Obsessed is an understatement. I loved Jamie and Blakely so much, I think they might be my new favorite couple from Hannah (or at least tied with Bryce and Daisy).

I laughed, I cried (multiple times, basically on and off for the last 20%), I swooned, I sweated (those spicy scenes were ~hot~) and I loved every single minute.

Jamie, the most supportive and wonderful man, wears his heart on his sleeve and would give up everything to make sure the woman he loves and her brother are taken care of...I fell for him so hard and so fast, I'm still reeling.

Blakely has my entire heart though, because what an amazing woman she is! Single guardian to her teenage brother, she's sacrificed so much for him and had to grow up too fast, I felt for her and her struggles. She's so strong and independent, and yet feels so deeply, it was so emotional to see her let go of her defenses and find a safe place in Jamie. Those two have my entire heart.

The found family they create with Nate tugged on my heartstrings, and the way Jamie not only fell in love with Blakely, but accepted her brother with open arms too...I bawled.

This was my first book by the author and I already pulled a couple more I want to start because I fell in love! I love her style and how she writes her characters and how much heart was put into the story!

I loved how the two MCs met! It was definitely a new one for me and loved that we got a cute nickname out of it! Jamie is officially one of my new favorite MMCs. He was the perfect blend of Golden retriever energy and posessive that totally matched Blakely!

Blakely didn't have the easiest time before Jamie and I loved watching her grow and change throughout the story! It was just the sweetest!

"Crush me beneath your boot, and I'll find a way to glue myself back together and fight for you. I'm your husband, Blakely. I don't f-king care that it wasn't real in the beginning. It is now."

- football romance
- black cat x golden retriever
- single guardian
- fake engagement/marriage of convenience
- forced proximity
- found family
- he falls first
- no breakup
- 🌶️🌶️.5/5
- dual pov

POV: Your football team management asks you to get fake married to boost seat sales, and you find the perfect person when a woman tries to steal from you 👀.

Jamieson is such a golden retriever, and his charming, confident persona perfectly contrasts with Blakely's guarded black cat energy. He literally tells his mum he fell in love with her after their awkward five-minute meet-cute 🤭. Not to mention his little note listing all her favourite things!

I love how he slowly breaks down Blakely's walls and shows her that she and Nate, the teenage brother she cares for, are safe with him. His budding bromance with Nate is the icing on the cake. The moments they share will have you melting!

It's a Hannah book, so you'll be relieved to know there's spice, no breakup, and the best found family vibes. Seriously, the cameos gave me LIFE. Seeing all the gang together multiple times is heartwarming, and Tyler and Blakely especially share a couple of sweet moments. I'll miss them 🥹.

Thank you to Hannah and Tantor Audio for the early copies!

I loved Jamison (MMC) and Blakely’s (FMC) story. It starts off with our FMC really struggling in life while trying to take care of her little brother. She does something a little reckless one day out of desperation and stumbles upon our MMC. She panics. He’s intrigued and a little smitten. He’s a famous athlete, but she has no idea. She leaves without giving her name and he’s still thinking about her so much that he shares his thoughts with his mom. As a famous football player who wants to support his team, he gets swept up in a PR stunt that has him agreeing to a fake marriage. His good fortune continues when he cross his paths again, coincidentally with our FMC. From there, the story of strangers to friends to romantic love interest progresses over a short period of time. Hearing the connections and strength of the family bonds on our MMC side and the super close relationship between the FMC and her brother is really sweet. There are opportunities to see not only their professional lives through the story but also how they can transition into a genuine relationship. The narrators are wonderful and I really think they delivered the emotions of the characters. Love the audiobook. Highly recommend if you love a sports romance with a reluctant FMC any persistent MMC.

Number of Bateman men: 3
Number of Bateman men that have ruined me: 3

Hannah has done it again. I am well and truly obsessed with this man. Jamieson Bateman found this woman about to steal his Xbox potentially and was a total goner from that moment on.

This was a lot of fun, but also super cute!! My heart went out to Blakely for everything she had been through and how hard she had to work to be the best big sister and protector for her brother. She was in a tough spot when Jamie proposed his marriage of convenience scheme and she did what she thought was best for her and her brother. Jamie's team owner put him in a weird position too and any other player probably wouldn't have been so easygoing about it. Jamie's personality and sunshine nature really made him the perfect player to pull this off.

I absolutely ADORED Jamie and how giving, sweet, and protective he was over Blakely and Nate. He really took "mine" to a whole new level and truly made them feel like family, regardless of the "fake" aspect of their relationships.

I totally understood Blakely's reluctance to let him do things for her and to not get too attached given her history, but Jamie was exactly the kind of man she needed and deserved. I loved their banter and how Blakely wasn't like other women Jamie had dealt with. She reminded me a lot of the women in his family, like his mom (who is one of my fave FMC's from Hannah's series!)

Speaking of, I loved loved loved the cameos from other favorites!! These characters feel like family at this point and it's definitely bittersweet to say goodbye to this series, but I'm excited to see where Hannah takes us next!

ALSO! I got to listen to the ALC and let me tell you, it was SO good!! Alex Kydd and Amy Hall are not narrators I've heard a lot, but I will keep an eye out for more books they narrate because they were great as Jamie and Blakely! I didn't want to stop for anything when I was listening and I devoured it!

Thank you to Hannah and her team for the ALC/ARC!

Hannah Cowan is as ever, an extraordinary romance writer. I was anticipating this book for months as Jamieson has been one of my favourite hinted at characters for a long time now! I didn't bond with Blakeley as much as I wanted to because she came off as very rude and unrelatable, but the romance and the family scenes were top notch. The family and friendship in this series is phenomenal, if a little too much when you just want to get to know the new character!

I didn't love the narrators for this audiobook- they just didn't seem to match very well and it didn't seem realistic. Beautiful voices and lovely to listen to, just not suited to the content/characters.

i was so lucky to receive an ALC of this book and i loved it so much, the perfect ending to such an amazing series🥹❤️‍🩹

i had such a fun time listening to this book, the narration was so good! i was blushing practically the whole time and there were so many moments that had my jaw dropping and hand smothering my giggles because their chemistry was insane!!! jamie MY WIFE bateman is the standard!!!!

from the very moment they met (which is one of my favourite meet cutes ever btw) i was obsessed with them. wdym she was trying to rob him and he was just thinking about how pretty she was while doing it?? & i love the nickname bandit!!😭

blakelys character was beautiful. she was a single guardian for her brother and the most selfless, hardworking angel ever. she worked her ass off to provide for him and loved him something fierce! she’s guarded at first but slowly, sweetheart and golden retriever football player jamie breaks down her walls and loves, protects and cares for her AND nate as naturally as breathing.

jamie bateman was wrapped around her finger and what did he do? he put a mf RING on it.

my man was obsessed, especially with calling blakely his wife which was so hot and had me melting every damn time. he was so caring and affectionate and was there for them both constantly, immediately becoming someone they could rely on because that’s just the kind of person he is!

i absolutely adored jamie and blakelys relationship from the get go and only fell deeper as the book progressed! their flirty banter was everything and i am never getting over their first meeting😭 watching blakely open up and let jamie in, allowing herself to be vulnerable and cared for was so heartwarming.

perfection all round💚

— tropes!

• meet cute (she tries to rob him)
• marriage of convenience
• single guardian
• he falls first & harder
• forced proximity
• found family
• sports romance
• slow burn
• golden retriever football player
• MY WIFE !!!

Hannah Cowan wrote all my favorite tropes into one book and now I don't know what to do with my life!

Their Greatest Strength is the final book in Cowan’s Greatest Love series, and what an amazing way to conclude the series! Jamieson “Jamie” Bateman is a football player who is recruited by his CFL team’s owner to marry someone in order to generate publicity. Enter Blakely, who wanders into Jamie’s house when he leaves his door open. Blakely is struggling to care for her fifteen-year-old brother, Nate, after losing her job. Blakely is put into an impossible position, but Jamie offers a perfect solution to all her problems: marry him.

Every single trope I adore was featured! A golden retriever MMC, a single guardian, and the found family trope! I adored Jamie, and the way he treated Blakely and Nate from the very beginning was so important. He knew he would stick around for Nate even if he and Blakely didn’t work out. That says a lot about his character right there! Blakely was such a fighter, raising her brother from such a young age and wanting to provide everything for him, even if it meant putting her needs on the back burner. The two balanced one another so well. I love seeing a strong, independent woman find someone who takes the weight off her shoulders. Bandit and Pretty Boy have solidified themselves in a special place in my heart!

Now let's dive into the audio aspect. Both Amy Hall and Alex Kydd did an amazing job narrating the story, and it features dual narration! Both narrators really captured their respective characters. The audio definitely helped me connect to the story on such a deeper level. I could not stop listening and finished it after two gym sessions. (I worked out longer just so I could listen to more of the book!)

Finishing this book felt bittersweet; I can’t believe the end of the Hutton and Bateman family. I can’t wait to read whatever Hannah writes next, but let's be honest, I'd read her grocery list at this point! I’m hoping for a book featuring Easton and Amelia.

[Their Greatest Strength]

I’m still not over how much I LOVED this book. I love every single book that Hannah writes, but there was something REALLY special about this one. It’s tied as my favorite she’s ever written!

Can we first please discuss the way this couple meets!? Blakely is taking a walk to releave all the stress in her life from losing her job and barely being able to pay for the rental that she and her high school brother are living in. While on this walk, she sees the front door of a big, beautiful house wide open. She goes in to make sure everyone is ok and sees multiple video game consoles just sitting there. In a moment of weakness, she decides to swipe one for her brother just to get caught red handed by the very handsome, very shirtless owner. Their chemistry is immediate and Jamieson (the home owner) just happens to need someone to pretend to be his wife to help save his professional football team. Enough said- go get this book immediately!!

I couldn't stop reading this book! I loved the dynamic between Jamie and Blakely- she's a total grump and he is sunshine and rainbows all the time. It's the most perfectly written "he falls first" and Blakely's brother was the most perfect addition to push me over the edge when it comes to falling for Jamie. He will forever be in my arsenal of favorite book boyfriends.

Grab this one if you love:
✨ Marriage of Convenience
✨ Football Romance
✨ Grumpy x Sunshine (she’s the grump!)
✨ “my wife”
✨ Opposite Side of the Tracks
✨ Single Guardian Heroine
✨ He Falls First and Harder

🎧 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼...
Amy Hall and Alex Kydd in Dual Narration!?!? Run audiobook girlies. They made these characters even easier to fall for and had me hanging on their every word until the very last second.

5/5 Stars 3/5 Spice

Tropes:
Football Romance
Marriage of Convenience
Single Guardian
Grumpy x Sunshine
Found Family

🎧 narration: alex kydd & amy hall absolutely killed it. alex was the perfect jamie. i loved his performance - the perfect smirking tone for my man. & amy hall never ceases to amaze me. she honestly gets better every time i hear her & it blows my mind every time. if you’re an audio girlie - this one is incredible in audio.

jamieson freaking bateman. i didn’t think it was possible for me to get a new favorite character in this series but jamie is it, hands down, no questions. the man is perfect. it’s completely unfair that i can’t have this man all to myself. i love these two & their story with my whole chest. from the meet cute to the my wife moments this entire book is a masterpiece. the best ending to this series we could ask for. five giant gold stars from me. drop what you’re doing today & read it. right now.

ARC/ ALC Review: 5⭐️

Their Greatest Strength is the fifth and final book in the Greatest Love Series featuring
Jamieson Bateman & Blakely Monroe.

Blakely has taken on the task of raising her younger brother Nate after their mom left them. She’s struggled to make ends meet and keep them afloat but will stop at nothing to make sure Nate has a good upbringing.

One night while on a walk she comes across a house where the front door is wide open. She attempts to locate the owner to ensure they’re okay, when she discovers how many material things they have and debates taking something. That is until the owner comes down stairs and catches her.

Jamieson is a star CFL player for the BC Pythons and has a bad habit of forgetting to close his front door. One night he comes downstairs to find a beautiful woman in his house attempting to steal from him. He intervenes and immediately wants to know more about her, however, when he engages with her, she fleas.

Jamie‘s team asks him to help them gain fans by pulling up publicity stunt, which would have him marry a fan for a few months. They allow him to find his own wife, and Jamie immediately thinks of the bandit that broke into his house, wishing he had gotten her number.

After a chance encounter at a sports store where Jamie & Blakely run into one another, Jamie proposes a plan to her about a fake marriage. She reluctantly agrees to his plan and her and her brother Nate move in with Jamie.

Throughout their fake relationship and marriage The lines begin to blur, when Blakely‘s past comes back to haunt them, will the truth be revealed about their marriage, causing everything to come crashing down?

I can’t believe that the series is over!! Jamie and Blakely were literally everything and more. Tyler Bateman was one of my favourite characters in the first generation series and getting to see him with his sons in this book melted my heart even further. We still have a few characters in this world to get their stories and I can’t wait to see what Hannah gives us next.

I was lucky enough to receive the ALC for this one and I loved the narrators and thought they did a perfect job!!

Thank you so much Hannah for the ARC opportunity !!!

Jamie Bateman has taken over as my new favorite Hannah Cowan MMC (which is saying a lot because Garrison Beckett is my ultimate obsession).

Blakely and Jamieson are everything. Their story was nothing short of incredible from start to finish.

Jamie was sweet, caring, swoony and oh so hot. He had me in a puddle with his actions and his words. I loved how down bad he was for Blakely. It was everything. Also, the way he also cared for Nate was the absolute sweetest thing.

Blakely was so raw and real. Her character stood out to me in a way most don't. She was so easy to love and root for. She deserved so much and it was heartwarming to see her get those things from Jamie.

I am so sad this series is over but this book was one heck of a way to end it. I can't wait to see what Hannah has in store next.

Narration:
Alex Kydd and Amy Hall were perfectly cast for these two characters. Amy brought so much emotion to Blakely and made you feel her struggles and her personality. Alex was amazing as Jamieson. I felt so much of his character come to life and it caused me to love Jamie even more.

Thank you so much to Hannah Cowan and Tantor Audio for the ALC.

4.5 ⭐️ | 2.5 🌶️ | 4 🎧

Although I was late to the Greatest Love series party, I couldn’t have asked for a better couple to wrap things up. Jamieso is quite possibly my favorite MMC created by Hannah Cowan. Their Greatest Strength has a heartwarming romance between two people with undeniable chemistry, witty banter, and swoon-worthy moments that made me giddy.

Blakely Monroe is struggling to make ends meet and care for her younger brother, Nate. While on a walk, she comes across a large, beautiful home with an open front door. Her conscience won’t let her walk away, and she can’t help but go inside. While there, she has the bright idea to take something for Nate. Whoever lives there clearly has enough and won’t miss what she takes, right? Enter Jamieson (Jamie) Bateman. He is a star football player for the BC Pythons and the owner of said home. When Jamie is asked to help his team by finding a fake wife and drumming up some drama to spark sales, who better to ask than the beautiful bandit he can’t seem to stop running into?

Blakely and Jamie were perfect, and I adored everything about their story. Blakely is a bit sassy, a lot guarded, very independent, and fiercely protective of those she loves. She’s used to doing things on her own and never allows anyone to get too close. Blakely is such a relatable character, and I loved seeing her learn to trust and be vulnerable with Jamie. I couldn’t get enough of Jamie. He is so incredibly sweet and has a huge heart. Jamie was down bad for Blakely and would do anything to make her feel safe and happy. There is nothing better than a possessive golden retriever king. These characters really pulled on my heartstrings. I loved all of the sweet bonds: Blakely + Nate, Jamie + Nate, and The Batemans + Blakely.

I love this series and I’m sad to see it end, but I can’t wait for what comes next from Hannah Cowan.

Narration:
Amy Hall and Alex Kydd did a wonderful job with this dual-narrated audiobook. They nailed these characters and brought them to life in the best way. Amy and Alex captured all things Blakely and Jamie, and made me feel every single emotion elicited by their sizzling slow-burn romance. Their performances made me feel even more connected to the characters, and made it impossible for me to put this book down.

This is the final in the Greatest Love series and what better way to end such a great series than with Blakely Monroe & Jamieson Bateman's story! I mean who doesn't fall in love with the woman who breaks into your house? Only Jamieson? Nah he cant be the only one 🤣 Anyways I was lucky enough to get the audio for this one, the narrators knocked this one out of the park! Narrators are Amy Hall + Alex Kydd! Big props for them slaying this one 💚 The way that he fell first and hard was like 🫠🫠🫠🫠 We definitely get to see a different side of Jamie since in the previous books we see goofy silly Jamie but for his book we get to see the teammate, the hardworker, the guy that shows up for his friends and family. We also got to see a man that was a puddle to his grumpy girl Blakely. All he wants to do is treat her like the queen she is and show her that she deserves the world 💚 Blakely definitely didn't have the greatest upbringing and taking on the role of provider for her brother Nate wasn't what a normal sister expects but she will do anything in order to get him the dreams that he wants. 💚

Why you should pick this one up!

🏈 Engagement of convenience/marriage of convenience
👩‍🍳 Single guardian
🏈 He falls first and harder
👩‍🍳 Found family
🏈 She walks in on him in the shower
👩‍🍳 Forced proximity
🏈 Slow burn
👩‍🍳 Reverse grumpy sunshine
🏈 Mutual hair washing
👩‍🍳 We’ll make it fit

Their Greatest Strength by Hannah Cowan is the fifth and final book in the Greatest Love series. Although the plot of the story was unrealistic, the fake marriage trope was fun and the main characters were all worth rooting for.

It was so bittersweet saying goodbye (hopefully not forever) to the Swift Hat-trick Trilogy clan. Getting to see not only the OGs love stories but also their children’s play out was such a heartwarming journey. Ending off with Jamie Bateman’s story was perfect.

Alex & Amy did an incredible job as Jamie & Blakely. They really embodied the characters and they played the banter, the emotional moments and hotter ones so wonderfully. Highly recommend going the audio route for this book and series in general, they’re all great!

Jamie really was his mother’s son. He shared Gracie’s generous heart, charm and determination. He loved loudly and was exactly who Blakely and Nate deserved. Blakely may have appeared closed off and had a prickly exterior but after everything she went through it was completely understandable. Everything she did, she did for Nate and I loved their relationship so much. Seeing them welcomed into the Bateman family was so beautiful as was the way they thrived under Jamie’s support.

I really enjoyed getting to spend time with this family one more time and I can’t wait to see where Hannah takes us in the future. Thank you so much to Hannah & Tantor Audio for the ALC 🤍

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up. I adored Blakely so much and loved her interest in cooking (as it is something I easily identify with). [Also loved the extended epilogue!] I absolutely love that Jamie fell first and fell hard, he did such a great job of giving her space but also safety and room to process.
This is the first book in the Greatest Love series I’ve read (though I own a book box version of book 1). This one just made me excited to read the rest of the series and see each of the friends as they fall in love.
Thank you Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an advance audiobook of this story. All opinions are my own.

I cannot believe the series is finished!! I have loved this world so much and this was the best way to finish it. I loved the dynamic between the two so much and their banter was top notch! The narrators were perfect for the two. Alex really brought out the fun and playful side of Jamie!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

♡ Marriage of convenience
♡ He falls first
♡ Single guardian
♡ Sports star
♡ Forced proximity
♡ Found family
♡ "My wife"

💕 Blakey & Jamie
📍 Canada

🎧 - 12hrs 1m
🔊 - Alex Kydd & Amy Hall
(Really enjoyed the narration!)

Thoughts:
This was an enjoyable marriage of convenience romance between a CFL football star and a single guardian down on her luck. Their meeting is a unique one for sure, albeit a tad far-fetched to me. (She enters his home, assuming it had been robbed, then contemplates taking something for herself), and he takes no issue with that and falls for her straight away? In general, I also struggle with the marriage of convenience trope in a contemporary setting and how unrealistic it can feel.

That being said, Blakey's devotion to her brother was so lovely, and the way Jamie took him under his wing with his love for sport was very sweet. I haven't read the other books in this series, but I really enjoyed how the previous characters added to the story and the found family dynamic overall.

Though I had some issues with how unrealistic the plot felt at times, the story still kept me engaged, and the audio narration was enjoyable.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Actual rating: 3.5 ⭐

I didn’t enjoy this as much as I’d hoped.

My lower rating is partly due to the fact that I listened to the audiobook, and audiobooks rarely hold my full attention. However, beyond that, there were aspects of the story that just didn’t work for me.

My biggest issue was how unrealistic the plot felt from the very beginning. I understand that this is fiction, but there still needs to be some balance. Additionally, I struggled with the male narrator’s voice—it irritated me, and at times, I found him difficult to understand, especially as someone whose first language isn’t English.

Another downside, which is purely personal preference, was the level of spice. It felt like not every spicy scene was necessary, and some could have been cut without affecting the story.

That being said, I did enjoy the side characters and the found family dynamic. The writing style was also quite good. While this book won’t be making it onto my favorites list, I still plan to continue the series.

Overall, an okay read, but nothing special.