Hayden took a break from her job as an art history professor to help her dad go through a messy divorce. A night out with an old friend resulted in her propositioning a guy and he followed her to her fathers penthouse. It was a night worth remembering to both of them but Hayden stuck to her rule and never intended to see him again. He was a star ice hockey player not used to women saying no as he was the one usually walking away from a hook up. She did meet him though because he played for her fathers team and he was more than happy to bump into her.He had to pull tall he stops out to get her to see him again knowing he couldnt walk away from someone so special. Nicely written.

Seeking a fresh start after her nomadic childhood, Hayden is unexpectedly drawn to Brody, a charming but troubled hockey star. Their connection is undeniable, but their relationship is complicated by a game-fixing scandal and Brody’s rebellious nature. As Hayden learns to see beyond Brody’s bad-boy facade, she must decide if their love can withstand the challenges they face.

I love Elle Kennedy! Hayden and Brody are a swoony couple. If you like steamy contemporary romance, this book is for you.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Thanks to Harlequin - Romance and NetGalley with providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

"We were on a break" vibes are present, IYKYK - but not in a disappointing, let me hide things way. Just a warning since I know cheating and similar tropes are a trigger for some.

Overall, I am a huge Elle Kennedy fan and this one lived up to expectations. Like others by her, this book was easy to read in a weekend and entertaining enough to not feel like I wasted a weekend by staying at home. I don't think is her best work, but it's still a must read if you like hockey romances. A solid 4.5 stars, but I have to round down to 4 on here because I only give 5 stars to books that earn every bit of them.

Loved, loved, loved! I am such a sucker for Elle Kennedy and this did not disappoint. I was surprised by how dark the subplot with Hayden's father was, but I appreciated the delicacy with which Kennedy tackled it. And I loved the bit of mystery when it came to figuring out who on the team was bribed! And of course, the romance the spice were off the charts good!

2017 read: Short but perfectly serviceable (pun completely intended) sports romance. Hayden and Brody were both fine characters (although Hayden was a just a tad overly biased against athletes and their schedules IMHO; it's not their fault she has daddy issues) and the scandal subplot was pretty well done for such a quickie read. (Again: pun 100% intended.) Elle Kennedy does a pretty good job, as I've read in her other books as well, of depicting teammate culture among male athletes. I can tell that her writing has only improved between this earlier work (2009) and the Off Campus series I've enjoyed so much (2015-2016).

Overall not bad; not bad at all.

2024 Reread: I can't really tell what was altered or added in the 2024 reprint. From what I remember it's very similar to the first time I read it, seven years ago. I will say this: I know hockey romance is having its moment and Elle Kennedy is definitely one of the most (if not THE most) knowledgeable and accurate authors out there when it comes to hockey - the slang, the game mechanics, the teammate culture, the practice schedule, etc. The plot did not wow me - I'd give it 3 stars - but the hockey parts were very realistic IMHO and I'd round up an entire star because of it.

Elle Kennedy and hockey? Check, check!

Hayden Houston has some problems. Her and her boyfriend? Taking a break. Her father? He's got some major problems and needs her support. (Even though he's never given that same energy)

So when she meets a guy at a bar for just one night, that's all she wants. One night. Brody Croft didn't see it that way. He's blown away by Hayden and definitely doesn't want just one night. Hayden, though? She's got a lot on her plate. No room for a new guy.

He's really interested. Like very interested. Brody has never felt this way before. Big problem, though? Brody plays on Haydens dad's team. How can anything happen when Hayden's dad is in major trouble (maybe), and they definitely don't need to get involved. Or do they?

It was really enjoyable. I liked the little chase between them. But there's a lot of other stuff in the mix that's made it pretty hard for these two to work.

The story follows Hayden Houston, an art history professor at UC-Berkeley, who returns to Chicago to support her father during his contentious divorce. While in town, Hayden meets her friend at a bar and plans to have a one-night stand. She ends up hitting on Brody Croft, a pro hockey player who is not used to women interested in him rather than his fame. Hayden leaves without a trace, wanting to keep it a one-night affair.

Unexpectedly, they meet again when it's revealed that Hayden's father owns the hockey team Brody plays for. The romance between Hayden and Brody develops with Brody valuing Hayden's intellect and Hayden appreciating Brody's straightforwardness, a contrast to her dull art historian boyfriend back home. Despite her initial reluctance due to her childhood experiences with her hockey coach father, Hayden eventually realizes she needs more in a relationship than what she thought she wanted.

The story also includes a subplot where Hayden's father is accused of game-fixing, adding tension to the narrative. Despite these challenges, the story concludes with Hayden overcoming her fears and giving Brody, who seeks a serious relationship, a real chance.

Thank you NetGalley, and Elle Kennedy for this copy of Body Check.

I want to say this first off - I am a HUGE Elle Kennedy fan, I have most of her books - and was super excited to learn that this was her original sports romance creation. I wanted to love this one so much - but honestly I couldn't do it. The author's writing wasn't bad in this, it was simply the premise of the main character being created. I couldn't connect with her.

Right off the bat, our female main character was going on and on about how she was suffering SO BAD from not getting sex. I get it, sex is great. But, I personally really don't enjoy demonizing men (or women) for that matter for putting value on what sex/intimacy means to them... especially at the college age level. While this reader is a romance fanatic... I share the values of the poor ex-boyfriend our main character discusses initially. It gave me an ick that lead me to have no desire to continue.

2.5 stars - I WILL be reading future/other works from this author. This one fell short for me. And while this is the case for this story.... my personal ick factor will not be the case for other readers.

Elle Kennedy is definitely the queen of hockey romances. I enjoyed reading this one, but I could tell that this was one of her earlier ones. You can feel the growth that she has made with her newer books! Don’t get me wrong though you would be missing out by skipping her backlist

Another Elle Kennedy book. Another book boyfriend for me.

This is a one night stand turned more book and I loved how quickly he fell hard and fast for the FMC!

This was short and spicy, just like I expect from any Elle Kennedy book. It wasn't her Off Campus series, but I don't think that any of her books could top that.

I will say that I wanted more depth from these characters, but that is my only complaint.

i've always loved elle kennedy's book! they never fail to amaze me. she is definitely the queen of icehockey romance!!

If you're looking for a steamy hockey romance, look no further that Body Check. This is an updated version of Elle Kennedy's first published novel. This was great boss' daughter trope novel. If you're looking for a quick, steamy hockey romance, this delivers.

Thank you to Harlequin Romance for the advanced read copy in exchange for an honest review.

Quick, STEAMY read! Perfect palette cleanser when you just want something fast and dirty. Elle Kennedy never disappoints. Great summer, beach read if you're looking for some fun hockey romance. The fact that the characters are still well-developed is impressive considering that the story is mostly spice.

I’ve been on an Elle Kennedy binge, and decided this one was next. She definitely if the go to author for hockey romances. But honestly, each novel is just so similar that I grow bored with reading them. But for a very generic romance novel, this checked the boxes of: 1. Spice 2. Entertaining characters.
A fast read, but just not for me.

Body Check
A Spicy Hockey Rom-Com
by Elle Kennedy


"Body Check" by Elle Kennedy is a steamy, fast-paced hockey romance that delivers on both romance and drama.
The story centers around Hayden Houston, the daughter of a hockey coach, who seeks solace after her life in L.A. unravels. Her plan for a one-night stand with Brody Croft, a star player on her father's team, quickly turns into something much more. The chemistry between Hayden and Brody is electric, and their evolving relationship kept me engaged. Brody’s determination to win over the reluctant Hayden adds a compelling twist to the usual romance dynamics. The book is rich with hockey culture, family drama, and sizzling romance, making it a perfect read for fans of sports romance. Although the storyline has familiar tropes, Kennedy's writing and character development shine, making "Body Check" an enjoyable and spicy read.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy, opinions are my own.

This was a steamy hockey romance that starts with a one night stand between Hazel and Brody. The next day they bump into each other and learn he is hockey player on her dad's hockey team. I thought Brody was kind of obsessed with Hazel and was way too persistent after one night but enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. There is a lot that goes on with Hazel coming back home to support her dad's pending divorce. This book is set during hockey play off season which I would think would allow for any downtime and giving them time to spend together.

Overall, this was a fun read with good character development and other issues they both had to go through.

Thank you @harlequinbooks for a copy of this.

Body Check by Elle Kennedy was a phenomenal sports romance story!
As always, Elle Kennedy's writing was spectacular!
Hayden and Brody’s relationship was complicated, passionate and emotional.
I loved every minute of it!
The author writes with so much raw emotion it's amazing how realistic the story is.
A spectacular steamy, captivating and entertaining read!

Thank You NetGalley and Harlequin Feature for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This was such a good combination of a sweet and spicy hockey romance. Brody was the absolute cutest. He falls first, and falls hard. He was dejected when Hayden tells him there wouldn’t be another night together. I loved how hard he fought to show her they could be great together. The characters and plot were both well developed, and this was a great for her debut. I enjoyed the way the story wrapped up, and I would recommend this one. I am looking forward to reading more of the author’s backlist.

Read if you enjoy:
✔️Hockey
✔️He falls first
✔️Reformed playboy
✔️Dual POV
✔️One night stand

Favorite quote: “Winning is meaningless if you have no one to share it with.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you @harlequinbooks @ellekennedy and NetGalley for ARC!

Body Check by Elle Kennedy 💙
Standalone

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Adult • Sports Romance
ARC Review
304 pages
🗓️ July 2

🏒 hockey romance
💙 team owner’s daughter
🏒 fling to more
💙 love triangle (but not really)
🏒 family drama

📌“When we first started seeing each other, there were ground rules. No rules this time.”

Before The Deal there was Body Check. And now the book that launch a queen into the sports romance world is getting a revamp and rereleasing with a cute cover and still a whole lot of all the things that made us swoon while reading the Off Campus.

On one hand, we have the reformed playboy that is no longer into quick encounters but somehow can’t say no to the smoke show brunette who comes up to him at the bar. Brody senses there could be a possibility of more and he will not quit until he wins her over.

On the other, we have Hayden, the smoke show brunette who is on a break from a comfortable yet impassioned relationship who wants… needs… a night to let loose. So, she does something she has never done before and approaches a stranger at the bar. She just wants one night, maybe a fling.

But things get complicated. Things get intense on and off the ice. Things get… more. And maybe the rules are made to be broken after all.

Immediate 5 stars. I loved everything about this book and wouldn’t change a single thing. Let’s just say Elle Kennedy knows her way around a hockey book. I can’t believe this was her first one.

Brody and Hayden are beyond perfection. Any book where he falls fast AND he falls harder is perfect in my opinion.

And this spice? Starts at the very beginning and doesn’t let go (but it also doesn’t distract you from the plot).

All in all, I devoured this book in 2 days. What a great summer read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange of an honest review