Sarina Bowen

Elle Kennedy

Hosting her brother’s wedding for an MVP guest list is the challenge of Jess Canning’s life. Already the family screw-up, she can’t afford to fail. And nobody (nobody!) can learn of the colossal mistake she made with the best man during a weak moment last spring. It was wrong, and there will not be a repeat. Absolutely not. Even if he is the sexiest thing on two legs. Blake Riley sees the wedding as fate’s gift to him. Jess is the maid of honor and he’s the best man? Let the games begin. So what if he’s facing a little (fine, a lot) of resistance? He just needs to convince the stubborn blonde that he’s really a good boy with a bad rap. Luckily, every professional hockey player knows that you’ve got to make an effort if you want to score. But Jess has more pressing issues to deal with than sexy-times with a giant man-child. Such as: Will the ceremony start on time, even though someone got grandma drunk? Does glitter ever belong at a wedding? And is it wrong to murder the best man? Caution: May cause accidental aspiration of tea or coffee. Do not read in a public place where loud laughter is inappropriate. Contains hot but hilarious hockey players, puppy cuddling and a snarky pair of underwear. "If I had to pick two authors who I'd have team up, it would be Bowen and Kennedy" -- #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover "Everything Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy write is pure gold. Please excuse me while I read this one all summer long." Hypable Keywords: Hockey romance, Toronto, Sports Romance, Romantic comedy, contemporary romanceFor fans of: Vi Keeland, Corinne Michaels, Melanie Harlow, Penelope Ward, Lauren Blakely, Kendall Ryan, Sierra Simone, Sawyer Bennett, Catherine Gayle, Toni Aleo

Good Boy

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️

Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻

Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️

Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒

Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂

Good Boy is the first book in a duo series and in Good Boy this is where we get Blake's book. If you are familiar with Jamie and Wes than you know how colorful of a personality Blake is. I was so excited when I heard he had a book and I instantly went after this one here and I am so happy that I did because Blake's book was everything that I could have hoped for and more. It also really emulated everything you would come to expect from Blake and what his love story would be like. Everything sexy and adorable all wrapped up in one package of delicious writing that only these two can do when they get together. There is something about how these authors write when they write together that is so gravitating.

Even though the restaurant staff has already done its magic, I'm fussing over the dining table one more time.

Professional NHL player, lover of animals, has tons of energy and is close to his family. Big boned and muscled but loves to play and be the "life" of the party.

Always on the hunt for "the career", feels she has disappointed her family, but is finding herself in Nursing.

Jess and Blake had a one night stand when her brother was sick, and ever since neither of them have been able to forget that night. But Jess is determined to not screw up her brother's wedding and then she runs into Blake once again and is reminded of what they once shared. But she knows Blake, he has flair and drama and she doesn't need him ruining her role as a event planner. Blake Riley is determined to win over Jess, he can't stop thinking about her and wants more of her, but she is being stubborn. but through a course of events, they both end up in the same city and come into some scenarios where they have a fake relationship but soon they start to build their own relationship without even realizing it. But Blake is determined to show Jess that he is serious about them being together.

There was so much to love about this book and sincerely and truly I had a blast with Blake. I just loved seeing him in the "Him" series and in this one here we see how much of a trooper he is here. And even though previously we have seen him with so much drama and flair and has such a colorful personality, but in "Good Boy" we see him with such a colorful personality and its such a blast to see. I was laughing all over the place with his fun shenanigans especially in trying to charm Jess into her panties. But when he does get in them....he definitely knows how to please a woman that is for sure. But we also get to see the heart of who Blake is. He has such compassion and is such a rock with his family and he also has a tough past of being betrayed which is why he hasn't been in a serious relationship since Jess.

Now Jess was a true delight to read if I am being honest. I admired her heart and her drive to find her passion even if she has to make a ton of mistakes first. I loved how she isn't afraid to have new sexual experiences and can be spontaneous on occasion when the need arises. She has her own backbone and stands on her own with Blake but at the same time, when he needs a listening ear, she is always there and constant and steady. She has such a balanced personality in how she treats others and I really admired that she deeply. There is a bit of tension for her as she figures out her nursing degree and if its something she wants to do. But Blake really helps her find her path through it all and it was so endearing to see that. And then the reveal to her brother was delightful, when Jamie and Wes react to Jess and Blake being together?? PRICELESS!! I bookmarked it even so I can reread it later down the road haha

And the ending was the sweetest part of the story, there was something so unique and fun about seeing these two together and the development of the relationship on a emotional level was poignant and heart wrenching as we see the true heart of Blake and Jess and how right they fit for each other. And Jess makes a fabulous WAG. Just sayin'

Nothing. Loved every minute of this one here.

Good Boy is a book of delight and depth. Its a story to entertain, make you laugh out loud, and give you all the feels in the most unexpecting moments.

His need to protect. To make everyone happy…” Even if it means sacrificing his own happiness, is the unfinished sentiment. And my heart clenches painfully, because I know it’s true. As over the top as Blake is, he lives his entire life for other people.

“Embrace the nutty, J-Babe. Move in. Study for your tests on the couch with the puppy. Sleep naked in my bed.” I take a step closer and touch my lips to hers. “You make Blake Riley Smiley.”

Themes: Lots of Laughs, Hot Smexy Times, Love of Animals

Lover of Romance 

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Good Boy is the first book in a duo series and in Good Boy this is where we get Blake's book. If you are familiar with Jamie and Wes than you know how colorful of a personality Blake is. I was so excited when I heard he had a book and I instantly went after this one here and I am so happy that I did because Blake's book was everything that I could have hoped for and more. It also really emulated everything you would come to expect from Blake and what his love story would be like. Everything sexy and adorable all wrapped up in one package of delicious writing that only these two can do when they get together. There is something about how these authors write when they write together that is so gravitating.

First Line
Even though the restaurant staff has already done its magic, I'm fussing over the dining table one more time.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Blake Riley
Professional NHL player, lover of animals, has tons of energy and is close to his family. Big boned and muscled but loves to play and be the "life" of the party.

The Heroine: Jess Canning
Always on the hunt for "the career", feels she has disappointed her family, but is finding herself in Nursing.

Summary
Jess and Blake had a one night stand when her brother was sick, and ever since neither of them have been able to forget that night. But Jess is determined to not screw up her brother's wedding and then she runs into Blake once again and is reminded of what they once shared. But she knows Blake, he has flair and drama and she doesn't need him ruining her role as a event planner. Blake Riley is determined to win over Jess, he can't stop thinking about her and wants more of her, but she is being stubborn. but through a course of events, they both end up in the same city and come into some scenarios where they have a fake relationship but soon they start to build their own relationship without even realizing it. But Blake is determined to show Jess that he is serious about them being together.

What I Loved
There was so much to love about this book and sincerely and truly I had a blast with Blake. I just loved seeing him in the "Him" series and in this one here we see how much of a trooper he is here. And even though previously we have seen him with so much drama and flair and has such a colorful personality, but in "Good Boy" we see him with such a colorful personality and its such a blast to see. I was laughing all over the place with his fun shenanigans especially in trying to charm Jess into her panties. But when he does get in them....he definitely knows how to please a woman that is for sure. But we also get to see the heart of who Blake is. He has such compassion and is such a rock with his family and he also has a tough past of being betrayed which is why he hasn't been in a serious relationship since Jess.

Now Jess was a true delight to read if I am being honest. I admired her heart and her drive to find her passion even if she has to make a ton of mistakes first. I loved how she isn't afraid to have new sexual experiences and can be spontaneous on occasion when the need arises. She has her own backbone and stands on her own with Blake but at the same time, when he needs a listening ear, she is always there and constant and steady. She has such a balanced personality in how she treats others and I really admired that she deeply. There is a bit of tension for her as she figures out her nursing degree and if its something she wants to do. But Blake really helps her find her path through it all and it was so endearing to see that. And then the reveal to her brother was delightful, when Jamie and Wes react to Jess and Blake being together?? PRICELESS!! I bookmarked it even so I can reread it later down the road haha

And the ending was the sweetest part of the story, there was something so unique and fun about seeing these two together and the development of the relationship on a emotional level was poignant and heart wrenching as we see the true heart of Blake and Jess and how right they fit for each other. And Jess makes a fabulous WAG. Just sayin'

What I Struggled With
Nothing. Loved every minute of this one here.

Overall View
Good Boy is a book of delight and depth. Its a story to entertain, make you laugh out loud, and give you all the feels in the most unexpecting moments.

Favorite Quote(s)
His need to protect. To make everyone happy…” Even if it means sacrificing his own happiness, is the unfinished sentiment. And my heart clenches painfully, because I know it’s true. As over the top as Blake is, he lives his entire life for other people.

“Embrace the nutty, J-Babe. Move in. Study for your tests on the couch with the puppy. Sleep naked in my bed.” I take a step closer and touch my lips to hers. “You make Blake Riley Smiley.”

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Athlete, Hockey
Themes: Lots of Laughs, Hot Smexy Times, Love of Animals
Tropes: Brothers Best Friend

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict

Song This Book Inspires
How Do You Sleep?-Sam Smith

Recommendation For Reading Order
No you can read as standalones if needed

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

Seth Schweiger

Ashley Janssen

I DNF'd at 27%. I enjoyed Jamie and Wes's story but Blake ruins this. He is too immature for any amount of muscles to make him attractive.

Juliet Sittler

Nothing prolific, but I was entertained. Would have loved to see a little more resolution at the end... felt like things were ties up too quickly in a lil bow

** spoiler alert **
           Tengo una gran pregunta para Elle y Sarina: ¿Por qué no le hacen justicias a sus historias?

A ver, me explico. Amé la Serie Him, ¿Wes y Jamie? Los dueños de mi corazón y mi nueva razón de ser; pero tengo que admitir, que alguna veces sentía que las autoras nunca les hacían justicia a esos dos, en el sentido de que sus historias empezaban muuuuy bien, pero luego iban perdiendo intensidad y terminaban precipitadamente, o como mucho, de manera atropellada y de golpe.  ¿Acaso tenían un límite de palabras por cada libro? Tendría más sentido que mi descabellada teoría de que esas dos empiezan con mucho entusiasmo sus historias pero como que en el medio les empieza a dar flojera y luego hacen cualquier cosa por salir del paso y terminar rápido.

Ahora, vuelve a pasar lo mismo con este libro. 

Blake, mi precioso hombre canadiense con alma de niño que se preocupa por hacer feliz a todo el mundo y deja su propia felicidad de último. Por un lado, sentí que no le dieron mucha profundidad a su personaje, sigue siendo un autentico sunshine y con mucha energía para ser verdad, pero... ¿Realmente conocí a Blake con este libro? La verdad es que no. Todavía no me entero por qué le tiene tanto miedo a las ovejas; pero en fin, sus puntos fuertes seguían resaltando y me gusto que mantuviera esa imagen de: bueno amigo, hijo, hermano etc y se consolidara como un ser humano excepcional que se merece todo lo bueno.

¿El drama con su ex? Fue muy de telenovela, y en serio no podía creer cómo la mujer insistía en hablar con Blake o hacerle numeritos de celos, cuando en realidad había sido una arpía desde el inicio y nunca le importo en detenerse a pensar sobre sí sus acciones afectaban a Blake. O sea, ¿Fingir estar embarazada para amarrar un hombre y luego hacer un montón de cosas para hacer realidad la mentira? Jeje, muy enfermo de su parte.

Por otra parte, está Jess. La verdad es que me dio bastante igual su personaje, pero también tengo que admitir que me identifiqué con su búsqueda de cuál era la pasión de su vida y pude empatizar con ese miedo de seguir decepcionando a su familia por no tener claro que deseaba hacer con su vida. Además, me gustó mucho que al final su vocación fuera algo referente a la salud, y siento que Jess se destacará mucho como enfermera (aunque acá no vimos casi nada de eso, más que un par de escenas).

Creo que lo único que no me cuadró de todo eso fue que, Jess mencionara que le tiene miedo al compromiso, pero al final terminara lanzándose a una relación donde no tenían los mismos gustos o donde ella resaltaba de que no podría tener conversaciones profundas con Blake por lo superficial que era. Y eso me enojó, porque... por momentos me dio a entender que estaba con él en plan rebote o tener un buen momento, y no porque creyera que le gustaba de verdad Blake.

Claro, ella después reconoce el increíble hombre que es Blake, y como nadie lo reconoce por ello o como simplemente no le dan el mérito que se merece, pero aún así me quedo la cosa sobre que ellos nunca hablaron realmente de sentimientos y todo se dio de golpe a través de la química sexual que tenían; y, OJO, no está mal, pero esperaba ver la misma construcción de la relación que vi con Wes y Jamie, y aunque fuera diferente en buen sentido, sí puedo decir que Blake y Jess tal vez sean de esas parejas que luego de muchos años se separen porque no encontrarán un punto en común del cual aferrarse más que la parte física de su relación; igual esa es mi opinión, así que si alguien lee eso, no se lo tome en serio pls.

¿Podemos hablar sobre que Wes se tatuó su anillo de boda? Lo quiero mucho. No hay hombre más enamorado que él en el mundo.

¿Los cameos de Wes y Jamie? La serotonina de mi vida, pero me siento que no hayamos tenidos alguna escena de su boda desde alguno de sus POVs.

Hablando de la boda... ¿Wes llorando mientras decía sus votos? Lloré, lo quiero proteger de todo mal porque mi niño se terminó casando con el amor de su infancia.

Thmaiden

Nikki

** spoiler alert **
           FIRST THINGS FIRST: I LOVE IT I LOVE THIS BOOK.

My heart goes out to J-babe. Feeling like a failure to her family because she can't settle down on a job. My heart also goes out to Blakey for always being the best son/friend/teammate/ex-bf/future bf to everyone. I love them both so much. I enjoyed reading them. There was just the right amount of angst, fluff, and sexy timez. Speaking of heat level, I think what surprised me the most with this book is the sex wasn't that explicit. I mean it was hot, but Sarina and Elle have written hotter. 

And the snippets of WesMie ugh <3 Blake was right when he said Wesmie 4ever. I hope we can see more of them and Blake and Jess in the second installment of the series.

Jaclyn

*4.5*

Ahhhh LOVE this!!! Super light, very fluffy, hilarious, and I really need to read the next one and prequel series! Love the hockey aspect as well. The reason I knocked it off half a star was because I could really connect with Blake Riley in the beginning and I wanted more of an emotional connection between him and Jess, but towards the second half and as the book continued that got brought into it and I fell head over heels for Blake! I really liked how Jess was 26 and was just figuring out what to do with her life by going back to school. I just went back to school at 24 and it’s refreshing to read about heroines who are a little older, figuring things out. I loved Wes and Jamie too, I seriously need to read their story, they were super cute!! Can’t wait to read more from Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy!

Lysha Taynish

I thought I’d love this, cause I usually love Elle Kennedy’s books. But I didn’t really like it so much. I’m so sad.

Hosting her brother's wedding for an MVP guest list is the challenge of Jess Canning's life. Already the family screw-up, she can't afford to fail. And nobody (nobody ) can learn of the colossal mistake she made with the best man during a weak moment last spring. It was wrong, and there will not be a repeat. Absolutely not. Even if he is the sexiest thing on two legs. Blake Riley sees the wedding as fate's gift to him. Jess is the maid of honor and he's the best man? Let the games begin. So what if he's facing a little (fine, a lot) of resistance? He just needs to convince the stubborn blonde that he's really a good boy with a bad rap. Luckily, every professional hockey player knows that you've got to make an effort if you want to score. But Jess has more pressing issues to deal with than sexy-times with a giant man-child. Such as: Will the ceremony start on time, even though someone got grandma drunk? Does glitter ever belong at a wedding? And is it wrong to murder the best man? Warning: Do not read while sipping hot liquids. Or cold ones. Or while sitting anywhere laughter would be inappropriate. Contains hot but hilarious hockey players, puppies and a snarky pair of underwear.

Sophie Elaina 

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads.


I remember back when Blake first appeared in Him and I kinda thought he was douchey and I was afraid he would be the person who would out Wes and Jamie and cause all kinds of drama. As I learned in Us, I couldn't have been more wrong. I fell HARD for Blake and all his silliness in Us. I also realized he was a really good guy underneath all the jokes. I couldn't help but hope there would be more of him in the future — because I absolutely WANTED more. Thankfully Sarina and Elle are awesome and never disappoint, so here we are! 

If you read Us, you know that Blake and Jess, Jamie's sister, had a little thing going on. I loved their banter in that book and suspected that chemistry would translate really well into other areas. I wasn't wrong. I loved how Blake relentlessly pursued Jess throughout this book. He was good for her... and she was good for him. She was real and not just looking to bag a hockey player, unlike most of the women he'd been around. I adored Jess as much as I did Blake. I questioned why she pushed him away for so long because, let's face it, if he'd been after me... I wouldn't have hesitated. He was just too perfect. And they were so great together. 

Good Boy was a fantastic read. It's the kind that I could normally knock out in a few short hours, but I read it over the holiday when there was less time to read each day because of family obligations. Which wasn't all bad either, because it just meant I got to savor all the words and moments. Speaking of moments, fans of Wes and Jamie from the Him series will LOVE several of the moments in this book. Like, for instance, THE WEDDING. Feels for freaking days, man. They helped offset the laughs from Blake and Jess. ;) 

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

FAVORITE QUOTES

  He laughs the way he lives his life — loud and fierce without inhibition. He fucks that way, too. 

"A date with me is like a trip to Disneyland. You'd fucking love it. Because everyone loves Disneyland."

It's been a long time since anything felt so fucking good. I'm drowning in this girl and I don't want to be saved. 

Blake Riley is a better man than anyone gives him credit for. And I'm ashamed of myself. I'm so fucking ashamed for ever believing that he was just a stupid jock who was incapable of being serious.

window

I'm 40% in and still waiting for the lulz. What I have come across so far is a "hero" who is a total bro and is so obnoxious and immature as to be off-putting. And if that wasn't off-putting enough, let's add what other reviewers have mentioned: unsolicited dick pics (yes more than one and the other one after she told him she was going to block him), the inability to accept a "no" from a woman, grabbing her ass during the ceremony at her brother's wedding (and then later in other public places despite her telling him she didn't want anything to do with him sexually), showing up uninvited into her bed and then groping her while she was sleeping, contriving a situation so that he has to stay at her apartment instead of a hotel room knowing she won't complain to her family about it, shoving his head between her legs when she agreed to kiss him just so he would leave her the F alone ("you didn't say where" he says like that's so funny), telling her "if I can't fuck you no one can", thinking stalkerish things like "Jess is my girl, she just doesn't realize it yet" (after she turns him down the the eleventy jillionth time). The list goes on and on. But she can somehow get over her massive annoyance with him and all of his crap because he has a big dick.

Far from laughing, I was actually pissed while I was reading. 

Ladies and gents, this is not romance. This is harassment at best, and assault at worst. I do wish authors would stop portraying "relationships" like this (quotes intentional since this is so not the stuff a healthy relationship is made of) as romantic. There's alpha male and then there's total asshole who crosses the line right on over into assault. Blake? Total asshole.

Chantale

I am a sucker for a good sports romance book especially hockey ones so I was so excited to read this book.

I am so glad I decided to read Good Boy because I pretty much devoured this one. It is very well done and yes I was hooked from the very beginning.

I love Blake and Jess. I loved the wit and humour and of course the sexy hot parts.

If you are looking for a good hot sports romance then I highly recommend this book.

I am giving this 5 out of 5.

Lacey

This was too sweet and cute and adorable!!! I couldn't stop smiling throughout this entire read, and it was pretty much all because of Blake. I really needed the laughs this book gave me. I really enjoyed it! Review to come!

Thanks to the authors for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Rics

Julia C

Belen Silva

Hosting her brother's wedding for an MVP guest list is the challenge of Jess Canning's life. Already the family screw-up, she can't afford to fail. And nobody (nobody!) can learn of the colossal mistake she made with the best man during a weak moment last spring. It was wrong, and there will not be a repeat. Absolutely not. Even if he is the sexiest thing on two legs. Blake Riley sees the wedding as fate's gift to him. Jess is the maid of honor and he's the best man? Let the games begin. So what if he's facing a little (fine, a lot) of resistance? He just needs to convince the stubborn blonde that he's really a good boy with a bad rap. Luckily, every professional hockey player knows that you've got to make an effort if you want to score. But Jess has more pressing issues to deal with than sexy-times with a giant man-child. Such as: Will the ceremony start on time, even though someone got grandma drunk? Does glitter ever belong at a wedding? And is it wrong to murder the best man? Warning: Do not read while sipping hot liquids. Or cold ones. Or while sitting anywhere laughter would be inappropriate. Contains hot but hilarious hockey players, puppies and a snarky pair of underwear.

Good Boy

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