Writing Mr. Wrong by Kelley Armstrong-review
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 24, 2025
Debut author Gemma Stanton knows romance readers love a bad boy—and she has the perfect prototype for her novel: Mason Moretti. High school hockey god-turned-pro player, Mason was Gemma’s first crush, but she couldn’t forget the sting of his very public rejection. So, she casts him as a hot-headed Highlander in her spicy new historical romance. She never expected readers would find out on live TV when a morning show host invites Mason for a surprise on-air reunion…
As an aging hockey player with a rep for being ruthless on the ice—and roguish off of it—Mason has an image problem. So, when his meet-cute with Gemma goes viral, Mason proposes they build on the momentum with a few fake dates to boost her book sales…and his sagging profile. But when the fictional flirting gets a little too real, Mason realizes Gemma actually makes him want to become a better man—someone worthy of her trust and her love.
Will Gemma give him a second chance? Mason knows it’s a long shot, but taking shots is sorta his thing, and besides, who loves a redemption arc more than a romance author?
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REVIEW: WRITING MR. WRONG is the second instalment in Kelley Armstrong’s contemporary, adult, romance series set in the author’s FINDING MR WRITE world. This is divorcee, debut author and college English teacher Gemma Stanton, and thirty-six year old professional hockey enforcer Mason Moretti’s story line. WRITING MR. WRONG can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Gemma is Daphne McFadden’s sister in law (Finding Mr. Write 1).
Told from dual omniscient third person perspective (Gemma and Mason) WRITING MR. WRONG follows in the wake of the publication of a romance novel wherein the leading male and cover model is a caricature of Gemma’s high school crush. Debut author Gemma Stanton had a high school crush on now professional hockey player Mason Moretti. The humiliation in the aftermath of a schoolyard kiss found Gemma spiralling in the wake of rejection, and twenty years later she is hoping to get her revenge but when a local morning talk show host, Gemma’s high school bully, reveals the reality of the situation, Gemma finds herself face to face with the man who broke her heart, the man with whom Gemma will fall in love. Mason Moretti had no idea what was about to transpire, and with the encouragement of his agent, is forced into a fake relationship with the woman he destroyed. Struggling with the possibility of another broken heart, Gemma battles between head and heart, knowing the fake relationship may be good for both of their careers.
The world building focuses on Gemma’s promise of a second book, and Mason’s life in the final years of his hockey career. The public are hoping for a story book romance but Gemma continues to focus on the past betrayal, and Mason struggles with the pain he inflicted on the woman he loved. With the hope of acceptance, time spent together reveals the actions from the past.
The relationship between Gemma and Mason begins acrimoniously, pushed together by a former high school mean girl in the aftermath of the recent publication of a Highland romance. Gemma’s need for revenge was more subliminal than outright but Mason’s need for forgiveness comes with demons from the past. There are no $ex scenes, everything is implied.
The secondary and supporting characters are limited but energetic. We are introduced to both Gemma and Mason’s agents, as well as the return of Gemma’s brother Chris Stanton and his now wife, author Daphne McFadden.
WRITING MR. WRONG is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and humiliation, family and friendships, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is thought provoking and inviting; the romance is subtle; the characters are animated and determined.
Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one FINDING MR. WRITE
Copy supplied for review
Reviewed by Sandy
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Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers’ dismay. All efforts to make her produce “normal” stories failed.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She’s the author of the NYT-bestselling “Women of the Otherworld” paranormal suspense series and “Darkest Powers” young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
