Helena Hunting is one of my favorite authors and one of the reasons I fell in love with hockey romance, so returning to her Hockeyverse always feels like coming home. Mac Meyers Needs Me gave me everything I hoped for: lovable characters, laugh-out-loud moments, heartfelt vulnerability, delicious chemistry, and plenty of familiar faces.
Ophelia “Fee” Forrest-Hammer has been secretly crushing on her friend Mac Meyers for what feels like forever. Unfortunately, Mac is also the guy everyone on campus seems to want. He is handsome, charming, and far too nice to turn away the endless stream of women approaching him—even when the poor man is simply trying to eat lunch!
When Fee finally reaches her limit, she impulsively tells one of his admirers to leave her boyfriend alone. There is just one tiny problem: Mac is definitely not her boyfriend. Instead of correcting her, however, he decides that pretending to date Fee might be the perfect solution.
If only their feelings were pretend too…
Mac and Fee were absolutely adorable together. They have both been quietly longing for each other, yet neither wants to risk their friendship or disrupt their close-knit group. Watching them navigate their new arrangement while hiding very real emotions was funny, frustrating, and wonderfully romantic. Their chemistry was obvious from the beginning, and I enjoyed seeing their friendship gradually develop into something deeper.
Fee was such an easy heroine to love. She is talented, caring, and delightfully awkward, but she also carries a great deal of grief and a deep fear of losing the people closest to her. Her art—especially the side of it she keeps hidden—added another fascinating layer to her character. I loved watching her slowly open up and allow Mac to see the parts of herself she usually protects.
And Mac? What a sweetheart! Despite being one of the most wanted guys on campus, he has his own insecurities and is struggling with the pressure surrounding his future in hockey. His people-pleasing tendencies often work against him, but they also show how deeply he cares about those around him. I especially appreciated his honesty about needing an emotional connection before becoming physically intimate. The trust and tenderness he shared with Fee made the progression of their romance feel natural and meaningful.
While the story is playful and steamy, it also has plenty of emotional depth. Helena Hunting explores grief, fear of abandonment, career uncertainty, and the courage it takes to choose love without allowing the heavier subjects to overwhelm the romance. Fee and Mac both make mistakes, but their vulnerabilities feel genuine, and I enjoyed seeing them learn how to communicate and support one another.
The supporting cast added even more humor and chaos. Fans of Helena Hunting’s previous hockey romances will have a great time spotting all the cameos and Easter eggs. Her interconnected world is one of my favorite things about these books because it rewards longtime readers while still welcoming anyone who may be discovering it for the first time.
Mac Meyers Needs Me is a fun, sexy, and heartfelt college hockey romance featuring fake dating, friends-to-lovers, mutual pining, and two characters who are impossible not to root for. Helena Hunting has once again reminded me why she remains one of my favorite authors.
Now, can we please have the next book? I am desperately hoping it will be Brody and Enid because those two have already captured my attention, and I need their story!
Happy reading!
- Would I recommend this book: Yes.
- Would I re-read this book: Yes.
- Would I read future books by this author: Always, without hesitation.
e-ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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Meet the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes contemporary romances ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.
Where to Find Helena:
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