Everything I Didn't Say: A Marriage of Convenience Hockey Romance

by Ellie Blackbourne

Falling for my fake husband was never part of the plan…especially when I’m teaching him how to be a dad to his newborn.


When my father dies and my world crumbles around me, Levi Moore is the haven I flee to. I have no business seeking his comfort after breaking his heart, but when he finds a baby on his doorstep and needs a wife to secure custody, we strike a I’ll be his wife and teach him how to care for his daughter, and in turn I can stay with him on campus until I figure out my life. Easy peasy.


But our arrangement pushes the limits of our friendship.
I’ve never slept better than I do in his arms.
He introduces me as his wife with the biggest smile and a hint of possession.
He talks about fixing up my childhood home to raise our family in.
I love his daughter like she’s my own.


People leaving me is all I’ve ever known, so falling in love with my husband is out of the question. But somewhere between the late-nights and the glimpses of a family, I know I’m in trouble. And with every one of his soft looks and gentle touches, I start to wonder…

Maybe our marriage was never fake to begin with.

Everything I Didn't Say is a steamy college hockey romance brimming with mutual pining, sizzling chemistry and little moments that will melt your heart.

EVERYTHING I DIDN'T SAY
College hockey
Second Chance
Marriage of Convenience
Surprise baby
Forced Proximity
Found Family
No 3rd Act Breakup

Genres: Friends To Lovers

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 17, 2026

About the author

Ellie is a Dutch self-labeled “swoony escapism” author, writing New Adult romances from her home in Amsterdam.

When she’s not busy writing ridiculously down-bad men or pages of banter, you can usually find her in her garden or playing with her dogs.

Follow her on various social platforms @ellieblackbourne

Reviews

[Spicy Book Connoisseur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overnight daddy and the all too eager step mum

Overview
Charlotte and Levi were childhood sweethearts, until she broke his heart 4 years ago.
When Charlotte’s life is upended, all she yearns for is a sense of home. Will Levi turn her away, or will she find him when he needs her most?

The Verdict
Everything I Didn’t Say was a nice and easy read. Even though I hadn't read the first book in the series, it was still easy to follow. That said, it definitely made me wish I'd read I Can Be The One so I could fully appreciate the Alexis and Blake moments.

Nothing can compare to a second chance romance; it is hands down one of my favourite tropes. However, what Everything I Didn’t Say lacked was the initial push and pull between the main characters before the relationship escalates, which you usually see in second chance romances. Because of this, it felt that the relationship between Levi and Charlotte was fairly tumultuous and filled to the brim with miscommunication.

Given their circumstances, I understand why the marriage-of-convenience decision had to happen so quickly. Still, Charlotte's eagerness to go along with it without much hesitation was definitely a “huh?” moment, and left me with more questions than answers.

As with many great sports romances, the romance took centre stage while the sport itself stayed mostly in the background, and I did find myself wishing for a little more ice hockey throughout the story. That said, the chemistry between Levi and Charlotte was lovely, and their connection kept me invested. ❤️

One thing I really appreciated was having no third act breakup. It was REALLY refreshing. I also loved Levi's teammates and the way they rallied around him and his family.

Throughout the novel, there were plenty of little teasers for the next installment featuring Alissa, and I’m excited to see where her story goes.

This was read and reviewed as an Advanced Reader Copy.

Tropes to Expect
- Sports Romance - College hockey
- Second Chance
- Marriage of Convenience
- Surprise baby
- Found Family
- Miscommunication

⭐ Rating: 3/5
🌶️ Spice: 2/5

Consumed via: Ebook
POV: Dual POV – FMC and MMC
Series: Love You Moore - Book 2

[Savannah (chapters_of_mayhem) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not put this down!

The pacing at the start threw me a little but once I was engrained into the world i absolutely flew through this one.

I absolutely adore Lottie. The emotional depth of her character and the pain she goes through was so vivid. I think the author has done such a great job of navigating the turmoil and the state of mind that she experiences in never really having lived life for herself. The addition of a baby needing someone was a great catalyst to her inner emotions.

Levi was a great MMC, I can see the why of his conflict but he felt slightly more one dimensional given the depth of Lottie’s character.

I am actually so excited to see Allissa’s story! She is such a fun character and I can tell the banter is going to be off the charts.

Thank you so much Ellie Blackbourne for letting me read an eARC of this book. This is my honest opinion.

[Jessica Vining · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful continuation of the Love You Moore series that is a testament to the beauty and power of chosen family.

4/5 ⭐️ 2/5 🌶️

Tropes:

•Sports/Hockey Romance
•Best Friend’s Brother
•He Falls First & Harder
•Second Chance
•Marriage of Convenience
•Surprise Baby (doorstep)
•Only One Bed
•No Third Act Break-up
•Found Family
•Grief Rep

*Please be mindful of the trigger warnings. The content in this book may be triggering to some with familial loss and trauma.*

Ellie Blackbourne does an amazing job creating diverse, unique characters with great representation of characteristics, issues, and traumatic struggles you don’t always see in romance novels. With the first in the series, “I Can Be the One”, I related so closely with the FMC, Alexis, and her mental and physical health struggles. I appreciated getting to see more of her and her growth along with the MMC, Blake, in this novel alongside Levi and Lottie. Regarding Lottie in “Everything I Didn’t Say”, although I couldn’t relate directly, the emotions surrounding her struggles were deep and extremely relatable and I’m not ashamed to say that this book made me cry more than once. It was heartbreaking and beautiful and made me hug my family, chosen or not, a little bit tighter.

I enjoyed that I still got the “hallmark happy ending” that is a must for me at this point without the stressful third act breakup. Though there was still some frustrating miscommunications throughout the book, it was circled around realistic traumas and and both main characters learning to cope and grow from them in an age-appropriate way, giving the miscommunications and thought-spirals clear foundations for happening; ultimately this made them all the more relatable and heartbreaking once characters started to grow and heal.

All in all this was a heartfelt love story about second chances, new beginnings, and finding identity after everything falls apart. This could be read as a standalone, but really shines as a true second in the series because you get so much more backstory to other characters. I recommend you start with the first, then read this one.

I am impatiently looking forward to Book 3, because I am already ✨invested✨ in Alissa’s story.


Quotes:

“To be loved is to be haunted, and Lottie will follow me always.”

“She’s draped over the couch, a nail polish wand in one hand and a wine glass filled with chocolate milk in the other.”
{a whole f-ing vibe}

“Love is the one thing death cannot touch, my love, and our love for you stretches far beyond time.”
{SOBBING}

“But the only way to get through it is to get through it. Burn yourself down to ash and rise like a phoenix into the version of you that you want to be.”

““Life never goes according to plan, you should know that by now,” Mom says. “The only thing we can do is dive in head-first and do our best to love each other in spite of it.””

“Mine?” “Yours. Forever.”

💜💜💜

A huge thank you to Ellie Blackbourne for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Rechal · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It's been eighteen days, fourteen hours and twenty-two minutes since I last saw Lottie Baker. And I have loved her through every second of it."

If there's one thing Ellie Blackbourne knows how to write, it's a man hopelessly, irrevocably in love.

And Levi Moore?

THIS MAN NEVER STOOD A CHANCE.

From the very beginning, it's obvious that Lottie has always been it for him. His first love. His best friend. The one person who quiets the chaos in his mind.

"Lottie is the moon that controls the tide of my life, one that stabilizes every part of me."

HOW DO YOU RECOVER FROM A LINE LIKE THAT??

If you've read I Can Be The One, you'll already know Levi as the fiercely protective brother who carries so much guilt. But getting inside his head made me love him even more. He's patient, gentle, endlessly selfless, and watching him slowly grow into the father Emilia needed absolutely melted my heart. Emilia completely stole every scene she was in.

And then came the tropes...FAKE MARRIAGE. SECOND CHANCE. FORCED PROXIMITY. FOUND FAMILY.

Basically everything my romance-loving heart could ask for.

Watching Levi casually introduce Lottie as his wife, seeing them slip into domestic routines while raising Emilia together, and witnessing all those quiet, everyday moments ended up being my favorite parts of the book.

"He kisses like my lips are his home, and he's been homesick for years."

EXCUSE ME???

That said, I did have a couple of issues. I would've loved more time to watch Levi's transition into fatherhood. While I completely understood his fears, his emotional shift happened a little too quickly for me, and I think giving it more room to breathe would've made his bond with Emilia even stronger.

I also had mixed feelings about Lottie. My heart broke for everything she'd been through, but there were moments when her fears and doubts felt repetitive. Levi spent this entire book SHOWING her how deeply he loved her, and I found myself wishing she'd trusted him just a little sooner.

But one thing never changed...Levi never stopped choosing her.

"For I have known Lottie Baker's love, and no other woman could ever come close."

SIR, WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT??

I also loved getting to spend more time with the entire friend group. Seeing everyone rally around Emilia and watching old relationships heal added such a warm FOUND FAMILY feel to the story.

While I do think the pacing kept this from being a five-star read, the emotional foundation was there—I just wanted certain moments to breathe a little longer.

Overall, Everything I Didn't Say is a heartfelt second-chance romance filled with mutual pining, domestic moments, and one of the GREENEST book boyfriends I've ever read.

Levi Moore loves with his whole heart, and honestly...that alone made this book worth reading.

[Jennifer English · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ma'am, excuse me ma'am. But where did you say this was an angsty AF read?? I mean, maybe you did, I dunno. I just know that I enjoyed book 1 so much that I jumped to sign up for the ARC for book 2, I dont know if I even bothered to read the blurb. 🤷🏻‍♀️ There is so much grief in this book, please check triggers before reading!

Lottie is drowning in grief. Her mother passed away when she was younger, then her father got sick when she was just a teenager. Somehow, at only 15, she became the main caregiver to her Dad and gave up on all of her dreams, including her dream of Levi.

Levi is off at college, he knows Lottie is his endgame but she broke up with him over Christmas break. Somehow she ends up on his campus, with no money, a dead phone and no idea how she got there. Thankfully Levi see's her and takes her back to his place. The very next day, a baby is left on the doorstep. Levi's baby, who is already 5 months old, that he had no idea about. He's ready to give her but thankfully first Blake, then Lottie talk some sense into him. This leads to Levi learning how to be a Dad, and he has an amazing support system to help him.

When CPS gets involved, Lottie decides they have to get married so that Levi gets to keep her. A lot of misunderstandings happen, most of them due to either not having a discussion or having the discussion but not believing what was said. Eventually, they work everything out. And during all of that, the spice be spicing.🥵🥵😏 But y'all, the absolute gut-wrenching angst, the grief that Lottie goes through, when she finally lets herself feel it. I was bawling my eyes out, it literally took me back to when my Dad passed and I felt her pain like it was my own. The only thing I think this book was missing was hockey. I mean, we have a couple of scenes, but the one scene that was completely missing is whether Levi gets drafted or not.

Thank you so much Ellie for allowing me to ARC read this! So...when is book 3? 😂 Joking, joking. Not really, but joking. 😜

[InkedSirenXO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy received from Author

Everything I Didn’t Say completely stole my heart from beginning to end. This was everything I love in a romance: emotional, swoony, heartfelt, and impossible to put down.

Lottie is carrying so much grief after losing her father, and watching her slowly heal while helping Levi navigate unexpected fatherhood was incredibly moving. Their marriage of convenience starts as a practical arrangement, but every late-night feeding, every lingering glance, and every time Levi proudly calls her his wife chips away at the walls around both of their hearts.

Levi is an absolute top-tier book boyfriend. He’s protective, patient, and so determined to be the father his daughter deserves, even when he’s completely out of his depth. Watching Lottie teach him how to care for his baby while unknowingly building a family together gave me all the warm, fuzzy feelings.

The chemistry between Levi and Lottie is filled with years of unresolved feelings, making the slow burn incredibly satisfying. Their love doesn’t explode into existence. It grows in quiet moments, shared responsibilities, gentle touches, and unwavering support. Every chapter made me fall a little more in love with them.

One of my favorite parts was the found family aspect. Seeing Lottie become such an important part of Levi’s daughter’s life while finding a place where she truly belonged was beautiful. And can we take a moment to appreciate the no third-act breakup? It was so refreshing to watch two people choose each other instead of letting unnecessary drama tear them apart.

If you’re looking for a romance packed with:
🏒 College hockey
💍 Marriage of convenience
👶 Surprise baby
❤️ Second chance romance
🏡 Found family
🥹 Mutual pining
✨ Forced proximity
💕 No third-act breakup

…then this book needs to be your next read. It’s a tender, emotional romance filled with healing, hope, and the kind of love that proves sometimes the best families are the ones we never expected to find. I closed this book with the biggest smile and a completely full heart.

[Constance Haske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levi and Lottie have known each other their whole lives. They dated all through their teenage years only to breakup when he went away to college to play hockey. They tried seeing other people, but every time he came back home they would fall back into each other's arms. Until this past Christmas, when Lottie broke it off for good. Her Dad was dying, she was a mess, and in her mind, everyone who she loved was cursed to leave her or die - that was all she had ever known.

But Levi hasn't given up hope. He knows they were always meant to be together. So when she shows up on his college doorstep, weeks after her father's funeral, consumed with grief, he knows he's not going to let her go through this alone. But when a surprise daughter he didn't know arrives the next day, matters are only complicated more. If he wants to keep her, he has to prove to the court that he can provide a stable home for her - all while trying to graduate college and get a place on an NHL team. Lottie's solution? A quickie courthouse wedding and temporary nanny duties until Levi can gain full custody of his daughter.

Book 2 is a standalone, but I really think that it is best to read book 1 first as much of what happens in that book is referred to in this story regarding Levi's sisters and teammates. With many of the hockey players living in the same house, and the way they all team up to help out Lottie and Levi, there is a true found family vibe. All of the frustrating lack of communication and assumptions made by our MCs isn't overshadowed by their genuine love for each other. In the end, it is a charming story of overcoming grief, loving through loss, and not giving up when you know it's meant to be.

[Kate Bellamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Arc review)
Rating
4.5/5

spice
2/5

If you are looking for a book with healing and a second chance romance with a surprise baby, then this is the book for you. Everything I didn't say by Ellie Blackbourne is book 2 in the Love You More series. This is an interconnected standalone series; you don't need to read book 1 before book 2. Firstly, I would like to thank the author Ellie Blackbourne for giving me this ARC. Importantly, I would like to say this book contains topics that may be triggering, so please check the trigger warnings before reading.

This book took me on a journey of healing and growth that I did not expect to go on. The character development of each character, especially Charlotte, with her past and how she learns how to heal. From this, you could tell that this book was more of a character driven book. I do have to say I loved how the side characters added a sense of found family and how they would look out for Charlotte, Levi and Levi's baby. It reminded me very much of the boy's house off campus. The story flowed on so well for the characters; for someone who has not read book 1, it did not feel like I was jumping into the story mid-way through. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and going on this healing journey.

Levi and Charlotte are a true second chance romance with so much grief and healing, it really showed the struggles and feelings like you are letting everyone down. These two went through so many ups and downs, and you could see them over time leaning on each other. It showed a part of grief that I did not expect, the part where even if you think you are fine, you can still be sent back all the way to square one again. These two grow so much, and you can see it when they come together and not just work on themselves, but on their relationship. Overall, I love this book and hope you pick it up on release day.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 - I could not put this book down.

I did not expect a college hockey romance to have me holding back tears before chapter 10.

I need more people to read Ellie’s books as she writes more than just a hockey romance. She includes real life topics (some of them being heavy) in her stories and writes in a way that makes you feel like you know the characters. I felt every bit of anxiety and sadness from
Both Levi and Lottie.

I love childhood friends to lovers to second chance and this didn’t disappoint. Levi is the one of the greenest flags that ever greened. The love he has for Lottie is next level and watching him come to terms with keeping his daughter had me tearing up. I do like that Ellie wrote Levi having a support system and that the found family vibe was there. He definitely had a lot going on with his sisters living with him, his guilt over his sister, Lottie, a baby, and hockey.

Lottie - written so so well. Her grief was deep and I think Ellie did an amazing job with it. She didn’t slap a smile on her face and pretend she was the same person she was before. However, the one thing that didn’t change was her love for Levi. Another favorite trope? Marriage of convenience. Her marrying Levi to help him keep his daughter was perfection. It really tied the story together and forced them back together. Her becoming a mom to Levi’s daughter was 😍. I could see this story playing out in my mind as I read it.

I throughly enjoyed this story and cannot want to go back and read book 1 and then can’t wait to read the next when it’s released.

[Rebecca Love · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️

Lets start with what i did like. The found family aspect was great. I love books where a sports player finds himself with a surprise baby and the team comes together to help out. We get some really funny moments, the balloon was a good one.

Unfortunately though the book for the most part felt a little underdeveloped. It moves at the speed of a freight train and I just felt like things needed more time. Take for example the fact that the whole reason they get married is because of CPS and yet they get exactly one CPS visit before the hearing.

It kind of felt like being dropped into the middle of a story because it's clear these are two people in love. I can't tell if the book takes place over a few weeks or a few months but for me personally it felt like lottie never really dealt with her grief and their relationship issues could have been solved with an actual open conversation.

I also completely missed the fact that there is a book featuring these characters before this one and spent a bit of the book trying to figure out what exactly the sisters boyfriend had done that he hated him for. I was somewhat intrigued because that couple are really cute but unfortunately I just don't like this authors writing works for me and I feel terrible about that.

I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this book.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levi & Charlotte

Levi and Charlotte have known each other a long time & when a baby shows up on his doorstep Charlotte (Lottie) is the first person he thinks of to teach him how to take care of her. But that's not before he has a full on meltdown of emotions of whether to keep her or not. & what may happen if he doesn't versus if he did. Which is much of the story. Both of our MCs have massive inner dialogues and lean on their friends more than each other which can (& is) be a problem because miscommunication trope. Lord have mercy the miscommunication throughout this book was rampant. Normally, I am okay with a miscommunication trope when it is done right and while this was done right it was overdone. I know these characters are young so that may be why they are hesitant to tell each other things but for this to work they need to for his daughter's sake. So, he can keep her.

& yes, I am rambling.. why you ask? Because while Everything I Didn't Say gets a 4 star review it was lacking a few elements to get that last star. Above mentioned (of course), all of the characters surrounding our MCs (which I wish we had gotten a clip of the backstory not it mentioned throughout the whole book. Yes we know Blake has money and his lady is lucky. I felt like it took away from our MCs story because it kept being mentioned.

Overall, a good easy quick read.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Ellie Blackbourne for the ARC!!🥰

Levi and Lottie’s book was a much anticipated read for me. Ellie’s book I Can Be The One, which is Alexis and Blake’s story (Levi’s sister) was actually my very first ARC, and I fell in love with her writing immediately.

I loved Levi and Lottie together. They were a great couple, and I think Ellie did an amazing job portraying Lottie’s grief and heartbreak after losing her dad. Lottie didn’t magically get better just because she and Levi got together. She continued to struggle daily with her loss and with learning how to move forward without her dad.

Levi was a wonderful boyfriend/husband. He truly cared for Lottie and genuinely wanted what was best for her. Yes, he sometimes made decisions for her without consulting her, but it always came from a place of love and a desire to protect her. His growth, especially in learning to treat her as an equal rather than someone he needed to take care of, was well done.

And I cannot forget my little Emmie. She was absolutely adorable, and I loved her 😭. The found family aspect of this story was fantastic. Everyone was so supportive and sweet💕. I absolutely can’t wait for Thomas and Alissa’s book!😍

[Charley Fitzpatrick (read_with_charley) · Rating 3 out of 5]

• ARC REVIEW •
• EVERYTHING I DIDN'T SAY: ELLIE BLACKBOURNE •
• LEVI & LOTTIE •
•⭐️⭐️⭐️•

Thankyou to Ellie and her team for my ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book of Ellies that I have read and I quiet enjoyed it!

The found family in this book was so prominent and I loved that about this book, that all this people with different backgrounds could come together to help Levi and Lottie with this new life that was thrown at them.

I loved the side characters too, seeing their characters interact with the main characters felt special and their connections were very needed.

I loved Levi's character. A surprise baby on his door step, most defiantly was a shock and I could see the struggles he was facing with that, and also his feelings towards Lottie. Lottie's character was way more in depth then Levi's. She had so much emotion written about her that you could see that characters growth. I wish I could have seen that amount of detail in Levi as we did with Lottie.

Unfortunately for me though, I got lost so many times. At some points I didn't understand what was happening or what was being talked about (It may have made sense if I read some books before? but I'm not sure). It left me guessing so many parts. And the pacing of the book felt absolutely way too fast! I wasn't sure if it was weeks or months, but either way, I feel we missed out on so many magical moments and important details to make the plot more engaging!

Again, i want to thank the author for my early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Sarah Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! Ellie Blackbourne has such a beautiful way of writing that truly captures life and all the emotions that come with it. This was such a sweet story, but it also reminds us that life is unpredictable, messy, and full of emotions—and that when we’re young, we’re bound to make mistakes along the way.

Levi and Lottie are childhood sweethearts, but life separates them for a while before a twist of events brings them back together. I loved that their marriage faced real challenges, especially as they were just starting out. It felt relatable and reminded me of how hard marriage can be when you’re young and still learning how to navigate life together.

But Levi and Lottie face those challenges head-on and grow together along the way. I loved watching their relationship evolve and seeing them learn and grow as individuals and as a couple.

And the found family in this one? So good!

Overall, this was a sweet, emotional, and heartfelt read that reminded me that life may not always go according to plan, but sometimes the unexpected twists can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that will have you in your FEELS in the most heartbreaking and beautiful ways!
A college ice hockey romance where both main characters are going THROUGH it, these two are really in the deep end and dealing with things most adults would struggle with.
Lottie's character had such a bittersweet journey with grief, her perseverance to find herself again was truly beautiful. Levi had so much character growth in taking life as it comes and becoming a father to the CUTEST little doorstop baby. I especially loved the caretaking it was divine, they really showed up for one another no matter how hard it got and I really loved that about the both of them.
I adored seeing the gang all come together and they had some hilarious moments, it gives found family in the best ways!!! I'm beyond excited to see more of Alissa (banter queen) and Thomas (eye rollingly gorgeous himbo), eeekk😍

Tropes:
🩵 College Hockey
🏒 Second chance
🩵 Marriage of convenience
🏒 Doorstep baby
🩵 No 3rd act breakup
🏒 Best friend's brother
🩵 Found family
🏒 Always been you
🩵 He falls first & harder
🏒 Forced proximity
🩵 Grief rep
🏒 Only one bed

Thank you so much to Ellie Blackbourne for this gorgeous arc!

[quotes_and_book · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖
⭐ - 4.25
The book was a really good read.
I loved how the book ends with so much happiness and love between all the friends and family.
Every moment with Emilia was so cute, funny and adorable.
Levi is a college hockey player, planning to play as a pro.
Emilia is Levi's daughter.
Lottie lost her father and was going through grief.
Lottie and Levi got married so Levi can get the custody of Emilia.
I loved how everyone helped Lottie to believe herself.
I was sad when Lottie and Levi thought that the other didn't want the marriage, but it worked out with them slowly overcoming their fear.
And their wedding part was so much amazing.
i also love the scene when Lottie and Emilia goes to the match to cheer Levi.
my most favourite part of the book were the love of the friends and family towards each other.
The book teaches that if your life not goes according to what you planned then you don't have to ask questions like why and be sad just believe in the process, everything will turn out amazing.

[Anna Serfass · Rating 3 out of 5]

***ARC Review***


‼️Content Warning‼️

* Death of a parent (mention)
* Strong and explicit language
* Ghosts
* Sexual content
* Alcohol
* Grief
* Cursing

Everything I Didn’t Say by Ellie Blackbourne is the second book in the Love you Moore series. I did not read the first book and I didn’t feel lost at all. It did seem like Levi and Lottie previously dated and having more of a back story could’ve been helpful.

Their love story is very complicated but Levi’s feelings for Lottie never changed. When a little bundle is left on his door step, both their worlds change (for the better). This book is very emotional but also so sweet.

I didn’t enjoy this one as much as Ellie’s other book. There were times Lottie annoyed me with some of her actions. But I could be the only one that thinks it and that’s OKAY!

There are so very spicy scenes where you can’t put the book done.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 out of 5 stars and 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Kaylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
⭐⭐⭐ | 🔥🔥🔥

This book went deep. From the very beginning, it's obvious that Levi and Lottie are meant for each other, but they're both struggling with their own issues.

Lottie is grieving the loss of her dad after spending years caring for him, leaving her unsure of how to move forward. Levi is a planner, but when a baby suddenly shows up on his doorstep, all his carefully laid plans are thrown into chaos. He struggles to cope with the unexpected responsibility and the pressure he puts on himself.

The story really dives into both of their journeys, giving us a clear look into their thought processes and how they navigate everything they're going through.

There are also a few spicy scenes and some characters that provide plenty of comedic relief, so it isn't heavy all the time.

This book is more emotional and serious than your typical college hockey romance, but if you don't mind that, I'd definitely recommend giving it a shot.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Levi and Lottie, both amazing characters in their own way. I absolutely loved Lottie and felt so many emotions with her. I love how well her grief is written and how that played such an important part in the book. I absolutely loved how she still sensed her dad around, until her brain told her that she was safe and would be ok, especially with Levi. Levi is the green flag MMC that women dream of, he knows that she is in pain and only wants to take care of her and her needs. The shock of Emmie being dropped off on Levi’s door was the catalyst that was needed for them to restart their relationship. I loved the slow burn that they built up to try and come back together as a real couple, not just one on paper. What simply started out as Lottie, wanting to feel needed, turned into her accepting the family she forgot that she had and fully embracing it.
I absolutely loved this and am excited for the next book in the series.

[Randi Braun · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first thing I noticed about this book was that I wish there was a prologue. I found myself a little confused and wished that I had more background information about the connection that Levi & Lottie already shared.

I thought the book was written very beautifully however a little repetitive. There were a few keys parts that were mentioned but not included in full detail in the storyline, (for example the part where they kissed for the first time after the hockey game since her dad had died and they’ve been married). I didn’t love the FMC, I found her to be rather full of the dramatics. I do like the MMC, but with the amount that he talks about Lottie being the love of his life and how he can’t breathe without her I thought he sure has a funny way of showing it to her.. which maybe why Lottie was so dramatic.

Overall I’d say it’s a good hockey romance, but it was definitely one I wasn’t super invested in.

[Ivet]

I got to 56% and I couldn’t do it anymore.

I felt like, first, we lacked A LOT of context of them and their story, individually and as a couple.
Second, felt like we lost really important aspects and scenes with them for their connection to feel more deep. I would’ve loved to see some of their conversations or their kiss in the arena after her first game in attendance, not just a sentence in the middle of the chapter saying “the way he kissed me blah blah blah”.
Third, she is like really defensive. I know she is grieving and having a hard time but dudee I had a really difficult tine liking her (still don’t).
Last thing, are we gonna ignore the fact that they are like 22. THEIR FRONTAL LOBE ITS NOT FULLY DEVELOPED YET! I know a lot if people have kids and are married young but they are still in college and they be acting like they are 35 with a mortage and 5 kids already

Anyways, kind of disappointed tbh cause the book had really good potential.

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

⋆｡°✩ Spoiler Free Reviews ⋆｡°✩

I was kindly provided with this book (censorship is BS and I hate it but here we are!)

4.5 stars.
I cannot believe I got to ARC read another book in this series!
Tropes for this one; college romance, hockey, surprise baby, marriage of convenience, second chance, forced proximity, found family.
Smut was 3/5 on the spice scale and its a HEA.

Lottie is our FMC and she’s a lil bit of a mess at first.. I can’t blame her, she’s had a really rough hand dealt to her in life and if anyone deserves goodness right now, it was her. But when she stopped resisting and started living life instead? It was beautiful!

There is something about a man with a baby that just does things to me.. Levi is trying to balance everything, he’s having to grow up far too soon (and he was mature beforehand!) I loved getting to see this other side of him having read the previous book, I loved him just as much as I thought I would.

[Marci Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok...I missed that this was book two, so I think I also missed some of the backstory between these two characters, and definitely between Levi and his sister. I’ll need to go back and read book one.

Even so, I enjoyed this story. It was much more serious than I expected. I'd previously read another book by this author that was so sweet and lighthearted. This one was still sweet, but it carried a much heavier emotional weight.

Lottie is trying to find herself after experiencing tremendous loss, grief, and the long process of healing. Levi is also navigating major life changes, grieving in his own way, and struggling with feelings of inadequacy.

The way these characters come together really captures the meaning of found family, and watching their journey unfold was one of my favorite parts of the book.

Thank you to the author for this advance copy.

[Only.ever.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review:
🏒Everything I didn’t say🏒
Love you Moore #2

By Ellie Blackbourne

🏒 Hockey Romance
🏒 College Romance
🏒 Second Generation

⭐ 4/5

Levi and Lottie

This college hockey romance follows Levi and Lottie. Years ago she broke his heart, but today she needs some stability and finding a home. Preferably in and with Levi.
With all she has going on in her life. Her life was an inexperienced one and now with the loss and grief, you can feel and relate to her inner turmoil.
Levi has a big surprise coming up himself, and getting Lottie to stand by his side, is for both the right decision and what they need.
But there also is a lot of miscommunication between them. And the happy end is really hard fought.
An emotional read with depth, second chances and a journey to healing. All while finding yourself and your place in this world.

[Samantha Flory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levi was impossible not to love. From the moment a newborn is unexpectedly placed in his care, he does everything he can to step up, and watching him learn how to be a dad was one of my favourite parts of the book. He was patient, protective, and so incredibly sweet with both the baby and the woman he'd never truly stopped loving.

The fake marriage between Levi and his childhood love quickly became so much more. Their history, mutual pining, and the little everyday moments they shared made their relationship feel authentic and easy to root for. I especially loved seeing them slowly become the family they both needed.

The surprise baby added plenty of heart to the story, and the found-family dynamic made it even more emotional. There were so many tender moments that had me smiling, and I appreciated that there was no unnecessary third-act breakup.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of love, loss and second chances. Lottie (Charlotte) is struggling with the grief of losing her father and going through it all alone. Whereas Hockey Player - Levi is living his best life at Brookside University until his baby (which he had no idea about) Emilia is left on his doorstep. Both Indie and Bash find a way back into each other's lives at exactly the right time. Leaning on one another for the support they both needed. By getting married to protect Emilia it gave them a chance to confront their issues that came between them. This was the first book that I'd read in this series and after reading this book Ill be getting my hands on the first soon.

This was a sweet and heartwarming read with 2 main characters I was routing for to get their HEA ending from the first chapter. A good read.

[Leigha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows Levi and Lottie. Lottie just lost her dad and gave up her dream of college and Levi. She wanders to Levi’s college campus and parties and Levi finds her and takes her back to his place. The next morning Levi finds out he’s a dad. To make matters worse he’s keeping her and now has to go through CPS and court to actually be able to keep her. Levi and Lottie marry to make it easier for him to keep his daughter. Levi has never stopped loving Lottie and uses this as his second chance at his soulmate. There are many ups and downs as Levi is still in school and trying to be drafted into the NHL. that just makes him work harder to make everything work.

This book will put you in your feels and you will love every second of it!

[Kelsie Quirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I never wanted it to end!

✨Hockey Romance
✨Second Chance
✨Marriage of Convenience
✨Surprise 🤭

Levi & Lettie’s story did not disappoint. It starts off kind of slow and then you get to chapter three and it takes off!!

Sweet Lottie has been through so much. Her trauma and grief was so beautifully written and executed. I cried (A LOT).

Levi is determined to get the his daughter, his woman, and reach all dreams. He needed a little guidance at times, but his heart was always in the right place. I feel like I watched him grow and mature. He figured out how to be there for Lottie through her grief when she tried her hardest to push him away.

And I absolutely love how supportive everyone was about Emmie. Their village was so refreshing to read.

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfection, just absolute perfection!! A emotional rollercoaster that hooks you from the beginning and does not let go !! Oh my gosh guys !!! I really am so freaking in love and obsessed with this absolutely amazing series / world that Elle has so flawlessly created !! And we’re only on book 2 ) Charlie and Levi oh how their journey just pulled on all my heartstrings and kept me smiling, laughing, crying and rooting the whole way through. Childhood sweethearts who were torn apart by certain circumstances . The things they went through together and separately oh how my emotions were all over the place. Such beautiful and emotional journey, about, love , heartbreak, healing and second chances . It’s also filled with angst , humor , witty banter , family , friendships and so much more .

[Mishelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but it just felt like a lot. It read like Wattpad. And like, I like that sometimes, but I wasn't into it this time. Like, the book wasn't bad; I just struggled connecting to the characters. The premise for a marriage of convenience felt like it wasn't needed. Like it wasn't that convenient for them. Also, there were mentions of things happening from the first book, and I felt a bit lost because I forgot about it. So read the first book before this one. I did love the first book and recommend it all the time, so maybe my expectations were too high for this one because of that. I didn't hate this book, but I didn't love it. It just sat in the middle for me. I think it was just because I had trouble connecting with Lottie.