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Love and Hockey #3
The Proposal Play
My plan when I win a date in Vegas with my brother’s hockey star best friend? Poker and go to sleep early. Instead, I wake up with a ring on my finger and the sexy athlete naked in my bed.
But Asher’s my best friend too so we’ll get this annulled and laugh about this secret for years to come.
Trouble is our wedding pics went viral overnight.
Now everyone thinks we’re a real couple. We race back home, where I’ve just landed the big art commission of my dreams and he’s launching a sports charity so we need to look like we meant to tie the knot.
Easy enough. We’ll claim we’ve been secretly in love, while staying in separate rooms for the rest of the hockey season.
The last thing either one of us wants is to ruin a decade-long friendship by falling into bed again.
But I experience a new side of my husband at home. He cooks for me, encourages me…and buys me so many toys.
And, it’s more fun to share your toys with a friend.
We’re just enjoying temporary marital benefits.
Except, the more times he calls me his wife, the more I start to wonder if Asher was ever pretending?
And if my heart is ready to take the biggest risk of all.
But Asher’s my best friend too so we’ll get this annulled and laugh about this secret for years to come.
Trouble is our wedding pics went viral overnight.
Now everyone thinks we’re a real couple. We race back home, where I’ve just landed the big art commission of my dreams and he’s launching a sports charity so we need to look like we meant to tie the knot.
Easy enough. We’ll claim we’ve been secretly in love, while staying in separate rooms for the rest of the hockey season.
The last thing either one of us wants is to ruin a decade-long friendship by falling into bed again.
But I experience a new side of my husband at home. He cooks for me, encourages me…and buys me so many toys.
And, it’s more fun to share your toys with a friend.
We’re just enjoying temporary marital benefits.
Except, the more times he calls me his wife, the more I start to wonder if Asher was ever pretending?
And if my heart is ready to take the biggest risk of all.
528 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 8, 2025
3267 people are currently reading
18347 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Blakely
246 books24.8k followersYou can find Lauren on TikTok at @laurenblakelybooks! A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,342 reviews
January 10, 2025
3 stars! 💫 Okayyy, The Proposal Play had me SO excited at first—best friends to lovers, hockey romance, and a spontaneous Vegas wedding?! I’m already sold! 🤩 But... it kinda turned into one of those “Why is this still going?!” situations. Like, I was hyped, but it dragged a bit too much.
Maeve and Asher were absolutely adorable (like, how could you not love their cute friendship?! 🥺), but the whole "we're pretending to be married" trope went on for like... forever. We get it, you two are in love, just get together already!! 😍 The slow burn? Honestly, I was all about it, but whoa, it was super slow.
Now, don’t get me wrong—the chemistry between them was lit 🔥, the banter was hilarious, and the spice? Definitely worth the wait (and trust me, it got steamy 🔥). Asher was all about those “acts of service” vibes, which was so sweet, and Maeve? Total queen—strong, independent, and super relatable. But, the pacing? UGH—way too many chapters of “Will they, won’t they?” like we all knew they were going to, but... come on! 🚶♀️
Honestly, it felt like I was stuck in a time loop, and by the end, I was like please let’s just get to the HEA already!! 😅 It was still fun, just not as fast-paced as I was hoping for after reading the other books in the series!
Tropes:
Friends to lovers 💘
Hockey romance 🏒
Marriage of convenience 💍
Slow burn 💓
Best friend's sister 💕
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
So yeah, cute story, but there were some moments where I was like, “Is it time for the HEA yet?!” If you love a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance, you'll definitely still enjoy this, but if you're more into quicker reads... maybe give this one a pass. 🤷♀️
Maeve and Asher were absolutely adorable (like, how could you not love their cute friendship?! 🥺), but the whole "we're pretending to be married" trope went on for like... forever. We get it, you two are in love, just get together already!! 😍 The slow burn? Honestly, I was all about it, but whoa, it was super slow.
Now, don’t get me wrong—the chemistry between them was lit 🔥, the banter was hilarious, and the spice? Definitely worth the wait (and trust me, it got steamy 🔥). Asher was all about those “acts of service” vibes, which was so sweet, and Maeve? Total queen—strong, independent, and super relatable. But, the pacing? UGH—way too many chapters of “Will they, won’t they?” like we all knew they were going to, but... come on! 🚶♀️
Honestly, it felt like I was stuck in a time loop, and by the end, I was like please let’s just get to the HEA already!! 😅 It was still fun, just not as fast-paced as I was hoping for after reading the other books in the series!
Tropes:
Friends to lovers 💘
Hockey romance 🏒
Marriage of convenience 💍
Slow burn 💓
Best friend's sister 💕
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
So yeah, cute story, but there were some moments where I was like, “Is it time for the HEA yet?!” If you love a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance, you'll definitely still enjoy this, but if you're more into quicker reads... maybe give this one a pass. 🤷♀️
January 7, 2025
Lauren Blakely’s books always make me feel some type of way…you know what I’m saying 😏
December 31, 2024
4.5⭐️rounded up! I have been seeing The Proposal Play by Lauren Blakely ALL OVER book-focused social media and was so grateful to be able to read an early copy. I was curious if it lived up to the hype-and it most certainly does. This is a best friends-to-lovers hockey romance that manages to balance the A+ spice with mental health rep, golden retriever hockey men, and powerful female friendships. Despite being the third book in a series of interconnected standalones, I didn’t feel like I missed anything not having read the previous novels nor do I feel like this one spoiled any of the previous books. I plan to go back and enjoy them! This would also make a great audibook I think…just make sure to pack headphones because this book is packing heat 🌶️
June 18, 2025
2.5 🌟
Best Friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes but it is seldom done correctly.
This one here, though the author really tried but unfortunately it fell pretty flat. Like crepe flat.
The MCs have known each other for 10 years and it was only until 2 years ago that Asher, the MMC looked at Maeve, at her brother's wedding and he SUDDENLY saw her in different eyes. Why do you ask? Well! I have no fucking clue! 🤷♀️ I'd say it would have been more believable if for example she got hurt by an asshole and Asher would have barged in to save the day but alas that was not the case. Asher then makes a pact with Maeve, that if in 2 years time they don't get hitched they'll get married to each other. And then they went along and lived their "normal" lives for two more years. 🙄
2 years later Asher starts to feel like he is developing feelings for her and while in Vegas they get married on a whim keeping true to their pact. It was supposed to be a joke, with an easy annulment two days later but of course things get complicated and they agree to keep a marriage of convenience to help them both in their jobs and charity work.
The story dragged tooooo long and it took them ages to get over their insecurities and fears and admit their feelings to each other. Asher was a bit more believable than her because he says he's been having feelings for her almost since the day he met her yet he didn't act on any of it for 10 years!! Color me flabbergasted! 😲
Maeve oh dear Maeve I don't believe for a second that she had feelings for Asher and that's why their relationship felt... meh
I know for a fact, 😉, that in order for a best friends to lovers trope make sense there needs to be unaddressed feelings and attraction since day one. You do not carry on being best friends with a hot dude or dudet for 8 long years and suddenly think oh my best friend is hot I think I am falling in love. This is not how this shit works.
The book is well written. It had so much potential. It addressed other character issues like obsessive behaviour and insecurities and vulnerabilities but the romance was simply lacking and unconvincing.
📝 ticking another Bingo square
72) "Purple Cover"
25┃🔴┃87┃13┃68┃40┃🔴┃59┃76┃44
10┃86┃04┃45┃47┃98┃50┃🔴┃85┃75
88┃51┃🔴┃02┃42┃🔴┃24┃92┃82┃01
100┃🔴┃17┃96┃43┃49┃64┃70┃15┃38
🔴┃31┃62┃🔴┃21┃73┃28┃46┃90┃77
03┃12┃80┃69┃52┃65┃54┃🔴┃23┃🔴
18┃95┃22┃🔴┃93┃🔴┃41┃08┃🔴┃58
57┃94┃16┃56┃05┃60┃78┃26┃81┃🔴
97┃48┃79┃67┃53┃🔴┃06┃36┃89┃🔴
71┃19┃39┃66┃55┃27┃20┃63┃11┃83
Best Friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes but it is seldom done correctly.
This one here, though the author really tried but unfortunately it fell pretty flat. Like crepe flat.
The MCs have known each other for 10 years and it was only until 2 years ago that Asher, the MMC looked at Maeve, at her brother's wedding and he SUDDENLY saw her in different eyes. Why do you ask? Well! I have no fucking clue! 🤷♀️ I'd say it would have been more believable if for example she got hurt by an asshole and Asher would have barged in to save the day but alas that was not the case. Asher then makes a pact with Maeve, that if in 2 years time they don't get hitched they'll get married to each other. And then they went along and lived their "normal" lives for two more years. 🙄
2 years later Asher starts to feel like he is developing feelings for her and while in Vegas they get married on a whim keeping true to their pact. It was supposed to be a joke, with an easy annulment two days later but of course things get complicated and they agree to keep a marriage of convenience to help them both in their jobs and charity work.
The story dragged tooooo long and it took them ages to get over their insecurities and fears and admit their feelings to each other. Asher was a bit more believable than her because he says he's been having feelings for her almost since the day he met her yet he didn't act on any of it for 10 years!! Color me flabbergasted! 😲
Maeve oh dear Maeve I don't believe for a second that she had feelings for Asher and that's why their relationship felt... meh
I know for a fact, 😉, that in order for a best friends to lovers trope make sense there needs to be unaddressed feelings and attraction since day one. You do not carry on being best friends with a hot dude or dudet for 8 long years and suddenly think oh my best friend is hot I think I am falling in love. This is not how this shit works.
The book is well written. It had so much potential. It addressed other character issues like obsessive behaviour and insecurities and vulnerabilities but the romance was simply lacking and unconvincing.
📝 ticking another Bingo square
72) "Purple Cover"
25┃🔴┃87┃13┃68┃40┃🔴┃59┃76┃44
10┃86┃04┃45┃47┃98┃50┃🔴┃85┃75
88┃51┃🔴┃02┃42┃🔴┃24┃92┃82┃01
100┃🔴┃17┃96┃43┃49┃64┃70┃15┃38
🔴┃31┃62┃🔴┃21┃73┃28┃46┃90┃77
03┃12┃80┃69┃52┃65┃54┃🔴┃23┃🔴
18┃95┃22┃🔴┃93┃🔴┃41┃08┃🔴┃58
57┃94┃16┃56┃05┃60┃78┃26┃81┃🔴
97┃48┃79┃67┃53┃🔴┃06┃36┃89┃🔴
71┃19┃39┃66┃55┃27┃20┃63┃11┃83
December 29, 2024
This is one of my favorite Friends to Lovers Romances I have read all year! Asher & Maeve were just so in sync and such good friends. I loved them together SO much!
I loved how well they communicated (for the most part), how well they supported each other and I LOVED how they fell in love. Because it honestly felt so real. Maybe not their reasoning for a Vegas marriage and staying married seemed a bit *too* convenient, but I was sold by just how adorable they were together.
They knew one another so well and had been there through thick and thin. Everyone kinda knows they are meant to be and is just waiting for them to catch up. There's a specific moment when Asher finally realizes how gone he's been and for how long... it was so touching. They were just perfect.
This series from Lauren Blakely has just been so great! Low angst but high fun and great connections. It doesn't feel all about the spice even though the steam in here is VERY good. It all feels so intense because of their feelings for one another and I love that. I'm really excited she's announced 5 books total.
Narrated by Vanessa Edwin & Robert Hatchet in duet style! They were just a delight!
5 stars
3.5 on the spice scale
CW: Grief
*Thank you to the author for an ARC & ALC of this title.*
I loved how well they communicated (for the most part), how well they supported each other and I LOVED how they fell in love. Because it honestly felt so real. Maybe not their reasoning for a Vegas marriage and staying married seemed a bit *too* convenient, but I was sold by just how adorable they were together.
They knew one another so well and had been there through thick and thin. Everyone kinda knows they are meant to be and is just waiting for them to catch up. There's a specific moment when Asher finally realizes how gone he's been and for how long... it was so touching. They were just perfect.
This series from Lauren Blakely has just been so great! Low angst but high fun and great connections. It doesn't feel all about the spice even though the steam in here is VERY good. It all feels so intense because of their feelings for one another and I love that. I'm really excited she's announced 5 books total.
Narrated by Vanessa Edwin & Robert Hatchet in duet style! They were just a delight!
5 stars
3.5 on the spice scale
CW: Grief
*Thank you to the author for an ARC & ALC of this title.*
January 8, 2025
this was so cute and the anxiety rep was a lil too real ok 😅
maeve and asher met in a grief counseling group and have been friends ever since. at her brother’s wedding, they make a marriage pact to marry each other in two years if neither of them have yet and when a date auction sends them to vegas, they make good on their promise.
this was so cute because they really were best friends before their marriage and had so much trust and care in each other already and then their marriage and being forced to keep up the act just had them falling in love little by little. asher was my little anxiety king and i could not deal with how much he worried about all his loved ones. it was a lil too relatable as someone with health anxiety for my loved ones but he was soooo sweet.
i really enjoyed this one, it was definitely long and i think some of the story could’ve been condensed down but it didn’t drag for me. they really loved and understood each other and asher just stole the show for me 🥲
maeve and asher met in a grief counseling group and have been friends ever since. at her brother’s wedding, they make a marriage pact to marry each other in two years if neither of them have yet and when a date auction sends them to vegas, they make good on their promise.
this was so cute because they really were best friends before their marriage and had so much trust and care in each other already and then their marriage and being forced to keep up the act just had them falling in love little by little. asher was my little anxiety king and i could not deal with how much he worried about all his loved ones. it was a lil too relatable as someone with health anxiety for my loved ones but he was soooo sweet.
i really enjoyed this one, it was definitely long and i think some of the story could’ve been condensed down but it didn’t drag for me. they really loved and understood each other and asher just stole the show for me 🥲
April 20, 2025
Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes, but this book felt too dragged out and could have been shortened by about 200 pages. By the last 70%, it started to feel repetitive and honestly bored me.
December 26, 2024
Disclaimer: This is an Arc/ALC copy review. There are no biased opinions or statements, this entire review is how I feel about this book.
Uh, no. There were a lot of plot holes for once, things not aligning. Such as being friends for a long period of time and things not aligning? Also this book was so long for no actual necessary reason. I love the writing style and all but the story was not it for me. It seemed a bit dragged on dare I say? I thought I was going to love it because fake dating, marriage of convenience, married in Vegas, best friends to lovers, etc. I love Hockey romances but I didn’t enjoy this one. I’ve seen that a lot of people enjoy it, so maybe it’s just me? I wanted to DNF it multiple times but continued to push through. All together though, I appreciate the author sending me an ALC copy.
Uh, no. There were a lot of plot holes for once, things not aligning. Such as being friends for a long period of time and things not aligning? Also this book was so long for no actual necessary reason. I love the writing style and all but the story was not it for me. It seemed a bit dragged on dare I say? I thought I was going to love it because fake dating, marriage of convenience, married in Vegas, best friends to lovers, etc. I love Hockey romances but I didn’t enjoy this one. I’ve seen that a lot of people enjoy it, so maybe it’s just me? I wanted to DNF it multiple times but continued to push through. All together though, I appreciate the author sending me an ALC copy.
February 7, 2025
Rating: 2.5⭐️
I enjoyed this one but it’s not my favorite of the series.
The author has always done a great job when it comes to the banter and chemistry between her characters and Maeve and Asher are no exception. I really liked that they had a strong foundation as friends first before they entered into a romantic relationship. However, I found myself wanting more from them. Maybe because they’re already good friends, but I don’t think they had many deep or important conversations until the last third of the book. The author kind of neglected that and focused more on the physical aspect of their relationship. It also took so long for them to confess their feelings. I was losing my mind with impatience.
My biggest issue was the pacing though. The story was unnecessarily long and I think the author could have shortened it a bit because the story was dragging a lot. It’s an issue I’ve had with the other books in the series and I hope it doesn’t continue with the next one. I’m not a fan of the coach’s daughter trope so not sure how I’ll feel about the next book. It also seems to be quite similar to the first book, but hopefully it can surprise me.
All in all, this was still a good read. I was just expecting a bit more from the romance.
I enjoyed this one but it’s not my favorite of the series.
The author has always done a great job when it comes to the banter and chemistry between her characters and Maeve and Asher are no exception. I really liked that they had a strong foundation as friends first before they entered into a romantic relationship. However, I found myself wanting more from them. Maybe because they’re already good friends, but I don’t think they had many deep or important conversations until the last third of the book. The author kind of neglected that and focused more on the physical aspect of their relationship. It also took so long for them to confess their feelings. I was losing my mind with impatience.
My biggest issue was the pacing though. The story was unnecessarily long and I think the author could have shortened it a bit because the story was dragging a lot. It’s an issue I’ve had with the other books in the series and I hope it doesn’t continue with the next one. I’m not a fan of the coach’s daughter trope so not sure how I’ll feel about the next book. It also seems to be quite similar to the first book, but hopefully it can surprise me.
All in all, this was still a good read. I was just expecting a bit more from the romance.
January 8, 2025
What a great freaking book & wonderful start to the new year!!! Lauren has been slaying these hockey romances & im honestly so obsessed with this series!
This book focuses on two best friends, Asher & Maeve, who we get glimpses of in the first two books. Maeve wants to save Asher during an auction so she bids on him & wins a date to Vegas. A while prior the two formed a marriage pact & decide to act upon it during their time in Vegas and BOOM. A marriage of convenience was born.
In my humble opinion, friends to lovers is a superior trope so this book was EVERYTHING. Especially when these two friends have lowkey been pining after one another for YEARS. Maeve is a baddie artist working her way up in the art world. Asher is an amazing hockey player who cares so deeply about everyone in his circle. But when these two come together…ITS A FIREY INFERNO OF HEAT!! Asher is one filthyyyyyy mouthed man and I am in love.
Spice: 3.5🌶️
Type: audio
Tropes:
Best friends to lovers
Marriage of convenience
Forced proximity
Sports romance
Found family
Marriage pact
It’s always been you
Brother’s best friend
This book focuses on two best friends, Asher & Maeve, who we get glimpses of in the first two books. Maeve wants to save Asher during an auction so she bids on him & wins a date to Vegas. A while prior the two formed a marriage pact & decide to act upon it during their time in Vegas and BOOM. A marriage of convenience was born.
In my humble opinion, friends to lovers is a superior trope so this book was EVERYTHING. Especially when these two friends have lowkey been pining after one another for YEARS. Maeve is a baddie artist working her way up in the art world. Asher is an amazing hockey player who cares so deeply about everyone in his circle. But when these two come together…ITS A FIREY INFERNO OF HEAT!! Asher is one filthyyyyyy mouthed man and I am in love.
Spice: 3.5🌶️
Type: audio
Tropes:
Best friends to lovers
Marriage of convenience
Forced proximity
Sports romance
Found family
Marriage pact
It’s always been you
Brother’s best friend
January 9, 2025
Friends to lovers is a trope where the love must be born out of an innate connection and big feelings for it to be believable. And for Asher and Maeve, our MCs in The Proposal Play, it really was. They truly cared for each other in so many ways long before the idea of romantic love hit them. A decade of being best friends, through highs and lows, through thick and thin. That’s what true love feeds on for these two and it was captivating to read.
🤍Best friends to lovers
🤍Marriage of convenience/pact
🤍Hockey romance
🤍Brothers best friend
Taking a chance on love is one of the scariest yet most fulfilling leaps we can take in this life — and Asher and Maeve leaped hard, friends.
Asher is the sweetest and yet most commanding (in the bedroom) man — it’s impossible not to fall for him. And Maeve is spunky, fun, determined and loyal — a perfect compliment to Asher in so many ways. Together, they show us what a decade of being best friends looks like — and also what the transformation to more than friends can look like when you’re honest, forthcoming and gentle with your love.
As in many of Lauren’s stories, we do get some tension in the latter third (but no breakup, I swear!), which felt believable to me given the issues being dealt with (which I won’t spoil).
🎧🎧🎧
Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet narrated in duet and they were truly incredible as Maeve and Asher. I love duet narration and they just nailed this. Robert, especially, really leaned into this character and his quirks/inner monologue — and his timing and nuanced/funny/well-inflected narration was SPOT ON. Vanessa, as always, delivered a perfect performance as Maeve — and notably is an amazing “crying while speaking” narrator, which is very specific but definitely impressive!
Bottom line: I will always read Lauren's books, especially this incredible series — it always delivers big love, big feelings, big laughs and big charm. You will not be disappointed if you give this or other books in the Love and Hockey series a shot!
Thanks so much to Lauren for letting me read this one in advance! 🩷
🤍Best friends to lovers
🤍Marriage of convenience/pact
🤍Hockey romance
🤍Brothers best friend
Taking a chance on love is one of the scariest yet most fulfilling leaps we can take in this life — and Asher and Maeve leaped hard, friends.
Asher is the sweetest and yet most commanding (in the bedroom) man — it’s impossible not to fall for him. And Maeve is spunky, fun, determined and loyal — a perfect compliment to Asher in so many ways. Together, they show us what a decade of being best friends looks like — and also what the transformation to more than friends can look like when you’re honest, forthcoming and gentle with your love.
As in many of Lauren’s stories, we do get some tension in the latter third (but no breakup, I swear!), which felt believable to me given the issues being dealt with (which I won’t spoil).
🎧🎧🎧
Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet narrated in duet and they were truly incredible as Maeve and Asher. I love duet narration and they just nailed this. Robert, especially, really leaned into this character and his quirks/inner monologue — and his timing and nuanced/funny/well-inflected narration was SPOT ON. Vanessa, as always, delivered a perfect performance as Maeve — and notably is an amazing “crying while speaking” narrator, which is very specific but definitely impressive!
Bottom line: I will always read Lauren's books, especially this incredible series — it always delivers big love, big feelings, big laughs and big charm. You will not be disappointed if you give this or other books in the Love and Hockey series a shot!
Thanks so much to Lauren for letting me read this one in advance! 🩷
January 29, 2025
I fear I need a friends to lovers asap 🫡🫡
January 9, 2025
THIS WAS SO CUTE!!!
4.5 ⭐️
There’s just something about BEST friends to lovers that hits so different. Asher & Maeve navigated through a lot of tropes in a short span of time, but they’re so in sync with each other that i had no doubt they’d end up blissfully in love.
4.5 ⭐️
There’s just something about BEST friends to lovers that hits so different. Asher & Maeve navigated through a lot of tropes in a short span of time, but they’re so in sync with each other that i had no doubt they’d end up blissfully in love.
January 9, 2025
🎧🎧AUDIO & eBOOK REVIEW 🎧🎧
The ARC and ALC for this title landed in my inbox on the same day back on the 20th of December and that’s when the holidays became a really great time for me! LOL So I read the ARC before Christmas and let it sit in my head for a while until this past Sunday when I jumped on the ALC. Listen, I love playing the *which format is better than the other if one is game* with myself but this time was tough. They’re not equal in my opinion but I think (remember this is just my opinion) when you have a lengthy(ish) story paired with outstanding narrators, the story almost always doesn’t seem long(ish) at all and it happened for me this time. I won’t go as far as saying the story dragged in places because it didn’t, but it was a loooooong read and the 14 hours this story was in my ears fleeeew by like nothing! So yeah, that’s my take, do with that information what you will :)
Now, about this story … How Lauren keeps entertaining at the level that she does with consistency will forever be a mystery to me, but she does, and its glorious! I’m not gonna lie and say every story I’ve read by her has been my thing, but it’s rare when they are and I’m in awe every time it happens. This is one of those stories that you fall into easily because the storyline is easy, and it just works organically without dramatics and shenanigans. Feel me? It’s two friends who are more to each other even though they don’t realize it as they move thru life until they do. Like I said, easy. It’s the kind of story that if you were watching it as a movie you’d be thinking “aww” at every turn. It’s a feelgood story that’s very low on angst and very high on friendship and romance. This is how’d I’d like my journey to HEA (if I was on one) to unfold. I really loved it. It’s one of my favorites of Lauren’s thus far.
Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet did nothing but elevate this story and make every single thing I’ve mentioned about the story exponentially better! That sounds really simplistic for how I feel about their performance, but it’s the best I can come up with LOL. They were so in sync with each other it was ridiculous! Their duet performance was flawless without a single hiccup! Between my love for Lauren’s word wizardry and these two’s performance, it was a glorious holiday for me! Lol
The ARC and ALC for this title landed in my inbox on the same day back on the 20th of December and that’s when the holidays became a really great time for me! LOL So I read the ARC before Christmas and let it sit in my head for a while until this past Sunday when I jumped on the ALC. Listen, I love playing the *which format is better than the other if one is game* with myself but this time was tough. They’re not equal in my opinion but I think (remember this is just my opinion) when you have a lengthy(ish) story paired with outstanding narrators, the story almost always doesn’t seem long(ish) at all and it happened for me this time. I won’t go as far as saying the story dragged in places because it didn’t, but it was a loooooong read and the 14 hours this story was in my ears fleeeew by like nothing! So yeah, that’s my take, do with that information what you will :)
Now, about this story … How Lauren keeps entertaining at the level that she does with consistency will forever be a mystery to me, but she does, and its glorious! I’m not gonna lie and say every story I’ve read by her has been my thing, but it’s rare when they are and I’m in awe every time it happens. This is one of those stories that you fall into easily because the storyline is easy, and it just works organically without dramatics and shenanigans. Feel me? It’s two friends who are more to each other even though they don’t realize it as they move thru life until they do. Like I said, easy. It’s the kind of story that if you were watching it as a movie you’d be thinking “aww” at every turn. It’s a feelgood story that’s very low on angst and very high on friendship and romance. This is how’d I’d like my journey to HEA (if I was on one) to unfold. I really loved it. It’s one of my favorites of Lauren’s thus far.
Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet did nothing but elevate this story and make every single thing I’ve mentioned about the story exponentially better! That sounds really simplistic for how I feel about their performance, but it’s the best I can come up with LOL. They were so in sync with each other it was ridiculous! Their duet performance was flawless without a single hiccup! Between my love for Lauren’s word wizardry and these two’s performance, it was a glorious holiday for me! Lol
January 8, 2025
I didn’t think it was possible for this series to keep getting better with every book, but this one blew my expectations clear out of the water! The Boyfriend Goal sucked me in to the series, but I think The Proposal Play may have taken the cake as my favorite!
Lauren Blakely creates these book boyfriends that are just so epically swoon worthy. Case in point – Asher… with his golden retriever energy coupled with that dirty mouth…. MY GOD! I’m in love! 😍
This friends-to-lovers hockey romance, narrated brilliantly in duet by Robert Hatchet and Vanessa Edwin, is a must-listen. 🎧 It masterfully balances a fiery inferno of sizzling heat with authentic depictions of mental health, heartwarming friendships, and the proof that love might have been right next to you all along.
For a believable friends-to-lovers story, the love must blossom organically from a strong foundation of genuine affection. Asher and Maeve perfectly exemplify this. Their romantic feelings emerge naturally from a decade of deep friendship, filled with unwavering support and shared experiences. This authenticity is what makes their love story so compelling.
I greatly enjoyed how open the communication was and how the characters supported each other unconditionally. Their journey to love was both captivating and heartwarming. The lowkey pining over each other was just what my heart needed. And when Asher figured out that he’d actually been in love with Maeve for years, I was ready to grab the tissues, do a happy dance and yell at my book “go tell your wife you love her!”. ♥️
The Proposal Play delivers on heartfelt feelings, loads of laughs, and hot-as-heck spice! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Lauren Blakely and Good Girls PR for the opportunity to review this amazing ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.
Lauren Blakely creates these book boyfriends that are just so epically swoon worthy. Case in point – Asher… with his golden retriever energy coupled with that dirty mouth…. MY GOD! I’m in love! 😍
This friends-to-lovers hockey romance, narrated brilliantly in duet by Robert Hatchet and Vanessa Edwin, is a must-listen. 🎧 It masterfully balances a fiery inferno of sizzling heat with authentic depictions of mental health, heartwarming friendships, and the proof that love might have been right next to you all along.
For a believable friends-to-lovers story, the love must blossom organically from a strong foundation of genuine affection. Asher and Maeve perfectly exemplify this. Their romantic feelings emerge naturally from a decade of deep friendship, filled with unwavering support and shared experiences. This authenticity is what makes their love story so compelling.
I greatly enjoyed how open the communication was and how the characters supported each other unconditionally. Their journey to love was both captivating and heartwarming. The lowkey pining over each other was just what my heart needed. And when Asher figured out that he’d actually been in love with Maeve for years, I was ready to grab the tissues, do a happy dance and yell at my book “go tell your wife you love her!”. ♥️
The Proposal Play delivers on heartfelt feelings, loads of laughs, and hot-as-heck spice! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Lauren Blakely and Good Girls PR for the opportunity to review this amazing ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 8, 2025
• Best friends to lovers
• Hockey Romance
• Vegas Wedding
• Fake Marriage
• "My wife"
• Fun with toys
• Forced Proximity
• Angst
"You are my k*nk"
This series truly just keeps getting better! I have loved it from the very start! Lauren has done such an incredible job getting us to fall in love with these characters with the most perfect storylines! Lauren Blakely's writing is becoming a favorite of mine. She always does such a great job of giving us sensitive characters or topics but puts the perfect quirky and witty spin on it! And this book was a great example of that! Much like the rest of this series.
I absolutely LOVED Maeve and Asher's relationship! From the very beginning! I'm a sucker for best friends to lovers. It's one of my top tropes. And Lauren didn't disappoint. These two were absolutely adorable together with the perfect amount of angst! Which is my favorite part of a friends to lovers romance! Bring on the angst!! 👏👏 And then throw in a marriage pact! YES. PLEASE!
"She’s a siren. She’s a dreamer. She’s an artist. She’s my best friend’s sister. She’s my best friend too—my rock. But right now, she’s simply the woman I can’t resist."
Lauren gave us the swooniest MMC, Asher!! He was possessive, creative, and paid such attention to detail, especially when it came to Maeve. I loved watching this man realize his feelings for his best friend. And the photos. 🫠 Those got me! IYKYK! And you should know! Because this man will have you absolutely swooning! I also love a man who isn't intimidated by a little battery-operated backup! 🤭
Maeve couldn't have been more lovable. She was tortured by the feeling of being too much for the people around her after being told she was. She tried so hard to keep her personality under control. My heart broke for her at times because I loved Maeve's personality, and I was so happy to see her shine around Asher. Because there truly wasn't a part of Maeve that Asher didn't love! And I loved watching her realize just how much he loved her, as both his friend and wife!
“There you go again—giving me orders.”
“And you love them,”
I promise you will fall in love with these two! Especially if you love a possessive MMC who loves telling the world that she's his wife!
🎧Audiobook review🎧
Duet Narration
Narration by Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet
These two were the perfect voice for Asher and Maeve. I loved Vanessa as Maeve. She brought out Maeve's bold but timid side so well. I absolutely love swooning over a possessively charming MMC voiced by Robert Hatchet! He nailed Asher!! 👏 I loved both their performances so much! And they sounded so great together! Listening to each of these characters individually pine after each other was the icing on the cake when it came to this audiobook! Well done! 🫠🫠😍
• Hockey Romance
• Vegas Wedding
• Fake Marriage
• "My wife"
• Fun with toys
• Forced Proximity
• Angst
"You are my k*nk"
This series truly just keeps getting better! I have loved it from the very start! Lauren has done such an incredible job getting us to fall in love with these characters with the most perfect storylines! Lauren Blakely's writing is becoming a favorite of mine. She always does such a great job of giving us sensitive characters or topics but puts the perfect quirky and witty spin on it! And this book was a great example of that! Much like the rest of this series.
I absolutely LOVED Maeve and Asher's relationship! From the very beginning! I'm a sucker for best friends to lovers. It's one of my top tropes. And Lauren didn't disappoint. These two were absolutely adorable together with the perfect amount of angst! Which is my favorite part of a friends to lovers romance! Bring on the angst!! 👏👏 And then throw in a marriage pact! YES. PLEASE!
"She’s a siren. She’s a dreamer. She’s an artist. She’s my best friend’s sister. She’s my best friend too—my rock. But right now, she’s simply the woman I can’t resist."
Lauren gave us the swooniest MMC, Asher!! He was possessive, creative, and paid such attention to detail, especially when it came to Maeve. I loved watching this man realize his feelings for his best friend. And the photos. 🫠 Those got me! IYKYK! And you should know! Because this man will have you absolutely swooning! I also love a man who isn't intimidated by a little battery-operated backup! 🤭
Maeve couldn't have been more lovable. She was tortured by the feeling of being too much for the people around her after being told she was. She tried so hard to keep her personality under control. My heart broke for her at times because I loved Maeve's personality, and I was so happy to see her shine around Asher. Because there truly wasn't a part of Maeve that Asher didn't love! And I loved watching her realize just how much he loved her, as both his friend and wife!
“There you go again—giving me orders.”
“And you love them,”
I promise you will fall in love with these two! Especially if you love a possessive MMC who loves telling the world that she's his wife!
🎧Audiobook review🎧
Duet Narration
Narration by Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet
These two were the perfect voice for Asher and Maeve. I loved Vanessa as Maeve. She brought out Maeve's bold but timid side so well. I absolutely love swooning over a possessively charming MMC voiced by Robert Hatchet! He nailed Asher!! 👏 I loved both their performances so much! And they sounded so great together! Listening to each of these characters individually pine after each other was the icing on the cake when it came to this audiobook! Well done! 🫠🫠😍
January 9, 2025
Filler words and odd dialogue and..
I LOVE a hockey romance. LOVE them.
I lost count at all the eye rolls and skimmed pages I did.
Like damn why is this over 500 pages when it could have been 300 if it wasn’t for all the filler words and oddly written dialogue.
I completely understand having to make up scenarios and convo’s to move the plot along. Thats all books. But it should have a nice flow and not seem odd or forced.
The story line isn’t unique. Which is totally fine. But it maybe seems like Lauren was trying to push out another one in this popular niche.
Take this review for what it is. My opinion lol
I LOVE a hockey romance. LOVE them.
I lost count at all the eye rolls and skimmed pages I did.
Like damn why is this over 500 pages when it could have been 300 if it wasn’t for all the filler words and oddly written dialogue.
I completely understand having to make up scenarios and convo’s to move the plot along. Thats all books. But it should have a nice flow and not seem odd or forced.
The story line isn’t unique. Which is totally fine. But it maybe seems like Lauren was trying to push out another one in this popular niche.
Take this review for what it is. My opinion lol
January 10, 2025
4.5 stars!
The Proposal Play is the third book and another fantastic read in the Love and Hockey series. It’s an entertaining friends-to-lovers romance that gives us wonderful characters, tons of fun, spicy moments, and so much heart.
Maeve and Asher have been best friends for over ten years. They hit it off the moment they met and have been having fun together ever since. When Maeve wins a date with Asher at the charity auction to avoid another woman trying to use ASher’s hockey status for her own good, these two look at the date as another adventure together. An adventure that takes them to Vegas and ends with rings on their fingers. Just having fun, these two figure they will get an annulment when they get back home. However, when news of their marriage breaks, they decide it would be better for both of them to remain married. Little did they know, their fake marriage won’t stay fake for long.
I adored Maeve and Asher. They are so fun together and just enjoy spending time together no matter what they are doing. Their friendship is one of the most important things in their lives and I felt their connection as friends which only strengthens their connection when they become more.
Faking their relationship shouldn’t be hard because they really know each other. However, these two have sizzling chemistry and the marriage and the pretending turn real before they know it but they fight the feelings. They don’t want to ruin their friendship and I get it. They are so close and mean so much to each other. They’ve been in each other’s lives for so long and they mean so much to each other that they don’t want to lose their best friend.
Slowly though they get closer as husband and wife and they really turn up the heat while trying to keep things the same. Obviously these two are meant to be together and I love that they know each other so well. They are always supporting the other and want what’s best. They really are best friends but so much more. I was smiling ear to ear with every interaction.
I love that there’s not much drama but there is still a lot of depth to the story and characters. Each has a complexity to them that makes you invested in their lives and rooting for a happily ever after. Maeve and Asher have to overcome challenges and the different fears that both have were well written. I loved the growth they both experienced as they learned to manage those fears.
I also love the secondary characters, most of whom we met in previous books. They are a fun bunch and enjoyed their support and their interactions with Maeve and Asher. We also get snippets of the interactions with the couple in the next book and it makes me extra excited to see how their love story plays out. I can’t wait for more from the Love and Hockey series!
*ARC generously provided by the author*
The Proposal Play is the third book and another fantastic read in the Love and Hockey series. It’s an entertaining friends-to-lovers romance that gives us wonderful characters, tons of fun, spicy moments, and so much heart.
Maeve and Asher have been best friends for over ten years. They hit it off the moment they met and have been having fun together ever since. When Maeve wins a date with Asher at the charity auction to avoid another woman trying to use ASher’s hockey status for her own good, these two look at the date as another adventure together. An adventure that takes them to Vegas and ends with rings on their fingers. Just having fun, these two figure they will get an annulment when they get back home. However, when news of their marriage breaks, they decide it would be better for both of them to remain married. Little did they know, their fake marriage won’t stay fake for long.
How did I miss what’s been right in front of me?
I adored Maeve and Asher. They are so fun together and just enjoy spending time together no matter what they are doing. Their friendship is one of the most important things in their lives and I felt their connection as friends which only strengthens their connection when they become more.
Faking their relationship shouldn’t be hard because they really know each other. However, these two have sizzling chemistry and the marriage and the pretending turn real before they know it but they fight the feelings. They don’t want to ruin their friendship and I get it. They are so close and mean so much to each other. They’ve been in each other’s lives for so long and they mean so much to each other that they don’t want to lose their best friend.
Slowly though they get closer as husband and wife and they really turn up the heat while trying to keep things the same. Obviously these two are meant to be together and I love that they know each other so well. They are always supporting the other and want what’s best. They really are best friends but so much more. I was smiling ear to ear with every interaction.
I love that there’s not much drama but there is still a lot of depth to the story and characters. Each has a complexity to them that makes you invested in their lives and rooting for a happily ever after. Maeve and Asher have to overcome challenges and the different fears that both have were well written. I loved the growth they both experienced as they learned to manage those fears.
I also love the secondary characters, most of whom we met in previous books. They are a fun bunch and enjoyed their support and their interactions with Maeve and Asher. We also get snippets of the interactions with the couple in the next book and it makes me extra excited to see how their love story plays out. I can’t wait for more from the Love and Hockey series!
*ARC generously provided by the author*
January 27, 2025
Thank you so much Author Lauren Blakely, for giving me the beautiful opportunity to read an ARC of your new upcoming Sports Romance Novel🩵🏒💍✨
“The proposal Play”
The 3rd Installment In the-
(Love And Hockey Book series)🩵✨
4.8⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨Read!!!
I was completely swept up in this book, racing through the pages to discover the outcome! After being so engrossed into the Author’s beautiful writing and profound creativity that she expresses endless into her books I seriously couldn’t enjoy this lovely book anymore it’s too good!! I can’t wait for what comes next in this beautiful book series🤩🤩🤩
“The proposal Play,” Stars two hardworking lovable main characters that will capture your heart in seconds💜✨
(Maeve Hartley🎨 & Asher Callahan🏒✨)
Lauren Blakely, begins her tale when-
Maeve, thought vegas with her brother's hockey star Best Friend was supposed to be a chill poker night and early sleep. Instead, she wakes up with a surprise ring and a certain someone in her bed and that someone is Asher Callahan, her whole world of a best friend, with that being said they decided let’s just get this marriage dissolved and look back on it as a funny secret. Problem is, their wedding photos are all over the internet now. Suddenly, everyone thinks they’re actually a couple👀
Now the author profoundly dives us into a story that expertly blends together the lovely tropes of brother's best friend, friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, marriage pact, secret love, forced proximity, and a marriage that will keep you hooked from the very beginning to the very end, craving more✨But not only does Lauren Blakely, writes us an amazing plot she expresses that same passion into her two main characters🤩
my lovely girl Maeve, is a sweetheart & a shining spark of energy and a amazing artist and yet with a fiery spirit that mesmerizes Asher, pulling him in with a deepening passion that only intensifies over time🥹and the author adds more depth to her character with the way she writes Maeve, with strength! Maeve always finds ways to keep going, even in the darkest moments shows how powerful she is and something that will forever be etched in your-heart. She's a true fighter and an inspiration and she only gets better with the devotion she has for her Asher🩵The illustration of the wonders that emerge when they fearlessly tackle life's uncertainties and stumble upon happiness in surprising locales you just love them even more and especially with the way she watches over him is so heartwarming and expressive, beckoning you into a deep and abiding connection with each character and their intricately designed past, was written with love, imagination, creativity, and soul.
Asher-my new everything💋✨Harbors a personality that is the epitome of a cinnamon roll- sweet and endearing🥹with a golden retriever-esque charm that's impossible to resist especially with his flirtatious nature that sure enough had caught Maeve’s attention from the start, but it's his kind heart and sense of humor that have won her over, transforming their loving friendship into a loving partnership♥️Asher's pursuit of Maeve's heart was marked by unwavering resolve and ardent passion, and now, his devotion to her is unshakeable. He consistently demonstrates his willingness to champion her, revealing a heart of gold that is as radiant as his captivating persona everything about Asher is everything and more! Along another fact of Asher, after facing past trauma within the years, he has risen above and become an even stronger person that showers endlessly in so many ways!!
The way Asher, shields his beautiful love one & family!
is incredibly heartfelt and heartwarming along attractive and it also reveals a new depth to his character that draws you in and leaves you wanting more every step of the way🥹🩵✨
“Maeve Hartley, you’re the love of my life and my best friend.-Asher Callahan💋✨
Pre-order
“The Proposal Play”💜🏒💍✨
January 8th, 2025!
Now for an unforgettable hockey romance, and you can do just that by visiting the author’s social media @laurenblakelybooks and also get the chance to view her page filled with teasers/Character artworks❄️✨
“The proposal Play”
The 3rd Installment In the-
(Love And Hockey Book series)🩵✨
4.8⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨Read!!!
I was completely swept up in this book, racing through the pages to discover the outcome! After being so engrossed into the Author’s beautiful writing and profound creativity that she expresses endless into her books I seriously couldn’t enjoy this lovely book anymore it’s too good!! I can’t wait for what comes next in this beautiful book series🤩🤩🤩
“The proposal Play,” Stars two hardworking lovable main characters that will capture your heart in seconds💜✨
(Maeve Hartley🎨 & Asher Callahan🏒✨)
Lauren Blakely, begins her tale when-
Maeve, thought vegas with her brother's hockey star Best Friend was supposed to be a chill poker night and early sleep. Instead, she wakes up with a surprise ring and a certain someone in her bed and that someone is Asher Callahan, her whole world of a best friend, with that being said they decided let’s just get this marriage dissolved and look back on it as a funny secret. Problem is, their wedding photos are all over the internet now. Suddenly, everyone thinks they’re actually a couple👀
Now the author profoundly dives us into a story that expertly blends together the lovely tropes of brother's best friend, friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, marriage pact, secret love, forced proximity, and a marriage that will keep you hooked from the very beginning to the very end, craving more✨But not only does Lauren Blakely, writes us an amazing plot she expresses that same passion into her two main characters🤩
my lovely girl Maeve, is a sweetheart & a shining spark of energy and a amazing artist and yet with a fiery spirit that mesmerizes Asher, pulling him in with a deepening passion that only intensifies over time🥹and the author adds more depth to her character with the way she writes Maeve, with strength! Maeve always finds ways to keep going, even in the darkest moments shows how powerful she is and something that will forever be etched in your-heart. She's a true fighter and an inspiration and she only gets better with the devotion she has for her Asher🩵The illustration of the wonders that emerge when they fearlessly tackle life's uncertainties and stumble upon happiness in surprising locales you just love them even more and especially with the way she watches over him is so heartwarming and expressive, beckoning you into a deep and abiding connection with each character and their intricately designed past, was written with love, imagination, creativity, and soul.
Asher-my new everything💋✨Harbors a personality that is the epitome of a cinnamon roll- sweet and endearing🥹with a golden retriever-esque charm that's impossible to resist especially with his flirtatious nature that sure enough had caught Maeve’s attention from the start, but it's his kind heart and sense of humor that have won her over, transforming their loving friendship into a loving partnership♥️Asher's pursuit of Maeve's heart was marked by unwavering resolve and ardent passion, and now, his devotion to her is unshakeable. He consistently demonstrates his willingness to champion her, revealing a heart of gold that is as radiant as his captivating persona everything about Asher is everything and more! Along another fact of Asher, after facing past trauma within the years, he has risen above and become an even stronger person that showers endlessly in so many ways!!
The way Asher, shields his beautiful love one & family!
is incredibly heartfelt and heartwarming along attractive and it also reveals a new depth to his character that draws you in and leaves you wanting more every step of the way🥹🩵✨
“Maeve Hartley, you’re the love of my life and my best friend.-Asher Callahan💋✨
Pre-order
“The Proposal Play”💜🏒💍✨
January 8th, 2025!
Now for an unforgettable hockey romance, and you can do just that by visiting the author’s social media @laurenblakelybooks and also get the chance to view her page filled with teasers/Character artworks❄️✨
January 8, 2025
I kiss her, long, slow, deep—the kind of kiss that’s a prelude to how I want to fuck her.
3.75 stars
“Aren’t you possessive,” she says. “Don’t want anyone touching my date,” I joke, only it’s not a joke. I fucking don’t.
This was a spicy brother's best friend, and her best friend, hockey romance featuring a marriage of convenience, body paint, and bossiness. Oh, and lots of toys - the fun toys.
Maeve is pretty and charming and fucking adorable. How did I miss what’s been right in front of me?
I liked Maeve and Asher together, they had good chemistry (as most best friends to lovers do), and I once again love all the cameos from the other books
“You look like…” Mine.
I loved the relationship Ash had with his dads and Maeve had with her brother, after all the hardships both of them faced.
I already want to toss her over my shoulder and take her home. See if she looks as good in my ties, bound to her wrists, as she does in that vest.
I did have a few issues with this one, and I’ll mention one - the way Asher’s mental illness was portrayed. It could have been done really well and I would have connected with it (medical paranoia? I dunno what the diagnosis is, but he was basically constantly worried and obsessive about medical problems in those he loved. It’s probably an anxiety disorder). I loved that part but the actual emotion behind it was lacking, or a “telling not showing” issue.
Thank you to Lauren and her team for this ARC!
How could she look like anything else but mine when she’s wearing my vest?
3.75 stars
“Aren’t you possessive,” she says. “Don’t want anyone touching my date,” I joke, only it’s not a joke. I fucking don’t.
This was a spicy brother's best friend, and her best friend, hockey romance featuring a marriage of convenience, body paint, and bossiness. Oh, and lots of toys - the fun toys.
Maeve is pretty and charming and fucking adorable. How did I miss what’s been right in front of me?
I liked Maeve and Asher together, they had good chemistry (as most best friends to lovers do), and I once again love all the cameos from the other books
“You look like…” Mine.
I loved the relationship Ash had with his dads and Maeve had with her brother, after all the hardships both of them faced.
I already want to toss her over my shoulder and take her home. See if she looks as good in my ties, bound to her wrists, as she does in that vest.
I did have a few issues with this one, and I’ll mention one - the way Asher’s mental illness was portrayed. It could have been done really well and I would have connected with it (medical paranoia? I dunno what the diagnosis is, but he was basically constantly worried and obsessive about medical problems in those he loved. It’s probably an anxiety disorder). I loved that part but the actual emotion behind it was lacking, or a “telling not showing” issue.
Thank you to Lauren and her team for this ARC!
How could she look like anything else but mine when she’s wearing my vest?
January 8, 2025
Thank you, Hambright PR, for my ALC.
The Proposal Play is another gem from Lauren Blakely. I love this series! This time, we get Maeve and Asher's love story. They are best friends, and he's her brother's best friend. Through a series of events, they end up in Vegas together. Spontaneously, they decide to marry and plan to get annulled the following day. However, things change, and they end up having a marriage of convenience. I won't give anything away, but this book was outstanding.
The duet narration for this book was fantastic! Bravo to Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet. They are some of my favorites.
Read this book if you like:
-Dual POV (Duet narration)
-Best friend to lover
-Marriage of convenience
-Brother's best friend
-Hockey romance
-She's an artist
-Only one bed
-Banter
-He's been in love with her for years
-My wife
-Steamy romance
-The value of therapy
-Anxiety/Mental health rep
The Proposal Play is another gem from Lauren Blakely. I love this series! This time, we get Maeve and Asher's love story. They are best friends, and he's her brother's best friend. Through a series of events, they end up in Vegas together. Spontaneously, they decide to marry and plan to get annulled the following day. However, things change, and they end up having a marriage of convenience. I won't give anything away, but this book was outstanding.
The duet narration for this book was fantastic! Bravo to Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet. They are some of my favorites.
Read this book if you like:
-Dual POV (Duet narration)
-Best friend to lover
-Marriage of convenience
-Brother's best friend
-Hockey romance
-She's an artist
-Only one bed
-Banter
-He's been in love with her for years
-My wife
-Steamy romance
-The value of therapy
-Anxiety/Mental health rep
Read
October 4, 2025dnf @ 63% it just did not need to be That long
January 1, 2025
The audio version of this was great. Best friends to lovers- he falls first- fake marriage…. What more can you ask for? How about super hot scenes that will make you blush! The chemistry between Asher and Maeve is off the charts! I love the way he supports and cherishes her.
January 20, 2025
I considered whether to write this review because I’ve enjoyed quite a lot of Lauren Blakely’s other works, and anyone able to write a book and willing to put it out there is such an achievement. However, this one was such a let down. I feel like it could be one to skip in the series and go straight to the next book.
People often complain that friends-to-lovers is boring and this is a perfect example of why. It’s a trope I often defend, but I couldn’t this time. Asher and Maeve have been best friends for a decade, they have fun together, spend lots of time together, they care about each other, are clearly hot for each other, KNOW they are hot for each other, but they can’t be together because of… I dunno… reasons? 🤷♀️
And the marriage of convenience premise was particularly flimsy. It didn’t really make sense to me how it happened in the first place when Asher is meant to be so focused on control, researching everything, and protecting his image. I’m all for suspending disbelief in my romances, but this one really threw me.
This is the third book in the series (kind of fourth if you count Holidate), and I feel like all the great work done for Asher and Maeve in the previous books are completely thrown out the window. Maeve had been this carefree, liberated bad ass, but now all of a sudden she’s like “I’m such a hot mess, I’m too much, no wonder men don’t like me” - huh? And Asher was meant to be the charming, funny pretty boy, but is suddenly kind of a dork in this (plus his very forced character trait which is his ‘trauma’ in here for plot reasons I guess).
Super disappointing because I had high hopes for these characters having really liked them in the previous books, but spent most of this book being like “when will this end?!” And to that point, why was it so long? There definitely wasn’t enough material to sustain the 14+ hour run time (audiobook). Honestly, I feel like the editors really dropped the ball on this one.
And the dialogue! Even the brilliance of Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet couldn’t save its awkwardness. I’m pretty sure “my wife” and “my husband” were used more often than the characters actual names.
I will say the narrators did a great job based on what they were working with.
Format: Audiobook (Audible)
Spice level: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ (but the dialogue in these scenes really gave me the ick)
Narration style: duet for FMC & MMC, duel for all other characters
Tropes: friends-to-lovers, marriage of convenience, he falls first, found family
People often complain that friends-to-lovers is boring and this is a perfect example of why. It’s a trope I often defend, but I couldn’t this time. Asher and Maeve have been best friends for a decade, they have fun together, spend lots of time together, they care about each other, are clearly hot for each other, KNOW they are hot for each other, but they can’t be together because of… I dunno… reasons? 🤷♀️
And the marriage of convenience premise was particularly flimsy. It didn’t really make sense to me how it happened in the first place when Asher is meant to be so focused on control, researching everything, and protecting his image. I’m all for suspending disbelief in my romances, but this one really threw me.
This is the third book in the series (kind of fourth if you count Holidate), and I feel like all the great work done for Asher and Maeve in the previous books are completely thrown out the window. Maeve had been this carefree, liberated bad ass, but now all of a sudden she’s like “I’m such a hot mess, I’m too much, no wonder men don’t like me” - huh? And Asher was meant to be the charming, funny pretty boy, but is suddenly kind of a dork in this (plus his very forced character trait which is his ‘trauma’ in here for plot reasons I guess).
Super disappointing because I had high hopes for these characters having really liked them in the previous books, but spent most of this book being like “when will this end?!” And to that point, why was it so long? There definitely wasn’t enough material to sustain the 14+ hour run time (audiobook). Honestly, I feel like the editors really dropped the ball on this one.
And the dialogue! Even the brilliance of Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet couldn’t save its awkwardness. I’m pretty sure “my wife” and “my husband” were used more often than the characters actual names.
I will say the narrators did a great job based on what they were working with.
Format: Audiobook (Audible)
Spice level: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ (but the dialogue in these scenes really gave me the ick)
Narration style: duet for FMC & MMC, duel for all other characters
Tropes: friends-to-lovers, marriage of convenience, he falls first, found family
January 16, 2025
Some of the best chemistry between a couple I've ever read, and a pretty fun read, but the total lack of self awareness between these two makes me want to rip my hair out at times. The length of the book wasn't an issue to me like some other reviewers, the problem I had was due to lack of self awareness, the "will they won't they" dragged on for far too long. 3.5/5 for me, could have easily been one of my favorite romance books if they ML and FL weren't so oblivious.
December 30, 2024
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
This was a great story and next Love and Hockey series installment! I was eager to see what happened with Maeve and Asher and was not disappointed.
I love a friends to lovers story and Maeve and Asher were such a good representation of that trope. They’ve been friends for 10 years and their close bond was easy to see during this story. One thing I loved was how they had their Big Adventures; they always did something fun to help get through their grief and it was great to see them bonding over such a difficult thing. It was great how protective they were of each other, which led to their…accidental marriage in the first place! Okay, maybe it wasn’t so accidental since they planned for it to be their next Big Adventure, but what they didn’t plan was for their marriage to go viral. So, they ended up staying married to help each other out since they were always willing to protect each other.
One thing I loved during this story was watching Asher and Maeve learn that their feelings for each other were deeper than friendship. I liked that they both took the time to consider how they were feeling before acting on anything because it showed how they were always trying to protect each other even when they wanted more from each other. I loved how supportive they were of each other, too; Maeve was always willing to be at hockey games being Asher's good luck charm and Asher was always supporting Maeve with her art and telling her how great she was. It was great that, when Maeve made new art for Asher, he was immediately ready to hang it in his house so he could see it all the time, and to make Maeve happy.
Maeve and Asher both had some issues in their lives, but I loved how much they helped each other with those issues. Maeve had a past boyfriend tell her that he couldn’t handle her because she was “too much” and it affected her. When she and Asher were together, she hesitated to be herself often because she thought it was too much, but I love that Asher was willing to reassure her that she was never too much for him. I liked that when Maeve asked Asher to tell her if she ever was too much, he told her she wasn’t but also told her that he would tell her if she was. It was great to see him be reassuring but also willing to listen to what Maeve wanted. It was interesting to see how Asher’s anxiety presented itself in this story, but I love that Maeve was able to see it for what it was because she knew Asher so well. I also appreciated that she was straight-up and honest with him when he was struggling. She was never mean, but she made sure to help Asher see what was going on inside his head and that he just needed some help controlling it. It took Asher a little while to accept it, but it was great that when he did he immediately reached out to get the help he needed so that he could be the best man he could be for Maeve.
This was such a great story! I loved everything about Maeve and Asher and their story. It was so sweet watching them go from friends to lovers. They were great together and I loved that they each had their close friend groups to support them during the story. I’m excited to see what happens in the next one!
Audio Review:
This was a great audio, too! This was an MC duet narration, so the narrators read the MCs dialogue in duet, but read the rest of the story in dual. Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet were great narrators for this book. Vanessa was a great representation of Maeve because she was the perfect amount of bubbly and funny, but could pull off the series parts, too. Robert Hatchet was great as Asher! He brought out his helpful and funny personality while also showing his secret feelings for Maeve. The pacing was just right and it wasn't too fast or too slow. It was a great audiobook and was the perfect reading of The Proposal Play!
Thank you, Lauren, for providing me with an ARC and an ALC!
This was a great story and next Love and Hockey series installment! I was eager to see what happened with Maeve and Asher and was not disappointed.
I love a friends to lovers story and Maeve and Asher were such a good representation of that trope. They’ve been friends for 10 years and their close bond was easy to see during this story. One thing I loved was how they had their Big Adventures; they always did something fun to help get through their grief and it was great to see them bonding over such a difficult thing. It was great how protective they were of each other, which led to their…accidental marriage in the first place! Okay, maybe it wasn’t so accidental since they planned for it to be their next Big Adventure, but what they didn’t plan was for their marriage to go viral. So, they ended up staying married to help each other out since they were always willing to protect each other.
One thing I loved during this story was watching Asher and Maeve learn that their feelings for each other were deeper than friendship. I liked that they both took the time to consider how they were feeling before acting on anything because it showed how they were always trying to protect each other even when they wanted more from each other. I loved how supportive they were of each other, too; Maeve was always willing to be at hockey games being Asher's good luck charm and Asher was always supporting Maeve with her art and telling her how great she was. It was great that, when Maeve made new art for Asher, he was immediately ready to hang it in his house so he could see it all the time, and to make Maeve happy.
Maeve and Asher both had some issues in their lives, but I loved how much they helped each other with those issues. Maeve had a past boyfriend tell her that he couldn’t handle her because she was “too much” and it affected her. When she and Asher were together, she hesitated to be herself often because she thought it was too much, but I love that Asher was willing to reassure her that she was never too much for him. I liked that when Maeve asked Asher to tell her if she ever was too much, he told her she wasn’t but also told her that he would tell her if she was. It was great to see him be reassuring but also willing to listen to what Maeve wanted. It was interesting to see how Asher’s anxiety presented itself in this story, but I love that Maeve was able to see it for what it was because she knew Asher so well. I also appreciated that she was straight-up and honest with him when he was struggling. She was never mean, but she made sure to help Asher see what was going on inside his head and that he just needed some help controlling it. It took Asher a little while to accept it, but it was great that when he did he immediately reached out to get the help he needed so that he could be the best man he could be for Maeve.
This was such a great story! I loved everything about Maeve and Asher and their story. It was so sweet watching them go from friends to lovers. They were great together and I loved that they each had their close friend groups to support them during the story. I’m excited to see what happens in the next one!
Audio Review:
This was a great audio, too! This was an MC duet narration, so the narrators read the MCs dialogue in duet, but read the rest of the story in dual. Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet were great narrators for this book. Vanessa was a great representation of Maeve because she was the perfect amount of bubbly and funny, but could pull off the series parts, too. Robert Hatchet was great as Asher! He brought out his helpful and funny personality while also showing his secret feelings for Maeve. The pacing was just right and it wasn't too fast or too slow. It was a great audiobook and was the perfect reading of The Proposal Play!
Thank you, Lauren, for providing me with an ARC and an ALC!
January 10, 2025
ALC AUDIOBOOK REIVEW:
Narrated by Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet
The Proposal Play is a sweet yet hot and steamy, friends to lovers, hockey romance filled with a marriage of convenience between best friends, you can’t help but root for.
When Maeve saves her best friend and brother’s teammate, Asher, from a possible bad date, she ends up being the one to bid on him at an annual auction, only to have their date be a fun night in Vegas, and what better to do in Vegas than sporadically marry your best friend? When the promise of only one night of marriage is leaked and they are now taking their fake bliss home, it only seems fitting to stay married as new opportunities arise for them both. I enjoyed Maeve and Asher’s story, the bond these two had as friends and when things began to get heated between the two of them, it was obvious their sexual connection was there too. The Proposal Play is full of fun banter, hot moments, deep conversation of mental health as well as a true friendship. Robert Hatchet and Vanessa Edwin did an incredible job narrating in duet with Vanessa’s sweet and sensual voice bringing Maeve to life as well as her calming tones showing how Maeve was able to be there for Asher when he truly needed her and the confident way Vanessa expressed all the positive things happening in Maeve professional life. Robert Hatchet narrates Asher with a fun, friend vibe, and as things begin to change for Maeve and Asher, Robert brings forward his protective and confident tones expressing Asher with his deep voice to keep things spicy with Maeve. I love the friendship Maeve and Asher have and have been loving this series.
Thank You Lauren and team for the opportunity to listen and review.
Narrated by Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet
The Proposal Play is a sweet yet hot and steamy, friends to lovers, hockey romance filled with a marriage of convenience between best friends, you can’t help but root for.
When Maeve saves her best friend and brother’s teammate, Asher, from a possible bad date, she ends up being the one to bid on him at an annual auction, only to have their date be a fun night in Vegas, and what better to do in Vegas than sporadically marry your best friend? When the promise of only one night of marriage is leaked and they are now taking their fake bliss home, it only seems fitting to stay married as new opportunities arise for them both. I enjoyed Maeve and Asher’s story, the bond these two had as friends and when things began to get heated between the two of them, it was obvious their sexual connection was there too. The Proposal Play is full of fun banter, hot moments, deep conversation of mental health as well as a true friendship. Robert Hatchet and Vanessa Edwin did an incredible job narrating in duet with Vanessa’s sweet and sensual voice bringing Maeve to life as well as her calming tones showing how Maeve was able to be there for Asher when he truly needed her and the confident way Vanessa expressed all the positive things happening in Maeve professional life. Robert Hatchet narrates Asher with a fun, friend vibe, and as things begin to change for Maeve and Asher, Robert brings forward his protective and confident tones expressing Asher with his deep voice to keep things spicy with Maeve. I love the friendship Maeve and Asher have and have been loving this series.
Thank You Lauren and team for the opportunity to listen and review.
January 10, 2025
Actual Rating: 3.5⭐
The Proposal Play is the 3rd book in the Love and Hockey series, but don’t worry — you can read this one as a standalone.
I didn’t read the previous books and I can enjoy this one exciting without feeling like I missed out on anything crucial.
The story follows Maeve and Asher, whose chemistry as friends and lovers is intense and compelling.
The characters are incredibly lovable; I enjoyed their interactions, particularly Asher with his dads, and Maeve with her brother and best friends.
Watching Maeve and Asher have fun, be vulnerable, and share their fear and feelings added depth to their relationship.
As much as I like the slow-burn romance between Asher and Maeve, there were moments when it felt prolonged and a bit frustrating.
Their reluctance to be honest with their feelings seemed drawn out, especially knowing they would eventually get together at the end.
Overall, it was an enjoYable read and gave a refreshing experience in a genre I don’t usually read.
I adore the characters and the easy-to-read writing style. However, I do wish it had been a bit shorter to keep the pace more engaging.
Despite that, it was a sweet and fun read that I'd recommend to sport romance fans.
Thank you to Good Girls PR, the author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: sexual content, grief, death of a parent mentioned several times
The Proposal Play is the 3rd book in the Love and Hockey series, but don’t worry — you can read this one as a standalone.
I didn’t read the previous books and I can enjoy this one exciting without feeling like I missed out on anything crucial.
The story follows Maeve and Asher, whose chemistry as friends and lovers is intense and compelling.
The characters are incredibly lovable; I enjoyed their interactions, particularly Asher with his dads, and Maeve with her brother and best friends.
Watching Maeve and Asher have fun, be vulnerable, and share their fear and feelings added depth to their relationship.
As much as I like the slow-burn romance between Asher and Maeve, there were moments when it felt prolonged and a bit frustrating.
Their reluctance to be honest with their feelings seemed drawn out, especially knowing they would eventually get together at the end.
Overall, it was an enjoYable read and gave a refreshing experience in a genre I don’t usually read.
I adore the characters and the easy-to-read writing style. However, I do wish it had been a bit shorter to keep the pace more engaging.
Despite that, it was a sweet and fun read that I'd recommend to sport romance fans.
Thank you to Good Girls PR, the author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: sexual content, grief, death of a parent mentioned several times
January 1, 2025
Friends to lovers is becoming a favorite trope of mine and this book definitely helped solidify that! Maeve and Asher have been friends for years, and honestly I love their friendship from the start. Maeve is chaotic, quirky, unapologetically herself, and I love her vibe! She is also fiercely protective of her friends...which is how she ends up in a bidding war for a date with Asher to prevent another woman from winning.
As we get more of their story, it is painfully clear that they both have been falling in love for years, although they might be the only two people to not see it at first. But when their Vegas date ends with them getting married and the world finding out, what are they supposed to do now? The chemistry between them is palpable and I love their teasing banter! Plus, when we do get some spice, LB doesn't let us down! While I've loved every couple in this series so far, they might be my new favorite!
Audiobook: The narration for this book is fantastic! It is duet narration with Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet and they perfectly portray Asher and Maeve! I knew I'd devour this, but the audiobook made it impossible for me to put down until I was done!
What to expect:
-Marriage of convenience
-Brother's best friend
-Best friends to lovers
-Marriage pact
-Hockey player x artist
-It's always been you
-Found family
-They adopt a dog
Thank you Lauren Blakely and KP Simmon for the ARC & ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review!! I cannot wait for the next book in this series because they all have been amazing so far!
As we get more of their story, it is painfully clear that they both have been falling in love for years, although they might be the only two people to not see it at first. But when their Vegas date ends with them getting married and the world finding out, what are they supposed to do now? The chemistry between them is palpable and I love their teasing banter! Plus, when we do get some spice, LB doesn't let us down! While I've loved every couple in this series so far, they might be my new favorite!
Audiobook: The narration for this book is fantastic! It is duet narration with Vanessa Edwin and Robert Hatchet and they perfectly portray Asher and Maeve! I knew I'd devour this, but the audiobook made it impossible for me to put down until I was done!
What to expect:
-Marriage of convenience
-Brother's best friend
-Best friends to lovers
-Marriage pact
-Hockey player x artist
-It's always been you
-Found family
-They adopt a dog
Thank you Lauren Blakely and KP Simmon for the ARC & ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review!! I cannot wait for the next book in this series because they all have been amazing so far!
January 7, 2025
Oh my goshhh 😍
Asher + Maeve are perfectly matched.
Their relationship is so good, right.from the beginning. The two best friends love having adventures together, and their marriage of convenience was their biggest yet!
I absolutely adored every angle of this book.
Their chemistry was out of this world! 🌎
I was on the edge of my seat, waiting for how it all would play out!
Their lives were perfect, they both had/have issues to face, but they faced them together ❤️
Asher + Maeve are perfectly matched.
Their relationship is so good, right.from the beginning. The two best friends love having adventures together, and their marriage of convenience was their biggest yet!
I absolutely adored every angle of this book.
Their chemistry was out of this world! 🌎
I was on the edge of my seat, waiting for how it all would play out!
Their lives were perfect, they both had/have issues to face, but they faced them together ❤️
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