Could've Fooled Me by Jenny Proctor: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

She married him to stay in the country. She didn’t expect him to feel like home.

Sarah Stone never meant to marry a hockey player.

She doesn’t even like hockey—too loud, too violent. But when her visa runs out and going home isn’t an option, marrying one of her brother’s teammates becomes the fastest way to stay in the country.

Carter Williamson is boyishly handsome, charming, and exactly the kind of man who makes a temporary marriage feel dangerous in all the wrong (right?) ways. He respects the rules, takes the pretending seriously, and somehow manages to make her feel safer than she has in years.

Which is inconvenient because he's also determined to keep things strictly business.

Or so he says. Something about the way he looks at her makes Sarah think he’s struggling as much as she is to remember their marriage is fake.

But then a crisis on the ice sends them both into a tailspin, and Carter and Sarah have to decide if the fragile life they’ve built together is one they want to fight for.

This was supposed to be paperwork. Not feelings.

Definitely not love.

Could've Fooled Me is a marriage of convenience, low-spice hockey romance with chemistry, tension, and steamy kisses...but only kisses on the page.

The Author

Jenny Proctor is an award-winning author of more than fourteen romantic comedies and an Amazon bestseller. She began her career in publishing in 2013; her writing has been a constant since then, but she also spent time as the owner and managing editor of Midnight Owl Editors and the chair of the Storymakers Conference. Wired for relationships, Jenny loves public speaking, teaching, and building lasting connections.

Jenny was born in the mountains of Western North Carolina, a place she considers one of the loveliest on earth. She loves to hike with her family and spend time outdoors, but she also adores lounging around her home, reading great books or watching great movies and, when she’s lucky, eating delicious food she doesn’t have to prepare herself.

Book Review

A hockey romance with a marriage of convenience? Yes, please! We first were introduced to Carter and Theo in When Alec Met Evie, so it was fun to get to know these NHL playing twin brothers better. (This is the start of a new series, so while those who have read that book might appreciate seeing them again, it is not necessary to read it to enjoy this one.) Carter is getting his chance at romance first with a marriage of convenience with the sister of the team's captain, Sarah, to help her be able to stay in the country. But even before agreeing to this arrangement, the chemistry between these two was evident. Carter was such a good book boyfriend. He was so supportive of Sarah, believing in her art and just the way he was so understanding with her, even without knowing her full story... and what an emotional story it turned out to be. This story surprised me with some heartbreaking moments, but that tenderness and vulnerability only made me love them that much more. And while I can't give anything away, this story left me very excited to see what was going to happen next in the series. I cannot wait for Theo's story! 

Could've Fooled Me is a closed-door romance with fade to black (within marriage and not-detailed), some innuendo and minimal minor language. 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/4uEaCXJ