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.

I was going to DNF after the first chapter but all the reviews said that it got better and Blake got less cringey. They lied and I really wish I hadn't persevered. The dialogue is so cringey and Blake speaks like a teenage boy. The words Cheezus, samesies, J Babe, Blakes snake, and make riley smiley are repeated constantly. As for the plot, nothing really happens and then it ends abruptly. I still wasn't convinced Jess had found her thing that she was passionate about. I didn't feel much chemistry between them either. It's such a shame because I normally love Elle Kennedy's books.

I enjoyed the read and it was a quick read, but it did feel very surface level. I couldn't fully connect with Jess, Blake or their relationship... I love a good "golden retriever" MMC, but Blake was over the top that felt a little airheaded and needy. If the plot would have been a little deeper, I don't think I would have minded as much.

This romance novel enchants with its heartfelt narrative and compelling characters, immersing readers in a tale of love and connection. The author's vivid descriptions and emotional depth create a captivating and immersive experience. With its tender moments and unexpected turns, this book is a delightful read for any fan of the genre.

Good Boy by Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen was a fun, light, romantic comedy. As someone very familiar with the work of Elle Kennedy, this is exactly what I expect from her.

A secretive romance, some steamy scenes, and a lot of love makes this a fantastic quick read.

I was a little disappointed with the abrupt ending, but I'd love to know how Jess and Blake's relationship progresses.

This book unfortunately wasn’t for me.

I tried to so hard to like the MCs, but Jess was too whiney, and Blake was the embodiment of a dumb jock.

The premise of the story itself has a lot of potential. But I didn’t feel that there was much of a plot. Jess had money trouble and confidence trouble, neither really caused a major issue, and nothing happened to resolve either. Blake was pursuing Jess, and had no concept of boundaries or consent! And eventually he got her without the need of a serious conversation or even the grand gesture that was mentioned in the book. Their relationship didn’t have to go through anything that tests it or enforces it. The book ended so abruptly it gave me whiplash!

Also Blakes lingo annoyed me endlessly! And there really aren’t dogs in the book! Between the title, the cover, and the charity event, I was expecting a dog to appear and stick around for half the book, not just a passing plot line towards the end.

This was my first book by Sarina Bowen but I’ve read multiple books by Elle Kennedy Elle Kennedy and I think this is my new favorite book of her. I loved everything about Blake and Jess. I recognized myself so much in Jess but I’m glad that everything turned out well for her. I was a bit suspicious about Blake at the beginning but after all I really liked him and he is just perfect for Jess. I can’t wait to read the other books in this series! This book made me laugh, cry and giggle at the same time and I highly recommend it to everyone! 🥺

Thank you so much Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for this arc 🫶🏻

I was so stoked to revisit Good Boy with this ARC, especially since it’s one of my all-time faves.
Blake Riley, the ultimate cinnamon roll with a golden retriever vibe, is back and ready to win over Jess Canning, the ultimate black cat who’s all sass and resistance.
The chemistry between these two is electric, and their banter? Hilarious.
Blake was a standout side character in the Him/Us/Epic series, and here, he’s all about proving he’s more than just a flirty manchild. Watching him break down Jess’s walls while navigating wedding chaos and proving he's a “good boy” with a complex side is a total delight.
Plus, getting glimpses of Jamie and Wes from the previous series adds an extra layer of fun. This rom-com hits all the right notes for a perfect, laugh-out-loud read.
This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good romantic comedy with heart and humor!
5⭐️
Thank you NetGalley, Bloom Books, Elle Kennedy, and Sarina Bowen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The characters were sympathetic and the dialogue and humor kept the story moving along. I know this is a genre that sells well, but frankly the volume and explicitness of the sexual encounters took away from the story. I understand that I am making a minority report, but I would not recommend this book because of the sexual content.

2.5 stars? Good Boy was not for me. I think other readers may think the MMC is goofy and fun with his corny quips but I just found him to be annoying. The relationship development was off for me as well and I didn't really find myself rooting for them to get together. I did like the FMC finding confidence in her new career and standing up to others. Overall, it has some fun/spicy parts but it was lacking in content.

If you like the Off-Campus series, I'd definitely check out the books that Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy co-wrote. There is the WAGs series (two books total) and the characters in these books overlap with the Him series (two books and a novella). I would definitely read Him and Us first as you learn a lot about Jess and Blake, the main characters in Good Boy, in the Him series!

Read this series if you like:
-Hockey romance
-Steamy books
-Short, mindless reads
-LGBTQ+ rep
-Big family vibes
-Canada setting

I adored this book! When I started it, I had no idea it was in the same family of books as Wes & Jamie from Him.
The banter was perfect, the spice was spot on. I will read anything these two write together!

This book was so much fun! It just made me smile. I loved character growth from both Jessica and Blake. Blake came across as a little immature at first but that was just his armour. We saw a lot of adult Blake throughout the story. This book made me laugh. I definitely swooned at what a great hero Blake was. I loved the hockey. The writing was top-notch. This one kept me reading until the end. Huge thanks to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this wonderful book!

Good Boy by Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen is the first book in the WAGs Series. This is Jess and Blake‘s story.
 
Jess is organizing a wedding for her brother and takes it to perfection because she is seen as the family screw-up. Jess is such a good person who is a little lost in life and tries to figure out her path. I really liked seeing this raw and vulnerable characteristic and at the same time she is very loving and strong and that was such a good combination.
 
Blake is a hockey player and on the same team as Jess‘s brother and he is known as a bad boy. Jess has fallen for his charms for one night and while she sees it as a big mistake, Blake actually loved it and wants to win her over now. He is the best man at the wedding and therefore helps out Jess a lot. I really liked seeing what is beyond his facade and he can actually be such a sweet man.
 
The wedding provided a perfect setting for them to cross paths again and Blake provides some much-needed comic relief, and he tries to loosen up the circumstances. Their bickering in the beginning is also top notch because Jess sees him as an annoyance. And Blake must step up his game and he truly does. But at some parts it felt like he was trying too hard. I liked their story, and it definitely made me smile and laugh out loud.
 
Overall, Good Boy is a great romcom that just makes you happy. 4 stars.
 
(ARC kindly provided in exchange for a review.)