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My one night stand is now my fake husband…a marriage of convenience hockey romance in the best-selling Wild Men series by USA Today Bestselling author Melissa Belle.

Mia

I don’t do professional athletes. And I certainly don’t do one-night stands.

But after my father tells me to marry before he’ll let me take over his PR firm, which has been my one and only dream since I was a kid, I decide I need a night out.

And when I meet a hot hockey player at the bar, I decide I want to play.

He takes me to his home on a gorgeous ranch. We steam up the sheets all night long.

I’m sure I’ll never see him again.

Until the next day, when my uncle introduces him as my future husband.

Declan

Before I retire from playing hockey I’m lining up my next shot—ownership. But the team’s got a PR problem, and they’ll never approve a bachelor.

I’m not in a relationship. I’m not even dating.

And I can’t remember the last time I was interested in someone. Until I go to the bar after the game to blow off some steam and figure out my next move.

That’s when I meet her. Mia. The first woman I can remember who doesn’t know I’m a big time hockey player.

After we spend an incredible night together, I figure that’s it.

Until my agent calls me into his office. The only other person in the room? Mia.

My future wife.

We vow to keep our arrangement strictly professional so we both get what we want. But the more we face off, the more I want to score…

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2020

172 people are currently reading
397 people want to read

About the author

Melissa Belle

35 books481 followers
USA Today Bestselling author Melissa Belle writes about smart, sassy women and the hot, sexy men who want them. She spent years in the field of psychology before writing her first novel on the train in Europe. She often works through her story ideas while hiking with her husband or hanging out with her two kitties. She loves road trips and songwriting. And cupcakes.

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5 stars
217 (56%)
4 stars
101 (26%)
3 stars
46 (11%)
2 stars
19 (4%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Sofia Lazaridou.
2,864 reviews135 followers
May 31, 2020
Declan is the 8th book in the Wild Men by Melissa Belle and it's a complete stand-alone. I might check the other books if I ever find time because this one was very good. Arranged marriages is one of my favorite tropes and it worked so well in this story. There was even some of the angst I am always looking forward to when it comes to this type of story.

At some point in the book, I felt like Declan was not as bonded with Mia as she was with his cousins and I felt slightly off, which is the reason why I am going for 4 stars, but overall I enjoyed the book and I was very glad I picked it up. A little later after I felt off, things picked up and Declan and Mia spent time together and bonded as I wanted them to, so I cannot complain (much) about it.

While the story is not something that I haven't read before, I found it fun and there were moments that were fresh and I couldn't help but keep on reading until I reached the final page. The angst helped me a lot to develop positive feelings for the book and the main characters were a believable couple.

Even if you haven't read the previous books in the series, I would recommend reading this one.
Profile Image for Miranda Hohn.
198 reviews
May 16, 2024
Started off cute and strong, and now I understand this is technically book 7 in this big family series, but there were sooooo many names dropped that sounded the same I just started skipping over them. The author lost me when all these people showed up to the hospital to wait FOR HOURS for the birth of a baby, and then they all go into the room after said baby is born to hold it??? I’m sorry, but I didn’t even want my husband in the room after I just went through the most physically traumatic thing my body had gone through. There’s no way I would want all these cousins of my husband in the room. And then top that off with another ‘L’ name?
Profile Image for Diane Lynch Lynch.
1,883 reviews53 followers
May 29, 2020
Melissa Belle hits it in the net with Declan (Wild Men #8). In this story, Declan Wild needs to get married to be considered for a minority stake in the Montana Wild Kings. Mia Carroll needs to get married to take over her family’s company. They agree to a marriage of convenience for a year, but their feelings have other ideas. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for adult readers.

Declan was a heartfelt and enjoyable read. Declan is the brother of Cameron (Wild Men # 7). I love Declan and Mia. They have amazing chemistry. Declan is selfless and caring. Mia is sweet and hard working. They both were so focused on work. They did not do relationships. I love that they were forced into a situation that gave them an opportunity to find their other half.

I appreciated how ranch life played a role in this novel. I also enjoyed the other Wild men in the story. Declan was skillfully written and hard to put down. I recommend this book to people who enjoy marriage of convenience hockey romances. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Profile Image for Melissa Belle.
Author 35 books481 followers
May 16, 2020
A hot hockey romance ... enjoy!!
Profile Image for Sharon Moritz-rosenthal.
2,272 reviews29 followers
May 26, 2020
I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I am a new fan of this author and this is my first book in the series I have read and I found it easily stands alone. Note that it does include other characters and at times I could not keep track of who they were in relation to Declan and their wives, but this is just a few scenes and otherwise the story stands alone. We also meet Declan's cousins in this book and they are COWBOYS and I cannot wait for their books, they were intriguing.

Declan and Mia were really awesome characters and they both are strangers but connected through Mia's Uncle Ned and Declan's agent who is Ned too.

They both need to marry fast for a short period so they can make their dreams come true. However they meet at a bar before Ned brings them together, so while they are strangers when they are introduced by Ned, they do have a casual aquaintance of one night.

This is primarily a marriage of convenience, a slight 2nd chance at love with a sports angle as Dec is a hockey player and he wants to own his former team.

What I loved about it, was that despite being near strangers Dec and Mia form a real friendship within the marriage of convenience.

It was an awesome story with an awesome set of characters that I fell in love with. And I cannot wait for more this series.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.8k reviews361 followers
May 26, 2020
This book is refreshingly not like other sports romances. When Mia Carroll’s father makes a requirement that she must be married before she can take over his Circle PR firm, she is not pleased. There is no reason she needs a man to do the job she is very familiar with. When she goes out to a bar, she meets Declan Wild, not recognizing him as a professional hockey player. Declan is surprised that she wants him for the person she sees and not his notoriety, so the two have a one-night stand.

To their delightful surprise, the next day they found that an arrangement was made to solve both of their problems. With Mia needing to be married to run the PR firm, and Declan needing marriage to own a part in the Montana Wild Kings ice hockey team, they were to be joined together in an arranged marriage of convenience for a period of time. The two of them were very drawn to each other, still had that perfect chemistry, and it didn’t take long to realize it was a good and comfortable relationship, at least until it had to end. Are they both still willing to walk away and end things? Have they allowed their hearts to take notice of how good they are together?

This was a very good story line with wonderful characters that made the reader like them and feel good about what they needed to do. Grab your copy and enjoy their story.
Profile Image for ScavengedReads.
302 reviews7 followers
May 23, 2020
*I received a free ARC of this novel*

This is book 8 in a series, but functions as a stand alone novel.

I loved this book for many reasons, but most of them are Mia. She is older without her age ever being discussed as a negative; instead her age allows her to be a mature, established, professional with goals of her own. She has an office job at a PR firm that she makes you love anyway. Her weight is never discussed!! Amazing right? Apperently you can have an attractive romantic lead without mentioning how skinny she is or is not. Declan is an equally driven, tough pro athlete but also a caring softie? Perfect match, sign me up!

Melissa Belle managed to pull off the rare fake romance/arranged marriage plot that doesn’t fall victim to the characters having any power imbalance. This a romance between two adults who were both living rewarding lives before they met, and enter a mutually beneficial arrangement. The entire book is swoon worthy, I want every single side character to have their own novel: remaining cousins, hockey teammates, Jamie, every single one of them!

My only issue with this book is Mia’s father who has such poor grip on reality he reminded me of Princess Giselle from Enchanted but I decided half way through to think of him as senile.
Profile Image for Maria.
1,750 reviews8 followers
May 27, 2020
Another Wild man taken! This story is about Declan and Mia. Declan is a professional hockey player and the star, but he wants to retire and own a piece of the team. Mia has been working in the PR company that is owned by her family (father), but she wants to take over once her father retires. Mia and Declan are met with a clause that they never expected in order for Declan to be a minority owner he needs to be married while Mia has a clause that her own mother put in the contract that states that she needs to be married for a year. They both decide to go out for a drink and unknowingly meet each other when Mia puts a man in his place because he is rude to her. They end up having a one-night stand and then she disappears!

They end up meeting again when her uncle and his manager call them up for a meeting. He is there to help them both without each of them knowing who the other is. I love the family involvement; all those cousins and friend are too much. Will Luke be next? What about Jamie Beth, Chase and Cooper? There are so many to go around!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Joyce Black.
1,053 reviews7 followers
June 1, 2020
Story Lines: Fantastic. Believable.

I do not know how Ms. Belle does it but there is just some kind of energy to/in her story writing that has me enamored with her work. I like the inter-connectedness between one novel to the next. I like the overlap of characters from story-to-story. Her story lines are fantastic as they are so believable, which in turn makes her characterizations believable as well. Besides the romance brewing between the main male and main female characters, there is a genuine feeling between all familial characters of great love for one another and great support to and for one another. The experience of Ms. Belle's novels are like a comforter you just want to snuggle up with and let it envelop you with all kinds of warm fuzzies. Good Stuff!

I voluntarily received an advance review copy of this novel from the author and I am leaving an honest and unbiased review. I have no affiliation to this author.
Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.7k reviews188 followers
May 26, 2020
Declan & Mia meet at a bar one night, and since they both have things going on in their lives, they decide a one time hookup will have to do. Their chemistry is simply palpable from the jump, and it didn't seem like it would be denied after that hot night. The next morning their lives take a new turn when they come face to face again, like a fake marriage comes about, which they both enter in with eyes open, but they still have that chemistry shooting sparks everywhere. It's only a matter of time before secret feelings are being caught, which will cause some issues since they are on a time limit, not to mention neither want to cop to those feelings either. Will they finally get honest with themselves, or will they walk away when time is up?! You'll have to hit those one click buttons to find out, as this was a fantastic story that I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL!
Profile Image for Vickie.
1,652 reviews63 followers
May 26, 2020
4.5 stars

This is my first book by Melissa Belle and it can definitely be read as a stand-alone.

Mia and Declan are both having a rough night when they meet for the first time and they hit it off instantly. The chemistry between them is off the charts, they’re both behaving out of character and before they know what’s happening they’re spending the night together. Imagine their shock the next day when they’re hit with the bombshell information that they’re about to be married if they both want to achieve their goals.

I’m a sucker for a marriage of convenience and I absolutely loved watching Declan and Mia trying to navigate their new relationship and keep feelings out of it. It’s easier said than done as these two are about to find out.

This is a great romance. The characters are extremely easy to like and they’ll have you rooting for them to get their happily happily after.
Profile Image for BlueBug.
895 reviews2 followers
June 22, 2020
Mia needs to get married before her father will let her take over his PR firm, and Declan needs to get married to get a shot at ownership of the hockey team he loves. When those in the background begins pulling strings, they end up in a marriage of convenience. The crazy part is that they have a real attraction to each other and have already tasted the way things could be between them. But circumstances and too much overthinking could take them to the place they had both planned to be from the beginning - divorce.

I love a good marriage of convenience story, and when it involves one of the Wild men, the story is all the better. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I fall more deeply in love with each of the men this author writes. And I find myself looking forward to her next book as soon as I'm finished with the last.
3,212 reviews26 followers
May 27, 2020
I love sports romance, especially hockey books so I was excited to read Declan by Melissa Belle. It totally delivered! Declan is a professional hockey player nearing retirement and Mia is hoping to take over her family's PR firm. When they first meet, the connection is instant. After a one night stand, Mia sneaks out not wanting to involve Declan in her drama. Of course fate has other ideas. Both need to be married for a year for their careers. Mis needs to be married to take over her family's business and Declan needs a wife in order to gain ownership in his hockey team after he retires. They reluctantly agree to the marriage with the rule that it will be in name only with no feelings. But what happens when the marriage begins to feel real?
Profile Image for Kimberly.
1,218 reviews
May 27, 2020
This Wild although in the mountains of Montana, he is the leader on the Ice, and only one thing keeps him from his future dreams and that us his lack of a wife. Mia has it all but she wants to be running the family business y business. Due to a sneaky clause entered by her Mother she has to find a husband quick to finish her dream. Funny how dreams can change and for this business relationship the fire is definitely melting the ice. I love the Wild men who will do anything for family, even telling them to face their own fear to get a bigger reward. Fun story to read, characters that you come to love more and more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sandie.
683 reviews6 followers
May 26, 2020
This the first book of Melissa Belle's I've read and I was impressed. Hockey payer romance is my favorite and I've read many, this book rivals the great ones. I enjoyed the writer's style with the characters Mia and Declan came across as real people with real feelings, they were happy people, sure there is some angst as to why they need to get married but their story put a smile on my face. These two face a lot of self-awareness as they get to know each other, as they tell their stories to each other. This a great book and it makes me want to read more books by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,286 reviews13 followers
May 27, 2020
I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this story about Declan and Mia. She's in the PR business and he's a hockey player. Mia's dad informs her in order to take over the company she needs to be married. She recruits her Uncle Ned to help. Declan is planning on retiring soon but wants to but into the team, but they only want married men as owners. When they meet at a club after a game they have a single night if passion. So image their surprise when Ned calls them both in for a meeting, he sees them as there perfect business partners. But they catch a bug. Great HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,000 reviews6 followers
May 27, 2020
I know I can depend on Melissa Belle to give me a great story with fabulous characters that I actually like and want to get to HEA. This is no exception. Great story with a "fake" marriage for business reasons that becomes way more. Both Declan and Mia need a significant other to achieve their goals and the situation is perfect for both of them. Both Declan and Mia are more than they appear on the surface and they are actually good for each other (which is a nice change from too much angst). They feel real and their actions and reactions are right on target. A really great story that leaves you happy in the end.
Profile Image for Melinda Swaine.
2,425 reviews12 followers
May 27, 2020
A brand new hockey book from one of the best sports romance authors in the biz - yep sign me up for that stat!! This is a fun entertaining read with great characters who share some sizzling chemistry and plenty of witty banter, it’s a story that will captivate and draw you in and I’m sure like me you will read this book in one sitting and be left wanting more from this series. Outstandingly written as I have come to expect and can’t wait to get my hands on the next book please! Happy reading everyone!!
10 reviews
May 19, 2020
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love Melissa Belle's books, and stories like this one are why I read sports romance. It had all the things I love -- a protective, loyal hero and a strong, independent heroine coming together despite their past pain. Throw in the hockey and some off-limits angst and the story was amazing. These characters are well-written and believable, and the addition of the cousins and teammates hooked me more. Definitely recommend.
2,161 reviews14 followers
May 23, 2020
Pro hockey player Declan Wild needs to be married in order to have an ownership stake in the Montana Wild Kings ice hockey team. Which is why Declan enters into a marriage of convenience with the beautiful Mia Carroll, who also needs to be married to achieve her goals. The deal is marriage for one year followed by a divorce. What happens when the marriage starts feeling real?

Declan is a funny, angsty and steamy story that will have you cheering for the hero and heroine
4,309 reviews11 followers
May 26, 2020
Love the premise of this storyline and all that it involves. Great meet cute, both times which makes it so much better to be in a similar predicament. There are so many of these Wild men it’s hard to keep track of all of them, but they are all eye candy with substance. Truly enjoyed the ending as it was very poignant In how they both really felt about one another.

I am voluntarily leaving a review of this book that I received free.
4,629 reviews
May 26, 2020
Declan and Mia are going into a marriage of convenience to achieve their goals but first, they need a night on their own terms with a stranger what they never expected is seeing the other the night after their one night stand, though they're secretly pleased.
This was a nice contemporary sports romance with well-written characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
6,155 reviews30 followers
May 27, 2020
I need a wife.

Mia must be married for one year before the contract goes into full effect.

That’s the impetus for Mia and Declan’s hook up. Which leads to a marriage of (in)convenience for their professional careers. Mia for her firm and Declan so he can be a part owner of the Wild Kings hockey team.

I had so much fun with these two strong willed characters and their sizzle. Highly recommend.
Purchased.
Profile Image for Kathleen Long.
32 reviews
July 12, 2024
I was so hesitant to read this book at first because I thought Declan was going to be like another cocky star hockey player. But was I so wrong. Yes he is the star player but he has so many more layers to him and his big family help keep him grounded. I love how him and Mia go from a one night stand to talking about a contract marriage to fighting their feelings for each other all in a matter of days to month. Spoiler alert- they both fall hard.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kam Kendall.
20 reviews3 followers
May 18, 2020
OMG! I had been waiting for Declan's story and it did not disappoint! This book was so well-written, and Declan and Mia were amazing together. The ranch setting with all the family around gave this story a real feel. Declan is a hockey star who had never found the right woman, and all Mia did was focus on career -- until she met the right man. A beautiful story that had me laughing and crying.
Profile Image for Christine.
10.8k reviews33 followers
May 19, 2020
ARC review I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. This is a story of Declan of the Montana wild kings ice hockey team and mia from circle pr firm who are both needing to marry to get their dreams but end up falling for each other. It's beautiful and a awesome read.
Profile Image for NanaX8.
2,496 reviews66 followers
May 20, 2020
Melissa Belle always brings us an awesome love story with all of the feels and Declan's book does not disappoint. Trying to find their way without committing to a relationship when they find themselves in a fake marriage...isn't it?? No way will they fall for the other...Will they??? Will Declan and Mia be able to put their hurts behind them and love each other??? Loved it!!!
Profile Image for Messy Bun Book Blog.
2,319 reviews
May 21, 2020
I am new to Melissa Belle, but I am so in love! Declan is the 8th book in the Wild Men Series. You don't have to read the others (I didn't, but I am about to devour all of them!!) to understand this story. I love a good marriage of convenience story - and this one was AMAZING! Declan and Mia's story is so sweet! I loved the meet-cute - super steamy! GAH! I AM SO IN LOVE!! FIVE STARS!!
Profile Image for Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon).
16.4k reviews217 followers
May 24, 2020
Wow this book get so hot you may need a cold shower I absolutely could not get enough of this I was hooked from the first page great writing job bravo loved it and if anyone is looking a steamy wonderful read then add this one to your list you will not be disappointed I was not, I loved it

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews

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