Review - - Writing Mr. Wrong

Writing Mr. Wrong

by Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: June 24, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

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?

PJ's Thoughts:

If you're a regular around here you know how much I enjoyed Kelley Armstrong's first romcom, Finding Mr. Write (click to read my review), one of my favorite books last year. I've been itching to get my hands on book two, Writing Mr. Wrong ever since. I'm happy to say it did not disappoint.

Writing Mr. Wrong hit all of my happy, romance reading notes. I love a second-chance romance, especially if it involves lots of delicious tension. Armstrong not only nails several layers of tension in this book, she also bathes this couple's journey with humor, chemistry, and emotional depth. Gemma is frustrated with the direction her writing career is taking. Mason is on the home stretch of his hockey career and not dealing with it well. There's also emotional baggage from their past to be dealt with as well as career challenges (for both) in the present. I appreciate how Armstrong balances the humor with the emotional depth. Rest assured, there is plenty of both. 

I love how the initial perceptions Gemma and Mason have when they reconnect are turned on their heads. Gemma based her alpha-hole book hero on her experiences with high school Mason. Mason thinks he's the inspiration for a truly heroic character (he hasn't read the book yet). When he does read it, he realizes just how awful he was to her back in high school (though he didn't mean to be) and how shallow he's become as an adult (exhibition A: their cringe, first fake date). 

His realizations are a self-awakening plays out in public fake-dating (social media loves them) and private lessons (from Gemma) in how not to be a jerk. Okay, Mason is kind of a jerk but mostly because he's doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. But feelings are something he's going to have to face if he wants more with Gemma. I love how Gemma calls him out on his BS but also how he wants to be better and how she helps him get there. 

With alternating points of view, we're privy to the inner thoughts of both Gemma and Mason. Knowing Mason's inner thoughts gives us a clearer view of his vulnerabilities and sweetness, especially when it comes to Gemma, and made me like him even more. I love the slow-burn attraction between them but especially how they gradually open up and communicate, how they talk through the issues of their past (finally), and work together toward the future. They're kind of each other's "the one who got away" and watching them find their way back to one another as adults is a delight.