road Series so far and yes, it’s a spicy hockey romance done right.

This one brings the heat while still delivering real emotion and character growth. The “teach me” dynamic was written so well, consensual, tender, and incredibly swoony, without ever feeling rushed or overdone. The chemistry? Off the charts. The connection? Deep, genuine, and earned.

What really sets this book apart is the balance. You get spice, but you also get vulnerability, healing, and those quiet moments that make the romance feel real. The characters feel grounded and familiar, and their journey feels meaningful, not just steamy for the sake of it.

As the third book in the series, What Next feels confident and fully realized. It’s reflective, romantic, and emotional in all the best ways. If you love hockey romance with heart—and a very well-written “teach me” trope—this one is a must-read.

Releasing February 21st. Huge congratulations to local Oklahoma author M.J. Hughes, and thank you for the ARC 🤍
20 reviews
January 7, 2026
Okay girls sit down and get comfy as this next book in this hockey romance series is that good! If you have read the first two books by MJ Hughes, you’re in for a ride for sure. This third book has a splash of Liam & Clara’s can’t tell if they like each other with Jake & Leah’s hush hush about the relationship. It was so good and I loved how their relationship molded and finally blossomed. I cannot wait for her next book to come out and see who the next friends to lovers is!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amanda.
8 reviews1 follower
January 9, 2026
Absolutely LOVED this story. Definitely my favorite of the River Road books so far. Paul and Susie’s friends-to-lovers story was adorable, funny, and sexy. Can’t wait to see where the gang ends up in the final book!
Profile Image for Trista Martin .
488 reviews33 followers
January 19, 2026
Light, fun, and exactly what I wanted in a hockey college romance. Great chemistry, playful banter, and just the right amount of swoon. Easy to read, low angst, and totally addictive. Perfect feel-good read. 🏒💙
Profile Image for Desiree  Raburn .
75 reviews
February 13, 2026
What Next by MJ Hughes
Book 3 in the River Road series (can be read as a standalone, but you'll gain more from starting with book 1 in the series)

⭐️⭐️.5 (rounded up to 3 for Goodreads)
🌶

👨‍🏫 Dating coach/student
🏫 College setting
❤️ Found family
😏 Who hurt you?
💔 Emotional healing

Have you ever had that best friend that you call your best friend because you secretly want more and can't admit it because you're scared to lose that person all together?  That's Paul and Susie! But an opportunity presents itself - for Paul to coach Susie for an upcoming date with a hot football player, and it's just too good to pass up. But they both catch feelings and aren't sure if they're ready to admit it.

I liked the friend group dynamic which was a big element to the book.

I liked the concept for the book but I didn't really vibe with the characters, and at times, the dialogue seemed forced.  It felt more like I was reading about high schoolers than college aged characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.What Next by MJ Hughes
Book 3 in the River Road series (can be read as a standalone, but you'll gain more from starting with book 1 in the series)

⭐️⭐️.5 (rounded up to 3 for Goodreads)
🌶

👨‍🏫 Dating coach/student
🏫 College setting
❤️ Found family
😏 Who hurt you?
💔 Emotional healing

Have you ever had that best friend that you call your best friend because you secretly want more and can't admit it because you're scared to lose that person all together?  That's Paul and Susie! But an opportunity presents itself - for Paul to coach Susie for an upcoming date with a hot football player, and it's just too good to pass up. But they both catch feelings and aren't sure if they're ready to admit it.

I liked the friend group dynamic which was a big element to the book.

I liked the concept for the book but I didn't really vibe with the characters, and at times, the dialogue seemed forced.  It felt more like I was reading about high schoolers than college aged characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
27 reviews
January 16, 2026
6 ⭐️

Read if you ❤️
🏒reformed playboys
🏒found families
🏒he falls first, and harder
🏒he teaches her (in more ways than one😉)
🏒secret relationships
🏒flirty MMCs
🏒possessive MMCs
🏒foul-mouthed grandmothers
🏒rambunctious chi-weenies
🏒no third act breakups
🏒🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book was EVERYTHING. It was funny and sweet and reflective and swoony and spicy and everything I never knew a hockey romance could be. For my first Hockey Romance, M. J. knocked it ouf it the fucking park (or should I say puck? 😉)

I came into this series having not read book 1 or 2, and other than sometimes getting names and spouses mixed up, not once did I ever feel like a truly missed any important lore (since this book did an amazing job of providing context clues and lore). 10/10 in the standalone interconnected series department.

I ADORED Susie and Paul’s dynamic. From the shameless flirting on his end to the constant banter and can we talk about her fucking growth and confidence?!?! They were too cute.

Truly fell in love with not only our MCs relationship but everyone else’s and the friend group. A found family if I’ve ever fucking saw one.

I will be working backwards and catching up on the rest of the series while I impatiently wait on book 4 with Clay and Lucy’s delicious enemies to lovers trope that I know is brewing.

Thank you to M.J. Hughes and her publisher for an advanced ebook copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for ReviewsByNic .
69 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 8, 2026
What Next by M.J. Hughes
3.5 out of 5 stars (rounded up for Goodreads)
ARC

Thank you M.J. and NetGalley for this early copy. All parts of this review are of my honest opinion 💚

Although this may not have been for me, I think plenty of people would enjoy the book. It has a great concept of teacher x student but not in the traditional sense. This is a book where the teacher has a lot of experience and has agreed to help his best friend (the student) overcome some insecurities and become more confident in order to go on a date. Both of these friends like the other, but are too afraid to say anything. With this arrangement, lines are crossed and blurred, leading to enhanced feelings and spicy moments.

It's a guaranteed HEA which most of us can't help but enjoy. So if you love:

💕 Friends to Lovers
🐌 Slow Burn
🌶 Spice
🏒 Hockey
👨‍🏫 "Teach me'
☀️ Sunshine FMC x Playboy MMC

Check it out and see if it's for you. As for explaining what wasn't for me, here's a few points. The writing style in the first half was a little more less refined than I would have liked. It put me off of it some but once I got halfway through, it did improve, just felt more high-schoolish. I also felt some disconnect between all the characters, more so the side ones. It just felt like they were placed there randomly, but I think that disconnect may disappear some as the series continues or if you read the other books.
Profile Image for Betty Wong.
390 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 2, 2026
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!
Profile Image for Kathleen Hoffman.
187 reviews1 follower
February 11, 2026
Ok…. In the beginning of this book, I thought it was going to be a DNF or a one to two star rating. At about 30% though, the light started shining.

I’m just going to jump right in with my thoughts here as the author’s synopsis will tell you what it’s about. You have several tropes here: friends-to-lovers, dating coach, slow burn, etc.. They are all done fairly well overall. My problem here is in the beginning. It was really slow and the writing style seemed a little out of my age group. The beginning of the book felt more YA with more mature themes later on. I was much more interested in the Clay/Lucy dynamic than I was our two leads….this is still the case. If I remember, I will go back and read that one once she publishes it.

Being totally honest, I wasn’t interested enough to go back now and read the first two books and as I said, the beginning of this book was a tough pill to swallow. If you make it past that though, there are some good things happening here and I was smiling by the time I finished it. It was overall a 3 star read. It could have definitely been better but it was cute and I can see a WHOLE LOT of potential for the next book.

Thank you to M.J. Hughes and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.
Profile Image for Patty.
397 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 19, 2026
This is a cute fun book. Story about puckboy Paul and sunshine-y girl, Suse. In their friends group, they are bff, give each other nicknames, sass. But what you don't know is that Suse has body image issue from her high school trauma, and when a cute guy asked her out - she needed help. She felt like her girlfriends would just try to boost her up without really truly helping. So she solicited help from Paul. Paul has harbor a crush on Suse for sometime, but when Suse asked for help, he's going to be there for his BFF.

Paul being a truly good coach. Taught her how to be confident, how to speak up, how to ask for what she wants, and not get ran over like a carpet. But one thing after another, the air got intense....

It's a cute story, definitely predictable but we're here for it. The writing is quick and cute. Love the showcase of the group friends dynamic. You don't feel like you have to have read the other books in order to understand what's going on here even though the other characters relationships have progressed and you can see it played out here. I'm glad author didn't leave those of us who came in the middle behind. That group of ride and die is the truest of friendships.

Thank you NetGalley & Victory Co-Op for the ARC.
Profile Image for Kerri Dice.
3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 15, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

What Next was everything I hoped it would be and more! M.J. Hughes continues to deliver that perfect blend of spice, heart, and small-town hockey romance that made What If and What Now such fun reads.

🏒Friends to lovers
🏒Slow burn
🏒Found family
🏒Hockey romance
🏒“Teach me”
🏒Sunshine FMC x playboy MMC

I loved the friends to lovers energy and the “teach me” dynamic between Paul and Susie. The slow-burn romance kept me turning pages, but what really stood out was how much these characters felt like real people with messy histories, genuine growth, and that perfect blend of vulnerability and sass.

The banter on and off the ice, the found family feel among teammates and friends, the non-stop flirting and those quiet moments of connection all made this one hard to put down. If you love swoony leads, believable friendship dynamics, and sports romance with guts and heart, What Next is absolutely worth adding to your Goodreads shelf! 💕🫶🏻


*** I want to note that I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. ***
Profile Image for Rosi Colmenares.
92 reviews1 follower
January 25, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC.
I’m a sucker for hockey romance and wow… this one had me BLUSHING. I need a Paul in my life immediately. How is a fictional man making me kick my feet like this???

I love a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers situation, and the little arrangement they have?? Amazing.

Spicy books are usually hit or miss for me because if there’s no emotional tension, I’m bored. This book understood the assignment when it comes to tension. I need buildup. I need longing. I need anticipation. And when the spice finally hit?? WORTH IT.

Also, for a book with this many characters, it flowed really well. Nothing felt confusing or overwhelming. And I am such a sucker for an MMC who actually changes and steps up for the woman he wants, Paul DELIVERED.

This was a fast, light, spicy, feel-good read. Perfect for getting out of your head after a long week. I read it in 24 hours because I literally couldn’t put it down, and now I’m sad it’s over.

Highly recommend. I’ll absolutely be reading more from this author
Profile Image for Michelle.
67 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 27, 2026
This is book 3 in the A River Road series. It is a hockey romance, best friends to lovers, featuring Paul Simmons and Susie Cobble.

This book was so fun and realistic. It dealt with past traumas for both the MMC and the FMC in a realistic way. This is a couple who, gasp, actually TALK to each other. They share feelings and what they have been through to make them feel the way they do about specific things. It was SO refreshing to see that in a romance novel!

When Susie needs a friend, Paul is there for her, always. The reverse is also true. When Susie is unsure how to feel confident in herself, in her own skin, for a date with the hottest football player on their collage campus, she recruits Paul for "lessons" in confidence. Soon enough those lessons are starting to work on Paul!

Will these two best friends find their way to each other and if so how? What will their friends group think and do our hot shot goalie and sweet cheerleader care? Grab this book when it releases and find out! You'll be glad you did!
1,005 reviews13 followers
February 18, 2026
Paul and Susie’s story was absolutely darling.

This college-age sports romance catches your heart!

Susie had a horrible experience in highschool, violated in a way that many of us fear, and in a public space, so she struggles with guys when they express interest in her.
Paul, exposed to a troubled childhood with an addict mother, and raised by his awesome Grandma ‘Meme’, doesn’t do anything beyond hookups…

Due to the nature of their friendship groups, they end up becoming fast friends, and he’s the one she turns to for dating help…

I loved this, a bit of push-pull, it was low angst and they frustrated me at times. But, they were sweet friends, a sweet couple and I adored the entire dynamic of their group, and the book!
I missed the first in the series, but I’ll certainly be continuing along with the next!

Tropes:
* College romance
* Sports romance
* Hockey player x cheerleader
* Best friends to more
* Slight OM drama
* Dating coach
* Found family

Safety:
Bullying, public shaming, mentions of drug use, mental health rep
Profile Image for Ashley Masiclat.
3 reviews
February 21, 2026
****

Chp 11: "As a guy, I find Susie, attractive sweet, and the fucking sunshine to a cloudy day,so..." Chp 25 Susie "It was Paul I kept comparing him to. It was Paul I wanted to be flirting with me."

A cute, college type best friend to lovers romance. I started this book four days ago I began to love this hockey and cheerleader romance, best friends to lover. Susie Cobble who's a sweet, smart girl, and she eager to do her best on anything especially as a cheerleader I completely relate to her when she feels like struggling she's too afraid to ask and yes I also like that until Paul Simmons. Paul Simmons is hockey player at Baker University in his senior year when it came to his Q I am proud of him for agreeing on helping her coach and get confident. The dream of having a guy as your coach omgggg plsss if there always an intertwine conversation between these two I couldn't put it down, frfr. If you like hockey romance this the book for you and comes out Feburary 21st, 2026!!! I can't wait for you all to read their story!
Profile Image for Kathrine Bak.
57 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 9, 2026
Thank you to the author, M.J. Hughes, for providing me with an ARC of What Next (via NetGalley) prior to publication.

The storyline is well described in the blurb, so I won't repeat it here. But I will say, that I did like it, and I liked both Susie and Paul's characters and their character development. However, I found the tempo in the initial part of the book a tiny bit too slow.

However, I have to deduct a star from what would have been my rating for the excessive use of "I-I", "you-you" (and possibly more). It was fine in a few instances when Susie was really struggling with insecurity. But sometimes multiple times per page and by multiple characters was annoying and distracting (IMO). Another thing was the use of "I's" instead of "my"/"mine". Hopefully, this will be corrected prior to publication.

All in all, 3/5 stars for What Next. And if what annoyed me is not something that normally annoys you, you'll probably love this book!
Profile Image for Emily.
20 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 8, 2026
**ARC Review**

Book three of A River Road series did not disappoint. Paul and Susie's story is exactly why I love friends to lovers books.

When Susie asks her hotshot goalie best friend, Paul, to help build her self confidence their friendship becomes more.

Past traumas have kept both Susie and Paul from being in relationships. When they come to an arrangement to help Susie overcome her self doubt they discover both are healing each other in ways they never expected.

Paul was down to help her in any way to be more comfortable for an upcoming date. Susie realized being with Paul was the most comfortable and cared for she'd ever felt. For Paul, he knew his Susie Q was it for him when she allowed him to be himself and not his usual flirty playboy.

The yearning and care given to these characters is top notch. I didn't want to put this book down.
Profile Image for Jena Ann 🖤.
1 review
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
February 1, 2026
🏒 he falls first and hard
🏒 reformed playboy
🏒found family
🏒 secrets relationship
🏒 teach me ( and good lord does he teach her)
🏒 best friends to lovers

received an advance reader copy!

I’ll be honest I haven’t picked up a book in months. But I’ve read every single one of her books so I had apply to be an ARC reader for what’s next? The third book of the river road series. And I read this book in less than 24 hours.

M.J is the queen of slow burn (IFYKYK) and just when I thought Jake was my favorite of the boys here comes Paul to sweep my off my feet. 😮‍💨🥵

I love watching both characters grow and seeing Susie so confident and Paul working through his past trauma. Let’s not mention the fact that Paul literally supports Susie through anything and everything.( which we love that). These book just get better and better and I can’t wait for the fourth one!
Profile Image for Hollie Feathers.
120 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 4, 2026
* 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!!!!!
Profile Image for Alysa Ramos.
24 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 5, 2026
*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? 😏🤔
Profile Image for Ash.
19 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 5, 2026
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!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Alexia.
319 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 24, 2026
"What Next" by M.J. Hughes is not a horrible book. In fact, I believe people will like the plot and characters. For me, this book felt more like a high school-ish story with mature themes. It had some good ideas, but I am not sure that it was executed well. I think the sex scenes were more well written than other portions. Not to say that I didn't enjoy some aspects of it. It is just hard for me to connect to a story where the intimate parts are better than the rest. If it is an erotica, I expect that but if it is not supposed to be mostly about sex then it tends to bring the quality of the writing down in my opinion.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc!
Profile Image for Arceli.
1,621 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 25, 2026
What Next by M. J. Hughes is such a fun and emotional friends-to-lovers romance. Paul and Susie’s dynamic is everything—easy banter, deep friendship, and that slow realization that feelings are getting way too real. I loved how the story focuses on Susie rebuilding her confidence and how Paul supports her without trying to “fix” her. The fake arrangement turning into something real was done so well, with plenty of tension and heartfelt moments. The sports romance angle adds a nice touch, and the emotions really land. This book had me rooting for them the whole time and made the journey totally worth it.
Profile Image for Brittany Selken.
39 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 5, 2026
I like book so much as soon as I started reading a couple of chapters in this book. Best friends that having feeling for each other but one is scared because of her past and what had happened and the other one is because of what happened in his childhood. I’m glad they help each other out with issue that were having in the relationship department area. I kind of knew that feeling were going to be a huge part in this whole situation and I though it was so amazing how this story was written to show case both of the characters point of view on how they felt about each other. I’m glad they the ex boyfriend got what he deserved.
Profile Image for Rachel Neary.
127 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Best friends
-Dating coach

I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This book did not disappoint! Absolutely loved our shy & insecure FMC, Susie. Our MMC, Paul, was such a great book boyfriend, and he was perfect for Susie. I loved their banter and their friendship (especially as it turned into more!). Was so fun reading along as Susie gained confidence in herself and her abilities, and seeing the effect that she had on Paul. Would absolutely recommend!
54 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 15, 2026
This book is sweet, swoony, with a touch of spicy (🌶️🌶️🌶️)

I was going to “awww” through the whole book! Getting to see both the fmc and mmc’s characters grow as individuals was beautiful! Loved how close the friend group is and how they all care for each other!

But I mean who doesn’t love an mmc who builds up the fmc’s confidence and supports her to no end!

This book is book 3 in the interconnected standalone series with dual - first person pov

Tropes:
Hockey
Possessive mmc
Friends to lovers
Secret dating

Profile Image for Celina.
24 reviews
February 18, 2026
The story pulled me in quickly, and even though this isn’t the first book in the series, I never felt completely lost. The characters were engaging, the emotions felt authentic, and the storyline kept me invested from start to finish.

That said, it definitely made me want to go back and read the first two books to get the full picture and experience everything in order.

Tropes:
• Friends to lovers
• “teach me”
• Found family vibes
• Series continuation / interconnected characters
• Healing & growth
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews

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