ARC Review: Good Boy (WAGS #1) by Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen

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 - absolutely 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.

Title: Good Boy (WAGS #1)

Author: Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen

Publisher: Sourcebooks Bloom Books

Expected Publication Date: August 6. 2024

Review:

Thank you to Sourcebooks Bloom Books and NetGalley for providing me with an egalley of this title for and honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I will pretty much read anything Elle Kennedy writes. And I know this is a re-release but I've actually never read this series so I wanted too jump in. And when she combines her writing with Bowen, it's even more fun. I loved their Him and Us books. I wasn't expecting a spin off of that series but they did it and I'm all about reading it.

The plot line is typical of a fast and quick romance. I love the friends to lovers aspect. And it's fun to see it grow in the presence of a little bit of a sorted past between the two characters. The plot heavily relies on humor, which I really like. Blake Riley and Jessica "Jess, J-babe" Canning could not be more different. But their chemistry does sizzle. And the plot grows that chemistry but also their growing attraction to each other as people.

Blake really is your stereo-typical athlete dude. He's cocky and very sure of himself. But underneath there's this sweetness too him. And even though he comes off not as smart as you think he might be, he actually has so much more going on underneath. His biggest asset is his heart and how he puts himself in the way of those he cares for (or cared for) so they won't get hurt. It's a bit detrimental to him. He's very worried about hurting people but it is hurting him for much of the book. I'm glad he's able to come to terms with this. The one thing he never waivers on is his love for Jessica. And his determination to show her they are right for each other is a bit over the top, because he is that cocky, but sweet at the same time. And his sisters are so much fun. I would have loved to see a bit more about them but what I got from his family is the women are big and bold and not afraid of opening their mouths. 

Jessica was a fun character. I love that she's Jamie's sister. They have a big family and Jessica has always felt like she is the screw up. But she's actually so much smarter than she gives herself credit for and it takes her the entire book to realize that. She's very busy comparing herself to others for most of the book and when she finally realizes there is so much more she can give than what she thinks she can, it's fun to watch her see it in herself. I do wish there was a little more substance to her than her being super insecure. It took up her whole personality and I really would have liked to see more from her as a character.

The pacing is easy and light with this one. The chapters flow well and it's a pretty fast pace getting you from beginning to end. 

If you're looking for something fun and funny, this is that book. I will say the actual plot is very light. There's not all that much there but it didn't detract from the relationship between Blake and Jessica growing and just being a joy to watch. I'll definitely continue to read this series to see what other character relationships Kennedy and Bowen grow!

Authors:

A New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager.

Elle currently writes for various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!

Sarina Bowen is the twenty-four-time USA Today bestselling and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of three dozen books, including: the True North series, and Brooklyn Hockey. She's the co-author of Him/Us and the WAGs series with Elle Kennedy. She's the author of The Ivy Years series, and more!
Are you looking for a friends-to-lovers story or maybe even a secret baby book? You can read a list of Sarina's books broken out by trope and style.
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