I understand there was a previous book or series I should have read first BUT let me state I was not aware of that while I was reading and it was FINE!! This worked as a standalone FUN EASY HAPPY read! You know how sometimes someone will say they smiled while they were reading a book? Well this is definitely one of those. Jess has planned her brother's wedding to his hockey player boyfriend perfectly. Everything must go as planned, not just because she adores her brother, but she's about to reveal to her parents that she doesn't want to be a wedding planner anymore - she wants to go back to school (again) this time to become a nurse. Enter trouble in the form of the best man, (Jess had a one night stand with him months ago), Blake, who turns everything inside out and upside down. At first you think he's just a pain, but like an adorable puppy dog, you can't help falling in love. He wants to pick up with Jess where they left off only he is serious - he's not looking for a hook-up, he's wants her to be his serious girlfriend. There is a lot of charm, learning curve about her new career, some steam, and of course, a lovely HEA which is what we signed up for when we started! And yes, I'll go back now and catch up on whatever came first.

Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.


I want to start this off by thanking you for writing non-cringe spice. I love this book and the characters, except for Molly. I was confused about the golden retriever on the cover, but the wonderful writing made up for it. Can't wait to read Hailey's story.

Thank you Bloom Books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. While I am very familiar with Elle Kennedy, I was not with Sarina Brown. I liked this light summer read and it did not disappoint.

An overall satisfying sports rom-com. He is the teammate and best friend of her younger brother's new husband. She is a former events planner now enrolled at a prestigious nursing school in Toronto. Fate keeps throwing them together and they keep "accidentally" hooking up—for the last time, really!

I have two quibbles, and I will let you decide which lost them a star from me. The narrative alternates between the two of them and in the first half, he is so convinced that "she wants it" that he dismisses all of her objections (including to dick pics) as her way of flirting with him. Very close to "no means yes," for those of us who remember that. And despite the name and the dog on the cover, there is no actual dog until the very end. Even though dogs are natural ice-breakers and champion facilitators of the "meet cute."

3.75 stars rounded up. I found the story itself interesting, just didn't love the dialog. It came across as very childish to me.

Jess feels like an outcast in her family of successful siblings. And now she wants to start yet another career. That’s how she ends up living in Canada. Blake plays hockey in Toronto. Jess’s brother is his best friend and teammate. When Jess and Blake find themselves living in the same city they figure out that they just might be perfect together.

Jess struggles with self-confidence. The author did a great job showing how Jess improved her confidence and found her place in the world. Blake has a reputation as a player with the ladies but now he wants more. The author did a good making it believable that Blake was ready for a committed relationship. I really enjoyed Blake’s family. It was a cool addition to see how close he is to his family. I like how the author shows Jess and Blake melding in with each other’s families. I believed that their relationship could work.

This story takes place mostly in Toronto, Canada. This is a hockey romance, but a lot of the hockey is from Jess’s perspective. If you are looking for a nice romance between two nice people, give this a try. I will definitely read more from this author in the future.

I absolutely absolutely loved this. When I started it, I wasn’t completely sure, I thought originally that Blake was a vapid, dumb jock/frat boy but man did I have that wrong? It’s amazing to see the character development of both of these characters through the book, and I think they did that for each other. I love Elle Kennedy so when I got this arc, I dove right in. I have never read Sarina Bowen before and didn’t know about the him and us series, but I am definitely going to go back and read it now.

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.