This was the first book that I read in the series. I devoured this book in one sitting. I loved the dynamic between Griz and Hattie. I think I liked this book so much because Hattie’s character is relatable to me in some ways. I was worried about it being a standard college hockey romance, but it had very little to do with college or hockey, for that matter. The majority of the book takes place in New York. Highly recommend!

I loved the relationship in this book but there was so much extra noise. Only like 20% of the book was the actual main love interests interacting.

There didn’t need to be extra plot points about drama on the hockey team. That being said, I liked the fundraiser auction and the fake dating trope. Griz and Hattie are adorable and he had some great one-liners and made her more confident. Good read but could have been shorter.

I loved Griz so much!! This is the first book I read in this series and I wasn't lost at all but I am definitely going back and reading Player and Gucci's books. I loved the banter the teammates all had, their connection, and friendship made me feel like part of their group. When we find out what happened to Griz and the upset he seemed to suffer I felt bad for him and this event is what has led him to focus more on his hockey game rather than distractions in the form of women. His attraction to Hattie is very much there and a live so he fights it but out of the blue at a charity auction Hattie is hosting she bids on a date with Griz and wins. How can he fight his attraction when he is forced in close proximity with her? Hattie has a terrible family that belittles her and wants her to change to fit them, one of those things is her weight and her bridezilla sister is driving her crazy. On a whim of trying to to lose her mind on her sister she bids on Griz but she questions why because she doesn't want to seem crazy or desperate even if she thinks he is the hottest thing on the planet. These two have amazing chemistry and try to fight their growing attractions but can they keep it up for long? Will it be something that lasts or will it be a fling if they do? I loved the characters, the brotherhood of the team members, and can't wait to read more.

Cute, Cheesy, and Hot

This was a quickish sweet and spicy story. It followed a mostly typical fake boyfriend trope storyline. And I feel like the characters fell in love waaaaaay too quickly. That part made me roll my eyes pretty hard. But the spice was great and I enjoyed the ride!

3.5 stars!
This was a quick and fun read. I enjoyed the banter and jokes between Hattie and Griz, it had me cackling. This had the fake dating trope that is always enjoyable.

I adored Hattie so much! I related to her a lot because of her body image issues and how her family fat-shames her--been there and still living that! (I'll pass out the confidence boosting hair clips with you, Hattie!) I liked how her confidence wasn't directly wired to Griz's approval. She already had existing self-love and confidence and knew she was beautiful and a successful badass. I think Griz boosted it to a new level that she needed after letting her bully of a sister push her around. I mean, our walls get dents in them sometimes, right? He was a great support system that was there to back her up.

Griz is being auctioned as a date for a good cause, he never expected the curvy organizer and friend of his to place the highest bet on him in the history of Westbury’s Bachelor Auction. But desperate times call for desperate measures and Hattie is having a desperate time. She is tired of her Bridezilla sister driving her nuts with her wedding planning and asking about her dating life. According to her fabulous blond, slim, tall sister - Hattie will attend the wedding alone because she can’t get a man. Oh boy is she wrong... Not only does Hattie shows up with the hottest, hunkiest, biggest hockey player in town - he is also the sweetest most supportive guy she has ever met. They are two peas in a pond and made for each other. I loved that the only “drama” was the bridezilla and that Griz and Hattie only had to deal with her and her antics - it was a “laugh-out-loud” type of book and made me happy to read it. Griz is tired of the nightlife and endless hook-ups, he is ready for the real thing - and every time he sees Hattie, she is it for him. Hattie is the same, she is tired of all the social perceptions about her person and her body - she wants Griz and she will have him.

BTW - I think this is the first romance I read written by a male author. Good job Mr. Cleveland!

3.5⭐️ cute and an easy read not much depth

More a 3.5 but I couldn't justify giving it a 4!