Body Check by Elle Kennedy takes readers into the world of hockey and romance with a one-night-stand that turned into fling that turned into the love-of-my-life; entertaining, and with the story revised, updated, added on to and spicier than the original publication. Follow Hayden and Brody as their unexpected one-night stand turns into something much deeper along a backdrop of a game-fixing scandal and personal growth.

Hayden and Brody are hot. Hayden Houston, an Art History professor in California, set out to have her first one night stand to forget the dull and boring boyfriend she's on a break from. She found Brody Croft, a dedicated and HOT hockey star, who wants to move past his reputation as a bad boy and find love. Hayden is only in Chicago to help her dad, former hockey coach and current team owner, through his divorce, but she's learning he's not who she thought he was. She knew they had drifted apart over the years, but it's much worse than she thought. Despite initially wanting for a fling their connection grows stronger, their chemistry is off the charts, all leading Hayden to reevaluate her preconceived notions about relationships and Brody. Their journey is far from smooth as their romance develops among the challenges; especially with all the dad drama game fixing scandal in the background. Overall this was an enjoyable read and I'll be laughing over the intimacy bridge for a while.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

In the forward Elle Kennedy tells the reader the story of Body Check being the first book she ever wrote and her excitement at it’s new release. I’ve read a lot of her other sports romances, and if this is her first novel ever she’s a pretty consistent writer. Yes, her character development is a little more well developed in her newer novels but Body Check was consistent with her current style and story.

As an adult, Hayden moved both literally and figuratively as far from her father’s world as possible. She was once close to her father but they have drifted further apart, so when she returns to his side she’s surprised at the changes and doesn’t want to believe any of the rumors about his drinking and behavior. Her growing relationship with Brody gives her a shoulder to lean on as well as a release in tension (ha!). She was a little clueless which made me a bit impatient with her but the story was interesting and her developing relationship with Brody fun to read. I enjoyed it!

This was a cute and spicy hockey romance, which we all know Elle Kennedy does well! While I do prefer her more recent work, this one is a good and fairly quick read, albeat a bit predictable in a lot of ways.

What a fun and spicy read. Elle Kennedy is the queen of hockey romance, and Body Check does not disappoint!

Hayden is visiting her father, who owns the Worriers, a hockey team, as he manages his divorce. She finds herself in a funk in her relationship when she meets Brody. After a fun one night together, their lives are forced together when they realize they are both connected to hockey.

Fast paced with a fun storyline that isn't too heavy with a few twists and lots of spice. I enjoyed it so much!! Highly recommend!

Thank you, NetGalley and Elle Kennedy, for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hayden Houston is ready to break out of her good-girl shell with a one-night stand, and hockey star Brody Croft is the perfect candidate. Hayden seeks stability after a chaotic upbringing, while Brody is eager to shed his bad-boy ways and settle down. Their night together is unforgettable, and Brody knows Hayden is the one. Despite her initial resistance, Brody's persistence and genuine affection win her over. Amidst a sports betting scandal, their relationship deepens. I enjoyed the chemistry and romantic tension. This steamy hockey romance is light, fun, and engaging. Fans of Elle Kennedy and sports romances will likely appreciate Hayden and Brody's story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin- Romance for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

3.5 Stars!

I love Elle Kennedy sports romance books, so I was so excited for this one! I loved the plot for this one. The hockey coach's' daughter having a one-night stand with a stranger who just happens to be one of the team players. I loved the tension between the characters. She didn't want anything series, and he most certainly wanted her almost immediately. There is a side plot to this one that I thought was okay, but I don't think it was necessary for the story. I will say that this one is lower for me compared to her other books. Something was missing for me.

If you're looking for a sweet and short read, then you will probably like this one!

Elle Kennedy is one of my favorite authors and when I found out she was doing a re release of one of her older books I knew I wanted to read it! This was a good balance of spice and plot which I really love!
Hayden is an art professor and in San Diego, she comes to visit her dad who is the owner of the warriors hockey team. Where she meets Brody one of the star players on the team. Their connection from the beginning is what pulled me into this book, I caught myself laughing from time to time because of the banter between the two. Seeing both characters grow together was great and seeing Hayden realize what she truly wanted in a relationship was also a great part of the story as well.
I cannot wait to keep reading more of Elle Kennedy's books!

Elle Kennedy has done it again, ladies & gentlemen!
This woman knows how to write a spicy rom-com 🔥

Ugh. First, Brody is hot.
And even hotter how he is the one who wants this.

Hayden doesn't want to be hurt, especially when her dad has done a good job of that already.
And definitely not with a hockey player.

Thank goodness she sees Brody for who he really is &
Falls head over heels!

This story game together like the puck in a goal 🏒

Loved it!

What a fun and steamy hockey romance!

I really enjoyed this one. I loved the outside plot, and I enjoyed the romance, even if it seemed to rely on lust.

This is a perfect beach read, and sports romance fans will love this one!

Thank you for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a rerelease of an older story, but it has all the good things about an Elle Kennedy book! He falls first, hockey, and a one night stand. This book is a fairly quick and enjoyable escape read that will appeal to new and old Kennedy readers alike!

Hayden took a break from her job as an art history professor to help her dad go through a messy divorce. A night out with an old friend resulted in her propositioning a guy and he followed her to her fathers penthouse. It was a night worth remembering to both of them but Hayden stuck to her rule and never intended to see him again. He was a star ice hockey player not used to women saying no as he was the one usually walking away from a hook up. She did meet him though because he played for her fathers team and he was more than happy to bump into her.He had to pull tall he stops out to get her to see him again knowing he couldnt walk away from someone so special. Nicely written.

Seeking a fresh start after her nomadic childhood, Hayden is unexpectedly drawn to Brody, a charming but troubled hockey star. Their connection is undeniable, but their relationship is complicated by a game-fixing scandal and Brody’s rebellious nature. As Hayden learns to see beyond Brody’s bad-boy facade, she must decide if their love can withstand the challenges they face.

I love Elle Kennedy! Hayden and Brody are a swoony couple. If you like steamy contemporary romance, this book is for you.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Thanks to Harlequin - Romance and NetGalley with providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

"We were on a break" vibes are present, IYKYK - but not in a disappointing, let me hide things way. Just a warning since I know cheating and similar tropes are a trigger for some.

Overall, I am a huge Elle Kennedy fan and this one lived up to expectations. Like others by her, this book was easy to read in a weekend and entertaining enough to not feel like I wasted a weekend by staying at home. I don't think is her best work, but it's still a must read if you like hockey romances. A solid 4.5 stars, but I have to round down to 4 on here because I only give 5 stars to books that earn every bit of them.

Loved, loved, loved! I am such a sucker for Elle Kennedy and this did not disappoint. I was surprised by how dark the subplot with Hayden's father was, but I appreciated the delicacy with which Kennedy tackled it. And I loved the bit of mystery when it came to figuring out who on the team was bribed! And of course, the romance the spice were off the charts good!

2017 read: Short but perfectly serviceable (pun completely intended) sports romance. Hayden and Brody were both fine characters (although Hayden was a just a tad overly biased against athletes and their schedules IMHO; it's not their fault she has daddy issues) and the scandal subplot was pretty well done for such a quickie read. (Again: pun 100% intended.) Elle Kennedy does a pretty good job, as I've read in her other books as well, of depicting teammate culture among male athletes. I can tell that her writing has only improved between this earlier work (2009) and the Off Campus series I've enjoyed so much (2015-2016).

Overall not bad; not bad at all.

2024 Reread: I can't really tell what was altered or added in the 2024 reprint. From what I remember it's very similar to the first time I read it, seven years ago. I will say this: I know hockey romance is having its moment and Elle Kennedy is definitely one of the most (if not THE most) knowledgeable and accurate authors out there when it comes to hockey - the slang, the game mechanics, the teammate culture, the practice schedule, etc. The plot did not wow me - I'd give it 3 stars - but the hockey parts were very realistic IMHO and I'd round up an entire star because of it.

Elle Kennedy and hockey? Check, check!

Hayden Houston has some problems. Her and her boyfriend? Taking a break. Her father? He's got some major problems and needs her support. (Even though he's never given that same energy)

So when she meets a guy at a bar for just one night, that's all she wants. One night. Brody Croft didn't see it that way. He's blown away by Hayden and definitely doesn't want just one night. Hayden, though? She's got a lot on her plate. No room for a new guy.

He's really interested. Like very interested. Brody has never felt this way before. Big problem, though? Brody plays on Haydens dad's team. How can anything happen when Hayden's dad is in major trouble (maybe), and they definitely don't need to get involved. Or do they?

It was really enjoyable. I liked the little chase between them. But there's a lot of other stuff in the mix that's made it pretty hard for these two to work.

The story follows Hayden Houston, an art history professor at UC-Berkeley, who returns to Chicago to support her father during his contentious divorce. While in town, Hayden meets her friend at a bar and plans to have a one-night stand. She ends up hitting on Brody Croft, a pro hockey player who is not used to women interested in him rather than his fame. Hayden leaves without a trace, wanting to keep it a one-night affair.

Unexpectedly, they meet again when it's revealed that Hayden's father owns the hockey team Brody plays for. The romance between Hayden and Brody develops with Brody valuing Hayden's intellect and Hayden appreciating Brody's straightforwardness, a contrast to her dull art historian boyfriend back home. Despite her initial reluctance due to her childhood experiences with her hockey coach father, Hayden eventually realizes she needs more in a relationship than what she thought she wanted.

The story also includes a subplot where Hayden's father is accused of game-fixing, adding tension to the narrative. Despite these challenges, the story concludes with Hayden overcoming her fears and giving Brody, who seeks a serious relationship, a real chance.

Thank you NetGalley, and Elle Kennedy for this copy of Body Check.

I want to say this first off - I am a HUGE Elle Kennedy fan, I have most of her books - and was super excited to learn that this was her original sports romance creation. I wanted to love this one so much - but honestly I couldn't do it. The author's writing wasn't bad in this, it was simply the premise of the main character being created. I couldn't connect with her.

Right off the bat, our female main character was going on and on about how she was suffering SO BAD from not getting sex. I get it, sex is great. But, I personally really don't enjoy demonizing men (or women) for that matter for putting value on what sex/intimacy means to them... especially at the college age level. While this reader is a romance fanatic... I share the values of the poor ex-boyfriend our main character discusses initially. It gave me an ick that lead me to have no desire to continue.

2.5 stars - I WILL be reading future/other works from this author. This one fell short for me. And while this is the case for this story.... my personal ick factor will not be the case for other readers.

Elle Kennedy is definitely the queen of hockey romances. I enjoyed reading this one, but I could tell that this was one of her earlier ones. You can feel the growth that she has made with her newer books! Don’t get me wrong though you would be missing out by skipping her backlist

Another Elle Kennedy book. Another book boyfriend for me.

This is a one night stand turned more book and I loved how quickly he fell hard and fast for the FMC!

This was short and spicy, just like I expect from any Elle Kennedy book. It wasn't her Off Campus series, but I don't think that any of her books could top that.

I will say that I wanted more depth from these characters, but that is my only complaint.