By now I have read several of Kelly Jamieson's hockey books and, even though I have no interest in hockey in real life, her books are always entertaining, engaging, well paced, and have well developed characters; yet, they don't feel repetitive. I read "Must Love Dogs...and Hockey" in almost one sitting. I loved Lilly and Keane (and Otis!), they are easy to sympathize with and root for. The interactions among the teammates were very fun to read while the dilemmas the two main characters go through, each needing to stand up to injustices, are grounded in important current issues. But mostly this was a fun read in a time when we desperately need a bit of fun as a respite from the insane year that has been 2020.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such an engaging story! I fell in love with Otis immediately and then Lilly and Easton. I enjoyed the banter and the sexy scenes!

Lilly is down on her luck after just losing her job while Easton is playing hockey for the New York Bears, but struggling with his coach’s bad attitude toward him . When a chance meeting between the two over Otis, the dog Easton has acquired, their relationship takes off. I loved that these characters both had baggage but were able to forge a friendship, and then more. I can’t wait to continue reading more in this new hockey series!

This is a wonderful story about Lily and Easton, two screw ups who meet and like each other but also who have messes in their current lives that they need to fix and there is an adorable dog in this story as well.

Easton is a hockey player with the Bears Hockey team, this is book 1 in the new series. He has been traded to a new town and he saves the dogs life and can't find its owner when he meets Lily who is down on her luck and has no job, who is making money by dog walking. And while Easton lusts for Lily she turns him down and instead he hires her to take care of his dog and so a wonderful friendship is born.

This is very much a friends to lovers romance and I loved how Easton and Lily get to know each other while NOT dating. I absolutely adored the story and I loved how Otis brought them together.

I received an arc for review purposes from Netgallery

Must Love Dogs...and Hockey was a cute story. Easton and Lilly were a pleasant couple. I liked their meet cute and the instant attraction they had. I enjoyed how their relationship progressed as the story continued. Their banter and interactions were sweet. I also enjoyed the camaraderie between Lilly and her friends and Easton and his teammates. These characters were real and their situations were real and it made the story relatable. I also liked how they helped each other personally especially Lilly for Easton. Otis was adorable and added a specialness to the read. Overall this was a pleasant easy read.

This has the perfect start to a meet-cute that when it happens, I was swooning. The story is funny with sweetness and lots of steam to keep you going. I loved Lilly and even though it took me a little while, I also warmed up to Easton. The story flows so well and there was no way I couldn't be invested in the characters. It also helps that the dog just brings everything together.

This was a perfect feel good book. Two people trying to figure out life and resolve some issues before meeting. A hockey player who has lost so much, but still made his dreams come true. He is not sure how to enjoy what he has as there is always the fear that he will lose it all. A single head strong woman who has taken a stand, one that cost her a lot, but she has her girlfriends love and support, so who needs a guy? Until you meet the right guy..... and before you know it, you can't see life without him. They met through the love and wonder of a puppy and all that comes with taking care and loving a puppy..... Will the puppy be enough to make the love connection work?

Will they be able to get over their issues and find each other, or was not their time to meet?

I really enjoyed it.

This is a story of finding yourself. Loving up on dogs. Falling in love... with a dog. Realizing that life is full of chances and decisions and sometimes you have to take the leap, even if you are afraid. And the hot hockey guy is a bonus. Who doesn't love a great hockey romance, this one happens to have an adorable dog as well.

This book is as cute as the cover!

Dogs, romance, and did I already mention dogs? *sighs in happy contentment* This book was just so lovely and adorable and a pleasure to read. It provided a much needed escape from the current events of the world. Give me a story with a blossoming romance. animals, and hockey (i’m not even a sports fan but for some reason i’m all about hockey players in books, especially certain series. looking at you Elle Kennedy with your off campus series!)

This story revolves around Easton, Lilly, and Otis the dog who certainly deserves to be mentioned as he definitely plays a role in this story.

Easton is a swoon worthy hockey player, busy with his career who suddenly finds himself even busier and more overwhelmed when he becomes the owner of a dog (Otis) after saving him from certain death in an elevator. *swoon*. He’s beyond stressed as he has no idea of how to even take care of a dog.

I loved Easton in all his swoony, hockey playing bad boy glory. He made me laugh several times and was just such an amusing and entertaining character.

Lilly is a sassy, feisty force to be reckoned with. Even times when the chips were down, she still toughed it out and stepped it up. At the beginning of the story times were tough for her and she was definitely down on her luck. She was out of a job and swimming in debt.

But the predicament they both found themselves in was actually perfect because it made for the perfect meet cute. It was fate. Meant to be. Cupid was working his magic.

Easton needs a dog sitter. Lilly needs a job. Do you see where i’m going with this? Need I say more?

The dog walking happens. Romance blossoms. It’s all very lovely and wonderful.

The chemistry between the two of them was instantaneous and sizzling. You could feel it steaming right off of the pages! I loved the witty banter between them, and found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. It was nice how neither of them were looking for a relationship, but couldn’t resist their attraction to one another. When you know, you know.

And since I am such an animal lover, I just love the fact that Otis is the one that brought them together.

Such a cute, heartwarming story!

If you love dogs, romance, and hockey, then this is the book for you.

Highly recommend!

I am falling in love. I am falling like the snowflakes outside, like leaves in the autumn and petals in the summer. Like stars that you make a wish on.

This was such a lovely, heartfelt read! I mean, hot hockey player, strong woman, and an adorable dog—why wouldn't it be fab? And add to that the fact that it's written by one of my favorite hockey-romance writers, Kelly Jamieson, and it's definitely a winner.

Must Love Dogs...and Hockey is a book with a message. But it's not too blunt of a message. Is it obvious? Yes, but not so much that it slams you over the head (or into the boards, if we want to use hockey terms). I love that Ms. Jamieson found a way to work in a very timely lesson while still keeping things sweet and lighthearted and sexy.

I'm very pleased to see that there is going to be more Bears Hockey in the future—starting with Josh, which gives me hope that we haven't seen the last of Easton and Lilly, who I will miss and do love—and honestly can't wait for that future to arrive.

Lilly’s life has down in flames, at least her professional life. Fired again from another job in the same field she is now looking at never working again in the hospitality field. This is all going through her mind of course as she has no job and no prospects for one either.
Hockey player Easton is still feeling new to the team that traded for him and he has not opened up to any of the other players. He has been getting a lot of lip from the coach and he is tired of hearing it. Home form a road trip, he enters his apartment complex only to see a woman stepping into an elevator and the dog she has been caught on the outside of the door. With the dog being straggled he rushes to the door and is able to disconnect the dog from his leash. The woman comes downstairs and gives Easton the dog running out of the apartment complex.
Lilly has begun walking a dog for money and while at the dog park her dog is being jumped on by another dog. When the owner of that dog comes over, she is surprised at how good looking he is but is still upset with him about allowing his dog to be off its leash. Easton thinking that Lilly is very attractive tells her that he has just gotten the dog named Otis and it is not until much later that she finds out what happened in order for him to get the dog. Later that day he asks her if she would be willing to watch his dog for three days because he has to go out of town. She agrees. It is after this that she decides to start a dog walking business and Easton helps her as much as she will let him.
This is not a fast romance story. Though they both like each other the author makes this a slow build-up and as they become more into each other both of their pasts are becoming a problem. Each has to work through them in order to have a future. The issues that she deals with especially with Easton’s coach is something that is not tolerated anymore and I am surprised to say when I played sports in the early to mid-seventies some of those practices were allowed. Of course, not now but even then, as a teen I thought what the coach was doing was wrong but none of us said anything. I am glad for all of the issues that were talked about and for the wonderful story about these two characters. Another good Kelly Jamieson book.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
Oh, this is a great start to a new series. Kelly Jamieson is a must read for me, and if not yet for you, then you need to give that a serious thought! I love a hockey romance, but add in a very cute pup called... oops, better not spoil that surprise!

Anyone familiar with hockey romances will feel right at home with this book, which has a goodly amount of hockey, of the lifestyle, and of the chat. BUT it is so much richer than that, thanks to Easton having to deal with the bad behaviour of the coach. As he got traded due in the main to his temper, he is doing his very best to let it all flow over him, but the coach is indeed behaving very badly.

Lilly whistle-blew at her fancy job straight out of college, and her reputation has been destroyed by the company's behaviour. She, however, intends to go through with the court case and stand up for her principles. This means that she finds herself walking dogs to earn some money. By chance she meets Easton, who has recently taken charge of a dog, and helps him out. As they see more of each other due to the dog, they find they enjoy each other's company – even if they both agree it is nothing serious.

As the story develops, and they inevitably get closer, there are bigger issues for Easton to deal with at work, and lessons for him to learn about life.

Cannot wait for the next book – although having read the author’s note, I know I should not be impatient, but there is already hint of a story bubbling, so hopefully not too long!


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance

Lilly is looking for what will make her happy. She is fighting for the right to be treated well, after a scandal at her workplace, and knows that she needs to find work. However, she really can only think about what she loves and that's dogs. She gets it into her head to start a business of training and walking dogs, and while her friend is very happy for her, her mom is less than thrilled and her dad is off doing his own thing. Lilly is trying to find her passion and when it comes to dogs, she knows that is what is going to make her happy.

Easton loves his job. But with a coach who is slightly abusive towards players and a team that's trying to win the cup, despite the coaching, Easton knows that something has to give. Then, when he's left caring for a dog that was abandoned, he knows for sure that he's in over his head. When Easton meets Lilly, he can't get her out of his mind.

As Easton and Lilly navigate their own personal journey, they find a way to wrap around each other too. But when the personal issues start to infiltrate their relationship, both must decide whether or not they can overcome their own issues to mesh their lives together. With a cute pup to help them navigate through some rough times and friends who want them to be happy, can Easton and Lilly figure out a way to succeed and find their own happily ever after?

It's a sweet story with a quick romance. The characters will make you smile, and the dog is a great addition. I really enjoyed the story and liked how the romance wasn't super in your face.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
This book takes a standard romance plot and turns it upside down. Lilly is down on her luck, trying to make a life for herself in the big city while standing up for her values.

Easton is a hockey player who's doing his best to live down his bad boy reputation. He knows that one wrong move will have him tossed from the league.

While Lilly is trying to figure out her next move, the dog she's watching at the dog park is trampled by another, and his owner is clearly out of his depth. Easton's not sure what he's doing with this dog, but he knows that he needs help. If he can get Lilly to help in the short term, he can figure the rest out.

As Lilly and Easton get to know each other over the course of the hockey season, you can see that both of them have a vested interest in the other. Giving and receiving advice, learning what's important to the other are just a few things that show the progress of their relationship.

I enjoyed this book and the next one is definitely on my to-be-read list.

Lilly feels like her life is falling apart. She has lost another job, and it has her feeling low about herself. Then she gets an additional dog walking client. He intrigues her, and she finds him incredibly attractive.

Easton is totally enamored with Lilly. Right from the moment they meet he cannot help but think she is so beautiful. She seems to love dogs, and is great with them. Since he finds himself unexpectedly the caregiver of a puppy he needs her help.

This story has such a great balance. I felt like it had a great base story. Was full of humor, angst, heat, and more. I had to read it all in one sitting, since I did not want to put it down. The characters are meant to be and it shows.


***This early copy was given in exchange for an honest review by Netgalley and its publishers.

Easton needs a dog sitter; Lilly needs a job…. Perfect combination! Perfect combination in more ways than one.

Easton saves a dog from certain death in an elevator and suddenly becomes his owner. With no knowledge of how to take care of him and a hockey career that has him more than a little busy he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Lilly is out of a job, again, and she’s up to her eyeballs in debt. The way she sees it, her life is pretty much in the toilet. Her description, “You could say my life is like the love child of a train wreck and a dumpster fire”. Yeah, that gave me quite a giggle too. While she’s in between jobs she finds herself walking a few dogs which she finds she actually enjoys. These days, the animal species is more enjoyable than the human species.

So, I’m going to age myself with this but growing up there was commercial, that went like “Hey, you put your peanut butter in my chocolate! Hey, you put your chocolate in my peanut butter! Reese’s Peanut Butter cups, two great tastes that taste great together!” I swear this kept running through my head the entire time I was reading this book. From the moment these two got tied up together I loved them, and they fit perfectly together!

The chemistry between these two was phenomenal. The connection to Easton and Lilly was instantaneous and I laughed out loud more than once. Naturally these two are insanely attracted to each other but as the saying goes, “never mix business with pleasure”, so it’s decided that a relationship between then won’t work but of course they fight the attraction every step of the way.

I like animals but I don’t typically need them to be a part of a storyline but this one was great. Otis was like a third character in the book and he showed up in just the right places. It’s like he was the glue to the story. He was their little “Jiminy Cricket” giving the little pushes and nudges they needed. The funny part for me was the more Easton became attached to Otis (cleverly named due to the elevator), the more I liked him!

Aside from fighting their attraction both Easton and Lilly have personal issues that also plague them. Lilly is in the midst of a lawsuit involving her former employer and the backlash from that has her blacklisted in the industry she worked. She’s sharing an apartment with one of her best friends who supports her but also thinks Lilly might have bitten off more than she can chew. Her father is experiencing a mid-life crisis and has left to explore his dreams while leaving her mother behind to pick up the pieces.

Easton is dealing with his own issues. He has a bit of reputation in hockey, but he now has a coach that is a complete A-hole. He’s verbally abusive to his players and the team morale isn’t the best right now. While he knows he needs to keep a low-profile Easton is finding it harder and harder to keep his keep his head down.

Easton and Lilly find support in each other with everything each is going through which makes this “hands-off’ agreement harder and harder.

This is the first book in a new series and I’m anxious for the next books.

In my head I have affectionately renamed this book “Must Love Dogs, and Hockey, and sunburn”, because that what I got when I was pulled into this love story.

I really enjoyed the story of Lilly and Easton. The characters are well written with real emotion. The examples of doing the right thing helped the story. Add in Otis the dog and this book kept me entertained from cover and cover. Not the first Kelly Jamieson book I have read, but definitely not the last.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley for an open, honest review.

4 1/2 STARS!

An adorable meet cute leads to an emotional happily ever after! With the first book in a brand new Bears Hockey series Kelly Jamieson shines bright with witty dialogue, emotional depth and hockey with heart! I loved the set up and the connection between the two characters was quick to catch and hold my attention as they each deal with fallout of their past. I'm looking forward to watching the series progress!

Easton Miller is the sweetest. Sure, he's a bit sure of himself and has a boat load of baggage, but he's quick to connect with an adorable pooch needing a home and his attraction to Lilly is so endearing.

Lilly Evans is a fun character to watch develop. She has a lot of issues when it all starts out, but watching her step up and take control of her life is empowering.

I highly recommend this book to any hockey fans who enjoy a good bit of drama on top of the game action in their story. Can't wait for more in the series!

Kelly Jamieson is becoming my favorite hockey sports romance author! Lilly & Easton’s story is my new favorite book. So adorable and easy read!

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

This new adult romance was a fun read, with charm, excellent characters, sports and a sweet little dog. Lilly is working to build up her dog walking business despite problems from all sides, and Easton is a hockey player with a jerk for a coach. He needs someone to take care of his dog while he is out on road trips. And Otis is a dog with elevator issues who is just looking for a home!

This was an enjoyable, romantic read with a satisfying ending that had me cheering! (I hope that's not a spoiler, but satisfying happy endings is why I read romances and I would not be giving this one all the stars if it didn't have that!)

I also like the way the romances I have read recently tell the story from more than one character's POV. This one does that well.

Great book, I recommend it

Aces Hockey and Wynn Hockey series by Kelly Jamieson are some of my favorite hockey series so when I saw this was coming out, I jumped to the opportunity for the review. Funny thing is when I requested this book, I wasn’t aware this was a new series. I just saw Kelly Jamieson + Hockey on the cover and requested it :) I am so glad that I did and now I have one more series to follow.

Easton Miller recently got traded to New York Bears. While he is getting used to a new city and team, his biggest problem is his abusive coach. Easton is not someone who will be okay with unfairness, racism, and verbal abuse. Unfortunately, he hit the jackpot with his new coach because he is all these and some more. Since hockey is the only thing that keeps Easton going, he tries his best not to react to his coach’s antics. But with each and every day it gets harder to manage his anger. So, one night when he saves a dog in his apartment building and the woman who was taking care of the dog abandons it. His teammate mentions having a dog might help with his anger management issues so he decides he can take care of the dog while trying to find its owner. But, yeap there is a huge but here… He has no clue how to take care of a dog and even though he did, his schedule doesn’t allow him to become a dog owner. No worries though, thanks to his luck starts he meets with his savior at the dog park. Lily Evans’s life is in turmoil to be exact I will give you guys how she described it. Her life is "the love child of a train wreck and a dumpster fire." She is smart, strong, and righteous. She recently got fired from her job and thanks to her old employer bad mounting her, it is impossible for her to find a new job in the hospitality business, that is why she decides to establish her dog walking business and Easton is her almost first customer. At first, she has some reservations about him and doesn’t want to take the job but she doesn’t have many options. When she takes the job, everything will get a bit complicated for both of them. They both have bad experiences and insecurities which causes them to stay away from relationships or any emotional ties. Thanks to Otis, the Cupid, they will start a new journey that will help them to grow. Both of them have issues and I love that they are not perfect. They have flaws, insecurities, which makes them more relatable. Of course, their banter and chemistry was amazing :)

Must Love Dogs… and Hockey is a sweet, inspiring, emotional, and sizzling hot story. I enjoyed Easton and Lily’s story. Even though they were both scared and hurt, they did their best to support each other to overcome their fears and insecurities. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series which will be Easton’s ex-bestie Josh Heller’s story. You Had Me at Hockey will be releasing in December 2020.

Would I recommend this book: Yes
Would I re-read this book: Yes
Would I read future books by this author: Yes

MUST LOVE DOGS …AND HOCKEY is the first instalment in Kelly Jamieson’s contemporary, adult BEARS HOCKEY erotic, hockey, romance series focusing on the members of the New York Bears professional hockey team. This is professional hockey player Easton Millar, and former hotel hospitality manager Lilly Evans’ story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lily and Easton) MUST LOVE DOGS…AND HOCKEY follows the building romance and relationship between professional hockey player Easton Millar, and former hotel hospitality manager Lilly Evans. Easton Millar has no idea what to do with the dog he rescued from a near elevator mishap until coming face to face with a woman who is willing to dogsit…for a price. Lilly Evans is struggling to make ends meet in the aftermath of being fired for blowing the whistle on a business scam but when professional hockey player Easton Millar begs Lilly to look after a stranger’s dog, our heroine discovers that doggy daycare may be the career path she never knew she wanted. When no one comes to claim ‘Otis’, Easton finds himself falling for both woman and dog, a fall that is threatened as Easton’s professional hockey life slowly spirals out of control. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Easton and Lilly, and the potential fall out as the past threatens to overwhelm our story line hero.

Not all is well in Easton’s professional career as his team endures the physical and emotional abuse of a coach who is unable to see beyond the almighty ‘win’. Pulling from recent real-world accounts in both professional and junior A hockey, Kelly Jamieson weaves a heart breaking tale of loss, betrayal and abuse as Easton must come to terms with what happened in the past, and take the first step in stopping the racism and abuse in both amateur and professional sport. Lilly Evans’ own life is on a downward spiral: her wayward father is embroiled in a midlife crisis; her grandmother got caught up in a time-share scam; Lilly is currently suing her previous employers; she is in debt with the possibility of losing her home; and she has been blacklisted from the hotel hospitality industry.

The relationship between Lilly and Easton begins as a business arrangement when Easton hires Lilly to look after Otis, the dog he rescued from a potential accident. Lilly doesn’t want to mix business with pleasure but a few afternoon lunches and coffees quickly grows into something more. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Lilly’s roommate Carlin, and several members of the Bears Hockey Team- Jamal Jordan aka Jammer, JBo, Owen Cooke aka Cookie, Goose, Larry, Russ, Igor Barbashev aka Barbie, Wendell aka Wendy.

MUST LOVE DOGS… AND HOCKEY is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; of loss and acceptance; of racism and abuse. The premise is emotional, heart breaking and captivating; the romance is seductive and flirty; the characters are energetic, colorful and fun.



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