This book was the first book that the author had published and it's pretty much exactly what you'd expect from a debut romance - hot and spicy, decent characters, pretty simple plot. Girl and boy meet at a bar, have a one night stand, she gives him the brushoff the next morning, then is pretty horrified to learn a few days later that he's one of the star players on the hockey team that her dad owns.

I enjoyed that Brody was the one who wanted to pursue a relationship, while Hayden was trying to maintain distance and felt she didn't have the bandwidth to get involved, not to mention that she had already had a boyfriend back in California (no cheating though, as they were technically "on a break"). All in all, a fun, fast read. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

I really do enjoy a good hockey romance; it must be the Canadian girl in me. I've been reading a lot of them lately, and I am proud to say that most of the hockey romances I have been reading are written by Canadian romance authors like Jenny Holiday, Becka Mack, and Odette Stone. Elle Kennedy has been on my radar for a while lately, so when I saw she had a new hockey romance coming out, I knew I needed to get my hands on it. Body Check is the perfect book for those bookworms looking for a quick, spicy hockey romance fix. This book is short and deliciously spicy. Things move pretty quickly in this book, which is expected since it's just under 200 pages. I enjoyed everything about this story. The banter is witty and sharp, the characters are fun and relatable, and the spice is really nice… or really naughty.

There are lots of great tropes woven into this short story. You have one one-night stand, insta lust, forced proximity, and workplace romance. If you like romances filled with dirty talk, sex in all sorts of places, and a hero that falls first and harder then you will devour this book. I loved the chemistry between Hayden and Brody. It was a lot of fun, and at times, even hilarious, watching these two interact with each other.

Body Check is a quick and spicy read that is sure to satisfy any romance bookworm.

Body Check was a refreshing addition to this series. It had all the elements of the previous book including the romance and spice, but I felt like it was lacking in the character development and overall story. I enjoy this series, but this one was not my favorite.

I’m a huge Elle Kennedy fan and really enjoy reading all her books. My favorite are her hockey romances! Elle never fails to deliver on spice. I didn’t realize this was a re release of a book she had previously written but I’m happy to read it. Very good and loved it like I have all her others! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy!

Body Check by Elle Kennedy is a decent read. Relatively quick, but not much of a story, to be honest. Very spicy, but not something that I will really remember or talk about. The side characters are not well developed, and honestly, neither are the main characters. I really just wanted a little more.

Hayden's dad owns the Chicago Warriors hockey team. Hayden is taking a break from her time as a professor to help him get through his public scandalous divorce. She's back in Chicago just for the summer and is looking for a one night stand. She find the perfect candidate, Brody Croft, at a sports bar. Brody is hot, smart, and ready to go home with her. Everything goes perfectly until Hayden realizes that Brody is a hockey player on her dad's team.

This book is the perfect spicy quick read. I devoured this book in hours. It's sexy, funny, and sweet. This book is the definition of rom-com.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for the ARC of Body Check.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for the #gifted eARC.

Body Check
by Elle Kennedy
(updated & extended edition published July 2, 2024)

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (0-5)
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥☄️ (0-5) I bump up for public places & outdoor spaces.

What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 Elle Kennedy’s very first hockey romance got an update and new cover—I couldn’t resist.
🤩 Secret (unknown) identities and a hot one-night-stand that Hayden Houston initiates.
🤩 Reversed roles, Brody Croft is used to initiating.
🤩 The meet-again cute & “I see you’ve met my daughter Hayden.”
🤩 He’s a hockey player for the Chicago Warriors, the team her dad owns.
🤩 A super-hot, fling-to-forever plot. My attention was captivated.
🤩 Take me to the gazebo.

What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 The timing of the love triangle.
💫 Some steamy fun at the end would have been lovely.
💫 I enjoyed the read, but the feels didn’t blow me away.
💫 I like more description so I feel like I’m there.

This fast-paced steam fest of Kennedy's was a delight! I always love a good hockey romance and Hayden and Brody did not disappoint.
There is a good bit of family drama, big acts of service and grand gestures, and a nice tied bow at the end....it does take a bit to get there though. Enjoy the ride!

Thank you to the publisher and the author for the advanced reader's copy. All thoughts are entirely my own!

Elle Kennedy always writes great quick hockey reads! I will always pick up any of her books and give it a chance. This was a swoon worthy hockey romance that everyone should pick up! Highly recommend

Elle Kennedy has done it again! Her hockey romance can't be beat and Body Check is a perfect example. It kept me entertained and was a quick, great read. The back and forth and the chase between Hayden and Brody was oh so delicious and the tension and drama of Hayden wanting to distance herself from hockey kept me on my toes. Brody is romantic and sweet and hot, and Hayden is a solid, amazing female main character. All in all, this was a fun, fast read.

Body Check by Elle Kennedy takes readers into the world of hockey and romance with a one-night-stand that turned into fling that turned into the love-of-my-life; entertaining, and with the story revised, updated, added on to and spicier than the original publication. Follow Hayden and Brody as their unexpected one-night stand turns into something much deeper along a backdrop of a game-fixing scandal and personal growth.

Hayden and Brody are hot. Hayden Houston, an Art History professor in California, set out to have her first one night stand to forget the dull and boring boyfriend she's on a break from. She found Brody Croft, a dedicated and HOT hockey star, who wants to move past his reputation as a bad boy and find love. Hayden is only in Chicago to help her dad, former hockey coach and current team owner, through his divorce, but she's learning he's not who she thought he was. She knew they had drifted apart over the years, but it's much worse than she thought. Despite initially wanting for a fling their connection grows stronger, their chemistry is off the charts, all leading Hayden to reevaluate her preconceived notions about relationships and Brody. Their journey is far from smooth as their romance develops among the challenges; especially with all the dad drama game fixing scandal in the background. Overall this was an enjoyable read and I'll be laughing over the intimacy bridge for a while.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

In the forward Elle Kennedy tells the reader the story of Body Check being the first book she ever wrote and her excitement at it’s new release. I’ve read a lot of her other sports romances, and if this is her first novel ever she’s a pretty consistent writer. Yes, her character development is a little more well developed in her newer novels but Body Check was consistent with her current style and story.

As an adult, Hayden moved both literally and figuratively as far from her father’s world as possible. She was once close to her father but they have drifted further apart, so when she returns to his side she’s surprised at the changes and doesn’t want to believe any of the rumors about his drinking and behavior. Her growing relationship with Brody gives her a shoulder to lean on as well as a release in tension (ha!). She was a little clueless which made me a bit impatient with her but the story was interesting and her developing relationship with Brody fun to read. I enjoyed it!

This was a cute and spicy hockey romance, which we all know Elle Kennedy does well! While I do prefer her more recent work, this one is a good and fairly quick read, albeat a bit predictable in a lot of ways.

What a fun and spicy read. Elle Kennedy is the queen of hockey romance, and Body Check does not disappoint!

Hayden is visiting her father, who owns the Worriers, a hockey team, as he manages his divorce. She finds herself in a funk in her relationship when she meets Brody. After a fun one night together, their lives are forced together when they realize they are both connected to hockey.

Fast paced with a fun storyline that isn't too heavy with a few twists and lots of spice. I enjoyed it so much!! Highly recommend!

Thank you, NetGalley and Elle Kennedy, for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hayden Houston is ready to break out of her good-girl shell with a one-night stand, and hockey star Brody Croft is the perfect candidate. Hayden seeks stability after a chaotic upbringing, while Brody is eager to shed his bad-boy ways and settle down. Their night together is unforgettable, and Brody knows Hayden is the one. Despite her initial resistance, Brody's persistence and genuine affection win her over. Amidst a sports betting scandal, their relationship deepens. I enjoyed the chemistry and romantic tension. This steamy hockey romance is light, fun, and engaging. Fans of Elle Kennedy and sports romances will likely appreciate Hayden and Brody's story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin- Romance for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

3.5 Stars!

I love Elle Kennedy sports romance books, so I was so excited for this one! I loved the plot for this one. The hockey coach's' daughter having a one-night stand with a stranger who just happens to be one of the team players. I loved the tension between the characters. She didn't want anything series, and he most certainly wanted her almost immediately. There is a side plot to this one that I thought was okay, but I don't think it was necessary for the story. I will say that this one is lower for me compared to her other books. Something was missing for me.

If you're looking for a sweet and short read, then you will probably like this one!

Elle Kennedy is one of my favorite authors and when I found out she was doing a re release of one of her older books I knew I wanted to read it! This was a good balance of spice and plot which I really love!
Hayden is an art professor and in San Diego, she comes to visit her dad who is the owner of the warriors hockey team. Where she meets Brody one of the star players on the team. Their connection from the beginning is what pulled me into this book, I caught myself laughing from time to time because of the banter between the two. Seeing both characters grow together was great and seeing Hayden realize what she truly wanted in a relationship was also a great part of the story as well.
I cannot wait to keep reading more of Elle Kennedy's books!

Elle Kennedy has done it again, ladies & gentlemen!
This woman knows how to write a spicy rom-com 🔥

Ugh. First, Brody is hot.
And even hotter how he is the one who wants this.

Hayden doesn't want to be hurt, especially when her dad has done a good job of that already.
And definitely not with a hockey player.

Thank goodness she sees Brody for who he really is &
Falls head over heels!

This story game together like the puck in a goal 🏒

Loved it!

What a fun and steamy hockey romance!

I really enjoyed this one. I loved the outside plot, and I enjoyed the romance, even if it seemed to rely on lust.

This is a perfect beach read, and sports romance fans will love this one!

Thank you for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a rerelease of an older story, but it has all the good things about an Elle Kennedy book! He falls first, hockey, and a one night stand. This book is a fairly quick and enjoyable escape read that will appeal to new and old Kennedy readers alike!