This is the first book in a new spin-off series, the Rooking Rebels. While this book is technically a new series, I do recommend reading the original series, the Rebels, just so you can get a feel for the uniqueness of this pro hockey team. Normally, I very much enjoy Kate Meader's novels. However, I almost feel that in this novel, she was trying to tackle too many issues in one story. So much so that the romance between Jordan and Levi at times was pushed aside. In this and in the previous Rebel novels, gender equality was a big factor but she went on to include other topics including homelessness, domestic violence, and social media issues. And while all of these are serious issues, issues that deserve attention, maybe there a few too many topics to tackle in one romance novel. That said, there was still plenty to enjoy in this first book, one of which being the supporting characters. Gotta love how much all of the hockey players are obsessed with the story line of Days of Our Lives! I am looking forward to more in the series, particularly Theo's story.

I loved the original Rebels books so I was definitely excited to hear that Kate Meader is giving us more hockey goodness! The premise of this story pulled me right in too: ex-soldier getting a second chance to play in the NHL and the widow of his Special Forces best friend and teammate getting a chance at love.

Levi wants no part of the media focus that surrounds him or the public's fascination with his military history. He just wants a chance to find his game on the ice and show Harper and the Rebels front office that they made the right choice by giving him the opportunity to play in the big leagues at his age. His nickname, Mount Grump, seems to fit given his stoic facade but one person threatens to break through despite his best efforts.

Jordan put her career on hold when she got married but she didn't regret it. Now that she has a chance to build a new life, she is struggling to find a foothold in the male dominated arena of sports journalism. She briefly pauses when she is offered a juicy opportunity to write an in depth piece on Levi given her connection to him, but the pause is very brief. She needs any in that she can get, and Levi hates her anyway... right?

The tension between these two is off the charts: first due to an ill-timed kiss they shared right before Josh's funeral that they both blame themselves for, and then due to the UST between them. Levi tries to maintain his distance for multiple reasons that are eventually revealed to us, but Jordan's sparkling personality slowly wears him down. He nicknamed her Ms. Sunshine for a reason and it's fitting - but make no mistake, the heart of a reporter sniffing for a story definitely beats in her chest and the reader has to wonder which side of her will win out.

Jordan is funny and snarky and had me laughing throughout this story. She also shines a spotlight on the plight of women in her industry while hoping to bring awareness at a minimum with changes being the best case scenario. Of course the boys club doesn't intend to stand by and let her get away with it, and some cutthroat tactics may be deployed. Through it all, once she realizes how deep her feelings for Levi run, she has to find a way to convince him that their past connection does not preclude a future together.

We get to meet some very interesting characters along the way from the new Rebels team members that we will be seeing more of in the future to some very familiar faces from the original Rebels series. I loved Levi's teammate Theo and the beginnings of the backstory that were laid out for us! When things go sideways between Levi and Jordan, he provides the voice of reason to help get them back on track. Good Guy was a great intro to a new series and I am looking forward to what comes next!

I am a sucker for hockey romances and I love Kate Meader’s writing so when I saw she had a new series coming out I knew I had to read it. I love that these rookies aren’t just college aged jocks, but men who have grown up and experienced life outside of hockey.
Levi Hunt is a former special forces officer and but hockey on hold to fight. He is done with his service and now is back playing hockey for the Chicago Rebels. The public wants to know more about this man and every journalist wants a chance to be the one to tell his story. Enter Jordan Cooke, journalist with a a personal connection to Levi. Her husband was in the Green Berets with Levi and his best friend. These two are given a second chance, but will they be able to give into the chemistry or will their careers be more important in the end?
I loved this second chance romance. I love the chemistry between Levi and Jordan. It was a classic he saw her first, but knew there was something between her and his best friend so he stepped back. There is so much more to Levi than what meets the eye. The more we learn about Levi throughout the story the more and more you fall in love with him. I also loved Jordan. She has experienced a lot of loss at her young age and the things she has to go through and the things that she experiences in her career are so relatable.
I can’t wait to read the rest of this series and get more glimpses into the Chicago Rebel’s hockey team.

This book was fantastic! She is a new to me author, and I will be digging in to see what else is out there. It seems that this is the first book of a new series for her, but it references people and things that happened in a previous series. I can tell you, from having not read anything else before, she does a good job of keeping you up to speed with the back story. She is also knowledgeable on hockey! Quite refreshing on a sports romance to not be rolling my eyes at inaccuracies . There was a fair amount of hockey talk, and even specific, real life mentions that I knew were accurate. I did feel the need to fact check one after I finished. Unfortunately a minor detail was wrong. The line from the book said game 5, but the actual incident happened in game 7. The other details were in fact correct though. Minor error that I'm not holding against her in the least, since I'm sure the majority of the readers won't know. (Heck, I'm a Flyers fan and I wasn't 100% sure it was game 7!) Back to the story at hand, it was fairly long, but in a good way. There is a lot more story going on than just the romance, which is always a plus to an interesting, memorable story. There is also humor! I laughed out loud, belly laughs a few times! There is reference to a soap opera, that I do not want to spoil in the least, and I was just cracking up, because I've watched it most of my life and knew every plot line they discussed - fantastic! I think I've gone on enough about this one, but I really did enjoy it

I loved this story so much. Levi was such a great character and a really good guy. Jordan was so lovely, inside and out. I enjoyed reading their love story.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by Kate Meader and I really liked it! I love sports romance and this one was a perfect one. It's clear that this is a spin-off of another series and I intend to read that soon! The storyline was interesting - former Green Beret turned hockey's oldest rookie. And a reporter with ties to him from her past. I really enjoyed this story and the characters involved.

Kate Meader scores with GOOD GUY (Rookie Rebels #1). In this story, Special Forces veteran, Levi Hunt, is making his debut in the NHL as the oldest rookie. He’s the hottest story in the NHL. Reporter, Jordan Cooke, is given an exclusive to report his profile. The only problem is that these to share a past and Levi is a private person. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for adult audiences.

Kate Meader did a great job with this spin-off of the Chicago Rebals series. Yes, some of the characters from that series play a role in the new series. The plot was original. I like the idea of a player putting his career on hold to serve in the military first. I also thought it was compelling how Jordan and Levi know each other. Jordan combats female in male-dominated field problems that added to the novel. There are a lot of interesting facets and complications in the story.

The characters are likable and believable. They face emotional issues. The story is skillfully written and interesting. The GOOD GUY is a heartfelt read. I recommend this story to people who enjoy sports romances and/or military romances. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Good Guy turns fantasy romance into realistic heartache. Meader brings her special brand of seasoning into the real world. Levi and Jordan have bumped down the highway of life with some heartbreaking results. Now both are looking for inspiration. Can these bruisers find the courage to score goal in the love department? Good Guy ventures a bit off the beaten path to deliver heat and heart with humor and sprinkles of wisdom along the way.

I am so happy the Chicago Rebels, new generation, have their own stories. Ms. Meader’s writing is engaging and fun and to die for. The characters all interact in fun and sexy ways. I absolutely loved Levi. What was there not to like about him. Jordan was just as likeable and I loved her standing and message. As a woman who loves sports I dislike when men assume that we are not smart enough (or base enough) to understand sports. So, you go girl! The dynamic between the main characters and their friends is so heartwarming you wish you were there with them. Excited about the next story? Bring it on.

I had a bit of a rough start with this one and almost DNF'ed after reading the first 4 chapters! But thank god, I didn't because it got better. Since Good Guy is about a Special Forces veteran making his pro hockey debut, for sure there will be a lot of characters. At the beginning, I felt that it was info dumpy about this large cast of characters that it just made me want to DNF it. However, after not trying to remember every single side characters, it became such a page-turner! And I got to say the level of ANGST! I loved it!

"He's pretty hot. Got that grouchy, needs-a-hug thing going on. Total GILF."

The author won me over when I got a taste of her Chicago Rebels series and I've been stalking her ever since. Those #HockeyHunks are so full of personality and sex appeal that they practically melt the ice they skate on. And the three sisters that inherited the team are so strong and sassy. Their banter keeps me in stitches, especially Violet.

This new Rookie Rebels series is so good. Not only does it have fresh meat, but all of my favorite characters are still present and continue to make me swoon. If you enjoy hockey romance you are in for a treat, Good Guy will tick all your boxes and then some.

Levi is the 'good guy' but only in other's opinion, not his own. All he can see is the mistakes he's made in the past. He doesn't feel deserving of what his heart desires... his best friend's widow. It's been years since he last saw her at his friend's funeral, but that connection he feels in her presence is still present. Of course, she wants the only thing he's not willing to give. She's a reporter and wants to know everything about him, things he wants to keep to himself.

Jordan has been through a lot and has worked hard to reach a level in her career that she's proud of. She hates the idea of using her past connection to Levi to get an interview, but it's hard for a woman trying to succeed in a sports career. Surely he doesn't still hold a grudge over that one little kiss, right? Only one way to find out, grab your copy and join the #RebelFanClub. The line forms here...

Good Guy was my first time reading Kate Meader, and I really liked it. Though this can be read as a standalone novel, It was very evident that this was a spin off series. In the first few chapters I felt like that friend that tagged along to a party were everyone knows everyone, and I was the outsider. It didn't bother me though, it just made me want to go read their books(which I totally will be doing) so that I know them better. Levi, OMG he was just so yummy. I fell madly in love with Levi. In my eyes he was perfect. I love how protective and respectful he was. The title of the book was spot on, he was such a Good Guy. Truly, Levi made the whole book for me. I liked Jordan a lot, but there was a few times when I didn't understand her choices. Still I found her strong, smart, and a good match for Levi. I thought they made a very cute couple. The sexual tension was off the chain. I loved how Jordan worked so hard to get Levi to open up. It made every smile and laugh special.

Someone else that really stood out in this book was Theo (Superglutes) Kershaw. He was so damn funny and sexy. I can't wait for Superglutes to get his HEA. The story plot was good. Kate Meader's writing style was smooth like butter. I love when an author can make me laugh and this book had some really funny parts. I think my only problem with this book, and it wasn't a big thing, but at times I felt that it got a bit preachy. What I mean by that is this book brought up subjects of Social Justice. Which isn't a problem in itself. No the problem was there was just so much of it like there was a Social Justice Warrior check list, and it checked them all off. It got into sexism in a male dominated professions, homelessness, metal health, domestic violence, sexual harassment, bullying, social media bullying, hunger and poverty, etc etc. I'm all for bringing light on these subjects, but maybe not so many in one story. Overall I really liked the book. I liked it enough to head to Amazon and get the Chicago Rebels series, and the Hot in Chicago series.

The first in the new spin-off series from the Chicago Rebels introduces us to Levi Hunt and Jordan Cooke. Levi was the best man at Jordan's wedding to his best friend. And he was there to help her bury him when he was killed in action. And now that he has left the special forces and rejoined the hockey world, she has been asked to use her "in" to get an interview with the oldest rookie. The only problem is that he can't seem to stand her and always let's her know it. But she wants to move ahead in her career and is willing to poke him until he gives her the interview she needs.

I liked this first installment and definitely liked Jordan and Levi's banter back and forth. Levi has had a rough life and lets it follow him around and make him think he doesn't deserve things that he truly does. Jordan has managed to follow her dreams even after losing her husband at such a young age. I love how they both fell for each other despite the obstacles that were in their path. And that even when the worst happens they manage to work it out. It's a second chance book at it's finest. My only drawback was that parts of it seemed slow to me, and I had to force myself to keep reading to get past those portions. But on a whole, I really liked it and am looking forward to the next one!

Levi and Jordan stole my heart in Good Guy! It is the first book in the Rookie Rebels series that is a spin off from the Chicago Rebels. It can be read as a standalone but you will definitely recognize many of the characters from the previous series!
The book has all the makings of a hot hockey romance with the perfect combination of a well written steamy story, memorable characters and just the right amount of hockey on and off the ice!

Levi truly is a hero, from his service in the Army to his dedication to help others, whether it is a team mate or a person down on their luck. But as much as he gives he still doesn’t believe he is deserving of the friendship and love he wants with Jordan. She is the wife of his good friend who died in combat, so when she shows up suddenly and is back in his life he feels maybe he might now have a chance with her that he didn’t years earlier. He just has to get out of his own way.
Jordan is trying to build her career and when her subject is the man she knew through her husband, but she thought didn’t like her she has to figure how to break his walls down to get her story. What she finds it so much more than she ever thought possible again, Love!

Levi is an ex-special forces soldier who gave up the chance for a pro hockey career to go to war. Jordan is the widow of his best friend (also a soldier) and in his mind she is the “one who got away.” They find their paths crossing when aspiring sports journalist Jordan is asked to profile Levi, newly signed to the NHL, for the obvious heart-tugging publicity benefits.

Levi may be a good guy, and he is, but he’s also broody and bad tempered (which, as the story reveals, he has reason to be). I think he first smiles about 38 percent into the book. His plan is to keep his head down, hone his hockey skills and adjust to his new life. Despite his attraction, having Jordan shadow him for weeks and then sit through hours of interviews is enough for him to avoid her even though she keeps telling everyone, and everyone keeps telling her, this is her Big Break.

Of course their prior involvement and a hot make-out session bring up a lot of ethical journalistic concerns. I think Jordan gets a “D” in terms of sticking to her own stated morals, but if she didn’t stray there’d be no romance, right?

There is a lot of discussion about the treatment of women in male-dominated organizations, or as Jordan refers to it, the “bro ecosystem.” We are left in no doubt of the author’s views, and none of us condone sexual harassment of course, but Jordan herself seems confused about achieving “respect versus a lost opportunity.” Add homelessness and other assorted issues and it’s a very talky book. I ended up liking Levi quite a bit but Jordan was a meh for me, if that’s not clear at this point. And for a hockey romance, there was a lot more talk than hockey OR romance. Still, Kate Meader is always worth a read.

3 1/2 stars

ARC supplied for an honest review.

This is my first book by this author and I found it to be an enjoyable read. I'm a big fan of hockey romance so I think that's probably what drew me to this one. Add in a forbidden attraction and I'm pretty much a goner.

This story has a whole lot going on. There were times when I could how used a little less drama and a little more spice. The chemistry seemed off at times and I spent a good bit of the book trying to decide if I loved or hated Jordan.

Overall, I think it was worth the read. I didn't love it. I didn't hare it. It feel somewhere in the middle for me. I like trying new authors and I'll likely check out the next one in this series.

Good Guy is a spinoff of the Chicago Rebels series which I loved. I’m hoping this story was just a fluke and I’ll like the characters more as the series progresses. Levi and Jordan where just ok as a couple, I never felt a connection to them or any real chemistry between them . I’m looking forward to Theo’s story because he stole the show on this book.

Thoroughly enjoyed Good Guy by Kate Meader! Of course, with Levi Hunt as the oldest rookie hockey player and being hot, hunky and humble, how could you not love this story!

Kate Meader wrote an interesting story while addressing some very real and tough topics. I loved the spunky Jordan Cooke- she was written amazingly. Bold, brilliant and beautiful!

I loved this book and it teases to the series prior to this I missed! I am going to go read that!

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I was so excited when I saw this book as I loved the three book series with the Chase sisters and then the series with the Dempsey firefighter family. This book not only continued with the same characters from the earlier hockey series but we see a bit from the Dempsey books with Jordan's BFF, Kinsey, and even a quick appearance from Luke.

Jordan is in a tough spot with trying to make it in a male-dominated sports world as a journalist and it only gets harder when she is asked to write on Levi Hunt. She knows Levi from her past and always felt that he hated her but we find out that is not the case.

Good guy really is a perfect description of Levi as he rose from a rough childhood and saw that the glitzy life of a pro athlete might not be the best route for him so he leaves that behind to become a Green Beret. After leaving the military, he does go back to pro hockey, but again, does not fall for the glitzy life - he volunteers at a homeless shelter!

Sometimes, I just was annoyed with Jordan - when she was a little leery of the interview with Coby and didn't prepare herself that he might have an agenda. I also suspected what he had done and was kind of surprised that she didn't have better protection on her computer!

It was hard not to feel Levi's pain when he first sees this gorgeous vision and then is crushed when Jordan falls for his buddy instead - and they get married. Even then, Levi told Jordan that he only wanted her to be happy and that was the most important thing to him....big sigh - awwhh!

So glad that they worked through their issues and were able to find their HEA and I loved-loved that Jordan finally quit keeping their relationship a secret and kissed Levi in front of everyone at the bar. Also, cute epilogue with their podcast - great way to end the book.

Only hope that in future books that Coby Dawson and Billy Stroger get some sort of punishment for their actions!

I love the Chicago Rebels series so I was thrilled when Kate Meader decided to do a spinoff. I enjoy her writing very much so it was no surprise as to how much I really enjoyed this story and the whole concept of it. I love the characters we are introduced here and of course the characters I came to love from the Rebels series that make many appearances.
Our hero Levi, and in this case he really is one, had a whole other career before coming onto the scene as a rookie hockey player, as a Green Beret. Thus making him quite old to be a rookie in this game. Levi is a very private man, which makes the fact that the team wants him to be the subject of an in depth profile story pretty unnerving for him. This is exacerbated when the reporter picked to do it is the widow of an old army buddy/friend of his that he has been pining for forever. In fact, he was the best man at their wedding. Levi is so much more than he appears to be at first and I loved watching Jordan discover all the many layers he has. Jordan, who is now finally chasing after something for herself, is smart, sassy and driven and is picked over her male counterparts to write this piece because of her connection with Levi. She is an amazing reporter but has been overshadowed in this male dominated field. They have some serious chemistry that neither really wants to explore at first, but you know how that goes. And of course this makes for some great tension filled moments and dialogue.
Great storyline, wonderful characters both old and new as well as a wonderful ending, makes this an excellent start off to a new series. I cannot wait for more of the rookies on the Rebels as they already have me intrigued especially Superglutes!