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The Boys #7
Honest Boys Don't Play
I should be focused on my college graduation and finding a big girl job, not picking out strollers and baby clothes, but here I am. A positive pregnancy test can throw even the best laid plans out the window. I feel far from prepared for motherhood, but it helps that my baby daddy is Luke Covey.
The guy is cool as a cucumber. Nothing ruffles his feathers, not even my unexpected pregnancy and what it might mean for his rookie hockey year.
He’s ready for it all—the dirty diapers, the late-night feedings, and the crying—but me?
I can’t help but freak out and wonder if I’m cut out for this.
But whether I’m ready or not, this baby is coming.
The guy is cool as a cucumber. Nothing ruffles his feathers, not even my unexpected pregnancy and what it might mean for his rookie hockey year.
He’s ready for it all—the dirty diapers, the late-night feedings, and the crying—but me?
I can’t help but freak out and wonder if I’m cut out for this.
But whether I’m ready or not, this baby is coming.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2026
About the author
Micalea Smeltzer
103 books6,902 followersMicalea Smeltzer is an author from Northern Virginia. Her two dogs, Ollie and Remy, are her constant companions. As a kidney transplant recipient she's dedicated to raising awareness around the effects of kidney disease, dialysis, and transplant as well as educating people on living donation. When she's not writing you can catch her with her nose buried in a book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
September 30, 2026
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── 3.5 stars
this was my first time reading micalea's college romance series! i started my journey with her stories last year when she released her on the court series under a pen name and then when she rereleased under her real name i discovered her! it made so much sense that she wasn't a debut author LOL i really love that series!
so basically this book starts off from the bat with her announcing her pregnancy to him (some context, they were taking their relationship "slow" or whatever no labels yet but he has been pining for years) it's near graduation and all that. it's really sweet the way he takes initiative to make sure she's taken care of, especially has her family is horrible and ignorant. she comes from a lot of money but her parents weren't nuturing or anything
my favourite part is the ocd rep 🥹 as someone who has recently come to terms with the fact i have ocd, it is always special to read about characters with similar struggles. his "obsessions" / worries were more mental and i could really relate to that aspect, and the rumination that comes with ocd. i think micalea wrote this part wonderfully <3
moving on to the couple themselves, luke & bertie have just moved in together so he can help her with pregnancy things before they move to nashville (as he is drafted for the nhl) and she does have feelings for him but her past relationship left her scarred for life so they take things really slow. there is no "actual" sex scene until the end LOL like 2 spicy scenes max before the end. which i didn't mind as it wouldn't match the vibe as they wanted to be clear about their relationship first
their friends were genuinely the best people ever, she was going into labor on her best friend's wedding day and they were very supportive and even stayed with them until they left. i think bertie really needed their friendships as she was distant from her family and her found family was what really mattered.
overall this was a decent read, idk if i'll ever come back to this series (maybe to read his friend's story)
thank you micalea for having me on your team & the eARC!
this was my first time reading micalea's college romance series! i started my journey with her stories last year when she released her on the court series under a pen name and then when she rereleased under her real name i discovered her! it made so much sense that she wasn't a debut author LOL i really love that series!
so basically this book starts off from the bat with her announcing her pregnancy to him (some context, they were taking their relationship "slow" or whatever no labels yet but he has been pining for years) it's near graduation and all that. it's really sweet the way he takes initiative to make sure she's taken care of, especially has her family is horrible and ignorant. she comes from a lot of money but her parents weren't nuturing or anything
my favourite part is the ocd rep 🥹 as someone who has recently come to terms with the fact i have ocd, it is always special to read about characters with similar struggles. his "obsessions" / worries were more mental and i could really relate to that aspect, and the rumination that comes with ocd. i think micalea wrote this part wonderfully <3
moving on to the couple themselves, luke & bertie have just moved in together so he can help her with pregnancy things before they move to nashville (as he is drafted for the nhl) and she does have feelings for him but her past relationship left her scarred for life so they take things really slow. there is no "actual" sex scene until the end LOL like 2 spicy scenes max before the end. which i didn't mind as it wouldn't match the vibe as they wanted to be clear about their relationship first
their friends were genuinely the best people ever, she was going into labor on her best friend's wedding day and they were very supportive and even stayed with them until they left. i think bertie really needed their friendships as she was distant from her family and her found family was what really mattered.
overall this was a decent read, idk if i'll ever come back to this series (maybe to read his friend's story)
thank you micalea for having me on your team & the eARC!
October 5, 2026
4🌟 | 3🌶️
The accidental pregnancy trope really did its job here because I was invested from the very beginning.
The accidental pregnancy setup pulled me in, but Luke’s devotion to Bertie was what really kept me invested. He was so patient, attentive, and naturally caring, always picking up on the little things she needed without making a big deal out of it.
Bertie had a lot of reasons to struggle with trust and letting herself believe she could be loved, so I liked watching her slowly let Luke in. Their relationship took its time, and all those small moments of care made their connection feel genuine. I also really appreciated the OCD representation, especially the focus on Luke’s internal thoughts and rumination. That aspect felt thoughtfully handled and added another layer to his character.
The found family was another favorite, especially seeing Bertie find the support and belonging she had been missing. The spice is minimal and comes much later, but honestly, the slower emotional build suited them. I’d definitely recommend reading the Christmas novella first for their backstory, but this still gave me the sweet, cozy romance I was hoping for.
Watching them grow into a little family made this a really lovely read.
~~~~
A sincere thank you to Micalea Smeltzer and House Of Hearts Lit for the ARC! 🥰📚
I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨
The accidental pregnancy trope really did its job here because I was invested from the very beginning.
The accidental pregnancy setup pulled me in, but Luke’s devotion to Bertie was what really kept me invested. He was so patient, attentive, and naturally caring, always picking up on the little things she needed without making a big deal out of it.
Bertie had a lot of reasons to struggle with trust and letting herself believe she could be loved, so I liked watching her slowly let Luke in. Their relationship took its time, and all those small moments of care made their connection feel genuine. I also really appreciated the OCD representation, especially the focus on Luke’s internal thoughts and rumination. That aspect felt thoughtfully handled and added another layer to his character.
The found family was another favorite, especially seeing Bertie find the support and belonging she had been missing. The spice is minimal and comes much later, but honestly, the slower emotional build suited them. I’d definitely recommend reading the Christmas novella first for their backstory, but this still gave me the sweet, cozy romance I was hoping for.
Watching them grow into a little family made this a really lovely read.
~~~~
A sincere thank you to Micalea Smeltzer and House Of Hearts Lit for the ARC! 🥰📚
I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨
September 23, 2026
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I was bored reading this and was ready for it to be over. There was no depth to the characters or the storyline. They are college seniors and we never find out their majors. Luke says he made sure to graduate in case he wasn't drafted to the NHL but no mention of what type of job he would look for if he wasn't playing hockey. Bertie had no plans post graduation other than "maybe visit Nashville." I get that she was an heiress but the lack of any planning was baffling to me. At the very least, where did she plan to live?
And how is that by the end of the book we still don't know about Luke's dad. All we know is that he was raised by a single mom. What happened to his dad? Did he bail? Die? One night stand with no name? Sperm donor?
Despite having sex before (because you know, baby) there was virtually no physical romance in the book. There's one oral scene part way through and no actual intercourse until 95%. And there isn't any sexual tension. It's just 2 people who barely speak or interact having a baby.
I liked that Luke had OCD and there was some explanation on how OCD doesn't show up as the stereotype portrayed by the media, but that was about the only interesting thing about him.
This book had all of the tropes I enjoy reading, but I found little enjoyment in the book. I was bummed.
I was bored reading this and was ready for it to be over. There was no depth to the characters or the storyline. They are college seniors and we never find out their majors. Luke says he made sure to graduate in case he wasn't drafted to the NHL but no mention of what type of job he would look for if he wasn't playing hockey. Bertie had no plans post graduation other than "maybe visit Nashville." I get that she was an heiress but the lack of any planning was baffling to me. At the very least, where did she plan to live?
And how is that by the end of the book we still don't know about Luke's dad. All we know is that he was raised by a single mom. What happened to his dad? Did he bail? Die? One night stand with no name? Sperm donor?
Despite having sex before (because you know, baby) there was virtually no physical romance in the book. There's one oral scene part way through and no actual intercourse until 95%. And there isn't any sexual tension. It's just 2 people who barely speak or interact having a baby.
I liked that Luke had OCD and there was some explanation on how OCD doesn't show up as the stereotype portrayed by the media, but that was about the only interesting thing about him.
This book had all of the tropes I enjoy reading, but I found little enjoyment in the book. I was bummed.
September 22, 2026
I enjoyed reading this book the tropes were my favorite
Tropes:
Accidental Pregnancy
Hockey Player x Heiress
Second Chance-ish
Longing
He Falls First & Harder
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
Accidental Pregnancy
Hockey Player x Heiress
Second Chance-ish
Longing
He Falls First & Harder
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Read
September 28, 2026So excited to be back in The Boys world, and with a trope that I can't get enough of. I am SUCH an accidental pregnancy trope girlie, and add hockey player + heiress, second chance vibes, a man who has apparently been down horrendous for YEARS, and a baby on the way? Yeah, I was excited for this one.
Unfortunately, this wasn't Micalea's best for me, even though the set up was a slam dunk. Parts of it I really loved. Luke Covey is the reason this book worked for me. This man is GREEN FLAG CENTRAL. Quiet, sweet, patient, attentive, ridiculously caring, and completely gone for Bertie. He has apparently been carrying feelings for her for years, and once he finally gets his chance, this man does not hesitate. The pregnancy doesn't scare him off. If anything, it seems to make him even more certain about what he wants. And the way he loves her?? I melted. Constantly. Luke pays attention. Not just to the big things, but to all the tiny little things Bertie needs without necessarily asking for them. He is so naturally nurturing without ever making Bertie feel incapable, and I loved that about him.
I also liked the OCD rep. He handles his own OCD with a lot of maturity and groundedness, and I really appreciated the way Bertie makes an effort to understand his routines and support him in return. Their relationship isn't just Luke constantly taking care of Bertie. There is a genuine tenderness developing between them, and I loved watching them learn each other.
Bertie on the other hand felt more underdeveloped to me. Truthfully, I felt like.. we didn't know a ton about either character and the story felt mid-story. Bertie doesn't trust easily. She doesn't believe love can be unconditional. And the idea of becoming a mother brings up a whole mess of emotions for her because family has never exactly represented safety or affection in her life. So even though she clearly has feelings for Luke, she spends a lot of the book fighting against the idea that he could genuinely choose her. In ways I didn't always understand.
Also, for a pregnancy book, there is like no spice lol. The burn is so slow, the spicy scenes are super late and not aplenty. On one hand I appreciated more focus on the emotionally connection, but also I like spice. Fortunately I like the emotional chemistry. Their connection grows through all those little moments, conversations, acts of care, and shared experiences. By the time they are functioning as a little family, it feels like they've actually built something together.
BUT. This book just felt not fully developed in places. I love accidental pregnancy. LOVE IT. But here, the pregnancy felt less like one element of the story and more like the entire engine driving the book. I kept waiting for another layer to develop. More conflict. More tension. More of Bertie’s family situation. More exploration of Luke’s career and his own struggles. Something that would push the characters into a new emotional place. It felt really one dimesional. The story just circles around the same fears and conversations, over and over again. And honestly, I think that is what ultimately kept this from being a complete hit for me. The characters had potential. Luke especially is a dreamboat. Their relationship has so many sweet moments. The premise is exactly the kind of tropey goodness I usually eat up. But I needed more STORY around the romance. I needed more character growth and depth.
I also felt like the beginning dropped me into a story already in progress. I HIGHLY recommend reading Sweet Boys Love Christmas first because it gives you the history between Luke and Bertie and makes their connection in this book feel much more grounded. Technically this can be read as a standalone, but personally, I wouldn't. That novella gives you the foundation that I felt was missing at the beginning of the novel. I went back and read it and really feel like it was fundamental.
It's great to be back with the found family though. Watching Bertie slowly become part of this little circle was especially meaningful considering how isolated she has felt for so much of her life. And I loved seeing the previous couples pop back up and support them. It gave the story that cozy series finale feeling.
The heart of this story I really liked though. Luke loving Bertie. Bertie learning that love doesn't have to come with conditions. Two people unexpectedly becoming a family. Watching them adjust after the baby arrives instead of ending the story immediately at the birth. Those are the pieces that worked for me. And that epilogue was genuinely sweet. I loved getting to see them beyond the pregnancy and into their life together. But overall, this was a bit of a mixed experience for me. I adored Luke. I loved the tenderness between them, the slow development of their relationship, the found family, and the fact that we actually get to see them navigate life after the baby arrives. There were plenty of moments that made my heart squish. I just wish the story had given me more to hold onto outside of the pregnancy itself. Gave these characters more dimensions.
Still, if you are an accidental pregnancy trope lover who wants a ridiculously sweet, patient, completely devoted hockey hero who falls first and falls HARD, Luke Covey is absolutely going to be your kind of man. A sweet, cozy ending to The Boys series with one of the greenest-flag heroes I've read in a while. Luke, sir, you are a dreamboat.
What to expect in Honest Boys Don’t Play:
🏒 Accidental Pregnancy
🏒 Hockey Player
🏒 Heiress Heroine
🏒 Second Chance-ish
🏒 He Falls First
🏒 He Falls HARDER
🏒 Slow Burn
🏒 College Romance
🏒 Unexpected Family
🏒 Found Family
🏒 Protective/Caring Hero
🏒 Emotional Healing
🏒 OCD Representation
Unfortunately, this wasn't Micalea's best for me, even though the set up was a slam dunk. Parts of it I really loved. Luke Covey is the reason this book worked for me. This man is GREEN FLAG CENTRAL. Quiet, sweet, patient, attentive, ridiculously caring, and completely gone for Bertie. He has apparently been carrying feelings for her for years, and once he finally gets his chance, this man does not hesitate. The pregnancy doesn't scare him off. If anything, it seems to make him even more certain about what he wants. And the way he loves her?? I melted. Constantly. Luke pays attention. Not just to the big things, but to all the tiny little things Bertie needs without necessarily asking for them. He is so naturally nurturing without ever making Bertie feel incapable, and I loved that about him.
I also liked the OCD rep. He handles his own OCD with a lot of maturity and groundedness, and I really appreciated the way Bertie makes an effort to understand his routines and support him in return. Their relationship isn't just Luke constantly taking care of Bertie. There is a genuine tenderness developing between them, and I loved watching them learn each other.
Bertie on the other hand felt more underdeveloped to me. Truthfully, I felt like.. we didn't know a ton about either character and the story felt mid-story. Bertie doesn't trust easily. She doesn't believe love can be unconditional. And the idea of becoming a mother brings up a whole mess of emotions for her because family has never exactly represented safety or affection in her life. So even though she clearly has feelings for Luke, she spends a lot of the book fighting against the idea that he could genuinely choose her. In ways I didn't always understand.
Also, for a pregnancy book, there is like no spice lol. The burn is so slow, the spicy scenes are super late and not aplenty. On one hand I appreciated more focus on the emotionally connection, but also I like spice. Fortunately I like the emotional chemistry. Their connection grows through all those little moments, conversations, acts of care, and shared experiences. By the time they are functioning as a little family, it feels like they've actually built something together.
BUT. This book just felt not fully developed in places. I love accidental pregnancy. LOVE IT. But here, the pregnancy felt less like one element of the story and more like the entire engine driving the book. I kept waiting for another layer to develop. More conflict. More tension. More of Bertie’s family situation. More exploration of Luke’s career and his own struggles. Something that would push the characters into a new emotional place. It felt really one dimesional. The story just circles around the same fears and conversations, over and over again. And honestly, I think that is what ultimately kept this from being a complete hit for me. The characters had potential. Luke especially is a dreamboat. Their relationship has so many sweet moments. The premise is exactly the kind of tropey goodness I usually eat up. But I needed more STORY around the romance. I needed more character growth and depth.
I also felt like the beginning dropped me into a story already in progress. I HIGHLY recommend reading Sweet Boys Love Christmas first because it gives you the history between Luke and Bertie and makes their connection in this book feel much more grounded. Technically this can be read as a standalone, but personally, I wouldn't. That novella gives you the foundation that I felt was missing at the beginning of the novel. I went back and read it and really feel like it was fundamental.
It's great to be back with the found family though. Watching Bertie slowly become part of this little circle was especially meaningful considering how isolated she has felt for so much of her life. And I loved seeing the previous couples pop back up and support them. It gave the story that cozy series finale feeling.
The heart of this story I really liked though. Luke loving Bertie. Bertie learning that love doesn't have to come with conditions. Two people unexpectedly becoming a family. Watching them adjust after the baby arrives instead of ending the story immediately at the birth. Those are the pieces that worked for me. And that epilogue was genuinely sweet. I loved getting to see them beyond the pregnancy and into their life together. But overall, this was a bit of a mixed experience for me. I adored Luke. I loved the tenderness between them, the slow development of their relationship, the found family, and the fact that we actually get to see them navigate life after the baby arrives. There were plenty of moments that made my heart squish. I just wish the story had given me more to hold onto outside of the pregnancy itself. Gave these characters more dimensions.
Still, if you are an accidental pregnancy trope lover who wants a ridiculously sweet, patient, completely devoted hockey hero who falls first and falls HARD, Luke Covey is absolutely going to be your kind of man. A sweet, cozy ending to The Boys series with one of the greenest-flag heroes I've read in a while. Luke, sir, you are a dreamboat.
What to expect in Honest Boys Don’t Play:
🏒 Accidental Pregnancy
🏒 Hockey Player
🏒 Heiress Heroine
🏒 Second Chance-ish
🏒 He Falls First
🏒 He Falls HARDER
🏒 Slow Burn
🏒 College Romance
🏒 Unexpected Family
🏒 Found Family
🏒 Protective/Caring Hero
🏒 Emotional Healing
🏒 OCD Representation
Review of advance copy received from Author
5/5 ⭐️
AAAAAHHHH they were SO SWEET I CAN’T 😭🥺
When I saw that one of my favorite tropes, accidental pregnancy, was in this book, I was so excited to start reading it when I received the ARC. And I ended up loving it sooo much🫶🏼
This book was SO slow burn, and I genuinely loved that. I never felt bored because I really enjoyed reading about Luke and Bertie’s bond growing stronger throughout the story. Their relationship developed so naturally, and I loved that they had the time to truly get to know each other and build a strong connection🥺
First of all, Luke Covey deserves every single green flag compliment!!!🤭 He was incredibly patient and caring with Bertie, and we definitely got the he falls first and harder dynamic with him🫠 Despite having OCD himself, I reallyyy loved how maturely he handled Bertie’s pregnancy and everything that came with it.
He was exactly the kind of sweet, caring, adorable MMC that I LOVE reading about. Once he found out Bertie was pregnant, he became completely devoted to her and made her a huge priority in his life. He paid attention to all of her needs and wants, even when she didn’t say them out loud. He was just so thoughtful and attentive that I was melting the entire time 🥵
And Bertie girlll🥰 She was such a wonderful character! She grew up feeling lonely, excluded, and unloved because of her awful family. She had also just gotten out of a relationship where she was constantly put down, and because she grew up surrounded by people who valued money and status over love, she had a very complicated relationship with the idea of family and being loved.
That’s why she struggled so much with letting herself get attached to someone, accepting the idea of becoming a mother, and truly believing that she could be loved. I felt so bad for her at times🥺🥺🥺 She was in love with Luke but was always afraid to admit it, and she couldn’t fully believe that he could actually love her. Meanwhile, Luke was always sooo patient with her and genuinely tried to understand her instead of ever rushing her. Their dynamic was honestly so sweet🤍
Even after Bertie gave birth, Luke continued to be there for her in every way. He always found ways to comfort her, support her, and be there for whatever she needed, even when she couldn’t say it herself. And whenever Bertie felt insecure about her body, Luke never missed an opportunity to remind her how beautiful and loved she was🥺 HE IS JUST PERFECT!!
I also loved the found family aspect of this book. Rosie, Daire, Luke’s mom, and later Tanner and Kayla all added so much warmth to the story. I loved reading about the relationships they built with Bertie and Luke, and how they slowly became such an important part of each other’s lives🥲
Overall, I really really loved this book. It was sweet, emotional, romantic, and exactly the kind of story I wanted to read. I also really appreciated that it didn’t feel unnecessarily dragged out. Everything had its place, and I loved the way the story came together.
Thank you so much to Micalea Smeltzer and House of Hearts for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. I absolutely adored Luke and Bertie, and I’m so happy I got to read their story🥺🤍
Tropes; Accidental pregnancy, hockey player x heiress, second chance-ish, he falls first
AAAAAHHHH they were SO SWEET I CAN’T 😭🥺
When I saw that one of my favorite tropes, accidental pregnancy, was in this book, I was so excited to start reading it when I received the ARC. And I ended up loving it sooo much🫶🏼
This book was SO slow burn, and I genuinely loved that. I never felt bored because I really enjoyed reading about Luke and Bertie’s bond growing stronger throughout the story. Their relationship developed so naturally, and I loved that they had the time to truly get to know each other and build a strong connection🥺
First of all, Luke Covey deserves every single green flag compliment!!!🤭 He was incredibly patient and caring with Bertie, and we definitely got the he falls first and harder dynamic with him🫠 Despite having OCD himself, I reallyyy loved how maturely he handled Bertie’s pregnancy and everything that came with it.
He was exactly the kind of sweet, caring, adorable MMC that I LOVE reading about. Once he found out Bertie was pregnant, he became completely devoted to her and made her a huge priority in his life. He paid attention to all of her needs and wants, even when she didn’t say them out loud. He was just so thoughtful and attentive that I was melting the entire time 🥵
And Bertie girlll🥰 She was such a wonderful character! She grew up feeling lonely, excluded, and unloved because of her awful family. She had also just gotten out of a relationship where she was constantly put down, and because she grew up surrounded by people who valued money and status over love, she had a very complicated relationship with the idea of family and being loved.
That’s why she struggled so much with letting herself get attached to someone, accepting the idea of becoming a mother, and truly believing that she could be loved. I felt so bad for her at times🥺🥺🥺 She was in love with Luke but was always afraid to admit it, and she couldn’t fully believe that he could actually love her. Meanwhile, Luke was always sooo patient with her and genuinely tried to understand her instead of ever rushing her. Their dynamic was honestly so sweet🤍
Even after Bertie gave birth, Luke continued to be there for her in every way. He always found ways to comfort her, support her, and be there for whatever she needed, even when she couldn’t say it herself. And whenever Bertie felt insecure about her body, Luke never missed an opportunity to remind her how beautiful and loved she was🥺 HE IS JUST PERFECT!!
I also loved the found family aspect of this book. Rosie, Daire, Luke’s mom, and later Tanner and Kayla all added so much warmth to the story. I loved reading about the relationships they built with Bertie and Luke, and how they slowly became such an important part of each other’s lives🥲
Overall, I really really loved this book. It was sweet, emotional, romantic, and exactly the kind of story I wanted to read. I also really appreciated that it didn’t feel unnecessarily dragged out. Everything had its place, and I loved the way the story came together.
Thank you so much to Micalea Smeltzer and House of Hearts for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. I absolutely adored Luke and Bertie, and I’m so happy I got to read their story🥺🤍
Tropes; Accidental pregnancy, hockey player x heiress, second chance-ish, he falls first
October 5, 2026
#Review: *Honest Boys Don't Play* - Micalea Smeltzer - ARC [18+]
4.5/5✨
2.5/5🌶️
One positive pregnancy test was about to change Bertie's entire life, because being a mother wasn't at all in her plans, in that moment. But, Bertie had a huge luck with the baby's father, because hockey player Luke Covey wasn't that kind of man to back down from something tough. Especially when it was about his own kid. They weren't a thing, but decided to share this road together, even if they felt totally unprepared for what was about to come. Something was very clear though - they would soon become parents! How will that journey be for them?
It was extremely cutteee and suuperr swoony the way Luke has taken those accidental pregnancy news. Even if he had no idea what parenthood was all about, Luke did everything in his powers to help Bertie, to make everything easier for her. I just adoored how careful of her he was and how he stood up for her in tough times. Bertie really needed someone like Luke in her corner, especially because of her rough relationship with her parents. It was suuuper sweet to see how Luke cherished her and how committed he was to his new status of becoming a father. I enjoyed following their journey throughout the pregnancy and all the things that happened with them and with the other people from around them, adoring each moment of these two together. So darn cute!💕
Thank youu so much House Of Hearts for accepting me and for sending me this sweet e-ARC! I had a really great time with Luck and Bertie🥰.
✨Tropes
🔹Accidental Pregnancy
🔹Swoony MMC
🔹Cinnamon Roll
🔹Heiress
🔹He Falls First
🔹Second Chance-ish
🔹Sports Romance
🔹Hockey Player
4.5/5✨
2.5/5🌶️
One positive pregnancy test was about to change Bertie's entire life, because being a mother wasn't at all in her plans, in that moment. But, Bertie had a huge luck with the baby's father, because hockey player Luke Covey wasn't that kind of man to back down from something tough. Especially when it was about his own kid. They weren't a thing, but decided to share this road together, even if they felt totally unprepared for what was about to come. Something was very clear though - they would soon become parents! How will that journey be for them?
It was extremely cutteee and suuperr swoony the way Luke has taken those accidental pregnancy news. Even if he had no idea what parenthood was all about, Luke did everything in his powers to help Bertie, to make everything easier for her. I just adoored how careful of her he was and how he stood up for her in tough times. Bertie really needed someone like Luke in her corner, especially because of her rough relationship with her parents. It was suuuper sweet to see how Luke cherished her and how committed he was to his new status of becoming a father. I enjoyed following their journey throughout the pregnancy and all the things that happened with them and with the other people from around them, adoring each moment of these two together. So darn cute!💕
Thank youu so much House Of Hearts for accepting me and for sending me this sweet e-ARC! I had a really great time with Luck and Bertie🥰.
✨Tropes
🔹Accidental Pregnancy
🔹Swoony MMC
🔹Cinnamon Roll
🔹Heiress
🔹He Falls First
🔹Second Chance-ish
🔹Sports Romance
🔹Hockey Player
September 17, 2026
*Thank you to the author for the free digital copy for review*
Review: A sweet and swoon-worthy end to Smeltzer’s “The Boys” series!
“Honest Boys Don’t Play” follows Bertie Carthwright and Luke Covey after a secret hookup results in a positive pregnancy test.
While “Honest Boys Don’t Play” can be read as a standalone, I cannot recommend enough that you read “Sweet Boys Love Christmas” first! This novella showcases the start of their second chance romance and the intense attraction both characters can’t help but act on. “Honest Boys Don’t Play” covers the aftermath of their one-night stand and Smeltzer handles it beautifully.
Bertie and Luke, with their individual backstories, are the perfect couple for the accidental pregnancy trope. While they could not be more different in terms of their respective family’s wealth, their personalities complement each other in a way that makes it impossible to deny that they belong together! They are so supportive and in tune with each other’s needs. I melted watching Luke make McDonald’s runs to get Bertie emotional support Sprites at a moment’s notice. He is so caring, taking the time to assuage her fears and working odd jobs to support their growing family. Bertie, upon learning about Luke’s OCD diagnosis, makes every effort to learn his rituals and be there for him. In opening up and forming a partnership, their transition from strangers to lovers felt seamless. I appreciate how the story continues on for several chapters after the baby arrives, allowing readers to see how the couple adjust to their new lives as a family of three.
➤ 4.25 stars
Review cross-posted to: Book Blog | Bookstagram | Amazon
Review: A sweet and swoon-worthy end to Smeltzer’s “The Boys” series!
“Honest Boys Don’t Play” follows Bertie Carthwright and Luke Covey after a secret hookup results in a positive pregnancy test.
While “Honest Boys Don’t Play” can be read as a standalone, I cannot recommend enough that you read “Sweet Boys Love Christmas” first! This novella showcases the start of their second chance romance and the intense attraction both characters can’t help but act on. “Honest Boys Don’t Play” covers the aftermath of their one-night stand and Smeltzer handles it beautifully.
Bertie and Luke, with their individual backstories, are the perfect couple for the accidental pregnancy trope. While they could not be more different in terms of their respective family’s wealth, their personalities complement each other in a way that makes it impossible to deny that they belong together! They are so supportive and in tune with each other’s needs. I melted watching Luke make McDonald’s runs to get Bertie emotional support Sprites at a moment’s notice. He is so caring, taking the time to assuage her fears and working odd jobs to support their growing family. Bertie, upon learning about Luke’s OCD diagnosis, makes every effort to learn his rituals and be there for him. In opening up and forming a partnership, their transition from strangers to lovers felt seamless. I appreciate how the story continues on for several chapters after the baby arrives, allowing readers to see how the couple adjust to their new lives as a family of three.
➤ 4.25 stars
Review cross-posted to: Book Blog | Bookstagram | Amazon
Review of advance copy received from Author
🌶️
Guys, this one is going to be such a heartbreaker for me to review because I hate giving negative reviews, but I think it’s only fair to be honest, especially with an ARC. I’ve read Micalea Smeltzer before, and her book 11:11 is one of my favorites, so I went into this one with pretty high expectations. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t connect with it.
This is the story of Bertie and Luke, two college seniors who hook up and are now navigating an accidental pregnancy. Let me start with the positive: Luke. Luke is the positive. He was such a selfless, caring, patient MMC with green flag energy all the way. No notes on Luke. He is the reason for my rating.
I did struggle more with Bertie’s character. I felt like she was much less developed than Luke, and her entire personality seemed to revolve around being pregnant. I never really felt like I got to know her outside of the pregnancy, and I think that ties into my biggest issue with the book overall: there just wasn’t enough plot.
Look, I am an accidental pregnancy trope STAN. It is genuinely one of my favorite tropes. But here, the accidental pregnancy wasn’t just a trope, it was essentially the entire story. There wasn’t much else happening around it. There was no real conflict, drama, angst, or anything else pushing the story forward beyond the fact that Bertie was pregnant.
From the beginning, I felt like I had been dropped into the middle of a story, and honestly, that feeling never really went away. There were potential storylines that could have added more depth, particularly Bertie’s relationship with her parents and their disapproval, but they never really went anywhere. Even the “are we or aren’t we together?” aspect felt unnecessarily drawn out to me and seemed to exist mostly to create some kind of conflict when there really wasn’t any.
I kept waiting for something more to happen, and unfortunately, it just never did.
Like I said, I really enjoyed Luke. He was a great MMC, and ultimately this was a sweet story with a happy ending. But overall, it just felt very bland to me, and I hate saying that. I actually think if the story was edited down, it could really work as a sweet novella. But as a full-length novel, it needed more development and additional plot elements to make it feel like a complete story.
⭐️ Thank you to Micalea Smeltzer and House of Hearts Lit for the ARC and the opportunity to provide my honest review.
Guys, this one is going to be such a heartbreaker for me to review because I hate giving negative reviews, but I think it’s only fair to be honest, especially with an ARC. I’ve read Micalea Smeltzer before, and her book 11:11 is one of my favorites, so I went into this one with pretty high expectations. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t connect with it.
This is the story of Bertie and Luke, two college seniors who hook up and are now navigating an accidental pregnancy. Let me start with the positive: Luke. Luke is the positive. He was such a selfless, caring, patient MMC with green flag energy all the way. No notes on Luke. He is the reason for my rating.
I did struggle more with Bertie’s character. I felt like she was much less developed than Luke, and her entire personality seemed to revolve around being pregnant. I never really felt like I got to know her outside of the pregnancy, and I think that ties into my biggest issue with the book overall: there just wasn’t enough plot.
Look, I am an accidental pregnancy trope STAN. It is genuinely one of my favorite tropes. But here, the accidental pregnancy wasn’t just a trope, it was essentially the entire story. There wasn’t much else happening around it. There was no real conflict, drama, angst, or anything else pushing the story forward beyond the fact that Bertie was pregnant.
From the beginning, I felt like I had been dropped into the middle of a story, and honestly, that feeling never really went away. There were potential storylines that could have added more depth, particularly Bertie’s relationship with her parents and their disapproval, but they never really went anywhere. Even the “are we or aren’t we together?” aspect felt unnecessarily drawn out to me and seemed to exist mostly to create some kind of conflict when there really wasn’t any.
I kept waiting for something more to happen, and unfortunately, it just never did.
Like I said, I really enjoyed Luke. He was a great MMC, and ultimately this was a sweet story with a happy ending. But overall, it just felt very bland to me, and I hate saying that. I actually think if the story was edited down, it could really work as a sweet novella. But as a full-length novel, it needed more development and additional plot elements to make it feel like a complete story.
⭐️ Thank you to Micalea Smeltzer and House of Hearts Lit for the ARC and the opportunity to provide my honest review.
October 4, 2026
“My heart swoops. I adore this man. He’s so perfect without even trying.”
I liked that Honest Boys Don’t Play by Micalea Smeltzer doesn’t waste any time and gets straight into the action. I love it when the introduction doesn’t feel like an introduction.
At the beginning, when they don’t know exactly where things stand between them, the characters’ endearing awkwardness was really cute. Luke and Bertie are open to talking, but since they’re not extremely familiar with each other, they tend to overthink things at certain moments. And Luke’s shyness is especially adorable! You don’t see him as a soft man, even though he can be shy and reserved sometimes. I liked that he’s helpful, that he’s ready to immediately jump in and help Bertie, whether through his actions or encouraging words.
I really liked that we get to follow the pregnancy, but also life with a newborn and that we get to experience different moments alongside the characters. We experience Bertie’s anxiety about finding out the baby’s gender, we experience the two of them feeling the baby’s first movements, but we also get to see their first months with the baby. I really liked how Luke was written when it comes to the pregnancy and the way Bertie decided to handle it. He understands Bertie and doesn’t show any resentment.
I liked the comparison between a healthy relationship and a toxic one, although, at one point, the Luke-Tommy comparisons became tiring. I would have preferred Bertie to appreciate some moments with Luke without thinking about Tommy anymore. Then, one moment felt way too predictable to me, although I also found it interesting to follow how a major fear can become reality. Still, I would have liked a few moments to spice up the reading experience, but I’m sure those who prefer less drama in the books they read will be thrilled.
★★★★☆
Thanks to Micalea Smeltzer and House of Hearts for the eARC — all opinions are my own.
I liked that Honest Boys Don’t Play by Micalea Smeltzer doesn’t waste any time and gets straight into the action. I love it when the introduction doesn’t feel like an introduction.
At the beginning, when they don’t know exactly where things stand between them, the characters’ endearing awkwardness was really cute. Luke and Bertie are open to talking, but since they’re not extremely familiar with each other, they tend to overthink things at certain moments. And Luke’s shyness is especially adorable! You don’t see him as a soft man, even though he can be shy and reserved sometimes. I liked that he’s helpful, that he’s ready to immediately jump in and help Bertie, whether through his actions or encouraging words.
I really liked that we get to follow the pregnancy, but also life with a newborn and that we get to experience different moments alongside the characters. We experience Bertie’s anxiety about finding out the baby’s gender, we experience the two of them feeling the baby’s first movements, but we also get to see their first months with the baby. I really liked how Luke was written when it comes to the pregnancy and the way Bertie decided to handle it. He understands Bertie and doesn’t show any resentment.
I liked the comparison between a healthy relationship and a toxic one, although, at one point, the Luke-Tommy comparisons became tiring. I would have preferred Bertie to appreciate some moments with Luke without thinking about Tommy anymore. Then, one moment felt way too predictable to me, although I also found it interesting to follow how a major fear can become reality. Still, I would have liked a few moments to spice up the reading experience, but I’m sure those who prefer less drama in the books they read will be thrilled.
★★★★☆
Thanks to Micalea Smeltzer and House of Hearts for the eARC — all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶️
Tropes: hockey player x heiress, accidental pregnancy, found family, OCD rep
I received this title as an ARC for my honest opinion. Going into the story, I have only read one previously title by Michaela Smeltzer. However Luke Covey was the exact cinnamon roll MMC I was craving. Once he found out, he got Bertie pregnant he was all in. The sweetest man who paid attention to all her needs and wants without her saying. Bertie, who once was very vocal with her needs, had shut down due to a previous relationship that constantly cut her down and parents who were more worried about status than showing love. The yearning that he had for her, even though she was late to catch up was so delectable. The spice was very minimal, but I didn’t miss it in the story. Even once Bertie gave birth, Luke still found ways to show up for her, comforting her, being there for her without her even saying what she needed, and constantly complementing her postpartum body when she was feeling down. I really love the found family aspect of this as well with Rosie and Daire showing up for them, as well as Luke’s mom. Overall, this was such a perfect read for my mood. It was short, which I liked, not an overall drawn out story and has made me add the other titles in this series to my TBR list for the future! Thank you to Michaela and House of Hearts for the opportunity to read this title early!
Highlights:
— “I am putty in the hands of Bertie and I’m not sure she even realizes it.”
— “If you feel sick and want to call me to complain, please do it. If you get a craving in the middle of the night, I’ll be there. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here for you. Both of you.”
— “I’ll never be good enough for her. No one can. Bertie deserves everything and I know I can give it to her better than another man can, but it still won’t be enough.”
Spice Level: 🌶️
Tropes: hockey player x heiress, accidental pregnancy, found family, OCD rep
I received this title as an ARC for my honest opinion. Going into the story, I have only read one previously title by Michaela Smeltzer. However Luke Covey was the exact cinnamon roll MMC I was craving. Once he found out, he got Bertie pregnant he was all in. The sweetest man who paid attention to all her needs and wants without her saying. Bertie, who once was very vocal with her needs, had shut down due to a previous relationship that constantly cut her down and parents who were more worried about status than showing love. The yearning that he had for her, even though she was late to catch up was so delectable. The spice was very minimal, but I didn’t miss it in the story. Even once Bertie gave birth, Luke still found ways to show up for her, comforting her, being there for her without her even saying what she needed, and constantly complementing her postpartum body when she was feeling down. I really love the found family aspect of this as well with Rosie and Daire showing up for them, as well as Luke’s mom. Overall, this was such a perfect read for my mood. It was short, which I liked, not an overall drawn out story and has made me add the other titles in this series to my TBR list for the future! Thank you to Michaela and House of Hearts for the opportunity to read this title early!
Highlights:
— “I am putty in the hands of Bertie and I’m not sure she even realizes it.”
— “If you feel sick and want to call me to complain, please do it. If you get a craving in the middle of the night, I’ll be there. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here for you. Both of you.”
— “I’ll never be good enough for her. No one can. Bertie deserves everything and I know I can give it to her better than another man can, but it still won’t be enough.”
October 7, 2026
5 ✨
Believe it or not, this was my introduction to The Boys series, and I could not get enough of it. I’m certainly going back to read the rest of the series after this, and most definitely the novella about Bertie and Luke.
But this is the kind of series where you can dive straight into book seven and still have the time of your life. It’s hockey romance at its finest, with lovable characters who will stay with you long after you finish the book. Bertie and Luke were definitely two of those characters for me, and hand on my heart, I’m wholeheartedly obsessed with these two and their surprise pregnancy romance.
Luke Covey is the most considerate and caring man I’ve had the pleasure of reading about in ages, and Bertie Cartwright? She’s just so sweet, kindhearted, and cute. I really enjoyed the OCD representation in this book, because it’s always great to educate yourself on an important subject like this. I also appreciated that it’s the MMC who lives with OCD and how the book explores the ways it affects him.
I really loved how badly Luke wanted Bertie to be his girlfriend and how open and willing he was to wait as long as it took for her to be ready. I also loved how they naturally settled into everyday life together and how well they communicated. Good communication is HOT. And Bertie’s pregnancy craving for McDonald’s Sprite? I LIVED for that, especially how in sync Luke was with this very specific craving of hers. Also, the way Luke was all in from the second Bertie told him about the baby??? VERY sexy to see a man take responsibility and want to be there for her and their baby!!!
Thank you, Micalea & team, for the ARC!
💙 What to expect:
• accidental pregnancy
• hockey romance
• he falls first
• hockey player x heiress
• shy hero
• she’s scared of loving again
• he’s been in love with her for years
• OCD representation
Believe it or not, this was my introduction to The Boys series, and I could not get enough of it. I’m certainly going back to read the rest of the series after this, and most definitely the novella about Bertie and Luke.
But this is the kind of series where you can dive straight into book seven and still have the time of your life. It’s hockey romance at its finest, with lovable characters who will stay with you long after you finish the book. Bertie and Luke were definitely two of those characters for me, and hand on my heart, I’m wholeheartedly obsessed with these two and their surprise pregnancy romance.
Luke Covey is the most considerate and caring man I’ve had the pleasure of reading about in ages, and Bertie Cartwright? She’s just so sweet, kindhearted, and cute. I really enjoyed the OCD representation in this book, because it’s always great to educate yourself on an important subject like this. I also appreciated that it’s the MMC who lives with OCD and how the book explores the ways it affects him.
I really loved how badly Luke wanted Bertie to be his girlfriend and how open and willing he was to wait as long as it took for her to be ready. I also loved how they naturally settled into everyday life together and how well they communicated. Good communication is HOT. And Bertie’s pregnancy craving for McDonald’s Sprite? I LIVED for that, especially how in sync Luke was with this very specific craving of hers. Also, the way Luke was all in from the second Bertie told him about the baby??? VERY sexy to see a man take responsibility and want to be there for her and their baby!!!
Thank you, Micalea & team, for the ARC!
💙 What to expect:
• accidental pregnancy
• hockey romance
• he falls first
• hockey player x heiress
• shy hero
• she’s scared of loving again
• he’s been in love with her for years
• OCD representation
September 25, 2026
ꍏꋪꏳ ꋪꏂ꒦ꀤꏂꅐ
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 - 𝖫𝗎𝗄𝖾
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 - 𝖡𝖾𝗋𝗍𝗂𝖾
4 𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧
Bertie, she grew up in a wealthy & well known family. But what it proved was that money & material things mean nothing when there isn't any love or affection from your family. After years of dealing with parents who care more about connections, money and themselves, through in a relationship that wasn't meant to be and what you get is Bertie not trusting easily. And her walls are sky high.
When she reconnects with Luke, she doesn't expect a positive pregnancy test or how down bad this man is for her.
Luke, he has been drafted into the NHL and it's a dream come true. But he is also the kindest, humblest and introverted man and a hell of a dirty talker...
He has had feelings for Bertie for years, but the timing was never right, especially because she belonged to someone else.
But now, years later he finally has the opportunity to make her his, and finding out she's pregnant doesn't make him run, it just settles everything and the only one left to catch up is Bertie.
Luke & Bertie's book was a beautiful ending to this series. I loved Luke's never ending support, how he paid attention and did the littlest of things.
Loved every second of this book & the previous couples support...amazing ❤️
𝖳𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗍𝗈 𝖧𝗈𝗎𝗌𝖾 𝖮𝖿 𝖧𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗍𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖺𝗎𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗋 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖾𝖠𝖱𝖢.
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 - 𝖫𝗎𝗄𝖾
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 - 𝖡𝖾𝗋𝗍𝗂𝖾
4 𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧
Bertie, she grew up in a wealthy & well known family. But what it proved was that money & material things mean nothing when there isn't any love or affection from your family. After years of dealing with parents who care more about connections, money and themselves, through in a relationship that wasn't meant to be and what you get is Bertie not trusting easily. And her walls are sky high.
When she reconnects with Luke, she doesn't expect a positive pregnancy test or how down bad this man is for her.
Luke, he has been drafted into the NHL and it's a dream come true. But he is also the kindest, humblest and introverted man and a hell of a dirty talker...
He has had feelings for Bertie for years, but the timing was never right, especially because she belonged to someone else.
But now, years later he finally has the opportunity to make her his, and finding out she's pregnant doesn't make him run, it just settles everything and the only one left to catch up is Bertie.
Luke & Bertie's book was a beautiful ending to this series. I loved Luke's never ending support, how he paid attention and did the littlest of things.
Loved every second of this book & the previous couples support...amazing ❤️
𝖳𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗍𝗈 𝖧𝗈𝗎𝗌𝖾 𝖮𝖿 𝖧𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗍𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖺𝗎𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗋 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖾𝖠𝖱𝖢.
Review of advance copy
First, thank you to HoH and Micalea for allowing me to ARC read this in exchange for my honest opinion! 🖤
I really wanted to love this book, especially since it was my first read by this author, but unfortunately, it fell short for me.
I LOVE a good accidental-pregnancy trope, but I felt like the pregnancy became the entire storyline rather than being part of a bigger plot. I kept waiting for more conflict, tension, or something to really pull me in, but it never quite happened.
Even with Bertie’s parents, I expected a little more development. There was potential for an interesting storyline there, but I was left wanting more.
Lucas was a genuinely good MMC. I appreciated his kindness and how readily he accepted Bertie and the baby. Those moments were sweet, but I still struggled to connect with the overall story.
I also felt a little lost at the beginning, almost like I had jumped into the middle of a book rather than starting at the beginning. That made it harder for me to get invested, and unfortunately, the pacing and lack of a stronger plot never fully won me over.
Overall, there were some sweet moments, and I did like Lucas, but this one just wasn’t for me. I wanted more depth, more story, and something beyond the pregnancy to keep me hooked.
I’m disappointed because I went in hoping to love it, but I appreciate the opportunity to give this author a try and share my honest thoughts. 🖤📚
I really wanted to love this book, especially since it was my first read by this author, but unfortunately, it fell short for me.
I LOVE a good accidental-pregnancy trope, but I felt like the pregnancy became the entire storyline rather than being part of a bigger plot. I kept waiting for more conflict, tension, or something to really pull me in, but it never quite happened.
Even with Bertie’s parents, I expected a little more development. There was potential for an interesting storyline there, but I was left wanting more.
Lucas was a genuinely good MMC. I appreciated his kindness and how readily he accepted Bertie and the baby. Those moments were sweet, but I still struggled to connect with the overall story.
I also felt a little lost at the beginning, almost like I had jumped into the middle of a book rather than starting at the beginning. That made it harder for me to get invested, and unfortunately, the pacing and lack of a stronger plot never fully won me over.
Overall, there were some sweet moments, and I did like Lucas, but this one just wasn’t for me. I wanted more depth, more story, and something beyond the pregnancy to keep me hooked.
I’m disappointed because I went in hoping to love it, but I appreciate the opportunity to give this author a try and share my honest thoughts. 🖤📚
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you HoH and author for the e-ARC copy in exchange of an honest review.
As fate had it, I was reading this alongside another book with pregnancy trope, and this reminds me too of another book of the a similar plot. But removing all that, I thing the writing needs a lot of polishing. I get that the FMC Bertie is scared but it felt like instead of actually writing down the feeling and expounding on it, you can see the word "scared" like every other chapter and sometimes, even multiples in one chapter it was getting nowhere. There are also some events or explanations that felt so redundant, as it was just mentioned prior and then mentioned again after a paragraph or two, it made me irate reading this tbh, it pulled the attention from the plot to the writing. It almsot felt like the author was reminding herself of the plot, you know that way you try to memorize something by mentioning it over and over; not so much as trying to remind the readers about it but herself. It felt that the copy was not screened/read multiple times to actually point that out to her.
I'm sorry but if we condense the story and remove the chapters with so much repetition, we'll have a novella compact enough to know the important parts of the plot, which I agree is the way he loves her and shows up for her time and again and the epilogue is not bad and quite cute but it cannot redeem the writing for me to add more stars to it. hopefully once published, it would have been rewritten/readjusted enough.
As fate had it, I was reading this alongside another book with pregnancy trope, and this reminds me too of another book of the a similar plot. But removing all that, I thing the writing needs a lot of polishing. I get that the FMC Bertie is scared but it felt like instead of actually writing down the feeling and expounding on it, you can see the word "scared" like every other chapter and sometimes, even multiples in one chapter it was getting nowhere. There are also some events or explanations that felt so redundant, as it was just mentioned prior and then mentioned again after a paragraph or two, it made me irate reading this tbh, it pulled the attention from the plot to the writing. It almsot felt like the author was reminding herself of the plot, you know that way you try to memorize something by mentioning it over and over; not so much as trying to remind the readers about it but herself. It felt that the copy was not screened/read multiple times to actually point that out to her.
I'm sorry but if we condense the story and remove the chapters with so much repetition, we'll have a novella compact enough to know the important parts of the plot, which I agree is the way he loves her and shows up for her time and again and the epilogue is not bad and quite cute but it cannot redeem the writing for me to add more stars to it. hopefully once published, it would have been rewritten/readjusted enough.
Did Not Finish
October 7, 2026DNF after chapter 2
I was SO excited for Honest Boys Don’t Play… and then I read the first chapter and that excitement promptly packed its bags and fucking LEFT. 😭
Because WHAT is this timeline???
What do you mean they already have a somewhat established relationship??? What do you mean the baby has already been conceived??? What do you mean she’s FOURTEEN WEEKS PREGNANT???
HELLO??? DID I MISS THE FIRST HALF OF THE BOOK???
I wanted to watch these two get together. The attraction, the tension, the actual development of their relationship. Instead, I felt like I’d arrived late and everyone else had already been introduced, paired off, and scheduled the ultrasound.
And listen, I LIKE a pregnancy trope. But opening with this much already established made me feel like I’d missed the very part of the romance I was excited to read. Apparently we’re just along for the pregnancy now??? 😭
Maybe the later chapters fill in the gaps, but this opening gave me absolutely no desire to stick around and find out. Two chapters were enough for me to realise that this storytelling approach is very much not for me.
Went in excited. Left bamboozled.
I was SO excited for Honest Boys Don’t Play… and then I read the first chapter and that excitement promptly packed its bags and fucking LEFT. 😭
Because WHAT is this timeline???
What do you mean they already have a somewhat established relationship??? What do you mean the baby has already been conceived??? What do you mean she’s FOURTEEN WEEKS PREGNANT???
HELLO??? DID I MISS THE FIRST HALF OF THE BOOK???
I wanted to watch these two get together. The attraction, the tension, the actual development of their relationship. Instead, I felt like I’d arrived late and everyone else had already been introduced, paired off, and scheduled the ultrasound.
And listen, I LIKE a pregnancy trope. But opening with this much already established made me feel like I’d missed the very part of the romance I was excited to read. Apparently we’re just along for the pregnancy now??? 😭
Maybe the later chapters fill in the gaps, but this opening gave me absolutely no desire to stick around and find out. Two chapters were enough for me to realise that this storytelling approach is very much not for me.
Went in excited. Left bamboozled.
October 6, 2026
Perfection, just absolute perfection!! A emotional rollercoaster that literally hooks you from page one and does not let go !!OH , My Gosh - words cannot even start to express how in love with this story and each and every character I fell . Honest Boys Don’t Play is the seventh book in Micaela’s The Boys Series and all I can say is that I’m so freaking obsessed with, because really it’s pretty much impossible to choose a favorite installment or couple . Luke and Bertie really were everything together. I loved how likable and relatable both were . I loved the pace at which their relationship developed. I also loved how Luke was so sweet and patient with Bertie , especially with the things she was going through and the fact that they were moving at different speeds. Add into that the angst , the humor , the witty banter, the family and friendships. I could not stop smiling, laughing, crying and cheering from beginning to end
September 28, 2026
✨️ ARC Review ✨️
Thank you to Micalea Smeltzer and House of Hearts Literary Service for this arc.
I feel guilty for the really low rating, because I'm always grateful for the chance to read an author's advanced copy. But I have to be honest.
All the tropes for this sang to me:
🤰accidental pregnancy
🤞second(ish) chance
🏒hockey player
💙he falls first
And then I turned to the first page and immediately I knew this was not it for me.
It starts with the 'couple' meeting at a café so the fmc could confess to the mmc she's 14 weeks preggo.
I was gobsmacked. Excuse the shit out of me. We miss their whole meet-cute/friendship/relationship before the story even starts? And then the audacity of not being given the detailed low down of their conceivement??
My contempt for this overshadowed the whole book (i just couldn't let it go okay 😅). I was bored the rest of the time and the writing fell flat for me. The attraction between the two mc's felt forced, and there was MINIMAL intimacy, physical or otherwise.
So if you're into very innocent, tame, semi-sweet, super simple romance, then you'll probably like this one.
Thank you to Micalea Smeltzer and House of Hearts Literary Service for this arc.
I feel guilty for the really low rating, because I'm always grateful for the chance to read an author's advanced copy. But I have to be honest.
All the tropes for this sang to me:
🤰accidental pregnancy
🤞second(ish) chance
🏒hockey player
💙he falls first
And then I turned to the first page and immediately I knew this was not it for me.
It starts with the 'couple' meeting at a café so the fmc could confess to the mmc she's 14 weeks preggo.
I was gobsmacked. Excuse the shit out of me. We miss their whole meet-cute/friendship/relationship before the story even starts? And then the audacity of not being given the detailed low down of their conceivement??
My contempt for this overshadowed the whole book (i just couldn't let it go okay 😅). I was bored the rest of the time and the writing fell flat for me. The attraction between the two mc's felt forced, and there was MINIMAL intimacy, physical or otherwise.
So if you're into very innocent, tame, semi-sweet, super simple romance, then you'll probably like this one.
October 22, 2026
Such a quick and sweet read! Luke is absolutely perfect and so caring! You really feel how much he loves her 🥹 it was so cute to follow along their whole pregnancy journey but the book isn’t really anything special. Nothing much outside of this actually happens 😅 but it felt like a hug to read this so the rating is purely vibes from my end 🫶🏼 could have been more hockey imo but it wasn’t the focus for this story, would have been appreciated tho ✨
September 24, 2026
2.5/5
I was really excited for this book because of the posts and art I saw, plus I love the accidental pregnancy trope. The book had so much potential — the main characters were great, but unfortunately I felt like their feelings stayed the same throughout the whole novel with zero development. There was a lot of repetitive dialogue, sometimes even repeated within the same chapter, to the point where I got so bored and almost DNFed it multiple times. But since I'd been excited about it for so long, I just couldn't bring myself to. Also, I feel like the novella before it is essential to read, especially if you're going to read the novel as a standalone.
I was really excited for this book because of the posts and art I saw, plus I love the accidental pregnancy trope. The book had so much potential — the main characters were great, but unfortunately I felt like their feelings stayed the same throughout the whole novel with zero development. There was a lot of repetitive dialogue, sometimes even repeated within the same chapter, to the point where I got so bored and almost DNFed it multiple times. But since I'd been excited about it for so long, I just couldn't bring myself to. Also, I feel like the novella before it is essential to read, especially if you're going to read the novel as a standalone.
September 24, 2026
A perfect ending to the series!! I have been waiting since Dare’s book and I was not disappointed at all. Luke & Bertie were so incredibly wholesome and loving while stumbling through how to be parents and learn to love each other in the ways they needed. Watching Bertie let down her walls was so special and to see them become a little family, my heart couldn’t be more full.
September 20, 2026
I’ll admit, surprise pregnancy isn’t my favorite trope. But how can you not love Bertie and Luke? Luke is the epitome of a golden retriever and he’s just so caring. How he continues to show up for Bertie even though she’s extremely hesitant. He chooses to stick by her no matter what. And when she finally realizes that she’s ready for a relationship, it’s wonderful. I loved watching their relationship grow and seeing how much they care for each other.
September 24, 2026
This was so cute! I really loved reading Luke and Bertie’s story. Watching Luke step up despite this surprise that will change a lot of plans was so cute to see. In this book you’ll get everything you love about Micaela, emotion, heart, and mental health rep. Definitely pick this one up!!
October 11, 2026
I love the pregnancy trope and it was written very well for it. Luke was very devoted and caring Bertie. Bertie definitely was hard to trust and give into help. I’m glad they got their found family and gave into each other.
October 11, 2026
Nothing special
Review of advance copy received from Author
Luke and Bertie are so sweet. They might have endured such a slow burn, but it was super worth it. They had such a sweet relationship, Bertie might have felt hesitant for… reasons.. but his insistence was super adorable.
He’s the greenest of green flags.
If you want to read this, read their novella first ;)
Thank you Micalea and Valentine PR for an advanced copy.
He’s the greenest of green flags.
If you want to read this, read their novella first ;)
Thank you Micalea and Valentine PR for an advanced copy.
November 1, 2026
Booorrringgggg also so many typos… sure it was a cute story but there was absolutely no character development or anything worthwhile tbh
September 30, 2026
Honest Boys Don’t Play – Micalea Smeltzer
Length: 📚274pages
⭐️Rating: 4 Stars
🌶️Spice: 2 Chilis
FMC: Bertie Carthwright
MMC: Luke Covey
Tropes:
• Accidental Pregnancy
• Hockey Player
• One Night Stand
• Secret Crush
• Slow Burn
About the Book:
One night in college over Christmas break Luke finally had a night with his crush Bertie. She hadn’t talked to him since so he thought it was strange she had texted him to meet. He never excepted Bertie to blurt out that she was pregnant! Luke had always had something for her so he vowed he would do anything for her and their baby. They moved in together as soon as he was drafted to the NHL. Every day he slowly earned her love and trust.
My Thoughts:
I loved this story so much. I’m a sucker for surprise pregnancy and the way the author wrote the slow burn relationship was perfect.
@Houseofheartspr
Length: 📚274pages
⭐️Rating: 4 Stars
🌶️Spice: 2 Chilis
FMC: Bertie Carthwright
MMC: Luke Covey
Tropes:
• Accidental Pregnancy
• Hockey Player
• One Night Stand
• Secret Crush
• Slow Burn
About the Book:
One night in college over Christmas break Luke finally had a night with his crush Bertie. She hadn’t talked to him since so he thought it was strange she had texted him to meet. He never excepted Bertie to blurt out that she was pregnant! Luke had always had something for her so he vowed he would do anything for her and their baby. They moved in together as soon as he was drafted to the NHL. Every day he slowly earned her love and trust.
My Thoughts:
I loved this story so much. I’m a sucker for surprise pregnancy and the way the author wrote the slow burn relationship was perfect.
@Houseofheartspr
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is so SWEEEEEEEET!! From the very moment he found out he was going to be a dad, he didn't hesitate for even a SECOND to be everything she needed. 🥺❤️
I loved every minute and every second of this book. Thanks for the ARC!!
I loved every minute and every second of this book. Thanks for the ARC!!
October 4, 2026
The relationship lacked development : it all happened super fast and the chemistry was never shown. There were too many cringy cheesy scenes for my liking and some themes were repeated so much so that it felt like we were going in circles. The characters themselves felt very one dimensional and were never fully fleshed out, which is not surprising since their relationship also felt extremely surface level.
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