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Wyncote Wolves #2
Deflected Hearts
Poppy
August Whitley was just a fling–someone fun to spend my time with no strings attached.
We broke things off before our feelings grew, but it was already too late.
After leaving town, I swore to myself that I would never look back.
And when I get surprising news, I’m completely committed to doing it alone.
Until one night when he walks back into my life…
August
Poppy Williams. She was an enigma and a mystery that I wanted to unravel.
Neither of us were ready for a commitment and after a misunderstanding, she left town without a single word.
I tried to find her, but it was as if she fell off the grid. It was messing with my head and becoming a threat to my hockey career.
Until one night, one date with another girl… I find Poppy working at the restaurant and she’s pregnant.
With my child.
I let her leave me once before, but this time I won’t let her get away.
August Whitley was just a fling–someone fun to spend my time with no strings attached.
We broke things off before our feelings grew, but it was already too late.
After leaving town, I swore to myself that I would never look back.
And when I get surprising news, I’m completely committed to doing it alone.
Until one night when he walks back into my life…
August
Poppy Williams. She was an enigma and a mystery that I wanted to unravel.
Neither of us were ready for a commitment and after a misunderstanding, she left town without a single word.
I tried to find her, but it was as if she fell off the grid. It was messing with my head and becoming a threat to my hockey career.
Until one night, one date with another girl… I find Poppy working at the restaurant and she’s pregnant.
With my child.
I let her leave me once before, but this time I won’t let her get away.
344 pages, Paperback
Published August 29, 2022
1049 people are currently reading
4306 people want to read
About the author
Cali Melle
31 books1,330 followersCali Melle is a USA Today Bestselling Author who writes sports romance that will pull at your heartstrings. You can always expect her stories to come fully equipped with heartthrobs and a happy ending, along with some steamy scenes.
In her free time, Cali can usually be found living in a magical, fantasy world with the newest book or fanfic she's reading or freezing at the ice rink while she watches her kids play hockey.
In her free time, Cali can usually be found living in a magical, fantasy world with the newest book or fanfic she's reading or freezing at the ice rink while she watches her kids play hockey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 378 reviews
August 31, 2022
'🅳🅴🅵🅻🅴🅲🆃🅴🅳 🅷🅴🅰🆁🆃🆂' Is the second full length romance book in 'Cali Melle's 'Wyncote Wolves' series. Spoken in 'Dual Perspectives. Get ready to inhale Poppy & August's story.
I pretty much inhaled this in no time at all, like myself and you’ve not read the 1st in this series it’s easy enough to pick up and understand and fully connect with the storyline.
It was only mean't to be a fling, don't get attached, but when things became complicated with feelings getting involved things were severed and Poppy took off with her tail between her legs, leaving town and trying to juggle school work whilst at the same time dealing with a life changing situation which had her re-evaluating her life.
These two at first wanted different things in life, him with his hockey career and her not wanting to repeat the mistakes of her parents, making her grow up quicker than most.
It's not until he's trying to move on that he encounters Poppy and like a slow burn they reconnect wringing out all the feels, he made the right moves, said the right things, these two were perfect for each other.
Many life lessons throughout their journey was thrown at them in this book making it more realistic which allowed me to connect with these two more on an emotional level.
September 14, 2022
When August Whitley started catching feelings for Poppy Williams, he cut her loose. His first and only life has always been hockey. Playing for the Wyncote Wolves has been a dream come true and he won’t let anything stand between him and his NHL dreams.
Poppy taking off without a word doesn’t sit well with him, however. Just when he tries to move on, he comes face-to-face with her again. And she’s been keeping secrets.
Full disclosure: I don’t love secret baby/pregnancy books. That said, August and Poppy’s story was sweet, steamy, and overall an enjoyable read!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🤍
Heat: 🌶🌶
Range of Emotions: ☹️😍🤬
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗂 Genre: Sports Romance
✨ Tropes: College, Surprise/Accidental Pregnancy, Friends-to-Lovers, Second Chance Romance, Miscommunication, Grovel
🫦 Kinks: n/a
⛔️ Warning: The angst in this slow-burn will edge you to the point of combustion!
⚠️ Safety Squad: n/a
📣 Type: Deflected Hearts is part of the Wyncote Wolves series, but can be read as a standalone. However, these books will be best enjoyed when read in order.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Poppy taking off without a word doesn’t sit well with him, however. Just when he tries to move on, he comes face-to-face with her again. And she’s been keeping secrets.
Full disclosure: I don’t love secret baby/pregnancy books. That said, August and Poppy’s story was sweet, steamy, and overall an enjoyable read!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🤍
Heat: 🌶🌶
Range of Emotions: ☹️😍🤬
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗂 Genre: Sports Romance
✨ Tropes: College, Surprise/Accidental Pregnancy, Friends-to-Lovers, Second Chance Romance, Miscommunication, Grovel
🫦 Kinks: n/a
⛔️ Warning: The angst in this slow-burn will edge you to the point of combustion!
⚠️ Safety Squad: n/a
📣 Type: Deflected Hearts is part of the Wyncote Wolves series, but can be read as a standalone. However, these books will be best enjoyed when read in order.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
August 25, 2022
I had a feeling that August would steal the show and he totally did! Sorry, Logan... but there's a new hockey hottie in my heart now. One of my least favorite tropes happened to be in this read and Cali just might have converted me with her outstanding story and endearing characters.
I seriously could NOT put this book down. August and Poppy had my full attention from start to finish. He lives and breathes hockey. Nothing will ever change that or come before it. Until one woman, who was only supposed to be a fun time made him realize he had been missing out on life and love.
Together these two were perfection. August was so swoony and I loved how he did the pursuing. That's so refreshing. The struggles were real and raw in this book. My heart felt so much for this couple and one part even made me teary. Now, that's a great read, my friends!!
Can't wait for the next book! I'm loving this world SO much!!!
I seriously could NOT put this book down. August and Poppy had my full attention from start to finish. He lives and breathes hockey. Nothing will ever change that or come before it. Until one woman, who was only supposed to be a fun time made him realize he had been missing out on life and love.
Together these two were perfection. August was so swoony and I loved how he did the pursuing. That's so refreshing. The struggles were real and raw in this book. My heart felt so much for this couple and one part even made me teary. Now, that's a great read, my friends!!
Can't wait for the next book! I'm loving this world SO much!!!
August 26, 2022
I typically hate the surprise pregnancy trope, but August & Poppy’s story was actually pretty cute. It’s light hearted and swoony, and while they have their ups and downs (Poppy has some major trust issues thanks to being a child of divorce), Poppy, August, and baby E get the happily ever after they deserve!
September 2, 2022
***4 "This girl...." stars***
"I love you, August... but sometimes love just isn't enough."
After the glimpses that I took from August and Poppy in the first book of the series, I was anticipating this story like crazy!!!
It was a wonderful and realistic journey full of sentiment and sweet moments...
August was a different man in here, a caring one and he was ready to sacrifice everything for Poppy!! And Poppy was a true warrior who was determined to make it even on her own...
This couple was amazing together and they gave us many swoon worthy moments!!!
"She didn't want to disrupt my life...
Doesn't she already know?
She disrupted my life the moment she walked into it."
They started as a fling but when things started to get serious, August got hidden behind his hockey status and Poppy fled town, carrying a secret inside of her!!!
After Poppy's disappearance, August became obsessed with finding her and months later, he is coming face to face with her and the truth that she was holding from him...
Poppy was pregnant with his child... But he has dreams to accomplice, dreams that will be hard for him to carry through with a child on the way...
And Poppy is too proud to depend on an unreliable man...
But what will happen when their feelings for each other are coming to the surface for once again???
"I refuse to be someone's second choice... Our child and I deserve to be put first too."
I really liked this couple...
I liked their personalities and their background which made them who they really were...
I liked August's tender side and how sweet he was toward Poppy...
I liked how determined was Poppy to get through her pregnancy without depending on anyone else... but at the same time, I adored the dependence they were having to each other...
Of course, the misunderstandings were existing between them and things were getting more intriguing!!!
My only objection is that I would love to witness a little bit more intensity between these two, still... it was a lovely story and I can not wait for more of this crowd!!!
"I don't know if I can survive your destruction."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
"I love you, August... but sometimes love just isn't enough."
After the glimpses that I took from August and Poppy in the first book of the series, I was anticipating this story like crazy!!!
It was a wonderful and realistic journey full of sentiment and sweet moments...
August was a different man in here, a caring one and he was ready to sacrifice everything for Poppy!! And Poppy was a true warrior who was determined to make it even on her own...
This couple was amazing together and they gave us many swoon worthy moments!!!
"She didn't want to disrupt my life...
Doesn't she already know?
She disrupted my life the moment she walked into it."
They started as a fling but when things started to get serious, August got hidden behind his hockey status and Poppy fled town, carrying a secret inside of her!!!
After Poppy's disappearance, August became obsessed with finding her and months later, he is coming face to face with her and the truth that she was holding from him...
Poppy was pregnant with his child... But he has dreams to accomplice, dreams that will be hard for him to carry through with a child on the way...
And Poppy is too proud to depend on an unreliable man...
But what will happen when their feelings for each other are coming to the surface for once again???
"I refuse to be someone's second choice... Our child and I deserve to be put first too."
I really liked this couple...
I liked their personalities and their background which made them who they really were...
I liked August's tender side and how sweet he was toward Poppy...
I liked how determined was Poppy to get through her pregnancy without depending on anyone else... but at the same time, I adored the dependence they were having to each other...
Of course, the misunderstandings were existing between them and things were getting more intriguing!!!
My only objection is that I would love to witness a little bit more intensity between these two, still... it was a lovely story and I can not wait for more of this crowd!!!
"I don't know if I can survive your destruction."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
September 3, 2022
Another sweet and swoony new adult hockey romance story from Cali Melle- this one with a second chance, surprise pregnancy focus. We met August and Poppy in book 1, and I was excited to see how their story plays out. It’s fast paced, quick read, with more angst (but still relatively low drama) than book 1 and a much more complicated and unexpected situation.
While I enjoyed parts of this story, at times it feels more trope driven than character driven. Like our first book, I wish we had a bit more focus (and time) devoted to both the development of these characters’ relationship as well as their own personal growth. I feel like I just needed more emotional meat to connect to them- and I think part of this was the narrative choice to thrust right into the middle of their break-up. Sure, we get some of it in book 1, but not through their eyes, and here I think the chemistry and connection would have been stronger if we had more of their history. And, given the pregnancy trope, we spend most of the story fixated on that and it’s impact (which don’t get me wrong, IS a huge impact on college students), but perhaps at the expense of holistic character development. I felt like I didn’t always know them, or them each other, even though this was their second opportunity to be together. Poppy decisions in particular were hard to accept at times- particularly when August is working SO hard to be amazing- and I felt like I needed a little bit more maturity and growth from her.
All in all, the story is enjoyable, but I wanted just a bit more. The depth and characterization could use a bit more story- the book is pretty short (as was the first) and these characters have a lot of potential, the whole crew is amazing- so I just want to spend more rich time with them. But it certainly is sweet- and the architecture is all here.
<3.5 stars>
While I enjoyed parts of this story, at times it feels more trope driven than character driven. Like our first book, I wish we had a bit more focus (and time) devoted to both the development of these characters’ relationship as well as their own personal growth. I feel like I just needed more emotional meat to connect to them- and I think part of this was the narrative choice to thrust right into the middle of their break-up. Sure, we get some of it in book 1, but not through their eyes, and here I think the chemistry and connection would have been stronger if we had more of their history. And, given the pregnancy trope, we spend most of the story fixated on that and it’s impact (which don’t get me wrong, IS a huge impact on college students), but perhaps at the expense of holistic character development. I felt like I didn’t always know them, or them each other, even though this was their second opportunity to be together. Poppy decisions in particular were hard to accept at times- particularly when August is working SO hard to be amazing- and I felt like I needed a little bit more maturity and growth from her.
All in all, the story is enjoyable, but I wanted just a bit more. The depth and characterization could use a bit more story- the book is pretty short (as was the first) and these characters have a lot of potential, the whole crew is amazing- so I just want to spend more rich time with them. But it certainly is sweet- and the architecture is all here.
<3.5 stars>
October 3, 2022
Está tierno, pero creo que quería más drama, y no fui tan fan de la escritura (me gustó más el primero). Me sirvió para limpiar mi ‘paladar’ tho. 🥸
I will spend the rest of my life being the man that deserves her love. When you find a love like this, it’s fucking sacred. You do everything in your power to keep it safe, to water the flowers and watch them bloom. And I’ll build her an entire fucking garden out of my love just to watch her flourish. - Este pensamiento de August sobre Poppy y su bebé me gustó bastante.
I will spend the rest of my life being the man that deserves her love. When you find a love like this, it’s fucking sacred. You do everything in your power to keep it safe, to water the flowers and watch them bloom. And I’ll build her an entire fucking garden out of my love just to watch her flourish. - Este pensamiento de August sobre Poppy y su bebé me gustó bastante.
February 15, 2025
dnf at like 20%ish. i have never really been the biggest fan of surprise pregnancy tropes and i think it’s because it always feels too pro-lifey to me. like they never really discuss possible options after what is pretty much always a one night stand…. like girl…. having a baby with a person you hardly know is not your only option. and they never outwardly say “im pro-life” otherwise it would definitely turn people like me away from the book, so they instead just skirt around it and never talk things out very well it’s just “oh well this is what we’re doing now”. like this is a child not a goldfish. anyway yeah it’s just not for me, the author is definitely a dnf and i never wanna think about this series again as i have now dnfed both the first and second book. not for me…. AT ALL
May 8, 2023
2.5 ⭐️
So I start reading this and I’m like why do these people sound familiar. So, I look up the author and discover I read book 1 in this stand alone series. And then I look up my review and I specifically say I hate the characters and won’t read book 2… but here I am 😂
Anyway, it wasn’t as bad as book 1. But similar issues. There was no plot lol, there was no story. It’s 300+ pages of literal nothing. You’re reading words, no story.
I did, however, like the male mc more in this book than I did the last. But also I remember how fucking awful he was in book 1 and giving him a different personality in book 2 didn’t make me forget how terrible he was in book 1.
So I start reading this and I’m like why do these people sound familiar. So, I look up the author and discover I read book 1 in this stand alone series. And then I look up my review and I specifically say I hate the characters and won’t read book 2… but here I am 😂
Anyway, it wasn’t as bad as book 1. But similar issues. There was no plot lol, there was no story. It’s 300+ pages of literal nothing. You’re reading words, no story.
I did, however, like the male mc more in this book than I did the last. But also I remember how fucking awful he was in book 1 and giving him a different personality in book 2 didn’t make me forget how terrible he was in book 1.
October 23, 2022
Not for me. Even though I absolutely adore this trope, I hated the way it was written. So unrealistic and the writing was incredibly juvenile at times. Drama just for the sake of drama to give the plot something interesting.
dnf-2022
September 6, 2022DNF , way too much inner dialogue
September 7, 2022
if you want a sweet hero and a pregnancy romance drama free, this is the one.
i just think the conflict was so stupid! i wanted some angst
i just think the conflict was so stupid! i wanted some angst
October 1, 2022
I wanted to love it… but it fell flat for me 😭
December 17, 2022
yeah i’m never reading a book by cali melle ever again
September 3, 2022
Move over Logan, cause August is HERE to capture all of our hearts.😍😍 honestly I wasn't prepared to fall in love with August the way I did, and the glimpses we got of him in the first book just barley scratches the surface with who he actually is. He's so sweet, so emotional and vulnerable, and yeah he messes up at times, but he's human and he always goes above and beyond to show Poppy (and us readers!) Just how much he loves and how he's not going to keep making the same mistakes.
The emotion between these two, the connection they shared just leapt off the page and made every scene *that* much better. Surprise pregnancy isn't always my favorite trope, but this one was just so authentic and I loved how open and honest these two were. They communicated like actual adults even though they were so young, which made it that much better for me.
I know I spent a lot of time taking about how great August is, but Poppy is so wonderful too! She has such a great heart and is hiding so much pain, and is doing her absolute best to put her child ahead of all the things she wants & needs, and to not male the same mistake a certain parent made with her. I love how she really gave August a run for his money without it being too much, and the way they came together (no pun intended that time! Lol) was just beautiful. This book just made me even more excited for all to come in this series!!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **
**********************************
I really liked the first book, but I gotta be honest, August is my favorite leading man out of this series so far. The feels were top notch, the connection between August and Poppy just leapt off the page, and just every emotion was just so well done. I can't wait for everyone to read this emotional second chance romance!
**full RTC
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **
The emotion between these two, the connection they shared just leapt off the page and made every scene *that* much better. Surprise pregnancy isn't always my favorite trope, but this one was just so authentic and I loved how open and honest these two were. They communicated like actual adults even though they were so young, which made it that much better for me.
I know I spent a lot of time taking about how great August is, but Poppy is so wonderful too! She has such a great heart and is hiding so much pain, and is doing her absolute best to put her child ahead of all the things she wants & needs, and to not male the same mistake a certain parent made with her. I love how she really gave August a run for his money without it being too much, and the way they came together (no pun intended that time! Lol) was just beautiful. This book just made me even more excited for all to come in this series!!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **
**********************************
I really liked the first book, but I gotta be honest, August is my favorite leading man out of this series so far. The feels were top notch, the connection between August and Poppy just leapt off the page, and just every emotion was just so well done. I can't wait for everyone to read this emotional second chance romance!
**full RTC
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **
September 2, 2022
The second book in the series. This is August and Poppy’s story. August is a college guy enjoying college life. His hockey team, his independence, flirting and no strings hookups. Not a relationship kinda guy, but there is just something about Poppy that he just can’t let go of. But, the first book ends(sorry but a bit of a spoiler) where Poppy disappears. He can’t stop thinking of her. What happened to her???!!! Well, we find out soon enough.
I wasn’t really on the August Whitley wagon when he was in the first book but, he sooo redeemed himself in this one! I was rooting for these two! This was a good addition to the series and looking forward to the next one!
I wasn’t really on the August Whitley wagon when he was in the first book but, he sooo redeemed himself in this one! I was rooting for these two! This was a good addition to the series and looking forward to the next one!
September 2, 2022
August and Poppy’s story was so good! I loved how August fought for who he wanted I loved his fight and determination for the women he loves and Poppy was also strong she had trust issues galore my heart hurt for her this was a emotional roller coaster ride and definitely wasn’t smooth sailing to their HEA but was worth every word . Definitely one of my favorites out of this series so far and I highly recommend!
September 2, 2022
Universal
Poppy and August both agreed their time together was just supposed to be no strings fun. And it was. Then they parted and August has tried to move on from her, even though he still thinks about her. Now he's on a date and he sees...Poppy! And she's pregnant. Whoa, pump the breaks. Now August has a choice - step up and support her as they are about to become parents, or push ahead with what has been his only passion - hockey, and let Poppy go through this pregnancy essentially on her own.
Poppy doesn't want to become her parents. She doesn't want to make their mistakes. So keeping her fling with August as just a fling was in her best interests. So was keeping her pregnancy from the man whose only goal was to play hockey. But now that he knows and still wants to be there for her, she's having a hard time not falling for the man. Still, she will have to make her own choice once she realizes that his sole dream is only hockey, to the exclusion of all else. She won't ever keep him from their child, but she damn sure isn't about to be with a man who places her so far down his priority list that she can't even see her name there.
Aw...these two are such a cute couple, even when fighting their feelings. I like how strong Poppy is and how August finally stepped up and was the man she and their soon to come baby deserved. I haven't read the first story in this series, but now I am definitely planning to. I hope it's like this one - sweet, hot, with two very likable leads.
ARC provided by Wildfire Marketing Solutions for an honest review.
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August 24, 2022
I was provided with an ARC of this book by Wildfire Marketing Solutions.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
This is book 2 of the Wyncote Wolves series. It tells the story of August and Poppy. I know the whole “surprise pregnancy” trope isn’t for everyone, but I would be willing to bet this one will hit different for you.
August and Poppy started to take their fling to the next level before he broke it off to put his full focus on playing hockey. Shortly after their breakup, Poppy finds out she is pregnant. (This is where this book begins.) She decides to keep it from August in an attempt to protect him from having to choose between the sport he loves and his unborn child. She ghosts him completely and although he searches everywhere for her, he comes up empty. Until he doesn’t…when he finds her at her 4 months later, shocked at her growing belly. He knows he has to spend the next 5 months trying to convince her he isn’t going to let her leave again.
I adored these characters. Poppy is the epitome of a badass. She decides right from the beginning that she does not NEED a man to succeed in her life. August is head over heels for her and he really does his best to show her, even though the balance between his new family and hockey leaves him coming up short sometimes. There certainly is a lot for them to work through and the book has a bit of angst, but I really really enjoyed it.
Literally, just keep these swoony hockey boys coming pls. Thx.
♥
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
This is book 2 of the Wyncote Wolves series. It tells the story of August and Poppy. I know the whole “surprise pregnancy” trope isn’t for everyone, but I would be willing to bet this one will hit different for you.
August and Poppy started to take their fling to the next level before he broke it off to put his full focus on playing hockey. Shortly after their breakup, Poppy finds out she is pregnant. (This is where this book begins.) She decides to keep it from August in an attempt to protect him from having to choose between the sport he loves and his unborn child. She ghosts him completely and although he searches everywhere for her, he comes up empty. Until he doesn’t…when he finds her at her 4 months later, shocked at her growing belly. He knows he has to spend the next 5 months trying to convince her he isn’t going to let her leave again.
I adored these characters. Poppy is the epitome of a badass. She decides right from the beginning that she does not NEED a man to succeed in her life. August is head over heels for her and he really does his best to show her, even though the balance between his new family and hockey leaves him coming up short sometimes. There certainly is a lot for them to work through and the book has a bit of angst, but I really really enjoyed it.
Literally, just keep these swoony hockey boys coming pls. Thx.
♥
August 30, 2022
3.5⭐️
After finishing the first book I was dying to get my hands on this one because I knew it was going to have one of my favourite tropes! And August and Poppy’s relationship was very sweet. I do wish we got at least a few chapters with them all as a family after Poppy had the baby—I’m a sucker for that content—but it was still a cute ending.
I really enjoyed August and Poppy together, I loved that he went chasing after her when she disappeared. He goes through some difficult choices and, though he’s not perfect, he always tries to do the right thing. I really liked Poppy in the first book and at the beginning of this one, but I feel like she wasn’t even willing to give August the benefit of the doubt and ran away from her problems rather than trying to communicate and work things out first. But she was a strong character and really stepped up when she found out she was pregnant. She’s gonna make a great mum! They both definitely go through their ups and downs, but they come together in the end.
I’m excited for Cam and Aspen’s story next!
After finishing the first book I was dying to get my hands on this one because I knew it was going to have one of my favourite tropes! And August and Poppy’s relationship was very sweet. I do wish we got at least a few chapters with them all as a family after Poppy had the baby—I’m a sucker for that content—but it was still a cute ending.
I really enjoyed August and Poppy together, I loved that he went chasing after her when she disappeared. He goes through some difficult choices and, though he’s not perfect, he always tries to do the right thing. I really liked Poppy in the first book and at the beginning of this one, but I feel like she wasn’t even willing to give August the benefit of the doubt and ran away from her problems rather than trying to communicate and work things out first. But she was a strong character and really stepped up when she found out she was pregnant. She’s gonna make a great mum! They both definitely go through their ups and downs, but they come together in the end.
I’m excited for Cam and Aspen’s story next!
September 7, 2022
Deflected Hearts by Cali Melle is the second book in the Wyncote Wolves series, which is a hockey romance.
The story follows August and Poppy and their surprise pregnancy and second chance romance. It is a must to read the first book in the series - Cross Checked Hearts, as their relationship starts there. There’s a lot these two need to overcome and work on both themselves and their relationship. I feel like we only got a HFN story as these two aren’t quite at the HEA stage, but I’m sure snippets of them will come across in other books in the series and show their developing relationship.
Deflected Hearts is written from both August and Poppy’s POV’s, as each chapter switches between the two characters.
I’m looking forward to continuing the Wyncote Wolves series and reading Cameron and Aspen’s story in Playing Offsides.
The story follows August and Poppy and their surprise pregnancy and second chance romance. It is a must to read the first book in the series - Cross Checked Hearts, as their relationship starts there. There’s a lot these two need to overcome and work on both themselves and their relationship. I feel like we only got a HFN story as these two aren’t quite at the HEA stage, but I’m sure snippets of them will come across in other books in the series and show their developing relationship.
Deflected Hearts is written from both August and Poppy’s POV’s, as each chapter switches between the two characters.
I’m looking forward to continuing the Wyncote Wolves series and reading Cameron and Aspen’s story in Playing Offsides.
September 2, 2022
August has been searching for Poppy since she left and he found out she'd lied to him.
While he's out on a date, Poppy is not only working at the restaurant but she's pregnant!
I wasn't sure about August in Cross Checked Hearts but I fell for him very quickly in this one.
He is so attentive and protective of Poppy and not just because of the baby.
He is determined to prove to her that he's not going to walk away.
I was expecting a little more about his anxiety, especially as it's a stressful situation.
One thing I really love about these books is the relationship between the guys on the hockey team. They are all really supportive of each other on and off the ice.
Really looking forward to Cam's story next ❤️
While he's out on a date, Poppy is not only working at the restaurant but she's pregnant!
I wasn't sure about August in Cross Checked Hearts but I fell for him very quickly in this one.
He is so attentive and protective of Poppy and not just because of the baby.
He is determined to prove to her that he's not going to walk away.
I was expecting a little more about his anxiety, especially as it's a stressful situation.
One thing I really love about these books is the relationship between the guys on the hockey team. They are all really supportive of each other on and off the ice.
Really looking forward to Cam's story next ❤️
January 27, 2023
pregnancy plot (non derogatory)
November 12, 2023
4⭐️
"And I’ll be his in this life and each one that comes after this. This is a forever love and I’m ready for forever with him."
"And I’ll be his in this life and each one that comes after this. This is a forever love and I’m ready for forever with him."
September 3, 2022
I love a good hockey romance! But for me this one just missed the mark a bit. We are told about the initial romance between Poppy and August and plopped down into the story after they break up.
August loves hockey and when his initial feelings for Poppy get too strong, he pulls back to give all his attention to his pending career. But he soon realizes he misses her. I loved that August goes chasing after Poppy and honestly, I really loved August. He’s not perfect, but he has a lot of tough choices in this book and I feel like he makes the best of a complicated situation.
Poppy is a sympathetic character that went south for me with some of her choices. I do not enjoy characters that run away from their problems or will not have a rational conversation to solve them. And I felt like Poppy expected everything from August, but was not will to really trust him or give him the benefit of the doubt when he needed it.
This is definitely a story of two college kids learning as they grow. It’s a very real and emotional story, with a bit of trigger moment for some of my friends. So feel free to reach out if you need to.
August loves hockey and when his initial feelings for Poppy get too strong, he pulls back to give all his attention to his pending career. But he soon realizes he misses her. I loved that August goes chasing after Poppy and honestly, I really loved August. He’s not perfect, but he has a lot of tough choices in this book and I feel like he makes the best of a complicated situation.
Poppy is a sympathetic character that went south for me with some of her choices. I do not enjoy characters that run away from their problems or will not have a rational conversation to solve them. And I felt like Poppy expected everything from August, but was not will to really trust him or give him the benefit of the doubt when he needed it.
This is definitely a story of two college kids learning as they grow. It’s a very real and emotional story, with a bit of trigger moment for some of my friends. So feel free to reach out if you need to.
August 28, 2022
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review
Ranking 4.5⭐️
I have to say I was a bit freaked out by August & Poppy after reading Cross Checked Hearts, luckily these two were everything I expected and more, I fell in love with their story from the beginning and it was really nice to read them face their feelings, fears and the great change that came to their lives with their baby, plus I really liked that Cali Melle show more about the friendship of the boys on the hockey team in this book and I can't wait to read them, especially Cameron & Asher!
To say that August exceeded my expectations is an understatement, I really liked his character in CCH but in Deflected Hearts I completely fell in love with him, I loved his attitude from the beginning to the end of the book, I loved reading him fully involved with Poppy, and not just because of the baby, being the sweetest, most caring, understanding, and even though he was sometimes a little lost, he always found a way to resolve misunderstandings with her and to put himself in her place when the situation required it. Plus I enjoyed reading again about his relationship with Isla, her fights, the advice she gives him and how much they love each other. I think August was perfect, he definitely stole my heart, but I wish Cali had addressed in this book the anxiety issues that were mentioned in the first book, especially since the situation that he lives in this book had to be more than stressful for him, and except for his nervousness in some scenes, it was not mentioned again.
Although Poppy also has her appearances in CCH I think we never really met her until now: she has a tragic past, but she has the support of her mother and stepfather, and one of the things that I liked the most about her character was precisely how she talks about her mother, how she describes her and the great love they feel for each other, I think that Cali wrote really nice things about their relationship, besides that Poppy herself is a beautiful girl, very brave, understanding and with a big heart, who is also vulnerable and despite the fact that she has great fears in life she deals with everything that is happening to her in the best way and even when August inadvertently hurts his feelings, she behaves in a very mature way, something that I really loved.
But without a doubt what I enjoyed the most about these two was that there was no unnecessary drama in their relationship: both of them are always mature, responsible and resolve their misunderstandings in an adult way, especially because from the beginning it's obvious what they feel for each other, and even though Poppy doesn't want to risk her heart and let August into her life as more than just her baby's daddy it's impossible for her not to fall in love with him more with how sweet, loving and tender he is with her and how much he is involved, concerned and interested in the baby. However, nothing is easy for August & Poppy: he finds himself in a difficult situation because he doesn't know how to balance his responsibilities with the hockey team and at the same time show Poppy that she and their baby are the most important thing to him, and although he makes some mistakes without meaning to, August is ALWAYS clear about what he really wants in his life, and I loved reading him fighting for it.
🍼August: 5/5
🍼Poppy: 5/5
🍼Plot: 4/5
🍼Love story: 5/5
🍼Secondary charcaters: 5/5
🍼Universe: 5/5
🍼Cover: 5/5
🌶️: 2.5/5
🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada a cambio de una reseña honesta
Puntuación 4.5⭐️
Tengo que decir que estaba un poco asustada por August & Poppy después de haber leído Cross Checked Hearts, afortunadamente estos dos fueron todo lo que esperaba y mucho más, su historia me enamoró desde el principio y fue realmente lindo leerlos afrontar sus sentimientos, miedos y el gran cambio que llegó a sus vidas con su bebé, además de que me gustó muchísimo que Cali Melle mostrará más de la amistad de los chicos del equipo de hockey en este libro y no puedo esperar a leerlos, especialmente a Cameron & Asher!
Decir que August superó mis expectativas es quedarme corta, su personaje me gustó muchísimo en CCH pero en Deflected Hearts me enamoró por completo, amé su actitud desde el comienzo y hasta el final del libro, me encantó leerlo involucrándose por completo con Poppy, y no solo por el bebé, siendo el más dulce, atento, comprensivo, y aunque a veces estuvo un poco perdido, siempre encontró la forma de resolver los malentendidos con ella y de ponerse en su lugar cuando la situación lo requería, además de que disfruté leer de nuevo su relación con Isla, sus peleas, los concejos que ella le da y lo mucho que se quieren el uno al otro. Creo que August fue perfecto, sin lugar a dudas se robó mi corazón, pero me hubiera gustado que Cali abordara en este libro los problemas de ansiedad que se mencionaron en el primer libro, especialmente porque la situación que él vive en este libro tuvo que ser más que estresante para él, y salvo por su nerviosismo en algunas escenas, no se volvió a mencionar.
A pesar de que Poppy también tiene sus apariciones en CCH creo que nunca la conocimos realmente hasta ahora: tiene un historia familiar trágica, pero cuenta con el apoyo de su mamá y su padrastro, y una de las cosas que más me gustó de su personaje fue justamente como habla de su mamá, como la describe y el gran amor que sienten la una por la otra, creo que Cali escribió cosas realmente lindas sobre su relación, además de que Poppy en si es una chica hermosa, muy valiente, comprensiva y con un gran corazón, que también es vulnerable y a pesar de que tiene grandes miedos en la vida afronta todo lo que le esta pasando de la mejor manera y aún cuando August lastima sin querer sus sentimientos se comporta de manera muy madura, algo que me encantó.
Pero sin lugar a dudas lo que más disfruté de estos dos fue que en su relación no hubiera drama innecesario, que los dos sean siempre maduros, responsables y resuelvan sus malentendidos de manera adulta, especialmente porque desde el principio es obvio lo que sienten el uno por el otro, y aunque Poppy no quiere arriesgar su corazón y dejar a August entrar en su vida como algo más que el papá de su bebé le es imposible no enamorarse más de él con lo dulce, cariñoso y tierno que es con ella y lo mucho que se involucra, preocupa e interesa por el bebé. Sin embargo, nada en sencillo para August & Poppy: el se encuentra en una situación complicada porque no sabe como balancear sus responsabilidades con el equipo de Hockey y al mismo tiempo demostrarle a Poppy que ella y su bebé son los más importante para él, y aunque comete algunos errores sin querer, August SIEMRPRE tiene claro que es lo que realmente quiere en su vida, y me encantó leerlo luchando por ello.
🍼August: 5/5
🍼Poppy: 5/5
🍼Trama: 4/5
🍼Historia de amor: 5/5
🍼Personajes secundarios: 5/5
🍼Universo: 5/5
🍼Portada: 5/5
🌶️: 2.5/5
Ranking 4.5⭐️
I have to say I was a bit freaked out by August & Poppy after reading Cross Checked Hearts, luckily these two were everything I expected and more, I fell in love with their story from the beginning and it was really nice to read them face their feelings, fears and the great change that came to their lives with their baby, plus I really liked that Cali Melle show more about the friendship of the boys on the hockey team in this book and I can't wait to read them, especially Cameron & Asher!
To say that August exceeded my expectations is an understatement, I really liked his character in CCH but in Deflected Hearts I completely fell in love with him, I loved his attitude from the beginning to the end of the book, I loved reading him fully involved with Poppy, and not just because of the baby, being the sweetest, most caring, understanding, and even though he was sometimes a little lost, he always found a way to resolve misunderstandings with her and to put himself in her place when the situation required it. Plus I enjoyed reading again about his relationship with Isla, her fights, the advice she gives him and how much they love each other. I think August was perfect, he definitely stole my heart, but I wish Cali had addressed in this book the anxiety issues that were mentioned in the first book, especially since the situation that he lives in this book had to be more than stressful for him, and except for his nervousness in some scenes, it was not mentioned again.
Although Poppy also has her appearances in CCH I think we never really met her until now: she has a tragic past, but she has the support of her mother and stepfather, and one of the things that I liked the most about her character was precisely how she talks about her mother, how she describes her and the great love they feel for each other, I think that Cali wrote really nice things about their relationship, besides that Poppy herself is a beautiful girl, very brave, understanding and with a big heart, who is also vulnerable and despite the fact that she has great fears in life she deals with everything that is happening to her in the best way and even when August inadvertently hurts his feelings, she behaves in a very mature way, something that I really loved.
But without a doubt what I enjoyed the most about these two was that there was no unnecessary drama in their relationship: both of them are always mature, responsible and resolve their misunderstandings in an adult way, especially because from the beginning it's obvious what they feel for each other, and even though Poppy doesn't want to risk her heart and let August into her life as more than just her baby's daddy it's impossible for her not to fall in love with him more with how sweet, loving and tender he is with her and how much he is involved, concerned and interested in the baby. However, nothing is easy for August & Poppy: he finds himself in a difficult situation because he doesn't know how to balance his responsibilities with the hockey team and at the same time show Poppy that she and their baby are the most important thing to him, and although he makes some mistakes without meaning to, August is ALWAYS clear about what he really wants in his life, and I loved reading him fighting for it.
🍼August: 5/5
🍼Poppy: 5/5
🍼Plot: 4/5
🍼Love story: 5/5
🍼Secondary charcaters: 5/5
🍼Universe: 5/5
🍼Cover: 5/5
🌶️: 2.5/5
🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada a cambio de una reseña honesta
Puntuación 4.5⭐️
Tengo que decir que estaba un poco asustada por August & Poppy después de haber leído Cross Checked Hearts, afortunadamente estos dos fueron todo lo que esperaba y mucho más, su historia me enamoró desde el principio y fue realmente lindo leerlos afrontar sus sentimientos, miedos y el gran cambio que llegó a sus vidas con su bebé, además de que me gustó muchísimo que Cali Melle mostrará más de la amistad de los chicos del equipo de hockey en este libro y no puedo esperar a leerlos, especialmente a Cameron & Asher!
Decir que August superó mis expectativas es quedarme corta, su personaje me gustó muchísimo en CCH pero en Deflected Hearts me enamoró por completo, amé su actitud desde el comienzo y hasta el final del libro, me encantó leerlo involucrándose por completo con Poppy, y no solo por el bebé, siendo el más dulce, atento, comprensivo, y aunque a veces estuvo un poco perdido, siempre encontró la forma de resolver los malentendidos con ella y de ponerse en su lugar cuando la situación lo requería, además de que disfruté leer de nuevo su relación con Isla, sus peleas, los concejos que ella le da y lo mucho que se quieren el uno al otro. Creo que August fue perfecto, sin lugar a dudas se robó mi corazón, pero me hubiera gustado que Cali abordara en este libro los problemas de ansiedad que se mencionaron en el primer libro, especialmente porque la situación que él vive en este libro tuvo que ser más que estresante para él, y salvo por su nerviosismo en algunas escenas, no se volvió a mencionar.
A pesar de que Poppy también tiene sus apariciones en CCH creo que nunca la conocimos realmente hasta ahora: tiene un historia familiar trágica, pero cuenta con el apoyo de su mamá y su padrastro, y una de las cosas que más me gustó de su personaje fue justamente como habla de su mamá, como la describe y el gran amor que sienten la una por la otra, creo que Cali escribió cosas realmente lindas sobre su relación, además de que Poppy en si es una chica hermosa, muy valiente, comprensiva y con un gran corazón, que también es vulnerable y a pesar de que tiene grandes miedos en la vida afronta todo lo que le esta pasando de la mejor manera y aún cuando August lastima sin querer sus sentimientos se comporta de manera muy madura, algo que me encantó.
Pero sin lugar a dudas lo que más disfruté de estos dos fue que en su relación no hubiera drama innecesario, que los dos sean siempre maduros, responsables y resuelvan sus malentendidos de manera adulta, especialmente porque desde el principio es obvio lo que sienten el uno por el otro, y aunque Poppy no quiere arriesgar su corazón y dejar a August entrar en su vida como algo más que el papá de su bebé le es imposible no enamorarse más de él con lo dulce, cariñoso y tierno que es con ella y lo mucho que se involucra, preocupa e interesa por el bebé. Sin embargo, nada en sencillo para August & Poppy: el se encuentra en una situación complicada porque no sabe como balancear sus responsabilidades con el equipo de Hockey y al mismo tiempo demostrarle a Poppy que ella y su bebé son los más importante para él, y aunque comete algunos errores sin querer, August SIEMRPRE tiene claro que es lo que realmente quiere en su vida, y me encantó leerlo luchando por ello.
🍼August: 5/5
🍼Poppy: 5/5
🍼Trama: 4/5
🍼Historia de amor: 5/5
🍼Personajes secundarios: 5/5
🍼Universo: 5/5
🍼Portada: 5/5
🌶️: 2.5/5
September 5, 2022
Even Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow white had more of a plot compared to this. I kept thinking, this novel is the picture of what things look like in a perfect world. This would be an ideal relationship. Like the only thing u would have to breakup over is the fact that the H didn't go to the doctors appointment.
I could literalky summarise this entire book in about 5 sentences, but I won't because then I'd be giving the book away, which technically, wouldn't be so bad cos it would spare many 3 good hours of their lives.
So my thoughts are very frustrated right now, do u know that this book has about 30 chapters. The most intriguing part happens in the prologue and is like 2 pages worth. Thereafter they are constantly thinking. There isn't much dialogue and what there is is like so bleh. POPPY is so contradictory and August is such a nin. Like a real diitz. I don't even know what to have pictured them as because the only description of poppy that we get is in chapter 27 and then her eye colour at the epilogue. She could have been overweight or had blonde hair... We only found out late... Too late actually.
My review has more juice then the actual story. It was so so so weak. I'm so sad because the blurb and some of the reviews made me hunt this book down and I feel like it was such a waste.
Like some of the details were so farfetched for example he was at her side when she was having the baby, then they called him to cut the umbilical cord and it seemed like he walked quite a few steps to go and cut the cord. I mean just say he went around to her feet, not tell us a whole fucking line about how many steps he took to get there.
Ugh!!! Or when he's thinking or they both are... Its like they over analysing everything that means nothing.
OK ok I'm gonna stop now... Just know that I'm pissed off.
I could literalky summarise this entire book in about 5 sentences, but I won't because then I'd be giving the book away, which technically, wouldn't be so bad cos it would spare many 3 good hours of their lives.
So my thoughts are very frustrated right now, do u know that this book has about 30 chapters. The most intriguing part happens in the prologue and is like 2 pages worth. Thereafter they are constantly thinking. There isn't much dialogue and what there is is like so bleh. POPPY is so contradictory and August is such a nin. Like a real diitz. I don't even know what to have pictured them as because the only description of poppy that we get is in chapter 27 and then her eye colour at the epilogue. She could have been overweight or had blonde hair... We only found out late... Too late actually.
My review has more juice then the actual story. It was so so so weak. I'm so sad because the blurb and some of the reviews made me hunt this book down and I feel like it was such a waste.
Like some of the details were so farfetched for example he was at her side when she was having the baby, then they called him to cut the umbilical cord and it seemed like he walked quite a few steps to go and cut the cord. I mean just say he went around to her feet, not tell us a whole fucking line about how many steps he took to get there.
Ugh!!! Or when he's thinking or they both are... Its like they over analysing everything that means nothing.
OK ok I'm gonna stop now... Just know that I'm pissed off.
November 22, 2024
“oceanic eyes…” if i ever read these words again i might actually COMBUST!1!1!1! thesauruses exist yk 😭
this might be my fault for reading the second book to the series first but i legit had zero connection to the characters nor did i care about them — like who are you??! and why is the story starting like i’m supposed to know your history.. I DON’T! what even made you like this girl in the first place IDK!!
the writing was so juvenile at times, but i guess that’s fine, it’s just not for me. there were some cute moments between poppy and august but that’s it
i know this is part of a series but i wish we were given more context about poppy/august, especially since this is basically a second chance romance
the reason this gets one star is because the writing made me laugh. it was also a relatively quick read so: bonus points
this might be my fault for reading the second book to the series first but i legit had zero connection to the characters nor did i care about them — like who are you??! and why is the story starting like i’m supposed to know your history.. I DON’T! what even made you like this girl in the first place IDK!!
the writing was so juvenile at times, but i guess that’s fine, it’s just not for me. there were some cute moments between poppy and august but that’s it
i know this is part of a series but i wish we were given more context about poppy/august, especially since this is basically a second chance romance
the reason this gets one star is because the writing made me laugh. it was also a relatively quick read so: bonus points
September 2, 2022
Deflected Hearts (aesthetic & ARC review)
[CONTAINS SPOILERS]
This was such a cute and easy read. I loved every part of it. Poppy is such an amazing young woman, taking her life in her own hands and doing the best for her and her unborn child. She never stopped her life just cause she got pregnant at a "young" age, she was determined and strong-willed. I also loved her mother's support and their relationship a lot. Poppy didn't have it easy and having her mother there was important. August (btw I adore the name) is a male character I had to warm up with. He made some choices that I couldn't understand but after some time I could see his point and understand him. Hell this boy would do anything for Poppy and their baby and I was so happy that he finally realised that even if hockey is important there are people he made some promises to and he needs to keep them. You can see his growth and it's a beautiful one. He matures and understands that he is needed and wanted. I love also how Poppy never gave him the choice of choosing cause she respected his hard work and that would be affair. Those two are so cute together. I loved everything about them, especially their texts and late night's sleep overs. They have a perfect little family and that makes me so freaking happy.
Book by: Cali Melle
Tropes:
• Second chance
• Surprise pregnancy
• Sports romance (hockey)
• "Friends" to lovers
My rating: 4/5⭐
Spice level: 2/5🔥
[CONTAINS SPOILERS]
This was such a cute and easy read. I loved every part of it. Poppy is such an amazing young woman, taking her life in her own hands and doing the best for her and her unborn child. She never stopped her life just cause she got pregnant at a "young" age, she was determined and strong-willed. I also loved her mother's support and their relationship a lot. Poppy didn't have it easy and having her mother there was important. August (btw I adore the name) is a male character I had to warm up with. He made some choices that I couldn't understand but after some time I could see his point and understand him. Hell this boy would do anything for Poppy and their baby and I was so happy that he finally realised that even if hockey is important there are people he made some promises to and he needs to keep them. You can see his growth and it's a beautiful one. He matures and understands that he is needed and wanted. I love also how Poppy never gave him the choice of choosing cause she respected his hard work and that would be affair. Those two are so cute together. I loved everything about them, especially their texts and late night's sleep overs. They have a perfect little family and that makes me so freaking happy.
Book by: Cali Melle
Tropes:
• Second chance
• Surprise pregnancy
• Sports romance (hockey)
• "Friends" to lovers
My rating: 4/5⭐
Spice level: 2/5🔥
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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