Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5 stars)

I recently listened to Writing Mr. Wrong by Kelley Armstrong thanks to an audiobook ARC from NetGalley. As someone who usually enjoys a good hockey romance, I was excited and curious to see how this one would stack up to my previous reads in the genre. While it wasn’t the typical hockey romance I expected, there were still some things I really liked—and a few things I wish had been different.

The main character, Gemma, is a strong heroine and independent woman who’s been through a lot. She’s dealing with the aftermath of a tough marriage and divorce, which added a realness to her character that makes Gemma relatable as a character. I liked that Armstrong didn’t shy away from showing Gemma’s struggles with trust and self-worth after her past relationship. It made her feel more relatable and gave her a lot of depth.

The romance with Mason, the hockey player, is sweet and has its moments of genuine chemistry. Mason is patient and understanding, and I liked how he respected Gemma’s boundaries and didn’t try to rush her into anything she wasn’t ready for. He’s a different type of hero than you usually see in hockey romances—more grounded and supportive, which was a nice change of pace.

However, I felt like it took her a little too long for Gemma to realize she was making the same mistake she hated in this story by trying to fit someone into a mold instead of loving them for who they are. Mason deserves to be loved for all of him, and that part of the journey was interesting, but I wished Ms Armstrong had Gemma spend a bit more time working on herself before jumping into things with Mason.

The romance with Mason was sweet, and there was definitely some chemistry, but it didn’t feel like a typical hockey romance to me. The hockey parts weren’t front and center, so if you’re looking for a story that’s all about life on and off the ice, this might not be it. Still, the book was easy to listen to, and I liked it when Gemma finally figured out what she really wanted. Someone to love her for who she is, and realizes she needs to do the same for those she loves.

Writing Mr. Wrong is a quick, enjoyable listen with a different take on the hockey romance theme you may be used to. Even though I wished for a bit more character growth before the romance kicked in, I still had a good time with this book. I’m giving it 3.5 stars. If you want a romance that’s a little outside the usual hockey trope playbook, give this one a try when it is released on June 24th, 2025.

Happy Reading!