A quick, fun read for a hockey lover. The dual authors did a really good job of integrating their characters and story. It was refreshing that the romance story didn’t follow the same formula as so many books.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️
💭My thoughts: I enjoyed this one more than the first book, but I think it can still be read as a stand alone. It would just be more enjoyable knowing the side characters that are from the first book. The mmc Matt is the definition of “If he wanted to, he would”. Nothing stopped him from showing Hailey that he cared for her. He got so creative, I found it so sweet. He’s a single dad and although juggling work and seeing his kids whenever he can, he knew the sparks with Hailey were too good to pass by. He helped her build her confidence up. As perfect as Matt sounds, he was still no where near perfect. He blames himself for how his marriage ended and brought that into his relationship with Hailey. He knew his occupation is busy and didn’t think Hailey had the patience to be in this relationship and Hailey proved him wrong. This book had such a cute ending and I definitely recommend it if you enjoy hockey romance, single parent, recently divorced characters.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this! This was just so much fun.
Hailey, the creator and owner of Fetch (virtual task rabbit) becomes romantically involved with Matt Eriksson, a client who just happens to be a professional hockey player. These two divorcees navigate careers, intense attraction, their newfound romantic lives, and of course drama.
I loved how focused this was on Hailey's career: it never once took a back seat or felt contrived. Fetch was such a cool concept as a startup and I loved the humor embedded in it. I also really loved Matt's career and the look into hockey families in a way that felt really genuine but also uplifting. The WAG's weren't portrayed as awful! I was so happy.
I thought the spice was VERY spicy and went from 0 to 100 really quick: It was well written but felt a tiny bit whiplashy. The third act breakup was predictable but also wonderfully short: thank you for having characters come to their senses quickly!
My favorite part I think was the portrayal of Hailey's ex. The complete respect they have for each other post divorce was just lovely to see, and a great balance to Matt's ex. It was great to see divorce portrayed so well-rounded.

A little boring, but cute enough.

I would have preferred a bit more character building, but what I was able to glean from the characters I liked. Dog and four-year-old twin girls are always cute. I liked how this book navigated the divorced parents situation, though I would’ve liked for it to go a bit deeper (especially in relation Hailey’s background).

⭐️ 4/5
🌶 3/5
🩷 3/5

This was a good read for sure! I do love me a broken man, pining over the woman he lusts for.

Matt is broken after his hoe of an ex-wife divorced him, taking him that he was the cause (him and his career).

But then he meets Hailey, and she both loves to challenge him, and protect him. I really do love when couples are able to give each other strength - its the best foundation for love.

Moving on from the smooshy-lovey stuff... the banter, the dry humor, the brutally honest 'wtf, why am I like this?!' inner monologue moments were great.

The hilarious moments between team mates can only be described as 'man things' 🥲🤣 (I'm fairly certain my husband would have died of embarrassment if his team mates caught him taking a 🍆 pic whilst sitting in his chair on a plane 🥴).

All in all, this was a good, fun, spicy, hockey Rom-Com.

This was such an adorable rom-com-eqsue story! HTE and Matt had a rather unique meet-cute, but their chemistry was palpable even before they ever met in person. This is definitely a fun story to dive into as you welcome the Fall!

Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen are the best at crafting funny and romantic hockey love stories. Although I would not say Stay is revolutionary, it is great at what sets out to do. There is low angst and low drama, but lots of slow-burny love.

I'm OBSESSED. 10/10!!

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

Oh my God! I loved this so much and couldn't put it down! Elle Kennedy has never failed me! I flew through this book and ugh I need more

hockey romances are everything! This was such a great and spicy read. I think that fans of Elle Kennedy's other books will be super happy with this one.

This book was just alright. I hate when authors make women stupid over men and she titled a whole chapter "Losing IQ Points". Just not my cup of tea with all that.

I’m really thankful for the chance to read Stay! As a small account, it means a lot to me to get a book from amazing authors like Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen, who I love so much. I’ve been missing this book from my WAG collection, and I couldn’t put it down!

The story is about Hailey Taylor Emery, who thinks her favorite client at Fetch is actually hockey star Matt Eriksson. Can you fall in love with someone you’ve never met? Hailey is so cute and relatable as she flirts online with Matt, especially while dealing with her own breakup. The idea is so unique, and Elle and Sarina really bring it to life.

It took me a little longer to finish because I had a medical procedure, but this book was the perfect thing to help me feel better. Hailey and Matt’s chemistry is fantastic, and the hockey elements made it even better. Who can resist a good kiss cam moment?

Thank you to Sourcebooks for sending this book my way, and a huge thanks to Elle and Sarina for writing such a fun and heartwarming story. If you love hockey romance, Stay is a must-read!

Ever thought falling for your anonymous client through a virtual assistant service was a good idea?

Yeah, neither did Hailey Taylor Emery, until she’s 95% sure her secret crush/client is none other than her lifelong celebrity obsession: hockey star Matt Eriksson. Cue the swooning, the texting... and the utter panic.

Hailey is doing just fine post breakup, thank you very much. She’s content with a little online flirtation, especially when that flirtation happens to be with the Matt Eriksson. But all that harmless banter takes a sharp turn toward eek territory when she’s called in to meet him face-to-face.

Turns out, crushing on a pro hockey player from behind a screen is one thing but meeting him in person? Utter chaos. And Matt? Oh, he’s just trying to survive the minefield of post-divorce life. Between his ex, his kids, and feeling like the team’s romantic failure, the one bright spot in his day is a virtual assistant who just gets him... even if she won’t show her face.

But what happens when this virtual connection takes a very real turn? Matt can’t resist inviting Hailey to a game, and Hailey can’t resist saying yes.

Throw in some front row hockey seats, a couple of adorable but oh-so-awkward moments, and a sizzling, slow burn romance that’ll make you blush harder than a kiss cam gone wrong, and you’ve got yourself a winning play.

Stay is packed with the quirky charm you’d expect from Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen, delivering LOL moments (misunderstood pics, anyone?), tender sweetness, and enough steamy chemistry to melt the ice. Hailey and Matt’s connection, both virtual and real, will have you rooting for them from page one. Plus, the hockey team shenanigans? Pure gold.

If you love romances with heart, humour, and just the right amount of sports drama, Stay will check all the boxes.

I enjoyed this book better than the other book which the hero was absolutely awful. The way they met was super cute. It was a slow burn but then it was really spicy.

Thanks to Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review, as always all words are my own.

Stay by Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen

“I’m ridiculously attracted to you, Hottie. I figured I should be up front about that.”
“Shut up and kiss me again, Snipes.”

Girl boss Hailey owns her own business, Fetch, which is similar to TaskRabbit — her favorite client just so happens to be her super sexy hockey player crush. When he requests she takes care of one of his tasks personally, he comes to the realization that he has been interested in her this whole time too!

If you like:
Sports Romance
Single Parent
Dual POV
Friends to Lovers

Pick this one up!

I definitely liked this one more than the first one — it was just more up my alley. The main characters definitely had their own struggles but they were more mature than the first book main characters. I loved seeing both their relationship with his kids and her relationship with the WAGS. They also had some pretty serious chemistry 🔥

#arc #advancedreaderscopy #stay #ellekennedy #sarinabowen #wags #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookrecs #booklover

I loved how Matt and Haliey met. It was unusual in the best way. Their relationship was a bit of a slow burn. Neither one ready to take that big step and move forward right away, but it was completely believable and real. I love a good slow burn romance. I loved the kids, the dog, really I loved most everything about this book. It was great to get to catch up with Blake and Jess, and of course my favorite hockey couple- Wes and Jamie!

Hailey and her ex-husband run a company called Fetch, an on demand personal assistant service. For months, she’d been helping out a client she suspects is her favorite professional hockey player.

Matt’s out of town a lot for hockey and started used Fetch to furnish his apartment after his divorce. When he’s unimpressed with his dog walker and needs a new one asap, Hailey steps in to take over. This takes their messaging to the next level once he sees her on his security camera and discovers she's a hockey fan.

If you’re looking for a hockey romance, give this one a read. It’s cute, spicy, and Matt’s teammates are fun. Overall, this was a quick read and enjoyed.

This book was nearly perfect, I loved Hailey and Matt. This story is a perfect fit for readers who are looking for a lighthearted sports romcom. Tropes also include hockey, single parent, and second chances at love. I can’t wait to read more from this duo of authors. 4.5 stars!

I have already purchased both Stay and Good Boy for my library's digital collection. Elle Kennedy is a popular author and these books are sure to circulate well. I look forward to reading more books by her in the future.

Hailey has been divorced for 18 months after her husband, also the only boyfriend she has ever had, said that they were better friends than spouses. She and her ex are still friends and they are partners in a business called Fetch where they will get whatever their clients need whenever they need it and will deliver it to them which is how she met Matt.

Matt is a professional hockey player and divorced father to twin girls. His marriage broke up because of his schedule and it has led him to believe that because of that he is not meant for a relationship but who could resist this sexy sweet man?

When the dogwalker that Hailey sent to Matt’s apartment shows through security footage that he is more interested in his house than his dog he calls Hailey to assist as he is out of town. Hailey takes it upon herself to personally look after his dog and Matt is intrigued and attracted to his dog walker.

A relationship ensues but they must both overcome the baggage of their pasts and it begins with Matt showing Hailey her sexy side and Hailey showing Matt that he is relationship material. I loved both these characters as Hailey is feisty and Matt is the perfect boyfriend. The banter between them is humorous, especially their texts, or should be say sexts, and their chemistry is off the charts.