Libby Bennet Fakes a Husband: A Sweet Hockey Romance

by Ranee S. Clark

This marriage is strictly a business deal. Zero romance and zero chance I’ll let a charming guy ruin everything again.

Ten years ago I blew up my life on national television. Now I’m taking control of the narrative—buying a hockey team and trading on the sport’s popularity to guarantee that everyone is paying attention when I step back into the spotlight on my terms.

There’s just one problem. The league board won’t approve the deal unless I look … stable.

So I propose to my new consultant, former pro hockey player, Jordan Atkinson.

That’s right. Propose marriage ... nothing says stable like an impromptu engagement.

Now we’re telling the world we’ve been secretly in love for six months—convincing my family, surviving the cameras, and pretending this is all very real.

Because it’s not supposed to be.

Except Jordan is exactly the kind of man I swore I’d never trust charming, confident, and way too good at getting past my defenses. So I set rules. Firm boundaries.

But he keeps proving me wrong. Respecting my limits, showing up when it matters, and making me question everything I thought I knew about men like him.

And that’s the most dangerous story of all.

Libby Bennet Fakes a Husband is a closed-door, marriage of convenience hockey romance with a one bed situation, forced proximity, and a heroine who refuses to be charmed by the hot hockey player.

Genres: Romance, Marriage Of Convenience, Hockey, Sports Romance, Contemporary

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2026

About the author

During her early years of reading, Ranee` S. Clark devoured fantasy books, which continued into her adulthood—since she often believes that a well-written romance novel is a delightful fantasy. Though raising three boys can sometimes hamper both romance with her own Mr. Charming and her writing, she tries to get a little of both in every day. And most of the time she succeeds.

Reviews

[Sian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really thought I was going to love this going in, considering my track record for really enjoying the prior Houston Pumas books, but I was disappointed by this spin-off. This fell flat for me pretty immediately. I could not get behind the impetus for Libby and Jordan's romance. It felt so forced and I did not like Libby's decision-making skills. I think more effort and creativity should have been put into that marriage of convenience. And the depth just never got there for me.

The first half and the second half felt so disconnected. It felt like a switch was flipped and all of sudden they were falling for one another. All of the main elements got oddly repetitive too. I also don't think there was enough hockey for this to be considered a hockey romance and the reality TV show aspect felt barely there. And overall I liked the MMC more than the FMC. I really struggled to finish this and had to switch from physical to kindle just keep some momentum going.

There were some fun and cute moments. And if you've read the connected Houston Pumas books, like I have, I think this is worth reading just for continuity sake. If we get Caleb's story or another Houston Pumas romance I'll definitely read it! I was sent a copy to read and review by the author but these are my thoughts. I do recommend reading the Houston Pumas books first (at least Not That Impressed) or you'll be missing some back story, they take place 10 years prior to this one.

In this book:
-marriage of convenience
-he falls first
-dual-POV (first person)
-celebrity/billionaire FMC
-golden retriever MMC
-former hockey player

Content Guide:
romance - clean
language - clean
violence - clean

Potential Content Warnings:
-past SA and kidnapping referenced (non-descriptive)
-fraud/financial scam/extortion
-reference to a side character's infertility struggles

[Kim Golding · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Jordan is actually the type of guy I stay far away from. I won’t hold his good looks and pro-athlete résumé against him, but the charming guys are the ones I keep at arm’s length. Is there such a thing as stilts for arms? I would keep him at stilt-arm’s length. Because those charming ones are the ones that get ya.”

Libby Bennett Fakes a Husband is the cute story of Libby, a reality TV star/business woman (whom we met in Not That Impressed) and Jordan, a former hockey player/non-profit owner. When Libby needs a husband to make herself appear more adequate to buy a hockey team, Jordan seems like the perfect person to do the job. Of course, neither of them expect us to become anything more than a business deal…

I loved Jordan and Libby’s story! After the mess Libby found herself in 10 years ago, she has some trust issues and some trauma making it hard for her to trust men. However, Jordan was the literal sweetest and did an amazing job of showing Libby what a real man can be like and earning her trust over time! I loved that he took care of her, cooked for her, helped her whenever possible, and also honored the boundaries they agreed upon. He was such a sweet and gentle giant!! I thought they had great chemistry and just enough tension to keep me invested!!

Favorite quotes:

0Jordan Atkinson is so gorgeous it’s painful, and he even smells good, a musky, sporty scent that’s intoxicating. I could snuggle up to him for hours. Giving in to those impulses is dangerous. Dangerous enough that I should pull the plug on the whole thing. Surely, I could get out of the network contracts in a couple years. Plus, his flirting with me is so second nature, he doesn’t even realize he’s doing it half the time. Guys like that are dangerous with a capital D.”

“Light kiss coming—that okay?” he murmurs. “Yep.” Of course. Totally fine. Means nothing. He tilts his head and drops the barest of kisses on my lips. His lips are soft and my inclination is to lean into it, hold him closer for longer. Kissing him doesn’t feel safe at all, but it feels addicting.”

[Haley Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby Bennet Fakes a Husband @raneesclark
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🫑Kisses only
No Swearing

We first meet Libby in "Not That Impressed," and she's a character that you just can't wait to learn more about and see get a happily ever after!
Libby is desperate to rewrite her story and pull away from the label slapped on her due to her past. When she purchases a minor league hockey team and meets former player Jordan, a plan begins to form!
I adore this strangers to lovers story where we get to watch Libby and Jordan learn all of the little things about one another and slowly fall in love with someone they never expected.
Bonus points for a little side of suspense!

Libby Bennet Fakes a Husband is OUT NOW!! *You don't need to read Not That Impressed first*

Thank you to Ranee S Clark for my gifted ARC. All thoughts are completely my own 💜

[Jessica Dowling (jesslostinpages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Libby just bought an amateur hockey team, even though she doesn’t know anything about hockey. 10 years ago she went through something pretty traumatic. She wants to show others that she is independent and capable of doing things without the help of others. Because of her trauma, she has a hard time trusting men that are charming and seem too good to be true.

She meets Jordan, a retired hockey player, at a fundraising event. He seems like the perfect person to hire as a consultant to help her with the hockey team. He is more than thrilled to join her in Denver to help her.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Libby asks Jordan to enter into a business arrangement with her — a marriage! Jordan is sweet, charming, flirty, and seems too good to be true. They become good friends, but she is having a hard time trusting her heart due to her past.

Jordan is a green flag all the way!! He takes care of Libby, he respects her boundaries, he cooks for her, and goes at her pace. The friendship between them was so natural and easy. I thoroughly enjoyed their story!!

I received a digital copy from the author. All opinions shared are mine.

[DayDreamer8912 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rate: 5/5
Genre: Clean/Sports Romance
🚨TW: mentions about being kidnapped, being manipulated, being assaulted, being scammed

Read it if you like
🏒 Dual POV
🏒 sports romance
🏒 Marriage of Convenience
🏒 He falls first
🏒 forced proximity
🏒 Protective MMC
🏒 Bossy Big Sisters
🏒 One bed


Favourite Moments
🏒 They first meet.
🏒 Moments with Ellie and Baylee
🏒 Them flirting, teasing and opening up to each other.
🏒 Them working together to find the best players for the hockey team
🏒 Them pretending to be a fake husband and wife (can’t spoil it)
🏒 Him cooking for her.
🏒 Trying to figure out whether the people who were scammed are really scammed (can’t spoil it)
(and lots more)

Swoony Moments
🏒 He falls first
🏒 He is there whenever she needs him.
🏒 He cooks for her. (can’t help it)
🏒 He loves and cares for her.
🏒 He respects her and waits for her.

Synopsis
Libby
The youngest daughter of the Bennet family who is trying her best to show that she can take care of herself And make her own decisions.

Jordan
A former Hockey player who is helping his sister to try to help those who got scammed by his sister’s Ex.

She planned to buy over a hockey team but in order to do that she will need a person who could help her as she has zero knowledge about hockey. She found someone suitable, Jordan and decided to propose to him. Will he accept? Will they worked together To make the hockey team to the top? Read Libby Bennet Fakes a Husband to find out!!

Review:
These two are just so sweet together. Love this marraige of convenience love story. They both helped each other with their situations and work together as a team for the hockey team that she bought over. They also work together with Caleb to find the scammer which scammed a lot of people using his sister’s name in the accounts.(can’t spoil too much of this will have to read to find out)

They opened up to each other and feelings grew. They are there for each other, encourage each other and also compliment each other telling each other they are great at what they do. And also love that he respected her and willing to wait for her because of what happened during her previous relationship 10 years ago.

Love that their sisters are always there to listen and help them through their feelings for each other. This book made me smile, laugh, swoon and also trying to figure out the little mystery of it hehe…

P.S Would like to be part of the investigation group. Hehe…and also hope that Baylee will have her happily ever after too.

This is Ellie’s sister’s Libby’s love story. If you read Ellie’s story entitled Not So Impressed before you will know what exactly happened to Libby when she is 17 years old. If you have not read Ellie’s story please do.

I was gifted complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own. Thanks @raneesclark for the ARC copy .

Can't wait to read her other books.

You can purchase this book on Amazon and it is available on KU.

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

We met Libby in Not That Impressed; she's the youngest Bennet daughter and I was excited to see her get her own story. Coming from a football dynasty, Libby takes a huge leap when she purchases a minor league hockey team. Determined to succeed despite knowing next to nothing about hockey, she hires former professional player Jordan Atkinson as a consultant to help her pick a coach and scout players—all the hockey things she needs help with.

When the board hesitates to approve the purchase, Libby makes a split-second decision that changes everything—she claims that she and Jordan have been secretly dating. Suddenly, the two find themselves caught up in a very public engagement and marriage arrangement while trying to convince everyone around them that their relationship is real. Of course, we know from the beginning that this "business arrangement" won't stay strictly business for long.

I loved the chemistry between Libby and Jordan. While the attraction is obvious from the start, the emotional development of their relationship is what made this story shine. Jordan seemed to fall first, and watching him patiently prove himself to Libby was one of my favorite parts of the book. Because of a painful experience in her past, Libby is understandably wary of charming, handsome men, and Jordan never ignored those fears or treated Libby's hesitations as something he needed to "fix." Instead, he respected her boundaries, supported her dreams, and gave her the space she needed to learn to trust.

If you enjoy sweet sports romances, marriage-of-convenience tropes, strong family connections, and heroes who are patient, supportive, and completely devoted, this is a book you'll definitely want to add to your reading list.

I received a digital copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reader’s Notes:

*Series or Connected Books?* stand-alone

*Libby is first met as a teenager in Not That Impressed, but it doesn’t need to be read to enjoy this book (this book occurs 10 years after the events in Not That Impressed)

*Point Of View:* Libby & Jordan

*Any Cursing Or Possibly Offensive Language?* there is one mention of a character swearing, but no words used on page

*Romance?* Yes! Just kisses

-during some of the kisses (about 2) it is briefly mentioned that a character moans

*Things To Know:*

–it is mentioned that a character had been groomed & taken advantage of by an adult when they were a teenager (past event – sexual assault)

-it is mentioned that a character scammed others

-it is briefly mentioned that a couple (side characters) struggled with infertility

Review:

Yay!!!! I had been hoping Libby Bennet would get her own story and it was so much better than anything I thought her story would be like! I loved how her past formed her future (the good aspects anyways) and that she ended up helping others who experienced things like she had. I loved the way things unfolded with Jordan and just who he was as a person! Though he was the one unexpectedly pulled into the marriage of convenience, Jordan was beyond respectful of Libby and her subtle needs in terms of boundaries in the moment. I also loved getting to see some cameos of past characters we met in the Houston Pumas Sports Romance series!

Summary:

Libby Bennet feels the need to make a major change in her life’s trajectory so that she can regain control of her life’s story. And the first step to make it there is by gaining ownership of a hockey team to ride the popularity of the sport. But when the league board who was meant to approve her purchase starts questioning Libby’s abilities as a possible owner, she makes the hasty and perhaps questionable decision to tell them she’s about to get married to her new consultant Jordan. Jordan not only accepting it, but also letting Libby take the reins of their relationship is not how she expected Jordan to react. And when their faking seems all too real, Libby has to figure out if she’d truly want their marriage to be real or if her past has made her not ready for that possibility at this point in her life…

Jordan thought he’d be hobnobbing with the rich elite for awhile to help his hometown regain their footing after being victims of a scammer. But when one of his donors introduces him to Libby Bennet, all of Jordan’s worries are quickly and easily erased by her checkbook. And with all that’s left is distributing those funds, Jordan is free to find a job to last him until his retirement. He never expected that Libby would provide him a dream job as well as the chance to show her his gratitude. But when his new job and her desires for the future are put in jeopardy and the only way to move forward is by agreeing to be Libby’s fake husband, Jordan knows it’s a no brainer to accept the ruse. Especially when it give him a chance to step up and help Libby like she helped so many near and dear to his own heart.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐
This was a cute sweet romcom.

Libby has a past that haunts her and makes it hard to trust men. She wants to prove herself to her family and the world. She decides to buy a hockey team and start a reality show.

Jordan is a former hockey player who started a foundation to raise enough money to save his town. His sister's ex fiance stole a bunch of money from his family and his home town. He and Libby meet at a fundraiser and she agrees to pay the amount he needs if he will be her consultant as she navigates being the owner of the hockey team.

I think maybe I would have liked this more if I would have read Not That Impressed. With that being said I just didn't connect with Libby nor did I really like her. I get that she was a victim of a horrible crime, but Jordan and her relationship felt very unbalanced and not believable. She called all the shots from the very beginning and he just rolled over like a good dog and did whatever she wanted. I didn't like it. There is a difference between green flags and being a door mat. Also, the whole her wanting her life to be a reality show just didn't sit well for me. And him taking her last name after all of it felt very degrading for him. I just felt for Jordan because he was giving and serving her and she was stringing and yanking him around and he was fine with it! 😬 It felt like we were told that he was a manly man, but with all of Libby's restrictions they just stripped his masculinity. Also, there was like zero hockey, it was why I signed up to arc read.

I received an arc of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Billionaire FMC x ex hockey player MMC
Marriage of convenience
One bed
Business woman
Forced proximity

Remarks •
Closed door - just kisses
No language
TW - mentions off page of SA, trafficking, kidnapping, financial scam

[Kelli M. Stowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby and Jordan are the best! I adored their story and watching them go from strangers, to spouses, to friends, to more.

I loved that they were practically strangers when they decided to enter into their fake marriage. It’s a little different take on the marriage of convenience than I’m used to, and I really enjoyed that twist.

Libby is a fantastic character. She has not had the easiest life, even being the daughter of a billionaire (money really doesn’t buy all the happiness in the world, it turns out), and watching her growth from her teenage self (a mirror of Lydia Bennet in Pride and Prejudice) into an empowered boss lady adult was amazing. I really enjoyed seeing her internal battle between what she wanted and what she was willing to risk. She’s understandably a bit gun-shy, and I loved seeing her work through it all as she grew closer to Jordan.

Jordan is such a golden retriever! I loved that he was willing to do whatever it took to ensure Libby’s happiness, even when that’s watching a cheesy teen romcom with her! I loved seeing how he took care of everyone in his life and made sure people had what they needed. His family and hometown went through a lot, and it was wonderful watching him help ease those burdens and provide solutions.

I love when there is a mystery or conflict to solve that isn’t about the couple’s relationship, but something outside of themselves. The mystery in this story kept me on my toes as they raced to figure out who was behind it and how to resolve it.

This marriage of convenience, sports romance is a standalone novel with strong ties to the Houston Pumas series, and specifically “Not That Impressed”. It can be read on its own, but the experience is enhanced with having the back story from the previous books.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable read! I really liked this spin off of Not That Impressed and how we got to see Libby grow.
Libby was such an interesting character! I really liked how her character was portrayed in Not That Impressed because they humanized her. But now as an adult she was trying to get people to see her as more than a victim. I felt for her as she went through that journey, and it was interesting to see her personality shine even as an adult. She was still the same person, but she had grown a lot and was trying to help everyone else see that. While she tried to do this, she was also learning how to trust herself again. It was interesting to see her dynamics with Jordan, and her hesitation made a lot of sense for her character.
Oh my goodness Jordan was adorable! He was such a great fit for Libby because he respected her boundaries while still taking care of her. I would have loved to see a little more of his character arc, but it made sense to me that the focus of the book was Libby.
I loved getting to see the Bennets again too! There are a bunch of fun cameos throughout this book, but the focus of the book is Libby and Jordan. And their story kept me hooked! I finished this book in a couple of days because it was just so good. I would recommend this sweet, clean romance for anyone who loves romcoms!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.

[Jodi Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my goodness, I adored everything about Libby Bennet Fakes a Husband by Ranee S. Clark. From the Jane Austen tie-in to the marriage of convenience to the hockey romance, I could not put it down.

Libby, based on Lydia’s character in Pride and Prejudice, is 10 years removed from that famous incident with Grayson Hollis, Lydia’s own Mr. Wickham. Libby had grown and changed since that incident even though it still impacts her life. I loved how determined she was to be known for something other than that incident. She was brave and kind and hardworking. Clark did a beautiful job of addressing Libby’s past with tack and sensitivity. Libby’s character arc was paced beautifully with each interaction with Jordan healing her heart and mind a bit. I loved it so much

Jordan was a handsome, charming gentleman. Not only was he a retired hockey player, but he also ran a nonprofit foundation to help repay the money his sister’s ex-boyfriend swindled out of their neighbors. I loved how he showed up for Libby and was so patient with her. His heart was so good.

Things to love:
-marriage of convenience/fake marriage
-Jane Austen reimagined characters
-hockey romance
-chemistry and banter
-he falls first while she won’t admit that she fell at the same time
-blackmailing mystery
-good communication
-the ending

I adored this sweet story. The story addresses some heavier topics, but Clark balanced it out beautifully with the humor and romance. It was a joy to read this book.

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful romance from Ranee S. Clark!

Libby Bennet Fakes a Husband is a delightful spin-off from the Houston Pumas series featuring Libby Bennet, the youngest daughter of the Bennet family. While readers of the previous series will enjoy seeing familiar connections, this book can also be enjoyed as a standalone romance.

Libby takes on an unexpected challenge when she purchases a hockey team despite knowing very little about the sport. Determined to make the venture a success, she hires former professional hockey player Jordan Atkinson to help manage the team. When the board of directors questions her ability to lead and doubts her commitment, Libby comes up with an unconventional solution—a fake husband. Naturally, Jordan is the perfect candidate.

The fake-marriage trope is handled with charm, humour, and plenty of heart. The chemistry between Libby and Jordan develops naturally, making their journey both believable and enjoyable. I especially appreciated the supportive family dynamics and the strong character development throughout the story.

Ranee S. Clark once again delivers a sweet, clean romance filled with engaging characters, emotional depth, and a satisfying happily-ever-after. Fans of sports romances, fake relationships, and wholesome love stories will not be disappointed.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Happily Ever After, Page-turner, Romantic, Wonderful characters

[Randi Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've read Not That Impressed, you already know some of Libby's history, and if you haven't, I would highly recommend going back to read that one first. We're given enough backstory in this one that you'll absolutely be able to enjoy it as a standalone too, but this way you'll have a fuller history... and avoid any spoilers! In this story, ten years have passed and Libby is trying to prove to her family and the world that she is no longer that teenager... which leads to a marriage of convenience with a former pro hockey star. Jordan and Libby were so sweet together. Knowing her history in relationships, he truly was the perfect match for her- he's protective but still supportive of her independence, he falls first and hard but he's patient with her until she comes around, he's flirty and charming but he doesn't push past the boundaries that she has in place... I truly just loved them! It was so nice to see Libby get her happily ever after after all she had gone through as a teenager. If the romance wasn't enough, how about a little FBI appearance to keep things really interesting! I won't give anything away, but trust me, this is definitely one that you're going to want to experience for yourself!

Libby Bennet Fakes a Husband is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trust does not come easy for Libby Bennet. She has taken a leap of faith when she purchases a hockey team. She hires Jordan Atkinson to assist her in all things hockey, as he is a former pro player, and she definitely needs help.

When it looks like things are not going well with the board, she proposes to Jordan. A fake marriage seems like the perfect way to prove to the board that she is fully capable of doing her job and her life has stabilized.

Libby definitely has some issues to overcome. The author gives you her backstory so that you can more fully understand where she has been. Libby could not have chosen a better man to fake marry and help her through everything. She is a handful at times. Jordan is a mushy cinnamon roll hero who takes care of everyone around him. He has the patience of Job. He is a protector, who only lacks a cape to identify him as a superhero. I immediately liked him.

This author always delivers an enjoyable story with great characters that she builds throughout the book. I like to get to know characters as I read, the more information that is provided, the better I enjoy it. It makes the characters more realistic. This is a clean romance with a hint of mystery thrown in.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Simone Gremillion · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet hockey romance, with forced proximity and a marriage of convenience. This is a spin-off of the Houston Pumas (football) series. While you don’t have to read it to read this one, I highly recommend it as that series is really good as well.

Libby is trying to get the old image of herself off of people’s minds. What happened was years ago and she would like to be seen as a powerful business woman now. A billionaire and soon to be minor league hockey owner with one hitch, the board isn’t so sure she should be buying the team.

Jordan is retired from hockey and now helps to run a non-profit with his sister to help his hometown after someone took advantage of the people and it added up to millions.

When they meet at an event, Libby thinks she’s found the perfect consultant for her team and he knows she could help him with his project.

Some Favorite Quotes:
“It’s making me like him too much, and I can’t fall for my husband.”

““My wife will not be sleeping on the couch when there’s a perfectly good bed,” he says. Then he tilts his head at me in a way I can only describe as sassy and adds, “New rule.” My wife. I’m dead.”

#arcread #releaseday #cleanromcom #hockeyromance #hefallsfirst

**I received an advanced copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Leann Arave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby Bennett has had her share of ups and downs in her short 27 years. She is now on the brink of buying her own hockey team. To make a better show to the league and sponsors she makes the decision to find a fake husband, and Jordan Atkinson is that man. He is a former hockey player that would be able to assist her with the needs of the team.
This is only one part of this adventure filled story that will keep you on your toes. If you read Ms. Clark’s book, Not That Impressed, you would have learned some background on Libby. And while this book explains a lot of her background, I would highly suggest reading Not That Impressed first. It is also a fun clean sports romance.
It took me a little time to warm up to Libby, her character was very driven to prove her worth. She was all business with no time for fun. I liked Jordan right away, he’s a big puppy dog that you just want to hug. He is kind and generous, while also trying to make up for someone else’s wrongs. The story was engaging and fast paced. There were parts that were fun and lighthearted, while others were more serious, dealing with past trauma.
Family connections are a big part of this book. While I don’t condone lying to people. I did enjoy how much their families meant them. It is an easy sweet read that I highly recommend.

[Summer Naylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this may be my favorite romcom of the summer so far. I didn’t want to put it down. I loved the modern Pride and Prejudice retelling “Not that Impressed,” and it was fun to see Libby (and the Bennett family) ten years later. Libby overcame a very traumatic experience, gained an education, and became a successful businesswoman helping other girls who’ve unfairly been taken advantage of. She still can’t seem to get rid of the stereotype of her silly teenager persona from her family’s former reality tv show. In an effort to prove herself, to her family and the world, Libby buys a hockey team, determined to show her professionalism and strengths. But when she almost loses the purchase without a man/husband by her side, she says her new consultant, Jordan Atkinson, is actually her husband.

Jordan agrees to go through with getting married and anything they have to do so they both get the dream job they want. I absolutely love marriage of convenience love stories. Jordan is the sweetest, most kind and patient man. Libby still struggles to trust men after being used/mistreated by a man she loved years ago, even though she feels the undeniable pull toward Jordan. He respects her boundaries and proves to be everything he says he is. Watching them fall in love was such a treat!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ranee S Clark's sports romances are always so well done. They definitely make the reader want to keep reading and not put the book down.

This one has a couple of my favorite tropes. It's got a fake relationship mixed with a marriage of convenience. These tropes just go so well together. I love watching the couple try to navigate the fakeness, while trying to make things real, and trying to keep everything a secret at the same time. These tropes are so well done in this book.

I love that we get to see Libby get her happy story. Libby has gone through some hard things, the reader got to see that in Not That Impressed. This book does stand on it's own, but if you can, maybe read that one first. I love that Libby was able to overcome what happened to her and become a successful young woman. She worked hard to get to where she was. And she felt she had to marry Jordan because not everyone could see how amazing she was.

I loved that Jordan could see it. He knew she was amazing, and that he was going to just be a support so she could follow her dreams. I love that Jordan is a great guy. He had his own things to work on. And it was fun that the reader got to see how he handled some of the things he needed to as well.

This is such a cute book! I loved Jordan and Libby!

[Berly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a kisses only contemporary romcom. It isn't listed as part of a series, but it is closely connected to Not That Impressed. It could be helpful to read that one first in order to get Libby's background in real time rather than just hear about it in this story.

I really enjoyed the last half of this book. I love a marriage of convenience story, as is implied by the title of the book so I'm not spoiling anything there. The way this marriage happened was not my favorite, but I do realize that making a MoC story that is believable is very difficult since they don't really happen in real life now. One of the other "tropes" or whatever you'd like to call it, maybe a plot point, that I saw listed in the blurb was one bed. I really don't like that, even though this couple is married.

I did end up having Kindle assitive reader read the middle half of the book to me because of my schedule. I think that actually helped me get into the story more. I'm definitely an audiobook reader! I read the last 25 percent with my eyes and liked it quite a bit.

I was given the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet marriage-of-convenience romance with a touch of suspense woven throughout🤍

While I enjoyed the premise, I personally found myself wishing for a little more depth in Libby and Jordan’s relationship. Their journey felt a bit rushed at times, and I never fully connected with their chemistry the way I had hoped to.

I found myself feeling for both characters throughout the story. Libby had been through so much, and while her hesitation was understandable, there were moments when my heart especially went out to Jordan as he tried to navigate the mixed signals and uncertainty.

One aspect I really enjoyed was the suspense element. The mystery added an extra layer to the story and kept me interested in seeing how everything would unfold✨

Overall, this one had some enjoyable moments, but I personally would have loved a little more emotional depth and relationship development between the main characters.

🤍 Marriage of Convenience
✨ Billionaire FMC
🤍 Only One Bed
✨ Suspense Elements
🤍 Slow Burn
✨Golden Retriever MMC

🌶️: 1 Fade to Black scene that is very non-descriptive, Kisses Only
🤬: None
⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute sequel for Libby. I liked that we got to see her grown-up and mature, learning from her past. And both she and Jordan were developed well - though if you haven't read the others in the series you might not enjoy it as much. I liked how Jordan had dealt with a similar situation with his sister, so he knew how to be patient and supportive of Libby. And it was fun that the storyline with his sister continued, so there was some drama on the side besides the main story. The romance between Libby and Jordan was also developed well, not too rushed. I did wish there was a bit more about her ownership job/responsibilities, so we could see how she was qualified and what went into all of that (instead of just assuming it was going well from a couple of sentences), but overall it was a cute story, and just what I needed after a couple of duds to pull me out of a reading slump!

Content: references to sexual assault (not graphic), references to intimacy (not graphic).



I received this book free from the publisher/author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Shayla Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

LIBBY BENNET FAKES A HUSBAND
[A Sweet Hockey Romance]
by: Ranee S. Clark
@raneesclark

••I give 4 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

~This marriage is strictly a business deal. Zero romance and zero chance I’II let a charming guy ruin everything again…

LIBBY BENNET FAKES A HUSBAND, is an enjoyable closed-door, marriage of convenience hockey romance with a one bed situation, forced proximity, and a heroine who refuses to be charmed by the hot hockey player. I enjoyed the balance of both humor and heart within, and I loved watching characters come to see that there’s more to others than what they previously realized. I loved seeing characters be vulnerable, being understanding, and supporting each other for the better adding an extra layer of depth within to this cute story worth reading!🙌🏻📚🩷

•Content: no language, mentions about being kidnapped, being manipulated, being assaulted, being scammed; kisses only!

#libbybennetfakesahusband
#asweethockeyromance
#raneesclark
#allaboutthebestreads

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱:
Hockey Romance
She’s a Billionaire
He Falls First
Marriage of Convenience
Protective MMC
Forced Proximity
Just Kisses Swoony Romance
Lite Suspense
Redemption Story


This is a character-driven interconnected story to the 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝘂𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, where we first meet Libby, but it can be enjoyed as a standalone. Like all of Ranee’s books, it features irresistible characters, supportive family, and swoony, sweet romance.

Libby and Jordan go from strangers to boss/employee to a marriage of convenience when she purchases a hockey team. Jordan, a retired hockey player, is one of the good ones. He is respectful, patient, and supportive as Libby is dealing with past trauma, and he cooks for her!

Seriously, this is heartwarming, and Jordan really comes through with all the little special things he does. It was nice to see Libby come into her own, working through not only her past trauma but some of her internal struggles, having grown up in the spotlight. I liked the addition of an external mystery, which gave the story more depth and a little suspense.


Thank you | gifted | author @raneesclark

[Sophie Toovey · Rating 4 out of 5]

As my first book by this author, I did feel like I was stepping into an established world with a lot of character history already in place, but it was clear the series has tackled some deeper and more emotional topics along the way. The vulnerabilities and backstories gave the romance more weight, particularly with Libby’s struggles and the ways her past still shapes her decisions.

Jordan was cute. His understanding of Libby felt believable and compassionate, especially because of his experiences with his sister. He’s patient, supportive, and honestly behaves impeccably throughout the story. At times, though, I wished he’d been a little more flawed or humanised just to add more tension and bite to the romance.

There were some genuinely sweet and endearing moments in this marriage of convenience story, and it was a very easy read overall. I did struggle a little with Libby’s obsession with controlling the narrative and public perception — it made her harder to empathise with at points. But this is a fun book to escape in.

[Chelsy Sandel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love getting to ARC read Raneé’s books. And it was so fun to add in a marriage of convenience with hockey, instead of our usual football players (Raneé writes some really good swoon-worthy football players).

I fell in love with her previous book that had the characters in a reality show, so of course I loved this one too! There was a lot less of the reality show part and more about plot, which was totally fine.

Raneé knows how to write a good book boyfriend. Jordan is everything a man should be! And the fact that he made dinner so often, amazing! I love him and Libby together.

She still had some technical points about hockey with it being her first hockey romance. You couldn’t tell that it was her first, she still killed it and wrote a great story!

I love the suspense of Jordan working with the FBI and being blackmailed too. Just added another fun layer to this bean dip.

I missed the Bennet’s, so I’m glad we got to revisit them years later. I applaud you Raneé! Thank you for another great book!

[Desiree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been this authors fan so I was happy to give this one a try even when it has some least favorite tropes. (Marriage of convience, shared bed) However, with all fiction, movies or print, there's a need to have some suspension of belief. I think these two tropes were done well and those who aren't fans but have liked this series and author should really give it a shot. I think this can be read as a stand alone but best enjoyed in order. The heroine has had some trauma in the past that really made it difficult for her to trust and that part of the plot I also felt was written well and thoughtfully done. The Hero was just right for her. Those two were great characters by themselves as well. They were adults and had solid conversations about their situation. I loved the ending and how the story gets wrapped up for both of their past struggles. I wouldn't mind a spin off of the hero's sister. It was overall a good read and sad this series is come to an end.

[Megan | Reads Alotl Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've reach Not That Impressed, you are acquainted with Libby. While not absolutely necessary to read it, I think it makes a richer experience because you have Libby's backstory. Also...Marriage of Convenience...IYKYK.

Everything I wanted/needed for Libby, absolutely happened in this book. I loved her grit, determination and her self reflection. She has been through a lot and watching her learn to trust again, was so good. Jordan is the perfect MCC! His ability to respect her boundaries, support her, and earn her trust while keeping his feelings in check was not an easy task. He was clearly made for the job and the perfect person to help Libby heal and learn to trust during their MOC. All the little things he does for Libby, how could she not fall for him?!? Did I mention what Jordan is doing for his sister and their small town community...seriously...he's perfect!

I enjoyed being back with the Bennet's and all the fun characters.

[The Flipped Page (Susan K) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, contemporary Austen inspired hockey romance

Romance, sweet, contemporary; series but stand alone read
Libby and Jordan’s story is a fun romance with a serious backstory for Jordan. They meet as he is trying to raise obey for a foundation to help families scammed by Jordan’s sister’s significant other.
Libby realizes after meeting with a Hockey franchise owners and their suggestion that marriage to Jordan would get her the ok to purchase a team. Jordan agrees after she pays a generous donation to the foundation. As they interact with each other after eloping, their marriage if convenience becomes comfortable and so much more as Jordan proves over and over his kindness, consideration, and his genuine affection and eventually sweet live for Libby.
Told from alternating points of view with some cameos and moments with characters from past novels in this series, and a fun hockey backstory it was a fantastic fun escape! Would have loved more hockey but sti fun.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby was such an interesting character! I really liked how her character was portrayed in Not That Impressed because they humanized her. But now as an adult she was trying to get people to see her as more than a victim. I felt for her as she went through that journey, and it was interesting to see her personality shine even as an adult. She was still the same person, but she had grown a lot and was trying to help everyone else see that. While she tried to do this, she was also learning how to trust herself again. It was interesting to see her dynamics with Jordan, and her hesitation made a lot of sense for her character.

Jordan was adorable! He was such a great fit for Libby because he respected her boundaries while still taking care of her. I would have loved to see a little more of his character arc, but it made sense to me that the focus of the book was Libby

[Kass Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

O my goodness! This book is absolutely adorable! I’m a sucker for a good fake relationship story, and this one delivered all the sweet, awkward, heart melting moments I could have hoped for! The chemistry between Libby and her ‘fake’ husband felt so natural that I found myself grinning through most of the book! Their journey from "pretending" to something much more real was packed with charm, laughs, and plenty of swoony moments!

While this book is fantastic as a standalone, I personally recommend reading Not That Impressed first! It adds extra depth to the characters and makes returning to this world even more enjoyable! That said… Libby’s story completely shines on its own! It’s the kind of romance that leaves you smiling long after you finish the last page and wishing you could spend just a little more time with these characters!