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The Bet: A Fake Dating College Hockey Romance: Ocean Cove University #1
One hockey player. One artistic swimmer. One bet that changes everything.
Welcome to Ocean Cove University, where the weather is hot, but the tension is higher. Here, romance is the last thing on the curriculum—until it becomes the only thing that matters.
The Bet is a fake dating romance between a hockey player and an artistic swimmer. Blurb coming soon!
Fake Dating, Hockey Romance, College Romance, FMC Athlete.
This is Book 1 in a new series, Ocean Cove University.
Dual POV.
Welcome to Ocean Cove University, where the weather is hot, but the tension is higher. Here, romance is the last thing on the curriculum—until it becomes the only thing that matters.
The Bet is a fake dating romance between a hockey player and an artistic swimmer. Blurb coming soon!
Fake Dating, Hockey Romance, College Romance, FMC Athlete.
This is Book 1 in a new series, Ocean Cove University.
Dual POV.
464 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2026
About the author
Kelcie James
3 books29 followersHi! I'm Kelcie James, and I write new adult sports romance. Thank you for checking out my Ocean Cove University series. I've been writing for as long as I can remember, and if I'm at home at night, there's a 99.9 percent chance sports might be on TV, LOL. So it's a perfect marriage for me. I'm also an iced coffee addict and usually drink that as I write. xoxo Kelcie
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
June 2, 2026
4🌟, 3🌶️
I absolutely flew through The Bet.
The fake dating trope is handled perfectly here, mainly because the chemistry between Wyatt and Grace is undeniable from the very first scene. They are supposed to be pretending, but their banter is so natural and flirty that you can tell they are falling for each other long before they admit it. It is the kind of story that keeps you up at night because you just have to know what happens next.
What I loved about this was the genuine emotional depth was tucked into this sports romance. Wyatt is the classic cocky hockey player on the surface, but his growth and the way he supports Grace made him a total standout. I also loved seeing Grace as an artistic swimmer; she is strong, resilient, and brings such a refreshing energy to the story. Watching them slowly break down each other's walls while balancing their personal expectations made their connection feel so much more meaningful than your average romance.
While the pacing felt a little fast at times, the addictive quality of the world Kelcie James created made it impossible to put down. It manages to be sweet, funny, and surprisingly moving all at once. I honestly felt every bit of their journey, and by the end, I was fully invested in their happy ending.
It is a fantastic, binge-worthy read that gives you all the warm, swoony feelings you want from a college romance.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Kelcie James & Love Notes PR for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
I absolutely flew through The Bet.
The fake dating trope is handled perfectly here, mainly because the chemistry between Wyatt and Grace is undeniable from the very first scene. They are supposed to be pretending, but their banter is so natural and flirty that you can tell they are falling for each other long before they admit it. It is the kind of story that keeps you up at night because you just have to know what happens next.
What I loved about this was the genuine emotional depth was tucked into this sports romance. Wyatt is the classic cocky hockey player on the surface, but his growth and the way he supports Grace made him a total standout. I also loved seeing Grace as an artistic swimmer; she is strong, resilient, and brings such a refreshing energy to the story. Watching them slowly break down each other's walls while balancing their personal expectations made their connection feel so much more meaningful than your average romance.
While the pacing felt a little fast at times, the addictive quality of the world Kelcie James created made it impossible to put down. It manages to be sweet, funny, and surprisingly moving all at once. I honestly felt every bit of their journey, and by the end, I was fully invested in their happy ending.
It is a fantastic, binge-worthy read that gives you all the warm, swoony feelings you want from a college romance.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Kelcie James & Love Notes PR for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
June 2, 2026
જ⁀➴ 4 stars
Thank you to Love Notes PR and Kelcie James for the eARC! All opinions are my own. The Bet: A Fake Dating College Hockey Romance: Ocean Cove University #1 is out now!
⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹
On today’s episode of “green flag MMCs,” I present to you….Wyatt Jacobs. There was so much to love about this story, from Wyatt and Grace’s relationship, to the importance of funding arts and sports programs, and most importantly, finding your voice as a young adult to make your own path in the world.
To start, I love how the book dove into the world of artistic swimming (no pun intended!). Our FMC, Grace, is an artistic swimmer, and I feel like it’s been an unintentional goal of mine to read more sports romances about lesser known/appreciated sports both on the collegiate and professional level. I never knew how much work was put into making tumbling and doing flips and tricks in the water took for artistic swimmers until I read about Grace’s training sessions. From the endurance training to full-on exercises to increase the ability to hold their breath underwater for longer periods of time, I have so much respect for artistic swimmers now!
I think the story takes this a step further when the topic of “lesser” sports at universities getting neglected for the larger sports like basketball, football, and hockey was discussed throughout the story. Yes, those are usually the 3 sports colleges are known for, but colleges and even high schools produce so many Olympian-level athletes every year in a variety of sports, and the storyline of revolving around the artistic swimming team was one I found interesting. I honestly wish this particular storyline was introduced earlier in the story because I felt like so much of it was crammed into the last few chapters of the book (more to come on this).
Let’s get into Wyatt and Grace’s relationship. This was one of the sweetest, wholesome relationships I’ve read about this year, and I think a lot of people will love them as much as I do! Their relationship was so sweet and I love how they balanced each other out. They motivated each other to be better people and along the way, they inadvertently helped each other learn more about themselves and what they stand for. Wyatt is literally one of the greenest flag men ever. He’s the kind of MMC who would watch paint dry with Grace and he’d never get bored, solely because she’s there with him. (Bonus points because he calls her “my girl” like, twenty million times in the story and it’s so stinking cute!)
One thing I wasn’t the biggest fan of was the insta-love of Wyatt and Grace’s relationship. I know a lot of people won’t mind considering how good they are for each other, but I found it kind of unrealistic when Wyatt’s never had a girlfriend before and Grace was basically making heart eyes at him the second she laid eyes on him and they haven’t even spoken a word to each other yet. I also didn’t really like how it felt like every conflict seemed to get crammed in the last few chapters. From the sideplot with the artistic swim team and other aquatic teams to Wyatt’s rocky relationship with his dad and Grace’s relationship with her own parents, I feel like not everything fully resolved. While Wyatt and Grace’s relationships with their parents are a major part of their character development, they spent a lot of time in the story going into the relationship dynamic and even by the last chapter, I still didn’t think everything was wrapped up in a bow to conclude the end of Wyatt and Grace’s story. There’s very heavy foreshadowing in the story for future couples in the series, which I think will feature Grace and Wyatt’s friends, so maybe we’ll get more cameos from them in the future.
If you’re looking for a cute, wholesome college sports romance, please read this! I was thinking about Wyatt and Grace’s story long after the last page and I can’t wait to see what else Kelcie James has in store for the rest of the Ocean Cove series!
⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹
Thank you to Love Notes PR and Kelcie James for the eARC! All opinions are my own. The Bet: A Fake Dating College Hockey Romance: Ocean Cove University #1 is out now!
"Love has made everything better."
⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹
On today’s episode of “green flag MMCs,” I present to you….Wyatt Jacobs. There was so much to love about this story, from Wyatt and Grace’s relationship, to the importance of funding arts and sports programs, and most importantly, finding your voice as a young adult to make your own path in the world.
To start, I love how the book dove into the world of artistic swimming (no pun intended!). Our FMC, Grace, is an artistic swimmer, and I feel like it’s been an unintentional goal of mine to read more sports romances about lesser known/appreciated sports both on the collegiate and professional level. I never knew how much work was put into making tumbling and doing flips and tricks in the water took for artistic swimmers until I read about Grace’s training sessions. From the endurance training to full-on exercises to increase the ability to hold their breath underwater for longer periods of time, I have so much respect for artistic swimmers now!
I think the story takes this a step further when the topic of “lesser” sports at universities getting neglected for the larger sports like basketball, football, and hockey was discussed throughout the story. Yes, those are usually the 3 sports colleges are known for, but colleges and even high schools produce so many Olympian-level athletes every year in a variety of sports, and the storyline of revolving around the artistic swimming team was one I found interesting. I honestly wish this particular storyline was introduced earlier in the story because I felt like so much of it was crammed into the last few chapters of the book (more to come on this).
Let’s get into Wyatt and Grace’s relationship. This was one of the sweetest, wholesome relationships I’ve read about this year, and I think a lot of people will love them as much as I do! Their relationship was so sweet and I love how they balanced each other out. They motivated each other to be better people and along the way, they inadvertently helped each other learn more about themselves and what they stand for. Wyatt is literally one of the greenest flag men ever. He’s the kind of MMC who would watch paint dry with Grace and he’d never get bored, solely because she’s there with him. (Bonus points because he calls her “my girl” like, twenty million times in the story and it’s so stinking cute!)
One thing I wasn’t the biggest fan of was the insta-love of Wyatt and Grace’s relationship. I know a lot of people won’t mind considering how good they are for each other, but I found it kind of unrealistic when Wyatt’s never had a girlfriend before and Grace was basically making heart eyes at him the second she laid eyes on him and they haven’t even spoken a word to each other yet. I also didn’t really like how it felt like every conflict seemed to get crammed in the last few chapters. From the sideplot with the artistic swim team and other aquatic teams to Wyatt’s rocky relationship with his dad and Grace’s relationship with her own parents, I feel like not everything fully resolved. While Wyatt and Grace’s relationships with their parents are a major part of their character development, they spent a lot of time in the story going into the relationship dynamic and even by the last chapter, I still didn’t think everything was wrapped up in a bow to conclude the end of Wyatt and Grace’s story. There’s very heavy foreshadowing in the story for future couples in the series, which I think will feature Grace and Wyatt’s friends, so maybe we’ll get more cameos from them in the future.
If you’re looking for a cute, wholesome college sports romance, please read this! I was thinking about Wyatt and Grace’s story long after the last page and I can’t wait to see what else Kelcie James has in store for the rest of the Ocean Cove series!
⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹 °.🏊♀️⋆❀˖° ⋆｡𖦹
May 22, 2026
Disclaimer: I received an ARC copy of the book.
I needed to DNF after one chapter. I personally dislike when the author uses modern terminology because it dates the book. In the first chapter alone, the author uses a handful of modern terms to describe the characters like "mean girl" and "red flag". Also, why is the author spending a whole paragraph to describe the FMC's outfit? Worse, it's described very much from the male gaze: "I get out of the car, smoothing out the short pink skirt I'm wearing, paired with a tight white cropped T-shirt that shows just a bit of my toned abs. It's so hot today, and I'm going to be lugging things back and forth from my car, so this outfit will do the job nicely, along with my Golden Goose sneakers." Most people when they're moving in are wearing comfortable clothes and not mini skirts and tight shirts.
I needed to DNF after one chapter. I personally dislike when the author uses modern terminology because it dates the book. In the first chapter alone, the author uses a handful of modern terms to describe the characters like "mean girl" and "red flag". Also, why is the author spending a whole paragraph to describe the FMC's outfit? Worse, it's described very much from the male gaze: "I get out of the car, smoothing out the short pink skirt I'm wearing, paired with a tight white cropped T-shirt that shows just a bit of my toned abs. It's so hot today, and I'm going to be lugging things back and forth from my car, so this outfit will do the job nicely, along with my Golden Goose sneakers." Most people when they're moving in are wearing comfortable clothes and not mini skirts and tight shirts.
May 26, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 [Rounded Up]
🌶️🌶️/5
📚 Book 1 in the Ocean Cove University Series
🏒 College Hockey Romance
🗣️ Dual POV
💙 Fake Dating
Honestly this book was exactly the kind of hockey romance I needed. It had the perfect mix of tension, banter, fake dating chaos, and emotional moments without ever feeling too heavy.
The fake dating setup was just that, a setup because these two were absolutely terrible at pretending not to want each other 😂 From the beginning, the chemistry was there, and watching them slowly cross the line from “this is just part of the deal” to being genuinely attached was honestly the best part of the whole book.
The MMC had that classic cocky hockey player energy, but there was enough depth there that he didn’t feel like every other sports romance guy. Once he started caring, he was in it, and those are always my favorite kinds of MMCs. Meanwhile, the FMC held her own really well and never felt overshadowed by him or the relationship.
I also loved how easy this book was to binge. The pacing was a little off in places honestly but, there was enough tension to keep things interesting, and the relationship development didn’t feel overly dragged out. It just had that addictive “one more chapter” feel the entire time but could have been shorter without missing anything.
And honestly? The banter carried so many scenes for me. They had that very natural teasing/flirty dynamic that made the relationship feel believable instead of overly dramatic all the time. Though at times the writing did feel a little repetitive/younger...but it wasnt enough to kill the book for me.
Overall this was fun, cute, a little emotional, and exactly what I want when I pick up a fake dating hockey romance.
Tropes:
💙 Fake Dating
🏒 College Hockey Romance
💙 Forced Proximity
🏒 Cocky Hockey Player MMC
💙 Banter
🏒 He Falls First
💙 Emotional Walls
🏒 Teammates/Friend Group Chaos
💙 Protective MMC
🏒 Slow Burn Feelings
🌶️🌶️/5
📚 Book 1 in the Ocean Cove University Series
🏒 College Hockey Romance
🗣️ Dual POV
💙 Fake Dating
Honestly this book was exactly the kind of hockey romance I needed. It had the perfect mix of tension, banter, fake dating chaos, and emotional moments without ever feeling too heavy.
The fake dating setup was just that, a setup because these two were absolutely terrible at pretending not to want each other 😂 From the beginning, the chemistry was there, and watching them slowly cross the line from “this is just part of the deal” to being genuinely attached was honestly the best part of the whole book.
The MMC had that classic cocky hockey player energy, but there was enough depth there that he didn’t feel like every other sports romance guy. Once he started caring, he was in it, and those are always my favorite kinds of MMCs. Meanwhile, the FMC held her own really well and never felt overshadowed by him or the relationship.
I also loved how easy this book was to binge. The pacing was a little off in places honestly but, there was enough tension to keep things interesting, and the relationship development didn’t feel overly dragged out. It just had that addictive “one more chapter” feel the entire time but could have been shorter without missing anything.
And honestly? The banter carried so many scenes for me. They had that very natural teasing/flirty dynamic that made the relationship feel believable instead of overly dramatic all the time. Though at times the writing did feel a little repetitive/younger...but it wasnt enough to kill the book for me.
Overall this was fun, cute, a little emotional, and exactly what I want when I pick up a fake dating hockey romance.
Tropes:
💙 Fake Dating
🏒 College Hockey Romance
💙 Forced Proximity
🏒 Cocky Hockey Player MMC
💙 Banter
🏒 He Falls First
💙 Emotional Walls
🏒 Teammates/Friend Group Chaos
💙 Protective MMC
🏒 Slow Burn Feelings
June 16, 2026
✨Arc Review✨
3.5⭐️
This started out great, the characters were super cute, I was totally feeling the vibes. Wyatt was such a sweetheart and with Grace he was even better. I really liked how the author went with the bet, it was very well done. Grace was also super cute. It’s was very interesting to see them develop as a couple but also as individuals and standing up for themselves with their overbearing parents and on their sports life. The only things that bothered me a little was the repetitiveness with some details like her chlorine scent, her perfume, the color of his eyes and also that they got really together around 55/60% and then we just see them happy with only the school/parents drama to fill the rest of the book, I feel like it could’ve been better distributed along the book to feel more natural.
3.5⭐️
This started out great, the characters were super cute, I was totally feeling the vibes. Wyatt was such a sweetheart and with Grace he was even better. I really liked how the author went with the bet, it was very well done. Grace was also super cute. It’s was very interesting to see them develop as a couple but also as individuals and standing up for themselves with their overbearing parents and on their sports life. The only things that bothered me a little was the repetitiveness with some details like her chlorine scent, her perfume, the color of his eyes and also that they got really together around 55/60% and then we just see them happy with only the school/parents drama to fill the rest of the book, I feel like it could’ve been better distributed along the book to feel more natural.
June 21, 2026
Review of ARC from Love Notes PR
4/5⭐️ and 2/5🌶️
Ugh I loved this so much! Grace and Wyatt are so made for each other. I loved the communication and soft moments between them!
4/5⭐️ and 2/5🌶️
Ugh I loved this so much! Grace and Wyatt are so made for each other. I loved the communication and soft moments between them!
June 7, 2026
3 Stars ⭐️ ARC Read
This book was cute in the beginning, but as it went on I felt that it was really dragging. The more I read, the more the characters just began to come off as immature and the writing was getting very repetitive. Also, I literally said "bruh" out loud when Wyatt and Grace were saying "I love you" to each other just days into dating. 💀 This just felt very Wattpad-like. Still a quick and light read.
This book was cute in the beginning, but as it went on I felt that it was really dragging. The more I read, the more the characters just began to come off as immature and the writing was getting very repetitive. Also, I literally said "bruh" out loud when Wyatt and Grace were saying "I love you" to each other just days into dating. 💀 This just felt very Wattpad-like. Still a quick and light read.
May 28, 2026
This is the first book of Kelcie’s that I’ve read and it hooked me from the start. I expected a fun college hockey romance, but it ended up giving me so much more emotionally than I was ready for. Between the chemistry, the tension, and all the messy feelings underneath it all, I was fully invested in these two almost immediately.
The fake dating aspect was honestly chaos in the best way because neither of them could keep up the “pretending” for very long. The attraction was obvious from the beginning, but what made the relationship work for me was how naturally the emotional connection grew alongside all the flirting and banter. Every interaction felt effortless and believable instead of overly dramatic.
I also really loved the balance between the main characters. The MMC had that confident hockey player attitude everyone loves, but there was enough vulnerability there to make him feel genuine instead of one-dimensional. And the FMC absolutely held her own. She was strong without trying too hard, emotionally layered, and impossible not to root for.
What surprised me most was how addictive the pacing felt. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter” and suddenly I was halfway through the book. Even during slower moments, the tension between them carried everything. The dialogue and teasing were easily some of my favorite parts because it made the relationship feel fun, comfortable, and real.
The emotional moments hit harder than I expected too. Underneath all the hockey romance energy, there was a lot about trust, vulnerability, and slowly letting someone in. It gave the story more depth without losing the fun, bingeable feel that makes sports romances so entertaining.
Overall, this was the perfect mix of swoony, emotional, funny, and addictive. If you love college hockey romances with fake dating, strong chemistry, protective energy, and characters who slowly become each other’s safe place, this one absolutely delivers.
🏒 Tropes:
• Fake Dating
• College Hockey Romance
• Forced Proximity
• Protective MMC
• Banter & Flirty Chaos
• Emotional Walls
• He Falls First
• Slow Burn Feelings
• Found Family/Team Dynamics
A big thanks to the author and LoveNotes_PR for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The fake dating aspect was honestly chaos in the best way because neither of them could keep up the “pretending” for very long. The attraction was obvious from the beginning, but what made the relationship work for me was how naturally the emotional connection grew alongside all the flirting and banter. Every interaction felt effortless and believable instead of overly dramatic.
I also really loved the balance between the main characters. The MMC had that confident hockey player attitude everyone loves, but there was enough vulnerability there to make him feel genuine instead of one-dimensional. And the FMC absolutely held her own. She was strong without trying too hard, emotionally layered, and impossible not to root for.
What surprised me most was how addictive the pacing felt. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter” and suddenly I was halfway through the book. Even during slower moments, the tension between them carried everything. The dialogue and teasing were easily some of my favorite parts because it made the relationship feel fun, comfortable, and real.
The emotional moments hit harder than I expected too. Underneath all the hockey romance energy, there was a lot about trust, vulnerability, and slowly letting someone in. It gave the story more depth without losing the fun, bingeable feel that makes sports romances so entertaining.
Overall, this was the perfect mix of swoony, emotional, funny, and addictive. If you love college hockey romances with fake dating, strong chemistry, protective energy, and characters who slowly become each other’s safe place, this one absolutely delivers.
🏒 Tropes:
• Fake Dating
• College Hockey Romance
• Forced Proximity
• Protective MMC
• Banter & Flirty Chaos
• Emotional Walls
• He Falls First
• Slow Burn Feelings
• Found Family/Team Dynamics
A big thanks to the author and LoveNotes_PR for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 6, 2026
“Even when I knew you weren’t really mine, my heart always hoped you would be,”
This book was so much fun to read, I didn’t want to put it down because it truly felt like I was on campus at OCU with these characters!! Grace and Wyatt just might the sweetest couple I’ve ever read, because their story was just so wholesome. Their love story is adorable because it starts out as fake dating, and we get to watch them actually fall for each other! But we get so much more than just their romance as we see them both grow and spread their wings to become who they were always meant to be. They both helped each other grow and become more confident and bold, and it was so inspiring to see, especially with two young people. Wyatt is also such a walking Green Flag with Grace and I loved that.
Overall, I truly enjoyed their story and will definitely continue to read this series bc I want to permanently stay at OCU!!
🩵Hockey Player x Artisitc Swimmer
🤍Fraternity boy x Sorority Girl
🩵Fake dating
🤍He falls first & harder
🩵College setting
This book was so much fun to read, I didn’t want to put it down because it truly felt like I was on campus at OCU with these characters!! Grace and Wyatt just might the sweetest couple I’ve ever read, because their story was just so wholesome. Their love story is adorable because it starts out as fake dating, and we get to watch them actually fall for each other! But we get so much more than just their romance as we see them both grow and spread their wings to become who they were always meant to be. They both helped each other grow and become more confident and bold, and it was so inspiring to see, especially with two young people. Wyatt is also such a walking Green Flag with Grace and I loved that.
Overall, I truly enjoyed their story and will definitely continue to read this series bc I want to permanently stay at OCU!!
🩵Hockey Player x Artisitc Swimmer
🤍Fraternity boy x Sorority Girl
🩵Fake dating
🤍He falls first & harder
🩵College setting
September 7, 2026
Wyatt was the greeniest of green flags. A total sweetheart who I don’t think did a single thing wrong in this book. He has the best communication and that was sooo refreshing I loved it. 🥹 The ending became BLAH to me but I was deep into the book until about 70%
June 2, 2026
thank you to Kelcie James and lovenotes PR for trusting me with this arc!! 💕💕
I am very much in my hockey romance era right now (thanks to. certain series) and can only say this did not disappoint!!
super likeable characters and plot and the fake dating trope is everything i want and more
I am very much in my hockey romance era right now (thanks to. certain series) and can only say this did not disappoint!!
super likeable characters and plot and the fake dating trope is everything i want and more
May 16, 2026
Wyatt and Grace are just so perfect. From the first page to the last line, they were fake dating magic. I loved how they slowly learned each other and their fake romance just blossomed from there. It was utter magic.
The slow burn was so pure and yet so damn hawt. Nothing compares when both characters know where they stand with each other and know their feelings when it comes to moments as hot as they are.
There were so many good side characters, whose stories I can't wait to read!!!
Thank you Kelcie and Love notes PR for an advanced copy.
The slow burn was so pure and yet so damn hawt. Nothing compares when both characters know where they stand with each other and know their feelings when it comes to moments as hot as they are.
There were so many good side characters, whose stories I can't wait to read!!!
Thank you Kelcie and Love notes PR for an advanced copy.
May 24, 2026
Thank you to LoveNotesPR for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
3.5 stars
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I had a good time with it, but it definitely wasn’t a 5-star one for me. The story kept me interested and I liked the romance, but there were a few things that pulled me out of it.
For one, I did not need to be reminded every other chapter that Grace smelled like vanilla/sugar mixed with chlorine 😭 We get it, she’s a swimmer! Once was enough.
I also felt like the relationship moved really fast. Saying “I love you” not even a month into officially dating was a little too insta-love for my taste. I get the whole when you know, you know vibe, but I personally needed a bit more build-up to fully buy into it.
The pacing also dragged in places, and honestly I think this book could have been about 100 pages shorter without losing anything.
That said, I still enjoyed it overall. It was entertaining and somewhat easy to get through. Not quite a 5-star read for me, but definitely still a fun one.
Publication date: 26th May 2026
3.5 stars
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I had a good time with it, but it definitely wasn’t a 5-star one for me. The story kept me interested and I liked the romance, but there were a few things that pulled me out of it.
For one, I did not need to be reminded every other chapter that Grace smelled like vanilla/sugar mixed with chlorine 😭 We get it, she’s a swimmer! Once was enough.
I also felt like the relationship moved really fast. Saying “I love you” not even a month into officially dating was a little too insta-love for my taste. I get the whole when you know, you know vibe, but I personally needed a bit more build-up to fully buy into it.
The pacing also dragged in places, and honestly I think this book could have been about 100 pages shorter without losing anything.
That said, I still enjoyed it overall. It was entertaining and somewhat easy to get through. Not quite a 5-star read for me, but definitely still a fun one.
Publication date: 26th May 2026
June 2, 2026
Some books are entertaining while you're reading them, and then there are books like this one, the kind that completely consume your attention and refuse to let go. What I expected to be a fun college hockey romance turned into a story that surprised me with just how much heart it had.
At its core, this is a romance built on a fake relationship, but it never felt predictable. Watching two people blur the lines between what's real and what's supposed to be an act was both frustrating and addictive in the best possible way. The attraction was there from the beginning, but it was the emotional intimacy that made me invest so deeply in their story. Every conversation, every shared moment, and every crack in their carefully constructed walls felt meaningful.
What really stood out to me was how well-developed the characters were. The MMC had all the confidence and charisma you'd expect from a star athlete, but there was a quiet vulnerability underneath that made him impossible not to love. He wasn't just protective, he genuinely cared, and that came through in both the big moments and the smaller ones. The FMC was equally compelling. She was resilient, self-aware, and never lost herself within the romance. Her growth throughout the story felt natural, and I found myself rooting for her happiness from beginning to end.
The chemistry between them was effortless. Their banter was sharp, playful, and often had me smiling to myself, but it was the underlying tension that kept me turning pages long after I should have stopped reading. Even during the quieter scenes, there was an emotional pull between them that made every interaction feel significant.
What elevated this story beyond a typical sports romance was the emotional depth woven throughout it. Beneath the flirting, the hockey, and the fake dating chaos was a story about trust, vulnerability, and finding someone who makes it easier to carry the things you've been carrying alone.
The romance wasn't just about falling in love, it was about learning to be seen, accepted, and supported.
By the time I reached the final page, I wasn't ready to leave these characters behind. This book delivered everything I love about the genre: chemistry that leaps off the page, emotional growth that feels earned, and a romance that leaves you with that warm, satisfied feeling long after you've finished reading. If you're looking for a college hockey romance that balances humor, heart, and genuine emotional connection, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
My sincere thanks to the author and Love Notes PR for providing me with an advance review copy. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
At its core, this is a romance built on a fake relationship, but it never felt predictable. Watching two people blur the lines between what's real and what's supposed to be an act was both frustrating and addictive in the best possible way. The attraction was there from the beginning, but it was the emotional intimacy that made me invest so deeply in their story. Every conversation, every shared moment, and every crack in their carefully constructed walls felt meaningful.
What really stood out to me was how well-developed the characters were. The MMC had all the confidence and charisma you'd expect from a star athlete, but there was a quiet vulnerability underneath that made him impossible not to love. He wasn't just protective, he genuinely cared, and that came through in both the big moments and the smaller ones. The FMC was equally compelling. She was resilient, self-aware, and never lost herself within the romance. Her growth throughout the story felt natural, and I found myself rooting for her happiness from beginning to end.
The chemistry between them was effortless. Their banter was sharp, playful, and often had me smiling to myself, but it was the underlying tension that kept me turning pages long after I should have stopped reading. Even during the quieter scenes, there was an emotional pull between them that made every interaction feel significant.
What elevated this story beyond a typical sports romance was the emotional depth woven throughout it. Beneath the flirting, the hockey, and the fake dating chaos was a story about trust, vulnerability, and finding someone who makes it easier to carry the things you've been carrying alone.
The romance wasn't just about falling in love, it was about learning to be seen, accepted, and supported.
By the time I reached the final page, I wasn't ready to leave these characters behind. This book delivered everything I love about the genre: chemistry that leaps off the page, emotional growth that feels earned, and a romance that leaves you with that warm, satisfied feeling long after you've finished reading. If you're looking for a college hockey romance that balances humor, heart, and genuine emotional connection, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
My sincere thanks to the author and Love Notes PR for providing me with an advance review copy. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
May 21, 2026
4,25⭐️
•
“You know what? I was wrong. You’re Wy to me. Because you’re my Wy.”
•
The bet is a romance standalone book, here you’ll find:
💙Fake dating
🏒Hockey player MMC
🏊♀️Artistic swimmer FMC
🎓College romance
So at this point everyone knows I love hockey romances and this one was actually a pretty good read. I got invested in the story really quickly and I ended up enjoying both the romance and the personal growth of the characters a lot.
Wyatt is a college hockey player who’s working really hard to get drafted into the NHL, but at the same time he also wants to focus on his education and build something for himself outside of hockey. A lot of the pressure comes from his father, who sees hockey as the only thing that matters, and you can really see how much that affects Wyatt throughout the book. He’s such a caring and lovable character and I really loved seeing his growth, especially when he finally finds the courage to stand up for himself and speak honestly with his father. I also really loved his relationship with his little sister, it added such a sweet side to his character.
Grace is an artistic swimmer and I loved seeing that sport represented because I honestly didn’t know much about it before reading this book. You can really tell how passionate she is about it, even though she’s studying literature mostly because of her mother’s expectations and not because it’s what she truly wants. I really liked her character and especially her growth throughout the story, seeing her slowly realize what she actually wants for her future and finding the courage to go after it.
Wyatt and Grace relationship starts as a fake dating situation, and as always we all know how that usually ends. The more time they spend together, the more impossible it becomes to ignore the feelings growing between them. Wyatt says he’s not a relationship kind of guy, but honestly he was such an A+ boyfriend. He listens to Grace, supports her and genuinely cares about her, and she does the same for him. They were honestly so cute together and I loved their dynamic.
If I had to find a flaw, I’d say the pacing and timeline felt a little off at times. It genuinely felt like way more time had passed even though the characters kept reminding us it had been less than a month. But overall I still really enjoyed this one.
•
“You know what? I was wrong. You’re Wy to me. Because you’re my Wy.”
•
The bet is a romance standalone book, here you’ll find:
💙Fake dating
🏒Hockey player MMC
🏊♀️Artistic swimmer FMC
🎓College romance
So at this point everyone knows I love hockey romances and this one was actually a pretty good read. I got invested in the story really quickly and I ended up enjoying both the romance and the personal growth of the characters a lot.
Wyatt is a college hockey player who’s working really hard to get drafted into the NHL, but at the same time he also wants to focus on his education and build something for himself outside of hockey. A lot of the pressure comes from his father, who sees hockey as the only thing that matters, and you can really see how much that affects Wyatt throughout the book. He’s such a caring and lovable character and I really loved seeing his growth, especially when he finally finds the courage to stand up for himself and speak honestly with his father. I also really loved his relationship with his little sister, it added such a sweet side to his character.
Grace is an artistic swimmer and I loved seeing that sport represented because I honestly didn’t know much about it before reading this book. You can really tell how passionate she is about it, even though she’s studying literature mostly because of her mother’s expectations and not because it’s what she truly wants. I really liked her character and especially her growth throughout the story, seeing her slowly realize what she actually wants for her future and finding the courage to go after it.
Wyatt and Grace relationship starts as a fake dating situation, and as always we all know how that usually ends. The more time they spend together, the more impossible it becomes to ignore the feelings growing between them. Wyatt says he’s not a relationship kind of guy, but honestly he was such an A+ boyfriend. He listens to Grace, supports her and genuinely cares about her, and she does the same for him. They were honestly so cute together and I loved their dynamic.
If I had to find a flaw, I’d say the pacing and timeline felt a little off at times. It genuinely felt like way more time had passed even though the characters kept reminding us it had been less than a month. But overall I still really enjoyed this one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Bet by Kelcie James completely surprised me in the best way and honestly gave me everything I want from a college hockey romance without falling into the usual clichés. This was my first Kelcie James book and now I absolutely understand the hype because I was hooked from the very first chapter. There was never a moment where the story dragged or lost momentum. Every chapter pulled me deeper into Wyatt and Grace’s world and I genuinely didn’t want it to end.
What really stood out to me was how layered these characters felt. Wyatt and Grace were easily some of the strongest main characters I’ve read in a long time. They both had so much emotional depth, growth, and vulnerability that made them feel incredibly real. Their relationship developed fairly quickly, but it never felt rushed or forced. The connection between them was immediate, natural, and believable in a way that made me completely invest in them as a couple.
Wyatt was the perfect balance of protective, caring, and emotionally mature while still carrying his own flaws and insecurities. And Grace was such a strong FMC. She had this quiet resilience about her that made her impossible not to root for. Watching them slowly let their walls down around each other and become exactly what the other needed was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.
Their chemistry was insane from the start, but what I appreciated most was that the spice never overshadowed the actual story. The emotional connection always came first, which made every romantic moment hit so much harder. The tension, the softness, the vulnerability between them… it all felt beautifully written and intentional.
This book had so much more depth than I expected from a college romance. Beneath the hockey setting and romance, there was real emotional growth, healing, and self-discovery woven throughout the story. If you’re deep in your hockey romance era and looking for something that balances swoon-worthy chemistry with emotional substance, The Bet absolutely delivers.
What really stood out to me was how layered these characters felt. Wyatt and Grace were easily some of the strongest main characters I’ve read in a long time. They both had so much emotional depth, growth, and vulnerability that made them feel incredibly real. Their relationship developed fairly quickly, but it never felt rushed or forced. The connection between them was immediate, natural, and believable in a way that made me completely invest in them as a couple.
Wyatt was the perfect balance of protective, caring, and emotionally mature while still carrying his own flaws and insecurities. And Grace was such a strong FMC. She had this quiet resilience about her that made her impossible not to root for. Watching them slowly let their walls down around each other and become exactly what the other needed was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book.
Their chemistry was insane from the start, but what I appreciated most was that the spice never overshadowed the actual story. The emotional connection always came first, which made every romantic moment hit so much harder. The tension, the softness, the vulnerability between them… it all felt beautifully written and intentional.
This book had so much more depth than I expected from a college romance. Beneath the hockey setting and romance, there was real emotional growth, healing, and self-discovery woven throughout the story. If you’re deep in your hockey romance era and looking for something that balances swoon-worthy chemistry with emotional substance, The Bet absolutely delivers.
May 31, 2026
The Bet is a fake dating college hockey romance.
I loved reading The Bet! The Bet is everything that you want in a college hockey romance.
The main characters of the story are Grace and Wyatt. They are both likable and relatable characters. Grace is an artistic swimmer. Swimming is her passion but to meet her mom’s expectations she is studying literature. Grace is the type of girl that you want to best friends. Then there is Wyatt, he is all about hockey but he doesn’t come off as your typical cocky jerk hockey player. He is dealing with all of pressure from his dad that believes that Wyatt’s world should only have hockey in it and nothing else. Wyatt is caring and lovable character.
When Wyatt hears the guys in his frat house make a bet that involves Grace. He decides to tell Grace about. From there they come up with the idea of faking dating. They just didn’t know that faking dating was going to change their lives.
The chemistry between Grace and Wyatt is there from the moment they meet and just continues to grow throughout the story. I loved watching not only their relationship grow but also watching Grace and Wyatt grow as individuals. They each are dealing with their own problems so it was nice to see them support each other as they deal with them.
Other things I love about this book, the secondary characters. Grace’s friends are great. Watching them deal with their own issues but them being there for each other. Wyatt’s friends are great too. I liked the interaction they had with Grace’s friends. I also loved that they were protective of Grace but also were protective of Grace’s friends. The writing and pace of the story was good.The story also flowed really well. There are steamy scenes and those were written well. They weren’t over the top or cheesy. Also the steamy scenes didn’t over take the story.
Overall, The Bet is a good read! Grace and Wyatt are going to become one of your favorite book couples. Once you start this book you won’t be able to put it down!
I loved reading The Bet! The Bet is everything that you want in a college hockey romance.
The main characters of the story are Grace and Wyatt. They are both likable and relatable characters. Grace is an artistic swimmer. Swimming is her passion but to meet her mom’s expectations she is studying literature. Grace is the type of girl that you want to best friends. Then there is Wyatt, he is all about hockey but he doesn’t come off as your typical cocky jerk hockey player. He is dealing with all of pressure from his dad that believes that Wyatt’s world should only have hockey in it and nothing else. Wyatt is caring and lovable character.
When Wyatt hears the guys in his frat house make a bet that involves Grace. He decides to tell Grace about. From there they come up with the idea of faking dating. They just didn’t know that faking dating was going to change their lives.
The chemistry between Grace and Wyatt is there from the moment they meet and just continues to grow throughout the story. I loved watching not only their relationship grow but also watching Grace and Wyatt grow as individuals. They each are dealing with their own problems so it was nice to see them support each other as they deal with them.
Other things I love about this book, the secondary characters. Grace’s friends are great. Watching them deal with their own issues but them being there for each other. Wyatt’s friends are great too. I liked the interaction they had with Grace’s friends. I also loved that they were protective of Grace but also were protective of Grace’s friends. The writing and pace of the story was good.The story also flowed really well. There are steamy scenes and those were written well. They weren’t over the top or cheesy. Also the steamy scenes didn’t over take the story.
Overall, The Bet is a good read! Grace and Wyatt are going to become one of your favorite book couples. Once you start this book you won’t be able to put it down!
June 1, 2026
First I want to thank LoveNotes & Kelcie James for trusting me with this ARC. 💕
I honestly didn’t know exactly what to expect going into this book, but wow… it completely pulled me in from the very beginning. I thought I was getting a cute college hockey romance, and while it definitely delivered on that, it also gave me so many feelings that I wasn’t prepared for.
The chemistry between these two was insane from the start. The fake dating trope is one of my favorites when it’s done right, and this book absolutely nailed it. The “pretending” didn’t even feel like pretending half the time because the tension between them was so obvious. Every interaction had me smiling, kicking my feet, and desperately needing to know what would happen next.
What I loved most was how naturally their relationship developed. It wasn’t all drama or misunderstandings. You could actually see them getting to know each other, becoming comfortable with one another, and slowly falling without even realizing it. Their banter was funny, flirty, and honestly one of my favorite parts of the whole book.
The MMC was everything I want in a hockey romance hero. Confident, charming, and a little cocky, but underneath all of that he had a softer side that made me love him even more. And the FMC was such a great match for him. She never let herself get overshadowed and held her own in every situation. I loved how strong she was while still feeling so real and relatable.
This book was also ridiculously easy to binge. I kept telling myself I would stop after one more chapter and somehow ended up reading way more than I planned. The pacing was so good and I was invested in their story the entire time.
By the end, I was completely attached to these characters and honestly didn’t want their story to end. It was sweet, emotional, funny, and full of those little moments that make you fall in love with a romance.
I honestly didn’t know exactly what to expect going into this book, but wow… it completely pulled me in from the very beginning. I thought I was getting a cute college hockey romance, and while it definitely delivered on that, it also gave me so many feelings that I wasn’t prepared for.
The chemistry between these two was insane from the start. The fake dating trope is one of my favorites when it’s done right, and this book absolutely nailed it. The “pretending” didn’t even feel like pretending half the time because the tension between them was so obvious. Every interaction had me smiling, kicking my feet, and desperately needing to know what would happen next.
What I loved most was how naturally their relationship developed. It wasn’t all drama or misunderstandings. You could actually see them getting to know each other, becoming comfortable with one another, and slowly falling without even realizing it. Their banter was funny, flirty, and honestly one of my favorite parts of the whole book.
The MMC was everything I want in a hockey romance hero. Confident, charming, and a little cocky, but underneath all of that he had a softer side that made me love him even more. And the FMC was such a great match for him. She never let herself get overshadowed and held her own in every situation. I loved how strong she was while still feeling so real and relatable.
This book was also ridiculously easy to binge. I kept telling myself I would stop after one more chapter and somehow ended up reading way more than I planned. The pacing was so good and I was invested in their story the entire time.
By the end, I was completely attached to these characters and honestly didn’t want their story to end. It was sweet, emotional, funny, and full of those little moments that make you fall in love with a romance.
August 17, 2026
Mr and Mrs Mary Sue go to college
The goodest girl and the bestest boy fall immediately for each other, then spend the entire book telling each other how amazing the other one is.
This novel reads like a PSA on proper behavior. The characters speak in sentences like, "I'm sorry my father verbally abused you." instead of anything as undignified as, "I'm so pissed my dad yelled at you!"
Reading this is like watching that couple who snuggles on the couch rubbing noses and telling each other "no, I love you more!" for hours
This book was full of them asking permission for every move, thanking each other for every deed, validating every word the other spoke, and never doing anything wrong.
Every conflict (with others, never with each other) is instantly resolved when one of them speaks up and basically says "what you're doing is wrong!" and the other party says, "you're right! I'm going to be good now! Thank you for making me a better person!"
There was barely any plot, just the two of them complimenting each other over and over again. Any hint of drama or complications was instantly resolved before the incredibly privileged couple could get too upset or bothered.
Sorority/fraternity functions are highly important, and fashion is prioritized. The characters are both beautiful and smart, and are amazing athletes.
Both main characters come from wealthy, intact families who pay for their degrees and constantly keep in contact.
They both believe they have highly dysfunctional families because they each have a parent who is trying to live their life through their kids accomplishments. Both of them feel pressured by their parents even though they have never told their parents to back off. The author seems to have no idea how truly dysfunctional some families can be.
As boring as this was, I still prefer it to the dark romances where the characters are cruel to each other.
The goodest girl and the bestest boy fall immediately for each other, then spend the entire book telling each other how amazing the other one is.
This novel reads like a PSA on proper behavior. The characters speak in sentences like, "I'm sorry my father verbally abused you." instead of anything as undignified as, "I'm so pissed my dad yelled at you!"
Reading this is like watching that couple who snuggles on the couch rubbing noses and telling each other "no, I love you more!" for hours
This book was full of them asking permission for every move, thanking each other for every deed, validating every word the other spoke, and never doing anything wrong.
Every conflict (with others, never with each other) is instantly resolved when one of them speaks up and basically says "what you're doing is wrong!" and the other party says, "you're right! I'm going to be good now! Thank you for making me a better person!"
There was barely any plot, just the two of them complimenting each other over and over again. Any hint of drama or complications was instantly resolved before the incredibly privileged couple could get too upset or bothered.
Sorority/fraternity functions are highly important, and fashion is prioritized. The characters are both beautiful and smart, and are amazing athletes.
Both main characters come from wealthy, intact families who pay for their degrees and constantly keep in contact.
They both believe they have highly dysfunctional families because they each have a parent who is trying to live their life through their kids accomplishments. Both of them feel pressured by their parents even though they have never told their parents to back off. The author seems to have no idea how truly dysfunctional some families can be.
As boring as this was, I still prefer it to the dark romances where the characters are cruel to each other.
June 1, 2026
#AdvancedReaderCopy
Title: The Bet: Ocean Cove University (Book 1)
Author: Kelcie James
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Sports Romance
Pages: 464
Rating: 4.5⭐️/5 (rounded up!)
“First one to bring her panties back to the house wins the bet.”
Grace Walsh just wants a calm college life focused on artistic swimming, but everything changes when hockey player Wyatt Jacobs tells her she is the target of a humiliating frat bet. To take back control, she starts a fake relationship with him, only for real feelings to slowly grow between them. Wyatt is a dedicated hockey player chasing the NHL while also trying to build a future beyond the sport, all under pressure from his father, and his caring nature especially toward his little sister makes him even more lovable. Grace is passionate about her sport but is studying literature largely due to her mother’s expectations, and her journey of choosing herself adds depth to the story.
This is an engaging, binge-worthy college hockey romance with a fake dating setup that quickly turns into something neither of them can ignore. Between the frat drama, the flirty banter, and Wyatt who falls first and falls hard, it is honestly impossible not to get hooked. The chemistry is instant, the tension is fun, and I found myself giggling at so many moments because their dynamic just works so well. Grace is strong and grounded, the romance feels natural as it builds, and the pacing makes it easy to fly through. No third act breakup makes it even better, just a steady, satisfying build that keeps you invested. Overall, it is a feel-good sports romance with everything you want from the genre; there is nothing not to love here, and it was such a fun, engaging read from start to finish.
A big thanks to Love Notes PR and Kelcie James for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!
Releasing 06/13/2026 on Amazon, KU and paperback.
Title: The Bet: Ocean Cove University (Book 1)
Author: Kelcie James
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Sports Romance
Pages: 464
Rating: 4.5⭐️/5 (rounded up!)
“First one to bring her panties back to the house wins the bet.”
Grace Walsh just wants a calm college life focused on artistic swimming, but everything changes when hockey player Wyatt Jacobs tells her she is the target of a humiliating frat bet. To take back control, she starts a fake relationship with him, only for real feelings to slowly grow between them. Wyatt is a dedicated hockey player chasing the NHL while also trying to build a future beyond the sport, all under pressure from his father, and his caring nature especially toward his little sister makes him even more lovable. Grace is passionate about her sport but is studying literature largely due to her mother’s expectations, and her journey of choosing herself adds depth to the story.
This is an engaging, binge-worthy college hockey romance with a fake dating setup that quickly turns into something neither of them can ignore. Between the frat drama, the flirty banter, and Wyatt who falls first and falls hard, it is honestly impossible not to get hooked. The chemistry is instant, the tension is fun, and I found myself giggling at so many moments because their dynamic just works so well. Grace is strong and grounded, the romance feels natural as it builds, and the pacing makes it easy to fly through. No third act breakup makes it even better, just a steady, satisfying build that keeps you invested. Overall, it is a feel-good sports romance with everything you want from the genre; there is nothing not to love here, and it was such a fun, engaging read from start to finish.
A big thanks to Love Notes PR and Kelcie James for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!
Releasing 06/13/2026 on Amazon, KU and paperback.
June 30, 2026
I had such a fun time reading this one. It was the perfect mix of romance, humor, and emotional moments, and I couldn't stop turning the pages.
Grace and Wyatt's relationship felt so natural. Even though their romance started as fake dating, it never felt forced or over-the-top. Their connection grew through the little moments, inside jokes, quiet conversations, and always showing up for one another. Watching those fake feelings slowly become real made it easy to root for them.
Wyatt quickly became one of my favorite hockey heroes. He had the confidence you'd expect from a college athlete, but underneath it all, he was thoughtful, loyal, and genuinely cared about the people in his life. Grace was just as easy to love. She was determined, compassionate, and never let the expectations placed on her define who she wanted to become. I also loved seeing artistic swimming represented since it's not something you often find in romance books.
Beyond the romance, I appreciated how both characters encouraged each other to chase the lives they truly wanted instead of the ones others expected of them. Their individual growth made their relationship feel even stronger because they became better together without losing themselves.
The side characters added so much life to the story as well. The friendships, team dynamics, and college atmosphere made Ocean Cove University feel like a place I'd happily return to for future books.
Overall, this was such an enjoyable read filled with chemistry, heartfelt moments, and plenty of banter. If you love college hockey romances with fake dating, supportive characters, and a relationship that develops at just the right pace, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up.
Grace and Wyatt's relationship felt so natural. Even though their romance started as fake dating, it never felt forced or over-the-top. Their connection grew through the little moments, inside jokes, quiet conversations, and always showing up for one another. Watching those fake feelings slowly become real made it easy to root for them.
Wyatt quickly became one of my favorite hockey heroes. He had the confidence you'd expect from a college athlete, but underneath it all, he was thoughtful, loyal, and genuinely cared about the people in his life. Grace was just as easy to love. She was determined, compassionate, and never let the expectations placed on her define who she wanted to become. I also loved seeing artistic swimming represented since it's not something you often find in romance books.
Beyond the romance, I appreciated how both characters encouraged each other to chase the lives they truly wanted instead of the ones others expected of them. Their individual growth made their relationship feel even stronger because they became better together without losing themselves.
The side characters added so much life to the story as well. The friendships, team dynamics, and college atmosphere made Ocean Cove University feel like a place I'd happily return to for future books.
Overall, this was such an enjoyable read filled with chemistry, heartfelt moments, and plenty of banter. If you love college hockey romances with fake dating, supportive characters, and a relationship that develops at just the right pace, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up.
June 1, 2026
⭐️ .5
I tried to like this book.
I started to read it 3 or 4 times while on vacation and I just couldn’t get past the writing.
I made it to chapter 3, tried to push past, and finally called defeat. This book has so much potential. Yet it seems this would do better with another edit.
Grace the FMC had so many POV styles it’s hard to keep up. Is she talking to the reader? Is she talking to herself? Who knows. There was so much repetitive information thrown between Grace and WYatt, I felt like it was a book report trying to meet the word quota.
The thought of describing the outfit down to a T seems like a good idea, but I did not need to know about Graces toned abs and golden goose’s. I found it odd that the FMC was pointing out her ‘good looking body’ when in the next chapter the MMC did the same thing. It would’ve worked out well if we got to see Grace through Wyatt’s eyes especially because he seems to be infatuated with her.
Example:
Grace POV: “I get out of the car, smoothing out the short pink skirt I’m wearing, paired with a tight white cropped T-shirt that shows just a bit of my toned abs. It’s so hot today, and I’m going to be lugging things back and forth from my car, so this outfit will do the job nicely, along with my Golden Goose sneakers.”
Wyatt POV: “I can’t help but stare. She’s average height, with blonde hair piled up on the top of her head in a knot. She’s wearing a short pink skirt that shows off tanned, toned legs, and a tight white cropped T-shirt that gives just a flash of her stomach and hugs her breasts nicely.”
I would love to give this book another try once it goes through another edit. I can see that the author has the potential to be a great writer, but it’s just not there yet.
Thank you Love notes PR for the opportunity ❤️
I tried to like this book.
I started to read it 3 or 4 times while on vacation and I just couldn’t get past the writing.
I made it to chapter 3, tried to push past, and finally called defeat. This book has so much potential. Yet it seems this would do better with another edit.
Grace the FMC had so many POV styles it’s hard to keep up. Is she talking to the reader? Is she talking to herself? Who knows. There was so much repetitive information thrown between Grace and WYatt, I felt like it was a book report trying to meet the word quota.
The thought of describing the outfit down to a T seems like a good idea, but I did not need to know about Graces toned abs and golden goose’s. I found it odd that the FMC was pointing out her ‘good looking body’ when in the next chapter the MMC did the same thing. It would’ve worked out well if we got to see Grace through Wyatt’s eyes especially because he seems to be infatuated with her.
Example:
Grace POV: “I get out of the car, smoothing out the short pink skirt I’m wearing, paired with a tight white cropped T-shirt that shows just a bit of my toned abs. It’s so hot today, and I’m going to be lugging things back and forth from my car, so this outfit will do the job nicely, along with my Golden Goose sneakers.”
Wyatt POV: “I can’t help but stare. She’s average height, with blonde hair piled up on the top of her head in a knot. She’s wearing a short pink skirt that shows off tanned, toned legs, and a tight white cropped T-shirt that gives just a flash of her stomach and hugs her breasts nicely.”
I would love to give this book another try once it goes through another edit. I can see that the author has the potential to be a great writer, but it’s just not there yet.
Thank you Love notes PR for the opportunity ❤️
June 2, 2026
"A fake-dating hockey romance that completely stole my heart!"
The Bet by Kelcie James was everything I wanted from a college sports romance and more. From the very beginning, I was hooked by the premise, but it was the characters and their relationship that made me fall in love with this story.
Grace Walsh is the kind of heroine I love reading about. She's strong, resilient, and refuses to let a humiliating situation define her. When a cruel fraternity bet puts her in an unfair spotlight, she decides to take control of the situation rather than let it control her. Watching her stand up for herself and grow throughout the story was incredibly satisfying.
And then there's Wyatt Jacobs.
Wyatt wasn't just a hockey player or a stereotypical sports romance hero. He was caring, respectful, supportive, and genuinely attentive to Grace's feelings. He quickly became one of my favorite parts of the book. The way he showed up for Grace, respected her boundaries, and slowly fell for her made every interaction between them even more enjoyable.
The chemistry between Grace and Wyatt was undeniable from the start. Their banter was fun, their emotional moments felt genuine, and the progression from a fake relationship to something real was beautifully done. Nothing felt rushed, and I loved seeing their trust in each other grow chapter by chapter.
One thing I particularly appreciated was that the story didn't rely solely on romance. Themes of self-worth, respect, friendship, and personal growth were woven throughout the narrative, giving the book more depth than I initially expected.
The Bet by Kelcie James was everything I wanted from a college sports romance and more. From the very beginning, I was hooked by the premise, but it was the characters and their relationship that made me fall in love with this story.
Grace Walsh is the kind of heroine I love reading about. She's strong, resilient, and refuses to let a humiliating situation define her. When a cruel fraternity bet puts her in an unfair spotlight, she decides to take control of the situation rather than let it control her. Watching her stand up for herself and grow throughout the story was incredibly satisfying.
And then there's Wyatt Jacobs.
Wyatt wasn't just a hockey player or a stereotypical sports romance hero. He was caring, respectful, supportive, and genuinely attentive to Grace's feelings. He quickly became one of my favorite parts of the book. The way he showed up for Grace, respected her boundaries, and slowly fell for her made every interaction between them even more enjoyable.
The chemistry between Grace and Wyatt was undeniable from the start. Their banter was fun, their emotional moments felt genuine, and the progression from a fake relationship to something real was beautifully done. Nothing felt rushed, and I loved seeing their trust in each other grow chapter by chapter.
One thing I particularly appreciated was that the story didn't rely solely on romance. Themes of self-worth, respect, friendship, and personal growth were woven throughout the narrative, giving the book more depth than I initially expected.
May 25, 2026
Review of advance copy received form the author:
4/5⭐️
If I have to define this book in one sentence it would be “standing up for yourself”
Grace and Wyatt gave us all the stages of fake dating, all the emotions, all the butterflies, the unmatched chemistry and it was an amazing journey to experience these two falling for each other.
Let’s start with Grace, an artistic swimmer trying to balance her training, her classes, trying to live by the expectations of her mother and if that wasn’t enough, she has to deal with the frat guys that just sucks. I love the combination of her being an athlete but not losing her feminine side and how through all the book she found herself and start standing up for what she believes and wants.
On the other hand we have Wyatt, my boy, he just wants to play hockey and get his degree, no distractions but same as Gracie he has to live by the expectations of her father. I love that since the beginning he stands up for what is right and helped Grace with the fake dating. I love how he also found himself without his father’s shadow and for that reason everything start to work out for him.
You would think that because is fake dating it would be all fun and games but the thing with this book is that it gave us everything, you would find a sports romance, the emotional side of dealing with overbearing parents, navigating college, relationships and my favorite part: activism.
Thank you Kelcie James and Love Notes for this incredible opportunity I really enjoyed this book and I’m really looking forward to your future books.
4/5⭐️
If I have to define this book in one sentence it would be “standing up for yourself”
Grace and Wyatt gave us all the stages of fake dating, all the emotions, all the butterflies, the unmatched chemistry and it was an amazing journey to experience these two falling for each other.
Let’s start with Grace, an artistic swimmer trying to balance her training, her classes, trying to live by the expectations of her mother and if that wasn’t enough, she has to deal with the frat guys that just sucks. I love the combination of her being an athlete but not losing her feminine side and how through all the book she found herself and start standing up for what she believes and wants.
On the other hand we have Wyatt, my boy, he just wants to play hockey and get his degree, no distractions but same as Gracie he has to live by the expectations of her father. I love that since the beginning he stands up for what is right and helped Grace with the fake dating. I love how he also found himself without his father’s shadow and for that reason everything start to work out for him.
You would think that because is fake dating it would be all fun and games but the thing with this book is that it gave us everything, you would find a sports romance, the emotional side of dealing with overbearing parents, navigating college, relationships and my favorite part: activism.
Thank you Kelcie James and Love Notes for this incredible opportunity I really enjoyed this book and I’m really looking forward to your future books.
May 27, 2026
This book had me giggling, kicking my feet, and internally screaming at 2am like a raccoon trapped in a sports romance vending machine 😭🏒💙
Wyatt and Grace absolutely OWNED me. The fake dating tension?? Delicious. The chemistry?? Nuclear. The banter?? Inject it directly into my bloodstream. I went in expecting a cute college hockey romance and came out emotionally attached to two fictional athletes who now pay rent in my head permanently.
Grace was such a refreshing FMC. Strong, talented, focused, and I loved seeing an artistic swimmer getting the spotlight because HELLO that sport is intense and beautiful and deserves more romance representation. And Wyatt?? Certified book boyfriend material. Cocky hockey player on the outside but secretly soft for one girl underneath all that swagger? Kelcie James knew EXACTLY what she was doing.
The slow build of their relationship had me absolutely feral. Every fake date, every “we’re just pretending” moment, every tiny crack in their walls… I was eating it up with a spoon. And when the feelings started turning real??? I was DONE FOR.
Also the dual POV worked so well because getting inside both their heads made the tension ten times worse in the best way possible. Watching Wyatt fall was honestly chef’s kiss. Mans never stood a chance 😂
Ocean Cove University already feels like one of those addicting romance worlds you never want to leave. Fun, flirty, emotional, and packed with that addictive college romance energy where everyone is hot and emotionally repressed.
Wyatt and Grace absolutely OWNED me. The fake dating tension?? Delicious. The chemistry?? Nuclear. The banter?? Inject it directly into my bloodstream. I went in expecting a cute college hockey romance and came out emotionally attached to two fictional athletes who now pay rent in my head permanently.
Grace was such a refreshing FMC. Strong, talented, focused, and I loved seeing an artistic swimmer getting the spotlight because HELLO that sport is intense and beautiful and deserves more romance representation. And Wyatt?? Certified book boyfriend material. Cocky hockey player on the outside but secretly soft for one girl underneath all that swagger? Kelcie James knew EXACTLY what she was doing.
The slow build of their relationship had me absolutely feral. Every fake date, every “we’re just pretending” moment, every tiny crack in their walls… I was eating it up with a spoon. And when the feelings started turning real??? I was DONE FOR.
Also the dual POV worked so well because getting inside both their heads made the tension ten times worse in the best way possible. Watching Wyatt fall was honestly chef’s kiss. Mans never stood a chance 😂
Ocean Cove University already feels like one of those addicting romance worlds you never want to leave. Fun, flirty, emotional, and packed with that addictive college romance energy where everyone is hot and emotionally repressed.
May 27, 2026
This was such a fun and refreshing hockey romance read and honestly had the perfect balance of tension, banter, emotional moments, and fake dating chaos.
Wyatt and Grace had chemistry from the very beginning even though both of them were trying to pretend the feelings between them weren’t there. The fake dating setup itself was honestly hilarious at times because you could clearly tell how much they cared about each other while still trying to act like everything was just part of the arrangement.
Wyatt initially comes across as the cocky hockey player type, but the deeper you get into the story, the more you realize that personality is partly a facade he’s built for himself. Underneath that is someone carrying a lot of pressure and expectations from his father who only sees hockey as something valuable. I really appreciated that Wyatt wanted to build a future and identity for himself outside of just the NHL because it made his character feel more grounded and realistic.
One of my favorite parts of the book was Grace being an artistic swimmer. I honestly don’t think I’ve read a sports romance with an artistic swimmer FMC before, so that alone made the story feel fresh compared to a lot of other sports romances. She brought such a different energy into the story and balanced Wyatt really well.
This wasn’t a super spicy romance, but the emotional tension, chemistry, and relationship development carried the story really well and made it such an enjoyable read overall.
⭐️ Overall Rating: 4/5
🔥 Burn Level: 3/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 2.5/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 3.5/5
Wyatt and Grace had chemistry from the very beginning even though both of them were trying to pretend the feelings between them weren’t there. The fake dating setup itself was honestly hilarious at times because you could clearly tell how much they cared about each other while still trying to act like everything was just part of the arrangement.
Wyatt initially comes across as the cocky hockey player type, but the deeper you get into the story, the more you realize that personality is partly a facade he’s built for himself. Underneath that is someone carrying a lot of pressure and expectations from his father who only sees hockey as something valuable. I really appreciated that Wyatt wanted to build a future and identity for himself outside of just the NHL because it made his character feel more grounded and realistic.
One of my favorite parts of the book was Grace being an artistic swimmer. I honestly don’t think I’ve read a sports romance with an artistic swimmer FMC before, so that alone made the story feel fresh compared to a lot of other sports romances. She brought such a different energy into the story and balanced Wyatt really well.
This wasn’t a super spicy romance, but the emotional tension, chemistry, and relationship development carried the story really well and made it such an enjoyable read overall.
⭐️ Overall Rating: 4/5
🔥 Burn Level: 3/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 2.5/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 3.5/5
May 23, 2026
3.5 stars
Ocean Cove University: Wyatt and Grace
College romance
Sport romance
Artistic swimmer MFc
Hockey player MMC
Thanks, Kelcie James, for the advance copy.
I liked the premise, and the artistic swimming aspect was a new one for me.
I liked Wyatt - he was a good guy from the start, and I really liked how he stood up for her.
“I want this to be real. I’ve never done this before. I might be a complete F-minus boyfriend for all I know, but fuck it, I want to try. I want to be the one who buys you Mini Eggs for your study breaks. I want to see my girl cheering me on at games, I want to study with you, go to parties with you, go to your meets and cheer my ass off. I want to watch TV with you, talk to you late at night and make you breakfast the next morning, but most of all, I want you to be mine.”
I did feel that for a longer book, the story was a little rushed at the start. With over 400 pages, this could have paced slower in the beginning, and maintained throughout. The issue is that the earlier pace meant that the middle sort of dragged a bit, before picking up and racing away at the end.
This was kind of cute, but the writing felt immature at times. I’m not sure if it’s the author trying to replicate younger characters, but the all-caps, extended “HA”s and “Ugh”s were really frustrating and made me want to roll my eyes.
Ocean Cove University: Wyatt and Grace
College romance
Sport romance
Artistic swimmer MFc
Hockey player MMC
Thanks, Kelcie James, for the advance copy.
I liked the premise, and the artistic swimming aspect was a new one for me.
I liked Wyatt - he was a good guy from the start, and I really liked how he stood up for her.
“I want this to be real. I’ve never done this before. I might be a complete F-minus boyfriend for all I know, but fuck it, I want to try. I want to be the one who buys you Mini Eggs for your study breaks. I want to see my girl cheering me on at games, I want to study with you, go to parties with you, go to your meets and cheer my ass off. I want to watch TV with you, talk to you late at night and make you breakfast the next morning, but most of all, I want you to be mine.”
I did feel that for a longer book, the story was a little rushed at the start. With over 400 pages, this could have paced slower in the beginning, and maintained throughout. The issue is that the earlier pace meant that the middle sort of dragged a bit, before picking up and racing away at the end.
This was kind of cute, but the writing felt immature at times. I’m not sure if it’s the author trying to replicate younger characters, but the all-caps, extended “HA”s and “Ugh”s were really frustrating and made me want to roll my eyes.
May 27, 2026
With everyone chasing their hockey romance high after finishing that certain show on Amazon and reading the series it was based on, I have to recommend The Bet by Kelcie James.
This is a college hockey romance with fake dating, frat and sorority drama, and a MMC who falls first and falls hard. One of my favorite parts? No third act breakup. That alone deserves applause. I gave this book 4.5 out of 5 stars because it completely pulled me in and kept me turning pages.
Wyatt, a college hockey player, agrees to fake date Grace after his fellow frat brothers make a bet involving her. We all know how fake dating stories usually go, and watching Wyatt catch real feelings was honestly the best part. Grace is an artistic swimmer, writes for a fashion magazine, and is trying to figure out what she truly wants out of life beyond her parents’ expectations. As their relationship starts to feel less fake, both Wyatt and Grace learn how to stand up for themselves and choose their own paths.
If you love:
🏒 College hockey romance
💘 Fake dating
✨ He falls first
🎓 Frat and sorority drama
🔥 Chemistry with emotional depth
🚫 No third act breakup
…then you should absolutely add this one to your TBR.
Thank you to Love Notes PR and Kelcie James for the opportunity to read an ARC. I cannot wait for book two in the Ocean Cove University series.
This is a college hockey romance with fake dating, frat and sorority drama, and a MMC who falls first and falls hard. One of my favorite parts? No third act breakup. That alone deserves applause. I gave this book 4.5 out of 5 stars because it completely pulled me in and kept me turning pages.
Wyatt, a college hockey player, agrees to fake date Grace after his fellow frat brothers make a bet involving her. We all know how fake dating stories usually go, and watching Wyatt catch real feelings was honestly the best part. Grace is an artistic swimmer, writes for a fashion magazine, and is trying to figure out what she truly wants out of life beyond her parents’ expectations. As their relationship starts to feel less fake, both Wyatt and Grace learn how to stand up for themselves and choose their own paths.
If you love:
🏒 College hockey romance
💘 Fake dating
✨ He falls first
🎓 Frat and sorority drama
🔥 Chemistry with emotional depth
🚫 No third act breakup
…then you should absolutely add this one to your TBR.
Thank you to Love Notes PR and Kelcie James for the opportunity to read an ARC. I cannot wait for book two in the Ocean Cove University series.
May 28, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Bet by Kelcie James completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. Wyatt and Grace had such incredible chemistry, and their fake dating arrangement quickly turned into one of my favorite romance dynamics I’ve read in a long time. The tension between them felt so natural, and I loved watching their relationship slowly grow from playful banter and competition into something real and emotional.
Wyatt was honestly one of the best parts of the book for me. The “he falls first” energy made every interaction between him and Grace even sweeter, especially seeing how protective and caring he became while still keeping his hockey-player confidence and charm. Grace was also such a strong and relatable character, and I loved how her personality balanced Wyatt’s perfectly.
The college atmosphere, hockey scenes, and dual POV made the story feel immersive and hard to put down. Kelcie James did such a great job mixing funny moments, emotional depth, and steamy romance without it ever feeling forced. There were so many scenes that had me smiling like an idiot because the chemistry between Wyatt and Grace was just that good.
This book gave me everything I want in a sports romance: tension, humor, emotional moments, amazing banter, and characters you genuinely root for. I already want to reread it, and I can’t wait to read more from Kelcie James.
The Bet by Kelcie James completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. Wyatt and Grace had such incredible chemistry, and their fake dating arrangement quickly turned into one of my favorite romance dynamics I’ve read in a long time. The tension between them felt so natural, and I loved watching their relationship slowly grow from playful banter and competition into something real and emotional.
Wyatt was honestly one of the best parts of the book for me. The “he falls first” energy made every interaction between him and Grace even sweeter, especially seeing how protective and caring he became while still keeping his hockey-player confidence and charm. Grace was also such a strong and relatable character, and I loved how her personality balanced Wyatt’s perfectly.
The college atmosphere, hockey scenes, and dual POV made the story feel immersive and hard to put down. Kelcie James did such a great job mixing funny moments, emotional depth, and steamy romance without it ever feeling forced. There were so many scenes that had me smiling like an idiot because the chemistry between Wyatt and Grace was just that good.
This book gave me everything I want in a sports romance: tension, humor, emotional moments, amazing banter, and characters you genuinely root for. I already want to reread it, and I can’t wait to read more from Kelcie James.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2026
Title: The Bet
Author: Kelcie James
Genre: Sports Romance
Release Date: May 26, 2026
Rating: 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 2/5 🌶️🌶️
The concept of this story is something I haven’t read before. I can say as someone who was in a sorority and did sports (specially swimming) in a college in California, it’s very accurate. I’ve dealt with a lot of the same things and seen a lot of the stuff that’s talked about happen.
The writing is a bit too modern in the sense that it comes off as more for a juvenile reader. Because of that, some parts can be too cheesy or slightly cringe with choices of words. But it didn’t deter me from reading because it was still captivating with the way that the story progresses and the main characters personalities were sweet. Maybe even too perfect at times.
I really like the way that they met because it was unexpected but turned out to be better than they initially thought. The MMC has a lot of emotional depth to him compared to other books I’ve read and the FMC is so strong minded. Since this book is the first in its series, I’m thrilled to be awaiting and see how the other books turn out!
I received an ARC (Advanced Readers Copy) in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts are entirely my own! Thank you to Kelcie James and Love Notes PR for choosing me to receive an early copy! (:
Author: Kelcie James
Genre: Sports Romance
Release Date: May 26, 2026
Rating: 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 2/5 🌶️🌶️
The concept of this story is something I haven’t read before. I can say as someone who was in a sorority and did sports (specially swimming) in a college in California, it’s very accurate. I’ve dealt with a lot of the same things and seen a lot of the stuff that’s talked about happen.
The writing is a bit too modern in the sense that it comes off as more for a juvenile reader. Because of that, some parts can be too cheesy or slightly cringe with choices of words. But it didn’t deter me from reading because it was still captivating with the way that the story progresses and the main characters personalities were sweet. Maybe even too perfect at times.
I really like the way that they met because it was unexpected but turned out to be better than they initially thought. The MMC has a lot of emotional depth to him compared to other books I’ve read and the FMC is so strong minded. Since this book is the first in its series, I’m thrilled to be awaiting and see how the other books turn out!
I received an ARC (Advanced Readers Copy) in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts are entirely my own! Thank you to Kelcie James and Love Notes PR for choosing me to receive an early copy! (:
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