Sophie Reads YA: Mariah Jolie

ARC Review: I Hate My Pucking Neighbor (The Chicago Hawks Hockey Series #1) by Mariah Jolie

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I Hate My Pucking Neighbor
Series: The Chicago Hawks Hockey Series #1
Author: Mariah Jolie
Published February 14th 2026

Goodreads Synopsis
Hannah Blake believes in silver linings, morning coffee, and finding the good in absolutely everyone… even her grumpy neighbor, Ian Vanders.

For three years, she’s waved at him across their shared fence, offered smiles he never returned, and ignored the fact that he parks his obnoxious yellow Hummer directly in front of her house.

She used to think he was a challenge. Now she’s convinced he’s just an ass.

By the time she finally gives up trying to thaw his ice-cold heart, she’s sworn she’s done wasting her sparkle on a man who refuses to shine.

But when tragedy strikes—no, literally—lightning hits Hannah’s home, splitting her roof in half and leaving her with nowhere to go.

With no other options, she reluctantly accepts when Ian’s nephew offers her a spare room… inside Ian’s house.

Now she’s living under the same roof as the Chicago Hawks’ most brooding defenseman.

He’s gruff. She’s glowing. And close quarters have a funny way of heating things up.

Because the longer she’s around, the harder it becomes for Ian to hide the fact that maybe, just maybe, the sunshine next door is the one thing capable of melting all that ice.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via BookSirens. This in no way impacted on my view.

Seeing the goodness in every person she's ever met, maths teacher Hannah Blake has met her match in grumpy Ian Vanders. Her next door neighbour for 3 years, whenever she tries to make conversation, he replies in grunts or just ignores her presence. If it wasn't for his nephew Richie, Hannah would think that Ian had no redeeming qualities. But then her house is damaged, and she needs somewhere to stay. Ian, unexpectedly, offers to let her move into his spare room, and now they are living together, she gets to see the real Ian, and maybe melt some of that ice surrounding his heart.

I really like grumpy/sunshine romances, and I Hate My Pucking Neighbor definitely met my expectations. Ian didn't like to let anyone other than immediate family get close, and Hannah was someone he could tell would worm her way into his heart if he just gave her an opening. So he kept her as far away as possible, until he couldn't. When her roof was destroyed in a freak lightening strike, Ian was convinced by Richie to let her move in. Seeing them together, allowing themselves to be vulnerable with each other, was amazing. It definitely helped us to understand them both, and see how Ian fell so quickly once he stopped fighting his feelings.

Dates Read:
February 8-9, 2026

Rating
4 Stars

ARC Review: Puck the Halls (The Chicago Hawks Hockey Series #0.5) by Mariah Jolie

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Puck the Halls
Series: The Chicago Hawks Hockey Series #0.5
Author: Mariah Jolie
Published December 8th 2025

Goodreads Synopsis
Sadie has two rules:
#1 Never date a hockey player.
#2 If you accidentally break rule one, run.

Too bad Liam Stonemore, Chicago’s golden boy and walking sin in skates, doesn’t take rules seriously.

When a gossip-hungry reporter corners him about his “womanizing ways,” he does the unthinkable… points to Sadie and calls her his girlfriend.

Now the cynical bartender who swore off athletes is stuck fake-dating the league’s most charming disaster through the holidays.

He needs a wholesome image.

She needs a foot in the door of her dream job with the Hawks’ medical staff.

It’s the perfect deal—until late-night texts, Christmas galas, and one very real kiss blur every line between pretend and too-damn-real.

She’s still haunted by the hockey player who broke her.

He’s still nursing scars no one can see.

But when the lights fade and the world stops watching, there’s no faking the heat between them.

Because this Christmas, she might just break her own rule…
and fall for a man she swore she’d never touch.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via BookSirens. This in no way impacted on my view.

Sadie has more than had her fill of hockey player's, and when that previous romance crashed and burned, she swore she would do anything to avoid getting into a similar situation. Working two jobs to make ends meet, all she wants is to work as a sports physical therapist, but it's hard to get into the industry, even with the qualifications. When bad boy hockey player, Liam Stonemore walks up to her and offers a deal - be his fake girlfriend to get the press off his back, and he'll give her an in with the Chicago Hawks team - she doesn't want to say yes, but something about him makes her let down her walls, slightly.

I've loved all of Mariah's books that I've read, and have newly discovered a love of hockey romances, so this was bound to be a good one. Sadie and Liam both had really well written backstories, and I appreciated the way they delved into their past traumas in a safe way. Sadie's ex had also been a player for the Chicago Hawks, so that was a hurdle to overcome, but when he turned abusive, she found the strength to go to the press and show the world just what type of man he was - which in turn destroyed his career, and her chances. She found it hard to trust Liam at first, but he proved time and time again that he was not like her ex, and he was in the romance completely. I liked that the conflict wasn't really much more than a bump in the road for them, and they came together to overcome it all. The epilogue was really sweet, and definitely whet the appetite for the next book.

Dates Read:
November 29-30, 2025

Rating
4 Stars

ARC Review: Out of My League (The Royals #1) by Mariah Jolie

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Out of My League
Series: The Royals #1
Author: Mariah Jolie
Published October 31st 2025

Goodreads Synopsis
Forrest “Tree” Barkley is a legend behind the plate.

And not just because he’s the New York Royals’ beloved catcher.

He’s steady under pressure, loyal to a fault, and, according to most of New York, the Royal with the best ass in baseball.

But off the field, Tree’s barely holding it together.

With the season ramping up and his mom’s diagnosis looming large, he doesn’t have time for anything else.

Until one night with a gorgeous stranger gives him something he didn’t know he was starving for… a break from reality.

Ainsley Hansen just moved to town after a messy divorce, hoping to rebuild her life on her own terms.

She’s a total free-spirit, a wildflower in a field of roses. The kind of beautiful that makes one night feel like nowhere near enough.

But one night is all either of them has to give.

Tree never expected to see her again. That was the deal, after all.

He certainly didn't expect to watch her walk onto the field a few days later…

Coach Hansen has one rule: His daughter, Ainsley, is off-limits.

Now the game’s changed.

One night was a mistake.

Falling for her? That might cost him his career.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via BookSirens. This in no way impacted on my view.

Meeting the love of her life in a bar when she least expects it, Ainsley Hansen is reluctant to let Tree Barkley into her heart. Wanting only to spend one night with him, to help her get over her ex and kickstart her rebuilding her life with her newly discovered father and brother, she never expects to see Tree again, but he happens to play for the New York Royals baseball team, the very team her dad coaches. Forrest "Tree" Barkley's life is crumbling around him. His mother's cancer diagnosis has turned terminal, and he and younger sister Pim are facing the unimaginable. He's trying to stay strong, but around Ainsley, he's found he can be vulnerable. Are they both willing to risk it to be together, or have they been burnt too much in the past.

I loved Foul Play when I read it in the summer, so when this one appeared on BookSirens, I knew I needed to read and review it. Tree is River's best friend (from Foul Play) and one of the players for the New York Royals. He's quite used to women taking him up on his offers, so when Ainsley doesn't immediately fall at his heels, it's quite refreshing. They are both great with each other, and I loved the way that Ainsley really connected with Tree's family, and with the rest of the Royals. She might have lived a very different life with her mother, and ex-husband, but she discovered her true self in New York. There was a third-act breakup, which I wasn't a fan of, but the conclusion was worth it.

Dates Read:
November 25, 2025

Rating
4 Stars

ARC Review: Big Little Secret (The Brunswick Series #3) by Mariah Jolie

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Big Little Secret
Series: The Brunswick Series #3
Author: Mariah Jolie
Published July 25th 2025

Goodreads Synopsis
There’s only one man who’s ever made me feel completely out of control. And I don’t lose control.

I’d sooner set my hair on fire than admit Dexter Jacobs still has a hold on me.

To everyone else, Dex is a golden retriever in human form—charming, loyal, damn near impossible not to love.

But they don’t know him like I do.

I see through the golden boy act. I know what he’s hiding—because I’m hiding it too.

We have a history that no one else knows about. Not even our nosy ass friend group.

After one blacked-out night in Vegas, a very naked morning after, and zero memory of how we got there… we’re stuck with another damn secret to keep.

Now we’re back in our small town, dodging questions, and trying not to kill each other... or sleep with each other again.

But the thing about secrets is, they don’t like to stay buried.

And keeping them is one thing, but sharing them with someone else bonds you in ways you never asked for, never wanted, and definitely can’t undo.

And the ones Dex and I are keeping… They’re not just messy. They’re fucking explosive.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via BookSirens. This in no way impacted on my view.

Ever since Harper Parrish moved to Brunswick, GA, it's been clear how much she and Dexter Jacobs hate each other. There's obviously a history there, but they're keeping it well and truly under wraps. So when they return from two separate trips to Vegas, married and still hating each other, it's hard for their friend group to see the problem. The old adage is that there's a fine line between love and hate, and Harper and Dex keep toeing that line.

I knew that Harper and Dex's story would be epic, but I wasn't expecting to love it so much. Big Little Secret is the perfect mix of enemies-to-lovers, with an accidental wedding and fake romance added in. The snarky little comments between the two when they were pretending to be happily married for Dex's new job were hilarious, and I really liked the way he constantly called her 'Viper' as a term of endearment - it suited Harper to a t. The only negative I had about the book is the lack of communication between them. They could've gotten over all of the drama of the last 10 years if they had just sat down and had a conversation about it, but I do understand why it wasn't the easiest thing for them to do.

Dates Read:
August 13, 2025

Rating
4 Stars

ARC Review: Off-Limits (The Brunswick Series #2) by Mariah Jolie

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Off-Limits
Series: The Brunswick Series #2
Author: Mariah Jolie
Published May 1st 2025

Goodreads Synopsis
She’s my little sister’s best friend. My kids’ favorite babysitter. And the one woman I’ve spent years convincing myself I can’t want.

Running for mayor of my small town wasn’t in the plan, but between my daughter’s PE teacher nominating me and the town rallying behind it, here I am. Add an evil ex-wife suing for custody and the last thing I need is another distraction.

That’s exactly what Shae Levinson is—a distraction.

Shae’s always been magnetic, her wild red curls and sharp wit impossible to ignore. But since she returned from college eight years ago, something in her changed—a quiet sadness she keeps hidden from the world, but I see it.

I’ve tried to keep her in the “off-limits” category where she belongs, but lately, that’s been impossible.

It used to just be the occasional family dinner but now she’s everywhere—helping with the kids, volunteering for my campaign, staying late to strategize. Each moment with her chips away at my resolve. She’s too close to my family, too much to lose if things don’t work out.

But the pull is undeniable.

For eight years, I’ve done the right thing and kept my distance. Always being the good guy is exhausting. I’m tired and those walls are crumbling fast. Giving in could cost me everything.

But then again, what if it’s worth it?
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via BookSirens. This in no way impacted on my view.

Cal Calloway has never wanted anything to do with politics, so how has he allowed his sister's best friend Shae to convince him to run for mayor of Brunswick, GA? Maybe the fact that he would do anything for Shae, though he knows she's off limits. She's not only his sister's age, but also his babysitter, and he's in the middle of a custody battle. But he can't deny his feelings, especially not when it looks like she feels exactly the same. However, Shae is hiding something, and there's a reason why she is pushing him away.

I love the best-friend's-brother trope, and Mariah shot it out of the park with this one. Shae was such a complex character, with an awful backstory, and it was great seeing her growth throughout the book, and how she allowed herself the chance to be happy and let Cal, Willow and Rowe in to her heart. I haven't read book 1, but it wasn't really necessary because we get to know the whole cast of characters really well without needing to see Bree and Cohen's story. Cal was definitely a protector, who would do anything at all for the ones he loves, and he was perfect for Shae, both supporting her and fighting for her in equal measure. The epilogue tied their story up nicely, and has definitely whet my appetite for book 3.

Dates Read:
August 11-12, 2025

Rating
4 Stars

ARC Review: Foul Ball (The Royals #0.5) by Mariah Jolie

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Foul Ball
Series: The Royals #0.5
Author: Mariah Jolie
Published July 1st 2025

Goodreads Synopsis
A filthy-hot enemies-to-lovers sports romance where the only thing hotter than their hatred is what happens when the gloves come off.

Some people you want to kiss. Others you want to kill.
But when it comes to River Bryant? Eva Reed wants to do both.

Eva's sunshine optimism has never met a person it couldn't warm—until River.
The infuriatingly gorgeous journalist with his permanent scowl and an allergy to kindness.

River lives in emotional lockdown,
And Eva is the one person who can crack his carefully constructed walls.

With their boss retiring, and one hell of a promotion is on the line, they're forced to work together on one explosive story: investigating a baseball star's dark secrets.

But being trapped together following the New York Royals baseball team awakens a hunger neither can ignore.

She's chaos in heels, and he can't decide if he wants to throttle her...
...or drag her to the nearest bed.

As the danger escalates and bodies press close in hotel rooms, their hate-fueled banter turns into stolen kisses and scorching nights.

Eva's determined to crack River's walls, and River's discovering that protecting her is becoming more important than protecting his heart.

But when Eva's life hangs in the balance, River comes face to face with his greatest terror—losing someone he loves all over again.

Will love be enough to conquer his demons?
Or will the fear of loss consume him completely?
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via BookSirens. This in no way impacted on my view.

Journalists Eva and River have hated each other for as long as they’ve worked together at the same paper. When their editor-in-chief announces he will be retiring soon, and both are up for the position, they need to put aside their differences and work together to get the biggest scoop of all. Travelling together to Austin to follow the local baseball team, their target is hotshot player Harley, who has a string of allegations against him that are conveniently hidden as soon as they appear. What should be a simple assignment soon becomes anything but.

I don’t know about you, but I love the enemies to lovers trope, and this book did it extremely well. Eva and River had that perfect mix of chemistry and animosity which makes them perfect for the trope. Eva is sunshine and happiness, whereas River is the traditional grumpy, broody figure. They’ve both got difficult pasts, and have dealt with them differently, leaving River guarded and closed off to friendships or relationships. Though this was a quick book, it really explored their issues and showed their vulnerable sides where they could be ready for love. The epilogue was great, and it’s really whet my appetite for book 1.

Dates Read:
August 1, 2025

Rating
4 Stars