OMG, this is just a mash-up of all my favourite contemporary romance tropes.

Chase Barrett is known as the Bad Boy of Hockey, on and off the ice. His best friend is Cassie, Desrosiers she is a VP for a well-known tech company and the yin to Chase’s yang.

They have been best friends since college and also secretly in love with each other, but neither wants to ruin a great friendship by trying to make it anything more. So they are in and out of each other’s houses, cooking for each other at least once a week and visiting their parents back home together.

When Cassie is asked to give the Keynote speech for her company at the annual conference in Vegas she invites the party king along. After all if anyone knows how to party in Vegas it’s going to be Chase. But everyone knows that too much Tequila in Vegas can only lead one of two ways: marriage or tattoos (hint, no-one got a tattoo).

This had everything: bad boy with the good girl; friends to lovers; secretly in love with your BFF; married by mistake; drunk wedding in Vegas, American sports romance. You can’t help but enjoy it.

Someone else said this was quite tame for Nicole Edwards, this is the first book I have read by this author and whilst I would say there was a lot of sex it did seem a bit samey, almost like new scene "let's do it again". But it was still super fun and sexy.

Looking forward to more of this series.

This is one of my favorite reads recently. I've been on a huge sports romance binge, and this is definitely one of my favorites. Chase and Cassie have been best friends for nine years. Cassie is a successful businesswoman and Chase is a big star hockey player (tbh, hockey romances are completely my thing right now). They met in college and have stayed close over the years.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is Chase's point of view; he's always had a thing for Cassie but knows that nothing would ever come of it, so he hasn't made a move. And being a famous athlete and a bit of a player, Cassie has never thought of him as anything other than a friend. But somehow things start to change, and when Chase joins Cassie on a big work trip to Vegas after his season ends, some serious sexual tension starts going down. After a night neither can remember, their relationship goes a step further and let me tell you, the chemistry between these two is really fucking hot.

Chase really sealed the deal for me in this book, but I loved Cassie just as much. She's brilliant, independent, and logical. As her relationship with Chase develops, she tries to keep her heart out of things to protect herself, but of course, that doesn't work too well (not surprising, considering how much Chase steals your heart). So to be completely honest, I found what happened in Vegas to be not 100% believable, but I like the way they handled the situation. It's obvious that Chase has always wanted something more with Cassie, so when he has the chance, he doesn't let her back down easily. Their relationship is sweet and genuine, and founded on years of a solid friendship.

Overall, this is one of my favorite friends-to-lovers romances, and I 100% recommend this!

Unfortunately this story did not work out for me. I do enjoy this author's work so hopefully her future books will be more up my alley.

Professional sports and bad boys a pair that can’t seem to quit each other. Bad Reputation takes the pair on in friends to lovers romance. Bad boy hockey player, Chase, has the hots for his BFF, Cassie. Both characters are attractive and have a tight bunch of friends, so assumingly likable, but Cassie wins in that game. Cassie describes Chase as a “world-asshole” and seeing as she knows him best, I’ll take her word for it. He’s also a “man-whore,” but that’s okay because he “treats women like royalty.” You can’t read romance and not enjoy a romantic hero, but his character is a mishmash of adjectives that had me scratching my head. He’s an inscrutable cad at one point and then lovable boy next door in the next breath. I love a complex character, but he was all over the place, and the narrative was too middle of the road to get a sense of him. Cassie does not fare much better. Chase describes her as a dirty minded girl. Her friend describes her as a prude. She self-describes herself as sexually inexperienced. Again love the complexity, but it didn’t gel as a complete character. The dual pov does little to add to the story as the repetition, and weak male voice hampers believability. Time jumps and meandering narration bring little to the story. Chase and Cassie’s stranger game is a particular time waster and makes them seem mean and petty. The blurbs that start off each chapter, meant to give insight into Chase’s character also seem unnecessary, but at least make him somewhat likable.
I love hockey romance stories, but it only serves to showcase Chase’s self-serving persona and instill his bad boy image, which is tenuous at best. Still, as a romance, it does not work as the chemistry is tepid and the Vegas plot line silly. I love a campy story, but the storytelling is too sluggish to be believable. Bad Reputation is too generic to stand out from the crowd.

I'm usually a big fan of sports-romance books but Bad Reputation just didn't cut it for me. The beginning of the book drags. We keep hearing about Cass, the heroine, and her boring job and what a workaholic she is. We hear ad nausium how she lives to work, how her job is more important than anything in her life. It's more important than the only two friends she has, on being Chase, a hunky hockey player, who is the hero.
We don't see any hint of action of them being more than friends until half way through the book. Then in a drunken stupor they do something they don't even remember but would change their life's forever.
Once they sleep together they both assume it's just friends with benefits despite both loving the other and everybody they know saying they can see how in love each of them are.
This book has a HEA but it takes way to long to get them past the friends phase. Then once they get to the HEA they go straight to having a baby. The end.

I love friends to lovers romance novels and these two characters are amazing! Their friendship went deeper then just friends. Yes, but the end of the book they are together, but it's so much more then that.

Chase isn't the bad boy people think he is and his heart is so. If! I loved his snarky side and loved seeing him, bit only interact with the heroine, but also other characters in the book. He was easy going with a funny personality.

Cass was more uptight but Chase helped balance her out. Underneath she was funny and had this sex-kitten personality that she doesn't even try for.

This was a friends to lover romcom that was laid back and light drama. I was drawn in from the start and with Chase and Cass, you can't take your eyes away. It is somewhat predictable but I think that's the best part of this book. You know what you getting and won't be blind sided.

Overall, the authors writing is amazing (like always) and this was a cute fun read with a good steam factor. I was happy with everything about this book. The ending was cute and left a huge smile on my face. I do hope we get a full book of the best friends, and other team mates, we shall see. 5 stars #2OCCJD

Really lovely friends to lovers story. Felt v authentic and the more the story unfolded the more I loved him. The dialogue and their interactions felt very real and in line with them being friends for a long time.

I'm not a big fan of the he said she said narrative, but it was quite well done.

I didn't find her assistant relationship that true. And the scene with the missing presentation just was not accurate having done corporate event management there's no way they would have started it without her being mike'd up and tested that's ridiculous. And if it happened that the VP iris missing then the assistant would have been sacked first and rightly so.

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.

Friends to lovers is one of my favorite genres. I'm so glad I was able to read this ARC. It didn't disappoint. What a beautiful story.

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.

Oh my gosh, i LOVED this book! The chemistry between Cassie and Chase was amazing. This book was so well written, I could not put it down. It was hilarious, sexy, sweet. Everything you want in a book, this one has it.

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.