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!

4 swoony stars

I have wanted to get Miles & Leighton's story for so long now. We have seen Miles pining away forever now, and I was dying to know the story there. I love everything from the way they first meet to geocaching lockets. These two have palpable chemistry and fit so wonderfully. I adore how Miles is so attentive to her and cares about her. He is very swoony with her yet also spicy when he wants to. I really enjoyed Leighton, and I found her experience with hearing loss very interesting and enjoyed that rep a lot. Their story was such a great time!

Sassy and Sexy + Focused and Flirty + Forever!!!!

The longing... Dear God the longing this book makes you feel is incredible! Reading and listening to this story will make you understand what it feels like to be edged in the best possible way!
Leighton and MIles drove me crazy, in the absolute best way possible.

Jason Clarke is next level with the seduction his voice brings to the character of MIles. Is there anything more worthy or adorable than a man who wants to just curl up with you on the couch and ask you how your day was and that’s all he looks forward to or wants from you… I think not… This book delivers such a man.

Samantha Brentmor rises to the challenge {and meets it} that Clarke throws down.(hello chapter 32). They are the perfect pairing to display the long ,drawn out seduction of these two star crossed and forbidden lovers.

As a dedicated reader and avid Listener of Lauren's novels, "The Girlfriend Zone" gives a fresh take on the forbidden romance trope. With each challenge that the characters face, Blakely weaves a new path for them to surmount the obstacle they face. This story gives you an update on previous players {no pun intended} in the main character's orbit and crafts a timeline of their story around the friend group.

Blakely crafts a sentence makes you feel like you’re immersed in the room or simply walking down the street with the characters… It’s so effortless it makes you feel like not only do you know exactly what the characters are immersed in but it’s such an easy read when the words or anything.

Lauren writes novels like a mini series \ sitcom and when the day comes that Netflix comes calling, I want to direct the series!!!

An amazingly written story

Loved this story!! Lauren has a unique way of writing. Keeps you in the story so you do not want to put it down!!

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