Ok, so when the book started, I really wasn't sure I was going to like Blake - he really says some just cringe worthy things - very cheesy and over the top with lots of nicknames. By the end, I felt like he was quite likable!

That said, he and Jess were very cute together and the moments they took care of each other was lovely. Jess defending him was so good and so needed! As always, I love when the side characters are great and this had some really great ones like Jess' brother and brother in law!

Cute and steamy book!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.

spicy yet sweet!! a quick fun read by one of my favorite authors. good plot and likeable characters. would highly recommend this one!

Enjoyable! It wasn't as deep as previous books, but I still liked it. What's not to like about a steamy hockey romance? A solid 6/10.

Thank you to Bloom books for the complimentary copy of this book! I have read Ellie Kennedy before and enjoyed her books. This was similar to her other stuff that I have read and was pretty much exactly what I was expecting. If you're looking for a fun and light hearted Hockey romance, this one is for you. It's a silly quick read and I enjoyed it! Thanks for the opportunity to review it!

A steamy hockey sports romance. I could definitely tell that this reissued edition with a new cover was still the authors' earlier work. It just didn't have the same emotional depth that I've come to love and expect from them both. Good on audio but just an okay read for me. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

So let me start by saying I read Him years ago and it was easily one my favorite reads, so I was excited to pick this one up. Now idk if it’s just me but I felt like Jess immature and I had a hard time getting past that. I also just felt annoyed by Blake and found him to be a man child. At first the book seemed to really drag for me and contemplated dnfing. But once she moved to Toronto it got better. Overall not a bad hockey romance I just think I may be over this genre :(.

Ok, Elle, you let me down with this one. I hated Jess. There was no character development, and she was just blah. Blake was obnoxious (maybe you meant for that????). I think they were going for the golden retriever man, jerk woman trope, but it fell flat flat. Their relationship made no sense, the progression was basically forced by Blake. It just wasn't good. Also, the dog was in the book for 2 seconds!! If you're on the cover we deserve a longer cameo.

If you’re already a fan of Elle Kennedy, Good Boy fits into her normal repertoire as easy as any of the others. It’s a spin-off of the co-written trilogy Him, following Jamie’s older sister as she aims to find purpose and stability in her life. While it’s the same quick, fun read as the original series, or Briar U, it lacks the same depth and chemistry of Jamie and Wes’ original story. If you’re not a fan of the “I’m saying no but my body’s saying yes / guy won’t take no for an answer” trope, this one definitely won’t be a fit for you. There are a few moments, especially early on, where it feels like lines are crossed and then quickly swept away in the name of lust, in a way that wasn’t the most comfortable. Once they’re together, things flow in the same easy, spicy way readers will be used to from this author. But, there’s a surprising lack of hockey here — literally only three scenes, which are quickly moved through and a bit repetitive at times. For most of the book, it felt like Blake could have had any profession, and the romance would have been the same. Not my favorite of Elle Kennedy and Sarina’s work, as it felt like it lacked the normal depth and heart of the original story, but quick and enjoyable all the same.

Thank you Bloom Books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first ever collab book I've read. So I definitely struggled because you can tell that they have different styles of writing. However working together they are amazing. I think the struggle comes from trying to find that middle ground of the writing style. Amazing story though.

This was a really cute, easy read! I enjoyed the plot and the character development, and overall the MC’s were really cute together, and I rooted for them! I really enjoy second chance romances, and this one was no different. However, I really would have liked Blake’s language to have been a bit more mature? He comes off like a childish frat bro.

I’m not sure what I expected when starting this book. I have read Elle’s other hockey romances and adored every second of her writing… but have not read anything by Sarina Bowen.

Let’s just say tho. These women did not disappoint! I was in love with these characters from start to finish.

From Jess’s constant fear of never being enough. Even though she is an amazing, compassionate woman the entire book. She is the best friend every girl would want because she would do her best to be there for you and throw some claws.

Then Blake’s mindset of blue sky’s and sunshine! Always aiming to please and be there for others. Protect them from the pain or burdens he may be carrying on their behalf.

There two start off on the perfect wave length of banter. Being a yin and yang of water and oil. But due to their personalities they begin to see sides of the other, that most never picture. They share and communicate. The good, the bad, and the ugly. To find a perfect blend of a delish cake this book mixes up!

.Best friend's sister
.Enemies to lovers
.Forced proximity
.Hockey romance
.He falls first

It’s tough to say, but this book just didn’t hit the mark for me. It’s a relaunch for a book that first came out in 2017, and honestly, it hasn’t aged well at all.

Let’s talk about the hero. He's supposed to be charmingly insistent, but instead, he comes off as seriously problematic. I mean, the word "no" should always mean no, right? But this guy clearly didn’t get the memo. It’s not okay to just hop into bed with someone without their consent, or to grab her ass while she’s literally walking down the aisle at her brother’s wedding (they weren’t an item). And don’t even get me started on waiting for her to get out of the shower while he’s naked, after she’s made it clear she doesn’t want him around (still, not in a relationship). The nonstop calling an ex every day? Definitely not cool, even if you’ were young and stupid. Getting turned on while she’s having an existential crisis? That’s just gross. And an unrequested dick pic? Absolutely not. None of this is cute or sexy; it’s harassment.

This guy’s ego is through the roof, and I just couldn’t get on board with it. Plus, since when did we start swooning over guys with the maturity and intellect of a child? It can’t just be me, right? Or am I missing something here?

I’m genuinely disappointed because I usually love Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen’s books, but this one was a struggle. I had a hard time connecting with Jess and Blake. Blake was seriously immature, and some of his actions were completely out of line. The humour felt cringy at best, and there was zero chemistry between them.

The premise had so much potential, I really wanted to like this book. But unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me.

This was one that really grew on me as it went along. While Sarina Bowen is new to me, I’ve enjoyed many of Elle Kennedy’s books and this one screamed rom-com vibes so I was excited to read it.

Blake Riley is an absolute golden retriever of an mmc. Perpetually happy, putting everyone before himself, funny and just a bit dopey. I wouldn’t call Jess Canning grumpy but she certainly doesn’t share the same optimism that Blake lives his live with. Starting over, yet again, has Jess really doubting herself and Blake is exactly what she needs to find her confidence again.

There’s laughs, there’s puppies, and lots of spice; truly a winning combination if you ask me. Anxiously awaiting the follow up book set to release next month! Grab this one now so you’re ready when the next one is available.

Thank you Bloom Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review Good Boy. I recently got into hockey romances and thought the premise of this book sounded like a promising fun summer read. Unfortunately it was not the book for me, I couldn't connect to either of the main characters, Blake's repetitive cheesy dialogue really annoyed me.

Tropes:
Hockey romance
he falls first
best friend's sister
friends with benefits

🤍Book review 🤍

“Good Boy" by Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen

"Good Boy" was a fun, light-hearted read that kept me entertained. Blake Riley reminded me of a nicer version of Shoresy, which I enjoyed. Jess Canning felt relatable as she navigated life's challenges. However, I found the book lighter on the sports aspect compared to other sports romances.
While I love Elle Kennedy's work and was excited for this spin-off from Sarina Bowen's Him/Us series, I struggled to connect with Jess and Blake's story. The character development felt lacking, and their chemistry didn't quite hit the mark for me. Blake's "golden retriever" personality was charming at times but also came off as immature and cringy.
Despite these issues, the book was a quick, humorous read that I finished in a day. If you're looking for a steamy, fast-paced rom-com, "Good Boy" is worth picking up.
Very grateful to the publisher for this copy, opinions are my own

This was a really fun read. Blake was giving nicer-Shoresy and I kind of loved it. Jess was everyone just trying to figure out life. I definitely felt like this was lighter on the sports aspect than a lot of the sports romances I’ve been reading lately. I definitely want to read the next book in the series!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

So freaking good! I love Jess and Blake. Such a cute story about a brothers best friend.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I love Elle Kennedy and saw this was a follow-up to Sarina Bowen's series Him/Us so I was excited to start this.
But sadly I had a hard time connecting to Jess and Blake's story.
There wasn't much character development and I felt the chemistry was lacking. I'm all for a golden retriever MMC's but Blake came off a bit immature and cringe with his dialogue.

I did like that this was a quick, light-hearted read with tons of humor. I was able to finish it in a day.
If you're looking for a steamy, fast-paced rom-com, I would pick this one up.
Thank you, NetGalley, Source Books, and the authors, Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really love this follow up to Him/Us. It's such a great continuation of the universe. I love seeing Jess come into her own and learning more about Blake. They're a great match, and this is such a fun, lovely, thoughtful book. Highly recommend!

I love these authors and their books BUT I was on the struggle bus with this one. I never connected to the characters. I don't know what it was. There was no chemistry for me sadly. I know others will love it.