MUST LOVE DOGS...AND HOCKEY - Kelly Jamieson

#1 in the New York Bears romance series

GREAT CHARACTERS! - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - After an accidental meeting when their dogs get in a tangle, Lilly and Easton hit it off, despite the fact that neither of them wants a relationship.

Writing - 4 stars - I'm a big Kelly Jamieson fan. She creates wonderful characters who are appealing, yet vulnerable. Her stories are typical romance, of course, and that's a good thing. Her knowledge of hockey seems strong enough to carry a few comments about the game, and the camaraderie between the romantic leads as well as the players always makes me smile.

Characters - 4.5 stars - This is where the story shone for me. Easton is a great romantic hero. He's strong, talented, handsome, but he also has some anger issues and feelings of rejection, which make him much more vulnerable. Lilly is also struggling with outside forces, but she's also approachable and living in a much more relatable lifestyle--poor but determined. I loved her willingness to put herself out there despite having had setbacks in her life. I'd love to hang around with either one or both of these characters. Otis is another wonderful character. He's cute and goofy and does a good job of bringing the two of the together.

Title - 3.5 stars - I get that the characters get together because of a dog (and that the shorter version of the title has already been used), but I thought it was a little unwieldy.

Cover - 4 stars - Attractive couple, an attractive background and eye-catching color. A winning cover combination for me.

Overall - 4 stars - What a great book! I loved the characters and their relationship, showing both serious and funny sides. They are both people that I'd love to have as friends. The serious moments were important, showing how each of them dealt with their situations, plus how they worked together so well to support each other. And the silly moments lightened things up to make it a very entertaining story. I also liked hearing a bit of the background of a hockey team. All in all, an excellent start to a new sports romance series. I look forward to continuing with it.

Whoa. Finished this in a few hours because I just couldn't put it down. It was sweet, with some hot moments of course! I loved hockey player Easton and dog walker Lilly--two mature, likable characters that needed something good to happen in their lives. But they were so much more than that. Neither wanted a 'relationship '--each had their reasons but by God you knew they would end up together because they were perfect for each other. And Otis the dog was the glue that held them together!

I also liked how the author wove into the story a couple of real life incidents that happened in the hockey world that affected Easton tremendously and caused me to understand all the pain he had bottled up inside. Way to bring an unexplainable tragedy, racism, and abuse into a well thought out story. Easton was a lucky man to have such a caring, understanding partner in his life. I want to read more about them!

The book ended on a small cliffhanger---I'm hoping Kelly Jamieson picks up where she left off...?

4 star

I was pulled right into this story. The story has pain, laughs, naughty fun, and heartbreak.

This is Lilly and Easton’s story. Easton is in trouble with his team and his coach. When he discovers a dog he is told to keep it as it just might help with his attitude. When the dog attacks another he gets a ear full from a feisty woman. He asks her to help him out with his pet. He is smitten and ready for a little distraction. But Lilly is holding him at arms length. She has a lot going on and is determined to hold it together. Can a dog heal them both and bring them together? Or will Easton and his bad pet just end up stealing her heart?

I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I recommend this book.

There are few one clicks for me for hockey romance anymore, but this author will always be one of them. She proves time and time again with her writing that she understands the sport and romance. Lily and Easton are great characters! And of course romance books with dogs are always great.
Ms Jamieson has done it again with the start of this series. If you have not picked up this author, hockey fan or not, you are missing out on great books!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

Complementary copy given for honest review and opinion from Netgalley.
This was a fun book. It did feel at times that it was a rushed book in writing with some scenes but I was definitely recommend.

Kelly Jamieson crafts a super fun, cute and sexy read.

Lilly’s life is a mess. Ever since she got fired for doing the right thing by speak out she hasn’t been able to get another job in the hospitality industry. The only thing that’s gone right so far was getting hired to take care of the cutest dog ever. Unfortunately, his own is a gorgeous hockey player with a chip on his shoulder.

Easton has lost everything and hockey is all he has left. He knows better than to get attached to people or pets, but he can’t abandon the cute dog who seems to adore him. And when Otis gives him the perfect excuse to keep seeing the smoking hot woman he met at the park, Easton embraces dog ownership with gusto. Except he’s not looking for a relationship of any kind.

What starts as a purely professional association turns into a deep emotional connection neither expected or knew they needed.

Set against a lovely New York backdrop, Lilly and Easton’s story is a fun and appealing novel of two very charming characters and an adorable puppy.

Must Love Dogs and Hockey is a standalone romance by Kelly Jamieson. Told from both points of view, with a happy ending.

I have read almost every Kelly Jamieson book out and I think this series has been middle of the road for me so far.

Kelly Jamieson is an autobuy for me . I adore her hockey-centered romances. I really liked Easton and Lillly together. They really pushed each other to be better people over the course of the story. Otis steals the show though! The whole storyline in Easton meeting him and growing to love him was adorable. It wasn't my favorite Kelly Jamieson, but a good read. I'm looking forward to reading Josh's book.

If you love hockey and dogs pick it up!

Kelly Jamieson writes such fabulous hockey romance! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, first in a new series. The way Easton ends up with a dog - and how he reluctantly falls in love with the dog - as well as how he and Lilly meet, and fall for each other, was funny and heartwarming. The backstory of the tragedy in which Easton was involved was heartbreaking and explained so much about him. Add in some sexy romance and this is a winner - can't wait for the next in series.

Thanks to the published and Netgalley for an advanced copy. This was my fourth Kelly Jamieson hockey book that I’ve read. I found it to be quite predictable, and a little odd that so much of it focused on a dog. But, it kept my attention and was an easy read. I look forward to more of her books.

I absolutely loved Lilly and Easton’s story! Lilly’s life is absolutely in turmoil when she meets Easton. It’s amazing how the love of a dog you didn’t even know you needed can change your life. It’s just an accident that brings Lilly and Easton together but soon they both realize that fate can’t be denied...or the amazing chemistry they share...or the obvious love of a cute dog named Otis.
(And someone should have definitely taken Easton’s coach out back and beaten him with a hockey skate...just saying.)
5 stars!!

Full honesty, I received an ARC of this book and I don't really love Hockey. It's entertaining during the Olympics and in the background of books, but I've never sought it out before.

I do love dogs (and Otis was a delight) and I do also love Kelly Jamieson books so I figured this book was more than a safe bet to enjoy.

Lilly (our heroine) is going through a tough time figuring out where her life is going next, and Easton (our hero) is having issues on his team so they both had lives that were experiencing upheaval and uncertainty.

I found both Lilly and Easton likable and interesting and I wanted them to find love from the start. I did also find them both a little bit immature, but they are young and still learning how to maneuver the cruddier parts for life.

All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance (and dogs).

I really enjoyed this one. Not gonna lie I fell in love with the cover first. It's hard to resist. Then I started the book and I couldn't put it down. I really liked Lily and Easton. Easton's back story is one that will hit you in the heart. It makes it all the more special when Otis comes into his life. I LOVED Otis! He's so adorable. There is one character in here that I really, really disliked. I hated the way he treated his team. Karma was over due visiting him. I really liked that this book gave me the message of stand up for yourself and doing the right thing is rewarding even if we don't see it at first. For Lily she thinks her future is bleak, but for a kind person like her fate has other plans. She may just find herself on the path she was truly meant to be on. This is a book you're easily going to get lost in.

Must Love Dogs...and Hockey is a really sweet, really entertaining romantic comedy that leaves you with plenty of warm fuzzies, and with a desire to pet some cute doggies.

Simply put, this book is heartwarming, adorable and gives you exactly what you would want, expect and need from it. it is written with a dog park meet-cute, witty banter, clear chemistry and attracting, and two characters that you really want to see together.

Lily and Easton both have some personal issues to work through, and as they do, they grow much closer together. Easton has some emotional issues that he has to overcome, and Lily is in a serious financial bind. They both manage to lean on each other, depend on each other, and truly help each other out and become a solid couple.

Kelly Jamieson always delivers romances that leave you satisfied and feeling good, and this is another in her library of titles that is a good romcom pick-me-up. Enjoy!

Another enjoyable read by Kelly Jamieson. Her characters are real and relatable and Lilly and Easton are great together. And who can forget Otis, the reason that they meet in the first place. I liked the fact that Lilly and Easton became friends before going further with their relationship. They made each other want to be better people I liked how they grew as Individuals as well as a couple.

I cannot wait for the next story.

*I received this book free from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley.*

Lilly has a heart of gold and only want to do what she believes is right, even if it costs her everything. She lost her job because she didn't agree with how they were manipulating the elderly. And they smeared her name so she couldn't find work elsewhere. She lost her boyfriend because she lost her job. Her dad was on a sabbatical to god knows where, her mothers was trying to make ends meet in his absence, and she was trying to care for her grandmother who's health ended her up somewhere she could get the attention she needed. And the only ones to stand by her while her world seemed to be crashing down around her were her friends, and her best friend/roommate. With her options extremely limited she decided to start her own dog walking business.

Easton is a Bears hockey player. He had a traumatic experience, resulting in the loss of his father, his brother, and several of his teammates. Hockey was the only thing he had left and he gave it his all. That all changed the day he saved a poor dog from getting strangled to death in a crazy elevator accident. Against his better judgement he decided to keep the dog until he found the owner, little did he know that 'Otis' would also lead him to find someone to share his heart with.

Lilly is just what Easton needs. He cannot help but fall in love with her, but his fears keep him from telling her so. And he'll have to loose everything he truly loves to discover the courage to face not only his past, but his future. Must Love Dogs...and Hockey is a sweet romance that brings together two people and a dog in an inspirational journey.

The characters were enchanting and easily drew me in. I got so wrapped up in their story that before I knew it, it was ending. Kelly Jamieson has another hit on her hands and I cannot wait to see where this new series goes.

Kelly Jamieson scored another game winning goal with her latest hockey romance. Lilly, Easton and Otis are a wonderful, laugh inspiring 'family' and I couldn't get enough of them! Another, not to be missed start to the new Bears hockey series! Can't wait to see who's next!

There is a lot going on in 2020 that has impacted everyone differently but this book was such a warm welcome and pleasure with everything else that was going on in the outside world. It is such a cute story that I could not put down. I actually read it TWICE! The characters are super relatable, the plot and storyline were so good, and it was just perfect. It had all the feels, the ups, the downs, and the happily ever after. The chemistry was scorching! And who doesn't love dogs?! I can not wait for the next one!

Must Love Dogs...and Hockey by Kelly Jamieson is a sports romance. Lilly: My life is like the love child of a train wreck and a dumpster fire right now. I’ve been canned, my professional reputation is shredded, and now I’m walking dogs to make ends meet. But I still believe everything will work out, somehow. Then a dog at the park attacks my friend’s dog. At first, I’m ready to give the owner hell—but it turns out he’s in desperate need of doggie daycare. I figure, why not? I love dogs and I need the cash. Too bad his cocky bad boy attitude annoys me. He’s too damn cute for his own good. And I’m not talking about the dog. Easton: My coach is riding my ass and I’m not handling it well. When I’m saddled with an abandoned pooch, my teammate thinks a dog will keep my temper in check. I think I have enough problems already. But when my new dog gets into a tussle that leads me to meet a smoking hot chick who knows how to handle the rascal, I start to think pet ownership isn’t all bad. At least it gives me an excuse to see Lilly again. Neither of us are interested in a relationship. First they steal your bed, then they steal your heart. And I’m not talking about the dog.

Must Love Dogs...and Hockey is a contemporary romance with a dash or pets and hockey. Lilly is down on her luck, and meeting Easton could change that, or make everything even worse. Add in an abusive coach, neurotic rescued pooch, and starting a new business walking dogs and everything is on the line. Facing down bad memories and worries for present and future while working toward a happy ending is far from simple, but these two stumble through it. I liked them each on their own, and as a couple. They each had plenty of baggage to unpack, and I liked when they supported each other as that happened, and when they had to work things out on their own. I will admit that I had trouble getting engaged with this book, but honestly it could very well have been me rather than the book. I liked the set up, and the characters, but I just could not see to get fully invested and then found the wrap up to be a little rushed. However, I also read this as I was going back to work in the building rather than from home, figuring out the school schedule for the kids- only to have it all change- and so on. I do plan on looking for the next book from the author, since there was a hint as to characters I want to see more of coming into play. So I think my mild disinterest comes more from me not being able to settle my mind, rather than the actual book.

Must Love Dogs...and Hockey is a romance with a good set up, interesting characters, and a nice dose of heat. I think I will need to revisit once things settle down a bit.

This was a great book to read especially if you are a dog lover. It was full of witty banter, humor, and cute dogs. The characters were easy to love and the storyline was good. Easton didn’t know a thing about dogs but when he saves Otis from the elevator and no one claims him, Easton couldn’t help but fall for him. He is a hockey player and spends a lot of time away from home when the team goes on the road, so he needs to settle things for Otis. When he meets Lilly in the park, he knows she’s the answer to his problem. Lilly has lost her job and was feeling down until she meets Easton in the dog park and his dog attacks her friend’s dog. She agrees to help Easton by watching Otis and decides she likes working with dogs better than people. She decides to start her own dog walking business and with help from Easton, she soon has more dogs to take care of. She knows she should avoid a relationship with an employer, but Easton is so persistent. Eventually, she gave up fighting the attraction. This was the first book I have read from this author and I found it to be fun and charming. I look forward to reading future books by this author.