Book: Wild Card by Ava Hill
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 3.5/5
Wild Card by Ava Hill
⭐⭐⭐¾ (3.75/5)
Jules and Drew absolutely delivered on the slow-burn tension in this dislike-to-lovers, best friend's brother romance.
My entire heart went out to Jules. Not only have her parents dismissed every one of her accomplishments—including becoming a bestselling author and successful podcaster—but her mother actively goes out of her way to tear Jules down just to make herself feel superior. The way they treated her was absolutely vile. As if that wasn't enough, Jules is also carrying relationship trauma that has left her deeply distrustful of men. Watching her slowly realize that Drew can be her safe place to land was incredibly heartwarming.
Drew is exactly the kind of grumpy hero I love. Beneath the stoic hockey captain exterior is someone fiercely dependable, quietly protective, and completely incapable of letting Jules face things alone—not because he doesn't think she can handle it, but because he doesn't believe she should have to. Watching him patiently earn her trust after a lifetime of men who let her down absolutely melted my heart. And don't even get me started on all the ways this man is attractive: he's a dog dad, ridiculously clean and organized (HUGE green flag), ultra-competent with home renovations, and a firm believer in enthusiastic consent every step of the way. Total husband material.
Together, they're a perfect match. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry simmers from the very beginning, and every forced-roommate moment only cranks the tension higher. They have so much to lose if things don't work out, but that only made it more rewarding to watch them take the leap. The juice was absolutely worth the squeeze.
Thank you to the author and Love Notes PR for providing an ARC.