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Rookie Rebels #1
Good Guy
He's a Special Forces veteran making his pro hockey debut. She's a dogged sports reporter determined to get a scoop. She's also his best friend's widow...
Fans can’t get enough of Levi Hunt, the Special Forces veteran who put his NHL career on hold to serve his country and fight the bad guys. So when his new Chicago Rebels bosses tell him to cooperate with the press on a profile, he’s ready to do his duty. Until he finds out who he has to work with: flame-haired, freckle-splashed, impossibly perky Jordan Cooke.
The woman he should not have kissed the night she buried her husband, Levi’s best friend in the service.
Hockey-stick-up-his-butt-serious Levi Hunt might despise Jordan for reasons she can’t fathom—okay, it’s to do with kissing—but her future in the cutthroat world of sports reporting hangs on delivering the goods on the league’s hottest, grumpiest rookie. So what if he’s not interested in having his life plated up for public consumption. Too bad. Jordan will have to play dirty to get her scoop and even dirtier to get her man. Only in winning the story, she might just lose her heart...
Fans can’t get enough of Levi Hunt, the Special Forces veteran who put his NHL career on hold to serve his country and fight the bad guys. So when his new Chicago Rebels bosses tell him to cooperate with the press on a profile, he’s ready to do his duty. Until he finds out who he has to work with: flame-haired, freckle-splashed, impossibly perky Jordan Cooke.
The woman he should not have kissed the night she buried her husband, Levi’s best friend in the service.
Hockey-stick-up-his-butt-serious Levi Hunt might despise Jordan for reasons she can’t fathom—okay, it’s to do with kissing—but her future in the cutthroat world of sports reporting hangs on delivering the goods on the league’s hottest, grumpiest rookie. So what if he’s not interested in having his life plated up for public consumption. Too bad. Jordan will have to play dirty to get her scoop and even dirtier to get her man. Only in winning the story, she might just lose her heart...
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2019
About the author
Kate Meader
48 books3,200 followersKate writes sexy contemporary, sports, and LGBTQ+ romance with strong guys and amazing women and men who match their heroes quip for quip. She's known for blending heat, humor, and heart into irresistibly romantic stories.
Sign up for her newsletter to get updates on sales, giveaways, and new releases.
The Rookie Rebels features a team of heroes who are about to learn that all's fair in love and hockey.
1. GOOD GUY (Levi and Jordan)
2. INSTACRUSH (Theo and Elle)
3. MAN DOWN (Gunnar and Sadie)
4. FOREPLAYER (Cal and Mia)
5. DEAR ROOMIE (Reid and Kennedy)
6. REBEL YULE (Erik and Casey)
7. JOCK WANTED (Fitz and Tara)
8. SUPERSTAR (Bast and Pepper)
9. WILD RIDE (Dex and Ashley)
The Hot in Chicago Rookies series heads back to Engine 6 for more steamy firefighter romances.
0. COMING IN HOT (Tyler and Evie)
1. UP IN SMOKE (Roman and Abby)
2. DOWN IN FLAMES (Jude and Hudson)
3. HOT TO THE TOUCH (Sam and Cassandra)
The Laws of Attraction series about sexy divorce lawyers:
1. DOWN WITH LOVE (Max and Charlie)
2. ILLEGALLY YOURS (Lucas and Trinity)
3. THEN CAME YOU (Grant and Aubrey)
The Chicago Rebels series about sexy hockey players:
0.5 IN SKATES TROUBLE (Ford and Addison) - FREE!
1. IRRESISTIBLE YOU (Remy and Harper)
2. SO OVER YOU (Vadim and Isobel)
3. UNDONE BY YOU (Dante and Cade)
4. HOOKED ON YOU (Bren and Violet)
5. WRAPPED UP IN YOU (More Dante and Cade)
The Hot in Chicago series about sexy firefighters:
0.5 REKINDLE THE FLAME (Beck and Darcy)
1. FLIRTING WITH FIRE (Luke and Kinsey)
1.5 MELTING POINT (Gage and Brady)
2. PLAYING WITH FIRE (Eli and Alex)
3. SPARKING THE FIRE (Wyatt and Molly)
3.5 FOREVER IN FIRE (More Eli and Alex)
3.6 COMING IN HOT, Men in Uniform anthology (Tyler and Evie)
The Hot in the Kitchen series about sexy chefs:
1. FEEL THE HEAT (Jack and Lili)
2. ALL FIRED UP (Shane and Cara)
3. HOT AND BOTHERED (Tad and Jules)
The Tall, Dark, and Texan series about sexy tycoons:
1. EVEN THE SCORE (Hunter and Tess)
2. TAKING THE SCORE (Brody and Emma)
3. ONE WEEK TO SCORE (Flynn and Olivia)
... however each book can also be read as a standalone novel or novella.
For excerpts, news, and giveaways, visit: http://katemeader.com
Sign up for her newsletter to get updates on sales, giveaways, and new releases.
The Rookie Rebels features a team of heroes who are about to learn that all's fair in love and hockey.
1. GOOD GUY (Levi and Jordan)
2. INSTACRUSH (Theo and Elle)
3. MAN DOWN (Gunnar and Sadie)
4. FOREPLAYER (Cal and Mia)
5. DEAR ROOMIE (Reid and Kennedy)
6. REBEL YULE (Erik and Casey)
7. JOCK WANTED (Fitz and Tara)
8. SUPERSTAR (Bast and Pepper)
9. WILD RIDE (Dex and Ashley)
The Hot in Chicago Rookies series heads back to Engine 6 for more steamy firefighter romances.
0. COMING IN HOT (Tyler and Evie)
1. UP IN SMOKE (Roman and Abby)
2. DOWN IN FLAMES (Jude and Hudson)
3. HOT TO THE TOUCH (Sam and Cassandra)
The Laws of Attraction series about sexy divorce lawyers:
1. DOWN WITH LOVE (Max and Charlie)
2. ILLEGALLY YOURS (Lucas and Trinity)
3. THEN CAME YOU (Grant and Aubrey)
The Chicago Rebels series about sexy hockey players:
0.5 IN SKATES TROUBLE (Ford and Addison) - FREE!
1. IRRESISTIBLE YOU (Remy and Harper)
2. SO OVER YOU (Vadim and Isobel)
3. UNDONE BY YOU (Dante and Cade)
4. HOOKED ON YOU (Bren and Violet)
5. WRAPPED UP IN YOU (More Dante and Cade)
The Hot in Chicago series about sexy firefighters:
0.5 REKINDLE THE FLAME (Beck and Darcy)
1. FLIRTING WITH FIRE (Luke and Kinsey)
1.5 MELTING POINT (Gage and Brady)
2. PLAYING WITH FIRE (Eli and Alex)
3. SPARKING THE FIRE (Wyatt and Molly)
3.5 FOREVER IN FIRE (More Eli and Alex)
3.6 COMING IN HOT, Men in Uniform anthology (Tyler and Evie)
The Hot in the Kitchen series about sexy chefs:
1. FEEL THE HEAT (Jack and Lili)
2. ALL FIRED UP (Shane and Cara)
3. HOT AND BOTHERED (Tad and Jules)
The Tall, Dark, and Texan series about sexy tycoons:
1. EVEN THE SCORE (Hunter and Tess)
2. TAKING THE SCORE (Brody and Emma)
3. ONE WEEK TO SCORE (Flynn and Olivia)
... however each book can also be read as a standalone novel or novella.
For excerpts, news, and giveaways, visit: http://katemeader.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 591 reviews
July 27, 2019
4 Levi Hunt Stars
Good Guy was my first time reading Kate Meader, and I really liked it. Though this can be read as a standalone novel, It was very evident that this was a spin off series. In the first few chapters I felt like that friend that tagged along to a party were everyone knows everyone, and I was the outsider. It didn't bother me though, it just made me want to go read their books(which I totally will be doing) so that I know them better. Levi, OMG he was just so yummy. I fell madly in love with Levi. In my eyes he was perfect. I love how protective and respectful he was. The title of the book was spot on, he was such a Good Guy. Truly, Levi made the whole book for me. I liked Jordan a lot, but there was a few times when I didn't understand her choices. Still I found her strong, smart, and a good match for Levi. I thought they made a very cute couple. The sexual tension was off the chain. I loved how Jordan worked so hard to get Levi to open up. It made every smile and laugh special.
Someone else that really stood out in this book was Theo (Superglutes) Kershaw. He was so damn funny and sexy. I can't wait for Superglutes to get his HEA. The story plot was good. Kate Meader's writing style was smooth like butter. I love when an author can make me laugh and this book had some really funny parts. I think my only problem with this book, and it wasn't a big thing, but at times I felt that it got a bit preachy. What I mean by that is this book brought up subjects of Social Justice. Which isn't a problem in itself. No the problem was there was just so much of it like there was a Social Justice Warrior check list, and it checked them all off. It got into sexism in a male dominated professions, homelessness, metal health, domestic violence, sexual harassment, bullying, social media bullying, hunger and poverty, etc etc. I'm all for bringing light on these subjects, but maybe not so many in one story. Overall I really liked the book. I liked it enough to head to Amazon and get the Chicago Rebels series, and the Hot in Chicago series.
https://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessi...
Good Guy was my first time reading Kate Meader, and I really liked it. Though this can be read as a standalone novel, It was very evident that this was a spin off series. In the first few chapters I felt like that friend that tagged along to a party were everyone knows everyone, and I was the outsider. It didn't bother me though, it just made me want to go read their books(which I totally will be doing) so that I know them better. Levi, OMG he was just so yummy. I fell madly in love with Levi. In my eyes he was perfect. I love how protective and respectful he was. The title of the book was spot on, he was such a Good Guy. Truly, Levi made the whole book for me. I liked Jordan a lot, but there was a few times when I didn't understand her choices. Still I found her strong, smart, and a good match for Levi. I thought they made a very cute couple. The sexual tension was off the chain. I loved how Jordan worked so hard to get Levi to open up. It made every smile and laugh special.
Someone else that really stood out in this book was Theo (Superglutes) Kershaw. He was so damn funny and sexy. I can't wait for Superglutes to get his HEA. The story plot was good. Kate Meader's writing style was smooth like butter. I love when an author can make me laugh and this book had some really funny parts. I think my only problem with this book, and it wasn't a big thing, but at times I felt that it got a bit preachy. What I mean by that is this book brought up subjects of Social Justice. Which isn't a problem in itself. No the problem was there was just so much of it like there was a Social Justice Warrior check list, and it checked them all off. It got into sexism in a male dominated professions, homelessness, metal health, domestic violence, sexual harassment, bullying, social media bullying, hunger and poverty, etc etc. I'm all for bringing light on these subjects, but maybe not so many in one story. Overall I really liked the book. I liked it enough to head to Amazon and get the Chicago Rebels series, and the Hot in Chicago series.
https://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessi...
September 12, 2021
"That sigh you made when I licked you through—Jordan, I don’t think any sound could top it. Not the slide of a skate, not the blare of the goal buzzer, not the cheer of the crowd. It’s the sound I want to hear all night, every night."
I've had this book in my Kindle for a while now, and it was just calling to me this time. This is my first Kate Meader book and, holy hell, have I been missing out!
I love sports romance, but this is SO much more than that. It's a love story wrapped up in hockey and it deals with a lot of things, such as sexism and homelessness, but it didn’t make me feel overwhelmed. It was done right. And it didn't take anything away from Levi and Jordan's story.
"He tasted of beer and need, and the way he felt … so hard and good and groan-worthy."
It was clear to see I was going to love Levi because he’s everything I love in a hero. He's grumpy and closed-off, and he doesn't open up for anyone. He's had it rough as a kid, but he turned it around. He's not your typical athlete, interested in the millions or the puck bunnies – he chose to leave it behind to serve his country instead, and now he may be the oldest hockey rookie ever. And his heart... damn, he really is a good guy.
"She looked up at him, her expression filled with fury and spirit. Typical, maddening, heart-stoppingly gorgeous Jordan."
It took me a bit to warm up to Jordan. She's a sports journalist, and while I get her passion for her job, it seemed at times like it was all she cared about, like she had nothing else. Her love story with her dead husband didn't fully convince me, and it felt like it was more about them being used to and comfortable around each other than actual love or passion. She's the reason why the book is a 4.5, and not a full-on 5 for me.
"Don’t apologize, Levi. Takes two to kiss like that."
"Wasn’t planning to. I was going to say you need to get your sweet ass off that car before I lose control."
To cut a long story short, Levi and Jordan’s husband served together in the Green Berets, and Levi came home while Jordan’s husband didn’t. On the day of his funeral, they kissed, and neither of them has been able to let go of it. Maybe for different reasons, maybe for the same ones, deep down.
They haven’t been together after that, and now Jordan has come to do a profile on him. It’s all about keeping it professional... you guessed it, until it’s not.
"Maybe we need to lay our cards on the table," she said.
"I would have screwed you that night." (…)
"I would have let you."
It’s not easy for someone like Levi to open up, so Jordan obviously has her work cut out for her, while they both have to come to terms with what happened before and what’s happening now.
I’m adding a spoiler here, even though I'm not sure it is one.
"How did I taste?" Wrong question!
"Sweet. Hot." His inhale sounded labored. "My end."
The story is told in dual POV, so you can clearly see their feelings for each other, and how things are perceived differently by different people. And I love that they communicated – well, Levi tried to anyway. Both of them are able to read each other quite well, which only added to the realness of the story for me.
"Woman, you are killing me."
"Let’s die together."
Love wins in the end. It isn't easy, it takes some letting go from both of them, of the past, of feelings of unworthiness, of feeling inferior. It takes owning up to what you really want, and realizing what’s really important.
And that epilogue... Ms. Meader, I was laughing, and had a giant lump in my throat at the same time.
Wonderful book. I am definitely reading the rest of this series!
I've had this book in my Kindle for a while now, and it was just calling to me this time. This is my first Kate Meader book and, holy hell, have I been missing out!
I love sports romance, but this is SO much more than that. It's a love story wrapped up in hockey and it deals with a lot of things, such as sexism and homelessness, but it didn’t make me feel overwhelmed. It was done right. And it didn't take anything away from Levi and Jordan's story.
"He tasted of beer and need, and the way he felt … so hard and good and groan-worthy."
It was clear to see I was going to love Levi because he’s everything I love in a hero. He's grumpy and closed-off, and he doesn't open up for anyone. He's had it rough as a kid, but he turned it around. He's not your typical athlete, interested in the millions or the puck bunnies – he chose to leave it behind to serve his country instead, and now he may be the oldest hockey rookie ever. And his heart... damn, he really is a good guy.
"She looked up at him, her expression filled with fury and spirit. Typical, maddening, heart-stoppingly gorgeous Jordan."
It took me a bit to warm up to Jordan. She's a sports journalist, and while I get her passion for her job, it seemed at times like it was all she cared about, like she had nothing else. Her love story with her dead husband didn't fully convince me, and it felt like it was more about them being used to and comfortable around each other than actual love or passion. She's the reason why the book is a 4.5, and not a full-on 5 for me.
"Don’t apologize, Levi. Takes two to kiss like that."
"Wasn’t planning to. I was going to say you need to get your sweet ass off that car before I lose control."
To cut a long story short, Levi and Jordan’s husband served together in the Green Berets, and Levi came home while Jordan’s husband didn’t. On the day of his funeral, they kissed, and neither of them has been able to let go of it. Maybe for different reasons, maybe for the same ones, deep down.
They haven’t been together after that, and now Jordan has come to do a profile on him. It’s all about keeping it professional... you guessed it, until it’s not.
"Maybe we need to lay our cards on the table," she said.
"I would have screwed you that night." (…)
"I would have let you."
It’s not easy for someone like Levi to open up, so Jordan obviously has her work cut out for her, while they both have to come to terms with what happened before and what’s happening now.
I’m adding a spoiler here, even though I'm not sure it is one.
"How did I taste?" Wrong question!
"Sweet. Hot." His inhale sounded labored. "My end."
The story is told in dual POV, so you can clearly see their feelings for each other, and how things are perceived differently by different people. And I love that they communicated – well, Levi tried to anyway. Both of them are able to read each other quite well, which only added to the realness of the story for me.
"Woman, you are killing me."
"Let’s die together."
Love wins in the end. It isn't easy, it takes some letting go from both of them, of the past, of feelings of unworthiness, of feeling inferior. It takes owning up to what you really want, and realizing what’s really important.
And that epilogue... Ms. Meader, I was laughing, and had a giant lump in my throat at the same time.
Wonderful book. I am definitely reading the rest of this series!
July 29, 2019
TITLE: GOOD GUY
AUTHOR: Kate Meader
SERIES: Rookie Rebels
RELEASE DATE: July 30 2019
GENRE: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance
RATING: 3.5 STARS
CLIFFHANGER: No
READ MY REVIEW ON THE BLOG (live on July 30)
Kate Meader's books are like a box of chocolates. You know what you'll get but you'll still be delighted at how good they are. I don't think there has been a hero, written by her that I disliked - her heroes are all awesome. She addresses matters that concern all of us in her stories giving them more depth. And GOOD GUY is no different.
Levi Hunt is a rookie for the Chicago Rebels who have had some great and some decent seasons since Harper, Isobel and Violet her sisters took over management. The special thing about Levi though is that he's thirty, an age when most players are in their prime. Not very likely in the real world but it's an interesting switch-up so I was totally game to meet Mount Grump. Levi served his country with the Green Berets before joining the Rebels, along with his best friend Josh, who died five years ago. What nobody knows - Levi has always been in love with Josh's wife. He was the first who saw her but Jordan had only eyes for Josh, a fact that would crush any self esteem.
Jordan has moved past her grief. She still misses her husband but she lives her life and loves being a journalist, especially reporting about sports. Being a woman in such a testosterone laden profession is tough and she has to deal with the injustice on a daily basis. Like getting lewd pics from players, horrible comments on her podcast, male reporters looking down their noses and every other inequality you can think of. Jordan gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to write a profile about the Chicago Rebels' newest addition, a man who is closed up like a clam. A man she has met a couple of times in her life but, she's convinced, doesn't like her. So now she has to perform the impossible and pry open the lid on Levi's secrets.
Levi seemed like a grump in the beginning but soon I found out that he's introspect, burdened with insecurities that had him second-guess everything Jordan said. But slowly she got through to him and it was really sweet to see him open up. While I knew that Levi must have a big heart from the start - exchanging the adoration of fans, the wealth and the limelight of being a hockey star for a dangerous military job - the depth of his goodness unfolded as I dove deeper into the story. The guy was a saint! A dirty, hot one but a saint all the same.
Life and love poured out, flooding his veins with hope. He was here. He had survived. And she was his prize. No contract, no goal, no cup could compete.
Jordan, however, wasn't as easy to love. She was supposed to be this sunny, perky woman but it took me more than half of the book to warm up to her. Sometimes she seemed a little too cutthroat and opportunistic to me, too focused on the job. I wasn't sure if she deserved Levi - for a long time I thought she'd always love her job more than the man. Ultimately she proved that she had ethics and I ended up liking her just fine.
I love this strong, silent—sometimes too silent—man who’s given so much of himself to everyone.
There is a bunch of secondary cast that I think we'll see stories of. Theo Kershaw, a team member who had an aneurysm and has learned to live in the here and now. Elle, Levi's team mate on his Green Berets team, a woman who has balls of steel, is snarky and seems to become Theo's love interest. I can't wait for that story! Then there is Joe, a homeless veteran - I really hope that Kate Meader can find a story for him because he deserves a happy ending.
I loved catching up with Harper, Isobel and Violet and if you've read IRRESISTIBLE YOU then you know what happened to Harper in the past, that she was a victim of domestic violence and the case was glossed over by her dad - the guy, also a Rebels team member was transferred instead of being dealt with him. This event is finally being brought into public which I appreciated. However, what I really wanted to see was the consequences it had for the jerk who hit Harper. I feel that this should have been addressed and I hope that Ms. Meader picks it up in the next book.
For the Chicago Rebels fans out there I can recommend GOOD GUY wholeheartedly. You will get this author's entertaining writing style with a hero to swoon over and a lot of different real life problems to ponder. This is not my favorite book by this author but I enjoyed it a lot, still. I'm glad we get more Rebels books and I'm looking forward to seeing who'll be next!
“Would you rather we continued this another time?”
“Is my hard-on interfering with your ability to ask questions?”
August 2, 2019
4 Sunshine Stars
As a young hockey player on the cusp of turning pro, Levi Hunt made a difficult decision. He put aside his dream of playing in the NHL in return for joining the army and fighting for his county. Now a decade later, with a stint as a Green Beret behind him, Levi’s poised to make his debut with the Chicago Rebels as the oldest NHL rookie. Feeling like everything’s finally coming together for him, Levi is ready to work his butt off and do whatever the Rebels ask of him. Until a blast from his past shows up requesting an interview.
Jordan Cooke’s burgeoning career as a sports reporter depends on getting an interview with the oldest NHL rookie/war hero, but Levi’s not going to make it easy on her. As it turns out, Jordan and Levi have a bit of a complicated history. In fact, Levi was Best Man at Jordan’s wedding. And the two shared a steamy kiss the night of Jordan’s husband’s funeral. Oh, and there’s a possibility Levi’s been in love with Jordan since the beginning.
I loved Jordan and Levi together. There’s a sense of history between the two, but since they never really got to know each other when her husband was alive, the romance aspect still felt new and fresh. Both of these characters had their reasons for putting the brakes on the attraction they were feeling, and I felt like those issues were handled well. Jordan lost her husband over five years ago after a short marriage. While she loved him very much, she was still twenty three when he died. I loved that no one tried to make her feel guilty for moving on, even if it was with dead husband’s best friend.
It couldn’t be that simple.
Nothing ever was. Especially not with something so complicated as falling in love with your dead husband’s best friend who happened to be the subject of a career-defining story you were trying to cover objectively and failing at dismally.
Levi, however, was a bit of a struggle. I loved him. I thought he was the sexiest, strongest, hard shell-soft center of a man ever. While I still adored him, his low self-worth never really sat right with me.
There’s a secondary story line about how females, whether they be employees, reporters or team owners, are treated in professional sports. I felt like this issue was handled well, never overtaking the romance but still making itself an important part of the story. And for those that have read Irresistible You, Harper gets a wee bit of closure for one of her personal issues.
Good Guy is the first offering in a new series from Kate Meader. It’s also a spin-off of her Chicago Rebels series and while you can read this as a standalone, I found I got more out of the story knowing the team’s backstory. I’m so glad Ms. Meader chose to continue telling the Rebels stories because, honestly, Theo’s glutes need their own book and I can’t wait!
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest, voluntary review
As a young hockey player on the cusp of turning pro, Levi Hunt made a difficult decision. He put aside his dream of playing in the NHL in return for joining the army and fighting for his county. Now a decade later, with a stint as a Green Beret behind him, Levi’s poised to make his debut with the Chicago Rebels as the oldest NHL rookie. Feeling like everything’s finally coming together for him, Levi is ready to work his butt off and do whatever the Rebels ask of him. Until a blast from his past shows up requesting an interview.
Jordan Cooke’s burgeoning career as a sports reporter depends on getting an interview with the oldest NHL rookie/war hero, but Levi’s not going to make it easy on her. As it turns out, Jordan and Levi have a bit of a complicated history. In fact, Levi was Best Man at Jordan’s wedding. And the two shared a steamy kiss the night of Jordan’s husband’s funeral. Oh, and there’s a possibility Levi’s been in love with Jordan since the beginning.
I loved Jordan and Levi together. There’s a sense of history between the two, but since they never really got to know each other when her husband was alive, the romance aspect still felt new and fresh. Both of these characters had their reasons for putting the brakes on the attraction they were feeling, and I felt like those issues were handled well. Jordan lost her husband over five years ago after a short marriage. While she loved him very much, she was still twenty three when he died. I loved that no one tried to make her feel guilty for moving on, even if it was with dead husband’s best friend.
It couldn’t be that simple.
Nothing ever was. Especially not with something so complicated as falling in love with your dead husband’s best friend who happened to be the subject of a career-defining story you were trying to cover objectively and failing at dismally.
Levi, however, was a bit of a struggle. I loved him. I thought he was the sexiest, strongest, hard shell-soft center of a man ever. While I still adored him, his low self-worth never really sat right with me.
There’s a secondary story line about how females, whether they be employees, reporters or team owners, are treated in professional sports. I felt like this issue was handled well, never overtaking the romance but still making itself an important part of the story. And for those that have read Irresistible You, Harper gets a wee bit of closure for one of her personal issues.
Good Guy is the first offering in a new series from Kate Meader. It’s also a spin-off of her Chicago Rebels series and while you can read this as a standalone, I found I got more out of the story knowing the team’s backstory. I’m so glad Ms. Meader chose to continue telling the Rebels stories because, honestly, Theo’s glutes need their own book and I can’t wait!
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest, voluntary review
May 29, 2021
Good Guy is fun to read. Miss Meader done a good job bringing us the story of equality between man and woman in sport industry. Where this industry is dominated by male, I think female workers should get equal opportunity too.
I do like the steamy sex scenes. Even though it is less graphic, but I can feel the sexy times between the main characters.
Overall a good read.
4 stars
I do like the steamy sex scenes. Even though it is less graphic, but I can feel the sexy times between the main characters.
Overall a good read.
4 stars
July 31, 2019
So maybe I read this too soon after wrapping the original series, maybe I should’ve given that space.. and maybe I should round up my review of HOOKED ON YOU. Because GOOD GUY? Wasn’t great for me.
I think this story’s biggest downfall is it’s just trying to unpack a lot of things. Grief, death of a spouse, a rough upbringing, a desire to give back, sexism in the workplace, misogyny in general, internet culture, conflict of interest relationship, a sorta-but-not-really second chance romance if we consider ‘almost’ a second chance.. all that and cameos, and repercussions, from as far back as book one in the Chicago Rebels series, plus all the life updates for the couples from the original books. Phew. That was a lot to just sum up, never mind read about, whilst still enjoying the Cinderella story of this team of hockey misfits and a slowburn romance we’re somehow supposed to believe in.
I didn’t love Levi but he’s an all-around paragon of virtue and low self-worth so you can’t hate him. I didn’t love Jordan even though she’s a tough, hard working, woman in a male-dominated industry, who is focusing on a career previously set aside by marrying young and supporting her now dead husband — though, to expand, I didn’t love the reporter dynamic because even though we’re told she’s not got a malicious bone in her body.. she did some shady things, sat on a lot of information, and used not-quite-above-board tactics to get what she wanted.. all of which are couched in nicey-nice and conflicted feelings but.. nonetheless.. yeah, this dynamic was the extra bit that didn’t work for me — and to poop on her feels like pooping on women as a whole. I didn’t feel much chemistry, didn’t love the romance, the only bit I liked about them together was some of the brutal, forthcoming, honesty that defined most of their interactions.
What saved this book from being a total wash is the ever fun cast of side characters and hockey personalities that sprinkle the pages and the background. I’m not sure how I feel about what I assume is to be the next couple but I guess we’ll see.
This low rating, and disappointment, aside I would still recommend this author and these hockey books (and I might even investigate her firefighter ones as this is the second book she’s had cameos, and dropped some not-so-subtle backstory, about couples and people from those other works). They are fun and sexy and relevant and often quite funny. This is definitely the biggest outlier for this reader. So, take this review with a grain of extra salty salt — as always.
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
I think this story’s biggest downfall is it’s just trying to unpack a lot of things. Grief, death of a spouse, a rough upbringing, a desire to give back, sexism in the workplace, misogyny in general, internet culture, conflict of interest relationship, a sorta-but-not-really second chance romance if we consider ‘almost’ a second chance.. all that and cameos, and repercussions, from as far back as book one in the Chicago Rebels series, plus all the life updates for the couples from the original books. Phew. That was a lot to just sum up, never mind read about, whilst still enjoying the Cinderella story of this team of hockey misfits and a slowburn romance we’re somehow supposed to believe in.
I didn’t love Levi but he’s an all-around paragon of virtue and low self-worth so you can’t hate him. I didn’t love Jordan even though she’s a tough, hard working, woman in a male-dominated industry, who is focusing on a career previously set aside by marrying young and supporting her now dead husband — though, to expand, I didn’t love the reporter dynamic because even though we’re told she’s not got a malicious bone in her body.. she did some shady things, sat on a lot of information, and used not-quite-above-board tactics to get what she wanted.. all of which are couched in nicey-nice and conflicted feelings but.. nonetheless.. yeah, this dynamic was the extra bit that didn’t work for me — and to poop on her feels like pooping on women as a whole. I didn’t feel much chemistry, didn’t love the romance, the only bit I liked about them together was some of the brutal, forthcoming, honesty that defined most of their interactions.
What saved this book from being a total wash is the ever fun cast of side characters and hockey personalities that sprinkle the pages and the background. I’m not sure how I feel about what I assume is to be the next couple but I guess we’ll see.
This low rating, and disappointment, aside I would still recommend this author and these hockey books (and I might even investigate her firefighter ones as this is the second book she’s had cameos, and dropped some not-so-subtle backstory, about couples and people from those other works). They are fun and sexy and relevant and often quite funny. This is definitely the biggest outlier for this reader. So, take this review with a grain of extra salty salt — as always.
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
July 30, 2019
3.5 STARS
I adored Kate's Chicago Rebels books and was super bummed to see that series come to an end. It became my go-to when I wanted a fun and sexy hockey romance. So when I saw that she's writing a spin-off series I jumped on it quicker than you can say "puck". What? Too cheesy? Whatever. You get what I'm saying here, ok?! But whatever. I digress. My point here is I was uber excited for a brand new sports series from one of my favorite authors. Plus have you SEEN that book blurb? Talk about your book crack.
I just so happen to love the broody grumps. And just when I thought no grump could out grump Bren St. James from Hooked On You, in skates Levi Hunt. The man was the most endearing grump I've read in a while. The man is a retired veteran, a Green Beret with battle scars and a heart of gold. With his military career behind him, he's now become hockey's oldest rookie. And just when he thinks he's finally got things together, a blast from his past blows it all out of the water.
Jordan is a sports reporter that's working her tail off in order to prove that a woman is just as deserving of a coveted reporting spot as a man. So when she sees a chance to use her history with Levi as an in to get the chance she's been waiting for in her career, she's not above using it. Jordan also happens to be the widow of Levi's service teammate and best friend. But worse than that she's always been the woman he coveted from afar but never allowed himself to get. At first she was his buddy's wife and then she was his widow, so she's always been hands off.
Levi wasn't hard to love. The man just tugs at every heart string you have. And the more you learn about his connection with Jordan and peel back the grumpy layers, the more you fall for him. Jordan, admittedly, was a little harder to love. While I love that the relationship with her husband was never diminished, I also struggled with seeing her as a widow. She loved her husband, yes, but I struggled to feel that connection to her. And yes, it's been 5 years since the loss, but I just never felt that grieving for her. Perhaps that makes it easier to see her move on, but I wished that I got little more emotion from her. She seemed almost standoffish to me at times. And I get that she put her career on the backseat for her husband's military career those years ago, she was almost a little too...hard...with her career aspirations here. She reminded me a little bit of Harper when it came to how hard she was in order to prove herself, but I just had a tough time connecting to her. She did ultimately win me over, but it did take some time.
If you've read the Rebels series, you'll definitely appreciate all of the cameos in this book. And if you haven't, I highly recommend you check it out.
Good Guy was a sweet romance that shined a spotlight on several issues like gender inequality in sports, which I really enjoyed. And though the story wasn't my favorite of Kate's, it definitely did the trick of hooking me on a new series.
ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review
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he was head over skates for her.
I adored Kate's Chicago Rebels books and was super bummed to see that series come to an end. It became my go-to when I wanted a fun and sexy hockey romance. So when I saw that she's writing a spin-off series I jumped on it quicker than you can say "puck". What? Too cheesy? Whatever. You get what I'm saying here, ok?! But whatever. I digress. My point here is I was uber excited for a brand new sports series from one of my favorite authors. Plus have you SEEN that book blurb? Talk about your book crack.
I just so happen to love the broody grumps. And just when I thought no grump could out grump Bren St. James from Hooked On You, in skates Levi Hunt. The man was the most endearing grump I've read in a while. The man is a retired veteran, a Green Beret with battle scars and a heart of gold. With his military career behind him, he's now become hockey's oldest rookie. And just when he thinks he's finally got things together, a blast from his past blows it all out of the water.
Jordan is a sports reporter that's working her tail off in order to prove that a woman is just as deserving of a coveted reporting spot as a man. So when she sees a chance to use her history with Levi as an in to get the chance she's been waiting for in her career, she's not above using it. Jordan also happens to be the widow of Levi's service teammate and best friend. But worse than that she's always been the woman he coveted from afar but never allowed himself to get. At first she was his buddy's wife and then she was his widow, so she's always been hands off.
Levi wasn't hard to love. The man just tugs at every heart string you have. And the more you learn about his connection with Jordan and peel back the grumpy layers, the more you fall for him. Jordan, admittedly, was a little harder to love. While I love that the relationship with her husband was never diminished, I also struggled with seeing her as a widow. She loved her husband, yes, but I struggled to feel that connection to her. And yes, it's been 5 years since the loss, but I just never felt that grieving for her. Perhaps that makes it easier to see her move on, but I wished that I got little more emotion from her. She seemed almost standoffish to me at times. And I get that she put her career on the backseat for her husband's military career those years ago, she was almost a little too...hard...with her career aspirations here. She reminded me a little bit of Harper when it came to how hard she was in order to prove herself, but I just had a tough time connecting to her. She did ultimately win me over, but it did take some time.
If you've read the Rebels series, you'll definitely appreciate all of the cameos in this book. And if you haven't, I highly recommend you check it out.
Good Guy was a sweet romance that shined a spotlight on several issues like gender inequality in sports, which I really enjoyed. And though the story wasn't my favorite of Kate's, it definitely did the trick of hooking me on a new series.
ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review
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July 31, 2019About GOOD GUY and this new series of hockey romances:
A spin-off series from my bestselling Chicago Rebels hockey romances, the Rookie Rebels feature "rookie" heroes but not in the way you might expect. No green, fresh-out-of-college man babies here! These guys have had their NHL careers put on hold for a reason, such as military service, life-threatening injury, or unspeakable tragedy. Their second acts and roads to redemption will be with everyone's favorite hockey team, the Chicago Rebels!
The first book, GOOD GUY, has a grumpy hero, a sunny heroine, and emotion and humor in equal measure. I can't wait for you to fall in love with Levi and Jordan as they resist falling in love with each other.
Each book in the Rookie Rebels series is completely standalone and won't require that you've read the original Chicago Rebels stories. But if you've missed them, you may as well catch up because there'll be plenty of cameos from the OG crew!
xoxo
Kate
A spin-off series from my bestselling Chicago Rebels hockey romances, the Rookie Rebels feature "rookie" heroes but not in the way you might expect. No green, fresh-out-of-college man babies here! These guys have had their NHL careers put on hold for a reason, such as military service, life-threatening injury, or unspeakable tragedy. Their second acts and roads to redemption will be with everyone's favorite hockey team, the Chicago Rebels!
The first book, GOOD GUY, has a grumpy hero, a sunny heroine, and emotion and humor in equal measure. I can't wait for you to fall in love with Levi and Jordan as they resist falling in love with each other.
Each book in the Rookie Rebels series is completely standalone and won't require that you've read the original Chicago Rebels stories. But if you've missed them, you may as well catch up because there'll be plenty of cameos from the OG crew!
xoxo
Kate
August 7, 2019
4.5 Stars
Levi is a rookie on the Chicago Rebels team, an older one since he opted to go into service in Special Forces instead of immediately playing on a profession hockey team. Now nine years later he’s been hired onto the Chicago Rebels hockey team. Everyone wants his story, but he is a very private person and doesn’t feel like much should be made of his service in Special Forces. Levi suffers a bit from survivor’s guilt since his best friend, Josh didn’t make it out. Teaming up with Josh’s widow, Jordan, a sportscaster isn’t something Levi is looking forward to either since the last time he saw her was the night of Josh’s funeral when they kissed five years ago.
Jordan is assigned to get Levi’s story, but she has her doubts because he never seemed to approve of her when she married his best friend. It’s even more awkward because of the kiss they shared when Jordan was at her lowest, overcome with grief. Levi isn’t making things easy either, but she’s persistent. Spending time together leads to sparks between them, and even though neither wants to feel what they’re feeling ignoring their attraction is a losing battle.
Oh, I just love the quiet, broody types, especially when they have a hot-melty center! Levi was intense, and passionate, and when he stopped fighting his attraction to Jordan, she was his focus. Jordan, you lucky girl! Of course, there’s some bumps in the road, Levi is insecure about Jordan’s true feelings and Jordan worries about how their relationship will appear with her position as interviewer. Nothing overly dramatic, and I loved experiencing all the ups and downs in their journey towards a HEA!
I have a special weakness for hot, complicated hockey men so I was thrilled to get back to the Chicago Rebels team! This is book one in the Kate Meader’s Rookie Rebel series, but it picks up with the same team as her Chicago Rebels series, with glimpses of the previous characters.
A copy was kindly provided by the author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Levi is a rookie on the Chicago Rebels team, an older one since he opted to go into service in Special Forces instead of immediately playing on a profession hockey team. Now nine years later he’s been hired onto the Chicago Rebels hockey team. Everyone wants his story, but he is a very private person and doesn’t feel like much should be made of his service in Special Forces. Levi suffers a bit from survivor’s guilt since his best friend, Josh didn’t make it out. Teaming up with Josh’s widow, Jordan, a sportscaster isn’t something Levi is looking forward to either since the last time he saw her was the night of Josh’s funeral when they kissed five years ago.
Jordan is assigned to get Levi’s story, but she has her doubts because he never seemed to approve of her when she married his best friend. It’s even more awkward because of the kiss they shared when Jordan was at her lowest, overcome with grief. Levi isn’t making things easy either, but she’s persistent. Spending time together leads to sparks between them, and even though neither wants to feel what they’re feeling ignoring their attraction is a losing battle.
Oh, I just love the quiet, broody types, especially when they have a hot-melty center! Levi was intense, and passionate, and when he stopped fighting his attraction to Jordan, she was his focus. Jordan, you lucky girl! Of course, there’s some bumps in the road, Levi is insecure about Jordan’s true feelings and Jordan worries about how their relationship will appear with her position as interviewer. Nothing overly dramatic, and I loved experiencing all the ups and downs in their journey towards a HEA!
I have a special weakness for hot, complicated hockey men so I was thrilled to get back to the Chicago Rebels team! This is book one in the Kate Meader’s Rookie Rebel series, but it picks up with the same team as her Chicago Rebels series, with glimpses of the previous characters.
A copy was kindly provided by the author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Good and important messages about subjects of social justice.👍
(sexism in male dominated professions, homelessness, mental health, domestic violence, sexual harassment, bullying, social media bullying etc.)
But it almost took over the story and got somewhat preachy at times.
Bringing light on these subjects is very important but there is a balance to how much to write and put in a book… so it does not overwhelm/overshadow the reader or the story.
Good and important messages about subjects of social justice.👍
(sexism in male dominated professions, homelessness, mental health, domestic violence, sexual harassment, bullying, social media bullying etc.)
But it almost took over the story and got somewhat preachy at times.
Bringing light on these subjects is very important but there is a balance to how much to write and put in a book… so it does not overwhelm/overshadow the reader or the story.
February 11, 2022
4 stars… better than I was expecting. I actually read 3 other books in this series before deciding to finally give this one a shot. I really am not typically fond of the whole “she picked OM in the past trope” that this book has going. But tbh, I thought that it was fairly well done and didn’t leave me feeling like the hero was second best. Would the hero and heroine be together if her husband hadn’t died? Almost certainly not. But, given the situation and circumstances…I think they both changed because of her husband’s death. And it’s especially clear that the heroine grew into a different person in comparison to who she was when she first met her (dead) husband. It was pretty heartbreaking to read about how the hero always loved her - but he also had issues that he needed to work through before their relationship could happen.
Overall, another really good story by Kate Meader.
Safe or SWE, hero and heroine originally met about 7 years prior to the start of the story. Hero saw her and immediately felt intense attraction, but she saw his friend and fell in love with him instead. She married the OM but he was in the military and died while on a mission. She and the hero got drunk and kissed at her husband’s funeral. Five years later is when they are reunited and there is no real OM/OW drama, except the ghost of her dead husband hangs over their relationship somewhat. No cheating.
Overall, another really good story by Kate Meader.
Safe or SWE, hero and heroine originally met about 7 years prior to the start of the story. Hero saw her and immediately felt intense attraction, but she saw his friend and fell in love with him instead. She married the OM but he was in the military and died while on a mission. She and the hero got drunk and kissed at her husband’s funeral. Five years later is when they are reunited and there is no real OM/OW drama, except the ghost of her dead husband hangs over their relationship somewhat. No cheating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2020
Frantic.
Uncomfortable.
Far too many issues - gave short shrift to everything.
Unrealistic (from the military to pro hockey just like that?)
Ethical issues
This was a mess and a disappointment from an author I’ve enjoyed before.
Uncomfortable.
Far too many issues - gave short shrift to everything.
Unrealistic (from the military to pro hockey just like that?)
Ethical issues
This was a mess and a disappointment from an author I’ve enjoyed before.
January 15, 2022
CURRENTLY (1/2022) FREE Amazon -> https://amzn.to/2Ycfhnp
Kate Meader launches her “Rookie Rebels” series with this touching story of Green Beret veteran who is making his NHL debut and the beautiful reporter who has resolved to get his story.
After proudly serving his country, Levi Hunt thought he was prepared to take on the NHL. He loves the sport and appreciates the opportunity the Chicago Rebels have provided. He’s just not on board with giving full access to his personal life to the media, much less his best friend’s widow and the woman he’s loved from a far ever since he laid eyes on her.
Jordan Cooke won’t let the fact that the surly, taciturn oldest rookie in the NHL hates her because she kissed him after she buried her husband. Much less the reality that she’s very much attracted to him stop her from succeeding in the ruthless male dominated world of sports reporting. But how much will it cost her to her the scoop?
The story between Jordan and Levi boasts everything I love about Kate Meader’s writing – witty dialogue, scorching chemistry, an interesting plot, a witty and strong heroine and a delicious Good Guy hero. Jordan has her work cut out for her in trying to get past Levi’s stoic façade, but their undeniable attraction and the time they spend together while Jordan hangs out with him and the team helps them push through all their unresolved issues.
The back and forth and chemistry between Levi and Jordan kept me flipping pages. They had history between them but the structure of their relationship drastically changed since they first met. I found myself hurting for Levi while trying to keep himself back but loving the counterbalance Jordan’s sunny disposition brought to their complex situation. I cheered for them from the start and was happily rewarded with their heartwarming story.
Meader never fails to deliver a sexy, thoughtful story in which she seamlessly includes a wide range of relevant topics such as sexual harassment and caring for the homeless. This story being a spin off from the Chicago Rebels series also included characters from that series who were a welcome layer to the tale.
Good Guy is book #1 of the Rookie Rebels series by author Kate Meader. It is a spin off from her Chicago Rebels series and a standalone hockey romance, told from both points of view with a HEA.
4.5 stars
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/2Ycfhnp
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Stalk me on FaceBook * Instagram * More reviews
Kate Meader launches her “Rookie Rebels” series with this touching story of Green Beret veteran who is making his NHL debut and the beautiful reporter who has resolved to get his story.
After proudly serving his country, Levi Hunt thought he was prepared to take on the NHL. He loves the sport and appreciates the opportunity the Chicago Rebels have provided. He’s just not on board with giving full access to his personal life to the media, much less his best friend’s widow and the woman he’s loved from a far ever since he laid eyes on her.
Jordan Cooke won’t let the fact that the surly, taciturn oldest rookie in the NHL hates her because she kissed him after she buried her husband. Much less the reality that she’s very much attracted to him stop her from succeeding in the ruthless male dominated world of sports reporting. But how much will it cost her to her the scoop?
The story between Jordan and Levi boasts everything I love about Kate Meader’s writing – witty dialogue, scorching chemistry, an interesting plot, a witty and strong heroine and a delicious Good Guy hero. Jordan has her work cut out for her in trying to get past Levi’s stoic façade, but their undeniable attraction and the time they spend together while Jordan hangs out with him and the team helps them push through all their unresolved issues.
The back and forth and chemistry between Levi and Jordan kept me flipping pages. They had history between them but the structure of their relationship drastically changed since they first met. I found myself hurting for Levi while trying to keep himself back but loving the counterbalance Jordan’s sunny disposition brought to their complex situation. I cheered for them from the start and was happily rewarded with their heartwarming story.
Meader never fails to deliver a sexy, thoughtful story in which she seamlessly includes a wide range of relevant topics such as sexual harassment and caring for the homeless. This story being a spin off from the Chicago Rebels series also included characters from that series who were a welcome layer to the tale.
Good Guy is book #1 of the Rookie Rebels series by author Kate Meader. It is a spin off from her Chicago Rebels series and a standalone hockey romance, told from both points of view with a HEA.
4.5 stars
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/2Ycfhnp
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Stalk me on FaceBook * Instagram * More reviews
July 20, 2019
Kate Meader brings us a new series set in the same world as her Chicago Rebels world. Our first main couple is Levi Hunt and Jordan Cooke.
Good Guy is all about a second chance. Levi and Jordan are both given a second chance at a career. Levi with an NHL career with the Chicago Rebel’s after his stint as a Green Beret. Jordan, a sports journalist after she set it aside to be a young bride. And 5 years after losing her husband, Jordan and Levi are given a second chance at love.
Levi’s decision to become a war hero before an NHL star is big news but he’s a very private person. That previous connection Jordan has with Levi has made her a shoe in for the journalist to get his story, but it won’t be as easy as every thinks.
Levi has not had an easy upbringing and he isn’t open to sharing anything but his hockey career publicly. He doesn’t realize what an inspiration he is. The title of a good Guy really is an apt description for him. He’s honorable and protective but very private and a bit moody.
I’m not much of a fan of journalist because they are usually portrayed as people who will do anything for a story. I was happy to see that Jordan is the opposite of all that. She is just as honorable as Levi. She can get the story the the right way.
I really liked both main characters. Levi is that broody H that I love, and Jordan was a fun heroine that handles difficult situations the way I like to see. We also get to see the author focus on the imbalance of women’s treatment in a male dominated world.
I loved all the new characters to this group of people as well as seeing some old favorites. I’m looking forward to more in the series!
Good Guy is all about a second chance. Levi and Jordan are both given a second chance at a career. Levi with an NHL career with the Chicago Rebel’s after his stint as a Green Beret. Jordan, a sports journalist after she set it aside to be a young bride. And 5 years after losing her husband, Jordan and Levi are given a second chance at love.
Levi’s decision to become a war hero before an NHL star is big news but he’s a very private person. That previous connection Jordan has with Levi has made her a shoe in for the journalist to get his story, but it won’t be as easy as every thinks.
Levi has not had an easy upbringing and he isn’t open to sharing anything but his hockey career publicly. He doesn’t realize what an inspiration he is. The title of a good Guy really is an apt description for him. He’s honorable and protective but very private and a bit moody.
I’m not much of a fan of journalist because they are usually portrayed as people who will do anything for a story. I was happy to see that Jordan is the opposite of all that. She is just as honorable as Levi. She can get the story the the right way.
I really liked both main characters. Levi is that broody H that I love, and Jordan was a fun heroine that handles difficult situations the way I like to see. We also get to see the author focus on the imbalance of women’s treatment in a male dominated world.
I loved all the new characters to this group of people as well as seeing some old favorites. I’m looking forward to more in the series!
June 29, 2019
I admit I’ve never been a big fan of female journalist leads and tend to approach those books with a hefty dose of trepidation. Astonishingly enough....Meader actually made me like a female journalist! Jordan has ETHICS!! And...nope, I’ll get carried away if I go that route... I’ll just say I was seriously impressed with Jordan. Because I was. She was hilarious, had a sunny disposition, she was smart and again, the whole ethics thing was a big glowing arrow pointing in her direction. Not that Levi wasn’t a great male lead. He was very much a Good Guy, but I’m viewing him as awesome supporting role to Jordan’s. She takes the cake in this book! Of course, the rest of the team did a great job as supportive characters as well. Enough so that I was laughing in my pillow so I wouldn’t wake anyone up:)
The romance between Jordan and Levi was total icing on top of a fantastic story! They have some established history between them, but the dynamics have really changed since they last saw each other. With that in mind, I think they had sweltering chemistry that was just waiting to ignite. As in match scratched, fire lit, bonfire blazing🔥... Sigh....
I’m not even a hockey fan, but I can’t resist Meader’s Rebel series! The team and unique management are a lovable bunch I fall for every time a new story comes out! If Chicago Rebels had some great storylines, Rookie Rebels goes to a whole new level of juiciness! The romance was my favorite part, but so was the range of topics. From sexual harassment, media, and homelessness (just to name a few), Meader makes very strong arguments on females vs males in the sports world that wasn’t in your face, but seamlessly blended with the flow of the story.
For anyone saying romance books have nothing but sex...they’ve never opened the right one. I thought Good Guy had plenty of food for thought and am dying to see who’s up next!!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book I received from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The romance between Jordan and Levi was total icing on top of a fantastic story! They have some established history between them, but the dynamics have really changed since they last saw each other. With that in mind, I think they had sweltering chemistry that was just waiting to ignite. As in match scratched, fire lit, bonfire blazing🔥... Sigh....
I’m not even a hockey fan, but I can’t resist Meader’s Rebel series! The team and unique management are a lovable bunch I fall for every time a new story comes out! If Chicago Rebels had some great storylines, Rookie Rebels goes to a whole new level of juiciness! The romance was my favorite part, but so was the range of topics. From sexual harassment, media, and homelessness (just to name a few), Meader makes very strong arguments on females vs males in the sports world that wasn’t in your face, but seamlessly blended with the flow of the story.
For anyone saying romance books have nothing but sex...they’ve never opened the right one. I thought Good Guy had plenty of food for thought and am dying to see who’s up next!!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book I received from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 30, 2019
Sassy, steamy, and sexy!
Good Guy is a second-chance, hockey romance featuring the humble, publicity magnet, Levi Hunt who after having a harrowing career in the Green Berets becomes the oldest rookie in the NHL, and the spunky, tenacious widow, Jordan Cooke who may have to decide what's more important the feelings of her late husband's best friend or the opportunity at the career she's always wanted.
The writing is crisp and fervent. The characters are charismatic, intriguing, and endearing. And the plot is a lighthearted, passionate tale filled with sizzling tension, poignant moments, scorching chemistry, flirty innuendoes, genuine emotion, and a swoon-worthy, happy-ever-after ending.
Overall, I found Good Guy to be a charming, entertaining, fantastic start to this new Rookie Rebels series by Meader that I am positive will be a big hit with fans of the sports romance genre and lovers of the Chicago Rebels series everywhere.
Thank you Kate Meader for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Good Guy is a second-chance, hockey romance featuring the humble, publicity magnet, Levi Hunt who after having a harrowing career in the Green Berets becomes the oldest rookie in the NHL, and the spunky, tenacious widow, Jordan Cooke who may have to decide what's more important the feelings of her late husband's best friend or the opportunity at the career she's always wanted.
The writing is crisp and fervent. The characters are charismatic, intriguing, and endearing. And the plot is a lighthearted, passionate tale filled with sizzling tension, poignant moments, scorching chemistry, flirty innuendoes, genuine emotion, and a swoon-worthy, happy-ever-after ending.
Overall, I found Good Guy to be a charming, entertaining, fantastic start to this new Rookie Rebels series by Meader that I am positive will be a big hit with fans of the sports romance genre and lovers of the Chicago Rebels series everywhere.
Thank you Kate Meader for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2019
4.5 stars
At 30 years old, Levi Hunt is the oldest rookie in the NHL. After college, instead of going to the NHL he decided to join the military. Levi then spent nine years being a Green Beret. Now that he's served his country, he's ready to get back on the ice. Pure luck and player injuries land Levi in Chicago as a center for the Chicago Rebels. Levi now finds himself as the “it” man and everyone wants to interview him. Levi is happy to talk hockey, but his life before hockey and his time in the Green Beret are off limits.
Jordan Cooke is a sports reporter. She's been covering AHL games in the Midwest. She now has the opportunity to work for Chicago Sports Net covering the Chicago Rebels. This is an opportunity Jordan has worked for. But in the male-dominated world of sports, being a female reporter is a hazard. It seems the only reason Jordan is even being considered for the job is because she has a previous relationship with Levi. Levi and her husband Josh were both in the Green Berets. In fact, Josh was Levi's best friend. Levi was Josh's best man at his wedding and also a pallbearer at his funeral. Jordan knows she has her work cut out for her because Levi oozes disdain for her with a single look.
Chicago Rebels CEO Harper Chase forces Levi to play nice and answer Jordan’s questions. Harper even allows Jordan to travel with the team. As Levi slowly opens up to Jordan, he reveals parts of himself he’s never revealed to anyone before. The two slowly give into their shared attraction. Levi’s trust issues and Josh lay between them.
Good Guy was so good. The characters of Levi and Jordan are great. However, there were a few times when Jordan’s wanting to make a name for herself rubbed me the wrong way. The secondary characters are simply the best. Honestly, Kate Meader writes the best male characters. Good Guy is the first book in the Rookie Rebels series which is a spin-off of the Chicago Rebels series. This is a standalone read. However, if you have read the Chicago Rebels series, you'll be happy to see some familiar faces. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
**Received a copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed.**
At 30 years old, Levi Hunt is the oldest rookie in the NHL. After college, instead of going to the NHL he decided to join the military. Levi then spent nine years being a Green Beret. Now that he's served his country, he's ready to get back on the ice. Pure luck and player injuries land Levi in Chicago as a center for the Chicago Rebels. Levi now finds himself as the “it” man and everyone wants to interview him. Levi is happy to talk hockey, but his life before hockey and his time in the Green Beret are off limits.
Jordan Cooke is a sports reporter. She's been covering AHL games in the Midwest. She now has the opportunity to work for Chicago Sports Net covering the Chicago Rebels. This is an opportunity Jordan has worked for. But in the male-dominated world of sports, being a female reporter is a hazard. It seems the only reason Jordan is even being considered for the job is because she has a previous relationship with Levi. Levi and her husband Josh were both in the Green Berets. In fact, Josh was Levi's best friend. Levi was Josh's best man at his wedding and also a pallbearer at his funeral. Jordan knows she has her work cut out for her because Levi oozes disdain for her with a single look.
Chicago Rebels CEO Harper Chase forces Levi to play nice and answer Jordan’s questions. Harper even allows Jordan to travel with the team. As Levi slowly opens up to Jordan, he reveals parts of himself he’s never revealed to anyone before. The two slowly give into their shared attraction. Levi’s trust issues and Josh lay between them.
Good Guy was so good. The characters of Levi and Jordan are great. However, there were a few times when Jordan’s wanting to make a name for herself rubbed me the wrong way. The secondary characters are simply the best. Honestly, Kate Meader writes the best male characters. Good Guy is the first book in the Rookie Rebels series which is a spin-off of the Chicago Rebels series. This is a standalone read. However, if you have read the Chicago Rebels series, you'll be happy to see some familiar faces. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
**Received a copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed.**
July 31, 2019
This is a really hard review for me to write, I loved the Chicago Rebels series so I was excited that author Kate Meader was going to continue in that world, and while I liked certain aspects of this story there were quite a few that didn’t work for me. There is no doubt this was a complex story which Ms. Meader is known for, but I felt there were so many different story lines going on that the romance and relationship between the hero and heroine was an afterthought. That being said, there was enough good in Good Guy to keep me reading and I have high hopes for this series going forward.
The title of this book was appropriate because our hero, Levi Hunt, is the epitome of a good guy. He ditched a promising hockey career to serve in the military, a Green Beret at that, and he had a really interesting reason for doing so. He volunteers at a homeless shelter/food kitchen because he wants to not for a publicity stunt for media attention. He is smart, respectful to everyone around him, and is especially interested in helping homeless veterans. He is also very private and doesn’t want his private life splashed around, so he’s not too excited when the team owner and manager tell him a reporter is going to be writing a feature on him. He’s a story; coming in as a rookie at age 30 after serving in the military, it’s good press for the team and they want him to cooperate. It just so happens that he knows the reporter, she was married to his best friend who died in combat and he was there when they met, he saw her first and wanted her, but she only had eyes for his friend, he was there when they got married and he was genuinely happy for them, and he was there when they laid him to rest and he kissed her that night which is just another reason he doesn’t want to do the interview.
I struggled greatly with the heroine, Jordan Cooke, which was a complete shocker as Ms. Meader has written some of my favorite heroines ever. She was all about integrity, but she took this job knowing she got it because of her connection to Levi even though it was minimal. She had a good reputation, has made a name for herself with her podcast, yet even knowing she got the job because she filled a quota (need more women covering sports) and her connection to the subject I had to question her integrity add in a scene in the book where in my opinion she did something really sketchy and unethical and my opinion of her dropped down even further. I hated the way she pushed Levi into trying to share parts of his life he didn’t want to share, that she goaded him on more than one occasion, that she was stupid enough to leave her laptop unattended in a press room filled with other reporters, and that despite feeling something was off about appearing on a show on ESPN she did so because she was hoping to further her career. On top of that she spoke out about the treatment of women who work with professional sports teams in any capacity yet she put up with players sending her pictures of their anatomy because she wanted to play nice and not get a reputation for being able to handle what the guys dish out.
The thing is I really loved Levi and I spent a good portion of this book feeling like Jordan wasn’t good enough for him. I just kept feeling like Jordan was playing a game, like she had something to prove by making Levi want her and he had wanted her for so long that he was happy to oblige, but I didn’t feel the heat, the want, the longing; when they were together physically for most of this book it felt hollow.
Thankfully Levi, the rest of the Rebel players, some retired Rebels, and the Chase sisters and their significant others were present in this story, that saved it for me, and provided a bit of a buffer for me from Jordan.
While I was a bit disappointed by with the heroine in Good Guy, the story held my interest and the fact that I’m highly interested in some of the other players, I am already looking forward to the next book in this series.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
The title of this book was appropriate because our hero, Levi Hunt, is the epitome of a good guy. He ditched a promising hockey career to serve in the military, a Green Beret at that, and he had a really interesting reason for doing so. He volunteers at a homeless shelter/food kitchen because he wants to not for a publicity stunt for media attention. He is smart, respectful to everyone around him, and is especially interested in helping homeless veterans. He is also very private and doesn’t want his private life splashed around, so he’s not too excited when the team owner and manager tell him a reporter is going to be writing a feature on him. He’s a story; coming in as a rookie at age 30 after serving in the military, it’s good press for the team and they want him to cooperate. It just so happens that he knows the reporter, she was married to his best friend who died in combat and he was there when they met, he saw her first and wanted her, but she only had eyes for his friend, he was there when they got married and he was genuinely happy for them, and he was there when they laid him to rest and he kissed her that night which is just another reason he doesn’t want to do the interview.
I struggled greatly with the heroine, Jordan Cooke, which was a complete shocker as Ms. Meader has written some of my favorite heroines ever. She was all about integrity, but she took this job knowing she got it because of her connection to Levi even though it was minimal. She had a good reputation, has made a name for herself with her podcast, yet even knowing she got the job because she filled a quota (need more women covering sports) and her connection to the subject I had to question her integrity add in a scene in the book where in my opinion she did something really sketchy and unethical and my opinion of her dropped down even further. I hated the way she pushed Levi into trying to share parts of his life he didn’t want to share, that she goaded him on more than one occasion, that she was stupid enough to leave her laptop unattended in a press room filled with other reporters, and that despite feeling something was off about appearing on a show on ESPN she did so because she was hoping to further her career. On top of that she spoke out about the treatment of women who work with professional sports teams in any capacity yet she put up with players sending her pictures of their anatomy because she wanted to play nice and not get a reputation for being able to handle what the guys dish out.
The thing is I really loved Levi and I spent a good portion of this book feeling like Jordan wasn’t good enough for him. I just kept feeling like Jordan was playing a game, like she had something to prove by making Levi want her and he had wanted her for so long that he was happy to oblige, but I didn’t feel the heat, the want, the longing; when they were together physically for most of this book it felt hollow.
Thankfully Levi, the rest of the Rebel players, some retired Rebels, and the Chase sisters and their significant others were present in this story, that saved it for me, and provided a bit of a buffer for me from Jordan.
While I was a bit disappointed by with the heroine in Good Guy, the story held my interest and the fact that I’m highly interested in some of the other players, I am already looking forward to the next book in this series.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
July 21, 2019
This is a great spin off from the Chicago Rebels series. This book continues with the same Rebels' hockey team.
The hero is Levi Hunt, an army hero who's back from serving his country.
Jordan is a sports journalist, the widow of Levi's best friend Josh.
Jordan has always felt some hostility from Levi. In reality, Levi has always been attracted to Jordan, but but has kept quiet out of respect for his late friend Josh.
Jordan gets an assignment to do a story on Levi going from the Navy Seals ("Green Berets- big difference!") to his rookie year with the Rebels. I noticed someone mixed up the branch of service at least 7 times. Huh. Maybe we need John Wayne to straighten them out.
This is 3rd person POV.
Levi may have a surly expression but has a heart of gold. He doesn't let too many people know about his good qualities.
There's a lot of attention paid to Veterans and how the public doesn't consider what is needed for them to transition back into society. There's a sweet side story about a guy named Joe, that Levi also knew from the army.
This book wasn't just about a rowdy hockey player. So much more.
Jordan was widowed 5 years before. She's been working in a mainly male oriented profession. Jordan has an uphill battle to get respect and avoid harassment. Jordan's usual sunny personality is a contrast to Levi's gruff exterior.
They soon admit their mutual attraction. They try to keep it under wraps.
Jordan makes a mistake in who she can trust. Levi thinks he's made a mistake in trusting Jordan.
There are appearances from characters in the books before: Dante, Harper, and Remy. There is also Levi's young at heart teammate, Theo. He's the wacky side-kick that has no filter. Sometimes, he's spot on with his observations. I have this feeling he's underestimated & we'll see more of him in future books.
I wish that the bad guy had been dealt with more punitively.
I liked the resolution between Levi and Jordan. Harper's role was perfect.
The epilogue was short but sweet. I've read all of the Chicago Rebels' books and would love to read more.
I received this ARC from NetGalley.
The hero is Levi Hunt, an army hero who's back from serving his country.
Jordan is a sports journalist, the widow of Levi's best friend Josh.
Jordan has always felt some hostility from Levi. In reality, Levi has always been attracted to Jordan, but but has kept quiet out of respect for his late friend Josh.
Jordan gets an assignment to do a story on Levi going from the Navy Seals ("Green Berets- big difference!") to his rookie year with the Rebels. I noticed someone mixed up the branch of service at least 7 times. Huh. Maybe we need John Wayne to straighten them out.
This is 3rd person POV.
Levi may have a surly expression but has a heart of gold. He doesn't let too many people know about his good qualities.
There's a lot of attention paid to Veterans and how the public doesn't consider what is needed for them to transition back into society. There's a sweet side story about a guy named Joe, that Levi also knew from the army.
This book wasn't just about a rowdy hockey player. So much more.
Jordan was widowed 5 years before. She's been working in a mainly male oriented profession. Jordan has an uphill battle to get respect and avoid harassment. Jordan's usual sunny personality is a contrast to Levi's gruff exterior.
They soon admit their mutual attraction. They try to keep it under wraps.
Jordan makes a mistake in who she can trust. Levi thinks he's made a mistake in trusting Jordan.
There are appearances from characters in the books before: Dante, Harper, and Remy. There is also Levi's young at heart teammate, Theo. He's the wacky side-kick that has no filter. Sometimes, he's spot on with his observations. I have this feeling he's underestimated & we'll see more of him in future books.
I wish that the bad guy had been dealt with more punitively.
I liked the resolution between Levi and Jordan. Harper's role was perfect.
The epilogue was short but sweet. I've read all of the Chicago Rebels' books and would love to read more.
I received this ARC from NetGalley.
August 22, 2020
‘Good Guy’ combines forbidden attraction, hockey and a reporter desperately using anything she can to get a scoop on the latest (and oldest) rookie’s life, with a little bit of a twist. But Kate Meader is a near-auto read for me most of the time and this spin-off from her popular Chicago Rebels series brings them all together again, albeit a few years down the road on an unusual premise to start.
Much of the story deals with Jordan following Levi Hunt and the team around in order to get a read on him to get her article up; it’s essentially, her desperate bid to build her career that drives her efforts to get close to a man with whom she’s already has sort of history and a process that reunites them in an unexpected way.
‘Good Guy’ sits in the middle of a few intersecting tropes here and with Meader’s assured writing, it’s not a hardship at all, to go through all of it. Like many authors these days in romantic fiction (a genre written mainly by women for women), Meader shines a light on the issue of gender equality, workplace ethics, harassment and assault, especially in male-dominated fields like sports reporting. It’s also a thorny theme that drives characterisation, which in some ways, proved to be my personal stumbling block.
Jordan felt a little preppy and chirpy for my liking—I was surprised not to get the gravitas or the lingering sadness that normally surrounds a widowed heroine—and whose personality felt incongruous to the role she was playing in this romance. I didn’t like her exploitation of her connection with Levi to get ahead, or how she pushed and needled her way into prying him open for the sake of her story. It did feel too calculating at times and I had a hard time trying to reconcile this picture of a cheerful, warm protagonist who had a manipulative side to her that she tried to ‘reframe’ in so many different ways which Meader valiantly tried to justify. That Levi had found himself grovelling quite a few times made her seem unfairly blameless when she clearly wasn’t.
In contrast, it was easier to like Levi, whose only crime it seemed, was wanting his best friend’s widow from afar. Past the gruff, stoic exterior, he seemed more highly evolved than many others, given that he didn’t deny his attraction for Jordan and the keen sense of right and wrong that he carried which made him easy to gravitate towards.
Different strokes for different folks, is all I can say in conclusion. Meader rarely goes wrong with a writing style that I can always get on board with, nonetheless, and I’m eager to know what this new story arc is all about in the Rebels finding their second wind.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
Much of the story deals with Jordan following Levi Hunt and the team around in order to get a read on him to get her article up; it’s essentially, her desperate bid to build her career that drives her efforts to get close to a man with whom she’s already has sort of history and a process that reunites them in an unexpected way.
‘Good Guy’ sits in the middle of a few intersecting tropes here and with Meader’s assured writing, it’s not a hardship at all, to go through all of it. Like many authors these days in romantic fiction (a genre written mainly by women for women), Meader shines a light on the issue of gender equality, workplace ethics, harassment and assault, especially in male-dominated fields like sports reporting. It’s also a thorny theme that drives characterisation, which in some ways, proved to be my personal stumbling block.
Jordan felt a little preppy and chirpy for my liking—I was surprised not to get the gravitas or the lingering sadness that normally surrounds a widowed heroine—and whose personality felt incongruous to the role she was playing in this romance. I didn’t like her exploitation of her connection with Levi to get ahead, or how she pushed and needled her way into prying him open for the sake of her story. It did feel too calculating at times and I had a hard time trying to reconcile this picture of a cheerful, warm protagonist who had a manipulative side to her that she tried to ‘reframe’ in so many different ways which Meader valiantly tried to justify. That Levi had found himself grovelling quite a few times made her seem unfairly blameless when she clearly wasn’t.
In contrast, it was easier to like Levi, whose only crime it seemed, was wanting his best friend’s widow from afar. Past the gruff, stoic exterior, he seemed more highly evolved than many others, given that he didn’t deny his attraction for Jordan and the keen sense of right and wrong that he carried which made him easy to gravitate towards.
Different strokes for different folks, is all I can say in conclusion. Meader rarely goes wrong with a writing style that I can always get on board with, nonetheless, and I’m eager to know what this new story arc is all about in the Rebels finding their second wind.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
July 31, 2019
I’ve really enjoyed all of Kate Meader’s Chicago Rebels series and this is a new series in the same team, so I’m not sure why this is a different series name, but I was down with more from this context. If you too have enjoyed the Chicago Rebels, you will enjoy the familiarity of the management, characters and team.
GOOD GUY was about the oldest rookie in hockey. Levi was out of the special forces (Green Berets) and back to hockey which was his plan before he enlisted out of college. Now in his early 30s, everyone had their eye on him, especially Jordan, a reporter tasked with getting the inside scoop. Jordan and Levi’s previous connection was a barrier and facilitator.
These two were like chalk and cheese, grumps and bubbles. It was definitely interested and there was tangible chemistry which I enjoyed. These two had banter and there was honesty.
“I can’t really help that I have resting scowl face, Jordan. I’m not the most expressive guy.”
In actual fact, I thought he put his heart out there, but I found Jordan hard at times. Jordan had her reasons and there was a whole misogynistic storyline that took on a life of its own towards the end. Points scored for that element of the story.
All that said, this start to the series didn’t wow me. I think I struggled with Jordan as a character and Levi was truly a good guy and perhaps they weren’t the fit I envisaged together. I found the hump in the road a bit predictable as was the solving of the problem.
I know I’m not done with this team and I have an inkling of who might be the next Rookie Rebel. I think Elle might be in a future storyline too as there’s lots of mystery there. This was an enjoyable read, even if I wanted a bit more.
Thanks to the author and netgalley for the early review copy.
This review can be found on A Take From Two Cities book blog here.
GOOD GUY was about the oldest rookie in hockey. Levi was out of the special forces (Green Berets) and back to hockey which was his plan before he enlisted out of college. Now in his early 30s, everyone had their eye on him, especially Jordan, a reporter tasked with getting the inside scoop. Jordan and Levi’s previous connection was a barrier and facilitator.
These two were like chalk and cheese, grumps and bubbles. It was definitely interested and there was tangible chemistry which I enjoyed. These two had banter and there was honesty.
“I can’t really help that I have resting scowl face, Jordan. I’m not the most expressive guy.”
In actual fact, I thought he put his heart out there, but I found Jordan hard at times. Jordan had her reasons and there was a whole misogynistic storyline that took on a life of its own towards the end. Points scored for that element of the story.
All that said, this start to the series didn’t wow me. I think I struggled with Jordan as a character and Levi was truly a good guy and perhaps they weren’t the fit I envisaged together. I found the hump in the road a bit predictable as was the solving of the problem.
I know I’m not done with this team and I have an inkling of who might be the next Rookie Rebel. I think Elle might be in a future storyline too as there’s lots of mystery there. This was an enjoyable read, even if I wanted a bit more.
Thanks to the author and netgalley for the early review copy.
This review can be found on A Take From Two Cities book blog here.
July 31, 2019
I was so excited to read Kate Meader’s Good Guy, book one in the new Rookie Rebels series! It’s a spin-off of the excellent Chicago Rebels series and also a smidge of a cross over with the fantastic Hot in Chicago series! And holy moly, I loved catching up with old friends and meeting Jordan and Levi!
I loved Jordan from the start. She’s been through hell, but she’s strong, sassy, smart and knows where she’s going and what she wants in life. It’s time for her to shine as a hockey journalist—and she’s got a big opportunity to prove herself. She’s wrangled an exclusive with “Hockey’s Oldest Rookie” one Levi Hunt. As long as their history doesn’t derail things before she gets her chance.
And Levi. Damn, the grumpy gus is so damn swoony. And loyal. And all-around great guy. Levi’s served his country. Now it’s his turn to take a chance on himself and play the game he’s loved since childhood. And he doesn’t need any distractions—not from the media, and especially not from Jordan.
I loved the give and take between Jordan and Levi. That there was so much heat between them, even though there was also so much denial. I loved how they talked out their past history—finally. And that their biggest issue was due to outside influences—mostly—not that they were “dumb” in their relationship.
I also loved the bromance between all the guys on the Rebels. Loved how they came together—like brothers—to support each other and get a rise out of each other too. Lordy, some of the attempted nicknames were a riot! And I’m so hoping Theo’s story is next! ~ Missy, 5 “Superglutes” stars
***
Kate Meader has written some of my favorite hockey romances, and Good Guy definitely falls into that category. I mean, she had me at green beret turned hockey’s oldest rookie. And then on top of that she made him practically perfect in every way. Seriously – strong, grumbly, reserved and fiercely protective PLUS big giant heart and the softest underbelly I’ve ever seen. I was smitten with Levi basically before I even cracked this book open.
This is a spin-off/cross-over between two of Meader’s previous series. I was a huge fan of the Chicago Rebels series, so it was amazing to get some time with those beloved characters. I haven’t yet read the Hot in Chicago series, but color me intrigued. If you haven’t read either series, you should still be fine. I think that, while it maybe felt extra rewarding for me having read the Chicago Rebels series, the story stands on its own. And it’s an interesting story to boot – not just the fascinating dynamic of a war vet turned hockey pro. But Jordan’s character arc tackles some ripped from the headlines issues and as far as heroines go? She’s one of the best. I mean, there were moments where I felt like I wasn’t sure I was going to like where things were heading, but in the end it was perfection. Jordan is strong, kind, smart, and ethical and basically, much like Levi did, I found her impossible not to love.
I’m not going to lie – while the romance was super swoony, sexy and satisfying? The bromance kind of stole the show for me here. I have special kind of adoration for Theo Kershaw, and hope to see lots more of that lovable lug. Honestly, the bromance is one of the best parts of almost all sports romance and Ms. Meader delivered some top notch banter and camaraderie here.
In all? This was a pretty fantastic read. I smiled and giggled and lost my heart – just the way I like to. Another fantastic Kate Meader hockey romance! Definitely worth checking out! ~ Shelly, 4 Stars
I loved Jordan from the start. She’s been through hell, but she’s strong, sassy, smart and knows where she’s going and what she wants in life. It’s time for her to shine as a hockey journalist—and she’s got a big opportunity to prove herself. She’s wrangled an exclusive with “Hockey’s Oldest Rookie” one Levi Hunt. As long as their history doesn’t derail things before she gets her chance.
And Levi. Damn, the grumpy gus is so damn swoony. And loyal. And all-around great guy. Levi’s served his country. Now it’s his turn to take a chance on himself and play the game he’s loved since childhood. And he doesn’t need any distractions—not from the media, and especially not from Jordan.
I loved the give and take between Jordan and Levi. That there was so much heat between them, even though there was also so much denial. I loved how they talked out their past history—finally. And that their biggest issue was due to outside influences—mostly—not that they were “dumb” in their relationship.
I also loved the bromance between all the guys on the Rebels. Loved how they came together—like brothers—to support each other and get a rise out of each other too. Lordy, some of the attempted nicknames were a riot! And I’m so hoping Theo’s story is next! ~ Missy, 5 “Superglutes” stars
***
Kate Meader has written some of my favorite hockey romances, and Good Guy definitely falls into that category. I mean, she had me at green beret turned hockey’s oldest rookie. And then on top of that she made him practically perfect in every way. Seriously – strong, grumbly, reserved and fiercely protective PLUS big giant heart and the softest underbelly I’ve ever seen. I was smitten with Levi basically before I even cracked this book open.
This is a spin-off/cross-over between two of Meader’s previous series. I was a huge fan of the Chicago Rebels series, so it was amazing to get some time with those beloved characters. I haven’t yet read the Hot in Chicago series, but color me intrigued. If you haven’t read either series, you should still be fine. I think that, while it maybe felt extra rewarding for me having read the Chicago Rebels series, the story stands on its own. And it’s an interesting story to boot – not just the fascinating dynamic of a war vet turned hockey pro. But Jordan’s character arc tackles some ripped from the headlines issues and as far as heroines go? She’s one of the best. I mean, there were moments where I felt like I wasn’t sure I was going to like where things were heading, but in the end it was perfection. Jordan is strong, kind, smart, and ethical and basically, much like Levi did, I found her impossible not to love.
I’m not going to lie – while the romance was super swoony, sexy and satisfying? The bromance kind of stole the show for me here. I have special kind of adoration for Theo Kershaw, and hope to see lots more of that lovable lug. Honestly, the bromance is one of the best parts of almost all sports romance and Ms. Meader delivered some top notch banter and camaraderie here.
In all? This was a pretty fantastic read. I smiled and giggled and lost my heart – just the way I like to. Another fantastic Kate Meader hockey romance! Definitely worth checking out! ~ Shelly, 4 Stars
September 2, 2019
I liked this. I didn’t love it though, and that was mostly because I wasn’t invested in the connection between Levi and Jordan. I actually liked them individually, I enjoyed their personal journeys and I really appreciated a glimpse that the things women reporters have to go through in male-dominated sports.
I think it was the fact that I didn’t quite buy into Jordan’s feelings for Levi. I think there was a bit of repetitiveness when the story dove into the obstacles facing these two, and ultimately I wasn’t all in on their HEA. It was cute, but I wasn’t emotionally engaged, so it was easy to put down and finish just when I had time. I have adored Ms. Meader’s writing in the past, absolutely loved the Chicago Rebels series, so I wouldn’t say no to this spinoff, but this particular book was just ok for me. However, if you’re deep into hockey romances featuring love after spouse’s death (esp if that love is with his best friend), you may enjoy this more than I did.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**
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July 30, 2019
This was a quick read from Kate Meader. It is a spin-off of the Chicago Rebels series. You don’t need to read that series to be able to enjoy this story. Jordan is a reporter and Levi is an ex-green beret that has now turned into an NHL rookie. They have a past that comes into play and could possibly affect their future. It had some steamy love scenes. It is a good read for fans of sports romance.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
October 19, 2019
I was a bit sad, when the Chicago Rebels series ended. Therefore, I am ecstatic to be back in this world with Meader's new series.
Who?
• Jordan - A widowed sports reporter, who was hoping to make a major splash in the Chicago hockey scene
• Levi - A former Green Beret and the oldest rookie in the NHL, who also happened to have been the best friend of Jordan's deceased husband
What?
Jordan was selected from a large pool of sports writers to profile Levi due to her connection to him, but there was more to their link than her husband, and it may diminish Jordan's credibility as a reporter .
Why?
You all know I am total trash for hockey romances, and bringing me back into the Rebels realm was icing on the cake.
I was so excited to be reunited with the characters from Meader's other books. Most were from the Chicago Rebels series, but she also pulled in a few from her Hot in Chicago series, which just added to the fun for me. I adore getting the opportunity to catch up with old friends, and Meader did a fabulous job incorporating the old characters without stealing the spotlight from the new characters.
The hero and heroine of this book were an instant hit with me. Levi had an amazing backstory, and it didn't stop with his NHL detour. Piece by piece, the full picture of Levi formed as Jordan investigated his background, and they both reveled bits of their past to each other. The things Levi did and his reasons for why he did them brought on quite a feelsplosion. That heart of gold combined with his Mount Grump persona totally endeared Levi to me.
I loved Jordan's personality too, and admired her ambition and career focus. It took a lot of fortitude to succeed in this male dominated profession, and she took her knocks like a champ. But, I admired her more for taking action, and speaking out against the bias against women in male dominated fields. She wasn't all about her career, though. Jordan was vibrant and funny, and she was able to bring out some amazing parts of Levi. I really liked them together, and was absolutely rooting for this union.
It was great seeing the veteran Rebel players again, but I also had a fantastic time getting to know the next generation of the franchise. There were so many fun and hilarious scenes shared between the guys. Their camaraderie and chemistry was a wonderful thing to witness, and I was especially fond of the bromance that developed between Theo and Levi. Theo never failed to bring a smile to my face, and I am really hoping there is a book slated in the near future for him and Elle, because there was definitely something there worth exploring.
Meader always incorporates some issues into her books, which give the story more depth. She brings many issues to the forefront of Good Guy, but I especially enjoyed the way she incorporated the issue of homelessness. It was a really feel-good part of the story for me.
All of Meader's romances have been great successes for me, and Good Guy joins the list. This was a fantastic start to the new series, and I am more than excited to read about more of the Rookie Rebels.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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Who?
• Jordan - A widowed sports reporter, who was hoping to make a major splash in the Chicago hockey scene
• Levi - A former Green Beret and the oldest rookie in the NHL, who also happened to have been the best friend of Jordan's deceased husband
What?
Jordan was selected from a large pool of sports writers to profile Levi due to her connection to him, but there was more to their link than her husband, and it may diminish Jordan's credibility as a reporter .
Why?
You all know I am total trash for hockey romances, and bringing me back into the Rebels realm was icing on the cake.
I was so excited to be reunited with the characters from Meader's other books. Most were from the Chicago Rebels series, but she also pulled in a few from her Hot in Chicago series, which just added to the fun for me. I adore getting the opportunity to catch up with old friends, and Meader did a fabulous job incorporating the old characters without stealing the spotlight from the new characters.
The hero and heroine of this book were an instant hit with me. Levi had an amazing backstory, and it didn't stop with his NHL detour. Piece by piece, the full picture of Levi formed as Jordan investigated his background, and they both reveled bits of their past to each other. The things Levi did and his reasons for why he did them brought on quite a feelsplosion. That heart of gold combined with his Mount Grump persona totally endeared Levi to me.
I loved Jordan's personality too, and admired her ambition and career focus. It took a lot of fortitude to succeed in this male dominated profession, and she took her knocks like a champ. But, I admired her more for taking action, and speaking out against the bias against women in male dominated fields. She wasn't all about her career, though. Jordan was vibrant and funny, and she was able to bring out some amazing parts of Levi. I really liked them together, and was absolutely rooting for this union.
It was great seeing the veteran Rebel players again, but I also had a fantastic time getting to know the next generation of the franchise. There were so many fun and hilarious scenes shared between the guys. Their camaraderie and chemistry was a wonderful thing to witness, and I was especially fond of the bromance that developed between Theo and Levi. Theo never failed to bring a smile to my face, and I am really hoping there is a book slated in the near future for him and Elle, because there was definitely something there worth exploring.
Meader always incorporates some issues into her books, which give the story more depth. She brings many issues to the forefront of Good Guy, but I especially enjoyed the way she incorporated the issue of homelessness. It was a really feel-good part of the story for me.
All of Meader's romances have been great successes for me, and Good Guy joins the list. This was a fantastic start to the new series, and I am more than excited to read about more of the Rookie Rebels.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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August 30, 2019
Despite the highly unlikely scenario regarding the hockey-comeback of someone who didn't play for several years, I appreciated the plot (guy loves his best friend's widow) enough to ignore the hockeywise implausibility. Unfortunately, the dramatical setup was wasted. Though there is a forbidden love-story, it has nothing to do with tear-jearking moral aspects but with professional reasons. Jordan mostly cares about the effects of their relationship on her career. In addition I couldn't feel any chemistry between the heroes and didn't like the development of their relationship. The story lacked a clear line, focused too much on women's problems in the men-dominated NHL and was disappointing overall.
November 9, 2019
I didn't like this at all. The heroine didn't work for me and not the romance either. The heroine seemed too selfish and self-centred.
November 16, 2019
I have a soft spot for hockey romances. Not sure why, but they always work for me. This one, though, unfortunately did not. Honestly, I think there is just too much story here. You really have to wade through so much unnecessary stuff to get to the actual romance that I just lost interest. There's just so many different plot lines going on that could have each had their own story :
1. Hero is a veteran Green Beret
2. Hero is a pro hockey player
3. Hero is in love with his dead friend's widow
4. Hero is a self-proclaimed asshole who secretly volunteers at a homeless shelter
5. Heroine is trying to use hero for a big break in her career
6. Heroine is constantly sexually-harassed in her profession, and there are conflicts over what to do about it.
7. Hero and heroine aren't sure if they should be together and try to hide their relationship.
7. The hockey team is trying to figure out how to move up in the standings again - who to trade, who to start, etc.
I mean, there are just so many things going on I don't know what the main plot is! I think if the author had narrowed it down somewhat it would have been so much easier to feel for the MCs. Added to this, apparently this series is a spin off of another one, which I haven't read. There is so much info given about the characters from the other series that it just gets so confusing, and it distracts from the Levi/Jordan story.
Not going to lie, a lot of skimming happened while I read this to get to the actual relationship between the MCs.
And the sex in the hallway in front of Jordan's apartment door? No, thank you. Be nice to your neighbors. Take that shit inside.
1. Hero is a veteran Green Beret
2. Hero is a pro hockey player
3. Hero is in love with his dead friend's widow
4. Hero is a self-proclaimed asshole who secretly volunteers at a homeless shelter
5. Heroine is trying to use hero for a big break in her career
6. Heroine is constantly sexually-harassed in her profession, and there are conflicts over what to do about it.
7. Hero and heroine aren't sure if they should be together and try to hide their relationship.
7. The hockey team is trying to figure out how to move up in the standings again - who to trade, who to start, etc.
I mean, there are just so many things going on I don't know what the main plot is! I think if the author had narrowed it down somewhat it would have been so much easier to feel for the MCs. Added to this, apparently this series is a spin off of another one, which I haven't read. There is so much info given about the characters from the other series that it just gets so confusing, and it distracts from the Levi/Jordan story.
Not going to lie, a lot of skimming happened while I read this to get to the actual relationship between the MCs.
And the sex in the hallway in front of Jordan's apartment door? No, thank you. Be nice to your neighbors. Take that shit inside.
August 9, 2019
3.75
It's a new season for the Chicago Rebels and a new chance for Levi Hunt, who after putting his career on hold to serve his country for a decade, is back and now a rookie hockey player. Levi is there for the sport, for the team work. He doesn't care for the fame or the cameras. In fact, he would be happier not having to deal with the press and not talking about the past. Unfortunately for Mr. broody, silent type, the sport reporter who's working on a profile about him is a woman from his past; his best friend's widow who kissed him the same night she buried her husband.
Jordan Cooke also put her journalistic aspirations on hold to follow her husband. She lost him young and for the next five years, she's been doing what she's always loved; going to games, talking and blogging about it and trying to make a name for herself. Now here's a chance for her to play in the reporter's big league but Levi Hunt is a bigger challenge that she expected. He always acted as if he didn't like her and trying to get him to talk and confide in her is not an easy task. And if only they could forget about that kiss...
There's a lot of topics adressed in this book. Grief, the place of women in sports and the harassment and double-standards. Jordan and Levi's history is first based on guilt and they're both stubborn people. He's totally closed off at the beggining. Sounds a little too heavy right? Well, I think the author found the right balance to not overwhelm my sensitive heart but I'll admit that I wasn't sure how she would make them fall in love but especially how she would make me believe in their HEA. I can't explain how she did it but at the end of the day their romance worked for me, even with the angst.
Obviously, it was a pleasure to see again the "old" Rebels and even Kinsey, from the Hot in Chicago series made an appearance.
It's a new season for the Chicago Rebels and a new chance for Levi Hunt, who after putting his career on hold to serve his country for a decade, is back and now a rookie hockey player. Levi is there for the sport, for the team work. He doesn't care for the fame or the cameras. In fact, he would be happier not having to deal with the press and not talking about the past. Unfortunately for Mr. broody, silent type, the sport reporter who's working on a profile about him is a woman from his past; his best friend's widow who kissed him the same night she buried her husband.
Jordan Cooke also put her journalistic aspirations on hold to follow her husband. She lost him young and for the next five years, she's been doing what she's always loved; going to games, talking and blogging about it and trying to make a name for herself. Now here's a chance for her to play in the reporter's big league but Levi Hunt is a bigger challenge that she expected. He always acted as if he didn't like her and trying to get him to talk and confide in her is not an easy task. And if only they could forget about that kiss...
There's a lot of topics adressed in this book. Grief, the place of women in sports and the harassment and double-standards. Jordan and Levi's history is first based on guilt and they're both stubborn people. He's totally closed off at the beggining. Sounds a little too heavy right? Well, I think the author found the right balance to not overwhelm my sensitive heart but I'll admit that I wasn't sure how she would make them fall in love but especially how she would make me believe in their HEA. I can't explain how she did it but at the end of the day their romance worked for me, even with the angst.
Obviously, it was a pleasure to see again the "old" Rebels and even Kinsey, from the Hot in Chicago series made an appearance.
December 27, 2019
So excited about a NEW Kate Meader series and this one totally lived up to my expectations! I love a good hockey romance and Kate delivers! I love that the heroine is a strong woman. And the way their relationship came together was really well done - their history wasn't ignored, they dealt with the past but moved forward together in an interesting way. Can't wait to see what is to come with the series!
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