I have always said that The Deal is the blueprint for hockey romances. So when I heard that Elle was enhancing her first ever hockey book, it was an instant tbr addition. For being over 10 years old, this book holds up. I did not read it during its original run, but I understand the popularity of it based on what I have read now. The characters had great chemistry together and everything flowed smoothly. There were no plot holes within, although I do wish we got to see more of them out and about in Chicago together. The subplots within the book kept me interested and I was eager to keep reading. Elle Kennedy really knows how to write a hockey book.

I adore elle kennedy and i was so happy to learn that she wrote a hockey romance that did not center around college kids. I loved the characters in this book and i liked the pacing as well, it was fast paced but didn’t feel like the story was rushing. The chemistry between the characters was chefs kiss and i hope this turns into another series because i would love a story about his bff and teammate Becker.

Hayden grew up in the hockey world. Her dad was a coach and is now an owner of a hockey team. She returns home to Chicago to help her dad through a divorce. While in town she has a one-night stand with Brody. He turns out to be a hockey player, even worse, for her dad’s team. She tries to stay away from him, but she just can’t seem to get enough of him. The problem is, her whole life, hockey has always been more important than her, and she doesn’t want that to happen in her dating relationships.

This was a quick, easy read with a surprising amount of substance. Brody is such a great guy, a total golden retriever type of man, who would do anything for Hayden. He and Hayden have amazing chemistry with great banter. I enjoyed reading this spicy romance, with some sweet moments between Hayden and Brody.

If you like a hockey romance and want to pick up this new cover and extended content, this would be a perfect read. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.

It was so cool reading Elle Kennedy's first book and first hockey romance as well! I thought Hayden and Brady's story was really cute (and very very spicy) and the conflict throughout the book was interesting. I did feel that the progression of Hayden and Brady's story was a little rushed and would've enjoyed to see more of a progression.

I love a good hockey romance but this one just wasn't my favorite. It didn't hit the spot like they usually do. It was just missing something for me to make it just that more enjoyable. It still was just not the best in my opinion.

I thought the romance between Hayden and Brody was nice. Brody enjoyed the intelligent conversations he could have with Hayden, and she enjoyed his forthrightness and comfortable sexuality, which contrasts with her reserved art historian boyfriend back home (they were "on a break" so I wouldn't call this cheating, YMMV.) After a childhood traveling constantly with her hockey coach father, I thought her reluctance to forge a meaningful relationship with a ever traveling player was understandable, and so it didn't grate on me like the push away trope can.

I did however find the scandal suspense plot nigh ridiculous and her father's alcoholism treated unrealistically. If only a pouty face and a "I'm disappointed in you" prompted a drunk to acknowledge a problem and sober up. I gather that she didn't want to take up a short book with the realities of alcoholism, but if you're not going to do it right, why bother in the first place? Was it so important her already flawed dad also be an alcoholic?

All told, it was a fun book about hockey and love, but it's ultimately quite forgettable.

Hayden wants nothing to do with hockey after seeing how it changed her dads life and consumed it. When she unintentionally hooks up with Brody Croft, who she had no idea was a hockey player and much less one on the team her dad owns, she thinks she has made a huge mistake. She is shocked by how much chemistry they have in and out of the bedroom but when a massive scandal breaks involving her dad and Brody knows something, she is worried that he will not protect her family.

You could definitely tell that this was earlier in Elle Kennedy's writing career, but it brought the normal spice and hockey banter that we know and love from her. I loved the redemption for her dad at the end and how Hayden realized that her step-mother was not the monster that she thought she was.

3.5/5

Hayden is going through some things and just wants one night, Brody is on board at first, until they realize they're connected in a potentially unfortunate way. This is not the Elle Kennedy I'm used to reading, it was still good, just not quite what I was expecting. It's spicy and has a good bit of drama, the pacing is quick, and of course I adore a no strings and then they both catch feelings trope. Overall a pretty good read.

Elle Kennedy’s first hockey romance is getting a fresh look and being rereleased on July 2, 2024!!! This story follows Hayden who grew up in the hockey world with her now team owner father. Hayden may have never been interested in hockey, but when her dad asks her for help as he navigates his divorce she is more than happy to be there for him. While visiting her father, Hayden has a one night stand with Brody, imagine her surprise when she finds out he is a star player on her dad’s team. Despite her trying to keep her distance from all things hockey and trying to rebuild her relationship with her dad, things don’t go as she expects. This story was so good I finished it in one day! Make sure you have this book on your tbr!

Elle Kennedy can do no wrong in my eyes with her books! I love her writing style and her characters even more so. This book had everything I was looking for in a hockey romance and I’m so glad I got the chance to read it!

This story is about Hayden and Brody and I will say the original harlequin cover did not lead me to want to read it but the rebranding works. This is a hockey romance and its done pretty well. It has just enough hockey in it to be considered a sports romance but heavy on the romance to not make us feel like we are watching the game. I don’t know why I haven’t read this book before because it was not very shocking that I loved the story. It was short, sweet, hot and perfect. Only Hayden would go looking for a one night stand and find the only man who wants to settle down .. its was so sweet.. why did it end and why isn’t this a series.

The plot was really cohesive and well-written, that was the strongest point of the book for me. It took me a little while to really get into the main romance, but their hea and their third act makeup were really sweet <3

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

This was such a fun, short, spicy read! Hayden and Brody were so fun, and I loved their story! I will read whatever Elle Kennedy writes and live every second of it.

As a fan of Elle Kennedy's Briar U and Off Campus series, I was excited to review this updated release of "Body Check." This was Kennedy's first book deal and while at times I felt like that was obvious after having read so much of her more recent work, it was also completely endearing. This book comes in as a pretty short novel - I read it in a matter of hours. It was all of the fun and steamy sexiness Kennedy is known for along with a sweet, somewhat insta-love (even if the FMC tries to resist at first). This book definitely felt more young than her Briar U and Off-Campus books even though the main characters are in their late 20s, but I would guess that's because Kennedy was in her early 20s when she wrote it. I'd definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a quick and sweet but steamy hockey romance.

Thank you to #Harlequin and #NetGalley for the e-galley in exchange for my honest feedback! Mark your calendars - this updated release of #BodyCheck will be available July 2nd!

4 Stars

This was a fun super quick little hockey romance! I saw on Elle’s instagram that this was actually her first ever hockey romance, and after reading her most recent hockey romance, The Dixon Rule, this month, it was amazing to see how far she has come with her writing.

Elle Kennedy is the queen of hockey romance. I don’t make the rules she just is. Her writing is amazing and the way she does hockey romance doesn’t make me cringe. After reading the Off Campus series I knew I had to check out this book. Thank you so much NetGalley and Harlequin romance for this ARC.

Talk about HOT. This book will have you kicking your feet and screaming because it’s so good! Elle Kennedy is such an amazing author. So grateful to have had the opportunity to read this!

I enjoyed myself reading this short, pretty spicy hockey romance from Elle. It lacked some of the depth I’ve seen from her other books with this trope, but I had the best time. If you’re looking for something fun and quick, this definitely hits the mark.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am always a sucker for hockey romance books and this was no exception. Anything Elle Kennedy writes I just eat up and this was no exception! Perfect book to read in the fall time! Was obsessed with the chemistry between Brody and Hayden! I loved how it is in dual pov got to get a sense of what the characters were thinking and feeling!

Thank you Net Galley for This ARC 🖤

• Whenever I see a Romance about Hockey, it’s an immediate yes for me. Something about those Hockey Players🥵

•Body Check is Elle Kennedy’s First Hockey Romance she had written in her Early Twenties and it is being Re-published with expanded content.

• This book was Adorable and Brody is such a sweet Golden Retriever that you absolutely fall in love with. He and Hayden’s chemistry is off the charts and will make you absolutely swoon. The Spice was great, the plot was great and The banter between Hayden and Brody made me giggle a few times.

If you haven’t read this one yet, I definitely recommend🖤