I’m the face of the NHL. The golden boy with quick hands and a million dollar smile that the fans adore. My contract is up at the end of the season, and with playoffs starting, I have to be on my best behaviour. Keep my head down and respect the press when they shove their microphones beneath my nose. This isn’t my first rodeo, so it should be easy. Right?
No. Not this time. One bad call and I’m the poster boy for bad decisions.
I haven’t seen my childhood best friend since the day her father betrayed me and she broke my heart. Now, eight years later, she’s back. And she’s my new fake girlfriend for the next three months.
Some wounds never heal, and the moment I see Braxton Heights, I know mine have not. But she’s the only shot I have at saving my reputation and securing my new deal, and while I might have lost her all those years ago, I refuse to lose hockey.
I just hope I’m strong enough not to fall for her all over again in the process.
Hannah is a twenty-something-year-old indie author from Western Canada. Obsessed with swoon-worthy romance, she decided to take a leap and try her hand at creating stories that will have you fanning your face and giggling in the most embarrassing way possible. Hopefully, that’s exactly what her stories have done!
Hannah loves to hear from her readers, and can be reached on any of her social media accounts.
I love unique nicknames, I really do... but CURLY FRY ??
I get it was supposed to be a unique and fun name but ouff, I cringed. Also she is plus sized so maybe I am over sensitive but I would be so offended if my lover called me that.
Then there was this one scene and I laughed so hard because it was so exaggerated. So she ended up in the hospital because someone pushed her and she passed out. That's not even the bad part. Yet how he reacted to it made me laugh too much. Because he was scared to death and maybe I am not sensitive enough but she just fell. It's okay. Don't be so dramatic.
this was going to be three stars- I even liked it!! but then:
- “bAbY gOrL” 🧍♀️🔪 - fmc is plus sized- why the fuck did the mmc think it was okay to call her “curly fry” ?????? - “I have loved you at a hundred pounds, and I would love you at a thousand. Let me show you how much I love you right now.” ummmmmm SIDEEYEE🌝🌝🌝🌝
idk that didn’t feel right to me lol 🌚
also I’m sorry but all the arc reviews are lying to you I got lied to as well 😔 boiled chicken has more flavour than maddoxbraxton ❤️ no chemistry, no build up nothing.
I literally skim read the last 40%. I didnt care about the daddy issues drama, just boring af
No bc if you want fluff and spice and everything nice this is the one. THIS IS THE ONE PPL.
It’s your typical friends with mutual pining to strangers to fake daters to lovers and it definitely made me hate the friends to lovers trope a lot less. It’s given me hope that it can be done properly. No bc I ADORE both the characters.
This is a second gen series but I still enjoyed it as a standalone since I’ve not read the other books. But it’s got me interested enough to want to start them.
Maddox was the best. Literally such a sweet guy ugh. He’ll gather all the small moments, decorate them on a silver platter and serve it for you to feast on. Hell he’s gonna give you all the spice too 💅✨
Braxton was adorable. Oml I loved her bc she had a backbone when it mattered and took no shit from Dox. It was refreshing to read for sure.
The drama level was low. And I’d get pleasantly surprised by the *chefs kiss* communication in this book too.
Thank you sm Hannah, I’m so grateful i got to read the arc for this!
𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲: Oml I was sensing something between Cooper and Adalyn!! DAMNN I’m gonna love their book.
𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴: 🎧 Wannabe - Austin Giorgio
𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
“She’s crying right in front of me, and fuck it all to hell, but I can’t stop myself from reaching for her. I slide one arm around her back and another across her front in order to wrap her up and pull her into a tight hold. “
“You’ve stunned me to silence. Some would say you’re a lucky man.” My jaw ticks. “Lucky? I want as many words from you as possible. Tell me the name of the person who told you it was lucky to have you be silent, Curly.” ~sigh
“Your sarcasm is unbecoming.” “I beg to differ. Nothing is unbecoming on Braxton,” I chime in. “Stop it. That’s adorable,” Annalise swoons despite the seriousness around us. I wink at her. ~annalise is me
“You’re gorgeous even when you’re surprised,” Maddox murmurs, drawing my attention back to him. “And you’re handsome even when you’re confusing me,” I reply ~HAHHA LMAO
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗲𝘀: Consider me - becka Mack The cheat sheet - Sarah Adams The hunter - LJ Shen
Maddox and Braxton grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go.
Growing up, the two of them were best friends. And also secretly in love with each other, but spent their whole friendship pining for one another. When stuff goes down with Maddox’s NHL contract, Braxton flees Vancouver. 8 years later, she’s back, and Maddox needs her help. In the form of fake dating to save his image.
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! The pining, the angstttttt, THE NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP. Please couldn’t be better. Maddox is possessive, and has a mouth on him like no other. Braxton is a confident, sassy, business-owning vet. The two of them have spent years nursing their broken hearts. Braxton has the opportunity to make it right and boyyyy does she. I also adored the short chapters of their childhood. It gave so much more meaning to what they were going through as adults.
Read if you like ✨ hockey romances ✨ fake dating ✨ childhood best friends to strangers to lovers ✨ pining and (a lil) angst ✨ lovable side characters ✨ plus size rep
This is a second gen to the Swift Hat Trick trilogy, which is complete and on KU. But it can be read as a stand-alone. Thank you so much to Hannah for an arc of this! It’s out now <3
This was a cute childhood friends to lovers story that also sort of felt like a second chance romance. I liked both Braxton and Maddox, but the book felt slow to me. It was enjoyable still and I liked the authors writing. I see who the next book is about and I will most def be reading that one... it has all my favorite troupes ;)
I picked up this book because it was available at my library and a big plus that C.J Bloom and Teddy Hamilton came with that. I adore the ability of storytelling from them both.
This is a Dual POV that follows Maddox and Braxton, both childhood friends who were essentially in love with each other, but a mistake that Braxton made almost ruined Maddox's up and coming hockey career, so the two went their separate ways without forgiving each other and themselves. Now Years later Braxton, now a veterinarian, is roped into a scheme of having a fake relationship with Maddox following an unfortunate incident involving a bar fight and his brother. She is needed to help Maddox save his image from being damaged by Braxton's father who is angry about his unsuccessful life as an agent and blames Maddox.
I love that this had elements of a dual timeline giving us insight into who these characters were when they were desperately in love with each other as their younger selves, and how back in the present they have to deal with the hurt, pining and emptiness that was left by the other when they went their separate ways. The present journey to find each other again, navigating that hurt and coming to terms that both are still hopelessly in love with each other now.
Braxton has grown up and has learnt to stand up for herself. She knows giving up Maddox was the greatest mistake of her life. She should have fought harder for him to stay in her life, and she regrets every moment. Since then, she has not forgotten his impact. But she is not a little girl anymore. She has pulled up her big girl panties and is running a successful animal shelter and is (what she believes) happy.
Maddox is everything. He is incredibly hurt by his past and it's difficult for him to work through that anger - but not anger at her, but rather at himself for letting her go. She is the only woman he has ever had eyes for, the only woman he has ever wanted in his life (Shown by the fact that our man is basically a virgin). She is his every thought, love and dream. He is absolutely adorable, and self-sacrificing.
Their story is dramatic but utterly perfect. It was angsty, heartbreaking and underpinned by a sadness of loss from their mistakes. They lost so much time together when they were so clearly and utterly perfect for one another.
The one thing that kept me from giving this 5 stars is they start the fake relationship with very firm boundaries and agreement to what they will and won't do, to not fall in love so that neither is hurt in the end. BUT, that transition of fake to real, was a little bit hazy and wasn't as clear. One moment it felt like this wasn't real and they were respecting their boundaries and the next they were professing their undying love to each other and I wasn't sure if it was "talk" and still temporary or permanent. And while it very clearly points to permanent, because it is so clear that these two characters should not be apart, it just felt very instant. It almost has vibes of instalove (which sounds silly since these two have been in love for forever) but it just seemed rushed to happily ever after.
But overall, I had a really fun time. The writing is compelling. The voice actors did an amazing job with the narration, and I know that any time I'm going to listen to a book by either Teddy Hamilton or C.J. Bloom, I am going to be invested, I am going to be captivated, and I'm going to enjoy the fucking hell out of the story because they do such an amazing job at transposing the beautiful writing into believable characters.
Trope Summary: ▶ Hockey Romance ▶ Fake Relationship ▶ Second Chance Romance ▶ Childhood Friends to Strangers to Lovers ▶ ALL the PINING ▶ Dual POV ▶ Dual Timeline Elements ▶ Plus Size Rep ▶ It's Always been you
Overall I recommend this!
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So considering the last book about Hockey narrated by CJ Bloom and Teddy Hamilton changed my brain chemistry and made me salivate like a trained puppy hearing a bell for my next fix...
No third act breakup where the couple actually communicates? THIS BOOK RIGHT HERE!
He’s been obsessed with her since they were teenagers and already knew he wanted to marry her when they were only 12? The purest. Tbh I didn’t expect to like this book, but the minute I started I got sucked into this world and I loved every minute of it. Braxton and Maddox were not only a super HOT couple but also so mature. Maddox is one of my fav book bfs of 2023 so far.
4.75⭐️ 3🌶
- hockey romance - fake dating - best friends to strangers to lovers - second chance - so many jealousy moments ughhh my fav 🥵🥵 - AMAZING side characters.
There really wasn’t anything to dislike about this pure fluffy & hot book. I cant wait for the rest of the books in this series.
“i will always choose you. nothing else matters to me but you. nothing.”
╰┈➤ this book was so cute! its second chance romance, fake dating, hockey romance, and childhood best friends to lovers. can it get any better than that?
i fell in love with maddox and braxton the moment i read the prologue. they are truly soulmates, the love these two have for each other is like no other.
braxton is a plus size girl who is insecure about her body, and what does maddox do? he makes it a priority to show her how much he loves her body every second he can!
“i have loved you at a hundred pounds, and i would love you at a thousand.”
i definitely recommend reading this if you’re trying to get out of a slump, you will be hooked from the very beginning.
FINALLY A GOOD READ!!!!! AHHH I AM SO HAPPY RN ⚠️SPOILERS⚠️
safety/ tropes: •childhood friends to enemies to lovers •8 year separation •h did not stay celibate, dated 2 men in uni •H virgin, dated a girl named Rory, broke up with her bz didn’t feel any spark (i hope he didn’t do anything with her, i like to believe he didn’t even kiss her) •no owd/omd
(if u think i have a weird obsession with virgin or not experienced men, than u are right, please don’t judge, it’s a preference. i hope u have a wonderful day ahead💕💕💕)
Honestly can be bothered to write a review about this. I enjoyed the concept and the beginning, but it went downhill for me after a while. I skimmed quite a lot, and I didn't feel like I missed anything tbh.
Safety warnings: - No cheating - No OW/OM drama - Betrayal - Separation - Second chance romance - Mention of drug and alcohol abuse - HEA
Still one of my favorite reads!!🥹 Second chance, emotional, lots of yearning, and the LOVE these two have, I’m happy they found their way back to each other. True soulmates🩵
Tabbed the hell out of this book so I can look back on my favorite scenes🤭
PS. HE GOT A FREAKING TATTOO OF THEIR INITIALS LIKE WHAT?! I LOVE HIM. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.
this book was so fucking good, id give it infinity stars if I could. just thinking about them is making me emotional, it was THAT good😭 these two made me feel alll the emotions. I was sobbing, laughing, blushing, kicking my feet in the air the entire time. and no third act breakup!!!
second chance romance, hockey player, “it’s always been you”, childhood friends to lovers, & the LOVEEE?? god when is it my turn to be happy🧎🏻♀️i just want Maddox😩 their love was so beautiful & pure it was playing with my heartstrings. I knew from the prologue they were soulmates. 🎶 all along there was some Invisible string tying you to me🎶 THAT’S THEIR SONG
Maddox & Braxton have been best friends since childhood and secretly in love with each other the whole time. they spent their whole life pining for each other. but something happens and Braxton leaves Vancouver. 8 years later Maddox is back and needs her help. they need to fake date to change his image.
Braxton is such a kind, strong & caring person. she’s confident, sassy, independent and knows her worth. I absolutely adored her. she knew what she wanted and was always clear about how she felt. she’s now one of my favorite heroines. I loved reading about her🤍
Maddox, this man is the most sweetest, cinnamon roll everrrr. when he loves he loves with his whole heart & soul, and I would give anything to be loved by this man😩 ANYTHING. he’s so in love with my girl, I was getting butterflies reading about them💗 the way he supports her, reassures her, makes her feel desired in every way possible🥹 take my heart I don’t want it.
the love between them was so strong. after so many years the longing, the angst, the frustration between them was portrayed so beautifullyyy. they never really stopped loving each other and we got to see the small ways they kept each other alive even after everything that happened🥹 *sobs uncontrollably* he got a freaking tattoo because of her. A TATTOO🧎🏻♀️& he’s never been with anyone else bc he always knew she was it for him😭
I am counting down the days until I can finally read Her Greatest Adventure. Adalyn & Cooper will have me in a chockeholddd😭 I will not be responsible for the person I become once that book comes out. be prepared to be SICKK of me bc I will not shut up. if this review & the quotes didn’t convince you to read this book, I hope you sleep well tonight knowing you’re missing out on one of the most cutest, fluffiest, heartwarming love stories to ever exist❤️
✨Tropes✨
♡ hockey player ♡ second chance romance ♡ childhood best friends to lovers ♡ fake dating ♡ curvy FMC ♡ forced proximity ♡ spicyyyy ♡ boy obsessedddd ♡ no third act breakup❗️
I loved this book so much! Braxton and Maddox had amazing chemistry that had me laughing, swooning, and fully hooked. Childhood best friends to fake dating? Yes, please! The pining and angst were perfect—and no third-act breakup, which made me love it even more. Maddox was protective and intense, Braxton was strong and confident, and their story was everything. I also really enjoyed the flashbacks and side characters. Super excited for the next book! 💌🏒✨
Tell me you don’t know about how the NHL/hockey works without telling me.
You can only be drafted once. Then, you belong to that team, whether you want it or not. You can’t just decide to not sign with a team and re-enter the draft. That’s not how it works. Otherwise, Eric Lindros would have done that in 1991. So there goes your whole plot, to the trash can.
I feel like the author wants to write romance novels, but decided to include the word “hockey” to bring more readers. But in reality, this is not a hockey romance. Yes, Maddox is a hockey player and bla bla bla, but this is very second plan. It only mattered so that Maddox was in the public eye and therefore needs “to keep a good image/reputation”. Otherwise, we don’t even know what position he plays. At least, I don’t remember lol.
Also Maddox needing his dad in every meeting with the team management to save his ass… like dude, you’re almost 30 years old and you can be independent yet? Huge turn off.
kitap çok güzeldi, seveceğimi bilerek başlamıştım zaten. spor romantizmi, çocukluk aşkı, ikinci şans, sahte ilişki... okumaya bayıldığım trope'lar bu kitapta toplanmış. karakterlerin aşkları da çok güzeldi, gayet keyifle okudum. kitap bir 50-60 sayfa kısa olsaydı her şey müthiş olurdu. bir noktada "çok mu uzadı artık" gibi hissettim ama sıkılmadım da, o yüzden net bir şey diyemiyorum. kısacası trope'ları seviyorsanız okunabilir🤍
This is an absolute friends-to-strangers-to-lovers, second chance masterpiece. Easily Hannah’s best work yet. The plot is heartfelt, enduring, and gut-wrenchingly beautiful.
The love between Braxton and Maddox is evident the entire book. Watching two soulmates put their pieces back together was a joy.
The friendship between these two is unmatched. I sobbed at least four times and the angst was perfectly balanced.
The communication and lack of a third-act breakup make this book perfection. They reach a point where they can’t ignore or glaze over their hatred to fake date. When they become vulnerable and lay it all out on the line, you’ll be convinced they’re the forever kind of love.
I don’t think I’ll ever get over this book. It lives in my head rent free, where it belongs.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Se sabe que yo amo los Friends to lovers por lo tanto soy bien picky, pero este libro no lo odié pero tampoco me encantó tanto me dejó con mixed feelings.
Tiene el vibe de seconds chance que It´s not my cup tea.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would! Simple romance with a good enough plot and nice characters to keep you interested, but also predictable in a way that is comfortable.
The cover? Don’t like it. Wish it was more fun looking bc I love cute/creative book covers.
Looking back, this doesn’t deserve 4 stars when thinking about it, but a strong 3.5 stars!
Buuuuut… if it has to get 4 stars that would be for the simple fact that I want to continue reading the following books in the series. And I will be!
Thank you for making HGM a top 60 Amazon bestseller!
Her Greatest Mistake is book 1 in a second-generation series but has been written so that it can be read as a stand-alone as well. For the official reading order, head to my website www.hannahcowanauthor.com
I recommend reading at least Lucky Hit prior to HGM if you do not want to read the entire backlist as it features Maddox's parents and their journey.
Book 2 is Cooper and Adalyn and will come late May. The preorder is up on Amazon.
I truly need to stop trying books because I see one line that sounds good. This was just unnecessarily dramatic and boring and trying to be mysterious but instead just annoying me.