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The Bet: A Fake Dating College Hockey Romance: Ocean Cove University #1
Win a free print copy of this book!
11 days and 15:51:47
5 copies available
U.S. only
One hockey player. One artistic swimmer. One bet that changes everything.
Welcome to Ocean Cove University, where the weather is hot, but the tension is higher. Here, romance is the last thing on the curriculum—until it becomes the only thing that matters.
The Bet is a fake dating romance between a hockey player and an artistic swimmer. Blurb coming soon!
Fake Dating, Hockey Romance, College Romance, FMC Athlete.
This is Book 1 in a new series, Ocean Cove University.
Dual POV.
Welcome to Ocean Cove University, where the weather is hot, but the tension is higher. Here, romance is the last thing on the curriculum—until it becomes the only thing that matters.
The Bet is a fake dating romance between a hockey player and an artistic swimmer. Blurb coming soon!
Fake Dating, Hockey Romance, College Romance, FMC Athlete.
This is Book 1 in a new series, Ocean Cove University.
Dual POV.
462 pages, Paperback
Published April 20, 2026
About the author
Kelcie James
2 books20 followersHi! I'm Kelcie James, and I write new adult sports romance. Thank you for checking out my Ocean Cove University series. I've been writing for as long as I can remember, and if I'm at home at night, there's a 99.9 percent chance sports might be on TV, LOL. So it's a perfect marriage for me. I'm also an iced coffee addict and usually drink that as I write. xoxo Kelcie
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 13, 2026
The Bet is a fun, flirty college sports romance centered on Grace, an artistic swimmer trying to focus on her goals, and Wyatt, a hockey player who wants nothing to do with distractions—until a fake dating scheme to shut down a humiliating frat bet turns into something real.
What I loved most was the chemistry between Grace and Wyatt from the start. Their banter feels natural, and the fake dating setup quickly turns into a slow emotional unraveling where both characters start to see each other beyond the surface. Grace is strong, driven, and refreshing as an FMC athlete, and Wyatt balances “focused hockey guy” with unexpectedly soft, green-flag energy.
The sports college setting adds a lot of charm, especially with the mix of artistic swimming and hockey—it’s a nice change of pace and makes the world feel fresh. The found-family vibe and supporting cast also hint at a series that’s going to be fun to follow.
The writing is easy to read and engaging, with just enough spice and emotional development to keep things addictive without losing the lighthearted tone.
A sweet, steamy, feel-good fake dating romance with heart, humor, and real growth.
What I loved most was the chemistry between Grace and Wyatt from the start. Their banter feels natural, and the fake dating setup quickly turns into a slow emotional unraveling where both characters start to see each other beyond the surface. Grace is strong, driven, and refreshing as an FMC athlete, and Wyatt balances “focused hockey guy” with unexpectedly soft, green-flag energy.
The sports college setting adds a lot of charm, especially with the mix of artistic swimming and hockey—it’s a nice change of pace and makes the world feel fresh. The found-family vibe and supporting cast also hint at a series that’s going to be fun to follow.
The writing is easy to read and engaging, with just enough spice and emotional development to keep things addictive without losing the lighthearted tone.
A sweet, steamy, feel-good fake dating romance with heart, humor, and real growth.
May 15, 2026
ARC Review:
From the start you get pulled in with a fun, slightly scandalous premise - turning a degrading bet into a power move - and completely delivers on ever level.
Grace Walsh is strong, self-aware, and determined to take control of her own narrative. Sharing her flip the script on a humiliating situation made her instantly easy to root for!
Wyatt Jacobs? For someone who has never done relationships, he was total book boyfriend material! What begins as a simple arrangement t quickly evolves into something layered and meaningful, his growth throughout the story is just as satisfying as the romance itself. The dynamic between Grace and Wyatt is electric - there’s banter, tension, vulnerability, and that perfect slow burn buildup that keeps you hooked.
What really stands out is how the story balances fun college romance tropes (fake dating, athlete hero) with deeper themes like self-worth, pressure from family, and staying true to yourself.
As the line between fake and real starts to blur, the chemistry becomes undeniable - and the payoff is so worth it
From the start you get pulled in with a fun, slightly scandalous premise - turning a degrading bet into a power move - and completely delivers on ever level.
Grace Walsh is strong, self-aware, and determined to take control of her own narrative. Sharing her flip the script on a humiliating situation made her instantly easy to root for!
Wyatt Jacobs? For someone who has never done relationships, he was total book boyfriend material! What begins as a simple arrangement t quickly evolves into something layered and meaningful, his growth throughout the story is just as satisfying as the romance itself. The dynamic between Grace and Wyatt is electric - there’s banter, tension, vulnerability, and that perfect slow burn buildup that keeps you hooked.
What really stands out is how the story balances fun college romance tropes (fake dating, athlete hero) with deeper themes like self-worth, pressure from family, and staying true to yourself.
As the line between fake and real starts to blur, the chemistry becomes undeniable - and the payoff is so worth it
May 20, 2026
You know a book is good when you accidentally stay up until 2 a.m. finishing it 😭
For fans of:
Fake dating
College romance
Hockey romance
FMC athlete
Found family vibes
Dual POV
This was such a fun, bingeable sports romance. I got hooked so fast and kept telling myself “just one more chapter” until suddenly it was the middle of the night. Grace and Wyatt had really good chemistry from the start and I loved their banter. The fake dating trope was done really well and I liked that the relationship slowly became more emotional as they got to know each other better. Grace was probably my favorite part though. I loved having an FMC athlete and she felt driven, independent, and easy to root for. Wyatt also surprised me because underneath the typical hockey player vibe he was actually really sweet. The college sports setting was really fun too, especially with the mix of hockey and artistic swimming.
Overall this was cute, spicy, easy to read, and honestly just a really good time.
For fans of:
Fake dating
College romance
Hockey romance
FMC athlete
Found family vibes
Dual POV
This was such a fun, bingeable sports romance. I got hooked so fast and kept telling myself “just one more chapter” until suddenly it was the middle of the night. Grace and Wyatt had really good chemistry from the start and I loved their banter. The fake dating trope was done really well and I liked that the relationship slowly became more emotional as they got to know each other better. Grace was probably my favorite part though. I loved having an FMC athlete and she felt driven, independent, and easy to root for. Wyatt also surprised me because underneath the typical hockey player vibe he was actually really sweet. The college sports setting was really fun too, especially with the mix of hockey and artistic swimming.
Overall this was cute, spicy, easy to read, and honestly just a really good time.
May 15, 2026
The artistic swimmer and the hockey player share a deep connection and sizzling chemistry.
The Bet by Kelcie James is a fun, loving, sweet romance between two dedicated athletes who share respect and commitment to their chosen sports and family life problems.
Their connection is instant and their personalities match perfectly.
What starts off as fake doesn’t stay that way for long.
Wyatt’s sweetness and support and Grace’s ability to see beyond the player turns their fake dating agreement into a long lasting one.
Grace and Wyatt care, protect and see the best in each other while battling out with their families and their lack of support and learning how to speak for themselves.
Kelcie James writes about friendship, commitment, family, independence, soulmates with enough spice to make you slightly blush and emotional depth to keep you engaged.
Thank you for the ARC.
The Bet by Kelcie James is a fun, loving, sweet romance between two dedicated athletes who share respect and commitment to their chosen sports and family life problems.
Their connection is instant and their personalities match perfectly.
What starts off as fake doesn’t stay that way for long.
Wyatt’s sweetness and support and Grace’s ability to see beyond the player turns their fake dating agreement into a long lasting one.
Grace and Wyatt care, protect and see the best in each other while battling out with their families and their lack of support and learning how to speak for themselves.
Kelcie James writes about friendship, commitment, family, independence, soulmates with enough spice to make you slightly blush and emotional depth to keep you engaged.
Thank you for the ARC.
May 16, 2026
omg this book was so easy to read and I never got bored. It was a swimmer x hockey players college romance which is always a good read in my opinion
I loved the main characters connection throughout the whole book and how the had an easy connection from the start. The mmc is just so book boyfriend material.
I also loved we got to see some sorority bonding and in particular the mood board scene so cute and very college accurate.
Thank you to lovenotes pr and the author for letting me read this arc
I loved the main characters connection throughout the whole book and how the had an easy connection from the start. The mmc is just so book boyfriend material.
I also loved we got to see some sorority bonding and in particular the mood board scene so cute and very college accurate.
Thank you to lovenotes pr and the author for letting me read this arc
May 16, 2026
Wyatt and Grace are just so perfect. From the first page to the last line, they were fake dating magic. I loved how they slowly learned each other and their fake romance just blossomed from there. It was utter magic.
The slow burn was so pure and yet so damn hawt. Nothing compares when both characters know where they stand with each other and know their feelings when it comes to moments as hot as they are.
There were so many good side characters, whose stories I can't wait to read!!!
Thank you Kelcie and Love notes PR for an advanced copy.
The slow burn was so pure and yet so damn hawt. Nothing compares when both characters know where they stand with each other and know their feelings when it comes to moments as hot as they are.
There were so many good side characters, whose stories I can't wait to read!!!
Thank you Kelcie and Love notes PR for an advanced copy.
May 20, 2026
ARC Review
This was a fun, quick read. There was no 3rd act breakup and there was a lot of open communication. I loved that. You could see Grace and Wyatt slowly become more confident and learn to stand up for themselves and speak out about injustices in their lives.
For me, I felt like the beginning and the middle of the book was dragged out at bit while the ending was rushed. I would have liked to have seen how everything slowly worked out instead of being given a brief summary of it.
But other than that it was a good book
This was a fun, quick read. There was no 3rd act breakup and there was a lot of open communication. I loved that. You could see Grace and Wyatt slowly become more confident and learn to stand up for themselves and speak out about injustices in their lives.
For me, I felt like the beginning and the middle of the book was dragged out at bit while the ending was rushed. I would have liked to have seen how everything slowly worked out instead of being given a brief summary of it.
But other than that it was a good book
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Bet is the story of Grace and Wyatt. We see their meet-cute and their relationship grow throughout the first month of a new school year at OCU.
I really enjoyed this book. The romance is sweet with a good dash of spice. It's an Artistic Swimming romance disguised as a Hockey romance and I love it. It's great to see the FMCs play sports, too! I liked reading about the MCs trials outside of sports and the family dynamics.
Looking forward to more from Kelcie James and the OCU world.
I really enjoyed this book. The romance is sweet with a good dash of spice. It's an Artistic Swimming romance disguised as a Hockey romance and I love it. It's great to see the FMCs play sports, too! I liked reading about the MCs trials outside of sports and the family dynamics.
Looking forward to more from Kelcie James and the OCU world.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a really great book! I really enjoyed the set up of this story. A really fun fake dating book. Wyatt and Grace are both athletes so they had a lot in common. They had a lot of chemistry from the beginning of the book, it was really amazing to see them grow as a couple.
The author introduced a group of friends that I'm sure will all get their stories. I'm excited to see who is next.
A wonderful book about friendship, love and finding yourself..
The author introduced a group of friends that I'm sure will all get their stories. I'm excited to see who is next.
A wonderful book about friendship, love and finding yourself..
May 16, 2026
wow what a book.
first ill start with it was sweet and spicy!
i liked the book but was sad and felt like it was rushed towards the end and it could have been a novelle to pick up from where we left off or even a second book, still a good read x
tropes/triggers
fake dating
they both fall in LOVE!
no 3rd act brake up
no owd a bit of omd but nothing bad
collage romance
hockey
FMC athlete
growth in characters mc's
mmc's dad is an ahole
fmc's mum is a bch
first ill start with it was sweet and spicy!
i liked the book but was sad and felt like it was rushed towards the end and it could have been a novelle to pick up from where we left off or even a second book, still a good read x
tropes/triggers
fake dating
they both fall in LOVE!
no 3rd act brake up
no owd a bit of omd but nothing bad
collage romance
hockey
FMC athlete
growth in characters mc's
mmc's dad is an ahole
fmc's mum is a bch
May 13, 2026
Grace and Wyatt met when he showed up late for class and needed some saving. We have fake dating, friendships, slow burn, banter and swoony moments. Wyatt was the perfect boyfriend in every sense of the word! Some family drama on both ends that ircked me!! But happy endings for the either way 3.5 stars!
May 15, 2026
This was genuinely just a fun book. The story was cute and the whole delivery of the storyline was really cute. I’ve got such a soft spot for a fake dating storyline too and this one just furthered my love for the fake dating trope! I’m definetly looking forward to more from Kelcie James and more of the ocean cove university series
May 17, 2026
it saddens me to say that i could not connect to these characters at all, it felt really really fast paced, i wish it dove into things a little deeper. it felt really repetitive at times and somewhat predictable, it was very silly and lightheaded with so much potential and i wish so badly that i felt more connected to this book
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a sweet but sexy romance!!! Lots of spice. The characters have such growth over the course of the story it was a very enjoyable read!! I got an ARC from the author and loved it! Hope this is a series-I’m ready for the next installment!!!!!
May 20, 2026
this was a really good read. I love a college romance where the female is also an athlete!
grace and Wyatt had such a beautiful connection and I loved watching them absoutly work through all the obstacles especially with their families
well worth adding this to your tbr!
grace and Wyatt had such a beautiful connection and I loved watching them absoutly work through all the obstacles especially with their families
well worth adding this to your tbr!
May 14, 2026
Thank you for the ARC! I enjoyed this book!
May 15, 2026
4.75 ⭐️
May 17, 2026
3.75
Review coming soon!
Review coming soon!
May 19, 2026
Love this love story for Wy and Gracie! Definitely interested in reading more from this series. Would definitely recommend to anyone!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews