Bad Reputation: A Bad Boys of Sports Novel

Hockey player Chase Barrett and Cassie Desrosiers have best friends since college and when Cassie is presented with the opportunity to be the keynote speaker for their new app launch at a conference in Las Vegas, she invites Chase to come along and check out the nightlife with her and Natalie, her best friend/assistant. On the night before the keynote address they go out and she over sleeps, missing the address.

Chase has always loved Cassie and when they were out on the town they decided on a whim to get married and Cassie didn’t remember the ceremony until being called on the carpet by her company before they terminated her.

I loved the part of the interview that the author uses in the beginning of the chapters that begin with Chase’s POV because the reader is able understand Chase more.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review

All the second guessing was a bit much. Seems odd that neither really had a "spark" until Vegas and of course things in Vegas get way out of hand. I wasn't a fan of how Cassie could even consider going out on the town before her big day. While we didn't get a good feel for her character I feel that being the VP and preparing for "months" for the keynote she would have a bit more self control if you will the night before the speech. I just couldn't wrap my head around that.

I think my favorite part was the epilogue (11 months later) bit. If we could have that part half way through the book and go from there it would have been a better read, but to go over half way through with the still "(s)he is my BEST FRIEND I can't ruin that" bit was too much.

I volunteered to read an advanced copy provided by NetGalley

Bad Reputation (Bad Boys of Sports #1) by Nicole Edwards
3.5 stars
M/F Sports Romance
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.

This is a push-pull story between two friends. They are playful and love each other as friends first.

Chase is a cocky hockey player who is loving his single life. He has a great family and set of friends, but he really wants to have Cassie love him.

Cassie is a strong woman and knows that she wants to have a great life. What her life doesn't include is love.

These two dance around each other and then when things finally go to the next level, their communication sucks.

This had a ton of potential for me, but the back and forth was just a little too much. Overall, it was a sweet story - there was just a little too much YA drama.

A friends to lovers romance. Chase and Cassie are best friends. Chase is a bad boy athlete and Cassie is a VP and passionate workaholic. This story line has lots of potential but lacks depth and chemistry.
Normally I like dual POV in a book because that gives the reader the thoughts and feelings of the main characters. This book has dual POV but within each chapter. That was sometimes a bit confusing.
The characters - especially Cassie - develops through the story. Cassies development is not believable and seems odd.
There are hot scenes and emotional ups and downs. I wish the would communicate about their feelings. I like that Chase has two dads. Nice twist. I like the character of Chase. He is relatable and sometimes a gentleman.

I voluntarily read an ARC of this book for my honest review!

I really like Nicole Edwards & I really like friends to lovers storylines, so I really liked this story. Chase, a hot shot hockey player with 2 dads (awesome family dynamics, btw) & a reputation of one-night stands a mile long. Cassie is a big wig corporate exec who for the most part is all work & no play & a mother who goes through husbands like mad. Chase & Cassie have been BFFs since she friend-zoned him in college. They are both from neighboring towns in Wisconsin & now live in the same town in Texas. Coincident? Oh & the families all get along (i.e. Hang out)
So Cassie has a work gig in Vegas & invites Chase along...can you see where this is going? While maybe a little cliche, I couldn't put this book down till these two knuckleheads figured out they belong together!
Perfect for a quick weekend read!

5 Stars! Bad Reputation is book #1 in Nicole Edwards' Bad Boys of Sports series.

Meet the Heroine & Hero:

Cassie Desrosiers is a strong & independent young professional. She's knows what she wants from life & makes it happen. Except when it comes to her love life, in that particular aspect she hasn't been so lucky.

Chase Barrett is a professional hockey player with a reputation of being an a-hole and some what of a player. He has always had a thing for his best friend, Cassie, but has never acted on it.

The Story:

Chase & Cassie have been best friends for years. They met in college & found out they had lived within 15 minutes of each other while growing up, but their paths had never crossed. Their bond formed in those college years & they have been inseparable since. Chase has always had a thing for Cassie, from the beginning, but never wanted to act on those feelings for fear of ruining their friendship. He did however hold out hope that maybe one day she would see him in the same light.

Chase's NHL team doesn't make it to the playoffs & as his season winds down, he's at loose ends. Cassie is going to Vegas for a big work event where she will be the keynote speaker & invites Chase to go with her to hang out during her down time. Things get crazy in Vegas, the dynamic between Chase & Cassie starts shifting from friends to lovers. After a couple wild nights out in Vegas, one they can't remember & one where Cassie makes a huge career mistake, things definitely change between the two.

Back in Texas, Cassie has to face up to her mistakes in Vegas where her job is concerned & deal with the consequences. Also, both of them are starting to remember bits & pieces of the night they blacked out & neither are sure what to do with the information. They both do recognize that their relationship has now been changed & they must decide if they want it to be a permanent change or not.

The Verdict:

I LOVED THIS BOOK! I really enjoyed the best friends to lovers plot. They already had an established, easy going & comfortable relationship & it was a nice change of pace from a lot of other books where the two main characters are very combative for most of the book. Chase was swoon worthy, he had his a-hole reputation, but inside he was really a sweet & fluffy teddy bear. Cassie was an awesome heroine, great example of an independent & confident female who makes things happen for herself. Their friendship was very believable & Nicole Edwards wrote it to perfection. And the love scenes, HOT HOT HOT! This was my first book by this author & I will definitely be reading more. This book & author will be on my must list for recommending to others.

*ARC provided by NetGalley & the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Oh my goodness I loved this story! Chase is freaking hilarious in this book. I laughed out loud several times. He was unreal. I loved how he acted with Cassie. Their best friendship was beautiful, honest, fun, and simply perfect. It really makes you want what they have. Cassie was such a strong, independent woman. I liked her throughout the book. There wasn't a time when I didn't like these characters. I was saddened when they were not communicating honestly with each other. But when it all worked out, it was heartwarming. Plus there was a side story with Cassie's best friend with Chase' s best friend.

This was my first book of Ms. Edwards to read, but I know it won't be my last. I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.

Awesome contemporary sports/hockey romance. Chase is an excellent hockey player but he tends to spend as much time in the penalty box as he does in the ice. Over the last several years he's always had his best friend Cassie to lean on. They have been close since their college days. Unfortunately, no one else around them understands why they aren't more than friends. On the eve of an important business meeting Chase and Cassie to put on the town in Vegas. Cassie misses the meeting and her life is out of control and on yeah they were so drunk they got married. The author developed the characters so the reader becomes vested in their lives and to read on. I received a complementary copy of this book and chose to write a review. I look forward to reading future books by Ms. Edwards.

New author for me. I loved her writing style, her characters and this story.
This was a fun, sexy friends-to-lovers/sports romance read. Chase and Cassie are great characters. They are best friends who are complete opposites but balance each other out. Cassie is smart, beautiful and completely unaware of Chase's real feelings for her. Chase is a bad boy hockey player whose reputation is based more on his actions on the ice than off the ice. He is a sweetheart underneath it all.
After a crazy trip to Vegas things change between the two and they decide to give a relationship a try and then the fun begins....
I highly recommend this book and will be reading more from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book that was provided by Netgalley

Chase and Cassie are best friends and thought they have feeling for each other, Chase more so than Cassie, they haven't done anything about it, not wanting to shake the balance of their friendship. Till the time they go to Vegas and get so drunk, that they don't remember what all they did. They are in for a big surprise when they do remember :). But what effect will it have on their friendship ?
This was a fun read about a relation based on friendship and trust. I found the first half a little slow, and that's the only reason I'm giving it 4 stars. But it picks up in the second part when all the fun begins.
Nicole Edwards is a new author for me and I look forward to reading more in the series.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed the arc from Netgalley.

Who doesn't love a friends to lovers story? Chase and Cassie have been Best Friends since college. Now Chase is professional hockey player and Cassie is almost at the top of ladder for her company. I love how this story was a slow burn for their relationship to change. Neither of them ever wanted to change what they had. Sure Chase though Cassie was hot, but her friendship was everything to him. Cassie's home life as a child sucked and she had no interest in marriage.
When she invites Chase to Vegas for a very important meeting she is going attend. Everything changes. It was wild, crazy and hot!
It only got better once they returned home. My heart even broke over Chase tying to figure out how to let Cassie know what he truly felt for her.

I love Nicole Edwards’ books and she definitely didn’t disappoint this time around!

Bad Reputation is her first sports romance and she definitely hit it off!

I loved reading this best friend to lovers book between Chase Barrett and Cassie. Chase is a hockey player and Cassie is his best friend. They spend so much time together that people just assume that they are together.

One fated trip to Vegas proves to make for one very interesting and quite unforgettable adventure. Except that Chase and Cassie can’t remember their first night in Vegas.

I loved learning about the different characters and Chase’s teammates.

I definitely look forward to more of Nicole’s sports romances!

5 stars. Loved it! Received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. Chase, star hockey player and his bestfriend Cassie have been friends since college. Chase is the player with the ladies and Cassie rarely dates concentrating on her career. Chase has secretly been in love with Cassie as his dads know, but Cassie has him in the friend zone since she doesn't want to be another notch on his bedpost and the horrific relationship she has with her mom who is on husband number 5 keeps Cassie from believing in love or longterm relationships. Trip to Vegas and things take a turn. Wow the books was so good I couldn't put it down. I know have a new author to check out books from.

Bad reputation is another good read from Nicole Edwards. Chase a hockey player with a reputation of causing trouble on and off the ice is best friends with Cassie. They met in college and are always there for each other, it's remained in the friend zone as neither wishes to ruin the relationship with having a physical relationship...no friends with benefits for them.
Obviously they both begin to realise there is more to the relationship but both are afraid to make a move as so worried it may break them apart. This was a bit of a slow burner for this author, but as usual when they do eventually get together they burn up the sheets, and the pages!!
A really enjoyable and fun read.

I Recommend This Book

Strongly
I love all of Nicole Edwards book and this one was as good as the rest.I loved Chase and his ability to hide his feelings for Cassie because he was afraid to ruin the perfect friendship,on the other hand Cassie didn’t think she felt more than friendship.They go to Las Vegas for a very important business convention that will probably promote Cassie to a higher level in the company she works for.Chase and Cassie party a little to much and she misses the convention,but there is something else that happens as a result of their night of partying.I won’t spoil it,but what happens in Vegas affects their whole life.Looking foward to the next book!

Holy hockey hotness! This sports romance is HOT. I liked the friends-to-lovers storyline between Chase and Cassie. The chemistry between the two is undeniable; it starts on page 1 and does not stop. I enjoyed the plot as it began, but the twists in the story made me want to turn the pages faster to see what would happen next! I liked how the twists threw the normally in-charge and put-together Cassie into a tailspin, allowing Chase to step up and help. They were relatable and engaging. The writing was extremely easy to read, smooth, and engaging. I easily devoured this book in one afternoon and look forward to reading more books by Nicole Edwards. I highly recommend this book!

**I received a copy via Netgalley.**
Here is my honest review.....

I absolutely loved this book. This truly was one of the best friends to lovers books I've read in quite a while. I loved the characters, I loved the storyline and I absolutely loved the ending. I finished this book in one day, I honestly could not and did not want to put it down. I would highly recommend this book to all romance readers because this book has everything that romance readers appreciates in a fantastic story. This is a standalone book and this one will not disappoint! I definitely look forward to reading more books from this author and more books in this series.

After reading the Alluring Indulgence series, this is something different to me from Nicole Edwards.

I love a good sports romance, especially hockey romance although most of the events in this book happen during the off-season. The sexual tensions are delicously described, as Chase and Cassie go through conflicting emotions: is it ok to want more than friendship from your best friend? Feelings get buried deeper and deeper to protect their sacred bond.

This is a fairly easy read, not heavy on the sports part with sexy times and good supporting cast.

*I received an ARC through Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Bad Reputation is a fun and sexy friends-to-lovers, sports romance. Chase and Cassie have been really good friends since college. Chase is a successful professional hockey player who indulges in a lot one-night stands, or so it seems. He's has been attracted to Cassie for years but has done a good job of hiding it. Their relationship gets a curve ball when Chase joins Cassie on a trip to Vegas. Bad Reputation is cute, but I did begin to lose interest. The story dragged a little, and I found myself skipping some pages. I’ll definitely be reading Nicole Edwards again.

ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.

3 Crazy Ass Stars!!!

I had started reading this book about a month ago. I couldn't get into to so I set it aside to come back to it. I realized that the release date was fast approaching so I dove back into over the weekend. I'm not one to DNF a book so I powered through. The POV changes gave the story a jumpy feel to it. It was a tad distracting.
What saved the book for me was Chase. Once I was able to connect with his character, I was left wanting to get more of his story.
Cassie was a tougher pill to swallow. She came off as wishy washy at times. I just could not connect.
Overall, it was an ok read.

Love, love, LOVE this awesome friends to lovers read! It's fun, sexy and I didn't want to put it down.

The chemistry between Chase and Cassie is explosive. I loved the conflict that comes with a friends to lovers book. The should they, shouldn't they feel. It kept me on the edge wondering when they would have their lightbulb moment.

This was my first book by this author and it will not be my last! The characters were very well written and made me feel like I was part of the story. It pulled me in and I was fully invested until the last word was read.

This is a must read!

Bad Reputation was a sweet, friends to lovers story with some smoking hot steamy scenes. Chase and Cassie have been friends for years, until one trip to Vegas changes things drastically. I loved Chase's character throughout the book, and both main characters were easy to relate to. And oh boy was their chemistry off the freaking charts. The book was funny, sweet, nostalgic, sexy and hopeful. This was my first Nicole Edwards book and I loved it. I read it in one sitting as I could not put it down. I can't wait to read more from this author.

A Sports Friends to Lovers Book?? Sign Me Up!
This book was full of sexual tension, denied feelings and two stubborn, bullheaded characters.
Chase and Cassie have been friends since college and he is the wild Playboy hockey player while she is the High Level businesswoman.
These two are adorable as friends but after a wild couple of nights in Vegas their relationship changes drastically. Is it for the better or could it be the end.
I loved Bad Reputation and can't wait to read the next book in the series!

I love Nicole Edwards and her writing style but I had a hard time with this friends to lovers book.

Both Cassie and Chase are likable and there was an underlying sexual tension between them however I thought they were a bit immature. I was a little tired of their I want you, I don't want you game.

The last chapter and the epilogue were sweet . I wish the book contained more of this sweetness then the constant emotional yo-yo.

I received an ARC for a honest review.

Bad Reputation is the first installment of the Bad Boys of Sports. Nicole Edwards is a new author to me, but I have to say that I’m completely hooked with Bad Reputations. This story was well crafted between the friendship Chase and Cassie have; and the amazing moments where I’m clenching my stomach in laughter. I absolutely enjoyed myself and I look forward to reading more of her work and this series!

Reviewed on Behalf of Once Upon An Alpha
**ARC for an Honest Review**

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC from Netgalley.

I enjoyed the writing style, editing was fabulous and loved the characters. My only beef with this book was the repetiveness. Over and over we learned the same things. Yes, I understood the first time. By the fifth, I was just impatient to get on with the good stuff. The actual story. I'm thinking a 1/4 of this book could have been deleted with the redundancy. Had that been the case, I would've given it 5 Stars.

This was everything I have come to expect from this author's books. It was different in that I believe this is the first hockey book I have read by her. But the heat, steam and romance that I want from this author was all there. If you are a fan of Nicole Edwards, you won't be disappointed in this book. If you are new to her find out why you should be enjoying her books.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

Bad Reputation is a friends to lovers story, the first in a new series from Nicole Edwards. Nicole writes a passionate, entertaining story, and Bad Reputation is an enjoyable read. I think that I was a little disappointed in the brevity of the story, perhaps as a result of the set-up time required for the series. I appreciate her sense of playfullness and the humor with which she infuses her series, and I look forward to the next installment.

Cassie and Chase have been just friends for a long time. When Cassie finds out she has a presentation in Vegas, she invites Chase along for the trip. After a few too many drinks, they start to test the limits of their friendship and move into uncharted territory. However, they have to make a decision as to whether to make that a permanent thing or something that stays in Vegas. I liked this book and would recommend it as a fun romantic read.

I loved Chase's attitude, the man was so playful, “Desrosiers! Where the heck’s my dinner, woman?” I shout when I step into Cassie’s house. “Or did you invite me over to cook for you?" Chase can be forceful when he needs to be, “I don’t give a eff, Cassie. You’re getting in that goddarn shower. Either you walk, or I effing carry you.” I loved this book, Cassie and Chase had a tight knit relationship and I loved watching their journey.

I received a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Chase and Cassie have been best friends since they met at college, nine years ago. They have an incredible chemistry between them but they are happy as friends. But after some days in Vegas, everything changes.
I liked the book although the first half was a little bit slow.
I would love to read Natalie and Mark's book. I'm sure it would be hilarious.

This was a fun friends to lovers romance. The plot line itself was what you would expect given the blurb and for me it hit all the points it needed. Likeable characters with good chemistry; a nice catchy story that was steamy yet sweet and romantic. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

I was provided with a copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley; there was no inducement or obligation.

This was a really good friends to lovers romance and was a really sweet sexy read.Chase and Cassie met in college and have been best friend since then.Chase ids now a well known hockey play and Cassie is VP of a tech company,when cassie has to go to a conference in vegas she takes Chase her.One drink to many and their relationship changes.I just loved this book the characters were great and it had a super storyline.

I voluntarily read an advanced reviewers copy of this book

I absolutely loved this book! Chase was hands down the MAN in this book. I loved the relationship between Chase and Cassie. There was passion, romance, friendship and truly sad moments that will tug at your heart and leave you in tears.

Overall this book was great...hands down one of the best books I have read all year!

Love it! I really enjoyed the chemistry between Chase and Cassie, how they played off one another as they were friends. The hesitancy of going farther and loosing what they had as friends, neither were really ready to acknowledge their true feelings but one drunken night in Vegas and what happens in Vegas was not going to stay there!

I volunteered to review an ARC of this book

Cassie and Chase have been friends for years with neither willing to cross the line from friends to lovers for fear of ruining their friendship. A business trip to Vegas for Cassie changes everything. Her career and personal relationships are never going to be the same. You need to read this book to find out what happens to Cassie and Chase.

Bad Reputation was the perfect friends to lovers book. I just loved Cassie and Chase, they were the perfect pair. He was cocky, sexy and sweet all wrapped into one. Cassie was just as amazing, she was sweet, strong, and very self confident. The story had the perfect mix of humor, emotions, and hot sex thrown in. I highly recommend this one.

I received and voluntary reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Netgalley.

The explosion between these two best friends is highly entertaining. I love the fact it's a friends to lovers book. The characters are amazing and the storyline is priceless. I can't wait for what will come next.

HOT! HOT! HOT! If you like friends to lovers then you will love Cassie and Chase! The sexual tension in the first have of this book will make you want to crawl inside and tell them to get on with it. Once they get together it is explosive in a great way!!!! Nicole I am in love with Chase myself!

3.5 stars

Bad Reputation by Nicole Edwards was a good read.
The writing was well done, the characters Chase and Cassie were likable, entertaining and the chemistry between was smoking!
Overall, a good start to the Bad Boys of Sports Series.

Friends to lovers. Sports romance. Possessive alpha bad boy vs. a strong heroine. Great story.

This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A friends to lovers story that has some fun twists and is Hot! I'll definitely be reading more books by Nicole Edwards. Cassie and Chase have been friends since college. Both of them want more, but don't want to ruin their friendship. (Ultimately they don't.) This was a fun book with a very satisfying ending. If you enjoy hockey romances, this is definitely one to read!

I received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

HOLY HOTNESS!!! This couple about melted my iPad!! I loved the banter between the two and all the pent up sexual frustration. Nicole Edwards never disappoints and this is another must read for all!!

Great storyline that flowed effortlessly throughout the whole book and the characters were so well defined that I was hooked until the very end!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.