🏒 Hockey Romance 💞 Love Triangle ❤️ Best Friend's Brother 🔥 Fake Dating 🏠 Forced Proximity 💔 Second Chance Elements ✨ Childhood Crush 🥅 NHL Players 🖤 Angst and Emotional Drama 🌶️ Spicy Romance 🛡️ Protective Heroes 💞 Friends to Lovers Vibes ⚡ Teammate Rivals 💕 Small Town Connections ❤️ Multiple POV
Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you're looking for a hockey romance packed with angst, unresolved feelings, fake dating, and a love triangle that keeps you guessing, Falling Hard delivers all the drama and emotional tension. Told through the perspectives of Cal, Jonah, and Sutton, this story explores what happens when the past and present collide in ways none of them are prepared for.
Sutton has spent much of her life feeling overlooked and carrying the scars of old heartbreak. Returning home means facing memories she would rather leave behind, especially when she finds herself caught between the boy she once loved and the man who has become her safe place. I really appreciated Sutton's growth throughout the story as she slowly learned to stop settling for less and started putting herself first.
Cal, the broody best friend's older brother and Sutton's longtime crush, was full of regret and longing. Watching him come to terms with his mistakes and realize what he had lost brought plenty of emotional moments. His protective nature and determination to fight for a second chance created some of the most heartfelt scenes in the book.
Jonah quickly became one of my favorite characters. He was sweet, loyal, supportive, and impossible not to root for. His fake dating plan brought some lighter moments to balance the angst, but underneath it all was a hero willing to do whatever it took to protect the woman he loved. The rivalry between Jonah and Cal added another layer of tension, especially with the two men forced to play on the same team.
The chemistry between all three characters was undeniable, and M. George did an excellent job capturing the complicated emotions involved when love, jealousy, regret, and hope become tangled together. The story balances emotional moments with plenty of steam, humorous interactions, and the excitement of the hockey world.
What I enjoyed most was that the love triangle never felt overly dramatic for the sake of drama. Each character had understandable motivations, and their feelings felt genuine. The emotional push and pull kept me invested, and I found myself eager to see how everything would ultimately unfold.
Overall, Falling Hard is an entertaining and emotional hockey romance filled with second chances, fake dating, possessive heroes, and plenty of angst. Fans of complicated relationships, childhood crushes, and love triangles with high emotional stakes will definitely want to add this one to their TBR.
This book follows three main characters, Sutton, Callum and Jonah and it goes back and forth between the past and present. Sutton is our FMC and we see in her past that she was severely bullied growing up, most often due to her weight. She is best friends with Callum’s sister but when his sister has to move, she gets even closer with Callum. I’m going to focus on their relationship first. I had a hard time understanding why she was so upset with him. While reading the book it was made out like he did something unforgivable and she stepped away from the friendship. But in all the flashbacks we saw him sticking up for her and being there for her as much as he could. The only time I was annoyed with him was when he was dating Sara, who was one of Sutton’s worst bullies. But he did eventually break up with her for how she treated Sutton. In the present there was a lot of miscommunication and I was just wishing that she would talk to him so he could understand what was going on and why she was so distant.
Then there’s Jonah. He was so sweet. I loved that he met Sutton when she was at her lowest point and he stuck with her through everything. They have a deep friendship that has grown over the years, but they tend to stay in the friendship realm because they don’t want to ruin things. I found myself wanting them to go further and try and have more of a romantic relationship.
I liked the dynamic between the boys and how they start off not getting along but end up coming together for her sake. I hope that they continue to stick it out for her and that this doesn’t turn into a love triangle. It seemed like the boys had something brewing between them too, so I hope that we see more of that in book two.
The ending left me needing more!
This is my honest review but thanks to happily booked pr for the arc read!
Sutton was definitely a character I related to. Her struggles with self image, bullying and weight are all things I understand. This girl went through so much at such a young age. Even when everything was crumbling she had her bestie (until she had to move away) and Cal. I absolutely adored her relationship with Cal growing up and I definitely understand why she made the choices she did.
Cal was her bestie's brother but he became so much more over the years. Until she had to leave him behind to take care of herself. He went on to join the NHL just like he dreamed.
Jonah came into Sutton's life at a time she needed someone but refused to be a burden. Unfortunately Jonah understandstood where she was since he was visiting his brother. I love how Jonah just decided he was going to reach out and shoot his shot. Their friendship is so sweet and always hanging on the edge of more.
When both men end up on the same team things get messy. I adored that Jonah knew he had to let them figure out what was going on between them but also said I'm not stepping back. She can explore with both of us. (Seriously that scene was so hot🥵 🥵 🥵 🥵)
I love how this story is done in dual timelines and multiple povs. This allows us to see her relationships start and strengthen. While seeing the current struggles with what she wants.
I'm so freaking excited to see this truly become a poly pairing. These guys are so good together. You really see how things can be after she gets sick. There will definitely be issues that come up with that final revelation but I can't wait to see how they make it work.
This story is about a hockey love triangle that deals with some tough issues. Sutton has just moved to Seattle with her 'fake boyfriend' to support him during his first year as an NHL goalie. Even though they’ve been close, she doesn’t want to risk their friendship because he’s been there for her for years. She never thought she’d come back to Seattle, and she knows she’ll probably run into her childhood crush, Callum, since he’s on the same team. Callum is shocked to see Sutton again, especially since she’s dating his new teammate after disappearing from his life years ago, but he’s determined not to lose her this time. Jonah fell for Sutton early and believes their fake relationship is real, even if she still has feelings for Callum. Will they keep struggling with their feelings, or can they find a compromise before someone gets hurt? This is the first book in a duet, so it ends on a cliffhanger. I liked the characters and how each of them had their own struggles, like grief, family problems, eating disorders, and bullying. The chemistry between them was strong, and I hope the two main male characters get more focus in the next book. I also liked that the different points of view and time periods were easy to follow, though I did notice quite a few grammatical mistakes in this version. Overall, it’s a solid start to the series, and I’m excited to read the next book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My first M. George book and I'm glad it was this one cause it was everything. I'm not a hockey person but I've been finding myself slowly getting into some hockey books & I'm most definitely glad this is one of them. Ahhhh The MCs Sutton (FMC) & CAL (MC) in the beginning were just so sweet but frustrating for me loved how Cal was always there for her as like her protector cause she was picked on by bullies cause of her weight but she was hus Sisters best friend & so Sutton became like a sister & his friend but he also liked her but he would never admit it & he could tell she liked him as well but neither would admit they did as they thought the other didn't and that it would destroy their friendship. Finally after to many times of being bullied about her weight Sutton spirals and disappears from Cals life without explanation and then to suddenly reappear a few years later on the arms on his new hockey teams goalie Jonah the 2nd (MMC) who she met during her disappearance and who she has become quite close with who Cal soon discovers that if he stands any chance to find out what happened to HIS SHORTY & try to get her back he's gonna have to go through the stubborn hottie Jonah who isn't going anywhere. To find out where & what happens during Suttons disappearance and how close the three characters get then pick up this great hockey story today.
If you love: 🏒 Hockey romance ❤️ Why choose (FMM) 🎭 Fake dating 👫 Childhood friends to lovers 🩹 Mental health & healing 🌶️ Plenty of spice ...this one belongs on your TBR.
Sutton is rebuilding her life after battling an eating disorder when she agrees to fake date her best friend, Jonah—a bisexual NHL goalie who's tired of the media making his personal life the headline.
Then they're traded back to Seattle. Which means coming face-to-face with Cal...the boy next door, her first love, and the one person she never thought she never wanted to see again.
One of my favorite scenes happens after Jonah's first game. Sutton heads down to celebrate the win, and when Cal casually says, "Hey, Shorty." Then one of the hockey wives suddenly gasps and says, "You're that Sutton?" while everyone else is trying to figure out why Cal clearly knows Jonah's "girlfriend." The tension was chef's kiss. 🤌
The flirting? Incredible. The chemistry? Off the charts. The spice? 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
But what I loved most was Sutton's healing journey. This wasn't just a romance—it was about finding people who loved her through the messy parts and reminded her she never had to earn that love.
My only wish? I would've loved a little more development between Cal and Jonah. I'm hoping book two gives us more of their relationship because I can already tell there's so much potential there.
Never have I related to an FMC more than I have with Sutton in “Falling Hard” by M. George.
The emotion that was portrayed through Sutton’s experiences growing up and into present time with her love for Jonah and Cal is going to stick with me for a while - not many books have been able to do that.
STORY BREAKDOWN: Set over a period from early childhood to adulthood we as the reader see the FMC of this story, Sutton navigate relentless bullying throughout her childhood, a crush on her best friends brother (Cal), developing feelings for her the only other person in her life that understands her (Jonah), and her struggles with her mental and physical health.
We experience the moments that lead to Sutton learning to love herself following her self image being destroyed from the years of bullying, and let both MMC’s into her life fully.
This story will have you on the edge of your seat wondering “will they, won’t they” and craving to have the FMC have her happily ever after.
I cannot wait to read the second chapter to this love triangle when it’s released later this year.
(I have received an advance review copy from Book Sirens. I have left this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own)
Sutton & Callum has a history that Jonah has been told about from Sutton, but the depths that Sutton feels for Callum go deep and unrequited to a certain time in Sutton's life. It's not until Callum graduates high school he realizes how much Sutton means to him; their friendship and him looking at her as more than a friend, more than his litter sister's best friend, but as someone he love.
Sutton & Jonah's friendship wasn't until later, when they met each other when the circumstances weren't great. But under those circumstances, they were each other's rock. Jonah being Sutton's "person" and Sutton being Jonah's "person." Jonah had a gentleness with Sutton when it was needed, and he can be domineering when he needed Sutton to get out of her head.
Then the dynamic with Jonah, Sutton & Callum, there was so much angst, want and slow-burn you just wanted to lite a match under each of them do what they were feeling. Absolutely loved and adored this.
ARC provided from the author and Happily Booked PR for an honest review.
This story is following Sutton, Callum, Jonah. I found myself invested, the characters came alive.
Character development was done well, the banter was spot on. I'm not a fan of flashbacks, the author did well with using them to push the story forward.
I enjoyed the connection between them I did get a little annoyed with how angry Sutton was with Callum.
Okay he dated one of her Bullies back in the day. But he rectified that. The miscommunication was a lot in this one. And Jonah our sweet cinnamon roll I swooned a little bit.
The Banter and the dynamic between the guys was spot on they were not feeling each other at first which made this a little bit more authentic.
I did want more depth, more of the connection between Jonah and Callum and maybe there's more to come this is the first book in the duet overall I really enjoyed and can't wait for the sequel
Thank you to the author and Happily booked PR.for the early copy of this story.
I went into this expecting a fun hockey romance and ended up getting hit with something way more emotional and layered than I anticipated.
Yes, there’s romance. Yes, there’s hockey. But underneath all of that is a story about grief, healing, identity, relationships, and finding your way back to people after life changes everything.
What stood out most to me was how thoughtfully the harder topics were handled. The mental health and recovery elements felt treated with care, and even in the heavier moments there was this underlying feeling of hope and compassion that made the story really shine.
The dual timeline kept me invested, the relationship dynamics had me fully locked in, and by the end I was already looking up the rest of The Core Four because now I need more.
If emotional romance with depth is your thing, don’t let this one pass you by.
This is part of a duet and the second half is expected to be out at the end of the year.
This Woman is notorious for cliffhangers. With that being said her books are amazing. This book has 400 some pages yet I devoured most of it in a day. Jonah (one of the MMCs) and Suttons bond was everything. I loved how he was towards her and not a care in the world. Another thing was how she felt safe around him. Callum was a part of her childhood. What I liked about that situation is he knows what he lost. As for Sutton her openness in trying to overcome a hardship. Overall their bond changing overtime was great to see as was the (MMCs) working together.
I will say a part I didn't care for was the jumping in the past and present. Distinguishing where we were at was unenjoyable.
I love a hockey romance and this book was no exception! I was so excited to receive an arc copy! I couldn't put this book down! The writing was great and I loved how it was a dual timeline! M. George did it in a way that flowed really well! I loved learning so much about Sutton, Callum, and Jonah all throughout the book. I do wish we would have seen more of Callum and Jonah together along with all 3 of them together. I am super curious to see how the dynamic works. Hopefully we see more of that in book 3!
There is a lot of trauma talked about in this book so please read the trigger warnings! I need book 2 ASAP please and thank you!
This book was an intense journey that I am so glad I took. I got a little bit of everything with this short. We get hockey, fake dating, a love triangle, drama, tension, and everything but the kitchen sink. I really loved the dynamic we get between Jonah and Sutton and Cal. It’s a jumbled mix of things and I was all in for it. All three of these characters have scars and damage from the past. And all three have an undeniable connection and pull present. Watching things grow and change and develop between these characters was so heartbreaking and endearing and amazing. The connection the three of them share may be complicated and confusing but it’s real and raw and genuine. Nothing felt disingenuous. I was so far invested in this story that I one more chaptered myself late into the night just to see where things worked go. And now I am absolutely feral for the next book.
Wow this book was quite a ride and definitely one of my fave hockey romances book. The character chemistry was amazing right off the bat and really helped me become invested in the story. The use of dual narrative and dual timeline narrative while not new to this genre was in my opinion expertly done. Both were used in slightly different way than I usually see and it really helped to move the story and keep me invested as a reader. I really hope this becomes a series as its eluded to as I want more from these main characters and more from the other characters introduced. I look forward to next book especially to find out what happens next from where this book left off. M. George do not leave us hanging.
I really enjoyed this book. I think my favorite part was how the timeline and POV went back and forth. It was done beautifully, a seamless flow from one to another. This can be difficult for some Authors to do, but Author M. George did a fabulous job. This kept me reading all the way through as I did not want to put it down. The characters were well developed and the relationship between them was so interesting. Very Awesome Read!
This was a fantastic story once I got into it. I absolutely love hockey, so of course that sucked me in. Then you have Cal and Jonah both interested in Sutton. That was a fun story in itself with them both trying. Then you end up with Cal and Jonah liking each other as well. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
I need book two now. I enjoyed the story layout of this book. Although the timeline jumped all over, there was reason and it was easy to follow. I lean heavily in favor of Jonah. I don’t exactly understand Callum accepting her ghosting him. He has tons of money and as they say “if he wanted to, he would.” I also don’t fully understand Sutton’s reasoning. She could have easily reached out when he was settled. The dynamic between the three is addictive however and I need to see a resolve. Be warned, diabolical cliffhanger I immediately saw coming.
✨ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎✨ Falling Hard by @mgeorge.writes.a.lot Published June 12, 2026 ⭐️4.5/5
Had a hard time putting this one down. I loved the tension M George built between Sutton, Cal and Jonah. The multiple POVs and dual timelines made it easy to see how the characters and their relationships developed. This was my first MMF read. Spice was pretty spicy 🌶️ Can’t wait for book 2 :)
𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 Hockey Romance/NHL Love Triangle Best Friend’s Brother Fake Dating Forced Proximity Second Chance Elements Childhood Crush Spicy Romance MMF Teammate Rivals Multiple POV