Good Girl Exception

Hellcats Hockey #2

by Maren Moore

Tropes:
- Student x Hockey Coach
- Age Gap
- Forbidden
- Virgin Heroine
- Workplace/ Close Proximity
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Bad boy x good girl

Full blurb to be revealed soon!

Genres: Sports Romance, Hockey, Sports, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Forbidden Romance, College

Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 26, 2026

Reviews

[naz]

I am maren moore #1 fan do I need to say more?

OK I GOTCHU:
age gap, assistant coach x college student, one night stand, strangers to lovers AYEEE

[joni ౨ৎ - hiatus]

a very quick read! rtc <3

𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read
i had fun with the previous book and ik this will prevent a slump!! over halfway through and it's very bingeable and easy to read!!


release date: march 26

✧˖°🏒 ⋆｡˚꩜ tropes & stuff to expect
⤷ ex nhl player turned college coach
⤷ age gap (13 years)
⤷ grumpy x sunshine
⤷ forbidden
⤷ workplace
⤷ bad boy x good girl


thank you maren moore for the e-arc!

↪ started march 20
↪ finished march 21

[Kelly Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an easy 5 ⭐️ read for me. I devoured it in two days. From the start, Maren hooks you with a jaw dropping opening: Maisie, a preacher’s daughter, sets out to lose her virginity to a stranger at a bar. What she doesn’t realize is that the stranger is Wilder (the new assistant hockey coach and ex NHL player) at her college. Of course, fate steps in, and they’re forced to cross paths again when she’s running a side project helping kids in need… and Wilder gets assigned to it.

The tension between these two had me foaming at the mouth. Maren does such a good job teasing just enough to keep you flipping pages nonstop. And when they finally hit that breaking point? It’s go time!!

Aside from the spice, there’s real depth here. Both characters are dealing with heavy, real-life struggles, and I loved slowly uncovering their trauma and watching how they navigate their age-gap, forbidden romance. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book!

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️


Quote:
“And now that I’ve seen the sun, I can never go back to living in the dark.”

Tropes:
🏒Hockey Coach x Student
💕Age Gap
🏒Virgin Heroine
💕Bad boy + Good girl
🏒Grumpy-Sunshine
💕Workplace / Forced Proximity
🏒Forbidden


I was lucky enough to get this ARC as part of Maren’s ARC team.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 rounded up and the only reason is that I wished the ending wasn’t so rushed! But this was FANTASTIC!
You are a distraction. Not for them, but for me.
~
“You pay attention to my dresses?” “I pay attention to you.”
~
Oh wow. Just wow. Maren hit the ground running with this book and never looked back. How do we bring Wilder Hawthorne to life? Because, yes please! A disgraced, ex-star hockey player forced to come back to the town he was desperate to escape and coach the team that started his journey? And a ray of sunshine junior in college who loves reading and her cat more than anything? What could possibly go wrong…or right? This book was so much. It was pure opposites attract and it was done so damn well that I was kicking my feet so much the whole time. Even though I knew it was coming, when Maisie and Wilder first…let’s say, reconnected, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see when it would explode. The lush and pull of trying to pretend nothing ever happened was the sweetest slow burn, and when things finally lit the powder keg? Deliciously written. I LOVED that we also got some pieces of Lennon and Saint! The emotional healing journeys that both Maisie and Wilder went on in this book was raw and stunning and happened so organically that l, just like them, didn’t even notice for awhile that they were finally coming into who they always were, but just didn’t realize until the other brought it out in them. If you’re looking for a perfectly done age-gap, coach, book lover, opposites attract and healing with a side of hockey, this is the book for you! I never want to leave OU and Maren has given us another masterpiece on the Hellcats campus!

[Emily Teague · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book so much 😭 a age gap forbidden romance is one of my favorite things to read so OBVIOUSLY the spice was 10/10, but the real raw emotions these characters went through is what really stood out to me. poor sweet wilder just needed to be loved and maisie knew exactly how to provide that for him, their relationship and growth together was so sweet to read and im so happy to see their happy ending!! i love when good characters get the ending they deserve 🩷 thank u to the author for this arc!!!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maisie is a preacher’s daughter, sick of conforming to everyone’s expectations of who she should be, so she decides to take matters into her own hands, go to a bar and hook up with a stranger in hopes of cashing in her V-Card. Despite how amazing the encounter was, she has no expectations of ever seeing the man again, until she starts a new semester of college and heads to the arena to meet up with the hockey coach with whom she’ll be working on a literacy program, only to be introduced to the new assistant coach, her mystery man.

Wilder was forced out of a successful NHL career because of his temper, and now he was forced to return to New Orleans, the last place he ever wanted to be, and work as an assistant coach for his alma mater’s hockey team. The only bright spot since returning was one incredible hot night with a beautiful blonde, who he assumes he’ll never see again, until she walks into his rink. He knows he needs to stay away, not only is she a student on campus, but over a decade younger, and a true ray of sunshine, which he knows he can only tarnish with his darkness. But the more they try to stay apart, the more they are pulled together, so they agree to keep things casual, to protect them both.

I received an early copy of this book from the author and absolutely loved it! Maisie could easily come off as a goodie two shoes, but she’s anything but. While she exudes positivity, she understands Wilder’s darkness and is able to support him without changing him. Wilder has fought his demons on his own for so long, that it takes him awhile to realize what good Maisie brings to his life, and soon he’s able to see through the dark clouds and find hope that he could actually have a future. While they started off in completely different places, they complement each other so well, providing unwavering support to the other without even using words. I loved watching Wilder not only be vulnerable with her, but realize that she is the brightness that he needed in his life, making him able to let her in.

[Briana Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review ✨
First I would like to say a big thank you to Maren for letting me be a part of this ARC Team!
Rate: 5/5⭐️
Spice: 3.5/5🌶️

What to expect when reading ;
-Age Gap
-Student x Hockey Coach
-Workplace
-Forced Proximity
-Grumpy x Sunshine

This is book two of the Hellcats Hockey series! You get to follow Wilder and Maisie! Wilder has one goal and one goal only and that is get his butt back in the NHL and ditch the coaching gig. Maisie is tired of fitting into the “perfet” box, so she is going to do things spontaneous her way from now own. Let’s just say Maren fully served with this book! The self growth journey our main characters went through had you rooting for them. While some of the moments they had to through crushed my heart, the outcome was with it, for Wilder especially. Sometimes you have to be shown you don’t have to fight your demons on your own and Maisie definitely showed up for Wilder to fight his. While they had things to work through, they sure did keep things spicy as well. The sparks were flying in the prologue alone and they just kept getting hotter throughout the book. I’m a sucker for a man that hates everything and everyone but is a softie for his girl. This might be Maren’s spiciest book ever!! (& I’ve read them all lol)

Honestly I need a lot more of these two ASAP!

Side notes:
-LOVE Lennon
-Kori!
-Carl lmao
-Wilder vs Seb lol


Fav Quote:
•”Stop looking at me like that, Maisie”
•“My sunshine girl, so bright and so fucking good, has a little bit of dark in her too.”

Make sure you get your copy of the book when it releases 🤍
#bookstagram #romance #review

[Nicole Slater · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review

Tropes
🩷Coach/Student
🩷Grumpy/Sunshine
🩷Virgin fmc
🩷Forbidden love
🩷Troubled mmc

I was really excited for these tropes and the storyline and although I did enjoy aspects of this book it did unfortunately fall a little flat for me

I really loved Wilder and his past and how it showcased his trauma and him healing from that, I really enjoyed how Maisie looked after him and calmed him down when it got to overwhelming, I did like that there was no miscommunication throughout and they were open and honest with each other

I did however find Maisie to be quite immature and I know there is an age gap and she is only 21 so I do totally understand that. I just didn’t like how he blatantly told her he didn’t want to lose his career but she went ahead and didn’t listen to him and tried to keep seducing him anyway.

I enjoyed the friendship of her and Lennon and getting cameos from the other characters! I am looking forward to the rest of the series. We need Bennet to get his girl!

Overall I enjoyed the storyline, thank you Maren for the chance to read this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Maren Moore and her team for the advanced copy!

If you follow me, you know it is no surprise I love this book. The Bad Boy Rule, the first book in this series, was one of my top reads last year. So of course I was bound to love The Good Girl Exception.

Maisie was a character I could really see people relate to. She’s been put into a box, labeled as a good girl. She goes to church, she’s inexperienced, she’s the pastors daughter. And then she gets sick of it and changes that. I loved getting to see her character evolution and growth throughout that journey.

I also really loved the relationship between Maisie and Wilder. Theres little things he does where you can tell he cares about her, even when he is telling himself he doesn’t.

I love it when it’s supposed to just be an anonymous hookup and then the characters end up having to work together, which is what happened here. It is one of my favorite tropes, I eat it up every time.

[Romance_book_obsessed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much team Maren for this ARC 🫶🏻

Maisie, the preacher’s daughter and aspiring librarian, loses her v card at a bar with a hot stranger. Soon, she finds out he’s the new assistant hockey coach at her college, OU. They’re working on a project together and it’s completely forbidden.

Wilder is a former NHL star in some hot water for violence off the ice. As a former foster kid, he’s got a lot of childhood trauma. When he sees Maisie again, he can’t help but see her sunshine.

When these two start a secret tryst, Maisie is determined to show Wilder that he’s worthy of love. I was so proud of Wilder for overcoming his past to make a new future. When the going got tough, these two stuck together.

If anything, I wanted to read more of them! It was sweet, spicy, and addressed childhood abuse. Great read!
🥅📚

[Briana Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars! I could not put this book down and finished reading it in one day. I was hooked from the prologue. I love a hockey romance, especially when it’s a grumpy x sunshine trope. I have read every Maren Moore book and The Good Girl Exception did not disappoint. The Good Girl Exception is book two in the Hellcats Hockey series and I can’t wait for the next book in the series to be released. Hopefully the next book in the series is Bennetts 🤞🏻but I will read anything that Maren writes. The Good Girl Exception is releasing March 26, 2026. Thank you so much to Maren Moore for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

[Lyla Nadeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way this book had me kicking and screaming and giggling but also pulled at the heartstrings because I found them both relatable in their own way. I loved them both individually, she’s the good girl- preachers daughter and he’s the grumpy broken older man it’s my FAVORITE! The tension, the filthy, dirty things and his mouth! I’m telling you I was dying! It was so so so good!!! I love all her books and the writing style but this one blew the others out of the water for me! The depth and growth of these characters while also having that lighthearted feel was done soo well! Highly recommend, one of my favorites for sure!!!

[kei]

Listen if Maren writes it, i’m reading it. Maisie and Wilder were everything to me. The tension, the realness, the LOVE. we love a fuck it moment also. From start to finish i did not put this down. this is a story that sucks you in from the first line and does not release its hold. i think we all need and deserve a love like this.

[Madison Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I want to say thank you to Maren Moore for giving me the ARC. I have read many of her books and really enjoyed them . This book is no exception I liked this book a lot . The only thing that lowered my rating was the ending felt a bit rushed . I definitely recommend Maren’s books !!!

[bookqueen1225 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy to receive this ARC. I loved everything about this story and fell in love with Wilder. The love story of him and Maisie was truly inspirational and I highly recommend this book along with the first one of the series, The Bad Boy Rule.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5. This book was so emotional !!!! I was crying at the end. My poor wilder … I just wanted to give him a hug. Also the spice was so good and I loved the cat. I loved that it was set in Nola. I Lived there in 2019-2023 and i miss it dearly

[Fatma · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐

ARC Review

Tropes:
Forbidden Romance
Coach x Student
Virgin FMC
Casual hooks to Lovers
Troubled Hero
Grumpy x Sunshine

Check TWs!!!

While I was very excited for this story, unfortunately, I was disappointed.

Maisie is on a mission to break free from her family and society's "good girl" image and live life for herself outside of being the preacher’s daughter. She meets Wilder (not knowing who he is) and loses her virginity to him in a bar bathroom. Only to find out that the man from the bar is none other than the new assistant coach for OU’s hockey team.

I’m obsessed with a good forbidden romance, but these two come across as reckless. Wilder explains that he could lose his career, but Maisie completely ignores that warning and risks both their futures—mainly Wilder’s—to indulge in a casual friends-with-benefits arrangement. That was not appealing or mature to me. Yes, everything works out in the end, but Wilder did lose his career. I didn’t see or feel enough of a connection between them to justify the consequences, in the beginning.

I did enjoy the parts where Wilder and Maisie spent time together after giving in to their desires. It was clear from the beginning that they were developing feelings quickly and naturally, which didn’t feel forced.

I was more interested in Wilder’s backstory and how he overcomes his past trauma. His childhood truly broke my heart💔 I loved that Maisie gave him the strength to face his past and hope for a brighter future. However, I wish this was explored more thoroughly, as it felt rushed towards the end.

I enjoy a strong FMC who is on a mission to find herself, but Maisie seemed too childish for me. Her idea of liberation wasn’t something I could relate to, which is perfectly fine—everyone has different lives and ways they choose to live. However, I found the book’s language towards more modest lifestyles to be belittling and borderline offensive.

Overall, it was a cute storyline, and I’m excited to read more of the series, especially Bennett’s story!

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooooooooly hell! This is an arc review, I was given the ebook by Maren Moore and her team in exhange of my honest opinion and I loved this book!

Maren was one of the first authors I read when it came to hockey romance years ago and I loved her books so having a full circle moment now loving this newest book too. It had been teased that one of the main tropes would be broken boy x sunshine and it did not disappoint. Wilder is truly a layered character who has suffered massive trauma that affects his life up to present day which paves the way for a massive healing journey that is a great read to tag along to.

You’d think that maybe Maisie wouldn’t be as deep as Wilder because she is a sunshine character but shadows always follow the light. She’s lived her life according to a set of beliefs stemmed down from her dad being a preacher and her overall being a good person but in doing so, she’s put herself into a mold that is no longer letting her grow. Her growth journey and self discovery is sweet but eventful, it doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable in the growing pains.

There is a 13 year age gap so if you don’t like age gap, this might not be for you. I don’t like when main female characters are described as mature for their age, especially being considerably younger than the main male character but the author handled it well. Maisie isn’t just breaking the stereotype on what a young, beautiful woman in college should be doing but she’s also centered in a way that most older adults would envy. She knows what she stands for, what she wants and how to achieve it on her own terms.

I really like their story, their chemistry and the overall plot. It also adds the charm of New Orleans in the scenery and descriptions of local hangouts. The 5 star rating feels very fair considering I was giggling, crying and overall wanting to hug Wilder throughout my reading!

Thank you Maren for the book, I’m so thankful for the arc! ✨💖

[Trish (tiedupinbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need everyone to sit down because I am OBSESSED with this book. These characters. This man’s MOUTH. Maisies friendship with Lennon. Literally all of it.

We’ve got:
✨ preacher’s daughter who is DONE being everyone’s perfect little good girl. (Let’s be honest though. She’s Wilders little good girl ifyouknowhatimsaying)
✨ emotionally constipated ex NHL man who got kicked out for throwing hands
✨ coach vs. college student tension that had me STRESSED (but yes, she’s grown, we’re safe here 😌)

Maisie said “I’m tired of being sweet and predictable” and then proceeded to absolutely ruin this man’s life in the best way possible.

Because this man???
This man was like:
“I don’t do love.”
“I don’t do feelings.”
“I barely do basic human connection.”

…and then Maisie walks in and suddenly he’s:
🧍‍♂️ hovering
🧍‍♂️ taking care of her
🧍‍♂️ TOUCHING HER LIKE SHE’S FRAGILE
🧍‍♂️ CONFUSED WHY HE WANTS TO CUDDLE???
🧍‍♂️ Most of all? The man is JEALOUS.

SIR???? PICK A STRUGGLE.

The emotional whiplash???
The tension???
The “we shouldn’t do this but we absolutely will” energy??? Inject it directly into my veins.

And let’s be VERY clear about one thing…

This man may be emotionally unavailable, but his MOUTH???
FILTHY.
DISRESPECTFUL.
TOP TIER.

The duality of:
“I can’t love you”
but also
proceeds to worship her and lose his mind when she’s not around

??? I ate that UP.

Maisie being the emotionally mature one while he’s spiraling over feelings he’s never had before? Elite. Watching her step out of that “good girl” box while simultaneously bringing this man to his KNEES? Even better.

If you love:
🔥 opposites attract
🔥 grumpy man who falls HARD and doesn’t know how to cope
🔥 “I shouldn’t want her” but he absolutely does
🔥 soft moments mixed with filthy talk

…this book will have you giggling, screaming, and questioning your life choices at 2am.

Respectfully, I will never be the same.

[whatmarissareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎀"You should stop staring at me like that..."
🏒"Like what?"
🎀"Like you're going to break your own rules, Coach."

4.5⭐ 3.5🌶️

I swear Maren Moore puts drugs in her books 🤣🤣
I fear I'm an addict and need another hit IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!

Maisie is the pastor's daughter who has been severely sheltered her whole life and quite frankly? she's sick of it. She's sick of living the life everyone else has set for her and wants to live for herself. so she decides to have her own "fuck it" moment and goes to the bars to hook up with a stranger

this stranger and her instantly hit if off. it feels so meant to be. they have the best one night stand and she is content with never seeing him again
that is until she sees him at her college.... as the new assistant hockey coach..... WHAAAAAA 👀

it's SPICY
it's sweet
it's forbidden
it's heartfelt and romantic and ALL THE FEELS
I just want to hug these two characters

Maren is sooooooo good at writing tension and the burn is BURNING between these two
they fight their own morals so hard and swear they will not cross this boundary of hooking up again but you know how forced proximity works.... IT DOESN"T hehehehee

I loved it. I LOVED IT. it's the perfect amount of sweet and spice and moments that have you swooning so hard... for example Wilder says this to one of the foster kids he is helping:
"One day, when you're old like me, happy places won't just be in books. They'll be real. And you won't have to pretend anymore."

like excuse me?!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭
they both deserve the best happily of ever afters and Maren delivers
OBSESSED THANK YOU

You will enjoy this if you are into:
🏒Hockey Coach x Student
💕Age Gap
🏒Virgin Heroine
💕Bad boy + Good girl
🏒Grumpy-Sunshine
💕Workplace / Forced Proximity
🏒Forbidden

also go read book 1 (the bad boy rule) if you haven't already!!!!!!!
it makes this book hit even harder than it would as a standalone!

[Maggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM OBESSED!
This book genuinely is the perfect combination of heartbreak, swoonworthy & kicking your feet giggling adorable moments, amazing tension that you can just cut with a knife, and delicious spice!! From the first page, I was absolutely hooked and gobbling it up. I would have finished it in one sitting had it not been for the fact that I was crazy busy and had to go to bed at a decent time (annoying, really).
I love these characters so so much. Like yes they have incredibly hot chemistry, but they are so layered and round. Maisie is finally finding herself after having felt suffocated put in a box her entire life and I'm here for the self-discovery journey!! Not only was discovering what she liked on the spicy side of life (go her!! embrace what you want without any shame girl), she learned to grow into the person she chose to be (and can we just take a moment to reflect on how she genuinely just is such a good person). And Wilder... oh my god, my heart breaks for him. I just wanted to reach through my screen and hug him (and shake him a little) multiple times. I loved how grumpy he was and I loved even more how he slowly lit up while being around Maisie. They needed each other in different ways and found themselves, which is just so damn beautiful.
So if you're looking for a book that has all the spice, a forbidden age-gap romance, grumpy x sunshine vibes, hockey, a virgin heroine (though not for long hehehe) and just a book that will have you absolutely hooked and gobbling it up from the get go, you need to get your hands on this ASAP!!!!

Thank you so much Maren Moore for the ARC!!

[My_book_obsession25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you for the ARC of The Good Girl Exception Maren Moore,I was completely hooked from the very beginning!!!

I love Maisie and Wilder more than I expected to. Maisie has that “good girl” energy, but there’s also this quiet curiosity in her, like she’s ready to step outside the lines she’s always followed. Watching her slowly come into her own and start wanting more for herself was honestly one of my favorite parts.
And Wilder…🫠he is that kind of character that’s easy to get attached to. Closed off, a little rough around the edges, trying to fix his life while also keeping his distance. But underneath all that, there’s so much conflict and vulnerability. He knows Maisie is off-limits, and you can feel that tension in every scene.

Their dynamic is what really made this book stand out
for me. The chemistry is there right away, but it’s the slow build, the stolen moments, and the things left unsaid that make it so engaging. The forbidden aspect adds just enough angst without taking over the story.
I also really liked that their relationship had emotional weight. It wasn’t just about attraction it felt like they genuinely saw each other in a deeper way, especially when it came to their pasts and insecurities.

Maren Moore once again pulled me in with her writing. It’s easy to read but still emotional, and she knows exactly how to build tension without overdoing it.
Overall, this one completely captivated me. Maisie and Wilder are definitely a couple that will stick with me forever!!💓💓

If you like Age Gap (10+ years)•College Hockey Romance•Coach x Student•Grumpy x Sunshine•Forced Proximity•Forbidden Romance• This is the book for you!!

[Sabrina | thebookishspot · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨️ARC Review✨️

5⭐️ for The Good Girl Effect by Maren Moore

You know that feeling when you start a new book and you just *know* it's going to be a fantastic read? That's the feeling I got from the very beginning with Maisie and Wilder; they gripped me and didn't let go until the very end. I ate this up, squealing and giggling my way through when I wasn't screaming and crying.

I fell so hard for Wilder, this sweetheart of a man who thinks he's broken because of his trauma but is actually so sweet and cares so deeply for Maisie, even when he's trying to convince himself that he can't; the way he shows up for her when it matters most and takes care of her had me swooning all over the place.

Maisie is the typical "good girl", preacher's daughter but she's learning to be her own person and to go after what she wants, and I loved her journey to becoming her own woman. A girl after my own heart too, who tabs her spicy romance novels!

Maren does spice like nobody's business, these two were off-the-charts hot, and add to that the forbidden nature of their relationship plus an age gap? I actually ~melted~ from the scorching temperature of their hookups.

I flew through this one, I couldn't get enough of the jealous and possessive vibes from Wilder, and the way Maisie loved to tease him and bring out that side of him. When we find out about his trauma though? My poor heart, I just wanted to hug Wilder so bad! Not that he'd let me, because he hates everyone but her, and I screamed reading about it because *swoons*.

Another banger from Maren Moore to add to your tbr!

Thank you to Maren for the copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

[Kateryna Saltanovska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy received from Author

This book was perfect. I was HOOKED from the first pages and devoured it in a day! That PROLOGUE?! 🔥 Wow Maren outdid herself. While this book is definitely hot and spicy, it has real depths. I loved watching both characters grow. I especially liked Maisie’s self-discovery journey, her sexploration and curiosity to be someone else beside her family perfect box and expectation. It just so freeing and empowering to see a young woman embrace what she wants without shame or judgment. And Wilder here was the perfect match for our sunshine girl. And she is the perfect sunshine to his grumpy. She brings light into his life, when he most needed that.

What to except:
- Coach x Student
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Forbidden
- Age gap
- Virgin Heroine

Spice: 3.5 🌶️🌶️🌶️

This story is the perfect mix of forbidden tension, emotional vulnerability, and undeniable chemistry. With a grumpy, broken hero and a sunshine heroine who challenges everything he believes about himself.

I loved seeing Maisie stay strong for him - showing him, again and again, that he is worthy of love. And honestly, the best part? No miscommunication. 🙌 It was so refreshing. She may be young, but she’s incredibly mature and knows exactly what she wants. And when Wilder finally opens up to her about his traumatic childhood, it was beautiful.

If you love age gap, hockey romance, and “we shouldn’t want each other but we do” vibes - this one will have you hooked from the very first page.

[Giulia · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Those days won’t feel so dark with you. You’re sunshine, Maisie. My sunshine girl."

First, let me just say, Saint and Lennon from The Bad Boy Rule set the bar very high for me. But Wilder and Maisie are incredibly sweet together, and this book has so much heart.

Wilder completely stole the show. Sexy, broody, reserved, and deeply resilient. He’s the kind of character that lingers with you. His story made me want to reach through the pages and just hug him. Watching his growth was one of my favorite parts of the book. Once he allowed himself to both give and receive love, he really blossomed into this protective yet genuinely caring man, with dreams that go beyond hockey. I especially appreciated how he learned to be vulnerable with Maisie, to trust her and see her as his equal despite the age gap and complicated family dynamics.

Maisie, on the other hand, hides behind a polished, almost pristine exterior. She did grow on me as the story went on, and I really appreciated how consistently she showed up for Wilder and supported him. That said, I found myself wishing for a bit more depth from her. Her arc leans into self-discovery, which I liked, but I would have loved to see a stronger emotional transformation.

Their relationship is packed with tension, undeniable chemistry, and that magnetic pull that keeps you hooked, and yes, the spice definitely delivers 🥵

I did love the ending, though it felt slightly rushed.

Overall, this is a heartfelt romance with a standout male lead who absolutely carries the story.

[Vee G · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK WRECKED ME IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY.

It had me hooked from the very first line and OH. MY. GOD! It was beautiful. I loved it. So well written. It had everything. THE TENSION! THE RESISTANCE! THE SPARK! THE PUSH! THE PULL! THE “F*CK IT” MOMENT! THE VULNERABILITY! ALL THE EMOTIONS! Oh, so many emotions.

I loved the characters. Maisie... ready to go WILD and live her life on her own terms. And OH, she did! I enjoyed her warm and sweet side and her bossy and crazy side. I loved her goofiness and confidence whenever it came to Wilder… because GOD knows he needed exactly that! And to top that — SHE READ BOOKs. So obviously, she was smart AF! It was everything. I loved the way she teased him. The way she pushed him to the edge. The way she drove him absolutely crazy. A “good” girl in her rebellious era ALWAYS feels empowering. I LOVE THAT SHIT!

And WILDER… where do I even start? GRUMP. But soft for his girl. THE RESTRAINT. THE WAY HE WENT FERAL OVER MAISIE TEASING HIM. THE WAY HE SOFTENED FOR HER. Him being JEALOUS!! The way he slowly let Maisie in… and oh God—his tortured and broken side absolutely crushed me. The way Maisie and Wilder took care of each other. Of course, my favorite moments were the most vulnerable ones (which did make me cry). So obviously… I love it!

I also loved Maisie and Lennon’s friendship. Lennon being protective of Maisie was AWESOME.

AAAH! I gotta read the first book ASAP.

[Alix Bliffen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many things about this book that make it amazing.

One thing that stuck out to me is a thought I couldn't shake.
He needs her - she eases his darkness.
She needs him - he makes her feel seen and accepted for stepping out of her box of expectations.


Wilder is your broken man that you can't help but fall for.

Maisie is sunshine and light and is his guardian angel.

It is so hard to write a review of this book without giving any spoilers.

My heart literally broke for Wilder and cheered for Maisie in her steadfast anchor for him.

Theirs is a love that you wish was real and could witness and feel for yourself.

Maisie never faltered and Wilder started to believe in her and in that began to heal.

I loved how the dynamic was switched in this story. How Wilder was the one that needed that hand to hold and someone to be in his corner and how Maisie was so sure in herself and her love of him that she was able to be the pillar he needed and to be the one he turned to in his darkness.

They each stepped up for one another and took turns in the caretaking aspect of their relationship without being asked and with no expectations.

I could not put this book down. I have been looking forward to this book for weeks and it delivered beyond my expectations and I hope we see more of Maisie and Wilder - a few years down the road (in story time)

Thank you so much Maren Moore for letting me read an early copy of this story.

[Gabby (bookishandballgowns) · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a preacher’s daughter, so much of Maisie’s life has been decided for her. She’s tired of living inside the perfect box her parents have chosen for her, and decides to take control her senior year of college by losing her virginity to a stranger. What she isn’t expecting is for the stranger to show up again at the university she attends… where he’s an assistant coach for the hockey team! Uh oh!

I loved the way they were thrust into a project together. Wilder is (hilariously) horrified by how much older he is and wants nothing more than to avoid Maisie. That, however, would be way too easy. Maisie is around every corner and pushing all his buttons. The tension between them was so much fun! I really enjoyed how much seemingly innocent Maisie ended up being quite the little vixen. She had Coach sweaaaating!

This book was a good mix of funny and serious. Wilder had a lot going on under the surface that he needed to work through. I thought the book had a great message, and showed that you can overcome so much. I enjoyed the way they supported each other when they needed it the most and found myself smiling at how cute they were together.

I’m very curious to see what’s next. I’m hoping there’s more. I love the Hellcat’s Hockey gang and am praying this wasn’t the last we’ll be seeing of them.

[Madison Breaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilder and Maisie…my angels!!

The Good Girl Exception has everything you want and so much more. A forbidden relationship between student + coach. Two people from opposite worlds who can’t stay away from each other (or keep their hands off of each other 🥵). Angst!!! Tension!!! Off the charts chemistry!! I couldn’t get enough of Maisie and Wilder.

I loved that beyond the romance, this story had so much depth. Maisie is on a journey of self-discovery and learning to make her own choices. As a pastors daughter, her life has been full of routine and following the rules. Now that she is in college, she wants to pave her own way without any outside influence. Wilder is as closed off as one can get. Growing up with a drug addict mother and in and out of foster homes has hardened him. He doesn’t trust many and has a permanent chip on his shoulder. I absolutely loved the way they were exactly what each other needed. I felt every emotion as Maisie fought to tear down Wilders walls, and with every chapter I felt my chest getting a little lighter as I could see Wilder letting her in more and more. Their relationship was so hard fought and they deserved every bit of their happy ending.

If I could wrap up my favorite kind of book with a pretty (pink, for Maren hehe) bow, it would be The Good Girl Exception. Give me alllllll the spice and chemistry. The feel good moments. The banter. Make me cry. Put me back together again. That’s exactly what this book was. I never wanted it to end!! She could honestly write 30 more chapters of Maisie and Wilder just living life and I would eat it up. I love them so much.💜💗🥹

[Reading In the Red Room · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet…emotional and beyond perfect. This is book two in the Hellcats Hockey series…and it did not disappoint! This page turner sucked me in at page one and didn’t let me go until the final sentence. Maisie Is a preachers daughter who is ready to make her own path. First thing on that list is to loose her V card. A night at a bar with a stranger should do the trick. But what happens when that stranger pops up into your life a few weeks later. Wilder Is a new college hockey coach, taking a mandatory break from the NHL…he has a few issues to work out. This is a beautifully written story about past traumas, slowly healing and falling in love when you least expect it. Wilder is a broken man who falls for the girl that desperately wants to help him heal. Maisie is sweet, sassy and definitely learned a few things from Wilder…if you know what I mean. Because these two have killer chemistry…like melt my kindle chemistry…it was hot. These characters had incredible depth and told one heck of a story. A story that was well layered and had all the feels. I laughed out loud at the sassy banter and teared up when I least expected it. Im really enjoying this page turning series and I can’t wait to see what this author brings us next.