Wild Ever After (Unabridged‪)‬

This book was a perfect drama-free hockey romance listen! Connor Crais and CJ Bloom did a great job of bringing Declan and Jade to life! They’re both quickly becoming new favorite narrators.

I love a “he falls first”, marriage of convenience. But something about his earnest pursuit of his wife made Declan wiggle his way into my heart. ♥️ For me, the spice was a perfect amount of simmer to boil. I feel as though Jade’s troubles and past heartaches definitely held her back from realizing she was worth so much more than her jerk ex and she found that in her replacement groom. This was my first Rebecca Jenshak novel but will definitely not be the last! I’ve already recommended to all my bookish besties that love hockey romance.

Plot 4/5
Spice 3.5/5
Narration 5/5

Marriage of convenience/ fake marriage is one of my fave tropes. Something about them falling for each other despite the circumstances makes me swoon. This was such a cute read! Rebecca Jenshak is a master at writing cinnamon roll MMCs, make it a hickey romance and we’ve got ourselves a winner.

I love it when a jaded in love character makes a complete turn around all because of being shown what love can really be like.

Jade—aptly named now that I see it, ha— is that jaded soul. Growing up, her mother wasn’t the best example to have of someone falling in love. As her mom implied, some people just aren’t meant for happily ever after. She loves life & is just content that she’ll never get married. Until her job gets involved.

Declan, on the other hand, he doesn’t really do relationships…but mainly just because he’s been focused on his career & hockey. He’s the quiet teammate who is always there, but hangs in the background.

When Jade finds herself in a situation where she needs a groom and fast, Declan steps up. They don’t know each other well, but they have the same friend group…how horrible could it be?
Declan…that man earns every swoon that I suffered. He is attentive, giving, a good listener, & a protector. Now that Jade is his on paper, he wants to give her everything that her heart desires. Little did either of them know, their hearts would desire each other.

I loved watching these two fall in love. I loved the way that everyone around them knew their true feelings long before they did. The way they were together in public when they were just putting on a show, it even made my heart melt a little.
I will say, Jade has a very mild “I’m not worthy” complex, which is my most despised character trait. But it was played out in a way that made me not despise it & just love her & want to hug her.

Audio Review:
Connor Crais had me pulled in & hearing the love Declan had to Jade in his voice. CJ Bloom kept me enthralled as Jade went through every emotion & then finally when she finally figured it out.