The Girlfriend Zone

Love and Hockey, Book 4

De: Lauren Blakely

Narrado por: Samantha Brentmoor, Jason Clarke

Performed in duet by Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke!

In my defense, I had no idea the tattooed, glasses-wearing, soulful hottie I spent one perfect day—and one unforgettable night—with was a hockey star on my father’s team.

And Miles didn’t know I was the coach’s daughter.

That’s the point of a “no-work-talk” date.

But now? He's as forbidden to me as I am to him.

When I land a new gig as the team photographer, we vow to keep it professional. We mostly succeed…except for that time after a game when he couldn’t keep his talented hands off me. But I swear, it won’t happen again.

Too much is at stake—I can’t risk my heart or my father’s team.

But when I end up living at Miles’s place to care for his pack of rescue pups, the lines blur fast.

Late nights turn into stolen moments and I discover there’s more to him than I ever imagined—a man who’s genuine, thoughtful, and irresistibly real.

He looks at me like he can’t believe his luck. Touches me like he never wants to let go. And listens to my hopes and fears.

My heart’s getting dangerously attached. But if I follow it… am I putting everyone’s dreams on the line?

©2024 Lauren Blakely Books (P)2024 Lauren Blakely Books

Exceptional Narration!!

The narration was expertly delivered by Jason Clarke and Samantha Brentmoor, who consistently impress. Both are exceptional narrators, skillfully bringing the story and its characters to life.

Lauren Blakley is swiftly becoming one of my favorite authors. She consistently delivers exceptional content. *The Girlfriend Zone* is the fourth installment in the Love and Hockey series. While these books can be enjoyed individually, they are all interconnected. From the very first few pages, she infused plenty of spice, which initially made me wonder if there would be a substantial story. However, I should have known better; she crafted a fantastic narrative. I always appreciate a compelling story that features some sort of health representation. This story includes an age gap, the coach's daughter, a hockey star, and a forbidden romance as they work together... Yes, please!

Beautifully written and heartfelt!

This is the fourth book in the Love and Hockey Series, and I absolutely loved it! Miles and Leighton's forbidden romance is beautifully written, heartfelt, and so engaging from start to finish. I adored how the story blended fun, lighthearted moments with deeper emotional layers. Miles is not only handsome but also incredibly supportive, while Leighton is kind, strong, determined, and easy to root for. Their chemistry felt effortless and so real. Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke were outstanding — their narration truly brought the characters and emotions to life. I enjoyed this story and continue to recommend this series to anyone who enjoys smart, feel-good romance with plenty of heart and just the right amount of spice!

10 Bippity, Boppity, Boo and Cindy Stars

I’ve been reading Ms. Blakely since she became Lauren Blakely and I like to consider myself a connoisseur of her books and characters. I’ve read all her books multiple times and I’ve listened to most of them several times. Through the years, I’ve created a list in my head of my top couples, heroines and heroes. This list has changed over the years, but there’s always a few that are always on the list. With this newest book, both Miles and Leighton have jumped all the way to the top of my list and I have a feeling they’re going to be there for eternity. These two captured my heart and I’m just not the same after listening to this amazing book that was extraordinarily narrated in duet by Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke.

Leighton is a woman that is trying to be as independent as possible and she’s achieving this goal with her photography business. She dabbles in several different types of pictures and her life literally changes the day she runs into Miles Falcon. Little did either of them know that Miles’ grandmother Birdie may have had a hand in their meeting IYKYK!! What starts as a somewhat innocent photoshoot ends in a passionate encounter that neither of them were expecting but both wanted to have again… that is until they realize who Leighton’s father is… Miles’ coach for the hockey team he plays on. Talk about a glass of cold water being thrown in your face!

Fast forward one year, and Miles and Leighton meet again. While things have changed, the sizzling chemistry between them has not. They begin a secret relationship that if found out could have serious consequences. Along the way, we’re invited to conversations with two of the oddest roommates you’ll ever meet, Indigo and Ezra. I wish you could’ve seen the way my eyes rolled and/or the shudders I experienced with their literal conversations. Four of the cutest rescue chihuahuas that love Miles, but REALLY love Leighton, the relationship Leighton and her sister Riley have with their father is filled with love, encouragement and support. There’s also Miles, his brother Tyler, also a hockey player and single father, his sister, Charlie and their Mom who’s the parent of the their “little siblings” and of course Birdie who adds all the Je Ne Sais Quoi!

The moments that I was either snort laughing out loud or fanning myself because of the sizzling heat between Miles and Leighton was only surpassed by how completely swoony Miles is. This man is thoughtful, caring, dedicated and loves hard. Those that are in his circle of love are the luckiest people. I was sighing and melting all over the place with how he loves Leighton.

This is a not to be missed book by Ms. Blakely. She’s written a book that will consume you from beginning to end. You’ll turn the last page and wonder what to do with yourself next because, if you’re like me, you’ll want so much more of these two. Thankfully, I’m pretty sure we’ll be seeing them again since Ms. Blakely loves to not only gives us easter eggs in her books, she’s also created worlds that her characters crossover into her other books which always brings a huge smile to my face!

All about timing

He is so respectful to her and respects his boundaries unlike others before him. They are the cutest together and the love that they have for one another is perfection!

OMG! 😍😍😍

Lauren knocked this one into the goal! I just swooned over Miles the entire time! What a dream! The story, the passion, the slow burn. I could not turn this off.

Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke are fabulous!

When Miles sees Leighton in his grandmother’s diner, he’s instantly smitten. He asks her out on a date, and it was a fun adventure while getting to know each other. The only rule is not to talk about their jobs. Leighton doesn’t know that Miles is a professional hockey player, and Miles doesn’t know that his coach is Leighton’s father.

When Leighton gets a job as the hockey team’s photographer, she and Miles agree to steer clear from each other and be professional colleagues. Miles’ career is very important to him, and he doesn’t want to upset the coach. Leighton doesn’t want to mess things up for Miles, and her father has warned her not to date hockey players. They are consummate workplace colleagues, and don’t let on they’ve already met. To help Miles out of a jam, Leighton accepts the offer to dog sit at his house while he’s traveling for away games. Their attraction gets the better of them, and they can’t help giving in. Oh, and the heat is no joke with these two! Thank you, Lauren Blakely!!

I’m so in love with Miles. He emerges as the ultimate swoon-worthy hero. His interactions with Leighton are filled with a potent mix of raw desire and genuine care. I love Leighton’s independence and desire to show that she can take care of herself. Miles respects this, while also finding irresistible ways to spoil and cherish her, creating a dynamic that’s both sexy and emotionally fulfilling. I don’t want to give too much away, but both have some baggage they struggle with, and I really enjoyed how they helped each other through the tough times. This is a very beautiful story of found love when you least expect it. For readers who enjoy their romance with a generous helping of steam, The Girlfriend Zone delivers in spades. It’s a tantalizingly sexy read that will leave you hot, bothered, and utterly captivated by Miles and Leighton’s scorching love story.

I also adored the female bonding and support in this series. They’re there for one another no matter what. Lots of girl power! Jason Clarke and Samantha Brentmoor did a fabulous job narrating! The audio just makes the reading experience that much richer.

One of her best for sure

I really really enjoyed this book. Some of LBs best writing. What a great story. The narration was perfect. I’m looking to the next book

Loved it!

I feel like you can never go wrong with a Lauren Blakely story when you need all the feel good rom com vibes, and this book had a little bit of everything. Longing, tension, laughs and spice, with amazing performances from Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke

Fantastic book

This was probably a favorite book I’ve listened to this year. I truly enjoyed this story and there were so many things I loved about this story. I stand by that this series is so criminally underrated. I have listened to all of the books in the series so far on audio and loved every one. I didn’t think this one could top the first in the series but boy was I wrong. This book deserves all of the stars. Hands down a top friends to lovers book I’ve read so far, with some forbidden and age gap in there too.

Miles is just absolute perfection and the way he pays such close attention to Leighton is so heart warming. He got me towards the end of the book & I almost cried. Leighton has a type of hearing loss but she has never let that get in her way. She is tenacious and a hard worker.

The relationship between Miles and Leighton was absolutely everything. The friendship they formed, ugh swoon. The spice in this was absolutely top tier and I was blushing and giggling in the first couple of chapters. The end of this book had me completely in my feels and caught me off guard in the absolute best way.

If you’re looking for a feel good hockey romance series to start, I HIGHLY suggest this one. And if you’re an audio girly, do yourself a favor and listen to them all.

Aural magic for your ears and a fun story!

Miles Falcon!! What else is there to say about this dirty-talking gorgeous man with a heart-of-gold! Ladies, he is tying Clay Nichols for my #1 Blakely Boy! It takes a lot to get to the top of this list which means that Miles Falcon is flat out amazing. Lauren Blakely’s newest Hockey romance is The Girlfriend Zone. Miles is absolutely over-the-top gorgeous, a great friend, so thoughtful, an acts of service type of guy for Leighton, and amazing in the bedroom (or out). Miles is one of the dirtiest talkers that Lauren has ever written. And she’s written a LOT of dirty talkers! Miles does so many wonderful things for Leighton helping her with so many different aspects of her life. I was totally blown away by Miles’ final act of service to prove to both Coach McBride and Leighton that he is not only deserving of Leighton but that SHE is totally worth everything. Leighton McBride is one beautiful, smart, witty, confident in her photography abilities, but not always quite confident enough at times in herself. Lauren writes her characters to be truly relatable whether that is in their career choice or in Leighton’s case having to learn to navigate life with a medical issue. Leighton has hearing loss and she is learning/dealing with the situation quite well. Leighton and Lauren, our wonderful author, have a few traits in common and both deal with their situation with grace and confidence. She totally blows Miles’ socks off when they meet for the first time. Their chemistry and passion for each other is through the roof which makes staying away from each other that much more difficult. Jason Clarke and Samantha Brentmoor do an absolutely amazing job of bringing Miles and Leighton to life in your ears. Jason Clarke is one of my most favorite male narrators. His voice is smooth, rich, s*xy AF, passionate, emotional, and all-around a 10! Samantha Brentmoor is an excellent female narrator and does an outstanding performance bringing Leighton to life in The Girlfriend Zone. I am absolutely blown away by not only the story but the audiobook is a huge 10 stars. Per usual, Lauren Blakely writes a fabulous story with s*xy intimate scenes that are HOT because Miles and Leighton like a bit extra in the bedroom. Spice level is 5 jalapenos! Miles personifies a s*xy and spicy cinnamon-roll hero! If you are still not convinced to read or listen to the Girlfriend Zone know that this is one of Lauren Blakely’s best novels because of the MMC that she has created in Miles Falcon. Our MC’s are tortured because they both want to be respectful of Leighton’s dad/Miles’ coach but the chemistry, attraction, and passion for each other is just too great. A love this good just cannot be denied.