If You Claim Me by Helena Hunting
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Hockey’s most hated player just asked me to marry him.
Connor Grace is the league’s bad boy-and my best friend’s worst enemy.
He’s the fallen prince of a famous hotel chain dynasty.
Me? I’m the foster kid who grew up to be a librarian.
I never thought I’d end up in a marriage of convenience to make someone’s grandma happy, but here we are.
I have no plans to kiss my husband for any reason other than show.
I have no plans to fall in love with the arrogant man dressed in a custom suit hiding intricate tattoos.
But when we’re alone, he drops the mask he wears for the rest of the world.
He holds me like he means it when he says I’m his. And I want to believe him.
Too bad I learned early on that fairytales aren’t real, and nothing good lasts forever.
The Soft Side of Hockey’s Biggest Villain
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 🩷💚❤️💙
Spice/Steam: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋🙂😁😛
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Duet Narration
Characters, Backgrounds, and Plot Summary
If You Claim Me by Helena Hunting delivers a romance that perfectly balances heart, humor, tenderness, and the rough-and-tumble world of professional hockey. At the center of the story is Connor Grace, the Toronto Terror’s infamous enforcer whose reputation on the ice has earned him the title of hockey’s favorite villain. Off the ice, however, Connor is surprisingly thoughtful, devoted to his family, and deeply involved in the lives of the children around him—especially Callie, the daughter of his coach, whose hockey games he faithfully attends. Sitting beside him at those games is Mildred “Dred” Reformer, a warmhearted librarian who runs the children’s programming at the local library and has quietly observed Connor’s softer side for years.
Dred initially sees Connor as an intimidating contradiction: a billionaire hockey star known for violence on the ice, yet also the gentle giant who patiently helps kids and cares deeply for his grandmother Lucy. Their first real connection begins when Connor comes into the library searching for books for Lucy, one of Dred’s regular patrons. What starts as a simple favor slowly develops into a charming friendship filled with witty banter, growing trust, and undeniable chemistry. Helena Hunting excels at peeling back Connor’s layers, revealing a man who longs for genuine connection beneath his gruff exterior, while Dred’s kindness and intelligence make her an instantly lovable heroine.
Highlights and Limitations
One of the strongest aspects of the audiobook is how naturally the romance unfolds. Connor and Dred’s relationship develops through small moments—shared conversations, quiet acts of care, and mutual respect—which makes the emotional payoff incredibly satisfying. Connor’s devotion to the people he loves is especially appealing, and Dred’s grounded personality keeps the story emotionally authentic. The side characters also add warmth and humor, helping the world feel lived-in and connected.
The book’s biggest strength is the contrast between Connor’s intimidating public persona and the sweet, attentive man he truly is. Hockey romance fans will appreciate the sports backdrop, but the story never relies solely on hockey drama to carry the plot. Instead, it focuses heavily on emotional intimacy and character development. At times, the pacing in the middle slows slightly as the relationship builds, but the chemistry between the leads remains engaging enough to keep the story moving.
Narration
The audiobook narration elevates the story even further. Kat Auden and Jason Clarke perform the audiobook in duet narration mode, which makes the listening experience especially immersive. Jason Clarke is outstanding as Connor, capturing both his gruff hockey-player exterior and his deeply caring nature with ease. Kat Auden gives Dred warmth, humor, and emotional sincerity, making her instantly relatable. Together, they create fantastic chemistry that makes every interaction feel natural and emotionally charged. The duet style adds intimacy and realism to the dialogue, making the romance feel even more personal and engaging.
Final Opinion
Overall, If You Claim Me is a heartfelt and charming hockey romance filled with lovable characters, emotional depth, and terrific narration performances. Helena Hunting delivers a story that proves first impressions can be deceiving, and that sometimes the toughest players have the softest hearts. Fans of protective hockey heroes, slow-burn chemistry, and emotionally rich romances will find this audiobook incredibly satisfying.
Quotes
“I will cover the legal costs and the rent owed on the apartment, and for every month we’re together, starting thirty days from our engagement forward, I’ll pay you a quarter of a million dollars. When Meems passes”—he makes the sign of the cross—“we’ll annul the marriage, and you’ll be free to live your life.”
“You’ll be married to me for an undetermined number of months. It could be a handful, or it could be more than a year if something miraculous happens. You’ll also have to meet my family, who loathe me almost as much as my teammates. That’s the catch, and it’s a pretty big one.”
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