I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

Decidedly with Wishes is so good! I did not know this was part of a series when I started it and you definitely can read this entirely as a standalone. And I highly recommend you read it.

I finished this is one day and stayed up really late to do so. Nala and Eli are such great main characters with some shared backstories, and so much chemistry. The complications make sense and are well thought out, and the ending was absolutely perfect.

I am going to go back and read the rest of this series, since this author is obviously so good.

4.5 stars - I'm updating my bucket list now! Decidedly with Wishes was more than my heart was prepared for and I wish I could read it for the first time all over again.

Nala Johnson is one of the most genuinely caring characters I've read. Her top priority is to create a clothing line, especially princess dresses, for children with special needs. In order for her dream to be financially backed, she must complete all of the items on her old bucket list...easy, right?

Eli Lawson loves his hockey career, but is sick of being matched up with any available women, so when the opportunity presents itself for a fake girlfriend, he can't resist offering to help her cross some items off her list in exchange.

This story was such a fun and exciting read, with characters that are so lovable, I didn't want the book to end. A romcom with heart that will have you rethinking the items on your own bucket list. Don't miss this one!

Decidedly with Wishes is the seventh book in the By the Bay series. This was a new-to-me author, and I enjoyed the book. It was a light and entertaining fake relationship plot with likable characters. It was a quick, easy book to read that I had no trouble following along by reading it as a stand-alone. I love how dedicated Nala and Eli were to helping children with special needs. They both have such big hearts and were perfect for each other. I enjoyed meeting some of the other hockey players and look forward to reading their stories in the future.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my won.

I did't like this books as I hope for, mainly because of the style of writing.
The hero and heroine were unreliable and I just couldn't connect with them.

Cute modern day twist on an old classic - she needs to find someone to marry and he’s just the right guy. Maybe??? Hmmm…. Well, he does need a fake girlfriend and she does have a bucket list to complete. So they help each other out. And maybe, hopefully, they feel a little something more then friendship.

Decidedly with Wishes is the seventh title in the By the Bay series but can easily be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the previous books, but thoroughly enjoyed this fun, light-hearted and entertaining read, featuring a relationship of convenience.
Eli is a sweet, professional hockey player in need of a girlfriend. Nala is a people pleaser who bures herself in work after being burned in a past relationship.
This pair agree to help each other out, Nala needs to complete and bucket list, and Eli needs a fake girlfriend to keep his family’s matchmaking at bay.
The chemistry and connection between this pair is undeniable, and their banter is fun, flirty and witty.

A fun and easy summer read. Nala has to complete an old list from college before her grandmother would allow her to start a new side fashion in their company. Eli is a sexy hockey player who wants a fake girlfriend to go to a family wedding. Love the banter between the two, and although it was obvious how it would end it was still sweet. Wish the dog would have had more scenes, but otherwise highly recommend this one.

It was a good story with likeable characters, I read it in one sitting because It kept me going since chapter 1, I loved the hero.

Stina Lindenblatt wins with DESIDEDLY WITH WISHES (By the Bay #7). Clothing designer and future CEO Nala Johnson has a dream of starting a dress line for girls with special needs. Her grandmother said she will fund the launch if Nala completes the bucket list she created in college. San Francisco Rock NHL star Elias (Eli) Lawson needs a fake girlfriend for a wedding/family reunion back home in Copper Creek, Montana. They agree to help each other out.

I love that Nala created dresses for girls with special needs. I also appreciated Nala and Eli’s connection with kids with special needs. I like how they could relate to one another. The two have big hearts and make a great couple; once they both finally realize that is what they want. I enjoyed the to-do list, especially the last one.

DESIDEDLY WITH WISHES was an entertaining read. I enjoyed all the characters and the situations they were in. I recommend this book to people who enjoy fake boyfriend stories. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

4.5 Stars!

Stina Lindenblatt has become one of my goto authors. I don't even bother to read the book blurb because I know whatever she writes will be a winner. Decidedly with Wishes, her latest offering, is a hot read with a lot of heart. It is the seventh book from the By the Bay series and it can be enjoyed as a standalone. I must mention that books 1-6 are amazing as well.

Nala Johnson loves her job as a couture dress designer for her grandmother's fashion house. She is a talented workaholic, but is able to find time to create beautiful dresses for girls with special needs. In fact, her dream is design an entire line of dresses for girls with special needs. Once her grandmother retires, Nala will become the company's CEO. However, if she wants to create a special needs line while her grandmother is in charge, she must complete all the items on the bucket list that she wrote in college. Item number one, a date with a hot hockey player.

Elias Lawson is a single, professional hockey player. He is not looking for a romantic commitment and prefers the occasional one night stand. Unfortunately for him, his mother and aunt think otherwise. Tired of his mother's matchmaking and interference, Eli tells her he has a girlfriend and that he is bringing her to his cousin's wedding. Luckily, Nala agrees to be Eli's fake girlfriend, after they meet at a charity benefit and get to know each other. Overtime, they fall into lust and love.

This is both a passionate and fun love story. Ms. Lindenblatt perfectly combines heat, humor and emotion into this fast-paced romantic read. I immediately connected with both Nala and Eli, and I cheered them on as their platonic relationship evolved into much more. I loved the charity auction and how Nala's good friends set her up. Nala and Eli's calling to help others tugged at my heartstrings. Overall, this is a terrific book with a wonderful epilogue.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Nala is one strong smart woman. Eli is one hot sexy shy man. They have amazing chemistry. Loved how they were so relaxed around each other. They just clicked. Loved the back and fourth between them.Couldn’t wait to see where the story was going.

DNF- I hate to do this, but I could not finish this book. I have read and enjoyed others in this series, but this was an exception. The premise was not bad, but the writing was not for me. I found the story to be too slow and I could not connect to the characters. I also found a lack of chemistry between the couple. This book was just not to my taste, but it could be to your taste, so give it a try.

LOVED this book. The characters were so relatable. Loved the chemistry and interaction.
Nala has to complete her Bucket List in order to grant permission to create a new line of dresses, one specifically for disabled little girls. Eli is a professional hockey player with a mom and aunts determined to see him married, and keep setting him up on blind dates. Together, Eli and Nala help each other. He promises to help her complete her bucket list, and she agrees to be his fake girlfriend.
Lots of fun, great steam, and truly enjoyable storyline.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest.

To get her own way with designing a range of dresses, at the request of her grnadmother, Nala needs to complete her old bucket list. Her friends try to help out, which is how she ends up on a date with Hockey playey Eli.
He agrees to help her with the bucket list in exchange for being his fake girlfriend for a family wedding.
As with most fake relationships it becomes real, but will he be the one to help her complete the last task, finding a husband?

A great read.

After reading Decidedly with Luck from Stina Lindenblatt I was already chuckling while requesting the arc. Because although the stories are sometimes a bit too far fetched and unbelievable, the are just very funny. And indeed, Stina doesn't disappoint: the whole story starting with Oops and it Oops all through the book.
We meet Nala and Eli, who both are in need of help: Nala needs some hot hockey player to take on a date and kiss him. And Eli needs a fake girlfriend. Catching two birds with one stone, seems like the easiest solution to join forces. But of course, not everything is as easy as it seems. Eli is just super cute and Nala has a wonderful vision for dresses for girls with disabilities or special needs. So, the story just warms your heart. I'm looking out for the next By the Bay book from Stina. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank

This book is so sweet!! I really really enjoyed it!
As the future CEO of her grandmother’s fashion empire, Nala Johnson wants to design a line of fancy dresses for girls with special needs. But when she presents her vision to her grandmother, she agrees to let her try on one very questionable condition: to complete every item on the bucket list she wrote in college. Only, this bucket list includes going on a date with a hot hockey player, riding a horse, kissing in front of the Eiffel Tower…and finding a husband.
When his matchmaking mother sets him up with a date for his cousin’s wedding, NHL player Eli Lawson tells her that he’s bringing his girlfriend. Except, he doesn’t have one. And he certainly doesn’t have someone who will spend a week with him in Copper Creek, Montana for the wedding festivities.
When Nala wins a date with him at a charity auction, he thinks he has found the perfect solution. Even better when she tells him about her bucket list. Because he is just the man to help her with it. How difficult can it be to find her a husband?
This book is sooo good! It’s smart and witty, with funny dialogs and nice sex scenes. The chemistry between them is of the chart. I loved Nala, she is so driven, and Eli is hot and sweet: he is such an adorable uncle! Abby and Sarina, with their beautiful princess dresses, were my favorite characters! I really enjoy this one and I highly recommended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is book 7 in the By the Bay series. All of the previous books are hot, sexy and fun.
Nala is a workaholic fashion designer who wants to design clothing for an entirely different group of women than her grandmother approves of.
In order to fulfil her dream, she makes an agreement with her grandmother to fulfill the bucket list she made in college. Sounds easy enough, right?
Not so much.
Eli is an NHL player who has no intention of being in a relationship, but when he needs a fake girlfriend in order to avoid his matchmaking family, he goes looking for one.
Nala wins him at a charity auction, they decide to fake the girlfriend title and the usual adventure follows.
An easy, entertaining summer read.
In fact, I think I would read the series over again.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for an unpaid, honest review.

I liked this book so much that I read it in under 24 hours. The characters and storyline were endearing, and I really loved how the main character was so passionate about helping children with special needs. I would love to see this book made into a movie, and I will definitely be reading it again in the future.

Nala works at her grandmother’s fashion house designing couture for the rich and famous. Her dream is to start a line of dresses for girls with disabilities. When she approaches her grandmother, her grandmother says she will back the venture if Nala completes the “bucket list” from her college days in three months. One of the items on the list was go on a date with a hot hockey player. Of course Nala goes to a charity event where Eli, a pro hockey player, has put a date with him up for auction. After her friends win the bid for him, Nala starts working on her list. While Eli is a hot hockey player, he is shy around women, and needs a date to his cousin’s wedding to fend off his matchmaking family. When their date goes well, they figure that they can help each other with their respective issues. This is a great fake relationship romance with two very likable characters. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.