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Play & Pretend
Not yet published
Expected 15 Sep 26Single parent, Playboy, Both rugby players, Broken boy
395 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 15, 2026
About the author
Meghan Hollie
13 books251 followersMeghan is a British author living in East England with her husband, two children and their yappy dog.
You can find Meghan reading and escaping into fictional worlds or with her head in her laptop creating brand new ones for you all to enjoy.
She writes adult contemporary romance novels, with happily ever afters, swoony and sexy men and strong capable women with a sprinkle of spice.
Connect with Meghan on her social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@authormeghanh...
https://www.instagram.com/meghanholli...
Website and newsletter sign up coming soon!
You can find Meghan reading and escaping into fictional worlds or with her head in her laptop creating brand new ones for you all to enjoy.
She writes adult contemporary romance novels, with happily ever afters, swoony and sexy men and strong capable women with a sprinkle of spice.
Connect with Meghan on her social media:
https://www.tiktok.com/@authormeghanh...
https://www.instagram.com/meghanholli...
Website and newsletter sign up coming soon!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 30, 2026
”maybe that was the extraordinary thing about him. he had come into our lives believing he was searching for a home, never realizing he carried one within him all along.”
i fear that play & pretend just surpassed try & resist for my favourite coastal try book. although, i can’t commit to that just yet, so they’re both number one for now.
jake and seren? perfection. cai? perfection. jake was so sweet and caring and attentive, and truly never missed a beat when seren needed something but didn’t know how to ask for it. seren was a fucking rockstar. seriously, i envy her. she was strong and beautiful and capable and talented. she was so many good things at once, and she was deserving of all the good things, even though she felt like she had to be certain things for her son and her family. she was truly extraordinary. these two hold a very special place in my heart, and i’ll be thinking about them for a very, very long time. cai was such a joy to read. that kid had me giggling and saying “aww” at my screen every few chapters, and the way he loved jake was just precious. they were definitely a dynamic duo. as sweet and sexy as this book was, make no mistake that it was also incredibly emotional, at least for me. i may have shed a tear or two, but the tears were absolutely worth it.
rugby has quickly become one of my favourite sports to read about, and the imagery in this one was *chef’s kiss*. i can’t wait for nate’s book next and the future of this series!
thank you so very much to meghan for the e-arc! <3
⋆˙⟡ info ⋆˙⟡
ᰔ pages: 397
ᰔ pov: first person + dual
ᰔ position in series: book 2
ᰔ release date: september 15th
⋆˙⟡ tropes ⋆˙⟡
ᰔ he falls first
ᰔ rugby romance
ᰔ friends to lovers
ᰔ brother’s best friend
ᰔ single mom x reformed playboy
i fear that play & pretend just surpassed try & resist for my favourite coastal try book. although, i can’t commit to that just yet, so they’re both number one for now.
jake and seren? perfection. cai? perfection. jake was so sweet and caring and attentive, and truly never missed a beat when seren needed something but didn’t know how to ask for it. seren was a fucking rockstar. seriously, i envy her. she was strong and beautiful and capable and talented. she was so many good things at once, and she was deserving of all the good things, even though she felt like she had to be certain things for her son and her family. she was truly extraordinary. these two hold a very special place in my heart, and i’ll be thinking about them for a very, very long time. cai was such a joy to read. that kid had me giggling and saying “aww” at my screen every few chapters, and the way he loved jake was just precious. they were definitely a dynamic duo. as sweet and sexy as this book was, make no mistake that it was also incredibly emotional, at least for me. i may have shed a tear or two, but the tears were absolutely worth it.
rugby has quickly become one of my favourite sports to read about, and the imagery in this one was *chef’s kiss*. i can’t wait for nate’s book next and the future of this series!
thank you so very much to meghan for the e-arc! <3
⋆˙⟡ info ⋆˙⟡
ᰔ pages: 397
ᰔ pov: first person + dual
ᰔ position in series: book 2
ᰔ release date: september 15th
⋆˙⟡ tropes ⋆˙⟡
ᰔ he falls first
ᰔ rugby romance
ᰔ friends to lovers
ᰔ brother’s best friend
ᰔ single mom x reformed playboy
September 2, 2026
[4.75⭐️]
thank you so much to luna literary & meghan hollie for the earc of this book!!
ahhh this was so cute!! this is my first book by this author, and after finishing this i am so excited to go and read more from her. the very first interaction between seren and jake literally had me smiling from ear to ear. and from that point on i already knew i was going to devour this book. not only do you get to see jake come completely undone the moment he meets seren; but you also get to see his adorable relationship build with her son cai. who can i just say, what an absolute cutie omg!!! literally had me saying "awww" out loud at least 50 times. i feel like seren has really struggled since being a single mum to let people into her life and help out, so to witness her slowly but surely let jake in truly was beautiful. and you could tell that jake didn’t want to overstep or do too much, but just wanted to let seren know that he’s there does she ever need it. the chemistry between them was undeniable!!!! i mean again, going back to their first interaction i don’t know how you couldn’t feel it. i really loved all of the side characters in this book, especially nate. which has me so excited to go back and read book 1, because now that i know how much i absolutely love his character, i feel like it’s going to make my reading experience of that book 10x better. anyway, if you want a fun but also heartwarming sports romance read, i couldn’t recommend this enough!!
thank you so much to luna literary & meghan hollie for the earc of this book!!
ahhh this was so cute!! this is my first book by this author, and after finishing this i am so excited to go and read more from her. the very first interaction between seren and jake literally had me smiling from ear to ear. and from that point on i already knew i was going to devour this book. not only do you get to see jake come completely undone the moment he meets seren; but you also get to see his adorable relationship build with her son cai. who can i just say, what an absolute cutie omg!!! literally had me saying "awww" out loud at least 50 times. i feel like seren has really struggled since being a single mum to let people into her life and help out, so to witness her slowly but surely let jake in truly was beautiful. and you could tell that jake didn’t want to overstep or do too much, but just wanted to let seren know that he’s there does she ever need it. the chemistry between them was undeniable!!!! i mean again, going back to their first interaction i don’t know how you couldn’t feel it. i really loved all of the side characters in this book, especially nate. which has me so excited to go back and read book 1, because now that i know how much i absolutely love his character, i feel like it’s going to make my reading experience of that book 10x better. anyway, if you want a fun but also heartwarming sports romance read, i couldn’t recommend this enough!!
August 30, 2026
♾️⭐️
Jake Ledger is mine. That’s all. That’s the review😆
Jake and Seren’s story is the most beautiful heartfelt journey of two people who are lonely in their lives without having that special someone to call home. They’re not unhappy with what they have- but there’s something missing for both of them. Jake is the happy go lucky flirt with a big heart. He’s never had a serious relationship and has never truly had a home of his own after ageing out of the foster system. He doesn’t feel like he belongs anywhere until he meets Seren in a coffee shop with her little boy Cai, who is completely enamoured with Jake’s truck. This coffee meet cute will have you hooked from the very first moment. And then when Jake realises that Seren is his best friend Nate‘s sister- who he’s been antagonising Nate about wanting to meet for months!?Yeh. All bets are off. Jake, from the moment he meets them both he wants to get to know them better. He feels a connection to them instantly like he knows them already. And not only is he completely gone for Seren, he’s totally obsessed with her little boy too and is a complete natural with him.Their journey is so stunning to watch unfold with Seren letting go of some of her control and giving it to Jake to help her hold. Whilst Jakes vulnerability of not quite being enough is so heart wrenching, because from Seren’s point of view- he’s so easy to talk to and be around. She’s a single mum who hasn’t really had any help from her baby daddy because they were never really together, but Jake just wants to be there for everything- and he proves it time and time again until Seren realises that he’s her safe space and she needs him to help ground her. And the mouth on this man?? WOW. The balcony scene and VIP box scene are currently on a constant loop in my brain. You are not ready🥵This was pure delight from beginning to end, it had me squealing, blushing crying and laughing the whole way through. So again, Jake’s mine and no you can’t have him. I won’t be over this one for a while. ✌🏼
♾️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Jake Ledger is mine. That’s all. That’s the review😆
Jake and Seren’s story is the most beautiful heartfelt journey of two people who are lonely in their lives without having that special someone to call home. They’re not unhappy with what they have- but there’s something missing for both of them. Jake is the happy go lucky flirt with a big heart. He’s never had a serious relationship and has never truly had a home of his own after ageing out of the foster system. He doesn’t feel like he belongs anywhere until he meets Seren in a coffee shop with her little boy Cai, who is completely enamoured with Jake’s truck. This coffee meet cute will have you hooked from the very first moment. And then when Jake realises that Seren is his best friend Nate‘s sister- who he’s been antagonising Nate about wanting to meet for months!?Yeh. All bets are off. Jake, from the moment he meets them both he wants to get to know them better. He feels a connection to them instantly like he knows them already. And not only is he completely gone for Seren, he’s totally obsessed with her little boy too and is a complete natural with him.Their journey is so stunning to watch unfold with Seren letting go of some of her control and giving it to Jake to help her hold. Whilst Jakes vulnerability of not quite being enough is so heart wrenching, because from Seren’s point of view- he’s so easy to talk to and be around. She’s a single mum who hasn’t really had any help from her baby daddy because they were never really together, but Jake just wants to be there for everything- and he proves it time and time again until Seren realises that he’s her safe space and she needs him to help ground her. And the mouth on this man?? WOW. The balcony scene and VIP box scene are currently on a constant loop in my brain. You are not ready🥵This was pure delight from beginning to end, it had me squealing, blushing crying and laughing the whole way through. So again, Jake’s mine and no you can’t have him. I won’t be over this one for a while. ✌🏼
♾️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
September 3, 2026
ARC Review ✨
First I would like to say a big thank you to Meghan for letting me be a part of this ARC Team!
Rate: 5/5⭐️
Spice: 2/5🌶️
What to expect when reading ;
-Rugby Romance
-Brothers Best Friend
-Friends x Lovers
-Single Mom
-Reformed Playboy
This is book two of the Coastal Try Series! You get to continue to follow Seren and Jake! Seren is a single mom trying to find the balance of prioritizing her kiddo and her new team. Jake is known for his playboy ways and his hot rugby thighs. What he didn’t expect was to run into the girl of his dreams and her son.
Starting off I just want to say Meghan, the writing Queen that you are, this book was IT! I am officially overly in love with Jake Ledger!!!!! He is officially one of my all time favorite MMCs ever!
Okay lol, on to my thoughts! This was AMAZING!!! I wish I could read this book again for the first time. Seren, Cai and Jake literally melted my heart into a big gooey puddle. Seren, I just want to hug this girl and tell you her she is phenomenal in every way. I love the support she got from her team and how they not only welcomes her but Cai as well. Cai and Jake’s dynamic was pure gold, I could not get enough of their cuteness. Jake is so goofy, all while making sure his people know he cares for them. He has such a big and pure heart. Oh and the mouth on this man, talk about HOT! The tension that sizzled between Seren and Jake was top tier. I honestly could read a hundred or more pages of these two and probably still want more because I don’t want their story to be over.
Thank you Meghan for giving us such an incredible story!
Side notes:
-excited for book three
Fav Quote:
•”You had a cute mini accomplice who left fingerprints everywhere. You’d both make terrible thieves”
•”Your recognized my thighs over my face”
•”I’m a glutton for punishment. Plus, I like looking at you”
•”Stay, Jake. You won’t be alone with us”
•”Let me go down. It’s only right a man get on his knees for you first”
•”Don’t flirt with me, Seren, or I’ll start daydreaming about us “
•”I’m not storming, and I’m no goose”
Make sure you get your copy of this book🤍
#bookstagram #romance #review
First I would like to say a big thank you to Meghan for letting me be a part of this ARC Team!
Rate: 5/5⭐️
Spice: 2/5🌶️
What to expect when reading ;
-Rugby Romance
-Brothers Best Friend
-Friends x Lovers
-Single Mom
-Reformed Playboy
This is book two of the Coastal Try Series! You get to continue to follow Seren and Jake! Seren is a single mom trying to find the balance of prioritizing her kiddo and her new team. Jake is known for his playboy ways and his hot rugby thighs. What he didn’t expect was to run into the girl of his dreams and her son.
Starting off I just want to say Meghan, the writing Queen that you are, this book was IT! I am officially overly in love with Jake Ledger!!!!! He is officially one of my all time favorite MMCs ever!
Okay lol, on to my thoughts! This was AMAZING!!! I wish I could read this book again for the first time. Seren, Cai and Jake literally melted my heart into a big gooey puddle. Seren, I just want to hug this girl and tell you her she is phenomenal in every way. I love the support she got from her team and how they not only welcomes her but Cai as well. Cai and Jake’s dynamic was pure gold, I could not get enough of their cuteness. Jake is so goofy, all while making sure his people know he cares for them. He has such a big and pure heart. Oh and the mouth on this man, talk about HOT! The tension that sizzled between Seren and Jake was top tier. I honestly could read a hundred or more pages of these two and probably still want more because I don’t want their story to be over.
Thank you Meghan for giving us such an incredible story!
Side notes:
-excited for book three
Fav Quote:
•”You had a cute mini accomplice who left fingerprints everywhere. You’d both make terrible thieves”
•”Your recognized my thighs over my face”
•”I’m a glutton for punishment. Plus, I like looking at you”
•”Stay, Jake. You won’t be alone with us”
•”Let me go down. It’s only right a man get on his knees for you first”
•”Don’t flirt with me, Seren, or I’ll start daydreaming about us “
•”I’m not storming, and I’m no goose”
Make sure you get your copy of this book🤍
#bookstagram #romance #review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Well, Meghans done it again! She always has me falling in love with every character she writes about🫶🏽
I’d like to start this review off by thanking Meghan for allowing me to join her street team and to be able to get this wonderful opportunity of ARC reading not 1, not 2, but 3 of her books!!
Play & Pretend is such an emotional, heartwarming read that not only shows rugby, romance and relationships but also the struggles a single mom has to deal with, bringing realism into the book.
Seren is the FMC of the book and portrayed beautifully. She’s strong, brave and so passionate about everything she does. She balances being a single mom with her athletic career and is so inspirational.
Jake, the reformed playboy and talented rugby player becomes completely smitten with Seren and her son Cai as soon as he meets them. What I like about Jake is even though he’s suffered trauma in the past, he’s never let that change his bubbly self, even when he’s struggling he never lets that affect how he treats others or his performance at rugby.
One of my favourite parts of this book is the friendship Jake and Nate has, Nate is such a beautiful soul and obviously cares so much about Jake, taking him under his wing and ensuring he’s okay. That’s what makes Jake and Seren’s love story even better - Seren is Nate’s sister!!
The tension is palpable as Seren and Jake tip toe around the fact they love each other, when they’re obviously just “friends”. I’ve been looking for a strangers to friends to lovers book for so long and this has fed my fix!!
Another highlight of this book was the friendships Seren found as she joined the rugby team - all the girls were so welcoming and supportive. It’s such a positive team that offered their support and just made the book even more enjoyable to read!
Jake, Seren and Cai - you’ve bewitched me!!❤️❤️
I’d like to start this review off by thanking Meghan for allowing me to join her street team and to be able to get this wonderful opportunity of ARC reading not 1, not 2, but 3 of her books!!
Play & Pretend is such an emotional, heartwarming read that not only shows rugby, romance and relationships but also the struggles a single mom has to deal with, bringing realism into the book.
Seren is the FMC of the book and portrayed beautifully. She’s strong, brave and so passionate about everything she does. She balances being a single mom with her athletic career and is so inspirational.
Jake, the reformed playboy and talented rugby player becomes completely smitten with Seren and her son Cai as soon as he meets them. What I like about Jake is even though he’s suffered trauma in the past, he’s never let that change his bubbly self, even when he’s struggling he never lets that affect how he treats others or his performance at rugby.
One of my favourite parts of this book is the friendship Jake and Nate has, Nate is such a beautiful soul and obviously cares so much about Jake, taking him under his wing and ensuring he’s okay. That’s what makes Jake and Seren’s love story even better - Seren is Nate’s sister!!
The tension is palpable as Seren and Jake tip toe around the fact they love each other, when they’re obviously just “friends”. I’ve been looking for a strangers to friends to lovers book for so long and this has fed my fix!!
Another highlight of this book was the friendships Seren found as she joined the rugby team - all the girls were so welcoming and supportive. It’s such a positive team that offered their support and just made the book even more enjoyable to read!
Jake, Seren and Cai - you’ve bewitched me!!❤️❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5⭐️
Beta read
I'm a hoe for a sports romance. But when both of them play that same sport? I'm folding🤭 Throw in the mam yearning, a single mom and that brothers bestfriend?😚🤌
Seren was the most beautiful mother. She was so caring and did everything to make sure her boy was happy. Even showing him his favorite thing 3 minutes into meeting our stranger(but not so much) Jake. Cai honestly was the one to make these two come together with his 2 year old self and my heart EXPLODED!!! The cutest kid😭😭😭 Seren had always done everything by herself so when Jake started nudging himself in her life, it was hard to accept that help. She needed Jake in her life though 🥹
We love a yearning man, baby. A man that yearns is a man that earns. With a quick meet cute, this man revolves his mornings around trying to find his dream girl again. Thats how you know hes got it bad🤭 Finding out Seren was his bestfriends sister was a shock but he went in. He knew what he wanted and he got that. Man was a teddy bear to his core but with Cai.....oh my. That man was meant to be a daddy😭😭😭 The way he was there to help and stepped up made my heart burst🥹
These two were just so damn sweet. Their connection and chemistry was HOT. I love that they attended eachothers games and always there to support🥹
Thank you Meghan for letting me beta read this baby🫂
Booksta- romance.with.bri
Beta read
I'm a hoe for a sports romance. But when both of them play that same sport? I'm folding🤭 Throw in the mam yearning, a single mom and that brothers bestfriend?😚🤌
Seren was the most beautiful mother. She was so caring and did everything to make sure her boy was happy. Even showing him his favorite thing 3 minutes into meeting our stranger(but not so much) Jake. Cai honestly was the one to make these two come together with his 2 year old self and my heart EXPLODED!!! The cutest kid😭😭😭 Seren had always done everything by herself so when Jake started nudging himself in her life, it was hard to accept that help. She needed Jake in her life though 🥹
We love a yearning man, baby. A man that yearns is a man that earns. With a quick meet cute, this man revolves his mornings around trying to find his dream girl again. Thats how you know hes got it bad🤭 Finding out Seren was his bestfriends sister was a shock but he went in. He knew what he wanted and he got that. Man was a teddy bear to his core but with Cai.....oh my. That man was meant to be a daddy😭😭😭 The way he was there to help and stepped up made my heart burst🥹
These two were just so damn sweet. Their connection and chemistry was HOT. I love that they attended eachothers games and always there to support🥹
Thank you Meghan for letting me beta read this baby🫂
Booksta- romance.with.bri
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2026
Thank you to Meghan & Luna Literary for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
4.5 ⭐️
I was so excited to read Jake’s story after seeing him flirt with Siobhan in the first book, I knew he was gonna be a grade A top tier yearner!!
•seren + jake just feel like two halves orbiting each other the whole book and it’s beautiful!
•cai actually speaks and acts his age and it was so cute to actually be able to read about a toddler and genuinely be able
to picture him saying the things he says!
•the communication was perfect, without feeling overly emotional in places I would expect it to be easily drug out and outweighing the spice aspect.
•the spice is SPICYYYYYYY!!!!🌶️🌶️🌶️ the VIP box scene?!?!?! Meghan you outdid yourself! I did not think the first in the series could be topped for spice BOY OH BOY was I wrong!
derek’s “redemption arc” I did not see coming but I was so glad to read that!!! definitely a nice and welcome change from most disgruntled baby daddy tropes.
only thing I wish was different:
I really love the way Seren has the same career alongside Jake and I do selfishly wish there had been more scenes of that! I think the story even could have benefited from more rugby scenes in general.
overall, I was really happy with this and can’t WAIT to see more by this author!!!!
4.5 ⭐️
I was so excited to read Jake’s story after seeing him flirt with Siobhan in the first book, I knew he was gonna be a grade A top tier yearner!!
•seren + jake just feel like two halves orbiting each other the whole book and it’s beautiful!
•cai actually speaks and acts his age and it was so cute to actually be able to read about a toddler and genuinely be able
to picture him saying the things he says!
•the communication was perfect, without feeling overly emotional in places I would expect it to be easily drug out and outweighing the spice aspect.
•the spice is SPICYYYYYYY!!!!🌶️🌶️🌶️ the VIP box scene?!?!?! Meghan you outdid yourself! I did not think the first in the series could be topped for spice BOY OH BOY was I wrong!
derek’s “redemption arc” I did not see coming but I was so glad to read that!!! definitely a nice and welcome change from most disgruntled baby daddy tropes.
only thing I wish was different:
I really love the way Seren has the same career alongside Jake and I do selfishly wish there had been more scenes of that! I think the story even could have benefited from more rugby scenes in general.
overall, I was really happy with this and can’t WAIT to see more by this author!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
Seren Davis regresa a jugar rugby después de estar alejada de las canchas durante dos años debido a su embarazo. Ahora, como madre soltera, tiene mucho más que demostrar que solo que todavía puede jugar al mismo nivel de antes. Está intentando recuperar su carrera, adaptarse a una nueva ciudad y encontrar el equilibrio entre ser mamá y volver a hacer algo que ama.
Lo último que esperaba era que Jake Ledger apareciera en su vida. Él es carismático, divertido y tiene fama de mujeriego. Además, existe un pequeño problema que hace que acercarse a él sea todavía más complicado: Jake es el mejor amigo de su hermano Nathaniel. Seren no está dispuesta a arriesgar todo lo que ha construido por alguien que podría no querer lo mismo que ella. Y Jake tendrá que demostrarle que, por una vez, no está buscando algo pasajero.
__
Me encantó que Jake no ignorara lo que sentía por Seren. En lugar de esconderlo o actuar a sus espaldas, habló con Nate de frente y le dejó claro que Seren le gustaba, que quería intentarlo con ella y que no iba a fingir que sus sentimientos no existían solo porque fuera su hermana.
Gracias Luna Literary por el ARC.
Lo último que esperaba era que Jake Ledger apareciera en su vida. Él es carismático, divertido y tiene fama de mujeriego. Además, existe un pequeño problema que hace que acercarse a él sea todavía más complicado: Jake es el mejor amigo de su hermano Nathaniel. Seren no está dispuesta a arriesgar todo lo que ha construido por alguien que podría no querer lo mismo que ella. Y Jake tendrá que demostrarle que, por una vez, no está buscando algo pasajero.
__
Me encantó que Jake no ignorara lo que sentía por Seren. En lugar de esconderlo o actuar a sus espaldas, habló con Nate de frente y le dejó claro que Seren le gustaba, que quería intentarlo con ella y que no iba a fingir que sus sentimientos no existían solo porque fuera su hermana.
Gracias Luna Literary por el ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
(Review of an ARC, does not influence my thoughts)
I AM OBSESSED!!!
This was everything I want in a rugby romance.
- Powerful women? ✅
- Yearning hot men? ✅
- Key details of the game? ✅
- FANNING YOURSELF SPICE? ✅✅✅✅✅✅
This book was such a great read for a spicy sports lover like myself. It was full of banter, found family, adorable heartfelt moments and self journey. For me, Seren embodied what a lot of women go through after having a baby. Life and bodies are changed and women often have to give up pieces of theirselves to carry the weight but Meghan showed us through this story that you can be both a mom and yourself. That there is no shame in still being your beautiful, authentic self.
I have an unhealthy emotional attachment to Jake and just wanted to squeeze him so hard. We love a refined playboy with a heart of gold and past trauma. He deserved all the love and more and I am glad in this story he found it with Seren and Cai.
I will forever recommended this book and author, so GO READ IT.
Thank you to Luna Literary and Meghan for the ARC!
Booksta- @_bookishbri_
I AM OBSESSED!!!
This was everything I want in a rugby romance.
- Powerful women? ✅
- Yearning hot men? ✅
- Key details of the game? ✅
- FANNING YOURSELF SPICE? ✅✅✅✅✅✅
This book was such a great read for a spicy sports lover like myself. It was full of banter, found family, adorable heartfelt moments and self journey. For me, Seren embodied what a lot of women go through after having a baby. Life and bodies are changed and women often have to give up pieces of theirselves to carry the weight but Meghan showed us through this story that you can be both a mom and yourself. That there is no shame in still being your beautiful, authentic self.
I have an unhealthy emotional attachment to Jake and just wanted to squeeze him so hard. We love a refined playboy with a heart of gold and past trauma. He deserved all the love and more and I am glad in this story he found it with Seren and Cai.
I will forever recommended this book and author, so GO READ IT.
Thank you to Luna Literary and Meghan for the ARC!
Booksta- @_bookishbri_
Review of advance copy received from Author
Super hot rugby player Jake is top tier book boyfriend material 🥵 and his past and insecurities make me want to hug him so hard
This is a super sweet, single mom, sport (rugby) romance that will have you swooning from the very first chapter. Jake and Serena are absolutely perfect together and you will definitely be cheering them on and Cai might just be the most adorable child on the planet
Then add in great team mates from both main characters, family, found family and great best friends/brother and you have a wonderful recipe for many more great books to read and I'm excited for said best friend/brother Nate to fin his HEA in the next book
Thank you Meghan and Luna Literary for the ARC opportunity 💕
❤️ How I Rate Books
⭐ didn't like it
⭐⭐ it was ok
⭐⭐⭐ I liked it
⭐⭐⭐⭐Loved it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing! Will reread!
This is a super sweet, single mom, sport (rugby) romance that will have you swooning from the very first chapter. Jake and Serena are absolutely perfect together and you will definitely be cheering them on and Cai might just be the most adorable child on the planet
Then add in great team mates from both main characters, family, found family and great best friends/brother and you have a wonderful recipe for many more great books to read and I'm excited for said best friend/brother Nate to fin his HEA in the next book
Thank you Meghan and Luna Literary for the ARC opportunity 💕
❤️ How I Rate Books
⭐ didn't like it
⭐⭐ it was ok
⭐⭐⭐ I liked it
⭐⭐⭐⭐Loved it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing! Will reread!
Review of advance copy
★★★★★
I knew almost nothing going into this except best friend’s sister + single mom, and honestly? I’m glad I kept it that way.
This was such a beautiful, emotional read about choosing yourself, figuring out who you are, and realizing that it’s never too late to want something different from life.And Jake? 🥹 That broken-but-tender MMC absolutely had me.
I loved the way the emotions unfolded, how naturally everything connected, and how much heart this story carried. The single-mom element, the little moments, the longing for home—it all worked so beautifully together.
A gorgeous, heartfelt 5 stars.🤍
Thank you to Luna Literary Management for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I knew almost nothing going into this except best friend’s sister + single mom, and honestly? I’m glad I kept it that way.
This was such a beautiful, emotional read about choosing yourself, figuring out who you are, and realizing that it’s never too late to want something different from life.And Jake? 🥹 That broken-but-tender MMC absolutely had me.
I loved the way the emotions unfolded, how naturally everything connected, and how much heart this story carried. The single-mom element, the little moments, the longing for home—it all worked so beautifully together.
A gorgeous, heartfelt 5 stars.🤍
Thank you to Luna Literary Management for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read
July 11, 2026Proofreading!
September 2, 2026
Arc review: This book was so cute, Jake, Seren, and Cai were so cute. I loved how Cai was a big part and included in the story, and the found family was great! I cant wait for the next one!
August 16, 2026
✩5
✦What to Expect✦
•Single mom x reformed playboy
•Rugby player x rugby player
•Brother’s best friend
•Friends to lovers
•He falls first
✦Characters✦
•Seren Davis
•Jake Ledger
✦Fav Quotes✦
“God…”
“Jake, but I could definitely take you to heaven, baby. Just say the word.”
“Oh my god, are you even allowed to be this dirty? I don’t think it’s legal.”
“I’ve got you, mama.”
Change used to mean leaving. Now it meant staying and fighting for the people I loved.
“I know your life is full,” he said with tenderness. “I know you’ve spent a long time carrying everything yourself. But Seren, if you’d let me, I’d spend the rest of my life trying to make it lighter.”
“I don’t need perfect. I don’t need easy.” His voice cracked. “I just need you.”
✦Thoughts✦
OH MY GODDDDD! So perfect!
I literally finished in 24 hours because they were so good!!
Jake oh my god, where do I even begin?! HE IS SO HOT & PERFECT! The mouth on this man!! I was unwell in the best way lol. Also him with Cai! Literally my ovaries are exploding right now okay. I am obsessed if you can’t tell lol
Seren is a baddie & crushinggggg it. I wanted all the good things for her, bc she truly deserves a Jake in her life! I am also so jealous lol.
These two together were HOTTTT & so cute together. The first date?!? Excuse me while I squeal bc it was prefect & making me giddy af. Their chemistry was off the charts, and I was living for it! My jaw was hanging open a few times & there may have been drool bc they were so hot okay.
Not only was the spice delicious, but these two and each of their backgrounds had me in my feels. Jake and his history in foster care and his fear of being left pulled at my heart. I 100% teared up, bc he truly is just so sweet and I am so happy he found Seren & Cai bc the three of them together made me so happy.
Truly sooo good & adored them so much!
Also the next book 👀 I have a theory
•ARC Read•
✦ Bookish links to follow ✦
Bookstagram • Goodreads • BookBub • Storygraph • Fable
✦What to Expect✦
•Single mom x reformed playboy
•Rugby player x rugby player
•Brother’s best friend
•Friends to lovers
•He falls first
✦Characters✦
•Seren Davis
•Jake Ledger
✦Fav Quotes✦
“God…”
“Jake, but I could definitely take you to heaven, baby. Just say the word.”
“Oh my god, are you even allowed to be this dirty? I don’t think it’s legal.”
“I’ve got you, mama.”
Change used to mean leaving. Now it meant staying and fighting for the people I loved.
“I know your life is full,” he said with tenderness. “I know you’ve spent a long time carrying everything yourself. But Seren, if you’d let me, I’d spend the rest of my life trying to make it lighter.”
“I don’t need perfect. I don’t need easy.” His voice cracked. “I just need you.”
✦Thoughts✦
OH MY GODDDDD! So perfect!
I literally finished in 24 hours because they were so good!!
Jake oh my god, where do I even begin?! HE IS SO HOT & PERFECT! The mouth on this man!! I was unwell in the best way lol. Also him with Cai! Literally my ovaries are exploding right now okay. I am obsessed if you can’t tell lol
Seren is a baddie & crushinggggg it. I wanted all the good things for her, bc she truly deserves a Jake in her life! I am also so jealous lol.
These two together were HOTTTT & so cute together. The first date?!? Excuse me while I squeal bc it was prefect & making me giddy af. Their chemistry was off the charts, and I was living for it! My jaw was hanging open a few times & there may have been drool bc they were so hot okay.
Not only was the spice delicious, but these two and each of their backgrounds had me in my feels. Jake and his history in foster care and his fear of being left pulled at my heart. I 100% teared up, bc he truly is just so sweet and I am so happy he found Seren & Cai bc the three of them together made me so happy.
Truly sooo good & adored them so much!
Also the next book 👀 I have a theory
•ARC Read•
✦ Bookish links to follow ✦
Bookstagram • Goodreads • BookBub • Storygraph • Fable
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Where to even start! Jake is the most perfect boy ever. My heart hurt so bad for him. He's the greenest green flag @meghanhollieauthor has written and boy did he deserve all the love and someone to choose him. My heart has never resonated with an MMC more than it did with Jake. The bond he had with Cai was simply stunning to read.
Seren is the most beautiful, caring and nurturing soul and made Jake feel loved and so special. They all came into eachothers lives at the right time. Jake and Seren are actual soulmates.
Drippy Derek though 🙄.
Seren is the most beautiful, caring and nurturing soul and made Jake feel loved and so special. They all came into eachothers lives at the right time. Jake and Seren are actual soulmates.
Drippy Derek though 🙄.
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