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Relationship Goals #1
The Husband Game
Dustin Fowler Wed in Secret Vegas Ceremony – Partner’s Identity Remains a Mystery
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Or does it?
Toronto Fisher Cats ice hockey team captain Dustin Fowler attended the NHL awards and came home with more than the Ted Lindsay Award.
A cryptic social media post from the hockey center himself revealed that he was wed in a secret ceremony in Las Vegas this past weekend.
His caption stating, “Sorry, ladies, Toronto’s most eligible bachelor just went off the market. I married my kitten tonight and I’ve never been happier,” sent tongues wagging across the league.
But who is “Kitten”?
Without verification from either the team’s head office or the new groom, rumors swirl about exactly who Fowler’s partner is.
Speculation ranges from pop singers, to influencers, to actresses and models, but in a surprising twist, a credible source from within the organization suggests that “Kitten” is none other than retired men’s figure skating champion Charlie Monaghan.
Neither athlete has been linked to dating anyone in recent history.
Fan reactions vary from shocked disbelief to wholehearted support but without official confirmation, gossip continues to fly.
We here at JockGossip would like to offer our warmest congratulations to the newlyweds.
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Or does it?
Toronto Fisher Cats ice hockey team captain Dustin Fowler attended the NHL awards and came home with more than the Ted Lindsay Award.
A cryptic social media post from the hockey center himself revealed that he was wed in a secret ceremony in Las Vegas this past weekend.
His caption stating, “Sorry, ladies, Toronto’s most eligible bachelor just went off the market. I married my kitten tonight and I’ve never been happier,” sent tongues wagging across the league.
But who is “Kitten”?
Without verification from either the team’s head office or the new groom, rumors swirl about exactly who Fowler’s partner is.
Speculation ranges from pop singers, to influencers, to actresses and models, but in a surprising twist, a credible source from within the organization suggests that “Kitten” is none other than retired men’s figure skating champion Charlie Monaghan.
Neither athlete has been linked to dating anyone in recent history.
Fan reactions vary from shocked disbelief to wholehearted support but without official confirmation, gossip continues to fly.
We here at JockGossip would like to offer our warmest congratulations to the newlyweds.
575 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2023
About the author
Brigham Vaughn
62 books531 followersBrigham Vaughn is on the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time writer. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn’t let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga. She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can’t wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 246 reviews
July 7, 2023
Loved revisiting this story world, but I think this book was maybe 100 pages too long.
Really enjoyed Charlie and Dustin together and the way their relationship grew, but there was just a lot of repetition that made it feel dragged out for such a big portion of the book. Weirdly it then felt really rushed in the last few chapters where things were coming to a head!
I think if the pacing was just slightly changed there would have been more impact with the more emotional aspects like Charlie's parents and the reveal of Charlie's health issues and Dustin's self-doubts, but by then I was kind of ready to be done so it didn't affect me as much as I would have liked.
Looking forward to Nico's book though, and I enjoyed the additional world building specific to the Toronto team - trying to make my guesses of who will have books!
Really enjoyed Charlie and Dustin together and the way their relationship grew, but there was just a lot of repetition that made it feel dragged out for such a big portion of the book. Weirdly it then felt really rushed in the last few chapters where things were coming to a head!
I think if the pacing was just slightly changed there would have been more impact with the more emotional aspects like Charlie's parents and the reveal of Charlie's health issues and Dustin's self-doubts, but by then I was kind of ready to be done so it didn't affect me as much as I would have liked.
Looking forward to Nico's book though, and I enjoyed the additional world building specific to the Toronto team - trying to make my guesses of who will have books!
August 23, 2023
I’ll write this review as I read the book. First observation is this book is WAY too long. Certain situations get repeated often and the minutiae of daily life gets tiresome. The off page sex at the very beginning is also off putting. I’m at 43%/pg 251 and there’s been no on page sex of any kind. Just fyi. That would be fine if the story was going somewhere but I’m bored and I want something to finally happen or I’m putting a pin in this book and coming back to it much later. Ugh 😑
Ok finally they have sex sober and not after a Vegas sham wedding. It wasn’t as hot as I thought it should be probably because the build up was so much. Charlie in lingerie was hot. The sex was a bit rushed and THEN the fact that Charlie topped Dustin was completely glossed over it felt more like off page sex than on page sex. Meh. I have higher expectations for hockey books and usually this author delivers but unfortunately not here AND I still have 300 more pages to read 😵💫
Time to skim…
The sex scene by the pool was what I was hoping for in their first sex scene together after marriage. I guess better late than never.
Page 369/64% and Charlie still hasn’t told Dustin about his eating disorder. Dustin has given him ample opportunities to do so but Charlie really trusts no one. It’s super sad and depressing. I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop at this point and have them break up. Dustin is doing all the right things but with an unwilling partner he will never get the relationship he wants in Charlie. Who practically has one foot out the door already. Charlie wonders why his relationships never work out. He needs to look in the mirror. The way he treats Dustin is not exactly making him endearing to the reading audience. Tbh I can’t believe I’m still reading this over bloated book. I guess I’m waiting to see the train wreck that is coming. 😵💫😵💫
The train wreck never comes…they FINALLY admit their feeling for one another in a truly beautiful way which saves this book from being 1 star ⭐️. BUT this book is still way too long and the next character to get a book I kinda loathe SO I think I’m one and done on this series unless Matty gets a book. If it’s over 500 pages, I’ll pass on him too 😑😑.
Ok finally they have sex sober and not after a Vegas sham wedding. It wasn’t as hot as I thought it should be probably because the build up was so much. Charlie in lingerie was hot. The sex was a bit rushed and THEN the fact that Charlie topped Dustin was completely glossed over it felt more like off page sex than on page sex. Meh. I have higher expectations for hockey books and usually this author delivers but unfortunately not here AND I still have 300 more pages to read 😵💫
Time to skim…
The sex scene by the pool was what I was hoping for in their first sex scene together after marriage. I guess better late than never.
Page 369/64% and Charlie still hasn’t told Dustin about his eating disorder. Dustin has given him ample opportunities to do so but Charlie really trusts no one. It’s super sad and depressing. I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop at this point and have them break up. Dustin is doing all the right things but with an unwilling partner he will never get the relationship he wants in Charlie. Who practically has one foot out the door already. Charlie wonders why his relationships never work out. He needs to look in the mirror. The way he treats Dustin is not exactly making him endearing to the reading audience. Tbh I can’t believe I’m still reading this over bloated book. I guess I’m waiting to see the train wreck that is coming. 😵💫😵💫
The train wreck never comes…they FINALLY admit their feeling for one another in a truly beautiful way which saves this book from being 1 star ⭐️. BUT this book is still way too long and the next character to get a book I kinda loathe SO I think I’m one and done on this series unless Matty gets a book. If it’s over 500 pages, I’ll pass on him too 😑😑.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2023
The Husband Game took the wake up married trope gave it a slightly different twist and run with it.
Dustin is an NHL player for Toronto and Charlie is an ex-figure skater turned interior designer working for a firm in Chicago. They know each other through mutual friends but don't have any other connections.
When they meet in Las Vegas and embark on a fun night of drinking they don't expect to wake up the next morning married and with everyone knowing about it because they drunkenly decided to announce it through social media.
For many reasons they decide the best course of action is to stay married for a year and act like it's a real marriage.
The storyline spans a few months with Charlie and Dustin navigating their new reality and learning to live together and be in a relationship.
How fake it is though is up for debate.
I liked the story and the MCs. Dustin was a sweetheart, always looking out for Charlie and trying to be there for him and make him happy. Charlie was a lot more that what he appeared at first glance. He had a lot of struggles in his past and in his present and he needed a strong support system to be there for him but he was reluctant to open up or ask for help.
The book felt a little too long at times, with scenes stretching out when they could have been shorter. There were a lot of secondary characters and I couldn't always remember which position they played or what was their backstory or who was their partner.
However, I did appreciate the way the author devided to clue us in in events from previous books, which was in the form of conversations instead of endless internal monologs. I read this as a standalone and was able to follow along just fine despite cameos from past characters and mentions of past events.
There are a few secondary characters that I'm curious about their stories and I hope we'll get them. I know Nico is next but I hope Felix will also get a story of his own.
~ I read an ARC of this book. ~
Dustin is an NHL player for Toronto and Charlie is an ex-figure skater turned interior designer working for a firm in Chicago. They know each other through mutual friends but don't have any other connections.
When they meet in Las Vegas and embark on a fun night of drinking they don't expect to wake up the next morning married and with everyone knowing about it because they drunkenly decided to announce it through social media.
For many reasons they decide the best course of action is to stay married for a year and act like it's a real marriage.
The storyline spans a few months with Charlie and Dustin navigating their new reality and learning to live together and be in a relationship.
How fake it is though is up for debate.
I liked the story and the MCs. Dustin was a sweetheart, always looking out for Charlie and trying to be there for him and make him happy. Charlie was a lot more that what he appeared at first glance. He had a lot of struggles in his past and in his present and he needed a strong support system to be there for him but he was reluctant to open up or ask for help.
The book felt a little too long at times, with scenes stretching out when they could have been shorter. There were a lot of secondary characters and I couldn't always remember which position they played or what was their backstory or who was their partner.
However, I did appreciate the way the author devided to clue us in in events from previous books, which was in the form of conversations instead of endless internal monologs. I read this as a standalone and was able to follow along just fine despite cameos from past characters and mentions of past events.
There are a few secondary characters that I'm curious about their stories and I hope we'll get them. I know Nico is next but I hope Felix will also get a story of his own.
~ I read an ARC of this book. ~
September 16, 2023
😍
'The Husband Game' is really sweet, there's really good relationship development, and surprisingly little drama considering everything that happens. I really like the characters, the only reason I'm not rating this higher is I often felt out of step. Even though this is the first in a series I constantly felt like this is actually a spin off from a different series I probably should've read before starting. I was easily able to keep up and catch up, but it kept me wondering consistently how much backstory I was missing. I'll definitely be checking out the next in the series to see what Nico gets up to with his sexy ref.
3.5 stars rounded up.
'The Husband Game' is really sweet, there's really good relationship development, and surprisingly little drama considering everything that happens. I really like the characters, the only reason I'm not rating this higher is I often felt out of step. Even though this is the first in a series I constantly felt like this is actually a spin off from a different series I probably should've read before starting. I was easily able to keep up and catch up, but it kept me wondering consistently how much backstory I was missing. I'll definitely be checking out the next in the series to see what Nico gets up to with his sexy ref.
3.5 stars rounded up.
February 12, 2024
“𝐄𝐡𝐡, 𝐚 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐣𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 … 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐝𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞’𝐝 𝐝𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮.”
- ex figure skater + pro hockey player
- wake up married
- frenemies (ish) to lovers
CW: MC has eating disorder/in recovery
Dustin Fowler left Vegas with more than just a Ted Lindsay Award, he also has a brand new husband—former figure skating champion, Charlie Monaghan.
The basis of their relationship prior to their spontaneous nuptials has been nothing but snarky banter and hate flirting, and now the pair find themselves tied together for the next year.
“𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐞’𝐬 𝐤𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧.” 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡. “𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭.” “𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞,” 𝐃𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝. “𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐨.”
These two absolutely killed me! I loved them so much! Dustin is such an amazing and supportive husband, and I loved that he took everything at Charlie’s pace!
- ex figure skater + pro hockey player
- wake up married
- frenemies (ish) to lovers
CW: MC has eating disorder/in recovery
Dustin Fowler left Vegas with more than just a Ted Lindsay Award, he also has a brand new husband—former figure skating champion, Charlie Monaghan.
The basis of their relationship prior to their spontaneous nuptials has been nothing but snarky banter and hate flirting, and now the pair find themselves tied together for the next year.
“𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐞’𝐬 𝐤𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧.” 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡. “𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭.” “𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞,” 𝐃𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝. “𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐨.”
These two absolutely killed me! I loved them so much! Dustin is such an amazing and supportive husband, and I loved that he took everything at Charlie’s pace!
February 17, 2024
I was so excited for this spin-off series and THE HUSBAND GAME starts off with a bang! We met both Charlie and Dustin in the previous series, RULES OF THE GAME, and now we get to see the aftermath of their drunken Vegas wedding. I absolutely adored these two together! Things may start out as a fake marriage but from the very beginning Dustin was all in and I loved him so much. Dustin is a complete husband guy -- he loves being married, he adores everything about Charlie, and I was swooning at the way Dustin always supported and encouraged Charlie to be exactly who he was. Dustin never wanted to take Charlie for granted or dim his light. Dustin absolutely made THE HUSBAND GAME for me.
I also loved Charlie and his bright and shining personality. Charlie's wary of a relationship and trusting Dustin but he soon comes to appreciate the loyal, sweet, and all around nice guy that Dustin is. Charlie has a lot on his plate as he adjusts to the fake marriage, moving to Toronto, and keeping himself healthy as a recovering anorexic. I was so happy to see how Charlie found his place in Toronto and even became friends with some of the other guys on the team as well as some of the other WAGs.
There's not a ton of hockey in THE HUSBAND GAME because it takes place in the off season, but I think that actually works for the book because Charlie and Dustin needed time together and Charlie would have never connected with Dustin as much if Dustin was always traveling for away games and completely focused on hockey. But even though there's not as much hockey there's a lot of the Toronto Fisher Cats team and I loved how cohesive and caring the whole team was. Everyone was so open and I can't wait to see what this team gets up to as the series goes on.
Content Warning: toxic mother; frequent discussion and therapy around an eating disorder; past hospitalization and current moments of disordered eating; side character struggling with a drinking problem
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Connected Series
1. Rules of the Game
2. Relationship Goals
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
Dustin hadn’t pushed Charlie to be anything at all. He didn’t seem to want Charlie to be anyone but himself. He seemed to delight in everything Charlie did, watching him with wide-eyed wonder like he was just pleased Charlie was there.
Like nothing about him could ever be too much.
- - - - -
“I know this eating disorder, it’s your fight. I can’t fight it for you. But if you’ll let me, I can have your back while you go to battle.”
- - - - -
“Ehh, a piece of paper and some jewelry isn’t what makes a relationship a marriage. It’s … it’s looking at someone like your heart is walking around outside your body. It’s exactly the way he looks at you, like he’s dumbstruck you even exist and he’d do anything to keep you.”
I also loved Charlie and his bright and shining personality. Charlie's wary of a relationship and trusting Dustin but he soon comes to appreciate the loyal, sweet, and all around nice guy that Dustin is. Charlie has a lot on his plate as he adjusts to the fake marriage, moving to Toronto, and keeping himself healthy as a recovering anorexic. I was so happy to see how Charlie found his place in Toronto and even became friends with some of the other guys on the team as well as some of the other WAGs.
There's not a ton of hockey in THE HUSBAND GAME because it takes place in the off season, but I think that actually works for the book because Charlie and Dustin needed time together and Charlie would have never connected with Dustin as much if Dustin was always traveling for away games and completely focused on hockey. But even though there's not as much hockey there's a lot of the Toronto Fisher Cats team and I loved how cohesive and caring the whole team was. Everyone was so open and I can't wait to see what this team gets up to as the series goes on.
Content Warning: toxic mother; frequent discussion and therapy around an eating disorder; past hospitalization and current moments of disordered eating; side character struggling with a drinking problem
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Connected Series
1. Rules of the Game
2. Relationship Goals
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
Dustin hadn’t pushed Charlie to be anything at all. He didn’t seem to want Charlie to be anyone but himself. He seemed to delight in everything Charlie did, watching him with wide-eyed wonder like he was just pleased Charlie was there.
Like nothing about him could ever be too much.
- - - - -
“I know this eating disorder, it’s your fight. I can’t fight it for you. But if you’ll let me, I can have your back while you go to battle.”
- - - - -
“Ehh, a piece of paper and some jewelry isn’t what makes a relationship a marriage. It’s … it’s looking at someone like your heart is walking around outside your body. It’s exactly the way he looks at you, like he’s dumbstruck you even exist and he’d do anything to keep you.”
September 27, 2023
The romantic story of Charlie and Dustin is really lovely and there was a lot I liked about it but you’ve got to slog through the appearances of about 6 couples from the previous series and a bunch more introductions to future books In this series. It’s a bit exhausting and makes this book drag especially in the beginning but if you can get through that then the romance and storyline is quite satisfying.
Pros : eating disorder represented really well. It does seem that a vast majority of Charlie experiencing this occurs in a book in another series and this is mostly about his long term recovery. Charlie seems to have a lot of back story in the other book (Unwritten Rules) which I haven’t read.
Figure skating - Charlie is a retired figure skater and I’ve always loved this sport so the glimpses of this were so good.
Fun fake marriage/waking up In Vegas married trope - the relationship development was really nicely done and actually quite believable after the crazy way it started.
Cons: a bit long. This looks like it’s own series but it’s set in the same world as another series which has 6 books in it and all those people seems to feature here. Being as this is the first in a new series there is set up for a bunch of new couples. This made for a lot of name dropping, info dumping about characters and details about people I knew nothing about. I ended up skimming the stuff on existing couples and just paying attention to the actual couple and a few future people and this worked well. For those who have read the other series this would probably be great.
There was so much detail in this but it irked me when the one thing it didn’t include was the family skate event that is mentioned quite early, I thought this would be interesting seeing Charlie faced with being on the ice with Dustin’s team and everyone else there but after initial mentions this never eventuated. I’m glad the epilogue included what it did.
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Pros : eating disorder represented really well. It does seem that a vast majority of Charlie experiencing this occurs in a book in another series and this is mostly about his long term recovery. Charlie seems to have a lot of back story in the other book (Unwritten Rules) which I haven’t read.
Figure skating - Charlie is a retired figure skater and I’ve always loved this sport so the glimpses of this were so good.
Fun fake marriage/waking up In Vegas married trope - the relationship development was really nicely done and actually quite believable after the crazy way it started.
Cons: a bit long. This looks like it’s own series but it’s set in the same world as another series which has 6 books in it and all those people seems to feature here. Being as this is the first in a new series there is set up for a bunch of new couples. This made for a lot of name dropping, info dumping about characters and details about people I knew nothing about. I ended up skimming the stuff on existing couples and just paying attention to the actual couple and a few future people and this worked well. For those who have read the other series this would probably be great.
There was so much detail in this but it irked me when the one thing it didn’t include was the family skate event that is mentioned quite early, I thought this would be interesting seeing Charlie faced with being on the ice with Dustin’s team and everyone else there but after initial mentions this never eventuated. I’m glad the epilogue included what it did.
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
September 12, 2023
1 star
DNF at 3%
I don’t like when books try to make gay couples fit into typical male / female roles. Just within the first few pages, we’ve got one character that is a sassy figure skater that wears lace underwear and diamond rings and bottoms, and another character that is a masculine hockey player that wears typical men’s underwear and wedding rings and tops. It’s not that I have a problem with feminine men, it’s more that I have a problem when authors make one gay character feminine so the relationship can be heteronormative. No thanks.
DNF at 3%
I don’t like when books try to make gay couples fit into typical male / female roles. Just within the first few pages, we’ve got one character that is a sassy figure skater that wears lace underwear and diamond rings and bottoms, and another character that is a masculine hockey player that wears typical men’s underwear and wedding rings and tops. It’s not that I have a problem with feminine men, it’s more that I have a problem when authors make one gay character feminine so the relationship can be heteronormative. No thanks.
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May 1, 202404/29/24 second attempt. I'm leaving my original review below for posterity bc I only said true things. But let's be real. Reading it again, it's clear I initially DNF’ed this one bc of the portrayal of disordered eating. I can't say I relate to Charlie's behaviors, but oh boy do I understand his thought processes. This one was tough. I finished, but…I kinda wished I hadn't.
_____________
DNF at 53%. I loved Charlie. And I loved his relationship with Dustin, but there is far too much detail in the middle section of the book. I get it. Charlie is recovering from an eating disorder and has a complicated relationship with food. But in some places this read more like a cookbook and less like a romance. I don't care what's in your marinade, Charlie. I get my recipes from the Tasty app. Thank you.
It's not a mystery where this is headed, and I'm glad these guys will likely get a strong HEA, but it's a pass for me.
_____________
DNF at 53%. I loved Charlie. And I loved his relationship with Dustin, but there is far too much detail in the middle section of the book. I get it. Charlie is recovering from an eating disorder and has a complicated relationship with food. But in some places this read more like a cookbook and less like a romance. I don't care what's in your marinade, Charlie. I get my recipes from the Tasty app. Thank you.
It's not a mystery where this is headed, and I'm glad these guys will likely get a strong HEA, but it's a pass for me.
August 16, 2023
Tropes: fake relationship, accidental marriage
Feels: 5/5
Steam*: 4/5
Kinks: lingerie kink
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content themes: eating disorder, abusive parent, mental health, minor character DUI, homophobia
4.5 stars
Charlie is a retired figure skater. He retired at 20 because his mother and his career gave him an eating disorder that nearly killed him. Because he was not healthy, he was using hookups for validation and it was hindering his recovery from his eating disorder. Charlie is gay and he likes to express his feminine and masculine sides, he loves not conforming with his fashion choices and just wearing what makes him feel confident and beautiful. He's a really well written character, I'm glad he didn't come off as fetishized like I have seen some other femme characters in books.
Dustin is an NHL player. He's captain of his team and he struggles a lot with being a supportive as he can of his teammates, he wants to be a good leader. He wants to improve the league. He volunteers and he's trying to get past a code of conduct. He is bisexual but he hasn't been public about it to the general public. He's out to everybody that matters.
I read this book as a standalone. But I get the impression the characters have appeared in other series that are interconnected by this author. There are references to them having interacted in the past but we meet these characters when they wake up married after a drunken night out with friends in Vegas. I have to say at first I was very disappointed because those little references to past interactions implied that they had a lot of banter going on between them and that Charlie was being a bit of a gremlin maybe denying Dustin's attempts to flirt. And them giving in and having a sex Marathon like they did after getting married would have been quite a thing to read. To me it felt like there was hints at such potential and we were deprived by having that glazed over. But then as the book developed I completely got that the tone of relationship development, and the story that the author wanted to tell was a lot more slow burn and soft feelings, so that wouldn't necessarily have fit in.
Anyway they get married and decide to stay married for a year to protect Dustin's reputation especially given the code of conduct he's trying to get past. Charlie agrees for financial reasons because he owes some debts for his medical and rehab expenses from his eating disorder. They fall in love as they spend more time with each other. Dustin is really a golden retriever type of guy, he's just so kind and giving and loyal. So patient. He's just what Charlie needs. And he's so in love with Charlie. Everything about Charlie is perfect to him. Charlie isn't as quick to fall but as he gets to know Dustin he realizes what a great person Dustin is and he loves him for who he is and the kind of supportive partner he is.
I liked this book. I thought it was a really well told story. It was more slow burn than I would have liked but there was a lot of depth to the story with the plot and the character development and the love was so strong between these guys. You can really imagine them having a forever type of relationship.
Some notable moments:
"“But I meant what I said. I think you’re amazing, just the way you are. I don’t want you to change anything except for how you feel about yourself.”"
"“You don’t have to say anything yet if you don’t want,” Dustin assured him. “Honest. We have a long time before our year of marriage is up. I … I needed to tell you how I feel though. I want you to know the kind of future I see with you. I don’t want a year with you. I want decades. A lifetime. As long as you’ll give me.”"
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 5/5
Steam*: 4/5
Kinks: lingerie kink
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content themes: eating disorder, abusive parent, mental health, minor character DUI, homophobia
4.5 stars
Charlie is a retired figure skater. He retired at 20 because his mother and his career gave him an eating disorder that nearly killed him. Because he was not healthy, he was using hookups for validation and it was hindering his recovery from his eating disorder. Charlie is gay and he likes to express his feminine and masculine sides, he loves not conforming with his fashion choices and just wearing what makes him feel confident and beautiful. He's a really well written character, I'm glad he didn't come off as fetishized like I have seen some other femme characters in books.
Dustin is an NHL player. He's captain of his team and he struggles a lot with being a supportive as he can of his teammates, he wants to be a good leader. He wants to improve the league. He volunteers and he's trying to get past a code of conduct. He is bisexual but he hasn't been public about it to the general public. He's out to everybody that matters.
I read this book as a standalone. But I get the impression the characters have appeared in other series that are interconnected by this author. There are references to them having interacted in the past but we meet these characters when they wake up married after a drunken night out with friends in Vegas. I have to say at first I was very disappointed because those little references to past interactions implied that they had a lot of banter going on between them and that Charlie was being a bit of a gremlin maybe denying Dustin's attempts to flirt. And them giving in and having a sex Marathon like they did after getting married would have been quite a thing to read. To me it felt like there was hints at such potential and we were deprived by having that glazed over. But then as the book developed I completely got that the tone of relationship development, and the story that the author wanted to tell was a lot more slow burn and soft feelings, so that wouldn't necessarily have fit in.
Anyway they get married and decide to stay married for a year to protect Dustin's reputation especially given the code of conduct he's trying to get past. Charlie agrees for financial reasons because he owes some debts for his medical and rehab expenses from his eating disorder. They fall in love as they spend more time with each other. Dustin is really a golden retriever type of guy, he's just so kind and giving and loyal. So patient. He's just what Charlie needs. And he's so in love with Charlie. Everything about Charlie is perfect to him. Charlie isn't as quick to fall but as he gets to know Dustin he realizes what a great person Dustin is and he loves him for who he is and the kind of supportive partner he is.
I liked this book. I thought it was a really well told story. It was more slow burn than I would have liked but there was a lot of depth to the story with the plot and the character development and the love was so strong between these guys. You can really imagine them having a forever type of relationship.
Some notable moments:
"“But I meant what I said. I think you’re amazing, just the way you are. I don’t want you to change anything except for how you feel about yourself.”"
"“You don’t have to say anything yet if you don’t want,” Dustin assured him. “Honest. We have a long time before our year of marriage is up. I … I needed to tell you how I feel though. I want you to know the kind of future I see with you. I don’t want a year with you. I want decades. A lifetime. As long as you’ll give me.”"
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2023
Rating: 5
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 3rd person
I ended up reading this book in one siting - I totally fell in love with this story and the characters right from the start and just couldn’t put it down. I really needed Charlie to get his happy ending after everything he’d been through…
These two together made for quite the story, - they were opposites in a lot of ways, but absolutely perfect for each other. Dustin was such a genuine and kind character, he was so thoughtful and respectful of Charlie and I completely adored him. Charlie on the other hand was a firecracker, and I loved how fierce he was. He’d been through a lot and I felt so much for him, it was definitely hard to read about his struggles and seeing him keeping secrets from Dustin.
Despite them having a ton of chemistry and their early marriage, their story was a bit of a slow burn. It made sense and I loved seeing them getting to know each other, with Charlie slowly realising that Dustin genuinely was a nice guy that cared about him. There was quite a lot of dialogues throughout the story, and I really enjoyed the more in-depth conversations between the characters and the insights they brought.
The Husband Game was a fantastic read, and an amazing start of a new series. The balance between romance and hockey was great, and I loved the found family team feeling and the time spent with Dustin on the ice.
If you like the woke up married trope and/or hockey romances, you really don’t want to miss this one!
(Please be aware that there are some potentially triggering subjects present, so be sure to check the trigger warnings before reading.)
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 3rd person
I ended up reading this book in one siting - I totally fell in love with this story and the characters right from the start and just couldn’t put it down. I really needed Charlie to get his happy ending after everything he’d been through…
These two together made for quite the story, - they were opposites in a lot of ways, but absolutely perfect for each other. Dustin was such a genuine and kind character, he was so thoughtful and respectful of Charlie and I completely adored him. Charlie on the other hand was a firecracker, and I loved how fierce he was. He’d been through a lot and I felt so much for him, it was definitely hard to read about his struggles and seeing him keeping secrets from Dustin.
Despite them having a ton of chemistry and their early marriage, their story was a bit of a slow burn. It made sense and I loved seeing them getting to know each other, with Charlie slowly realising that Dustin genuinely was a nice guy that cared about him. There was quite a lot of dialogues throughout the story, and I really enjoyed the more in-depth conversations between the characters and the insights they brought.
The Husband Game was a fantastic read, and an amazing start of a new series. The balance between romance and hockey was great, and I loved the found family team feeling and the time spent with Dustin on the ice.
If you like the woke up married trope and/or hockey romances, you really don’t want to miss this one!
(Please be aware that there are some potentially triggering subjects present, so be sure to check the trigger warnings before reading.)
June 23, 2023
4.5 stars
Copy received from Neon Rainbow Reviews for an honest review
Another wonderful story from a new to me author.
I truly do love a Vegas-wedding-fake-marriage-they-fall-in-love story. I mean really, what could go wrong?
I loved that Dustin and Charlie weren't just strangers, they had some history, even if it was quite limited.
The story also deals with issues of mental illness/eating disorders and family issues, and Vaughn does so with tact and empathy.
To me, the fact that getting married isn't the be all and end all for our lovelies. It doesn't miraculously fix all of their issues. Their relationship grows, it has it's ups and downs, is at times just plain mundane. But it is the way they work on themselves, on their friendship and their relationship that made my heart soar.
I have these wonderful images in my head of Charlie, I would love to see the author's visions for him. I kind of picture him as Adam Ripon-ish, with an faaaabulous sense of style.
I enjoyed the friendships with the other Fisher Cats, and look forward to more of their stories in the future.
What a way to start my journey with Brigham Vaughn, can't wait to see where they take me next.
Copy received from Neon Rainbow Reviews for an honest review
Another wonderful story from a new to me author.
I truly do love a Vegas-wedding-fake-marriage-they-fall-in-love story. I mean really, what could go wrong?
I loved that Dustin and Charlie weren't just strangers, they had some history, even if it was quite limited.
The story also deals with issues of mental illness/eating disorders and family issues, and Vaughn does so with tact and empathy.
To me, the fact that getting married isn't the be all and end all for our lovelies. It doesn't miraculously fix all of their issues. Their relationship grows, it has it's ups and downs, is at times just plain mundane. But it is the way they work on themselves, on their friendship and their relationship that made my heart soar.
I have these wonderful images in my head of Charlie, I would love to see the author's visions for him. I kind of picture him as Adam Ripon-ish, with an faaaabulous sense of style.
I enjoyed the friendships with the other Fisher Cats, and look forward to more of their stories in the future.
What a way to start my journey with Brigham Vaughn, can't wait to see where they take me next.
September 12, 2023
Well that was a ride
This was my first book by Bringham, and wow, was it worth the heartache! They handle recovering from an eating disorder masterfully it's not easy, its a slow life long process to be your best self. You need a support system, you will have setbacks, and that's okay cause that's how life goes.
This trope generally is not one of my favorites, but the way their relationship builds over time from friendship to so much more is just beautiful. Dustin is so beautiful and supportive of Charlie to show him he can be loved even when his family fails him. It's a beautiful read, and I look forward to more from this author.
This was my first book by Bringham, and wow, was it worth the heartache! They handle recovering from an eating disorder masterfully it's not easy, its a slow life long process to be your best self. You need a support system, you will have setbacks, and that's okay cause that's how life goes.
This trope generally is not one of my favorites, but the way their relationship builds over time from friendship to so much more is just beautiful. Dustin is so beautiful and supportive of Charlie to show him he can be loved even when his family fails him. It's a beautiful read, and I look forward to more from this author.
July 14, 2023
4.5!
Very cute and loved the relationship between them.
It was also very nice to see how the ED was handled in the story.
I absolutely loved both of them together and how their qualities fit each other. At times, it was so emotional that you just teared up because of the writing in Howell in depth, it made you feel, or I should say myself.
I would definitely recommend end, I will be buying the physical and I also want to read the next book because Nico sounds right up my alley as well!!
Very cute and loved the relationship between them.
It was also very nice to see how the ED was handled in the story.
I absolutely loved both of them together and how their qualities fit each other. At times, it was so emotional that you just teared up because of the writing in Howell in depth, it made you feel, or I should say myself.
I would definitely recommend end, I will be buying the physical and I also want to read the next book because Nico sounds right up my alley as well!!
August 5, 2023
I like this universe and was happy to see another book added. I was in a bit of a reading slump after some good ones and this pulled me back in, Vegas wedding and all (I’ve kind of grown tired of that trope). Retired Olympic figure skater Charlie and hockey star Dustin and pretty cute together and a bit swoon worthy.
TW: eating disorder — I will say, this is one of the best descriptions and handling of an ED that I’ve read and I appreciated that.
TW: eating disorder — I will say, this is one of the best descriptions and handling of an ED that I’ve read and I appreciated that.
June 27, 2023
This is a new series but feels very familiar because the hockey players from the previous series know one another, so it overlaps nicely. I loved this story from the start, the characters were immediately engaging and the 'oops we got married' was a brilliant story starter! We then had time to get to know both characters. It was easy to see they already had chemistry and the outcome of them truly being in love was inevitable but we had a lot to go through with Charlie's hidden secrets before we got there. Dustin is such a genuine person, despite being a tough hockey captain on the ice, off the ice he is gentle, attentive and genuine. He takes a lot on and when his team mates are in strife he is who they turn to. We hear Charlie's fears and struggles over his anorexia, and how debilitating it can be. We knew Dustin would have the right words to support him, they have such a special bond. There is a build up of pressure due to them taking the intimacy out of the equation but this just heightens the chemistry zinging between them until neither can resist and when they finally give in we are given hot, steamy scenes. There are a lot of team mates waiting for their story and I can't wait to read them. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 23, 2023
Exactly what I've been waiting for
I have been waiting for this story for a while and I was absolutely in love with it as soon as I started reading it.
I knew Dustin and Charlie would have a hard time getting to their HEA but damnit, it was so worth it.
Their marriage may have started as a drunken whim of a dare but these two were absolutely the missing piece they'd both been waiting for.
I loved Dustin's quiet and at the appropriate times, quite fervent and outspoken support of Charlie.
His acceptance of who he is without any caveats.
Dustin's quiet, unwavering support was everything Charlie needed in order to believe he's worthy of love.
Charlie helped Dustin realize that he doesn't need to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders and that it's ok to not be perfect.
I loved their slow buildup to friendship and then eventually to a real relationship.
Of course I love the teams sense of found family and I can't wait to continue this amazing series.
I'm really hoping sweet Matty gets a story and his own HEA because he absolutely deserves it.
I have been waiting for this story for a while and I was absolutely in love with it as soon as I started reading it.
I knew Dustin and Charlie would have a hard time getting to their HEA but damnit, it was so worth it.
Their marriage may have started as a drunken whim of a dare but these two were absolutely the missing piece they'd both been waiting for.
I loved Dustin's quiet and at the appropriate times, quite fervent and outspoken support of Charlie.
His acceptance of who he is without any caveats.
Dustin's quiet, unwavering support was everything Charlie needed in order to believe he's worthy of love.
Charlie helped Dustin realize that he doesn't need to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders and that it's ok to not be perfect.
I loved their slow buildup to friendship and then eventually to a real relationship.
Of course I love the teams sense of found family and I can't wait to continue this amazing series.
I'm really hoping sweet Matty gets a story and his own HEA because he absolutely deserves it.
July 3, 2023
This was my first read by the author and it’s a first in a series I’m excited to read!
Fake Marriage
Forced Proximity
😍
Dustin(hockey player) marries Charlie (former ice skater now interior designer) during a drunken night in Vegas. Dustin’s PR team doesn’t want any backlash from it and decide they both should stay married. Charlie has to move his life from Chicago to Canada.
Dustin is such a sweet considerate guy and wants to make sure Charlie is taken care of. Charlie’s life changed instantly when he agreed to their marriage terms. They become good friends when Charlie realizes how amazing Dustin is.
They live together but after moving in they decided to keep it just as friends, even if they both truly don’t want to. It was a little of a slow burn but worth the wait. 😉
Love the secondary characters, the whole hockey team was great. Matt & Nico are my faves, it seems like Nicos getting a book but I need Matt’s too!
Thank you Neon Rainbow ARC for this ARC!
Fake Marriage
Forced Proximity
😍
Dustin(hockey player) marries Charlie (former ice skater now interior designer) during a drunken night in Vegas. Dustin’s PR team doesn’t want any backlash from it and decide they both should stay married. Charlie has to move his life from Chicago to Canada.
Dustin is such a sweet considerate guy and wants to make sure Charlie is taken care of. Charlie’s life changed instantly when he agreed to their marriage terms. They become good friends when Charlie realizes how amazing Dustin is.
They live together but after moving in they decided to keep it just as friends, even if they both truly don’t want to. It was a little of a slow burn but worth the wait. 😉
Love the secondary characters, the whole hockey team was great. Matt & Nico are my faves, it seems like Nicos getting a book but I need Matt’s too!
Thank you Neon Rainbow ARC for this ARC!
July 2, 2023
What an incredible first book of a new series! Brigham has a great way with hockey books that let's the reader feel like they know the game, even when they don't watch hockey. The MCs and side characters are all fantastic as well. Dustin & Charlie were so sweet together, and I love how they helped each other grow as well. I'm so excited for the next t book in the series!
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.
June 30, 2023
I love a great spin-off series and this one seems like it will be a good one. We have ex-figure skater Charlie who is moving on with his life after being a sports figure for the majority of it, and Dustin the captain of an ice hockey team looking for a championship. These two clash as snarky Charlie takes on sweet Dustin in this fake marriage romance. Definitely check your warning prior to reading.
July 6, 2023
I have been waiting for this book and I finally got it I was all in. It was rather long but I just loved it. I have been wanting Charlie and Dustin's story for the longest and these two are perfect for each other. they understood each other and they learned how to love each other the way they needed to. It was amazing to see Charlie's growth from Taylors' story and to see how much he wanted to grow and be better but also be loved and Dustin was the man for the job. You will just fall in love with these two but also with their friends and the team. The family dynamic of the team is very similar and it is just great. I need Matty's story now because he is a precious cinnamon roll.
August 12, 2023
Me gustó la historia pero a mí parecer si alargaron mucho la historia y muy lenta
Toca temas sensibles como el TCA
Es un romance de un jugador de hockey casado con un ex patinador artistico que se casan en las Vegas en una noche loca.
*Quisiera un Dustin en mi vida 🫶
Toca temas sensibles como el TCA
Es un romance de un jugador de hockey casado con un ex patinador artistico que se casan en las Vegas en una noche loca.
*Quisiera un Dustin en mi vida 🫶
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2023
OH MAN, I really love this book. LOVE love. It’s a “woke up married in Vegas” trope, which I feel like I’m seeing more lately, and Brigham Vaughn just does it SO WELL here. Dustin has been crushing in Charlie since they met, and since the only way he can find to make Charlie light up and get all fiery is by teasing him… well, that’s what Dustin does. So of course Charlie can’t stand Dustin, who is always annoying the crap out of him.
When they wake up married in Vegas after a hockey awards… um… thingie… Dustin is surprisingly chill about the whole thing. Charlie, however, is very much not. Cue needing to stay fake (real?) married for a year for Reasons, and you’ve got on pressure cooker of a romance story!
This book has it all - woke up married, forced proximity, only one bed, fake dating (is it fake dating if they’re real married?), a bit of an enemies-to-lovers vibe (even if it is pretty one-sided), a sort of enemies-to-friends-to-lovers arc…. *dreamy sigh*
I fell just head over heels for both Charlie and Dustin. I wanted to hug Charlie so many times, especially at one point where he talks about being “too Charlie.” HONEY, no. Anyone who thinks you being YOU is too much is not worth your precious time. And then Dustin - OH, DUSTIN. People (including Charlie) see him as being kind of boring, but really he is the sweetest, most constant, patient, understanding human and I just want to squeeze him and hug him all up.
The Husband Game has so much of that delicious tension and heartache that’s particular to fake dating romances, where someone starts to develop real feelings but then isn’t sure where they actually stand with the other person - is this still fake for them, or is it becoming real for them too? My heart physically ached in my chest so many times reading this book, ugh. DELICIOUS AGONY.
At almost 600 pages, The Husband Game is a rather chonky boy for a romance, and I did experience a bit of a lull at about the halfway point and I was worried the back half of the book was going to be a slog, but no! It picked right back up again and I was riveted until the very end.
This is the first book in the Relationship Goals series, and can be read as a stand-alone. Relationship Goals is a … spin-off? follow up? to Brigham Vaughn’s Rules of the Game series, and while the characters and plot lines there are that are necessary to this particular book are summed up well enough that you don’t have to read that series first, I believe there are some spoilers in The Husband Game for earlier books in that series, as well as Dustin and Charlie originally meeting in one of those books (I’m SORRY, I don’t know which one, I’m still only a few books into the Rules of the Game series!) I am REALLY looking forward to the future books in the Relationship Goals series, and OMG, book two is about Nico and the ref!! YESSSS! *heart-eyes* I want it nowwwwww!!
When they wake up married in Vegas after a hockey awards… um… thingie… Dustin is surprisingly chill about the whole thing. Charlie, however, is very much not. Cue needing to stay fake (real?) married for a year for Reasons, and you’ve got on pressure cooker of a romance story!
This book has it all - woke up married, forced proximity, only one bed, fake dating (is it fake dating if they’re real married?), a bit of an enemies-to-lovers vibe (even if it is pretty one-sided), a sort of enemies-to-friends-to-lovers arc…. *dreamy sigh*
I fell just head over heels for both Charlie and Dustin. I wanted to hug Charlie so many times, especially at one point where he talks about being “too Charlie.” HONEY, no. Anyone who thinks you being YOU is too much is not worth your precious time. And then Dustin - OH, DUSTIN. People (including Charlie) see him as being kind of boring, but really he is the sweetest, most constant, patient, understanding human and I just want to squeeze him and hug him all up.
The Husband Game has so much of that delicious tension and heartache that’s particular to fake dating romances, where someone starts to develop real feelings but then isn’t sure where they actually stand with the other person - is this still fake for them, or is it becoming real for them too? My heart physically ached in my chest so many times reading this book, ugh. DELICIOUS AGONY.
At almost 600 pages, The Husband Game is a rather chonky boy for a romance, and I did experience a bit of a lull at about the halfway point and I was worried the back half of the book was going to be a slog, but no! It picked right back up again and I was riveted until the very end.
This is the first book in the Relationship Goals series, and can be read as a stand-alone. Relationship Goals is a … spin-off? follow up? to Brigham Vaughn’s Rules of the Game series, and while the characters and plot lines there are that are necessary to this particular book are summed up well enough that you don’t have to read that series first, I believe there are some spoilers in The Husband Game for earlier books in that series, as well as Dustin and Charlie originally meeting in one of those books (I’m SORRY, I don’t know which one, I’m still only a few books into the Rules of the Game series!) I am REALLY looking forward to the future books in the Relationship Goals series, and OMG, book two is about Nico and the ref!! YESSSS! *heart-eyes* I want it nowwwwww!!
July 8, 2023
Dustin and Charlie are two important side characters of other books by this author and their first encounter happen at a children’s birthday party at the end of “Unwritten Rules“.
A few months have gone by, they met again, but little is known or written about the period prior to the morning after their Vegas wedding. I would have loved to get some more details of their interaction prior to Vegas, and at first I had some concerns about the fake husband twist.
But the author did a great job in describing how the two men learned to live together, figuring out each other’s quirks and routines. Fortunately Dustin’s team and family were very supportive and there was very little negative reaction from their inner circle to their wedding. Not all fans were happy and one of the important stakeholders voiced her concerns about Charlie’s appearance, but those were side thoughts and Dustin dealt with them in the best way, defending his husband and making a strong statement at the same time. This is a romance book after all, and a little bit of wishful thinking is allowed!
There is heat and strong attraction, but mostly this is a book about acceptance, support, trust. Dustin and Charlie are an incredibly well balanced pair, despite Charlie’s past experiences and current struggles.
A few months have gone by, they met again, but little is known or written about the period prior to the morning after their Vegas wedding. I would have loved to get some more details of their interaction prior to Vegas, and at first I had some concerns about the fake husband twist.
But the author did a great job in describing how the two men learned to live together, figuring out each other’s quirks and routines. Fortunately Dustin’s team and family were very supportive and there was very little negative reaction from their inner circle to their wedding. Not all fans were happy and one of the important stakeholders voiced her concerns about Charlie’s appearance, but those were side thoughts and Dustin dealt with them in the best way, defending his husband and making a strong statement at the same time. This is a romance book after all, and a little bit of wishful thinking is allowed!
There is heat and strong attraction, but mostly this is a book about acceptance, support, trust. Dustin and Charlie are an incredibly well balanced pair, despite Charlie’s past experiences and current struggles.
April 2, 2024
This book was pure perfection!
Charlie and Dustin wake up in bed together after getting very drunk in Vegas. And surprise! They’re married. Dustin has had feelings for Charlie since day one, but Charlie wants nothing to do with him. Due to Dustin being a big-shot in the NHL, and due to them announcing their wedding on social media, they work out a deal to pretend they’re married in public for the next year.
Charlie’s main concern about this is that he is a recovering anorexic, and his entire support system is in Chicago. He moved to Toronto to be with Dustin, who doesn’t know about his eating disorder. Charlie is very good at communicating boundaries with Dustin, and Dustin respects every single one.
Throughout the book, Dustin and Charlie grow close and their support of each other never wavers. Charlie struggles with his eating disorder, especially when his mother pops back up. Dustin is so kind and understanding, trusting Charlie to talk to him and reach out if he needs additional support.
The love these two have for each other is so pure and amazing to watch. I fell in love with them from the very beginning, and think everyone should read this book!
Please make sure to read trigger warnings before reading, as this book does deal with sensitive topics that can be triggering for some people 💜
Charlie and Dustin wake up in bed together after getting very drunk in Vegas. And surprise! They’re married. Dustin has had feelings for Charlie since day one, but Charlie wants nothing to do with him. Due to Dustin being a big-shot in the NHL, and due to them announcing their wedding on social media, they work out a deal to pretend they’re married in public for the next year.
Charlie’s main concern about this is that he is a recovering anorexic, and his entire support system is in Chicago. He moved to Toronto to be with Dustin, who doesn’t know about his eating disorder. Charlie is very good at communicating boundaries with Dustin, and Dustin respects every single one.
Throughout the book, Dustin and Charlie grow close and their support of each other never wavers. Charlie struggles with his eating disorder, especially when his mother pops back up. Dustin is so kind and understanding, trusting Charlie to talk to him and reach out if he needs additional support.
The love these two have for each other is so pure and amazing to watch. I fell in love with them from the very beginning, and think everyone should read this book!
Please make sure to read trigger warnings before reading, as this book does deal with sensitive topics that can be triggering for some people 💜
January 21, 2024
I liked this more than I thought I would! I actually liked it's length too. Will wonders never cease 😆
I'm such a sucker for fake marriage tropes
I'm such a sucker for fake marriage tropes
February 16, 2024
The Husband Game is Book 1 in the Relationship Goals series. Charlie's story was worth the wait. I loved this book from beginning to end. Dustin and Charlie's relationship started off with a spontaneous marriage that was probably the best thing to happen for them both. Dustin and Charlie were so sweet together and I loved watching them learn about each other and grow in love. I loved how supportive they were of each other. They both needed each other even when they didn't realize. Charlie is a very relatable strong brave character, and it was great to see him grow and shine. It was great to see him take control of his life and find his HEA. This book does talk about eating disorders and may be triggering for some. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to more in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
January 9, 2024
This whole series is fake relationship trope, which I love. This one is also waking up married. Charlie and Dustin got drunk and married in Las Vegas and now due to [romance reasons] they have to stay married for a year before they can get a discreet divorce. Dustin is going to pay Charlie for his time. Also Dustin is not so upset that they're married. It's lovely. Also, Charlie has a serious eating disorder, which is handled really well and I loved that representation.
July 19, 2023
instalovey but slow burn at the same time. both characters were very sweet but for some reason, they didnt hold my attention. they were into each other already from the first page so i was bored by the plot. not sure why this one didnt work for me because i usually love fake relationship and slow burn tropes. the characters were just too nice/perfect? i mean aside from charlies health issues which didnt take up much of the plot in the first half as i expected
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