I listened to the audio version of this. Thank you to Dreamscape Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity.
Amber and Ford take turns doing the narration and there are different voices for each character. It's great to have the different Pov. The readers are really perfect for the characters. Ford is high functioning autistic so that adds a dimension to the story that gave it some depth. Amber's back story also added some understanding. I loved that the author gave us snippets of the relationship between Ford and Amber from different times in their lives so we could see how they grew together. 2nd grade, middle school, high school, and graduation.I have only read this book and book .5 of the series. This book was much more interesting than book .5. I was much more invested in it. But... marriage of convenience is my favorite romantic trope so it had that going for it from the start. It is very well done.

I loved this title and especially the way a neurodivergent character was represented. It was a beautiful story of life-long love, despite the odds and I look forward to more by this author.

I was so excited to be back with our DC Eagles crew and learn more about Remi! And boy was he just the sweetest🥹 I loved watching him grow out of his comfort zone with his teammates and best friend’s baby.

Read if you like:
🏒hockey romance
🍼 baby (but not his)
🏒 childhood friends to lovers
🍼 marriage of convenience
🏒 found family
🍼 closed door romance

This is book 3 of the series (though there is a novella to set it all up). While they can all be read as standalones, I highly recommend reading them in order! This one is out now and I was lucky enough to receive a copy of the audiobook. Thank you netgalley and the publisher for my copy. All opinions are my own.

Ford and Amber have been friends since childhood and when Amber’s life takes an unsettling turn Ford wants to do everything he can to help.

They agree to an arranged marriage to help with her health issues, but it’s obvious from the start that Ford is in love with Amber and has been for a long time.

I loved watching Amber slowly realise that her best friend is also the man for her.

They are both nervous about changing the status of their relationship, but it’s obvious to everyone around them that they belong together.

I loved how he wanted to protect and support her and how she gave him a safe place to land when his world got too chaotic. She was strong, beautiful, talented and caring. He was serious, loving and gave her the family she had always longed for.

I loved the narrators, they really made the characters come to life for me.

[audiobook review]

The story still captivates me like the first time, and hearing how the narrators brought it to life was the best thing I could do this month. Alex Picard and David Bendena were good narrators, although I'll admit that I struggled a bit to follow the male narrator's voice: it felt a bit old at first but eventually, everything fell into place, and I ended up thoroughly enjoying his voice along with Alex's. They were excellent at giving life to Ford and Amber and those emotions I felt when I first read the book, they managed to convey them beautifully.

📌I received an advanced listening copy through netgalley, and this is my honest opinion/review of it.

---

[first digital read april 04]

This book holds the title of favorite in the series, and that's because Leah has written an absolute gem of a book!

Ford and Amber have been best friends since the second grade. Amber is one of the few people who really understands Ford (he's neurodivergent), and they've been inseparable ever since. Obviously, our Ford has feelings for her, but he's afraid to admit it for fear of jeopardizing their friendship. As time goes by, our girl has a baby, and her friendship with Ford is stronger than ever.

This is a beautifully written friends-to-lovers story. You can feel the characters' emotions, and you just want to dive into the book and tell them to realize their feelings. One pivotal action changes everything: they decide to get married so our girl can have better insurance for an operation. They move in together and form an adorable family - a family that Amber desperately needed, and now little Nellal will have. This story is the sweetest thing in the world, not because it's a "close door" romance, but because of the genuine interactions between the characters. The author handled every aspect with such care that I was amazed.

These two friends loved each other; I could feel it. And when they finally confess their feelings, everything falls into place perfectly. There's no big drama, except that her ex is a jerk (but thanks to that, we get a dreamy "my wife" scene). The guys at the D.C. Eagles are completely crazy about little Nella, and this heartwarming story will make you sigh with love.

I absolutely adore the books in the D.C. Eagles Hockey series. The author has crafted characters who feel so real and set them in the exciting world of professional hockey. Well, after listening to Betrothal or Breakaway, I know that Ford and Amber are my favorite characters. And that is really saying something, because each book and each set of characters has had something that captured me and made me feel connected to them. It is why this is one of my very favorite contemporary romance/romcom series. These books are sweet and closed door, with only a bit of mild language occasionally.

I loved the dual narration! The narrators really captured and brought to life Ford and Amber. This is the ultimate “he falls first” novel, too. Not only does it have the marriage of convenience and best friends to more tropes, but Ford has loved Amber since they were children. And we, the readers, get to experience some of their moments as children through flashbacks that were just the right peek into their friendship. And even though Amber didn’t see Ford in a romantic way until they were married, I liked that she wasn’t simply overlooking him all of those years. He truly was the most important person in her life and her love for him and their connection to each other through friendship was beautiful.

This book gave a peek into what Ford dealt with regarding his high functioning autism in a very realistic way. The way he approached life and the way he managed those things that overwhelmed him were part of who he was. I loved that Amber loved and understood him. They were so sweet together and their little family, with baby Nella, was wonderful to read about.

I received a complimentary copy of this audio book, although I also purchased the print version. All opinions are my own.

When Amber got pregnant, her fiance bolted and hasn't contacted her since. Now 3 months after giving birth to a cute babygirl Nella, she's in need of a heart surgery, which she obviously can't afford. Her best friend since childhood, Ford, who is a famous and wealthy hockey player, offers to marry her, so she can hop on his insurance plan.

What a delightful quick read!

I just loved it. It's such a heartwarming story. I loved how absolutely sweet Ford was with Amber and her daughter. He's an amazing husband material! I also loved the neurodivergent representaion.

This one has got to be my favorite book from this series so far. I still love all the guys from the team and adored all their cameos.

I'm hoping Ford's sister story is next!

Best friends since second grade, Ford and Amber had been there for one and another through the good and the bad. She is the only person, apart from his family, that accepts him with his Asperger and his struggles. He has been her rock since childhood, sharing his family and accepting her. Now a marriage of convenience is what Amber needs from Ford. Can they stay friends or will Ford finally shaw Amber how he really feels about her? The audiobook with Alex Picard and David Bendena makes a great story an even better one.

Betrothal or Breakaway has taken over the top spot for me in this series!

I adored the friendship between Amber and Ford and how they cared for each other.

I loved Amber's strength, positivity, and resiliency.

Ford is the sweetest! I love how the author handled Ford's autism. She didn't just label him and move on. She showed how it affected him and the ways in which he learned to cope with the situations with which he struggled.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrators did a fantastic job of bringing Ford and Amber to life. They sounded age appropriate, they brought the full spectrum of emotions, and the pacing of the narration was great.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Loved Ford and Amber’s story! I’m a sucker for marriage of convenience and forced proximity so this one really hit home for me. Also who doesn’t love a man that loves your baby?!? He’s a keeper. Loved the autism rep as well. I would definitely recommend this one. I listened to the audiobook and I think the narrator did a wonderful job!

I am so in love with Ford. I loved this book and I loved it even more in audio. The narrators did a fantastic job. I loved Ford and Amber so much. Their marriage of convenience progressed perfectly. There wasn’t a constant back and forth about their feelings…their relationship progressed naturally. I identified so much with Ford. Leah did such a great job with his character. I felt like she was describing me when Ford was describing what it felt like when people touched him or how he starts to feel in a crowded room. (Not sure if my “quirks” are from autism or childhood trauma🤷🏼‍♀️I have no official diagnosis of autism)
I loved how well Amber understood him and his needs. I loved how protective he was of Nella and Amber. I have loved the entire series so far, but Betrothal or Breakaway is definitely my favorite.

4.5 rounded down to 4

A marriage of convivence leads to something real, something that was destined. Ford and Amber have been best friends since the second grade. When she needs surgery for a hole in her heart, he offers to marry her so that she can use his health insurance and won't worry about who will take care of her infant daughter as she recovers. It should be easy to be 'married' but avoiding feelings? That's going to be a problem.

Read this book if you like:
-Childhood Friends to Lovers
-It's Always Been You
-Marriage of Convivence
-Friends who Cuddle
-Single Mom
-Aspergers Rep

I devoured this book. Literally could not put it down. It was everything I love in one amazing package. Ford had my heart from the start. Sneaking into Amber's room to check on her and baby Nella only to fall asleep because he was finally relaxed????? Yes, please. And then cuddled for them both because they needed it??? I loved how Amber understood him. She never judged and always supported him. And Ford just knew that she was his.

I would read a hundred more books like this!

Thank you to Dreamscape Media & NetGalley for an ARC of this book; in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a short, sweet, and very wholesome Hockey Romance. Ford and Amber were perfect for each other; and the way baby Nella brought them closer together was just swoony! I loved the audiobook version with dual narration. Also, this is part of a series, but can definitely be read as an interconnected stand alone!

Read if you enjoy:
-unrequited love
-hockey romance
-marriage of convenience
-autism representation
-childhood best friends to lovers
-closed door romance (no spice)

“Good morning, girls.”

“Being around Amber Park makes me feel like I’m normal, whole, complete. Like every step feels like a step closer to safety. A step closer to forever.”

* Okay but why are they so cuuuute
* Ford is such a softie and I LOVE him!
* They are so sweet and so tender and my heart is so full
* The proposal! 😭😍
* Oh my gosh not the puppy!!!

Yet another hockey romance by Leah Brunner that I’m obsessed with.

Amber is so good and so funny and I loved seeing how she interacted with Ford and really just saw him for who he was. And her with her baby? Ahh my heart!

And Ford? LOVE him! He is such a sweetheart. I love how much he loved Amber and her baby. He was such a natural at becoming a husband and a father and I loved to see it.

The whole best friends forever and now we’re married? So good! And their chemistry and kissing! Yes! 👏

Thanks to NetGalley and Leah Brunner for this ALC. I thought the narration was great! All opinions are my own.

✨NO third act breakup!
✨best friends to lovers
✨fake marriage
✨Asperger's rep

Best friends since 2nd grade turned lovers?!!! YES YES YES!

Have you ever been so into a book that you HATE getting interrupted because you don't want to stop listening/reading? THIS WAS THAT BOOK FOR ME!

I loved the characters and the storytelling was amazing! By also sharing how they met and how their lives were in the past was a perfect way to show how far they've come as adults. Ford will forever have a special place in my heart! He is the true definition of a book boyfriend! The way he loves and caters to Amber & Nella was truly swoon worthy! This book is now on my list of favorites for 2024!

I loved this one and will be buying a copy as soon as I can! Already recommended it to a few friends!

Thank you NetGalley and Leah Brunner for the ARC of Betrothal or Breakaway! I loved this so much!! There wasn’t any spice at all but it was a beautiful story! I feel like a few details were rushed such as her love, Theo, the mom, her mom, etc. I did, however, LOVE Ford! Everything from him start to finish was perfection! I want a Ford!! Beautiful, sweet and romantic read

This may have been my favorite of this series so far! I loved the high functioning autism inclusion. Ford and Amber’s story was very sweet, and I loved the way he treated her so well from the very beginning. There were lots of swoony moments and it was a great read. I do feel like Ford having autism was a little glossed over and unrealistic. Sometimes it felt like he struggled with it, and others it seemed to disappear.

4.5/5 stars

Tropes:
- Best friends to lovers
- Single mom
- Forced proximity
- Autism representation
- Marriage of convenience

This book follows the story of Amber and Ford. They are childhood best friends that have always been just that, best friends. Until Amber finds herself single, with a newborn baby, and a newfound heart condition. With these challenges, she also has no health insurance. As a way to remedy that, her and Ford come up with a plan- get married.

I adored this book. I usually don't like friends (or best friends) to lovers books. I've found that most of them focus on miscommunication, which is a trope I'm not particularly fond of. Luckily, this book didn't really have that trope. Amber and Ford understand each other in a way that prevents you from imagining them with anyone else. Ford has Asperger's Syndrome, which he is pretty selfconscious about. He doesn't want anyone to treat him differently or see it as a weakness. It felt like he was always guarding himself from other's due to his condition. But when it came to Amber, he was always his true self. I loved how Amber embraced him and was conscious of his reactions being different than others. They both just fit perfectly together. Especially Ford with Nella. He fit into the dad role for Nella so organically that it made it hard not to swoon. All in all, I absolutely loved this book and would definitetly recommend this as a nice and short read.

*As for the narrators for the audiobook, they did an amazing job portraying Amber and Ford. You could hear the difference in emotions and reactions of the characters. They truly brought the story and characters to life.*

Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape for the audio review copy, and Booked with the Emilys and the author for the print copy. Leah is a local-ish author to me, and I’ve seen her books raved about by people I love on booksta, so when I learned she was releasing the audio to the third book in her DC Eagles series, I rushed to request it.

What to Expect:
-Hockey Player MMC
-Single Mom FMC
-Marriage of Convenience
-Childhood Friends to Lovers
-It’s always been you
-Neurodiverse representation
-’That’s my wife.”
-Found family

Ford is the captain of the DC Eagles hockey team and would do anything for his best friend (and longtime crush), Amber. When Amber’s fiancee leaves her to raise her daughter, she also learns during childbirth that she needs surgery to repair a hole in her heart. Ford offers money for Amber, but after another family holiday where his parents are concerned with his single status, he comes up with the mutually beneficial idea – get married for insurance, and to show his parents that he’s not going to be alone forever.

I inhaled this book – alternating between the audio and physical copy, I read it all in a day. There were so many heartfelt moments where Ford shows up for Amber, but I can’t overstate the ways Amber provides emotional comfort for Ford when he’s overwhelmed and overstimulated. They both truly saw each other, and I loved seeing how their relationship grew together. The narrators – Alex Picard and David Bendena – were perfectly cast for Ford and Amber, and at 8 hours 29 minutes, this book is the perfect hit of swoony, sweet, hockey romance.

Even though Betrothal or Breakaway is the third full length book in the series, you can absolutely enjoy it as a standalone – I did! I already went back and listened to Passion or Penalty, a novella set before the first book and I’m jumping in to Desire or Defense today.