Ruin The Friendship

Minnesota Blue Herons #1

by Alice Daniels

My life is a mess.
After a one-night-stand turns into a lifetime of single-motherhood, my already tenuous relationship with my parents only dissolves further under the strain. Their disapproval becomes too much to bear, and the only person left to turn to is my very attractive, very famous roommate.

Fletcher Graff is the Captain of the Minnesota Blue Herons hockey team, but to me, he’s always been my best friend. When the stick turns blue and my life turns upside down, Fletcher is ready to stand by my side—as my partner, and a father to my baby. He’s always wanted more with me, but held back, following my lead. Now, he’s ready to ruin the friendship, regardless of the consequences.

Author's Note: Meet the Minnesota Blue Herons professional hockey team! Ruin the Friendship is the first in a brand new series by Alice Daniels, featuring a plus size FMC and a hockey captain who would do anything for the best friend he’s always loved.
Please be sure to check trigger warnings listed in the front of the book or available on the authors website. Take care of yourself. Your mental health matters more than a book.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Romance, Plus Size, Hockey, Hockey Romance, Surprise Pregnancy, Sports Romance

410 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 18, 2026

About the author

Alice Daniels is a born and raised Minnesotan who loves to write books based on the small town she grew up in. Her books are sweet, heartfelt, and sexy, with relatable characters.

As a child, she was an avid fiction reader, which evolved into a deep love for romance novels and the community surrounding them. She recently discovered a passion for putting her ideas into writing and decided to pursue her childhood dream of becoming an author.

She spends time with her family and friends when she’s not writing, especially on the lakes or outdoors in the summer.

Follow Alice on Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads for book updates, teasers, and future releases!

Reviews

[Holly Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was SO GOOD! I love a book set in MN and then make it a hockey romance!! AND a friends to lovers! ANNNND a surprise pregnancy! This was everything I was hoping it to be and so much more! Lydia and Fletcher had such a special friendship and what I love most about friends to lovers really is seeing them protect that friendship. And also THE YEARNING! And Fletcher had that part DOWN!! I loved them so much, and seeing them finally give in! And make a life together!! It was so good!!

Fletcher is a man who is SO DOWN BAD FOR HIS GIRL!! I loved how quickly he was able to change his game plan!! And be ALL IN and making sure Lydia knew that it wasn’t just happening because of the baby, but it’s because he’s actually LOVED her for a long time!! And Lydia was so careful with her heart! Because while she knew what kind of man Fletcher is!! She didn’t want to risk anything because their friendship was the most important thing to her!

I’m already so excited for whatever the rest of the series will bring!! Alice has created such a tight knit little found family and the dynamics were already shining through in this one!! I looooooved seeing everyone really around Lydia! She needed a support system, that wasn’t just Fletcher, and seeing it happen so seamlessly was so perfect!

Thanks so much to Alice Daniels for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Colleen Gulbransen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the incredible author, Alice Daniels, for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book!

This book felt like a sexy warm hug! The way I went from swooning to salivating and then back to swooning was a delightful ride I never wanted to end. And the slow burn? I was yearning right alongside our MCs!

Something I love about all of this author’s books is how beautifully she writes found families that make you almost feel like you’re a part of as the reader. This book is no exception. Our FMC, Lydia, comes from some pretty crummy parents, but her journey of embracing the love and stability from her found family while learning to establish boundaries with her biological family is so wholesome. The way these parts of the story were written felt so authentic and I loved it.

I love me a man who falls first, and goddamn does our MMC, Fletcher, fall hard! He is the greenest of green flags and I adore him. Literally no notes.

Also my GOSH the spice was tasty. 🤤 Truly such an achievement to have such a gorgeous storyline with heartfelt plot AND excellent smut.

I absolutely recommend reading this book! I’m so excited for this new hockey romance series to continue!

[Océane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ruin the Friendship is the first book in the Minnesota Blue Herons series.

The story follows Fletcher and Lydia, who have always been best friends. After a one-night stand, Lydia finds herself pregnant—and the father wants nothing to do with the baby. Fletcher, captain of the Minnesota Blue Herons, is ready to step up—not only as a father figure, but also as a partner to Lydia.

This was my first Alice Daniels book, and I absolutely loved it! Fletcher… what a man. I’m a sucker for a guy who falls first and falls hard, and Fletcher definitely delivers. His love for Lydia is deep, steady, and undeniable. Lydia was just as wonderful—so warm and relatable, with beautifully written character growth throughout the story. I can’t wait to see more of them as the series continues 😍

A fantastic friends-to-lovers romance with a surprise pregnancy trope and so much love ❤️

Thank you again to Alice Daniels for the opportunity to be an ARC reader—this book was amazing 🫶🏼

[Camryn Pressley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Daniels did an amazing job with this book. I received it as an ARC and have nothing bad to say. The MMC AND FMC were everything. I thought it moved a little fast at first, but then it didn’t and I felt that I didn’t want the book to end. 5/5

[Carlene Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

I feel absolutely SPOILED that I had such an amazing book as my very first ARC. From the dedication page this book had me hooked!

4.55 stars! This story features some of my favorite tropes in books: friends to lovers, he falls first, found family, and a strong plus-sized FMC. This storyline was extremely cute and wonderfully written, the pacing was perfect and the friends to lovers development was stellar.

Lydia’s (FMC) development throughout the story was absolutely perfectly written. Whether it was her relationship with her parents or with her friends, she learned strength within these dynamics and truly learned to set boundaries/take no nonsense! Also, Ms Lydia girl I understand the desire for a good bag of buttery popcorn at all times, and IM NOT EVEN PREGNANT GIRL.

Fletcher (MMC) truly studied at the University of Minnesota school of yearnalism the way this man has been WANTING HER FOR YEARS. Fletcher’s character also allowed for Lydia become even more empowered throughout the story, which is wonderful as we love a man who boosts his girl up and not tear her down. The minute this man said that he (romantically) liked her, if I was her… I WOULD HAVE FOLDED LIKE A LAWNCHAIR.

I know this wont be the last we see of Lydia/Fletcher (and of course ms Thea). I cannot wait to see where this series goes!

Adam/Grace I’ll see you next ;)

[Rhiannon 🤍✨🐀 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy release week!

I started off a little worried I wouldn’t like this one due to MFC - I wasn’t vibing with her at first but she definitely grew on me. But if I’m being honest MMC fletcher carried this book for me. He is a golden retriever gem that is to be protected at all costs. I think the progression of how the relationship developed is very cute and we all know I love a novel that takes place in MN, make it a sports romance and I’m sold. I’m very excited to see where this series progresses to because there’s so many characters that I really loved in this novel!

Thank you so much Alice Daniels for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Sideline of yall haven’t read Alice Daniels yet you are missing out. Please see all my other reviews of this amazing author who I also have had the pleasure of meeting since she is local to me!

[Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw Alice was writing a hockey series, I was absolutely thrilled! “Ruin the Friendship” had everything I love in a pregnancy-trope book: an incredibly caring, sweet, golden retriever mmc, and a headstrong fmc who doesn’t need a man, has a hard time asking for and accepting help, but finally lets the mmc in. I loved the best friends to lovers trope in this one, and it was a pretty light read for me, giving me a nice springtime boost. I clocked the hints sprinkled throughout for the remainder of the series - I can’t wait to read the rest!

🏒Plus Size FMC
🏒Not His Baby/Surprise Pregnancy
🏒He Falls First
🏒Roommates to Lovers
🏒Best Friends to Lovers
🏒No Third Act Breakup
🏒Hockey Romance
🏒Found Family

[the_fictional_world · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC READER REVIEW!!!!

I already loved the Ivy Ridge series, and Ruin the Friendship just reminded me why 🥹📚 The way she writes plus-size FMCs is something I resonate with so much. I’m usually not the biggest fan of the best friends to lovers trope, but here it felt so natural and beautifully done. Fletcher being down bad from literally the first chapter?? yeah I was SOLD 😭

Lydia is such a cutie, and my heart hurt seeing her relationship with her parents, I genuinely wanted to step into the book and have a word with her mom 💀 But Dottie?? absolutely ICONIC 🤌🏻 the kind of mom everyone deserves. The found family vibes in this book had my whole heart 🫶🏻

I already can’t wait for the next book to see more of Fletcher and his two girls( lydi-bug & ladybug) 🫶🏻

[Olivia Solbrig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute and fun but WOW I could tell this man was written by a woman. He said everything perfect & did everything perfect. It was honestly just hard to believe lol

[Rekha O'Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice Daniels clearly knows her lane when it comes to sweet, spicy, trope-heavy contemporary romance, and Ruin the Friendship delivers exactly what fans of her work will be hoping for.

I was very lucky to be selected as part of Alice Daniels’ ARC team for this first instalment in the Minnesota Blue Herons series. Daniels continues her commitment to fat representation in romance, something I really appreciated in her Ivy Ridge books as well. Her stories feel warm-hearted and unapologetically romantic, the kind of books you pick up when you want comfort, chemistry, and characters who genuinely care about one another.

This is a friends-to-lovers romance with a surprise pregnancy storyline. Lydia and Fletcher have been best friends and roommates for six years, and just as Fletcher finally decides he wants to risk their friendship for something more, Lydia discovers she’s pregnant after a brief and very over relationship.

What follows is “Operation Ruin the Friendship”, a delightfully meddlesome campaign orchestrated by Fletcher and his friends to prove to Lydia that he isn’t just offering support as a friend. He’s all in — as a partner, a co-parent, and someone who truly loves her.

And honestly? Fletcher is an absolute sweetheart. The entire book feels like a warm hug. There’s a sincerity to these characters that makes the romance easy to root for, even when the sweetness occasionally tips a little close to saccharine. But in fairness, the world is exhausting, and there’s something comforting about leaning fully into softness and optimism for a few hours.

I was also a big fan of Fletcher’s mum, Dottie, who steals several scenes. And you can already see the groundwork being laid for future romances in the series.

Now, if real hockey teammates spend this much time discussing romance and feelings, I’ll eat my skates. Well… first I’d have to buy a pair of skates, and then I’d eat them. But I happily went along for the ride in Daniels’ sunshine-and-flowers world regardless.

Not everything is smooth sailing. Lydia’s awful parents provide some necessary conflict and emotional tension throughout the story, though the overall tone remains very hopeful and comforting. There’s also plenty of spice, which readers familiar with Daniels’ books will already expect.

Overall, this was a lovely escape with kind characters, emotional supportiveness, and enough romantic yearning to keep things moving.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.

[✨⭐Amy Reads⭐✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨️ARC Review✨️

Wow!! That was just the thing to get me out of a fast approaching reading slump.

We meet our FMC Lydia as she gets a pregnancy scare and guess what? She is pregnant and the good for nothing sperm donor doesn't want to be in the picture. Her best friend Fletcher has been in love with her forever and it's pretty obvious to everyone except Lydia. The "Not His Baby" Trope was surprisingly interesting as it was sweet. That's the thing with this book, it's dripping with sweetness with a little kick of spice.
I don't wanna spoil much more than necessary so I'll leave it at the fact that this man steps up for a baby that is not his by blood all because he is that much in love with Lydia. He is such a good man that he loved this baby from the start and was in that "I am going to be a father" head space even before he confessed his feelings to Lydia.
Read this book ASAP. It's a quick read and will leave you feeling warm and tingly almost giddy afterwards. I am going to go and read it again, while I wait endlessly for Grace and Adam's book.

Below are some notes I took while reading, not many spoilers just cute moments from the book.

• LOVE the Plus size FMC rep
• Fletcher is the sweetest
• Boy is WHIPPED
• LOVE Fletcher's parents, HATE Lydia's parents
• Fuck Jude
• The way Fletcher doesn't even care that the baby is not his and is planning a future with Lydia in his head is the sweetest thing EVER
• Operation Ruin The Friendship 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻
• The 10 dates concept is super cute
• The fact that he REFUSES to kiss her is driving me crazy. I get it tho, he wants to show her she is special to him and he's in this for the long haul.
• The absolute perfect first kiss, Fletcher is the sweetest and bestest
• The Lake house scene🥵🫠 so sweet and hot
• “You like the thought of me filling you up, baby?” OMFG I AM OBSESSED
• "My life’s purpose is her. She’s my reason for breathing, for living." I am OBSESSED with how much he is obsessed with Lydia
• “You’ve been etched into my heart for a long time. Now, there’s a spot that’s been carved right next to you, and it’s for her.” Just tell me you want me dead, stop trying to kill me with all this sweetness
• “Can’t let you waste it,” OMG I am Dead, I have died and gone to hell bc let's be real I am NOT getting into heaven after reading THAT😵‍💫😵🥵
• Again, I HATE Lydia's mom with a passion
• Two words after that debacle... Good Riddance
• The cutest and sweetest mummy and daddy, with the prettiest little ladybug🐞

[Sandra Aranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet, endearing friends to lovers romance! The author did a wonderful job dealing with many delicate topics such as a surprise pregnancy while single, parental difficulties, trust issues, and ghosting being the big ones.

Lydia Ward is the Main Female Character. I love that she is fluffy yet does not let that stop her from ice skating! Lydia does struggle with self-esteem issues as most fluffy people do and she also struggles to find love. Right in the beginning we learn that she is pregnant from a man who ghosted her after 3 dates! After they had sex. WHAT?? For a plus-sized woman this can ruin your self-esteem in an instant! To not only be ghosted yet to be pregnant? Lydia struggles with this as she can’t really call her mother for advice. Unfortunately Lydia’s parents are difficult to say the least and have been stand-offish her whole life. So what is a girl to do? Keep the baby? End the pregnancy? Who can she talk to?

Enter Fletcher Graff the Captain of the Minnesota Blue Herons! Fletcher is tall, rugged, gorgeous, toned to the T, has lovely green eyes, AND he is sweet and caring to boot! Fletcher and Lydia have known each other since University days and are the best of friends. They are also roommates and share Fletcher’s apartment. Fletcher is a confidant, strong man except when it comes to Lydia. He cares for her more than he can even admit to himself. When he learns she is pregnant he immediately stands by her side. Yet, what’s a man to do when he wants to be more than friends? When he does not want to be known as the Amazing Uncle in the baby’s life, but known as Daddy?

Well this is the crux of the story and Lydia and Fletchers band of friends come in to help them both. The plan Ruin The Friendship is born and the romancing commences! Get set to enjoy reading about sweet moments, romantic dates, fun laughter, and SPICE! I absolutely LOVED how tiny hints were sprinkled throughout as to who will be the Main Characters in book 2! You do NOT want to skip this book!!

This is a solid, quick, easy read that will warm your heart! Go read it today!!

[Amie Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends Fletcher and Lydia have lived together for the past six years while Fletcher plays in the NHL and Lydia works for a nonprofit and teaches ice skating lessons. But everything changes when Lydia learns she’s pregnant after a short-lived romance. Fletcher has always had feelings for her, and with the encouragement of their friend group, he decides it’s time to make his move. They launch Operation Ruin the Friendship, in which Fletcher declares his love — and Lydia learns that the most important family are not those who are bound by blood, but who stand up for you time and time again.

Fans of Alice Daniels will remember that Fletcher had a cameo in her last book, In Plain Sight, when he visited his parents, Dottie and Ron. Every time Dottie is on the page, it feels like a warm hug, especially in comparison to Lydia’s socialite, uptight mother who only cares about status and appearances. I’m glad to see them make an appearance in this book!

For my personal taste, the pacing seemed to drag. Both Lydia and Fletcher spend a lot of time in their own heads, to the point where it feels repetitive — I just wanted them to talk, or get on with the action! I also had a harder time connecting to Lydia. We meet her on the day she finds out she’s pregnant, and while there are other details in her life, her pregnancy immediately becomes most of her personality. I would have loved to see Lydia as herself, before she’s about to be a mom, rather than the brief glimpses we get when she’s coaching. There’s also not a lot of conflict moving the story along. Fletcher is all in from day one, and that’s great, but since we know the relationship is a forgone conclusion, there’s not a lot at stake.

Overall, this is a fluffy read, without a third act breakup, with some hockey thrown in on the side. If you’re a fan of accidental pregnancy and friends to lovers, this would be a great book for you.

[Annette Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruin The Friendship is the first in a planned series of sports romances featuring members of the Minnesota Blue Herons hockey team, and if they are all as good as this one it's going to be a very successful series.
This is the story of Lydia and Fletcher, best friends and roommates. Lydia is keenly aware that Fletcher is a hot hockey player but could never imagine he would be interested in her as anything more than a friend while Fletcher has fallen for Lydia but knows that making any move would risk ruining the friendship that means so much to them. Fletcher is rich and successful as captain of the Herons while Lydia does not have her life quite so pulled together so when she finds herself unexpectedly pregnant following a short lived relationship with a pretty unpleasant character, she worries that having a baby will change everything, starting with her having to move out of the home she shares with Fletcher. The fact that her parents are unpleasant and unsupportive only adds to the pressure so when Fletcher steps up and promises to be a father to the baby and a support to Lydia it is almost more than she can believe. Fletcher has decided it is finally time to go after what he has wanted for so long, a real relationship with Lydia, he is ready to ruin the friendship because he is sure that they can have something more, they can be a real family.
Oh how I loved this book, Fletcher is like the perfect male lead for a romance, kind, caring, ready to take charge when needed and sex on legs of course while Lydia is brave, kind and stronger than she knows. So many friends to lovers romances rush through the friends part but I loved that here the author put a lot of time and effort into making sure that the friendship felt real and important so that the reader could understand why both characters were so cautious about taking it further. And when they do, well lets just say there's enough sizzle to melt an ice rink.
I am excited about the rest of the series because the author has created a really strong group of characters in the friends and team mates that we meet in this book, and I really look forward to seeing who will get their moment to shine next because I will absolutely be reading the next in this series just as soon as I can get my hands on it.

[Gea Rojas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book at your own risk of getting obsessed with Fletcher.

As a big hater of surprise pregnancy (when done wrong) Alice Daniels proved to me that I can not only like it but love it. And honestly that shouldn't be a surprise since i haven't met an Alice Daniels book i haven't loved so far, the way she gets inside the character's emotional turmoils and presents them on page makes me feel like i'm inside the books having this same feelings but a big one for me is how she writes plus size bodys in a loving caring and truly positive way that does me in every time.

Lydia's and Fletcher's journey and relationship was everything I expect from a great hockey romance and more from Fletcher being down bad for Lydia to her character development being not only perfectly done but also satisfactory as hell!

~Blurb~
My life is a mess.
After a one-night-stand turns into a lifetime of single-motherhood, my already tenuous relationship with my parents only dissolves further under the strain. Their disapproval becomes too much to bear, and the only person left to turn to is my very attractive, very famous roommate.

Fletcher Graff is the Captain of the Minnesota Blue Herons hockey team, but to me, he’s always been my best friend. When the stick turns blue and my life turns upside down, Fletcher is ready to stand by my side—as my partner, and a father to my baby. He’s always wanted more with me, but held back, following my lead. Now, he’s ready to ruin the friendship, regardless of the consequences.

Tropes:
Hockey Romance
PLus Size FMC
Accidental Pregnancy
Friends to Lovers
Found Family
He Falls First and Harder

Ruin the Friendship will be out May 18th make sure to check it out

Thanks to Alice Daniels and he team for sending this ARC in exchange for my honest review
⭐ ⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

[rosesreadsromance · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐞You mean more to me than anyone in this world. I know this baby will be all the best parts of you, and I already love her more than I can even explain.🐞

✨"The day I met you was the beginning of everything."✨


Friends to lovers 🫶🏻 ✔️
Surprise pregnancy 🤰✔️
Curvy FMC 💖 ✔️
Hockey romance 🏒 ✔️

Honestly, do you really need any more reasons to read this book? 🤷🏻‍♀️😭😍 And with that absolutely gorgeous cover... it’s the complete package✨

I completely fell in love with Fletcher and Lydia’s story and the way their relationship slowly evolved from best friends to soulmates 🥹 Their connection felt so natural, comforting, and full of love 🩵

And Fletcher??? OH. MY. GOD. 🫠😍 He officially earned a place in my top 10 book boyfriends 🔝 This man is caring, supportive, patient, understanding, protective, loving... literally everything 🤩 And on top of that, he’s talented, confident, handsome, and so freaking sexy 🏒🤤🥵

Lydia is such a strong and sweet woman 💙 Because of the pain she experienced in the past, she’s terrified of risking her friendship with Fletcher for something more, and honestly? It made their story feel even more emotional and real 🥺🤍

What I adored most is that Fletcher never gave up on her. Even after all those years, while they continued building their friendship, he quietly kept hoping and fighting for a chance at love 😭❤️

The friendships and relationships in this book were written so well. Everything felt warm, genuine, and comforting 🫶🏻

And can we talk about “Operation Ruin the Friendship”? 😉👏 Perfection!

Also... the nicknames “Lydi-bug” and “little ladybug” absolutely melted my heart 🐞🐞🫠

This book gave me butterflies, made me emotional, and completely stole my heart ❤️
I wholeheartedly recommend it to every romance lover out there, and I already cannot wait for the next books in this series 🩵📚✨

📖 Ruin the Friendship by Alice Daniels (ARC) 🏒🍼🍿

[Lisa Ann D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

𓐌 “Fletcher, thank you. I love you.” 𓐌

𝐑𝐔𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 ᵇʸ @authoralicedaniels
𝚎𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆
· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗪!!!! 𝖤𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖨 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝖺𝖻𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝖺 𝖦𝖱𝖤𝖠𝖳 𝗁𝗈𝖼𝗄𝖾𝗒 𝗋𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖽𝖾𝗅𝗂𝗏𝖾𝗋𝖾𝖽 𝗂𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗌𝖾 𝗉𝖺𝗀𝖾𝗌! 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭/𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫����/𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝗼𝗺𝗺𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝗼𝐧/𝐇𝐞𝐫𝗼 𝐭𝗼 𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐟𝗼𝐫/𝐇𝐞𝐫𝗼𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐲𝗼𝐮 𝐥𝗼𝐯𝐞 ❥

𝗙𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗡 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗚 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗢. 𝗗𝗔𝗠𝗡, 𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗟𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗡 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗚𝗦! 𝖡𝖨𝖦 𝖫𝖮𝖵𝖤. 𝖠𝖭𝖣, 𝗟𝗬𝗗𝗜𝗔? I found her to be a breath of fresh air as our heroine. I wanted to be a part of her story from page 1. And, that’s a rarity for me. (To be hooked immediately)

There’s much to say & limitation on word count so l’ll hit the biggest things here. The differences between our main characters’ families! So well done.

The love story unfolds perfectly. Not one single thing should be changed. The spice was spicing.
The found family leapt off the page.

This series needs to stay around for a long time. (Fletcher popped up in a diff book originally).

The pregnancy journey was well laid out and flowed in a meaningful manner.
Would not change a thing here. Plot and pace were excellent.
Goes in my list of favorite books!❤︎

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
➻ 𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦 & 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗜𝗘 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦:
🐞Plus Size FMC
🐞Chapter titles
🐞Not His Baby/ Surprise Pregnancy
🐞He Falls First
🐞Project Ruin the Friendship
🐞Roommates to Lovers
🐞Best Friends to Lovers
🐞No Third Act Breakup
🐞Hockey Romance
🐞Found Family
🐞Green Flag MMC
🐞Lovable cast of characters
🐞Shitty sperm donor
🐞Family issues
🐞Letting go/Protecting yourself
🐞Warm hands concerns 🐞Hot cocoa recipe 🐞Lady bug
& so much more that I know I’m not doing justice to it here!🐞🐞🐞🐞🐞

𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗦. ★★★★★
─..★.──────────╯
𓐌
“Fletcher,” she whimpers, and what a beautiful sound it is to have my name on her lips as she comes. Music to my fucking ears. :::::::::

[H-A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruin the Friendship by Alice Daniels
Out: 18 May
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I don’t even know where to start with this review.

I ATE. THIS. UP.

The dedication alone 🙌🏻
“Because fictional hockey players will never let you down.”

Do you want a down bad hockey captain who is a simp for his best friend?! She’s got you.

Maybe it’s a plus sized baddie who embraces her wobbly bits and moves her body for pleasure?! She’s got you!

An excellent side group chat entitled ‘Operation Ruin the Friendship’, 10 out of 10, no notes! she’s got you!

Hockey player camaraderie and an excellent girl gang to boot? She’s got you.

Is high intensity yearning, longing looks and an increasingly frustrated pair more your thing? This has you!

AND THE SPICE. It is delightful and you will not be able to put it down.

I knew from the excellent teasers leading up to this sweet bundle of joy landing in my inbox that I would thoroughly enjoy Lydia and Fletcher’s book. This was the perfect messy little mix to remind you why we all love reading romance. Fletcher is a dreamboat of a book boyfriend and a really really good friend to everyone around him. I loved that he genuinely accepted whatever form of relationship Lydia was comfortable with because he was so down bad for her. Lydia is a very relatable character, I loved how attune to her body she was, we love to see a big girl moving her body for the love of it and Alice Daniel’s remains a top tier queen of writing realistic fat bodied, soft skinned beauties.

The yearning, the unending devotion and the consistent love and devotion is such a joy to read. You will love every moment. The surprise pregnancy (not his baby) trope is something I’ve grown to enjoy in the last few years, there’s something about the way the MAN that is Fletcher steps up to support Lydia and the baby is a delight to behold.

Lydia’s struggle with her own parents broke my heart, as a fellow parental trauma girlie, I was so proud of her when she finally realised her worth without them!

This is the first in a new Hockey series and the author did an excellent job of creating a whole new world for us to comfortably escape to. I NEED EVERY SINGLE SIDE CHARACTERS BOOK PLEASE AND THANK YOU.

These two best friends will have you swooning, falling in love and laughing out loud, after all sometimes “All that’s left to do is ruin the friendship.” 🥰🥰🥰




I don’t want to spoilt this gem of a book but here are some zero context quotes which will make you want to read it:


“The light she brings to my life is something I could never survive without.”

“when you’re on a mission to get your girl, you do what you have to do”

““Take control, Lydi,” he mumbles, a sly grin crossing his face.”

“We all laugh, and I’m reminded that family isn’t always blood. It’s the people who are there for you every step of the way, cheering you on, and picking you up when you fall, no matter how messy it gets.”

You will not regret giving this book a chance!

Loved loved loved it!

🖤🖤🖤

[Mikayla ♥︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"She's enchanted me. The light she brings to my life is something I could never survive without."

ARC Review
★★★★★

Ruin The Friendship was my first surprise pregnancy and sports romance book, and let me just say, I think I just found some new favourite tropes! I was hooked before I even read the first sentence. The chapter titles alone pulled me in immediately, and each name fit the story perfectly.

Lydia and Fletcher's relationship is one of the most wholesome I've ever read. Even before the baby, you can tell they're both such nurturing and loving people.

Fletcher is the ultimate green flag, and I adored him from start to finish. You can see how deeply he cares for Lydia and the baby in everything he does, from the big moments to the smallest details that most people wouldn't even think about. Every action comes from a place of pure love.

Lydia is such a strong and independent woman. I love that she's not only considerate of other people's feelings, but also knows exactly what she wants for her and the baby's future, and she's determined to make that happen, no matter what anyone thinks. I really admire that about her.

The side characters were amazing as well. The group chats had me giggling, and I love how supportive everyone was of Lydia and Fletcher. The book shows that family isn't always about blood, it's about the people who love, support and care for you.

The second half of the book was a complete emotional rollercoaster. I went from gasping in shock to
squealing and kicking my feet, to having to put my Kindle down just to process everything that had happened.

Overall, this book was emotional, comforting, funny and full of so much warmth. I absolutely adored it ❤︎⁠

[Midnights Bookclub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruin the Friendship Review 🏒⛸️

Thank you to Alice Daniels for sending me an ARC of this book.

This is my second book by Alice Daniels, and I have to say, I loooove the way she writes her men completely head over heels for their girls. OMG, Fletcher was so in love with Lydia that it genuinely made me giggle.

Lydia and Fletcher have been friends since college. They became best friends during that time and built such an incredible and healthy relationship that, after Fletcher was drafted, he invited Lydia to come live with him. Little did she know that, even back then, Fletcher was already completely gone for her, he was just biding his time.

After a one-night stand gone wrong, Lydia finds herself alone and pregnant. She has no idea how she’s going to take care of this baby, but if there’s one thing she knows for sure, it’s that Fletcher will always have her back, and he absolutely proves that.

He is there for every step of the journey, not only for the baby, but for Lydia too. He finally finds the courage to confess his feelings for her, and from that moment on, they begin building something truly beautiful together.

I also have to mention how much I loved Fletcher’s parents. They were so sweet and supportive, and Lydia really needed that kind of love after everything her own parents put her through.

Lydia is such a sweet character. She wants love, but she never really lets herself believe that Fletcher could genuinely feel that way about her. To protect herself, she friendzones him so hard that it takes a while for them to move forward.

This was such a cute and comforting story, and Fletcher being absolutely obsessed with Lydia made it even better.

He loved her for years, waited for her, and never stopped showing up for her. An easy 4.5 ⭐ read for me. 🏒⛸️

[Rach Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC in return for an honest review. Thank you Alice Daniels for another opportunity.

I love Alice Daniels books, they’re always an easy & fun read. Mostly lighthearted but with plenty of depth also.

I was really looking forward to this one after reading ‘In Plain Sight’ as the MC’s of ‘Ruin the Friendship’ were hinted at in that book.

Our Main Characters-

Lydia is a plus sized figure skater / admin worker. Who had a difficult upbringing with parents who don’t seem to care about her, we see her struggles throughout the book. She is strong willed, in the absolute best way & a kind and thoughtful individual. Lydia is also Plus-sized, Alice always writes plus sized main characters with so much thought and consideration into the fact that their entire personality shouldn’t just be about them being plus sized, she hints at Lydia’s struggles in her early life but doesn’t drone on or make her a super insecure individual. As someone who is plus sized and happy, this means a lot, we are more than our body shape & size.

Fletcher is a hockey player. His parents are Ron & Dottie who we met in ‘In Plain Sight’ (again, I love to see the use of those names as they’re my grandparents names & im very close to them). Fletch is just the sweetest, cinnamon roll of a man, he loves Lydia so much & will clearly do anything he can for her. He is also such a fab teammate and friend.

All in all, this was a beautiful love story, I did find it a little slow in places but I really enjoyed it. The side characters in this book were top tier & I can’t wait to see what comes next with these characters in the rest of the series (especially trigg 🥹).

Happy Reading Besties xoxo

[Lexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a satisfying friends-to-lovers romance because the relationship progression actually made sense. Lydia and Fletcher had been best friends since college and roommates for six years, already acting like a couple in every way except physically, so when things finally started shifting romantically, so the transition felt natural.

Fletcher was an absolute green flag from beginning to end. Patient, caring, emotionally mature, supportive, and completely devoted without ever being overbearing. Watching him and Lydia slowly realize what was already there between them was honestly so rewarding. Their chemistry worked just as well in the quiet emotional moments as it did in the romantic ones.

One of my favorite things about this book was how emotionally intelligent the characters were. There wasn’t endless unnecessary drama or frustrating miscommunication. The conversations felt honest, mature, and grounded, which made the relationship even stronger. It was refreshing to read a romance where the characters truly trusted and understood each other.

The story also balanced the sweeter moments with heavier emotional themes really well. Lydia’s personal struggles and family dynamics added a lot of depth to her character, and the friendships throughout the book brought so much warmth and support to the story.

The author sets up future couples beautifully, and I can’t wait for the rest of the series!!!

Overall, this was a heartfelt, low-angst friends-to-lovers romance with great emotional intimacy, strong communication, lovable side characters, and a relationship built on years of genuine friendship first.

Thank you to Alice Daniels for the ARC!

[Ericka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Alice Daniels for giving me an arc of this book! As always, I’ve loved it!

Ruin The Friendship by Alice Daniels releases May 18th is book one of the Minnesota Blue Herons Hockey Series

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

What to expect:
👶 Surprise Pregnancy (Not His Baby)
🏠 Roommates to Lovers
❤️ Best Friends to Lovers
🏒 Hockey Romance
💕 He Falls First
☺️ Plus Size FMC
🧑‍🧑‍🧒 Found Family
🥰 No Third Act Breakup

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Lydia Ward lives with her best friend, oblivious to the fact he is in love with her. She gets ghosted after she hooks up with a guy, she winds up pregnant.

Fletcher Graff has been in love with Lydia for forever. When he finds out she is pregnant, he steps up to be the father to her baby, while showing her how much he loves her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I loved this book. This is actually my very first hockey romance, and I think I can see the hype! I loved reading about the game a bit, and I may or may not have watch a lot of videos on TikTok.

Lydia and Fletcher have been best friends since college. They share an apartment together. Fletch is a bit of a famous hockey player, having a superstition that he has to talk to Lydia before each game.

When Lydia winds up pregnant, and the baby’s sperm donor wants nothing to do with it, Fletcher steps up to be the father. In the process he tries to show Lydia just how much he loves her and their baby.

I grew frustrated with Lydia’s parents. They just truly sucked. Especially her mother. I am so glad we got to see Ron and Dottie again (In Plain Sight). They are such fun characters.

I can’t wait to read more books in this series as they come out!

[Lauren (lololovesthings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars.

I really enjoyed "Ruin the Friendship" by Alice Daniels! This book kept me interested from start to finish. I am typically not a huge friends-to-lovers and/or surprise pregnancy fan, but I adored Fletcher and Lydia's love story and thought both of those tropes were implemented well here! I love how Fletcher has always loved Lydia from afar, but showed her in many small ways how much he cared for her and their friendship (at first). He is willing to wait however long it takes to have her, but in the meantime, he protects her when she needs it, protects *them* and their friendship, even when it hurts him to do so (because he wants to be more). Fletcher is the definition of "down bad." Once he finds out Lydia is pregnant, he goes all-in to show her how committed he is to them. The spicy aspects are sooooooooo good, as is the constant communication between Lydia and Fletcher. I loved Fletcher's mom and Lydia's relationship. She was so wonderful and supportive of Lydia, even when she and Fletcher were just friends. It reminded me of my mother-in-law (minus *my* mom being horrible, my mom is the best!). The found-family aspect is strong here. Lydia's mom was such a nasty piece of work, and she is written so well that I abhorred her from the very beginning. I knew exactly where all of the interactions with her were going, and I felt so deeply sorry for poor Lydia. I like that this is a hockey romance that actually has hockey in it! So many romance novels these days call themselves "sports romances," but fail to fully immerse themselves in the sport. not a problem here! All in all, I loved this book! It's an easy, quick, fun read!

Thank you to Alice Daniels for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚ARC review

Ruin the Friendships // Alice Daniels

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lydia & Fletcher

Instant 5 star read! Releasing on May 18 it is the first book in the Minnesota Blue Herons series. I am looking forward to the rest of the series, the found family aspect in the book showed some of the future main characters.

I finished this book within 24 hrs of starting (it would have been in one sitting if I didn’t have work). I read Alice Daniel’s Ivy Ridge Series earlier this year and I loved this one just as much. I am looking forward to any future books she writes!

Tropes
🏒 Plus Size FMC
🏒 Not His Baby / Surprise Pregnancy
🏒 He Falls First
🏒 Roommates to Lovers
🏒 Best Firends to Lovers
🏒 No Third Act Breakup
🏒 Hockey Romance
🏒 Found Family

Lydia and Fletcher are best friends and have been living together since college. He has been in love with her since becoming lab partners for anatomy class, so when Lydia discovers she is pregnant by someone who wants nothing to do with the baby he doesn’t even need to think twice before stepping into the father role.

Lydia is going through a lot of changes throughout the book, besides the obvious, impending motherhood, there is parental drama. However, throughout the book she is still a great friend and goes out of her way to help her chosen family.

Fletcher is a total golden retriever. He plans really meaningful dates and makes sure not to rush the relationship even though he has been in love with her for years.

I loved this book! Surprise pregnancy is one of my favorite tropes and I love how this one played out! I would 100% recommend this book. I am looking forward to the next books in the series!

[Julrenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have only read a couple of Alice Daniel’s books, and while each has been a joy, this one truly filled my heart with love.

I was nearly halfway through the book when I realised Fletcher and his parents, Ron and Dottie, were first introduced in Alice’s In Plain Sight (Ivy Ridge series). It was a pleasant surprise that made me feel more connected to the characters.

This book follows Fletcher, who has hidden his affection for his best friend, Lydia, since college, after being friend-zoned. Not a day goes by when he isn’t entranced by her beauty. When he discovers Lydia is pregnant, his true nature shines through as he steps up where the baby’s biological father fails.

What amazing friends Fletcher and Lydia have. When they notice Fletcher yearning after Lydia, they come to his aid. There were many moments I laughed while reading their chat group. They are truly a wonderful bunch of side characters. I am so looking forward to finding out more about each one of them, if and when we get their story.

It is so refreshing to read a book with little to no angst, though tension comes from Lydia’s parents, who show her no love or support. Luckily, she gets all the support she needs from Fletcher, his parents, and their plethora of friends. Through this support, she can make life-altering decisions that lead to love and family.

This book is wonderfully written and wraps you in warm affection. Fletcher is my current book boyfriend, while Lydia’s bravery inspires me. Together, they make an unforgettable couple.

[Sol Bercernelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW RUIN THE FRIENDSHIP

EN VERSIÓN: This book really struck a chord with me. The longed-for motherhood and the dream of breaking cycles of trauma. The yearning to heal that inner child through the opportunity that parenthood offers.
Although it’s a light-hearted book that makes you laugh and has you giggling and kicking with excitement every time Fletcher appears on the page, at the same time it breaks your heart into a thousand pieces.
It’s a book that explores love from many angles, and it’s refreshing. Where the family we choose sometimes heals and protects us more than the one fate has assigned us.
At times, Lydia’s doubts about Fletcher’s actions leave you feeling desperate. THAT MAN IS TRULY MADLY IN LOVE.
Sometimes it’s hard to believe that someone could love us so much, even as friends. It’s the perfect ‘friends to lovers’ story. Where he SHOWS her, with time and dedication, just how important she is to him.
While there are some steamy scenes, I think the emotional depth and the plot’s resolution of conflicts take all the stars.
And that glimpse we got of the new characters? Goodness! How exciting to get to know their stories. Friendship runs through the whole story, not just between Lydia and Fletcher. You'll see it in every corner of the book, as well as different types of personalities and how each one is celebrated amongst them. Getting to know the team and their families gives us that feeling of HOME that’s so hard to find at the start of a series.
Yes, Alice has done it again.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Because fictional hockey players will never let you down”

I was HOOKED from the dedication and didn’t stop swooning or giddily kicking my feet all the way through.

Alice Daniels writes some of the best Found Families I’ve come across. Throw in some more favourite tropes - friends to lovers, he falls first, strong curvy FMC, surprise pregnancy - I was sold, this was always going to be a five star read!

Lydia is navigating parental trauma and learning to establish boundaries in her biological relationships, but finds herself wrapped in the warm hug of her found family who offer her love and stability. Fletcher’s Mum, Dottie, demonstrates what familial love should look and feel like and ultimately is there for Lydia and Fletcher in any capacity she can be.

Fletcher gave us Top Tier Yearning! He’s patient, protective, and he falls first - it was FANTASTIC 👌🏻 Their chemistry is natural, following years of friendship and he totally empowers Lydia when her family are less than supportive.

Operation: Ruin The Friendship” was the absolute cutest and the way that Fletcher embraces Lydia’s pregnancy and loves their baby was a total swoon. This truly demonstrated found family vibes - all of Fletcher and Lydia’s favourite people plotting to ensure their dates and relationship are a success.

Their story was deliciously authentic and I can’t wait to read the next in the series soon!

A massive thank you to @authoralicedaniels and her team for the opportunity to read this ARC!

#arcreader #advancedreadercopy #foundfamily #friendstolovers #surprisepregnancy

[LaHobbitCurvy_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

#lahobbitcurvyconsiglia Ruin the Friendship 👫🏒

“She’s enchanted me. The light she brings to my life is something I could never survive without.”

Dopo la storia di una notte con un idiota, Lydia si ritrova ad affrontare una gravidanza inattesa. Rimasta sola e senza il supporto dei suoi genitori, l’unica persona su cui può contare è Fletcher Graff, il suo coinquilino e migliore amico, nonché famoso capitano della squadra di hockey dei Minnesota Blue Herons. Da sempre innamorato di lei ma senza aver avuto mai il coraggio di dichiararsi, Fletcher decide finalmente di starle accanto senza più nascondere i suoi sentimenti, trasformando un’amicizia di lunga data in qualcosa di molto più profondo. Lydia ricambierà i suoi sentimenti, ora che stanno per diventare un trio?

Ringrazio l’autrice per l’ARC ❤️

Vi ho già parlato più volte dei libri di Alice Daniels e sapete quanto li adori. Qui, poi, c’è uno dei miei troppe preferiti, il surprise pregnancy, e poi c’è l’hockey! Come potevo non adorarlo? E poi, tutti i suoi uomini sono delle green flags ambulanti, e io adoro come Fletcher ci sia sempre stato per Lydia, nonostante non le abbia detto subito della gravidanza. E l’appuntamento che le organizza… l’Operazione Ruin the Friendship non poteva che funzionare!
Sapere che questo è il primo libro di una serie su questa fantastica squadra mi rende molto felice, perché non fai a meno di affezionarti a tutti loro 🥹

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Alice Daniels….this book…it’s what hockey romance dreams are made of! 🩷🩷🩷

When we met Fletcher quickly in “In Plain Sight”, I knew he was going to be the most swoon-worthy of men. I mean, his parents were amazing people!

I love the best friends to lovers trope. What better person to fall for than the person you know best in the world. And when Lydia falls pregnant with a giant douche-canoe’s baby…it was time for Fletch to lay out all his cards.

I’m also a sucker for a plus-size FMC. It’s hard to live in a body where you aren’t classified as attractive. But having a man fall head over heels for the person, curves and all. It’s an automatic love for me!

Lastly, I love a story with found family. Lydia’s parents are kind of the worst. And watching Fletcher step up and be her rock along with their friends and his teammates….Perfection. “I’m reminded that family isn’t always blood. It’s the people who are there for you every step of the way, cheering you on, and picking you up when you fall, no matter how messy it gets.”

I appreciate the set up for the remainder of the series. The other players and friends are fantastic - and it’s just to guess what is an Easter egg of foreshadowing and what is just a conversation.

A super easy read - I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in 24 hours!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖: arc read