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Bar Down #2
The Baby Bluff
He’s spent his whole life protecting her—he just never expected to be protecting a secret this big.
Lucy Taylor thought the hardest part of being the Hillford Ice Hawks’ new athletic trainer would be the pressure of working for a professional hockey team, but she was wrong.
It’s the pressure of starting a new job, unexpectedly pregnant after a one-night stand, knowing she’s doing it all alone.
Theo Simmons, the team’s star winger has always been her constant. Her childhood best friend and the one person who’s always been by her side. So, when he finds out about her pregnancy, he swears she won’t have to go through it by herself.
And in a split second of panic, one lie slips out to the wrong people.
The baby is his.
What starts as damage control turns into a fake relationship to keep it all from falling apart. Somewhere between prenatal appointments and building a nursery, the line they swore to never cross vanishes completely.
Theo should walk away before it goes too far, but pretending to be Lucy’s boyfriend is the easiest lie he’s ever told and the hardest to let go.
And nine months was never going to be enough for him…
Lucy Taylor thought the hardest part of being the Hillford Ice Hawks’ new athletic trainer would be the pressure of working for a professional hockey team, but she was wrong.
It’s the pressure of starting a new job, unexpectedly pregnant after a one-night stand, knowing she’s doing it all alone.
Theo Simmons, the team’s star winger has always been her constant. Her childhood best friend and the one person who’s always been by her side. So, when he finds out about her pregnancy, he swears she won’t have to go through it by herself.
And in a split second of panic, one lie slips out to the wrong people.
The baby is his.
What starts as damage control turns into a fake relationship to keep it all from falling apart. Somewhere between prenatal appointments and building a nursery, the line they swore to never cross vanishes completely.
Theo should walk away before it goes too far, but pretending to be Lucy’s boyfriend is the easiest lie he’s ever told and the hardest to let go.
And nine months was never going to be enough for him…
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2026
About the author
Cali Melle
34 books1,491 followersCali Melle is a USA Today Bestselling Author who writes sports romance that will pull at your heartstrings. You can always expect her stories to come fully equipped with heartthrobs and a happy ending, along with some steamy scenes.
In her free time, Cali can usually be found living in a magical, fantasy world with the newest book or fanfic she's reading or freezing at the ice rink while she watches her kids play hockey.
In her free time, Cali can usually be found living in a magical, fantasy world with the newest book or fanfic she's reading or freezing at the ice rink while she watches her kids play hockey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 413 reviews
July 18, 2026
⌗ ──🏒🍋🟩🐈⬛ᝰ .ᐟ read.
gods, pls give me a theo, i'm begging you. theo my man, my man, my man, my baby, my baby, my baby. yassss. rtc
⌗ ──🏒🍋🟩🐈⬛ᝰ .ᐟ pre-read.
hockey romance x fake dating x childhood friends to lovers? say less, i'm in
thanks to luna literary and cali melle for the arc
gods, pls give me a theo, i'm begging you. theo my man, my man, my man, my baby, my baby, my baby. yassss. rtc
⌗ ──🏒🍋🟩🐈⬛ᝰ .ᐟ pre-read.
hockey romance x fake dating x childhood friends to lovers? say less, i'm in
thanks to luna literary and cali melle for the arc
August 4, 2026
“You’re mine, Lucy—and she’s a part of you, so that means she’s mine too. I don’t care about biology. I don’t care about anything other than the two of you.”
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
"ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴏɢᴇᴛʜᴇʀ" x ᴍᴀʀᴋ ᴀᴍʙᴏʀ
0:26 ──♥──────── 2:28
This story follows Lucy, a new athletic trainer who unexpectedly finds herself pregnant after a one-night stand, and Theo, her childhood best friend and a professional hockey player. After one panicked lie convinces everyone the baby is his, the two are suddenly navigating a fake relationship while trying to keep up appearances… and maybe confronting feelings that have been there all along 👀
This was such an easy book to fly through. It felt like the definition of a palate cleanser. It was light, sweet, and the kind of story you can pick up without having to emotionally prepare yourself first.
I am such a sucker for two people who are clearly in love with each other while both somehow managing to believe the other doesn’t feel the same way. Getting both of their perspectives made that so much fun because you’re just sitting there watching them completely miss what’s right in front of them. I was so glad this had dual POV.
Theo was easily my favorite part of the book. The way he immediately stepped up for Lucy was genuinely so sweet. Yes, he had feelings for her, but it never felt like helping her was conditional because of that. He simply wanted to be someone she could lean on, someone she could trust, and seeing how naturally he became her source of strength was honestly the highlight for me. The way he adored her baby from the very beginning (even knowing the baby wasn’t his) said so much about the kind of person he was. My heart was very much melting 🫠🙂↕️🫶🏼
That being said… I struggled with how unbelievably fast everything happened. I appreciated Theo’s actions, but so many parts of the story felt unrealistic enough that it kept pulling me out of it. As more details came out, especially surrounding their intimate lives, it became harder and harder for me to fully buy into everything that was happening 😬
Overall, this was cute and really easy to read, but it never quite had that extra spark that made it stand out from other romances I’ve read. I enjoyed my time with it, but by the end it landed comfortably in the middle for me
favorite quotes ↓
“Excitement blooms inside my chest and my stomach does a somersault. Lucy’s going to have a baby. A little replica of my favorite person. I wonder if it will have freckles like she does?”
“She’s perfect,” I breathe, my chest constricting as I look at him.
“Of course she is,” Theo murmurs, his head turned, gaze latched on mine. “She’s a part of you.”
things to know about the book ↓
🍼 unexpected pregnancy
🍼 not his baby
🍼 fake dating
🍼 childhood best friends → lovers
🍼 she has a tattoo for him
🍼 “its always been you”
🍼 dual POV
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 19, 21, 23, 27, 30, epilogue
Thank you Luna Literary, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ♪ˎˊ˗
"ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴏɢᴇᴛʜᴇʀ" x ᴍᴀʀᴋ ᴀᴍʙᴏʀ
0:26 ──♥──────── 2:28
This story follows Lucy, a new athletic trainer who unexpectedly finds herself pregnant after a one-night stand, and Theo, her childhood best friend and a professional hockey player. After one panicked lie convinces everyone the baby is his, the two are suddenly navigating a fake relationship while trying to keep up appearances… and maybe confronting feelings that have been there all along 👀
This was such an easy book to fly through. It felt like the definition of a palate cleanser. It was light, sweet, and the kind of story you can pick up without having to emotionally prepare yourself first.
I am such a sucker for two people who are clearly in love with each other while both somehow managing to believe the other doesn’t feel the same way. Getting both of their perspectives made that so much fun because you’re just sitting there watching them completely miss what’s right in front of them. I was so glad this had dual POV.
Theo was easily my favorite part of the book. The way he immediately stepped up for Lucy was genuinely so sweet. Yes, he had feelings for her, but it never felt like helping her was conditional because of that. He simply wanted to be someone she could lean on, someone she could trust, and seeing how naturally he became her source of strength was honestly the highlight for me. The way he adored her baby from the very beginning (even knowing the baby wasn’t his) said so much about the kind of person he was. My heart was very much melting 🫠🙂↕️🫶🏼
That being said… I struggled with how unbelievably fast everything happened. I appreciated Theo’s actions, but so many parts of the story felt unrealistic enough that it kept pulling me out of it. As more details came out, especially surrounding their intimate lives, it became harder and harder for me to fully buy into everything that was happening 😬
Overall, this was cute and really easy to read, but it never quite had that extra spark that made it stand out from other romances I’ve read. I enjoyed my time with it, but by the end it landed comfortably in the middle for me
favorite quotes ↓
“Excitement blooms inside my chest and my stomach does a somersault. Lucy’s going to have a baby. A little replica of my favorite person. I wonder if it will have freckles like she does?”
“She’s perfect,” I breathe, my chest constricting as I look at him.
“Of course she is,” Theo murmurs, his head turned, gaze latched on mine. “She’s a part of you.”
things to know about the book ↓
🍼 unexpected pregnancy
🍼 not his baby
🍼 fake dating
🍼 childhood best friends → lovers
🍼 she has a tattoo for him
🍼 “its always been you”
🍼 dual POV
swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 19, 21, 23, 27, 30, epilogue
Thank you Luna Literary, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 27, 2026
4.25🌟, 3🌶️
I am such a massive sucker for a fake dating romance, and this absolute gem was an effortless binge.
Watching Theo and Lucy navigate their arrangement while realizing it was never fooling anyone, especially not themselves, made my heart so happy. From tender doctor appointments to getting the nursery ready, those quiet moments of caretaking completely stole the show, proving that their deep bond and slow burn pining carried every page with effortless charm.
While I occasionally found myself wishing the bigger emotional turning points lingered just a bit longer, the raw vulnerability of their journey still gave me all the feels. Lucy's strength is remarkable, and seeing Theo step up without a single hesitation to love and protect both her and a baby that wasn't biologically his melted me entirely. It is a wonderfully comforting reminder of how powerful it is when the person you need has been right beside you all along.
This delightful story is an easy, comforting binge that leaves you smiling long after you finish. The characters bring so much heart and soul to the page, turning a complicated situation into a gorgeous narrative about found family and true devotion.
This tender and comforting read is guaranteed to make you believe in romance all over again.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Cali Melle and Luna Literary for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
I am such a massive sucker for a fake dating romance, and this absolute gem was an effortless binge.
Watching Theo and Lucy navigate their arrangement while realizing it was never fooling anyone, especially not themselves, made my heart so happy. From tender doctor appointments to getting the nursery ready, those quiet moments of caretaking completely stole the show, proving that their deep bond and slow burn pining carried every page with effortless charm.
While I occasionally found myself wishing the bigger emotional turning points lingered just a bit longer, the raw vulnerability of their journey still gave me all the feels. Lucy's strength is remarkable, and seeing Theo step up without a single hesitation to love and protect both her and a baby that wasn't biologically his melted me entirely. It is a wonderfully comforting reminder of how powerful it is when the person you need has been right beside you all along.
This delightful story is an easy, comforting binge that leaves you smiling long after you finish. The characters bring so much heart and soul to the page, turning a complicated situation into a gorgeous narrative about found family and true devotion.
This tender and comforting read is guaranteed to make you believe in romance all over again.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Cali Melle and Luna Literary for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
July 22, 2026
this was such a lovely read🥹💓
i loved the pacing, the characters were so likeable, and they had such a supportive circle too💖
theo was lucy’s anchor, and i loved how he was there for her every step of the way.
part of me wished they had talked about their feelings a little sooner, but i’m happy with how everything unfolded regardless.
the ending was the cutest thing🤗🩷
i love them so much 🥹
𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭:
it’s been a minute since i’ve read a hockey romance, and i need a fluffy read to fill my head.
plus, i’m such a sucker for the accidental pregnancy trope🫣
buddy read with sapphire my babyy😽😽
𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙞 𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚, 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙘🩵
i loved the pacing, the characters were so likeable, and they had such a supportive circle too💖
theo was lucy’s anchor, and i loved how he was there for her every step of the way.
part of me wished they had talked about their feelings a little sooner, but i’m happy with how everything unfolded regardless.
the ending was the cutest thing🤗🩷
i love them so much 🥹
𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭:
it’s been a minute since i’ve read a hockey romance, and i need a fluffy read to fill my head.
plus, i’m such a sucker for the accidental pregnancy trope🫣
buddy read with sapphire my babyy😽😽
𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙞 𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚, 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙘🩵
August 5, 2026
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️
Theo and Lucy are everything. Not his baby will always be one of my absolute all time favorite tropes and this one is so good.
Combined with childhood friends to lovers, and the tension, the fake dating and the absolute yearning from both of them. It’s everything I wanted.
Theo is husband material… or should I saw daddy material. Because this man did not at all hesitate when it came to Lucy. He stood beside her from the second he found out she was pregnant and never wavered.
✨ Hockey Romance
✨ Friends to Lovers
✨ He Falls First
✨ Not His Baby
✨ Fake Dating
✨ Virgin MMC
I loved this one. I love Cali’s found hockey family with this world
and Theo and Lucy…. These two were meant to be. I love a downbad man and that’s exactly what this man was… and sis I mention he is a virgin because no one else could compare to her.
Downbad. SO DOWN-BAD.
Cali’s writing is just so easy to binge and this story kept me hooked. All the tropes really worked and were done well, and I just ate this one up.
Definitely put it on your TBR.
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️
Theo and Lucy are everything. Not his baby will always be one of my absolute all time favorite tropes and this one is so good.
Combined with childhood friends to lovers, and the tension, the fake dating and the absolute yearning from both of them. It’s everything I wanted.
Theo is husband material… or should I saw daddy material. Because this man did not at all hesitate when it came to Lucy. He stood beside her from the second he found out she was pregnant and never wavered.
✨ Hockey Romance
✨ Friends to Lovers
✨ He Falls First
✨ Not His Baby
✨ Fake Dating
✨ Virgin MMC
I loved this one. I love Cali’s found hockey family with this world
and Theo and Lucy…. These two were meant to be. I love a downbad man and that’s exactly what this man was… and sis I mention he is a virgin because no one else could compare to her.
Downbad. SO DOWN-BAD.
Cali’s writing is just so easy to binge and this story kept me hooked. All the tropes really worked and were done well, and I just ate this one up.
Definitely put it on your TBR.
July 17, 2026
This book had all of my favorite tropes, I will always read a book if it has hockey in it. I recommend reading this book and the first book to this series.
Hockey Romance
Not His Baby
Fake Dating
Forced Proximity
Childhood Best Friends to Lovers
Virgin MMC
She has a secret tattoo
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Hockey Romance
Not His Baby
Fake Dating
Forced Proximity
Childhood Best Friends to Lovers
Virgin MMC
She has a secret tattoo
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
July 25, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️/5
📚 Book 2 in the Bar Down Series (Interconnected Standalone)
🏒 Hockey Romance
🗣️ Dual POV
🖤 M/F
I'm such a sucker for a friends-to-lovers romance, so this one was an easy binge for me.
Theo absolutely stole the show. He's been in love with Lucy for what feels like forever, so the second she needs someone, he's there without hesitation. The fake relationship may have started as a cover-up, but let's be honest...Theo wasn't fooling anyone, especially himself. 😂
I loved watching their friendship naturally turn into something more. The little moments—doctor's appointments, getting the nursery ready, and Theo stepping up without ever making Lucy feel like a burden—were honestly my favorite parts of the book.
I did find myself wanting a little more emotional depth in a few places. Some of the bigger moments came and went pretty quickly, and I would've loved to sit with those emotions a little longer. The romance was sweet, but I wanted just a bit more payoff after all the years of pining.
The spice is definitely minimal, so if you're looking for something steamier, this probably isn't it. But honestly, it didn't need it. This story was much more about the friendship, the quiet love, and finally realizing the person you've needed has been beside you the whole time.
This was a sweet, comforting hockey romance, and Theo was 100% the reason this ended up being such an enjoyable read for me.
Tropes:
🏒 Hockey Romance
💜 Best Friends to Lovers
🏒 Fake Dating
💜 Surprise Pregnancy
🏒 He Falls First
💜 Protective MMC
🏒 Caretaking MMC
💜 Slow Burn Feelings
🏒 Found Family
💜 Interconnected Standalone
🏒 Virgin MMC
🌶️/5
📚 Book 2 in the Bar Down Series (Interconnected Standalone)
🏒 Hockey Romance
🗣️ Dual POV
🖤 M/F
I'm such a sucker for a friends-to-lovers romance, so this one was an easy binge for me.
Theo absolutely stole the show. He's been in love with Lucy for what feels like forever, so the second she needs someone, he's there without hesitation. The fake relationship may have started as a cover-up, but let's be honest...Theo wasn't fooling anyone, especially himself. 😂
I loved watching their friendship naturally turn into something more. The little moments—doctor's appointments, getting the nursery ready, and Theo stepping up without ever making Lucy feel like a burden—were honestly my favorite parts of the book.
I did find myself wanting a little more emotional depth in a few places. Some of the bigger moments came and went pretty quickly, and I would've loved to sit with those emotions a little longer. The romance was sweet, but I wanted just a bit more payoff after all the years of pining.
The spice is definitely minimal, so if you're looking for something steamier, this probably isn't it. But honestly, it didn't need it. This story was much more about the friendship, the quiet love, and finally realizing the person you've needed has been beside you the whole time.
This was a sweet, comforting hockey romance, and Theo was 100% the reason this ended up being such an enjoyable read for me.
Tropes:
🏒 Hockey Romance
💜 Best Friends to Lovers
🏒 Fake Dating
💜 Surprise Pregnancy
🏒 He Falls First
💜 Protective MMC
🏒 Caretaking MMC
💜 Slow Burn Feelings
🏒 Found Family
💜 Interconnected Standalone
🏒 Virgin MMC
August 4, 2026
Theo was such a standup guy. Being Lucy’s constant for so many years, it didn’t take long for people to assume when they found out she was pregnant (one night stand) but thought it was his baby. So they went the fake dating route so things didn’t look worse than what it was. The way Theo stepped up for her was amazing. He fell into the role line it was meant to be his for real. And both of them were starting to feel the same way.
This story was so sweet and fun. I totally enjoyed seeing Theo be such a great guy for Lucy so she wouldn’t have to go through being pregnant alone. Even if everyone around them got the wrong idea. I loved that in the end, it ended up being the right idea.
This story was so sweet and fun. I totally enjoyed seeing Theo be such a great guy for Lucy so she wouldn’t have to go through being pregnant alone. Even if everyone around them got the wrong idea. I loved that in the end, it ended up being the right idea.
July 25, 2026
3.5 🌟
This book was pure fluff.
The characters were sweet, and I loved how supportive they were of each other. That said, I found myself wishing we’d gotten a more in-depth look at who they were beyond the romance.
Overall, it was a lovely read, and I’m so glad Theo and Lucy finally talked about their feelings for each other… even if they definitely could have done it much sooner. 😩
I also really enjoyed the fast pacing. It was short, sharp, and easy to get through.
Thank you Luna Literary and Cali Melle for the arc
This book was pure fluff.
The characters were sweet, and I loved how supportive they were of each other. That said, I found myself wishing we’d gotten a more in-depth look at who they were beyond the romance.
Overall, it was a lovely read, and I’m so glad Theo and Lucy finally talked about their feelings for each other… even if they definitely could have done it much sooner. 😩
I also really enjoyed the fast pacing. It was short, sharp, and easy to get through.
Thank you Luna Literary and Cali Melle for the arc
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Baby Bluff by Cali Melle took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions that I didn’t want to get off of.
While Lucy viewed her ONS as a mistake, she never viewed the results of that ONS as a mistake. She loved her baby from the minute she saw that positive. Theo was the most selfless man, never hesitating to take on the love and responsibility of a baby that wasn’t biologically his. He didn’t care. That baby and Lucy were his.
There were a few other surprises that I won’t go into so we don’t spoil too much for the reader, but this is a must read. Cali’s characters bring so much heart, raw emotions, vulnerability and love to the story.
I highly recommend.
5 ⭐️
While Lucy viewed her ONS as a mistake, she never viewed the results of that ONS as a mistake. She loved her baby from the minute she saw that positive. Theo was the most selfless man, never hesitating to take on the love and responsibility of a baby that wasn’t biologically his. He didn’t care. That baby and Lucy were his.
There were a few other surprises that I won’t go into so we don’t spoil too much for the reader, but this is a must read. Cali’s characters bring so much heart, raw emotions, vulnerability and love to the story.
I highly recommend.
5 ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
August 10, 2026I think we should normalize abortions in romance books
July 21, 2026
please god if you’re real deliver me a man like theo im begging on my hands and knees at this point
July 5, 2026
The Baby Bluff by Cali Melle eARC Review 💙
This one surprised me in the best way. I completely fell in love with Theo and Lucy. Theo made his way onto my top book boyfriend list. He is the greenest flag there ever was and I adore him. He stole my heart and their story just made my heart so happy.
Hockey, not his baby and fake dating. I was sold from the tropes alone, but Cali really brought it with this one.
What to expect:
Hockey romance
Not his baby
Fake dating
Childhood friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Virgin MMC
Thank you so much Cali for the arc!
#thebabybluff #calimelleauthor #calimelle #bookishcontent #bookreview
This one surprised me in the best way. I completely fell in love with Theo and Lucy. Theo made his way onto my top book boyfriend list. He is the greenest flag there ever was and I adore him. He stole my heart and their story just made my heart so happy.
Hockey, not his baby and fake dating. I was sold from the tropes alone, but Cali really brought it with this one.
What to expect:
Hockey romance
Not his baby
Fake dating
Childhood friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Virgin MMC
Thank you so much Cali for the arc!
#thebabybluff #calimelleauthor #calimelle #bookishcontent #bookreview
July 28, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐.8 (rounded up for Goodreads)
Cali Melle never fails to make me fall in love with her writing and her characters, and The Baby Bluff is no exception. Every time I pick up one of her books, I'm reminded why she's one of my favorite romance authors. Her stories are full of heart, humor, and characters that are impossible not to become attached to.
I had a feeling Lucy and Theo were going to end up together long before their book was even announced, and it was so worth the wait. Their chemistry is absolutely incredible, and as someone who loves a good childhood best friends-to-lovers romance, this book had me hooked from the very beginning. Their relationship felt so natural, and I found myself smiling through so many of their moments together.
As for Theo... while Matty Ford is still holding onto my number one spot for the 2nd-Gen men, Theo definitely gave him a run for his money and easily earned a place in my top five Cali Melle MMCs. (Let's be honest though... nobody is ever dethroning Carson Ford 😍)
I also loved the cast of side characters. They added so much humor and life to the story, and I found myself laughing more than once. (With one very specific exception... Alex, I'm looking at you. 😒)
One of my favorite things about Cali's books is how she teases future stories and relationships without taking away from the current one. Those little moments always leave me excited to see who's next, and this book was no different.
If you've been following this series, you're going to love Lucy and Theo's story. And if you're new to Cali Melle's books, this is another fantastic reminder of why her romances are so easy to fall in love with. I already can't wait to see what she has planned next for this incredible group of characters.
Cali Melle never fails to make me fall in love with her writing and her characters, and The Baby Bluff is no exception. Every time I pick up one of her books, I'm reminded why she's one of my favorite romance authors. Her stories are full of heart, humor, and characters that are impossible not to become attached to.
I had a feeling Lucy and Theo were going to end up together long before their book was even announced, and it was so worth the wait. Their chemistry is absolutely incredible, and as someone who loves a good childhood best friends-to-lovers romance, this book had me hooked from the very beginning. Their relationship felt so natural, and I found myself smiling through so many of their moments together.
As for Theo... while Matty Ford is still holding onto my number one spot for the 2nd-Gen men, Theo definitely gave him a run for his money and easily earned a place in my top five Cali Melle MMCs. (Let's be honest though... nobody is ever dethroning Carson Ford 😍)
I also loved the cast of side characters. They added so much humor and life to the story, and I found myself laughing more than once. (With one very specific exception... Alex, I'm looking at you. 😒)
One of my favorite things about Cali's books is how she teases future stories and relationships without taking away from the current one. Those little moments always leave me excited to see who's next, and this book was no different.
If you've been following this series, you're going to love Lucy and Theo's story. And if you're new to Cali Melle's books, this is another fantastic reminder of why her romances are so easy to fall in love with. I already can't wait to see what she has planned next for this incredible group of characters.
July 17, 2026
[ arc review ]
lucy and theo have been childhood best friends and all those years ago made an agreement to not do anything or cross any lines that would ruin their friendship. well then lucy gets pregnant, not with theo's baby, but that doesn't deter him from stepping up bc he doesn't want her to go through this alone. i liked that his personal / family life was included in the story so that it wasn't so jarring for him to jump in so fast to help lucy (well that and the fact he's been in love with her since forever).
this book was really fast paced and it was a short book imo so there were parts that i felt jumped in time and things were happening quickly and could have gone into further depth. i would have maybe liked to see flashback scenes of lucy and theo, but i will say there were a few callbacks / references to their history. sorry, i'm being vague in an effort to not spoil anything.
lucy and theo were so cute and theo is one DOWN BAD man, like i could genuinely see him doing anything for lucy, and now the baby. lucy was a little stubborn and sassy yet sweet and honest but tbh i was indefferent to her bc she was lowkey not giving me a lot.
i also love me a good friend group and i really liked that in this particular group, there's a lot of childhood friendships but also includes current players of the hildford hockey team. i have my predictions for future couples hehe.
overall, this book was cute and i recommend to anyone looking for a fast paced hockey romance.
🩵 hockey romance
🩵 not his baby
🩵 childhood best friends to lovers
🩵 fake dating
lucy and theo have been childhood best friends and all those years ago made an agreement to not do anything or cross any lines that would ruin their friendship. well then lucy gets pregnant, not with theo's baby, but that doesn't deter him from stepping up bc he doesn't want her to go through this alone. i liked that his personal / family life was included in the story so that it wasn't so jarring for him to jump in so fast to help lucy (well that and the fact he's been in love with her since forever).
this book was really fast paced and it was a short book imo so there were parts that i felt jumped in time and things were happening quickly and could have gone into further depth. i would have maybe liked to see flashback scenes of lucy and theo, but i will say there were a few callbacks / references to their history. sorry, i'm being vague in an effort to not spoil anything.
lucy and theo were so cute and theo is one DOWN BAD man, like i could genuinely see him doing anything for lucy, and now the baby. lucy was a little stubborn and sassy yet sweet and honest but tbh i was indefferent to her bc she was lowkey not giving me a lot.
i also love me a good friend group and i really liked that in this particular group, there's a lot of childhood friendships but also includes current players of the hildford hockey team. i have my predictions for future couples hehe.
overall, this book was cute and i recommend to anyone looking for a fast paced hockey romance.
🩵 hockey romance
🩵 not his baby
🩵 childhood best friends to lovers
🩵 fake dating
July 18, 2026
Theo, my man, you have officially stolen my heart. With your all in attitude and love for Lucy you are perfection in the book boyfriend world. The walking green flag that most would love to have supporting them no matter what. You step up when you don’t need to and remind Lucy that she will always be the most important person in your world. This is a beautiful story that leaves you in all your feels as one person gets into a situation and another person who has always wanted to be there, is there and steps up. It isn’t an easy path, especially when both have only ever wanted the other, but it is a road that they walk side by side and the feelings start to show through the cracks. I love how Lucy struggles with what to do, but the support and love of not just Theo but friends and family show up for her to help her see that it will be okay. But the moment that she is able to pretend, you know that she isn’t really pretending. Neither of them really are. Both are hoping the other one will be strong enough to keep the wall up, but I love that they aren’t. This is a perfect, friends to lovers that will grip your heart and make you smile the whole time you are reading.
July 19, 2026
This was just what I needed 🤭 Theo is wonderful, omg. The friends to lovers, mutual pining and just how supportive they both are of each other 🥹 he and Lucy are the sweetest. The only reason I didn’t give it the full 5⭐️ is because I felt like there never were an actual ”issue” or like a problem that set them off course. It was a bit too happy and smooth sailing for me personally but I loved it 🥰 really looking forward to next one and to read about Elena 🤭
July 24, 2026
This book was so, so adorable!! 🥹
In this book we meet Theo and Lucy. They’ve known each other forever and have been best friends ever since. 🥹
I absolutely loved the unexpected pregnancy trope, and I loved seeing how Theo never hesitated to support Lucy, even though the baby wasn’t his. ❤️🩹
I really admire Lucy for her strength and courage, but Theo completely stole my heart. The way he takes care of her and always looks out for her is just so beautiful!
In this book we meet Theo and Lucy. They’ve known each other forever and have been best friends ever since. 🥹
I absolutely loved the unexpected pregnancy trope, and I loved seeing how Theo never hesitated to support Lucy, even though the baby wasn’t his. ❤️🩹
I really admire Lucy for her strength and courage, but Theo completely stole my heart. The way he takes care of her and always looks out for her is just so beautiful!
July 28, 2026
I absolutely loved this book! The friends to lovers trope is always so good in my opinion and this one blew it out of the water. I loved seeing both characters grow individually and also together and the way that they so gently fall in love is just so sweet & perfect. I’m super excited for book three and to see how this couple plays into the next book and helps those characters find love too. I absolutely love the interconnected characters and how we see glimpses of all of them in each story!
August 28, 2026
DNF @ 30% … Look, I love an accidental pregnancy when the MMC is not the bio dad but this one felt immature. They lie to her parents and say the baby is his and now they have this plan to fake date. It feels so immature. The MMC is all in on the FMC and this baby for no reason other than they have been friends their whole lives. Okay, so now let’s raise a baby together?
The FMC doesn’t have a strong bone in her body. Girl, you had a one night stand and got pregnant. OWN IT. That’s a consequence of sex. She is just blubbering away and the MMC is doing everything.
The FMC doesn’t have a strong bone in her body. Girl, you had a one night stand and got pregnant. OWN IT. That’s a consequence of sex. She is just blubbering away and the MMC is doing everything.
July 6, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
In “The Baby Bluff” by Cali Melle, hockey star Theo Simmons finds himself in a predicament when his best friend Lucy Taylor announces she’s pregnant - and he decides he is going to take on the role of “baby daddy.” As Lucy and Theo navigate the pregnancy, they are also forced to navigate their feelings for one another - feelings that may have been brewing under the surface for much longer than they ever realized.
Thank you to Cali Melle & BookFunnel for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for The Baby Bluff!
I fell in love with Cali Melle books during her Aston Archers series, and the Bar Down series has not disappointed. I think The Baby Bluff has solidified Cali Melle being an automatic read for me. This next gen series is so entertaining. You get just enough of the parents to tie in from the original series we love without taking away from the new characters, their development, and their stories. Theo’s story mirrored his own father’s, but I love that his dad did not sugarcoat the ramifications of his decision.
I would love a family tree of sorts for future books in this series. It’s hard for my brain to remember how all of the characters are connected, whose kids belong to who, and each of their stories. A refresher would be so helpful for a very forgetful reader like me!
If you love a spicy sports romance with an incredible found family and deep emotional connections, check out the Bar Down series (and their parents in the Aston Archers series)!
In “The Baby Bluff” by Cali Melle, hockey star Theo Simmons finds himself in a predicament when his best friend Lucy Taylor announces she’s pregnant - and he decides he is going to take on the role of “baby daddy.” As Lucy and Theo navigate the pregnancy, they are also forced to navigate their feelings for one another - feelings that may have been brewing under the surface for much longer than they ever realized.
Thank you to Cali Melle & BookFunnel for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for The Baby Bluff!
I fell in love with Cali Melle books during her Aston Archers series, and the Bar Down series has not disappointed. I think The Baby Bluff has solidified Cali Melle being an automatic read for me. This next gen series is so entertaining. You get just enough of the parents to tie in from the original series we love without taking away from the new characters, their development, and their stories. Theo’s story mirrored his own father’s, but I love that his dad did not sugarcoat the ramifications of his decision.
I would love a family tree of sorts for future books in this series. It’s hard for my brain to remember how all of the characters are connected, whose kids belong to who, and each of their stories. A refresher would be so helpful for a very forgetful reader like me!
If you love a spicy sports romance with an incredible found family and deep emotional connections, check out the Bar Down series (and their parents in the Aston Archers series)!
July 26, 2026
Ahhh Theo and Lucy were so cute! It's not often you come across a virgin hero and the reason he was was worth it. I also love how protective he was of a baby who wasn't his biologically. The chemistry was good and it was well written.
August 3, 2026
Felt like a whole lot of nothing happened in this book.
July 19, 2026
The pace of this book is what makes me not absolutely love it. It felt like we were going 1,000mph BUT I did like the characters very much. I think I loved the progression of the plot so much that I didn’t care much for the smut in the book (lol) and found myself wishing those scenes would move along faster.
Can’t wait for the next book though!!
Can’t wait for the next book though!!
July 11, 2026
ARC review let's get into it
3.6 ⭐️
3 🌶️
this was a cute one, I absolutely love childhood friends to lovers and even better they are *best friends* and the fact that it’s two characters that came from in my top 3 faves in the Aston Archers series (Rowan - Lucy’s dad) and Nash (Theos dad) 💛 seeing the little cameos of characters you love is honestly the best :) it was an interesting twist on friends to lovers / fake dating
The whole book I was rooting for a ruiiiiin the friendship moment, and that is genuinely the whole book
I think if there’s a MMC named Theo it’s just inevitable that he will be loved 🥰
I loved Elena and Lucy’s friendship :))
I felt like a couple of the spicy scenes were unnecessary (and some of the wording just wasn’t for me) and the confession felt unfinished along with a few other things which brought my rating down but it was a really cute read
Aaaand I have theories for who the next book is about can’t wait to see if I’m right
Tropes:
Childhood best friends to lovers
Fake dating
Not his baby
Forced proximity
Hockey romance
Quotes:
“No ones perfect, but if there’s anyone who comes close to it, it’s you”
“Your hair is perfect the way it is”
“You did all these from memory?”
“I remember everything about you”
Thank you Cali for the ARC
Happy reading! - Mona 📚
And if you want more, check out the Aston Archers series
3.6 ⭐️
3 🌶️
this was a cute one, I absolutely love childhood friends to lovers and even better they are *best friends* and the fact that it’s two characters that came from in my top 3 faves in the Aston Archers series (Rowan - Lucy’s dad) and Nash (Theos dad) 💛 seeing the little cameos of characters you love is honestly the best :) it was an interesting twist on friends to lovers / fake dating
The whole book I was rooting for a ruiiiiin the friendship moment, and that is genuinely the whole book
I think if there’s a MMC named Theo it’s just inevitable that he will be loved 🥰
I loved Elena and Lucy’s friendship :))
I felt like a couple of the spicy scenes were unnecessary (and some of the wording just wasn’t for me) and the confession felt unfinished along with a few other things which brought my rating down but it was a really cute read
Aaaand I have theories for who the next book is about can’t wait to see if I’m right
Tropes:
Childhood best friends to lovers
Fake dating
Not his baby
Forced proximity
Hockey romance
Quotes:
“No ones perfect, but if there’s anyone who comes close to it, it’s you”
“Your hair is perfect the way it is”
“You did all these from memory?”
“I remember everything about you”
Thank you Cali for the ARC
Happy reading! - Mona 📚
And if you want more, check out the Aston Archers series
July 12, 2026
4.5 ✨ review to come!
July 18, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
After absolutely loving the snippets we got of Theo and Lucy in The Plot Pact, I couldn't wait to finally read their story in The Baby Bluff. Friends-to-lovers is one of my favourite tropes when it's done well, and with all the mutual pining that had already been teased, I had high hopes for these two.
Tropes
🏒 Hockey Romance
👶 Accidental Pregnancy (Not His Baby)
💕 Best Friends to Lovers
💍 Fake Dating
🏡 Forced Proximity
❤️ Mutual Pining
💼 Workplace Romance
👨👩👧 Second Generation
Microtropes
🧢 Backwards hat
🤍 He's a Virgin
🥨 He always gets her favorite snacks
🤰 He talks to her stomach
🎨 He draws her
📝 She's kept every note he's ever written her
🖋️ Secret tattoo
One of my favorite things about this book was how believable Theo and Lucy's relationship felt. Friends-to-lovers is such a difficult trope to get right because you have to convince the reader that years of friendship naturally evolve into something more, and I completely bought it here. Their chemistry wasn't built on stolen glances or instant attraction. It came from years of knowing each other inside and out. It was obvious they had always been each other's safe place, even if neither of them wanted to admit it. And honestly, everyone around them seeing they were hopelessly in love long before they did themselves made it even better.
Theo completely stole my heart. He was everything I want in a romance hero: loyal, patient, protective, and an absolute caretaker. The fact that he stepped into the role of supportive partner without a second thought, despite knowing the baby wasn't his, said everything about the kind of person he is. Whether he was bringing Lucy her favourite snacks, talking to the baby, or simply making sure she never had to carry everything alone, his love was shown through actions rather than grand declarations. He was completely gone for Lucy, and I loved every second of it.
Lucy was just as easy to root for. Finding yourself unexpectedly pregnant while starting a demanding new job is already enough to deal with, but I admired how she handled everything that came her way. I also thought the fake dating worked surprisingly well because it never felt like they were pretending very hard. Their friendship was already so close that the line between fake and real naturally became blurrier as the story progressed, making their transition into a real relationship feel effortless.
I also really enjoyed the supporting cast. The friendships felt genuine, and I loved seeing everyone rally around Theo and Lucy throughout the pregnancy. The second-generation aspect added a fun layer to the story as well, with subtle nods to previous books rewarding readers who have followed the series from the beginning.
Still, there were a few aspects that I think could have elevated the story even further.
The biggest one was probably the lack of conflict. While I don't need constant drama in my romances, I did find myself waiting for a bigger obstacle that never really came. The story stayed fairly low stakes throughout, and I think introducing a little more external conflict would have added another layer to the emotional journey.
Because the book is also fairly short and moves at quite a fast pace, I occasionally wished certain moments had been explored in more depth. There are several time jumps throughout Lucy's pregnancy, and I found myself wanting to spend more time with both characters. Adding a few flashbacks showing more of their childhood friendship would have strengthened the emotional payoff even further.
I also would have loved to see more of both families. We spend quite a bit of time with the friend group, but after the opening chapters, the parents largely fade into the background. Considering how close and supportive everyone seemed, I expected them to play a bigger role throughout Lucy's pregnancy.
I also wasn't completely convinced by the decision to keep the truth about the baby's paternity from Lucy's parents. While I understood why the story needed that secret to make the fake-dating premise work, her parents seemed like the kind of people who would have supported her no matter what. Because of that, the secrecy felt a little harder to believe, and I found myself hoping they would eventually come clean.
Despite those small remarks, The Baby Bluff was such a fun, comforting read. It won't be the most dramatic romance you'll ever pick up, but sometimes that's exactly what you're in the mood for. If you're looking for a sweet, low-angst friends-to-lovers romance with plenty of pining, a hero who will do absolutely anything for the woman he loves, and a cast of characters that already has you excited for future books, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a try.
Now... can I please have Elena and Cameron's book? I have way too many theories about those two, and I need answers.
After absolutely loving the snippets we got of Theo and Lucy in The Plot Pact, I couldn't wait to finally read their story in The Baby Bluff. Friends-to-lovers is one of my favourite tropes when it's done well, and with all the mutual pining that had already been teased, I had high hopes for these two.
Tropes
🏒 Hockey Romance
👶 Accidental Pregnancy (Not His Baby)
💕 Best Friends to Lovers
💍 Fake Dating
🏡 Forced Proximity
❤️ Mutual Pining
💼 Workplace Romance
👨👩👧 Second Generation
Microtropes
🧢 Backwards hat
🤍 He's a Virgin
🥨 He always gets her favorite snacks
🤰 He talks to her stomach
🎨 He draws her
📝 She's kept every note he's ever written her
🖋️ Secret tattoo
One of my favorite things about this book was how believable Theo and Lucy's relationship felt. Friends-to-lovers is such a difficult trope to get right because you have to convince the reader that years of friendship naturally evolve into something more, and I completely bought it here. Their chemistry wasn't built on stolen glances or instant attraction. It came from years of knowing each other inside and out. It was obvious they had always been each other's safe place, even if neither of them wanted to admit it. And honestly, everyone around them seeing they were hopelessly in love long before they did themselves made it even better.
Theo completely stole my heart. He was everything I want in a romance hero: loyal, patient, protective, and an absolute caretaker. The fact that he stepped into the role of supportive partner without a second thought, despite knowing the baby wasn't his, said everything about the kind of person he is. Whether he was bringing Lucy her favourite snacks, talking to the baby, or simply making sure she never had to carry everything alone, his love was shown through actions rather than grand declarations. He was completely gone for Lucy, and I loved every second of it.
Lucy was just as easy to root for. Finding yourself unexpectedly pregnant while starting a demanding new job is already enough to deal with, but I admired how she handled everything that came her way. I also thought the fake dating worked surprisingly well because it never felt like they were pretending very hard. Their friendship was already so close that the line between fake and real naturally became blurrier as the story progressed, making their transition into a real relationship feel effortless.
I also really enjoyed the supporting cast. The friendships felt genuine, and I loved seeing everyone rally around Theo and Lucy throughout the pregnancy. The second-generation aspect added a fun layer to the story as well, with subtle nods to previous books rewarding readers who have followed the series from the beginning.
Still, there were a few aspects that I think could have elevated the story even further.
The biggest one was probably the lack of conflict. While I don't need constant drama in my romances, I did find myself waiting for a bigger obstacle that never really came. The story stayed fairly low stakes throughout, and I think introducing a little more external conflict would have added another layer to the emotional journey.
Because the book is also fairly short and moves at quite a fast pace, I occasionally wished certain moments had been explored in more depth. There are several time jumps throughout Lucy's pregnancy, and I found myself wanting to spend more time with both characters. Adding a few flashbacks showing more of their childhood friendship would have strengthened the emotional payoff even further.
I also would have loved to see more of both families. We spend quite a bit of time with the friend group, but after the opening chapters, the parents largely fade into the background. Considering how close and supportive everyone seemed, I expected them to play a bigger role throughout Lucy's pregnancy.
I also wasn't completely convinced by the decision to keep the truth about the baby's paternity from Lucy's parents. While I understood why the story needed that secret to make the fake-dating premise work, her parents seemed like the kind of people who would have supported her no matter what. Because of that, the secrecy felt a little harder to believe, and I found myself hoping they would eventually come clean.
Despite those small remarks, The Baby Bluff was such a fun, comforting read. It won't be the most dramatic romance you'll ever pick up, but sometimes that's exactly what you're in the mood for. If you're looking for a sweet, low-angst friends-to-lovers romance with plenty of pining, a hero who will do absolutely anything for the woman he loves, and a cast of characters that already has you excited for future books, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a try.
Now... can I please have Elena and Cameron's book? I have way too many theories about those two, and I need answers.
July 27, 2026
ARC kidnly provided for the author in exchnage for an honest review
When Cali Melle announced this book and its tropes, I knew Theo was going to be my favorite male character in the series: I loved his love story with Lucy, the glimpses the author gave me into their friendship and everything they've shared over the years, the little nods to their parents' stories, and the way she's making me absolutely love this series and ALL its characters.
Lucy broke my heart from the very first chapter, not because her personal story is tragic—far from it—but because of the way Cali shows me the depth of her feelings for Theo and how she suffers believing they aren't reciprocated: I wanted to hug and comfort her from that moment on. I really liked her personality, especially because I wasn't expecting that seductive and direct side. I LOVED the story behind his tattoo, his friendship with Elena, and that, through this character, the author gave me a glimpse into her parents' story after their book ended.
Theo is my favorite character in this series, I loved EVERYTHING about him! I fell in love with the secrets he keeps about his feelings for Lucy and how they're revealed throughout the story, I love his friendship with his teammates and the way they all naturally express how much they love each other, and of course, I also really enjoyed reading about his sweet, adorable, and flirty personality. But I think what I liked most was how Theo's story with Lucy has a certain emotional connection to his parents' story, and THAT conversation between him and Nash was, without a doubt, one of the best parts of this book.
Lucy & Theo have been best friends forever, and I really liked that Cali Melle showed me that side of their relationship, it's always so obvious how important they are to each other, and how Theo is there for Lucy even when he doesn't know what's going on. And when he finds out about the pregnancy, he's even more aware that he'll never leave her alone. I love that they both have doubts about whether their feelings are reciprocated and yet they always have excellent communication. And although I really liked that the spice in this book developed little by little, I think the overall plot started a bit slower than I would have liked, even so, this pair stole my heart, and I'll always love them.
🏒Theo: 5/5
🏒Lucy: 5/5
🏒plot: 4/5
🏒love story: 4.5/5
🏒secondary characters: 5/5
🏒universe: 5/5
🏒cover: 5/5
🥵: 2/5
ARC amablemente proporcionada por la autora a cambio de una reseña honesta
Cuando Cali Melle anunció este libro y los tropes, supe que Theo iba a ser mi personaje masculino favorito de esta serie: amé su historia de amor con Lucy, los vistazos que la autora me dio a su amistad y a todo lo que han compartido a lo largo de los años, los pequeños guiños a las historias de sus papás y la manera en la que me está haciendo amar con locura esta serie y TODOS sus personajes.
Lucy me rompió el corazón desde el primer capitulo, no porque su historia personal sea trágica, ni mucho menos, si no por la manera en la que Cali me muestra lo profundo de sus sentimientos por Theo y como esta chica sufre creyendo que no son correspondidos, quise abrazarla y consolarla desde ese momento. Me gustó mucho su personalidad, especialmente porque no esperaba ese lado seductor y directo, AMÉ la historia detrás de su tatuaje, su amistad con Elena, y que, por medio de este personaje, la autora me diera un vistazo a lo que fue la historia de sus papás después de que su libro terminara.
Theo es mi personaje favorito de esta serie, me encantó TODO sobre este personaje! Me enamoraron los secretos que guarda respecto a sus sentimientos por Lucy y como se van revelando a lo largo de la historia, me encanta su amistad con sus compañeros de equipo y la manera en la que todos se expresan lo mucho que se aman con naturalidad y claro que también disfruté mucho leyendo su personalidad tan dulce, adorable y coqueta. Pero creo que lo que más me gustó fue la manera en la que la historia de Theo con Lucy tiene cierta conexión emocional con la historia de los papás de Theo, y ESA conversación entre el y Nash fue, sin dudas, de los mejor en este libro.
Lucy & Theo son mejores amigos desde siempre y me gustó mucho que Cali Melle me mostrara ese lado de su relación, que siempre se tan obvio lo importantes que son el uno para la otra y que Theo esté ahí para Lucy aún cuando no sabe qué es lo que pasa, y que cuando se entera del embarazo sea aún más consiente de que no la va a dejar sola jamás, amo que ambos tengan dudas sobre si sus sentimientos son correspondidos o no y que aún así siempre tengan excelente comunicación, y aunque me gustó mucho que el spicy en este libro se fuera construyendo poco a poco, creo que la trama en general empezó un poco más lento de lo que me hubiera gustado, aún así este par se robó mi corazón y los voy a amar siempre.
🏒Theo: 5/5
🏒Lucy: 5/5
🏒trama: 4/5
🏒historia de amor: 4.5/5
🏒personajes secundarios: 5/5
🏒universo: 5/5
🏒portada: 5/5
🥵: 2/5
When Cali Melle announced this book and its tropes, I knew Theo was going to be my favorite male character in the series: I loved his love story with Lucy, the glimpses the author gave me into their friendship and everything they've shared over the years, the little nods to their parents' stories, and the way she's making me absolutely love this series and ALL its characters.
Lucy broke my heart from the very first chapter, not because her personal story is tragic—far from it—but because of the way Cali shows me the depth of her feelings for Theo and how she suffers believing they aren't reciprocated: I wanted to hug and comfort her from that moment on. I really liked her personality, especially because I wasn't expecting that seductive and direct side. I LOVED the story behind his tattoo, his friendship with Elena, and that, through this character, the author gave me a glimpse into her parents' story after their book ended.
Theo is my favorite character in this series, I loved EVERYTHING about him! I fell in love with the secrets he keeps about his feelings for Lucy and how they're revealed throughout the story, I love his friendship with his teammates and the way they all naturally express how much they love each other, and of course, I also really enjoyed reading about his sweet, adorable, and flirty personality. But I think what I liked most was how Theo's story with Lucy has a certain emotional connection to his parents' story, and THAT conversation between him and Nash was, without a doubt, one of the best parts of this book.
Lucy & Theo have been best friends forever, and I really liked that Cali Melle showed me that side of their relationship, it's always so obvious how important they are to each other, and how Theo is there for Lucy even when he doesn't know what's going on. And when he finds out about the pregnancy, he's even more aware that he'll never leave her alone. I love that they both have doubts about whether their feelings are reciprocated and yet they always have excellent communication. And although I really liked that the spice in this book developed little by little, I think the overall plot started a bit slower than I would have liked, even so, this pair stole my heart, and I'll always love them.
🏒Theo: 5/5
🏒Lucy: 5/5
🏒plot: 4/5
🏒love story: 4.5/5
🏒secondary characters: 5/5
🏒universe: 5/5
🏒cover: 5/5
🥵: 2/5
ARC amablemente proporcionada por la autora a cambio de una reseña honesta
Cuando Cali Melle anunció este libro y los tropes, supe que Theo iba a ser mi personaje masculino favorito de esta serie: amé su historia de amor con Lucy, los vistazos que la autora me dio a su amistad y a todo lo que han compartido a lo largo de los años, los pequeños guiños a las historias de sus papás y la manera en la que me está haciendo amar con locura esta serie y TODOS sus personajes.
Lucy me rompió el corazón desde el primer capitulo, no porque su historia personal sea trágica, ni mucho menos, si no por la manera en la que Cali me muestra lo profundo de sus sentimientos por Theo y como esta chica sufre creyendo que no son correspondidos, quise abrazarla y consolarla desde ese momento. Me gustó mucho su personalidad, especialmente porque no esperaba ese lado seductor y directo, AMÉ la historia detrás de su tatuaje, su amistad con Elena, y que, por medio de este personaje, la autora me diera un vistazo a lo que fue la historia de sus papás después de que su libro terminara.
Theo es mi personaje favorito de esta serie, me encantó TODO sobre este personaje! Me enamoraron los secretos que guarda respecto a sus sentimientos por Lucy y como se van revelando a lo largo de la historia, me encanta su amistad con sus compañeros de equipo y la manera en la que todos se expresan lo mucho que se aman con naturalidad y claro que también disfruté mucho leyendo su personalidad tan dulce, adorable y coqueta. Pero creo que lo que más me gustó fue la manera en la que la historia de Theo con Lucy tiene cierta conexión emocional con la historia de los papás de Theo, y ESA conversación entre el y Nash fue, sin dudas, de los mejor en este libro.
Lucy & Theo son mejores amigos desde siempre y me gustó mucho que Cali Melle me mostrara ese lado de su relación, que siempre se tan obvio lo importantes que son el uno para la otra y que Theo esté ahí para Lucy aún cuando no sabe qué es lo que pasa, y que cuando se entera del embarazo sea aún más consiente de que no la va a dejar sola jamás, amo que ambos tengan dudas sobre si sus sentimientos son correspondidos o no y que aún así siempre tengan excelente comunicación, y aunque me gustó mucho que el spicy en este libro se fuera construyendo poco a poco, creo que la trama en general empezó un poco más lento de lo que me hubiera gustado, aún así este par se robó mi corazón y los voy a amar siempre.
🏒Theo: 5/5
🏒Lucy: 5/5
🏒trama: 4/5
🏒historia de amor: 4.5/5
🏒personajes secundarios: 5/5
🏒universo: 5/5
🏒portada: 5/5
🥵: 2/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review 📚✨
Thank you to Luna Literary and Cali Melle for the ARC! *As always, my reviews are honest and my own opinion*
If you love:
🏒 Hockey romance
💙 Best friends to lovers
🍼 Surprise pregnancy
🎭 Fake dating
🏡 Found family
✨ A hero who's absolutely, hopelessly devoted to his girl...like DOWN BAD.
💙 NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP!!!!!!!!!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Then what are you waiting for? This is such a cute and quick read. I think I consumed this in one setting. :)
One of the reasons I love Cali's books is that they tend to be pretty low angst/drama. I like to read to escape. Sure, sometimes I like to be on the edge of my seat, but mostly I want to feel good about what I am reading. I want to have "Ahh" moments, and this one delivered!
Quick Summary: Lucy and Theo have been BFFs their whole lives. They have secretly loved one another. Lucy sees a picture of Theo with another woman and she has a drunken ONS and gets pregnant. The dad is an asshat and blocks her. Theo is all man and steps up to help her. Lucy has also just landed a job as an athletic trainer, so she is already overwhelmed and now pregnant, thinking she's on her own.
Lucy's parents are from the book Make Your Save, and Theo's are from Make Your Play. They have been besties since birth. Friends to lovers, for me, has to be done right. I usually don't prefer it if they are friends, then decide on a FWB situation. For some reason, it cheapens it for me. Thankfully, this is NOT the case. They start out "fake" for damage control, but it's never fake.
Okay, I'm trying to gather my thoughts because Theo has me POSITIVELY GIDDY. One thing I absolutely have to mention is that this isn't your typical hockey romance.
You know the one...the hero who's slept with half the city but insists, "It's always been you." 😅 That's a trope I personally struggle with because it makes it harder for me to fully buy into that lifelong, all-consuming love. In fact, I just did a review for another book, and that was my biggest complaint-the MMC in that book claimed to have loved the FMC, but he slept with everything coming and going. I just can't with it.
Theo is the complete opposite. 🥹
Very mild spoiler ahead...
Theo is actually a virgin.
Not because he had to be, but because, in his mind, there simply wasn't anyone else. He dated here and there because he'd convinced himself Lucy would never see him as more than her best friend, but no one ever made it past a first date or into his bed.
Y'all...SWOON. 😭💙
For me, that made every single one of his actions feel even more genuine. When Theo says Lucy has always been the one, his life actually reflects that. It made his devotion, patience, and unwavering support hit so much harder.
And can we talk about this slow burn? Because it was chef's kiss. 🤌
Don't get me wrong, I was impatient, but it was really good. (Some may find it immature but there is a dry humping scene that I was here for. Just throwing it out there.)
The relationship develops over the course of Lucy's pregnancy, and I loved that neither of them rushed into anything. Their biggest obstacle wasn't whether they loved each other; it was the fear of risking the friendship that had been the foundation of their entire lives. They were each other's person long before they became lovers, and you could feel how terrifying it was for both of them to potentially lose that.
Once they finally took that leap? ✨ Pure. Magic. ✨
Theo is 100% an acts-of-service hero. He isn't constantly making grand declarations of love, he shows it. He shows up. He notices what Lucy needs before she asks. He quietly takes things off her plate, supports her, protects her, and somehow manages to make every little gesture feel incredibly romantic.
Their chemistry is undeniable, but what I loved even more was the comfort between them. They already knew each other's quirks, habits, fears, and dreams. Watching that lifelong friendship naturally evolve into something deeper made the romance feel effortless and completely believable.
Honestly...Theo has become one of my favorite book boyfriends, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. 💙
The Baby Bluff is a super cute, emotion, romantic read that is full of heart. Theo is perfection, Lucy is great (but, you don't have to do everything on your own, sis), and their story is the right mix of swoon, tension, tenderness, love, spice, and found family. It's hockey but without manwhores and with protective heroes. Add it to your list and then let me know how much you loved it!
Thank you to Luna Literary and Cali Melle for the ARC! *As always, my reviews are honest and my own opinion*
If you love:
🏒 Hockey romance
💙 Best friends to lovers
🍼 Surprise pregnancy
🎭 Fake dating
🏡 Found family
✨ A hero who's absolutely, hopelessly devoted to his girl...like DOWN BAD.
💙 NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP!!!!!!!!!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Then what are you waiting for? This is such a cute and quick read. I think I consumed this in one setting. :)
One of the reasons I love Cali's books is that they tend to be pretty low angst/drama. I like to read to escape. Sure, sometimes I like to be on the edge of my seat, but mostly I want to feel good about what I am reading. I want to have "Ahh" moments, and this one delivered!
Quick Summary: Lucy and Theo have been BFFs their whole lives. They have secretly loved one another. Lucy sees a picture of Theo with another woman and she has a drunken ONS and gets pregnant. The dad is an asshat and blocks her. Theo is all man and steps up to help her. Lucy has also just landed a job as an athletic trainer, so she is already overwhelmed and now pregnant, thinking she's on her own.
Lucy's parents are from the book Make Your Save, and Theo's are from Make Your Play. They have been besties since birth. Friends to lovers, for me, has to be done right. I usually don't prefer it if they are friends, then decide on a FWB situation. For some reason, it cheapens it for me. Thankfully, this is NOT the case. They start out "fake" for damage control, but it's never fake.
Okay, I'm trying to gather my thoughts because Theo has me POSITIVELY GIDDY. One thing I absolutely have to mention is that this isn't your typical hockey romance.
You know the one...the hero who's slept with half the city but insists, "It's always been you." 😅 That's a trope I personally struggle with because it makes it harder for me to fully buy into that lifelong, all-consuming love. In fact, I just did a review for another book, and that was my biggest complaint-the MMC in that book claimed to have loved the FMC, but he slept with everything coming and going. I just can't with it.
Theo is the complete opposite. 🥹
Very mild spoiler ahead...
Theo is actually a virgin.
Not because he had to be, but because, in his mind, there simply wasn't anyone else. He dated here and there because he'd convinced himself Lucy would never see him as more than her best friend, but no one ever made it past a first date or into his bed.
Y'all...SWOON. 😭💙
For me, that made every single one of his actions feel even more genuine. When Theo says Lucy has always been the one, his life actually reflects that. It made his devotion, patience, and unwavering support hit so much harder.
And can we talk about this slow burn? Because it was chef's kiss. 🤌
Don't get me wrong, I was impatient, but it was really good. (Some may find it immature but there is a dry humping scene that I was here for. Just throwing it out there.)
The relationship develops over the course of Lucy's pregnancy, and I loved that neither of them rushed into anything. Their biggest obstacle wasn't whether they loved each other; it was the fear of risking the friendship that had been the foundation of their entire lives. They were each other's person long before they became lovers, and you could feel how terrifying it was for both of them to potentially lose that.
Once they finally took that leap? ✨ Pure. Magic. ✨
Theo is 100% an acts-of-service hero. He isn't constantly making grand declarations of love, he shows it. He shows up. He notices what Lucy needs before she asks. He quietly takes things off her plate, supports her, protects her, and somehow manages to make every little gesture feel incredibly romantic.
Their chemistry is undeniable, but what I loved even more was the comfort between them. They already knew each other's quirks, habits, fears, and dreams. Watching that lifelong friendship naturally evolve into something deeper made the romance feel effortless and completely believable.
Honestly...Theo has become one of my favorite book boyfriends, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. 💙
The Baby Bluff is a super cute, emotion, romantic read that is full of heart. Theo is perfection, Lucy is great (but, you don't have to do everything on your own, sis), and their story is the right mix of swoon, tension, tenderness, love, spice, and found family. It's hockey but without manwhores and with protective heroes. Add it to your list and then let me know how much you loved it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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