The book started a little slow for me. But after about 20% did it really pick up and the next thing I knew I was at 81%! Chase and Cassie's story is really good. I loved that they have a great history together. A great friends to lovers book!

ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review by NetGalley.

LOVED this book by Nicole Edwards. and it was a fast read because it was so enjoyable! The story line of "friends to lovers" is a popular one but can be a great romance if written well. Ms. Edwards nailed this one in that it doesn't start out with anything major and almost reads like a tv show in which you can't wait to see what happens next. Of course, being a book we get the full story all together and there's no cliffhanger.

The first half of the book let's us get to know Chase and Cassie. It's refreshing because their banter is down to earth and funny/engaging to read. You're given the impression that Chase is the typical player while Cassie is reserved. There's an initial scene where Chase just walks into Cassie's house unannounced because he has a key and she has company. What ensues made me smile and also the writing let me connect to these two characters. This book is told in alternating POV's which I love and kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. I'll definitely be purchasing a final copy when this one is released!

Chase is a hockey player on break after his season ends and Cassie is in a high-level management role. There's an explanation as to how she arrived at her level but her job and some drama with it was a little far-fetched for me personally. This did not detract from the story at all or the romance but I believe it was added to give another story line to the book. With that said, Cassie and Chase take a trip to Vegas for her company and things get a bit heated after this point.

Moving on, this author can write some hot, intimate scenes! I found myself fanning a bit and reading Chase's thoughts melted my heart at times. I highly recommend this if you're looking for a good romance that is funny and entertaining at the same time.

Would love to read something by this author again! The story was well thought out and the characters were very likable!

Bad boy of hockey gets tamed. There was the right mix of sexy and sweet to make this a worthy read.

Bad Reputation by Nicole Edwards is the first book in her new Bad Boys of Sports series. First up is Chase Barret. The bad boy of hockey with the reputation of a playboy who is all alpha and has a heart of gold.

Chase Barrett owns the hockey arena and the ladies who grace his bed, even if it is for one night only. But every woman who comes his way he treats right and ensures their pleasure and leaves them satisfied. But things have been different lately. The only woman that really seems to get him is his long time best friend Cassie Desrosiers.

Though Cassie effectively friend-zoned him years ago, Chase can’t deny how beautiful she is, her amazing smile and that body he cannot stop thinking about. But he needs her in his life, even if it is only as a friend. So, they remain the best of friends, while he lets Cassie believe the reputation he has with the ladies. Chase was known as the bad boy of hockey and spent enough time in the penalty box to prove it, but he was a good guy with a heart of gold. He was such a strong man, fierce and loyal, but one woman could bring him to his knees.

Cassie is all work and no play. Her job has been her priority, however, because of that her love life is almost non-existent. Which is okay with her. Relationships are not for her. Her mother showed her a man and love are not always the answer. She can take care of herself and does. But it also means being alone. Cassie was interesting. She was strong, independent and took care of herself, but was afraid to open her heart.

Cassie and Chase had an interesting journey. Both were so afraid to admit what they were feeling, they danced around each other letting the other believe they were only friends. Their friendship and each other meant more to both than they were willing to risk. But one visit to Sin City and everything changes. Can Chase and Cassie realize what they have before it’s too late?

Bad Reputation was a fun story of friends to lovers. Friends for years, one night, one explosive kiss changes everything. This was a slow burn story that exploded to sexy times between two friends that had to come to terms with their feelings. A great friend to lovers romance.

I really didn’t think I was going to like Bad Reputation from reading the blurb and almost passed it over on NetGalley. I debated on requesting it because I wasn’t sure that I was going to like it. When it comes down to it, the cover made me request it. Yup, you read that right. I requested the book because of the cover. Something about the female and male model made me go…hrmmm, I should read the book. I needed to know if my image of Cassie and Chase would live up to the cover that the author picked out. Guess, what, it did and I actually really enjoyed reading the book.

I really liked Cassie. If she was a real, live person instead of a fictional character, I could totally see myself going to the bar with her, Natalie and Chase. Or hanging out with her and watching Chase playing hockey on TV. She was so sweet in the book. She did have her issues but hey, doesn’t everyone. I thought she was the cutest character that I had read about to date.

Chase, I liked too…even if he was a bit of a horndog in the beginning of the book. He made me laugh several times during the book and when a hot, main character can do that….it’s a good thing.

I loved the relationship between Cassie and Chase even before they hooked up in Vegas. It was friendship, pure and simple. And when they hooked up….oh my goodness, it was hot. And it was hot all the other times afterward.

The end of the book was great. I liked how everything fell together. But the epilogue was my favorite part. Not going to say why. You are just going to have to read the book!!

How many stars will I give Bad Reputation: 4

Why: Great characters, great sex scenes, and a good plotline

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Adult

Why: Sex and language

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

I loved this book!! Chase and Cassie are adorable together (even though shes got her head up her butt, like it's a hat through out the book). I like the way she screwed up and made the mive to fix it, you dont see that often enough in books.

This is not what I expected from tgis autbir and I was very pleasantly surprised!

Chase and Cassie have been friends since college...just friends. Chase is a much loved bad boy of hockey who is admired by his fans and adored by all women. Could the just friends love they have for each other be more? Author Nicole Evans has scored with new book!

Chase and Cassie couldn't be more different but maybe that is why they are perfect for each other. I couldn't put this funny, steamy read down. Perfect escape read and I can't wait to read the next in the series.

Whenever I start a new Nicole Edwards' book I am beyond thrilled. Her romances always have a little bit of everything - sweet, swoony moments, angst and drama as well as red hot and erotic scenes - she truly gives a reader a feast of emotions to enjoy.

Her latest release, Bad Reputation is the story of two best friends who secretly have feelings for one another but are unable or unwilling to risk their friendship to try for more.  It is an excellent friends to lovers romance.

After a few chapters with Chase and Cassie - I was one smitten momma.  I loved the chemistry and friendship between these two characters. Right from the start, they were already in a relationship with one another but it was strictly platonic. They had all the real, everyday  benefits of a relationship without the most enjoyable aspect - sex.

Experiencing them admitting their feelings and surrendering to their lust for one another was incredible.  I loved how it felt reckless when they went for what they truly wanted - it left me feeling giddy and overwhelmed with happiness.  I was consumed by it all and I could not put Bad Reputation down because of it.  I loved this couple.

Chase and Cassie share quite the journey together and Nicole gave me one hell of a book. Definitely one-click Bad Reputation - I promise you will love it, too!

Yes, Chase has a Bad Rep, I mean bad boy hockey player by day (his nickname is "Sin" after all) why wouldn't he be just as bad at night.

I always did love a story about unrequited love finding its way to love. Cassie doesn't want to ruin their friendship and therefore absolutely refuses to give into her attraction to Chase. I never got to do Vegas like Cassie and Chase did. I don't know if I should be glad or sad that I didn't. What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay there. Thankfully for us!

I just love Nicole Edwards books and this book is a fantastic start to a new series by her. I couldn't put it down at all and once I had read it and had to read it again and told everyone I know to try this new series by her as its that epic of a book. I'm at a lose for words with this book as its that fantastic and I don't know what people are waiting for go get this book as you will totally want to own it and all her other books too. Would totally recommend this to everyone

Rated 3.5 stars!

Chase Barrett and Cassie Desrosiers have been friends for a very long time. Chase has long harbored a secret crush on his bestie, Cassie, but has not wanted to end a good friendship so has put off pursuing her. When the attraction becomes to much, Chase decides to change tactics. He wants Cassie for his own and he must show her he is worth taking a shot on.

Cassie has never considered Chase as anything more than a friend, but after a night in Vegas, suddenly she's seeing Chase in a whole new light. Cassie knows it's all fun and games now and then things will be over between them. Breaking things off was supposed to be easy so why is Cassie finding it so hard to let Chase go?!

I really enjoyed the banter and playfulness between Cassie and Chase. It is really refreshing to see love bloom from a sturdy friendship. These two have literally no idea what they're getting themselves into, but it is certainly all going to be worth it. BAD REPUTATION, book one, is a great start to a author Nicole Edwards provocative BAD BOYS OF SPORTS series. Sports romance fans will not want to miss it.

**Advanced copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Bad Reputation is the first book in Nicole Edward's new Bad Boys of Sports series and it was a great way to start it off! This was my first opportunity to read this author's work and it definitely will not be my last! This story sucked me right on in!

Chase Barrett is known as the Bad Boy of Hockey both on and off the ice. He's earned that moniker on the ice because of his penchant for ending up in the penalty box and I think the off-ice part speaks for itself - the man is undeniably HOT!

Cassie Desrosiers is an executive at a tech company and someone who always has her priorities straight and basically lives for her work. Her mother has not set the best example in the romance department, parading men in and out of Cassie's life for years, so Cassie is less than eager to find any kind of long lasting relationship, hence her focus on her career.

Chase and Cassie have been best friends for years, doing everything and nothing together. Cassie believes that Chase has a revolving door of women coming in and out of his bed, but is that the reality? When Cassie invites Chase to join her at a work function in Las Vegas, he jumps at the chance to accompany her. Will what happens in Vegas stay in Vegas, or will it end up having a ripple effect once they get back to Texas?

I loved the relationship between Chase and Cassie and how supportive they were of one another in all aspects of their lives. They definitely had great chemistry and I was definitely sucked into the story. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!

I tryed.. Man did I try but this book just wasn't for me. I knew what was gonna happen I didn't really care at all about the characters. I wasn't into the hockey theme. Its the same old friends in love with each other but afraid it will ruin everything, the female thinks the best friends a manhoe and the guy is secretly in love with the girl. Just not my cuppa tea.

Hockey is having a day in contemporary romance right now and I'm not mad at it. I'm especially not mad at Chase "Sin" Barrett and his secret obsession with his bff Cassie. Admittedly, the friends to lovers trope isn't my favorite. If they've both been attracted to each other since high school, what's taken them so long to make-out?! But, in the case of Chase and Cassie, it worked.

Here's what I liked: Cassie is a successful career woman. Chase has two dads. Cassie's assistant/friend is super funny. Drunken nights in Vegas are always hilarious in a romance novel. They're both hot and the chemistry is steamy.

Here's what I didn't like: JUST ADMIT HOW YOU FEEL ALREADY.

A friends to lovers that is such a slow burn it hurts. All the second guessing was a bit much. Seems odd that neither really had a "spark" until Vegas and of course things in Vegas get way out of hand. I wasn't a fan of how Cassie could even consider going out on the town before her big day. While we didn't get a good feel for her character I feel that being the VP and preparing for "months" for the keynote she would have a bit more self control if you will the night before the speech. I just couldn't wrap my head around that.

I think my favorite part was the epilogue (11 months later) bit. If we could have that part half way through the book and go from there it would have been a better read, but to go over half way through with the still "(s)he is my BEST FRIEND I can't ruin that" bit was too much.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book but I'm going to have to put it aside. I'm 25% in and it's not grabbing my attention and frankly, I feel like I've read this book a hundred times over...there's absolutely nothing new.

Book got really over shadowed by the idea of "best friends"....super distracting and annoying. I liked the characters. I also thought there was too much drama with her mother and how she identified with her mom.

Way too many sex scenes. They became gratitious.

Three stars is best I can do.