Sizzling Chemistry! This is the first story by Nicole Edwards that I have read and it definitely won’t be my last. This was a fast paced friends to lovers Romance. This story was so freaking entertaining. I loved the flirty fun vibe this story had going on. Everything about it was great from their trusting and close friendship to one another as well as Chase’s secret feelings for Cassie. I had so much fun reading it. I was smiling and laughing and l really enjoyed getting to know both Cassie and Chase and watch their relationship grow into more.
If you want to read something entertaining, sweet and sexy, with a nice amount of heat and some mild drama this is it.
I voluntarily requested and reviewed an ARC of this book.

I love all of Nicole Edwards book and this one was as good as the rest.I loved Chase and his ability to hide his feelings for Cassie because he was afraid to ruin the perfect friendship,on the other hand Cassie didn’t think she felt more than friendship.They go to Las Vegas for a very important business convention that will probably promote Cassie to a higher level in the company she works for.Chase and Cassie party a little to much and she misses the convention,but there is something else that happens as a result of their night of partying.I won’t spoil it,but what happens in Vegas affects their whole life.Looking foward to the next book!

Bad Reputation is the story of two best friends (Cassie and Chase) and there reluctance when it comes to relationships. They've been through everything together and are constantly challenging each other. I loved their friendship during the beginning of this novel. I could tell from the start that these two were close knit.

Cassie grew up witnessing her mother bring around guy after guy so she's well aware of how relationships work and how they eventually end. I loved the fact that Cassie was scared of commitment. It brought a fresh take on the novel and the 'best friends to lovers' trope.

Chase loves living up to the playboy status. He was given the nickname 'Sin' due to spending more time in the penalty box than any other player in the hockey league not to mention the many goals he scored off the ice.

One weekend in Las Vegas is about to turn Chase and Cassie's lives upside down. Especially when either of them can't remember the events that took place during one drunken night.

Bad Reputation was a fun and hilarious read that also had some angsty moments. I loved this friends to lovers novel. It was fun to see Chase and Cassie's friendship spark into something more. The chemistry between these two was scorching.

I cannot wait to see what Nicole Edwards has in store for us next! I am loving the Bad Boys of Sports series so far!

This book is a fantastic start to what should be a fun, sexy new series. It's a great friends to lovers story with the bad boy of hockey Chase "Sin" Barrett and his bestie Cassie Desrosiers. While there's always been a string of attraction between them, neither has ever wanted to risk their friendship for what would surely crash and burn in no time. Chase does have that love em and leave em rep! Things change quickly when they spend a week in Vegas. What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas!!

Great read and one I highly recommend.

4 fun, sexy, friends-to-lovers stars

I really enjoyed this book! It’s fun, funny and seriously sexy with a bad-boy NHL player that you can’t help but love, and a gorgeous best-friends-to-lovers romance.

Chase and Cassie are best friends. He is the manwhoring bad boy of hockey – spending almost more time off the ice than on it, and she is the super-organised, successful career woman. Total opposites, but they have remained best friends since their college days. They fight and bicker, they laugh, tease and joke, they are all over each other’s lives and are there for each other through everything. And even though they constantly sprout off the “we’re just friends” line to pretty much everybody who knows them, behind it all, they want each other. But their differences and their fear of ruining what they have, have prevented either of them from speaking out.

I want it so bad I can taste it. I’ve spent years wanting her, denying to myself and everyone else that I could have her if I tried. Because I didn’t want to lose the best thing in my life, I’ve never acted on it.
But I do want her. This. Us.
So fucking badly.


It all changes on a trip to Vegas when alcohol and years of pent-up chemistry leads to all inhibitions being stripped away, and then the fun begins.

I’m a goner. Chase Barrett is going to ruin me forever. And the worst part…I don’t even care.


Hot and steamy, funny but with a nice amount of feeling, this was such a fun read. It was a bit slow to get moving, but the sexual tension builds really well as we get to know Chase and Cassie. We see their dynamic and can feel all of the undertones going on in their relationship, so by the time it all eventually happens for them, I was as frustrated as they were, and completely excited for them to start to explore their chemistry. And explore they do! This book is really hot, and the dirty talking couple are sizzling together. But more than that, there is true emotion between them, and I loved watching everything develop.

I’m falling in love with this man, my best friend. I know I shouldn’t, but there’s no stopping the inevitable.


It’s not an easy ride. There is still that fear that exists between them of losing everything, plus there are issues outside of the relationship which impact on what’s happening between them. But the drama and moments of angst are minimal and mostly short-lived, and handled well, and I loved watching it all unfold.

This is a really fun read. It’s not a unique storyline, and there’s no real surprises where it’s all going to go, but I laughed out loud at Chase’s antics, I felt the chemistry and loved seeing these two come together. Looking forward to the next in the series.

4 stars.

Chase is known as the bad boy of hockey, for intimidating opposing teams and spending more time in the penalty box than any other player. After most home games, Chase went over to his best friends house, Cassie to hang out. Lately thou, he's been having more thoughts of her becoming more than just friends. When Cassie invites him to come with her on a business trip to Las Vegas, he immediately accepts.
Cassie knows that Chase is a love-em-and-leave-em guy, with all the puck bunnies trying to get in his pants all the time. After a night of doing shots on their first night in Vegas, Cassie wakes up with the worst hangover and vows not to repeat again. Famous last words. Except the next night it becomes so much more than shots. As they cross that line that friends should never cross, it becomes a night of sensual love making. Can they ever go back to being best friends or will a night of passionate sex ruin everything.
This is a great story of friends becoming lovers, but can they survive the outcome.

In a lot of ways, the sports element to this is an irrelevance, given that the trope is really friends to lovers.

Reasonably short, and reasonably frustrating - for the first part of the book at least.  Then, well, you know the saying "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas"?  Well it doesn't.  But they still seem to dance around their feelings.

That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the book, because I did.  I liked the characters and their friendship.  I found the development of their relationship to be endearing and the side characters added a welcome extra layer to the story.

Would I read more in the series?  Definitely.  

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

Chase has been dubbed the Bad Boy of Hockey because he enjoys the single life. Cassie is a top executive in the technology industry and is a workaholic. Chase and Cassie have been best friends for nine years, knowing that if they took it to the next level, they would wreck their friendship. But when Cassie has a conference in Las Vegas, she invites Chase along so they can let loose in Las Vegas at night as her conference is during the day. The first night there, they get really drunk on tequila and neither one remembers the thing. The second night the tequila doesn't flow as well as the first night, but they have a good time and things get out of hand and they have a passion filled night. Then one thing after another goes wrong for Cassie from there on out.

Although I really enjoyed the story, I didn't think that Chase was a really "bad boy" because he hadn't been with a woman in six months. And I thought that Cassie was just a bit too prim and proper to turn into a lush in Vegas. They seemed to be polar opposites to be best friends. But the sex scenes were steamy, steamy, steamy!

I received an ARC copy from Random House - Loveswept through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Cassie and Chase have been best friends for ten years. Cassie has never thought to have more with Chase but he can’t say the same. Their relationship is relaxed, comforting and gives them both peace. When a trip to Vegas brings about some drunken decisions, this couple is left reeling. But it’s not what you may think. (Well, it is, but it isn’t.) There is an unexpected surprise that carried this story from predictable to intriguing.

I loved Chase and his inner monologues. He knew who he was and accepted it, embraced it and flaunted it. Through it all he’s afraid of losing Cassie. I couldn’t get enough of him. He was perfectly imperfect and that just made me crave him more.

Cassie has never seen what fidelity and commitment look like. She’s not looking for a happy ever after because they simply don’t exist. What she can be sure of is that Chase will always be there for her, as long as they remain friends.

I loved this book! It was lighthearted and fun, passionate and steamy and written in a style that flowed. I was totally invested in these characters from the very beginning. Friends to lovers don’t always work well for me. I like my hero to be all in with the heroine from the moment they meet. However, I knew going in that this couple had been friends for ten years and the likelihood of that was highly improbable. I was correct. However, this author presented this story and these characters in such a manner that I was okay with that.

If you love friends to lovers, hockey players, an awesome male POV, then you are definitely going to want to read this one!

This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Random House – Loveswept.

Dual POV
No apparent Triggers

Advanced Readers Copy Courtesy of Netgalley...:)

It is with my deepest regret that I inform you that the trope of best friends to lovers has officially died for me....RIP as I dont think I can stomach another one of those types of books.....:( I am officially over it!!!!!

This is the story of Cassie and Chase who are of course the bestest of best friends who have deep repressed *insert yawn* feelings for each other.

Chase is the official bad boy of hockey, who spends more time in the Sin Bin than any of his team mates. He has a bad reputation on and off the ice.

Cassie has been best friends with Chase since college. She has watched him bed more puck bunnies that she cares to think about. She has a successful job, a 5 year plan and none of that includes a relationship, as she has had the pleasure of watching her mother marry more times than she should. However one week in Vegas with Chase changes everything these 2 thought they knew about each other.

I usually adore this author and have read every single book she has ever written, but sadly this one just was not for me. As I said, I think I am just over this type of trope for now...

Fun friends to lovers romance. While totally predictable this was still an entertaining read. I liked the sports aspect, and I thought the start of each chapter with the segment of the interview was a good hook. I did get frustrated with our heroine by the end, but overall a winner.

Never a dissappointment with reading Ms. Edwards book's. This new series is great. Chase and Cassi two different people but work great together as best friends since college makes crossing that next line difficult. Chase a hockey player and total player in his personal life has no problem loving and leaving them. Then there is Cassi a software geek who does not do causal flings at all with ramdoms. But when alcohol and Vegas get involved in the mix, things become interesting. Is it true what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas or can life continue on once you get home? This was a fun read that I needed to get me out of my reading slump. Totally enjoyed this start of the series and look forward to more in the near future. Honest review in exchange for a ARC.

Bad Reputation was an enjoyable friends to lovers romance. That kept me engaged from start to finish and was really easy to read. As well as low angst. With two likable characters in Chase and Cassie. Although I wasn't honestly expecting to like Chase as much as I did, especially to begin with. As for the actual story it wasn't quite what I was expecting. But that was a good thing and there were a couple of twists which I liked and which kept this story fresh. I also found the secondary characters likable and thought they added a little extra to the story. Especially Cassie's friend Natalie and as a new author to me I would definitely read more from Nicole Edwards in the future. As well as from this series. As it was a good read, that fans of friends to lovers romance will certainly enjoy.

This was my first time reading this author and I'm excited to have found a new series. I'm always a sucker for a friends to lovers story and Cassie and Chase fit the bill. I enjoyed the book and think it was a pretty solid read!

I don't think Nicole Edwards could write a book that I DON'T love. I thought she'd always be my go-to for M/M and Menage books but this book had me hook, line and sinker. I'm going to love this Bad Boys of Sports series immensely if this book is anything to go by.

Chase and Cassie are best friends. They have been forever. Chase is the Bad Boy of Hockey and a player in more ways than one. Cassie is much more reserved and completely believes that love is not in the cards for her because of her mother's history. Cassie loves Chase but only as a friend...she routinely calls him an A**hole because she knows him oh so well.

Life seems to be moving along smoothly for each of them in their careers, despite their love lives being strangely empty. Until Vegas..............

Does what happens in Vegas REALLY stay in Vegas? How will Cassie overcome all the emotions and turmoil that takes over her life and the repercussions of her actions? Will these friends become so much more than JUST friends?

Nicole writes a completely beautiful story of friends who are there for each other and a completely steamy story of what happens when tequila takes over. Yes there is a reason they call tequila a panty remover -- it works even if you are not the one drinking it LOL.

This story wasn’t for me. Even if I didn’t relate to it, it doesn’t mean the other reader’s won’t. I found it was too predictable and didn’t keep me attentive to the story. I can’t like everything I read.

This book took me by surprise. I think I went into it expecting a fairly typical Loveswept sports romance: a little sports, some flirtation, strong female character, and smoking hot love scenes. While I found all of this in Bad Reputation, I found that it also caught me off guard with its characters and author Nicole Edwards’ willingness to allow those characters to make giant mistakes.

At the heart of this story Chase and Cassie, best friends since college. Their relationship was incredibly fun from start to finish. I loved how readers are introduced to them and their obvious affection for each other. I’m pretty sure I didn’t stop smiling through the first part of the book as Chase and Cassie engaged in a battle of wits and just enjoyed each other’s company. As the story builds, we get glimpses of stray romantic thoughts for each other and not pages and pages of longing. This allowed me to actually get to know them outside of their feelings for each other. As their feelings rise to the surface, so does their sexual attraction and when they can’t ignore it any longer…wow. Definitely worth the slow burn.

Chase is adorable. He’s a successful athlete who’s charming and handsome. He’s a terror on the ice. I loved the few scenes we get of him taking down opponents whether he did by leveling them with a good punch or by goading them into making a mistake with his trash talk. He loves his job, his parents and he loves Cassie, though he doesn’t realize the depth of his feelings for her. Chase is the steady character in this book, though as his feelings for Cassie rise to the surface, his confidence seems to sink, putting him on rocky ground that he’s definitely not used to.

Cassie started off like a typical heroine for this sub-genre. She’s successful professionally with an extended 5-year plan. She has Chase to keep her company, but refuses to even consider romantic relationships after watching her mother marry and divorce too many times to count. She’s fun and keeps Chase in line. And, she’s headed for a huge crash and when it happens, it happens in a glorious way. It’s interesting because I’ve read a lot of reviews that see Cassie as changing personalities halfway through the book. I disagree completely. Cassie is a perfect example of a character that tried too hard to keep everything together until she loses it. I thought author Nicole Edwards took a huge risk allowing Cassie to screw up so badly, but it was what needed to happen in order for her to allow herself to fall in love.

Just a quick shout out to the supporting cast. Cassie’s friend Natalie is absolutely hilarious, yet she shows surprising depth as the book goes on. I love the relationship Chase has with his dads and I enjoyed their characters.

4.5 stars for Bad Reputation. Heat level: 4

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback.

I really, REALLY wanted to love this book. By all appearances, it should have been right up my alley. I find myself struggling with this type of cocky, "frat boy" style hero lately though. I don't have the patience for guys like him, and his "voice" irritated me. Because of that, I really had trouble connecting to the relationship and after a couple of attempts where I kept finding excuses to put the book down and do something else, I decided this one is probably just not for me.

I do sincerely appreciate the opportunity to read and review.

DNF at 69%

Despite the fact that I love the trope contained in this book, I couldn't muster an ounce of care about the two main characters. Bad Reputation is about Chase, who just happens to be one of the hottest player in the NHL and his best friend Cassie. Chase has been attracted to Cassie but they have different priorities then so nothing happened.

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Another thing you should know about Chase and Cassie is that they are literally two of the most good-looking, most perfect, most buff, the mostest whatever and yet, they bored me to tears. And their banter is as interesting as watching a paint dry.

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I also wasn't impressed by the writing. It's stilted and it's all telling and no showing. It might have worked if the characters are interesting and they're telling me what's going on through their POV. But since the hero and the heroine have personalities equivalent to a loaf of white bread, it didn't really work.

I was honestly surprised I got to 69% to be honest.

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An ARC was given by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I love Nicole Edwards and her writing style but I had a hard time with this friends to lovers book.

Both Cassie and Chase are likable and there was an underlying sexual tension between them however I thought they were a bit immature. I was a little tired of their I want you, I don't want you game.

The last chapter and the epilogue were sweet . I wish the book contained more of this sweetness then the constant emotional yo-yo