Review: If You Need Me by Helena Hunting
Helena Hunting delivers another swoon-worthy hockey romance with If You Need Me, blending enemies-to-lovers tension with fake engagement shenanigans and the irresistible charm of a golden retriever hero. This standalone romance offers plenty of banter, steam, and heartfelt moments, but it isn’t without If You Need Me by Helena Hunting—a steamy enemies-to-lovers, fake engagement, hockey romance with exceptional audio narration by Andi Arndt and Stephen Dexter!flaws.
Dallas and Hemi’s relationship is a mix of childhood mishaps and adult complications. Dallas, the charming pro hockey player, has been pining for Hemi since the third grade, but their history is clouded by an incident that Hemi has built up in her mind as a much bigger deal than it actually is. While this premise sets up a strong emotional arc, it felt inconsistent at times—Dallas’s long-standing feelings for Hemi don’t entirely mesh with the way he let others treat her in the past. It might have been more believable if he had a late-blooming realization of her worth rather than secretly loving her while standing by.
Hemi, on the other hand, is a beautifully strong character who’s easy to root for. Her resilience and no-nonsense attitude bring balance to Dallas’s sunny disposition, and their dynamic keeps the story engaging. Watching her navigate her feelings about their fake engagement while trying to protect her career was a highlight, and Dallas’s unwavering dedication to her is downright swoon-worthy.
The spicy scenes are where If You Need Me shines brightest. Dallas is the epitome of a golden retriever hero—adoring, patient, and downright worshipful of Hemi. Their chemistry crackles in every shared moment, whether they’re pretending for the cameras or caught in private, vulnerable exchanges. If you love heroes who fall first and hard, Dallas will win you over in no time.
Andi Arndt and Stephen Dexter’s audiobook performance was exceptional. They brought the characters to life with emotion and nuance, making the story even more engaging.
However, the book felt about 75 pages too long. Some plot points seemed added for shock value rather than contributing to the characters’ arcs, and a few dragged moments slowed the pacing. The sheer number of characters introduced was a little overwhelming, especially for someone jumping into the series here. While the book technically stands alone, reading If You Hate Me and If You Want Me first would help in keeping the characters and relationships straight.
Final Thoughts:
With enemies-to-lovers angst, fake dating hijinks, and a hero who defines the term he falls first, If You Need Me is a fun, steamy romance that will leave fans of the genre satisfied. While some structural elements could have been tighter, the humor, spice, and heartfelt moments make this an enjoyable read. Recommended for lovers of hockey romance and fans of Helena Hunting’s signature blend of laughs and feels.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Series: Tronto Terror Hockey Series
Tropes: Co-workers, childhood friends, enemies to lovers, One Bed, Fake Relationship, Hockey, sports, real body heroine
Pop: 33%
Other Reviews in the Series:
If You Want Me by Helena Hunting – Book 2
If You Hate Me by Helena Hunting– Book 1
