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!!