Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Hell or High Water
SERIES: Toronto Thunder #3
AUTHOR: Beth Bolden
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 383 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 26, 2026
BLURB:
Come hell or high water, Nate’s gonna be Ramsey’s perfect (fake) boyfriend . . .
The night Nate Bishop met Ramsey Andresen, he didn’t know who he was.
Didn’t know he was a hockey player. Didn’t know he’d be sticking around in Toronto. Most definitely didn’t know they’d hook up and Ramsey would walk right out of his life. Leaving him aching for more and hating that he can’t forget him.
They meet again at a Thunder team party and Nate’s not only shocked by Ramsey’s presence, but the way he acts like he belongs. He’s gorgeous and perfect and unobtainable, his existence rubbing Nate’s face into everything he can’t have.
He knows his teammates aren’t happy they don’t get along. But the last thing Nate expects is for Ramsey to suggest a plan to get them off their backs.
Not a fake friendship, but a fake situationship.
REVIEW:
I have been dying to figure this book out and the surprises that came were very welcomed. I love Ramsey now and can’t get enough of him and Nate! They literally melted my heart and will be forever with me. The level of caring and understanding deep beneath the layers really got to me. They are literally made for each other 💝
The feud between Ramsey and Nate has to stop. Literally Aidan will stop it and is making it his business. Ramsey has been “adopted” into the Toronto Thunders group. He’s Wes’s, Aidan’s backup QB, best friend and is going through a rough time with his concussion that has put him on injured reserves indefinitely with his professional hockey team. The cocky man has totally infiltrated their group and charmed them all. Well almost all…he and Nate are like oil and vinegar. What everyone doesn’t know is about their “encounter” in June that has caused this riff. Nate is ready to settle down and have a relationship. Ramsey is the total opposite of that. But, to get the guys off their backs, Ramsey concocts the fake dating scheme. However, it turns out, both men are more affected by that June event than they were willing to let on. So can they keep up this charade and not “catch” more feelings? Can they protect their hearts from more?
What’s not to worry about when one man is a total commitment-phobe and the other is ready to settle down in an established and committed relationship with a partner. Ramsey is all one-and-done/no strings attached/no feelings involved perpetual playboy. He keeps his secrets close to the vest and lets very few in to his inner world. But Nate sees more than anyone besides Wes and Brody ever have. Maybe even more. It’s like Nate can see through the mirrors and walls Ramsey has carefully constructed to guard all his secrets. Walls that eventually crumbled one by one as trust formed. How he ever thought that the ruse he concocted would ever hold was baffling. Because both of those sweet men needed each other so badly. I absolutely loved watching it all unfold when they both learned to trust and try. It was so soul touching.
I worried about the whole Jordan part of the equation and how it would impact their budding relationship. Jordan is truly a handful but I think that “wake up call” might have jolted him enough to take notice. It sure scared me and rattled even the always in-control Ramsey. I look forward to more of his story as he finally matures some. And I’m pretty sure Ramsey and Nate will still be an active part of his life. You can’t go through something like that experience and not have it form a permanent bond.
I have so loved this entire series and can’t wait for the final part of this season and whole new second half of the series next year. But Nate and Ramsey may have catapulted to the top of my heart with this book. I am now looking forward to the demon twins next. Step brothers playing so closely together yet trying to fight the constant draw will sure to be an intriguing and provocative read. Great book in an absolutely fabulous series. A must-read!!!
RATING: 
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