One of the most solid POV reads I've had in ages. Also, a great pro athlete book. There wasn't much that was cliche about this read. Characters were solid on their own, better together; which is my favorite. Solid read and I can't wait for more from this series!

4.5 stars - So good! This is as close to a five star read that I've read in awhile. I reserve my full 5 star ratings for books that stay with me for days after I've read them. You know, the ones that have you straight up crying or experiencing any emotion on a cerebral level. Suffice it to say, I don't give many full 5 stars. That being said, Bad Reputation was a really engaging read.

I ❤️ friends to lovers stories and this one involves two people who are both smart and driven. They're also too afraid to risk what they have for what they really want... that is until Vegas. In Vegas, the gloves and shirts and panties and shoes and...(you get the picture) come off and while what's on the line remains in the back of their minds, their hearts and other parts are in the driver's seat. Once they decide to go for it that decision starts a snowball effect that no one could have predicted, but through it all their love is as full as it ever has been.

It's a pretty great read and a wonderful way to spend an afternoon on the beach or couch or wherever you find yourself.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGallery, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was an enjoyable read, but a bit frustrating. When one of the main characters spends 50% of the book vehemently and genuinely denying and romantic feelings for the other character, it's a bit confusing when they suddenly declare that they've been in love all along. It would have been nice to see a more natural progression for this relationship.

What a fantastic way to kick off a series!!! Bad Reputation is the first book in the Bad Boys of Sports series and it is goooood!!!! This friends to lovers novel had everything I love in a sports romance book- tons of humor, serious steam, just enough drama, lots of sweetness and sports of course!!!! Nicole Edwards had me hooked on Chase and Cassie's story from the beginning and loved the well timed twists and turns! I enjoyed seeing Chase, who is a pro-hockey superstar, ladies man and VERY cocky, fall hard for his bestie, Cassie. Throughout the novel it was awesome seeing the duo fight through obstacles to evolve into something amazing! By the end I didn't want to say goodbye, but I'm hopeful we will see Cassie and Chase as supporting characters in future installments of this addictive series!! Bad Reputation is a 4.5 star read that ALL sports romance fans need to read!! Trust me, you won't want to miss this gem!!

Bad reputation is another good read from Nicole Edwards. Chase a hockey player with a reputation of causing trouble on and off the ice is best friends with Cassie. They met in college and are always there for each other, it's remained in the friend zone as neither wishes to ruin the relationship with having a physical relationship...no friends with benefits for them.
Obviously they both begin to realise there is more to the relationship but both are afraid to make a move as so worried it may break them apart. This was a bit of a slow burner for this author, but as usual when they do eventually get together they burn up the sheets, and the pages!!
A really enjoyable and fun read.

I absolutely loved this book. This truly was one of the best friends to lovers books I've read in quite a while. I loved the characters, I loved the storyline and I absolutely loved the ending. I finished this book in one day, I honestly could not and did not want to put it down. I would highly recommend this book to all romance readers because this book has everything that romance readers appreciates in a fantastic story. This is a standalone book and this one will not disappoint! I definitely look forward to reading more books from this author and more books in this series.

a good story for the most part and interesting.. thanks

Best Friends Turn Lovers in this Sexy Sports Romance Bursting with Chemistry!

Bad Reputation by Nicole Edwards is one of my top reads of the year! Sexy NHL star Chase has a reputation on and off the ice. He spends more time in the sin bin than any other player and has a reputation for his popularity with the ladies. He's having the time of his life playing in the NHL and isn't looking to settle down anytime soon.

Cassie has been best friends with Chase for nine years. As one of the youngest VPs in her tech corporation, she's all work with a five year plan dedicated to 401k(s) and investments. Having a mother with a never ending string of failed relationships, has left Cassie with a negative outlook on love.

Chase and Cassie are used to people thinking they are in a relationship or have feelings for each other, but they're both quick to set the record straight that they are just best friends. Even if she was interested, Cassie's convinced that there's nothing Chase has to offer other than casual sex. However, Chase isn't afraid of admitting his feelings for Cassie, at least not to himself. Regardless, they're both not looking to risk their friendship with anything more.

But after Cassie invites Chase on her business trip to Vegas, will what happens in Vegas actually stay in Vegas?

I absolutely loved this book! The main characters are fantastic! I fell in love with Chase in the first chapter and my love for him only grew throughout the book. He's hilarious and I adored his relationship with Cassie. Usually I find myself annoyed at least once with the main female character in romance novels, but I wasn't annoyed with Cassie at all! The banter and chemistry between the two characters really establishes this fantastic relationship.

I couldn't put this book down and finished it the same day I started it. It's sexy, fun, hilarious, and addicting! I can't wait to read more in this new series.

I received an ARC from Loveswept via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Bad Reputation was a hot, sexy, fun read. I absolutely enjoyed it from the time I picked it up until I put it down. Chase and Cassie have been friends since college, everyone they know find it hard to believe that's all they are to each other. The older they get they both slowly realize that they have feelings for each other and after a trip to Vegas they can't deny it any longer. I loved watching Chase and Cassie when they finally realize that they wanted each other. When they finally get together they are scorching hot! I cannot wait for the next book on this series.

Funny, sexy, witty, sad, these are some of the words to describe this book! I loved the way the author portrayed her knowledge of hockey and the rules!

an ok read.

Tech executive Cassie and bad boy hockey star Chase have been best friends since their college days. Just friends, thank you very much. When Cassie is given the opportunity to deliver her company’s yearly keynote address in Las Vegas, she invites Chase along for the ride. What happens Vegas stays in Vegas... sometimes, at least.

Let me be shameless for a second here and say that I only requested this ARC because of the cover model. I mean... whoever designed that cover -- nice job. That was exactly how I pictured Chase throughout the book, and yeah, I can see why the fans can’t stay away.


Anyway. Moving on.

I think I might have actually started squealing when I found out that both characters attended my alma mater, UW-Madison! I’ve never read a book where the school was portrayed as anything other than the big, bad football rival, so this was a nice change of pace. The author got some points from me just for including that little piece of background information.

I really loved Chase, which is only partially due to his depiction on the cover. He has two dads, which I think is great. He has a hot temper on the ice but is actually super nice and friendly and good-natured off the ice. Oh, and despite his celebrity status, he’s totally in love with his best friend. Sounds like my kind of guy.

I could really take or leave Cassie. She’s definitely not awful, as far as romance heroines go, but she was very frustrating. She was so adamant about not falling in love, especially with Chase, and not getting married and not making her mother’s mistakes, and what was even her problem with her mother to begin with? Like, sure, she seemed a little flighty and annoying, but I didn’t see anything in this book to back up Cassie’s level of disdain.

It was pretty obvious that Cassie and Chase were going to hook up once they got to Vegas, but I thought that aside from their hookup, much of what happened in Vegas was super out of character given everything we’d learned about Cassie. One night in Vegas and she becomes this irresponsible little girl who shirks all responsibility and starts doing things just for the fun of it? I mean, she never has fun back home. She spends the entire plane ride working. Am I really supposed to believe that she basically just forgot she was in Vegas on a work trip? I’m not sure why this was necessary for the plot.

As an aside, though, speaking of the hookup -- can we nix this whole “you don’t have to use a condom because I trust you” thing? It’s been showing up in just about every romance I’ve read this year, and I don’t care if you’ve been best friends for ten years, you’ve both had multiple partners. Even setting aside STDs, there’s a thing called pregnancy and if you’re forgetting that you have a job, I’m pretty sure you’ve been forgetting to take your pills. I’ve never been to Vegas, but surely they sell condoms there.

Anyway, I liked the first half of this book a lot more than the second half, but it was still a solid three-star romance for me. Chase definitely carried the book more than Cassie did, but I liked him enough that it probably improved my rating. I’d be interested to read the future books in the Bad Boys of Sports series. Maybe we’ll get Marky Mark and Natalie’s story?

A fun, hot sport romance that you will want to read is one sitting. Chases (Sin) is the bad boy of hockey and Cassie a tech exec is his best friend. Chase and Cassie are always together... They are wrapped up in each other and even though they act like they encourage each others sexual conquests it is just for show. . They are both concerned if they let their attraction go past the friend zone it will hurt their friendship that has endured for a decade.

A trip to Vegas sets in motion events that pushes them past friends into so much more. I highly recommend you treat yourself to this delightful romance.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance readers copy provided by Random House Publishing Loveswept/NetGalley.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable and very quick read. Chase is renowned as the "bad boy" of hockey. He earned his nickname Sin by spending nearly more time in the sin bin than on the ice. The name could have just as easily been earned for exploits elsewhere... Cassie is his best friend. She's career driven, focused and the ultimate professional in appearance and behavior. When Cassie has the opportunity to travel to Vegas for a keynote address that could propel her to the next level at work, she knows it's something that can't be missed. What happens when Chase goes with her on her business trip just may not stay in Vegas...

Chase Barrett is the bad boy of hockey and is known for his time in the penalty box. He sees what he wants and takes it with no questions asked. One of the only things that keeps him in line is his friendship with Cassie. They have been each other's confidant through thick and thin since college. The steamy hot alpha has secretly coveted his best friend for a long time. Their chemistry is explosive and one spark could set them both in flames. Cassie is desperate not to end up like her free spirited mother when has more failed relationships as she searches for love. Cassie's drive and determination inspires Chase to always be the best and finally get the one thing he wants more than anything. Cassie.

Very cute friends to lovers romance. Nothing really new or original in this story but it is well written with great characters so you find yourself truly invested in the story, making it a very enjoyable read.

4.5 stars!!

I loved this book! Chase is the bad boy of hockey. His bff is sweet and innocent Cassie. They have been strictly friends since day one. What happens when the bad boy of hockey and sweet Cassie go to Vegas for work? Craziness that changes everything they know!

The chemistry between Chase and Cassie was electric. I loved their dialog, their chemistry, and their relationship!


***side note... I LOVED Chase's family!!