I liked this one. I get being frustrated with Jade, but I totally get it. I was waiting for her aha! moment. And I was pleased with the outcome. Declan was super sweet and devoted.

This one didn't work for me unfortunately, however it seems I am in the minority. It had a bunch of amazing tropes - marriage of convenience, hockey romance, forced proximity, he falls first - but I just wasn't convinced of any chemistry between Declan and Jade. I felt like things moved too quick and scenes that I would have loved to have seen fleshed out more were over way too quickly. There were a few instances where I had to go back a reread parts because I thought I missed something, but it was just that the scene was over.

I wasn't a fan of Jade at all and Declan was just alright for me. They had their sweet moments together but I couldn't get over how Jade handled certain things and honestly felt like she was taking advantage of Declan even though he was adamant on wanting to help her.

I also didn't realize this was the middle of a series (100% my fault) and I think that caused me to struggle more than I should have with the book. There are a lot of side characters, who I am assuming we learn more about in past books, but didn't get any explanations as to who they were.

Despite all of that, it was a quick read and there were moments I enjoyed. I don't think I'll go back and read the first two books in the series or the ones in the future, but I could always change my mind!

3/5 stars ⭐️
1.5/5 spice level

3⭐️
First let me start with what I liked about this book: the concept of a marriage of convenience romance and the start of a blossoming romance

Now my list of what I didn’t like is unfortunately longer.
I so wanted to love this book as I’m absolutely obsessed with marriage of convenience romances but unfortunately for me this just wasn’t it for me.

First off let me say that if you think the FL is annoyingly selfing in the beginning of the story, it continues a few chapters before the books ends when she finally realizes how problematic she is. I was so frustrated by this women through out the whole book it was crazy! Also unsurprisingly all the “drama” was because the FL is a drama queen.
It wasn’t until I finished the book that I also thought the ML was a bit forgettable, he was extremely sweet, thoughtful, and patient with the FL (god knows how he did it) but by the end I couldn’t care less about him. If that makes since.

I don’t normally write long reviews unless I enjoyed a book and I don’t like “hating” on a book either but I had to get my frustrations out after being in a reading slump from this book. I stopped at 61% of this book and didn’t pick up for like two weeks. In all honesty it wasn’t worth it but I needed to finish a book this month.

Hopefully you enjoy this book, just if your wanting to pick this up I’ve given you a warning to what’s ahead.
(Mind you this is the first book I’ve read in the series and I still want to read the rest)

3.75/5 ⭐️ 2/5

I loved this book! I liked that they had crossed paths within their friend group and how he was so willing to step up and help her.

The I loved the audiobook! Both narrators did a wonderful job of bringing the story to life. I think they both perfectly fit their characters and completely pulled me into the story.

When you look up Declan's name in one of those name meaning books, you should see the *Chef's kiss* emoji lol. I LOVE Declan. This honestly has some of my fave tropes with marriage of convenience, he falls first, forced proximity, and more. I found myself rooting for Declan and Jade from the very start. Both had such traumatic pasts that they harbored carried around so it was great to see them nurture each other and grow.

Declan and Jade have my heart oh my goodness. I love a good marriage of convenience and this did not disappoint at all. This series and world are just everything to me from the friend group, found-family, and even just the cameos from other characters are making me giggle in delight. I loved the dynamic between Declan and Jade, especially in their more silent love. I loved how they appreciated one another in their own way as Declan is quieter compared to the rest of the hockey players and when Jade noticed that she knew how to appreciate him/love him in a way he is comfortable with. Same with Declan as there were times he had to get out of his shell a little bit but he was so so supportive of her new endeavors along with just being there for her in general. I definitely relate to Jade where work is essentially survival but I love her progression from oh work is work to work can also be a passion and I should not have to hate my job. Either way, I love the two of them and this universe.

3.5⭐️

marriage of convenience always hits hard