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A review by josie_bookstagram
Falling for the Forward: A Fake Marriage Hockey Romance by Brenda Rothert
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"What are you drawing?" "Mommy in heaven" ðŸ˜
This book scores a solid four stars from me! As a lover of the fake dating trope, I was immediately hooked, and the author delivered on all the heartwarming feels I was craving. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Suki and Carter was utterly charming, and their chemistry soon sizzled off the page. I also really liked the found family aspect of the story as Suki and Carter's relationship developed with each other and with the girls. Suki's friends sound like an absolute blast too, the kind of friends you'd instantly want in your own inner circle. Watching Carter's relationship with his nieces blossom was pure sweetness and added a lovely layer of depth to his character. The hurt/comfort element with Suki's past hurt and Carter being there to support her was well-handled and provided some genuinely touching moments.
The dreaded third-act breakup reared its ugly head however, and honestly, it felt completely unnecessary and contrived. It came out of nowhere and left me feeling more frustrated than emotionally invested. Suki’s subsequent huffiness also grated on my nerves. This, unfortunately, cost the book a star from me.
Despite this, the satisfying happily ever after definitely redeemed things somewhat. The author has a knack for creating engaging characters and crafting a compelling narrative. I'm already eager to read more from her, and the hints about Bash's story being next have me especially excited.
If you're a fan of fake dating, grumpy heroes, and found family, this is definitely a book you should add to your TBR – just be prepared for a frustrating bump in the road before you reach your happy ending.
This book scores a solid four stars from me! As a lover of the fake dating trope, I was immediately hooked, and the author delivered on all the heartwarming feels I was craving. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Suki and Carter was utterly charming, and their chemistry soon sizzled off the page. I also really liked the found family aspect of the story as Suki and Carter's relationship developed with each other and with the girls. Suki's friends sound like an absolute blast too, the kind of friends you'd instantly want in your own inner circle. Watching Carter's relationship with his nieces blossom was pure sweetness and added a lovely layer of depth to his character. The hurt/comfort element with Suki's past hurt and Carter being there to support her was well-handled and provided some genuinely touching moments.
The dreaded third-act breakup reared its ugly head however, and honestly, it felt completely unnecessary and contrived. It came out of nowhere and left me feeling more frustrated than emotionally invested. Suki’s subsequent huffiness also grated on my nerves. This, unfortunately, cost the book a star from me.
Despite this, the satisfying happily ever after definitely redeemed things somewhat. The author has a knack for creating engaging characters and crafting a compelling narrative. I'm already eager to read more from her, and the hints about Bash's story being next have me especially excited.
If you're a fan of fake dating, grumpy heroes, and found family, this is definitely a book you should add to your TBR – just be prepared for a frustrating bump in the road before you reach your happy ending.