Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for this advanced copy.

I was originally so excited about this rerelease of Elle Kennedy’s first book, but sadly it’s a miss for me, mostly stemming around Brody. Brody’s statement during his first time with Hayden of “if you want to stop, now’s your last chance” is a little predatory, and unfortunately it didn’t get better from there. Brody doesn’t leave Haydee alone, and pushes her into accepting for a drink even though she tells him no multiple times. I was hoping with this new updated version some of these red flags would be adjusted, but sadly they weren’t. It took me out of the story, as I can’t root for a couple when it doesn’t feel like the woman has a choice.

Aaah there’s nothing like a Harlequin Romance re-release! I’ve been on an Elle Kennedy kick so knowing a backlog title I hadn’t read yet was getting a refresh, I knew I needed to get my hands on it. Body Check has the typical Harlequin romance feel and I know Kennedy has given it a facelift but the core story is ALLLLLL Kennedy’s hockey romance goodness.
Hayden is a hockey princess, but not in the way you think. With her father being a team owner, she’s lived her life under the shadow of hockey and she wants nothing to do with the sport. So a one night stand with one of her dad’s players (unbeknownst to her) is not what she originally planned on. Neither is the way he falls for her and fights for her when all she wanted was one night. A no strings kind of girl who wants her freedom is a new kind of heroine.
Body Check felt like a role-reversal romance; typically, the MMC is one who wants to bolt but Brody falls first and falls hard for Hayden. He’s worked his whole life to be a star on the ice and is typically met with women who are attracted to that spotlight. But he wants substance, wants the white picket fence dream, someone to love him and be loved in return. The chemistry between him and Hayden is off the charts hot from the moment they meet. But Hayden fights Brody begrudgingly every step of the way. But when her father’s empire threatens to fall apart and Brody feels the pressure, the drama of will-they/won’t they begins.

Academic and daughter of a NHL coach and now team owner, Hayden Houston just wants one night of fun while in town to support her father who is facing scandal. She finds it with Brody Croft, whom later she is shocked to learn is on her father's team. Brody is smitten, and after a lifetime being a player, is ready to settle down, but Hayden wants none of that. Will her heart rule her head?

It's really interesting to read an author's first book, years after discovering her later books. You can see the early promise of Elle Kennedy's writing, but at times I found myself skimming through as the story got repetitive with Brody pursuing Hayden and Hayden flip flopping with Brody. There's also a lot with the subplot involving Hayden's father's impending divorce and sports betting scandal involving his team. This is a quick, easy read, though the epilogue was the same tired, romance marriage and babies which I hated and wish was re-worked for 2024. Otherwise if you're an Elle Kennedy fan, you'll love it.

Thanks to Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC.

Body Check by Elle Kennedy

Hayden came back to Chicago to support her father as his marriage crumbled. But there so much more coming. She's hoping this time away from California will offer her some clarity on what she wants. But first, she's ready to let off some steam, and with prodding from her bestie, the first one night stand is hers to attain. Of course, it's unbelievably hot and he wants to see her again.

Brody has had enough of women throwing themselves at him just to get a piece of the hot hockey player. He's ready for the next phase of his life. So when he's getting the spiel he usually gives it his him that he actually did want more with his hookup. But it's about to get so much more complicated when he finds out how connected they really are.

Hayden spent her childhood being dragged around the country with her hockey coach father and now that she's an adult, she craves a stable home and relationship. She thinks she has that with fellow professor Doug, but he refuses to take things further with her. When her father begs her to come back home and help him through his difficult divorce and rumors of a game fixing scandal, it's the perfect time to take a break with Doug. Her friend convinced her that a one night stand will help her get out of her slump. Brody Croft thinks he's finally found a woman worth keeping, but she insists it's just a fling, especially when she finds out he plays for her father's team. Can he convince her to give him a chance?
This was a steamy hockey romance where the guy falls first and struggles to hold on to her. From the start I loved how comfortable they were together and how supportive he was of her even as she kept pushing him away. This is a new to me author and I plan on reading more!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It's complicated.

Hayden has complicated feelings about hockey (cuz her pops, natch).
She just had a hook up with Brody, who is all about the hockey and is the star on her pops' team (of course). She's trying to new adult, but isn't succeeding. I liked Brody. He knew what he wanted, whereas, Hayden has no idea what or who she wants. She's very wishy-washy. Add in lot's of other hockey drama.

This was a quick and spicy read. It isn’t my favorite by this author but I did enjoy it. Hayden has moved close to her dad so she can be there for him while He goes through a divorce. She is also trying to figure things out with her on and off relationship with her ex. When she meets Brody at a bar she decides a one night stand is just what she needs. Little does she realize that he is a hockey player on her dad’s team! This story had good spice and I liked the angst and banter between Brody and Hayden. You can feel the chemistry and attraction between them from the beginning. If you are looking for a quick and spicy hockey romance then you will love this one!

⭐⭐⭐.5/5
🌶️🌶️/5
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Contemporary Sports Romance

I got approved for this ARC from Netgalley and I don't think I've ever been so excited! I thought this was a new book by her but turns out it's a rewrite of one of her firsts.

The good news is it's not a college hockey romance. We get adult characters who are established in their careers. The spice is sprinkled in nicely but there was just something about this that didn't connect with me. I couldn't put my finger on it but I found myself skimming at times. It's dual POV but third person so, meh.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for providing the ARC.

I love Elle Kennedy's sports romances, and this one certainly lives up to the level of her previous titles. Although the book drags in a few places, this story was a sweet path to discovery for a woman who has been hurt all too much by the bad boys in her life. Brody was sweet and loving, even when his whole world was blowing up. Hayden was an interesting character. Often times characters in similar situations can come across as naive, but I think the way that Kennedy handled Hayden's character actually made her seem more sympathetic than ignorant. It was a refreshing change of pace.

Overall I enjoyed this book thoroughly and I'll be on the lookout for more.

I read this years ago when it first released, but it felt like reading it again after coming back to it after all this time. Elle made small changes that adjusted to her current voice, and it felt so comfy. Brody and Darcy are so great, and I love this book!!

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a good read. I got a little worried after I requested it purely based on the author’s name and then read the description that it was her first book and an updated Harlequin novel, but I must say it wasn’t what I expected a Harlequin novel to be… and I can’t really say for sure what I thought that was exactly.

Body Check was a fast-paced, sweet and spicy read that was a lot of fun. Hayden only wants a one-night stand when she meets Brody, but Brody is determined to turn their fling into something more. Little do they know that they share a connection through hockey and when they are thrown together again, it’s hard to deny the spark between them. These two are adorable together and their push and pull relationship is full of flirty banter and a sizzling chemistry that lights up the pages. Body Check was full of heat and heart and was the perfect read for a rainy day.

Body check is not like Elle Kennedy other hockey romances. Which I absolutely love by the way! This a team owner daughter trying to find sun in her break while visiting her dad and Brody the hockey player ends wanting more when they hook up. Her dad is a hot mess divorcing his younger wife, drinking heavily and causing scandal within his team. This a good read but it didn’t hold up for me to Elle’s other sports romances.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Body Check
By: Elle Kennedy
Publisher: Harlequin
Pub Date: 7/2/24

This is a 2009 reprint.
But don’t let that stop you from reading this one!
When Hayden’s dads life begins falling apart with an expensive divorce and then rumors he bet on his own hockey team, the Chicago Warriors to lose, she packs up her life as a professor in California and goes back to Chicago to help him.
She wants to use this time to take a break and really think about her current relationship. She’s involved with another professor who she doesn’t see a future with.
While in a bar with her best friend she strikes up a conversation with a guy at the pool table. Only she has no idea he’s a hockey player, let alone one of her father’s players. As Hayden and Brody begin to spend time together she starts to see a future with him. With so much going on in her dad’s world, can she get past her hate of all things hockey to follow her heart and stick it out with him?
Thanks to Harlequin, Elle Kennedy and NetGalley for this ARC.

I received a ARC of Body Check, and absolutely enjoyed this book! These two hook up in the bar, one not knowing exactly he is and trying to be spontaneous while on a break from her boyfriend. Fast forward she finds out her father owns the team he plays for, and her father is under scrutiny and there cannot be anymore scandal. But..... they cannot resist each other and replaing their night.
A fan of Elle Kennedy! Recommend.
4 stars!

It’s Elle Kennedy + Hockey Romance. Meaning, I obviously really enjoyed this book. I was able to read it in one sitting. 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 was very entertaining. It’s sweet, spicy, and the perfect quick read. Brody + Hayden are absolutely adorable together. I also liked that this book wasn’t completely predictable. It was a nice change. Overall, a very fun read. If you’re a hockey romance fan then you definitely do not want to miss out on this book!

"𝑰'𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒉𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒆'𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒕." 🥹🩵

𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 is re-releasing on July 2nd.

Tropes:
🏒 ʜᴏᴄᴋᴇʏ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ
✨ ʀᴇꜰᴏʀᴍᴇᴅ ᴘʟᴀʏʙᴏʏ
⛸️ ᴛᴇᴀᴍ ᴏᴡɴᴇʀ’ꜱ ᴅᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ
💘 ᴏɴᴇ ɴɪɢʜᴛ ꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ
✌🏼 ᴅᴜᴀʟ ᴘᴏᴠ
🪞 ᴏᴘᴘᴏꜱɪᴛᴇꜱ ᴀᴛᴛʀᴀᴄᴛ

Thank you Elle Kennedy, NetGalley, and Harlequin for providing me with an ARC of 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 🫶🏼

I had so much fun reading this one! Elle Kennedy is one of my favorite authors & her hockey books are always unmatched. Body Check was quick & the steam level was perfect!

This is a super fast, steamy, easy sports romance book. I really enjoyed this book. It was spicy and satisfying! I’m loving how many romances now have great epilogues as well!

I liked that Hayden and Brody were a bit older and they seemed a bit more mature than I was expecting. Hayden is in Chicago because her dad is going through some legal issues and she wants to be there for him, but that doesn't mean she can't have a meaningless hookup while she is there. Brody is done with the one night stands, he is past his puck bunny phase and wants to finally settle down. When Hayden decides to take home a stranger in a bar for the night, she doesn't know that he is a famous hockey player, and she doesn't know that he plays for her dad's team.
Hayden isn't looking for the hockey life anymore. She lived it when she was young and wants something nice and stable now. Brody is none of those things. He is in his prime playing hockey and she knows that she's looking for more, but Brody knows this comes along once in a lifetime and he isn't ready to let Hayden go.
There is a lot of legal drama regarding Hayden's dad and lots of twists there and I just felt terrible for her. I could relate and it just made me like her all the more. I loved Brody though. He was the one to fall first and fall hard. Even though this was an instalove situation, which I normally don't love, I got butterflies when Brody confessed how he felt and how much he wanted to make it work.
I love hockey romance and this one is no exception!
Thanks to Harlequin, Netgalley and Elle Kennedy for an early copy.

Classic hockey romance!

Art professor Hayden Houston intended to take the time she was in Chicago supporting her father through his divorce to figure out what she wanted while she was taking a break from her boyfriend. But she never thought she would have a one night stand with a stranger that she met at the hotel bar.

Hockey player Brody Croft thought it would be just one night with Hayden. He never expected to find out that Hayden was the daughter of the team’s owner and he couldn’t get her out of his mind. But there was major complications between them with a game-fixing scandal and her dad was suspected of throwing games and he was going to be a free agent at the end of the season.

I’ve read Body Check before being expanded and you will like the updating because you have more book to read!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.