The Goalie Who Stole Christmas

Wyncote Wolves #5

by Cali Melle

Asher

After my mother was diagnosed with cancer last year, she has been on my siblings and I to get married.

Afraid that her time is running out, she just wants to be here for all of the milestones in our life.

I’m the last one left, the one who doesn’t even have a girlfriend.

My family knows that my life is invested in hockey, yet they still continue to push.

I can’t show up at my brother’s wedding alone and deal with their disappointment.

Instead, I need to find someone who will pretend to be my girlfriend for the week.

And Sydney Williams is the perfect candidate…

Sydney

With my family gone for Christmas, it looks like I’m spending the holidays alone.

Until Asher Golding propositions me.

We’ve been friends since freshman year and swore to keep it that way.

Asher asks me to go to Maine with him, to be his fake date for his brother’s wedding.

He wants me to spend the holiday with his family afterwards, to make his mother happy.

Who am I to say no?

I don’t have any plans, Asher is one of my closest friends, and we’re just playing pretend.

Nothing could possibly go wrong with our fake relationship, right?

Even if we do end up having to share a bed…

Genres: Hockey, Sports Romance, Hockey Romance, Romance, Christmas, Sports, Friends To Lovers

212 pages, Paperback

Published December 12, 2022

About the author

Cali 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.

Reviews

[Kursed Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Asher Golding needs to bring a date to his brother’s wedding, he turns to his friend, Sydney Phillips.

What follows is the evolution of their relationship from friends to lovers. Although not a novel storyline, it’s a sweet and steamy read that’s well-paced despite its novella length.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥1/2
Darkness: 🤍
Heat: 🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😁🥰🥵😁😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}

🗂 Genre: Contemporary Romance

✨ Tropes: Fake Relationship, Forced Proximity, Friends-to-Lovers, One Bed

💋 Kinks: n/a

⚠️ Warning: This sweet and steamy read will leave you wanton.

🚩 Safety Squad: n/a

📣 Type: The Goalie Who Stole Christmas 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.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series so much! I'm having the best time watching these hockey hotties fall hard for love!
Keeps getting better and better!

Asher and Sydney have grown very close while seeing each other almost daily at college. The best of friends. It just comes easily with these two.
He is another hockey star in need of a little help. His sweet Mama is on his case about settling down. With her recent medical journey, he feels the need to make her heart happy by bring a girl home for his brother's wedding and possibly for family Christmas.

Enter in Syd. She wants to make him happy so instantly agrees to pretending to be what she has wanted for some time now. She makes him promise - don't fall in love. That's it and pretty easy right.

Christmas just has a way of bringing the magic. Opening eyes to what could be staring you in the face. A mama who believes in the gift of love also can help. I just adored his mom!

Take a journey with these two! Let them steal your heart like they stole Christmas!

[NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books} · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4 "All or nothing!!!" stars***



"Two can play this game...
But I'm afraid neither of us will win."

He needed a girlfriend for his brother's wedding and she was spending her Christmas all alone!!!
They were friends for a long time and now, they are about to enter a new, uncharted world!!!
This was a very sweet and unexpected journey with a Christmas background...
What else could you ask for this season???

"I thought this was all just pretend..."

I like the Wyncote Wolves and I am enjoying every single ride that these guys are offering us...
It was Asher's turn to lose his heart and mind to a girl and what a girl was Sydney!!!
Asher didn't like commitment, but after his mother was diagnosed with cancer, she needs for her children to find their other half, so Asher needs to appease this need of hers with a fake girlfriend!!!

"Promise me you won't fall in love with me."

Sydney didn't have anything to do this Christmas... so when Asher is propositioning her to pretend his fake girlfriend for the Christmas, she can not deny him... After all, Asher is a good friend of hers and even though, she is having a small crush on him since forever, she can stay untouched of this pretend between them...
But what will happen when the Christmas spirit and a determined mother will make their hearts and minds a cute mess???

"How could I have possibly been so blind?"

I liked Asher and I liked to see him falling for a girl like Sydney...
And I loved Sydney... She was such a lovely girl, full of life...
I liked seeing their story unravel, even though I wish there was a little bit more depth and length in it...
The only sure thing is that I can not wait to see more of this world!!!

"Friends don't kiss friends the way he just kissed me..."

**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**

[melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

“promise me you won’t fall in love with me” is just a challenge to fall in love as FAST as possible

[Sarah - Lifeofabookqueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Release Date: December 16

This perfect holiday novella hit the spot. It had all my favorite things!

🎄friends to lovers
🎄hockey romance
🎄fake dating
🎄one bed
🎄spice

All. The. Things! 😍😍 What a great read.

Asher and Sydney have been friends forever. Neither is interested in dating. When Asher needs a fake date for a Christmas wedding, no one could be more perfect than his platonic friend Sydney. Even if she is so beautiful it hurts.

Friend to lovers will always be my favorite. The attraction, the foundation, the tension and not wanting to ruin a friendship… I love it!!

I enjoyed The Goalie Who Stole Christmas so much. Thank you Cali for sending me this beautiful book to read and for being such a sweet human 🎄🏒

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

[Elisa ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

a cute fake dating romance, but what i complain about this author's writing is that i end the book and feel as if i know nothing about these characters, I'll give it a pass because this is a novella, but still, i know almost nothing about the hero and heroine

[The Romantic Rush Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and sexy combination of all that we adore about Cali Melle. This fake dating story has a swoony hero and a loveable heroine, just the right dash of holiday vibes, and leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy. Fast paced and adorable- a delightful little Christmas novella!

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love a good fake dating, only one bed trope, ngl
Gonna have to read the rest of the series though bc I feel like I'm missing things oh no what a sHAME

[Lisbeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Podría haber sido mejor. Los eventos que tuvieron lugar se sintieron inconexos, no se ejecutaron bien o no fueron del todo creíbles.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asher and Sydney have had a great friendship, one that started when they met as freshman. He friend zoned her right away and Syd was okay with that as she knew where she fit. Asher has to go home for his brother’s wedding and wants to bring a date. His mom has battled cancer and her only dream is to make sure she seems all her kids happy in relationships and married. Asher has only had one dream and that was to play hockey. His life has been the Wyncote Wolves and they have become the family he has surrounded himself with. There hasn’t been time for a relationship. Sydney agrees to be his fake girlfriend when he goes back home for the wedding to make his mom happy. They know that they have to set boundaries, Syd needs them so she doesn’t fall further for the one friend that she has wanted to be with. Boundaries get pushed and lines get crossed and when push comes to shove, they need to decide if friends is the only place for the other.

Okay, I really enjoyed this book. I love all of Cali’s hockey books, but for some reason this one was special. I don’t typically love the fake dating trope, but it worked for this novella. Asher has had the same goals forever, but he is also a huge family man and loves them with everything he has. He wants to make his mom happy, but feels he would sacrifice his game if he had a relationship. Sydney may look like she has it all, but let’s be honest the girl has things she is dealing with as well. As she spends more time with Asher, she realizes that he is so much more than a friend. She knows the stakes and will stay within the guidelines that this is just for right now.

[Gabriëlla Croes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asher needs a fake date to take home with him for the holidays and to his brother's wedding. Sydney ends up going as his fake girlfriend. They spend a lot of time together. But are they willing to go back to being friends after the holidays are over?

"𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥, 𝐒𝐲𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬. 𝐈 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝."

The change of Sydney and Asher going from friends to lovers was sweet and natural. They really fit together so well. It was always there but the fake dating gave them the push they needed. Sydney and Asher have been great friends, so it understandable they don't want to ruin their friendship.

𝐈'𝐦 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠... 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐜𝐞.

The one bed trope was nicely done. It is a sweet, steamy and heartfelt novella. Perfect for a lovely holiday read.

I am so excited for book 6 of this series. Each book has been lovely and the series only gets better.

𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻.

➛ Dual 1st person POV - Sydney and Asher
➛ Tropes: Fake Dating, Friends To Lovers, One Bed, Forced Proximity, Holiday, College, Hockey
➛ Novella
➛ Mention of sickness in the past by a parent
➛ Spicy
➛ Standalone in the 𝗪𝘆𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 series. Book #5.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asher's mother has been diagnosed with cancer, and since that time, she's been on all of her kids to get married so she doesn't miss out on their lives. It just so happens that Asher has been completely focused on his hockey career so he's the last man standing, which leads to the coming events. He's going home for his brother's wedding at Christmas so he needs someone to fake it with him, and he decides that his close friend, Sydney, would do perfectly. Sydney has no plans for Christmas since her family is gone so she agrees to Asher's request. These two are perfect for each other, and both have harbored some secret feelings for the other, but they made a deal to stay friends since college so what could possibly go wrong?! This story is sweet with a side of heat & is a delightful Christmas novella. Can Christmas magic get these two together?! You'll have to hit those one click buttons to find out as I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Bre-Book Bre- Landers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends to Lovers and Secret Relationship, sign me up.

Loved how adorable these two are. So sweet and cute, how could they not end up together?!
Asher is such a romantic, I think he even surprised himself at times.
Sydney has been in love with Asher since the beginning. Put them in close proximity and a fake relationship for Christmas AND a wedding, YUP!!

You’ve got an Adorable Love Story that is worth your time.

[Chelsea (2_girls_bookin_it) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read one of the Wyncote Wolves books and loved it. So when I saw that a Christmas novella was coming out, I knew I was going to read it. I read it in pretty much one sitting. It has some of my favorite tropes - fake dating and one bed. It's a super cute story with just enough spice. If you're looking for a quick holiday read, then this is it! (And if you're not into the sports romance thing, that's ok - this doesn't center around hockey as much as other books in this series).

[Nath✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gracias Cali Melle y Grey's Promo por el ARC
TW: Familiar con cancer
Tropes: Friends to lovers, fake dating y hockey romance

Asher necesita una novia para la boda de su hermano, que es proximo a Navidad. Decidido a hacer feliz a su madre, le pide a Sydney que sea su novia falsa y que pase la Navidad con él y su familia, dejando en claro que no tiene interés de tener una relacion . Pero habiendo sido amigos desde el primer año de universidad, Sydney rápidamente accedió ,no admitiendole a Asher que desde el inicio ya tenia algunos sentimientos hacia el.

Me encantó este libro desde el momento en que lo empecé , llamo por completo mi atención. Me gusta cómo la historia se desarrolla rápidamente pero no pierde detalles. Es completamente lo que necesitaba en la epoca de examenes.


“You’ve been right in front of me this entire time”
“How could I have possibly been so blind”

“You’re my endgame. I don’t want anyone else in this lifetime but you.”

[Becca Dirkson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Goalie Who Stole Christmas 🥅 🏒 🎄 (ARC)
By: Cali Melle
Release Date: 12/16

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶

First, I'd like to say I received an ARC for an honest review. Thank you to Cali Melle and your PR team for this opportunity.

Ok. This was a super cute Christmas story. Asher needs a date to bring home for his brothers wedding. Asher, of course, does not do girlfriends so he’s in a bind considering it’s Christmas break. Luckily, his good friend, Sydney, isn’t go home for the holidays and agrees to be his date! Why not? They know each other, they can stand each other, easy peasy. When they get to Asher’s moms house, they learn they have to share a bed 😈.
Sydney, I love her character. She broke my heart. Her family was the family who had more money than time. Being with Asher and his family shows her how much she wish she had that growing up. Asher, is more than happy to provide her first family Christmas! The story evolves from there and you fall in love them even more!
While I loved Asher’s character, I loved Sydney’s even more. Just the awe and amazement she experienced from things others consider normal Christmas tradition was…beautiful.
I definitely recommend this book. It was such a cute and heartfelt read! I can’t wait to continue on with the series 🏒🥅🎄

[Linzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I absolutely LOVED this book and just fell madly in love with Asher. He’s what bfs are made of with how he treats Sydney. A beautifully written book from start to finish with so much love. The way his family take to Sydney and how she slips easily into the family was perfect and it’s what dreams are made of. You will not be disappointed with this book I promise.

[Nicole Scarborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good one to me series. Fake dating doesn't turn out like Asher expected, it turns out better.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A final holiday read

[Jadene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received as an ARC 4⭐️
Asher and Sydney are two college friends. She agreed to be his fake girlfriend for one week and the sparks begin to fly. Will they make it through the week without falling in love?
I loved this book from the moment I started it caught my attention. I like how the story develops quickly but doesn't lose detail or key information. It's a brilliant short read.

[Reading with 2 book lovers Sarah P - · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asher and Sydney just wow what great characters these 2 were. Highly recommended

[Laura Fabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC kindly provided in exchnage for an honest review

I think The Goalie Who Stole Christmas is the most different book in the series so far, with Cali Melle not only giving us the shorter story of Wyncote Wolves, if not also the least complex of all and with family moments that are rare for this author, all of that made me love Asher & Sydney in a way I didn't expect and enjoy them immensely.

Asher is the goalie of the Wyncote Hockey team, a boy who fights to be the best and make it to the NHL, for which hockey is his great love, who is not interested in sharing his life with no one romantically and I loved that the only thing on his mind as the Christmas holidays approach is finding a girl who will agree to be his fake bride for his brother's wedding, especially since Asher doesn't want to be a disappointment to his family and just wants to make his mom happy after a tough year, which shows how important his family is to him. And of course, I LOVED even more that it's Sydney, his best friend since she started college, who agrees to take on the role.

Syd is a girl who has had a totally different life than Asher: her family is privileged in so many ways and it broke my heart, while also being very moving, reading her get excited about of the Goldin's Christmas traditions, the reception they give her from the first moment and the love they show her without even knowing her. But unsurprisingly, his little vacation with Asher doesn't go as smoothly as she hopes, as Sydney can no longer hide her feelings for him, and Asher realizes that they could be more than friends, I also really liked the way in which Cali mixed the love story of Asher & Syd, with their friendship and the Christmas vibe.

🏒Asher: 5/5
🎄Sydney: 5/5
🏒Plot: 5/5
🎄Love Story: 5/5
🏒Secondary Characters: 5/5
🎄Universe: 5/5
🏒Cover: 5/5
🌶️: 3/5

🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada a cambio de una reseña honesta

Creo que The Goalie Who Stole Christmas es el libro más diferente de la serie hasta ahora, con el Cali Melle no solo nos da la historia más corta de Wyncote Wolves, si no también la menos compleja de todas y con momentos familiares que son poco comunes para esta autora, todo eso me hizo amar a Asher & Sydney de una forma que no esperaba y disfrutarlos muchísimo.

Asher es el portero del equipo de Hockey de Wyncote, un chico que lucha por ser el mejor y llegar a la NHL, por lo que el hockey es su gran amor, no está interesado en compartir su vida con nadie de manera romántica y me encantó que lo único que le preocupa a medida que las vacaciones de Navidad se acercan es encontrar a una chica que acceda a ser su novia falsa para la boda de su hermano menor, especialmente porque Asher no quiere ser una decepción para su familia y solo quiere hacer feliz a su mamá después de un año difícil, lo que demuestra lo importante que es su familia para él. Y por supuesto, AMÉ aún más que sea Sydney, su mejor amiga desde que comenzó la universidad, quien acepte asumir el papel.

Syd es una chica que ha tenido una vida totalmente diferente a la de Asher: su familia es privilegiada en muchos aspectos y me rompió el corazón, al mismo tiempo que me conmovió mucho, leerla emocionarse con las tradiciones navideñas de los Goldin, el recibimiento que le dan desde el primer momento y el amor que le demuestran sin siquiera conocerla. Pero, como era de esperarse, sus pequeñas vacaciones con Asher no son tan tranquilas como espera, pues Sydney ya no puede seguir escondiendo lo que siente por él, y Asher se da cuenta de que podría haber más que amistad entre ambos, además me gusto muchísimo la forma en la que Cali mezclo la historia de amor de Asher & Syd, con su amistad y la vibra navideña de la temporada.

🏒Asher: 5/5
🎄Sydney: 5/5
🏒Trama: 5/5
🎄Historia de amor: 5/5
🏒Personajes secundarios: 5/5
🎄Universo: 5/5
🏒Portada: 5/5
🌶️: 3/5

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a dilemma, Asher Golding finds himself in. It's, rather funny since, he is the middle child of four, and the only one who is, not married. You see, his brother’s wedding is coming up, in two weeks. Then, when you add, to it the week is also attached, to Christmas which makes it, an even more stressful situation, to maneuver. You see, his mom had a double mastectomy last year due, to breast cancer. She is doing so much better, but it has made her want her babies around her, even more. Not to mention, she wants, to see them married and, with families. Ashe’s mom has never questioned, his life choices, mainly because of, his career goal of making it, to the NHL.

Now, to keep his mom, and family off his back he needs, to bring a date. Not just any date, but a girlfriend. His mom keeps calling nonstop, about his plus one. He finally decides, to ask the guys if, they know girls that would be staying around for, Christmas break that might want, to be his fake girlfriend. With no prospects, the guys came up with, ‘Operation Find Asher A Date.’ However, it is, Asher himself who came up with, the perfect candidate. As he is sitting in the first class of the day, a friend in several of his classes, Sydney Phillips, walks in. She has been his friend since their, freshman year. They have had several classes, together since they have the same major. She’s gorgeous, yet, he never even thought about her when thinking of women, to ask for this huge favor.

Now though, thinking about it Sydney would be perfect. She knows him better than any woman would because they are friends. No other woman can say that. She wouldn’t be a hard sell, to his mother that is for sure. They get along so well, that it will be easy, to play it up a little more. So, when he finds out she is staying in Vermont, he gives her the proposition. He explains his brother is getting married four days before, Christmas. He’s going, to be his brother’s best man, and his mom is expecting him, to bring a date with him. He tells her, she’s welcome, to stay for, Christmas, but she is not obligated. He explains this is all because of her cancer and now she wants us all settled, married, and with a family.

With mischief, she asks, what the catch is? She will have, to pretend, to be his girlfriend. She can't lie and say it, doesn't interest her. She asks, ‘That’s it?’ He blinks hard like he’s in shock at the question. But, she has been his friend for three years, and if there is one thing she knows about, Asher, HE DOESN’T DO RELATIONSHIPS OR ATTACHMENTS. No unrealistic expectations about this guy, from this woman. He is shocked she is, considering it. What does hurt is, his open admission saying, ‘You just need, to go, to the wedding as my girl, and then when back in, Vermont we go back, to normal.’ For three years, she has suppressed her feelings for him, to maintain his friendship because, she knows about his hard, and fast rules about women. She asks one thing of him, and he promises her, he won’t fall in love with her. She’s serious. Asher’s sits stock still. He says after the holiday, they go back to being friends.

Best-laid plans are always made, to be broken right? Well, that was for sure, not the plan for these two. But, as things go along, they find out they both, had been fighting off feelings. A very good holiday romance.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon US / Amazon WW

Asher needs a girl to come home with him for his brother's wedding. Pretend to be his girlfriend to appease his mom. He isn't exactly looking forward to finding someone who won't read into it, so when his friend Sydney agrees to be the fake date, he's actually ecstatic because they have an easy friendship and he knows she's not the type to demand more than he's willing to give. Except he didn't account for close proximity and realizing just how perfect she is for him. How he might just have found someone that will divert his attention from hockey.



Sydney made her friend Asher promise he wouldn't fall in love with her if she agreed to be his fake date. So what should she do when she's the one falling? How could she not? She's discovering new depths to her hockey obsessed friend, has found a beautiful family in his welcoming one, and she doesn't want to go back to their reality and leave this holiday bubble of warmth and love.



Friends turned more can be tricky to write. For me to appreciate this trope, the couple has to have strong chemistry already, and the angst can't be so much that it ruins the friendship, even for a little while. I was glad to find that Asher and Sydney make a great couple with hot chemistry that meshed easily with their familiarity as friends. Both are likable, especially Sydney, and the angst isn't too much or too little. Though short in length, their love story feels like a full length fully drawn romance.



ARC provided by Grey's Promotions for an honest review.

Review / Release Blitz: Live Through Books Blog.

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[Wendy *cr8zysockbookblock* · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH HOLLY JOLLY!! 🎄I am aching for Asher and Sydney stole my heart instantly. I can’t stop with Cali Melle and her wonderfully mouth watering Wyncote Hockey Boys. With every new book I find myself more and more entranced in this book world she has created and I never want to leave it. I sent Santa 🎅 my list and it included lots and lots of Wyncote stories. I’m talking, Cali Melle can do generations if needed. Pretty Please with gumdrops and candy canes. I just need these men like I need hot chocolate 🍫 this time of the year.

Asher and Sydney’s short, sexy, and swoony little novella gave me everything I needed to take me out of my Christmas chaos. I was able to grab a hot drink, a comfy blanket and settle in while my kiddos took a long winter’s nap… SIKE! 😝 My kids won’t nap. But the great thing- this is just the perfect length novella. I devoured it in the time it took for a round of the Grinch movie and an afternoon snack. Not one of my little creatures was stirring, but mama’s heat level sure was. 🔥🔥🔥
Fake dating 👩‍❤️‍👨
Friends to lovers 😀😍and
Forced proximity 😲
Sports romance🏒
Hot couples 🥵and
Loveable families.🥰
Package that all up for me, 💝top it with bows.🎁 Oh I am such a big ol’ Christmas Ho. Ho, HOOOO! 🤭

Okay so my rhymes may need work, but this book does not. It will quickly become one of your favorite holiday reads. With heart, heat and some holiday cheer. Don’t miss this standalone novella in the Wyncote Wolves series. FIVE CHRISTMAS STARS!!! 🌟🎄🌟🎄🌟🎄🌟🎄🌟🎄


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[Courtney Tremble · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s just something about friends to lovers that just gets me all in my feels. Sydney and Asher have this amazing relationship that neither want to ruin by the possibility of something more. But the more time they spend while with Asher’s family, it becomes apparent they can’t deny it anymore. Sparks fly, lines are crossed, and the chemistry is intoxicating.

“His eyebrows tug together for a moment. “I don’t give a sh-t. Tonight, I’m treating you like you’re my real girlfriend. And I’m making sure every motherf——r in the building knows that you’re mine.” He stares at me, his dark gray eyes staring directly through my soul. “And for the record, every word I say to you is real, Sydney. You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”

“No fights, Asher. This is a wedding, not a hockey game. And just remember… even if their gazes linger too long, you’re the one that I’m going home with.”

“F—k, Syd,” he murmurs in my ear, nipping at my bottom lobe. “You’re driving me f—king insane.” “I thought this was all just pretend,” I question him, unable to stop the words. They roll off my tongue and I blame it on the alcohol that completely dissolved my filter. “I don’t know what the h3łł this is anymore.”

“You’ve been right in front of me this entire time,” he says softly, his voice hoarse as I get lost in the depths of his eyes. “How could I have possibly been so blind?”

“You’re f—king beautiful, Sydney,” he murmurs, his eyes shining back at me as his gaze penetrates mine. “Seeing you like this has my heart feeling like it’s about to combust.”

“I mean, Sydney was one of my closest friends before we ended up in bed together. All I have to do is push the memories from my mind and get things back to the way they were before. Our friendship can still recover from this. It’s not over between us, and that thought brings me a little bit of relief… Even if it’s as much of a lie as our fake relationship.”

“How does it look?” “F—king perfect,” I breathe, staring deep into her eyes. “And I don’t just mean the necklace.”

“I’m left with a decision to make and because of my fear of having my heart broken, I don’t know what to do. Either I drown in the waters with him or I swim out alone.”

[Romancewitham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Goalie Who Stole Christmas (ARC review)

Thank you to @greyspromo for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS]
I'll never stop praising this series. Cali has a unique way of writing that does it for me. I love her characters and the stories she creates. This one was a perfect holiday read. From the Christmas sweet moments to the angsty and spicy ones, I just couldn't put this book down. Asher captured my heart. Seeing him with his family and Sydney made me fall in love with him instantly. He loves his family and especially his mum (He's a mama's boy) and he would do everything to make her happy and keep her off his business. So fake dating his friend was a great idea, as long as feelings weren't involved. Sydney is a kind and caring woman. She also has a secret crush on Asher that she knows she has to keep hidden cause he ain't the one for relationships. Seeing her being so understanding and supportive of him was wonderful. Their dynamic was incredible. Their moments became more and more special and their relationship changed with both of them wondering where it'll go. Asher accepting his feelings for Sydney and claiming her since she claimed his heart, made me swoon over him a lot more. Their little kisses and their secret moments alone in his family house made the book even more special. Asher and Sydney were just too good together and they made my Christmas mood even more exciting. This was just perfect for me, I got everything I was expecting from this book like ever other Cali Melle book I've read before. Can't wait for Sterling's book cause I know it's gonna be an incredible one.

Book by: @authorcalimelle
Tropes:
• Friends to lovers
• Fake dating
• Holiday romance
• Sports romance
• One bed

My rating: 5/5 ⭐
Spice level: 3/5 🔥

[Booksta · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖 𝕖𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 📖

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
𝙏𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴
𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧: 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘪 𝘔𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦
𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨: 𝘞𝘺𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 (𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 #5)
𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: 𝘚𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
𝙋𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨: 132
𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙜: 𝘝𝘪𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘵𝘰 𝘝𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘴 - 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

*** Thank you to the author @authorcalimelle and @greyspromo for giving me a change to read this book.***

__________💭𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜💭___________

"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥. 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭."

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩:
✔️ Golden retriever hero
✔️ Friends to Lovers
✔️ Hockey Player
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ One bed
✔️ Fake relationship
✔️ Holiday Christmas vibe
✔️ College romance
✔️ Dual POV

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙤𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 is Book 5 in 𝘞𝘺𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 series by Calie Melle. This story follows Asher and Sydney. Asher is dreading going home for the holidays, especially since his mother is on him bugging him to settle down and get married. Instead of going home alone, he convinces his best friend, Sydney, to join him and pretend to be his girlfriend. She agrees, keeping her real feelings towards him hidden. The two share some special moments and Asher begins to realize his best friend is what he's been looking for all this time.

"𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦. 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘰 𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘥?"

Overall, this was a very cute and sweet Christmas themed novella in this series. I really enjoyed Asher and Sydney’s connection. It all was happening fast, but since they had been friends for a while it was very much believable. I definitely recommend this amazing read for the holidays and it is a perfect one for the sports/hockey romance lovers.

[Kristina Maysonet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love novellas like these because it helps me decide if I want to read the author or not. In this case I am absolutely reading Cali in 2023! I will definitely be starting from the beginning of this series! Her writing is beautiful and very easy to read. The story had so many layers to it, even for just a novella that I can only imagine how much better her full length novels are!


Asher and Sydney have had a great friendship, one that started when they met as freshman. He friend zoned her right away and Syd was okay with that as she knew where she fit. Asher has to go home for his brother’s wedding and wants to bring a date. His mom has battled cancer and her only dream is to make sure she seems all her kids happy in relationships and married. Asher has only had one dream and that was to play hockey. His life has been the Wyncote Wolves and they have become the family he has surrounded himself with. There hasn’t been time for a relationship. Sydney agrees to be his fake girlfriend when he goes back home for the wedding to make his mom happy. They know that they have to set boundaries, Syd needs them so she doesn’t fall further for the one friend that she has wanted to be with. Boundaries get pushed and lines get crossed and when push comes to shove, they need to decide if friends is the only place for the other. Asher and Sydney were perfect for each other. I love that Asher can give Syndey everything to make her life easier. I love a man who does things like that not out of controlling or posessessiveness but actual caring on how to make her things easier/better for her.

[Nathathida Atirekasâra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Goalie Who Stole Christmas is fake relationship, friends to lovers, sports, and holiday romance. Asher and Sydney have been friend since their freshman year. When Asher needs a date for his brother's wedding and Sydney doesn't have any plan for Christmas, he asks her to be his date and fake girlfriend. Sydney has secretly had a feeling for Asher for a while and considering Asher's reaction when Sydney propositions him, I think deep down he has a feeling for Sydney too.

The story is very enjoyable, quite sweet, and heartwarming. I think meeting Asher's family is good for Sydney because her family is different from his. I told you it's quite sweet because they also have a chemistry and it's sizzling when they finally give in to their desire.

I know that the plot is very easily predictable if you read a lot of fake relationship romance but I really enjoy reading this book so much. When I finish reading it, I think 'That's it? Is this book a novella?' Then I recheck and find out that it has 20 chapters so no, I don't think it's a novella but Cali Melle successfully creates a story between Asher and Sydney that can hold my interest through the end. Anyway, I don't understand a book title because for me, Asher just gives Sydney the best impression of Christmas for the first time... so why "Stole Christmas"? But it's just my curiosity, I still decide to give it 5 stars though.