Stay

Hailey Taylor Emery's company, Fetch, has been growing by leaps and bounds when she discovers that her favorite client, Sniper87, is actually Matt Eriksson, her favorite professional hockey player. Their online banter quickly turns into a first date, and from there, they begin building a relationship, but with demanding jobs and previously unsucessful marriages, both wonder if being together is a realistic option.

Stay is another quick, fun romance in the WAGs series with two likable characters and an entertaining storyline. Aspects of the "Fetch" company make parts of the story more engaging, but with low angst and low stakes the narrative struggles to maintain interest. Once again, a minor subplot involving a dog adds to the enjoyment, show more but it would have been more enjoyable if it were a larger part of the story. Overall, Stay is a fairly average sports romance with a few bright moments. show less

Have I mentioned before that I detest hockey but love hockey romances?

Ah, well...I did always like the hockey players as a teen. Maybe it stems from that. Even though I think hockey, its early practices, its equipment, and the cold arena will forever be unsexy. Even that damn buzzer or the fact the segments are called "periods?"

I digress just a wee bit. You know why? I pretty much loved Matt Eriksson and his dirty mouth. And his maturity. And his teensy shows of possessiveness, like he was all claiming her for the world (subtle hands on necks, kiss on cheeks, direct dealings with exes and potential suitors).

And I'm at the age where I really really like men who want to curl up next to me on the couch, play with their daughters, and show more don't need to impress their friends anymore. Those types that aren't really playing a game (unless it's hockey!)I don't need no fancy restaurants or clubs. Give me the quiet life with a 29 year old divorcee anytime. Particularly this one. And a dad. Yay for sexy dads!

I have forgotten the heroines name though. I am pretty sure we should just call her Sam. (FINE, It's Hailey, and her nickname is stupid)...

Hailey was an enjoyable character (strong, a little shy and bumbling.) Unfortunately, I was too busy making heart eyes at Matt to notice too much else about her. Maybe she was a little flat overall for me even though I appreciated the quiet strength. Thus, I'm subtracting a star.

This book may be a case of hitting me right at the right time. I swung back to a contemporary mood, and this lit up my brain in all the right ways. show less

Two divorcees bond over mutual trauma via a dog walking service.

Overall reco: Enjoyable but not earth shattering. It was very fluffy. Single dad with cute kids.

“Everyone shut it,” I hiss. “Here comes my date. Pretend you’re normal.”
“Good luck with that.” Wes snickers.

Plot: 3/5
Spice: 2/5
Characters: 4/5

Every good Rom-com starts with inappropriate workplace shenanigans (plot)
It was a simple premise. Girl is basically his personal assistant, they hit it off, past trauma's show up as insecurities and then we work to resolve them. I enjoyed it, I enjoy a lot of what Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowen right, but I will say it is rather formulaic. Not there there's anything wrong with it. Lots of times I don't want a crazy show more emotional rollercoaster and there is drama in the book but it feels safer than others I've read. My own personal anxieties about stories make these book a critical part of my reading.
The think I didn't like is it felt like we left a lot unpacked. The focus felt more on Matt and his drama with his Ex and his hang ups around that. We didn't seem to get the same for Hailey. Maybe it was because she had dealt with a lot of it? But the stuff at the ceremony, and her feelings around that felt unexplored. It felt a lot like we got peaks at her and then nothing.

Love a good mirror scene.. (spice)
It was pretty hot, the scenes were good and spaced and felt good for the story. Nothing super crazy like Blake and Jess. Honestly, I think I might need to up the spice level on my Good Boy review, this felt like it had less spice. Still good but less than that one

BLAKEY!! (characters)
Matt is adorable in a nervous dad kinda way. I know he's a hot, badass hockey player, but he felt way more cuddly as a character than any of the other hockey players. Maybe it was because when we were in his head it was WAY less full of hockey, he was focused on kids of Hailey of his troubles.
Hailey felt like she had a lot of unexplored potential. The first half of the book was all about her getting over her nervousness with Matt and dating anyone but Jax, and yeah, get it. But it felt like we glossed a bit over her family history, among other things, and I wanted to know more about that. Only so much time in the book though I guess, and Matt's issues took center stage.
I also got to see some more of Blake, who is probably my favorite character they have ever created. I know some people don't like him but I love Blake. Love him. Boy will do no wrong. show less

This is a fast paced, easy read. Overall, this book had fabulous vibes and I had a great time reading it.

Cute story - enjoyed it. It was less "intense" compared to Elle & Sarina's other novels.

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖.5
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨.5

First Impressions
Stay is the second book in the duo series of the WAGS series. It was a bit bittersweet reading this book and so sad that this duo author team never wrote show more more books of the WAGS because I just love this style. But reading these books have made me realize how much I love hockey romance and definitely excited to read more of Bowen's work in the hockey romance field. I will say that Stay while a bit different from Good Boy was just as delicious just in its own way and don't fear....we get plenty from Blakey and Jess haha

First Line
Its a busy day in the offices of Fetch, Inc., but I finally manage to duck out of the office for an espresso around two.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Matt Eriksson
Beta hero, lover of animals, divorced, single parent of twin girls and professional hockey player

The Heroine: Hailey Taylor Emery
Runs her business with her best childhood friend. Lover of animals and nervous around hot guys.

Summary
Hailey and Matt's story begin with some secrets and subterfuge between them both in working with the "Fetch" VA service that Hailey and her friend created. Her job is everything and she puts so much of herself in it. Then we have our hero, who is a NHL player but also trying to juggle being a father of his two kids. He is recovering from a bitter divorce. Then we have how these two meet up and its pretty unconventional. But very quickly there is an instant attraction between the two. They both aren't afraid of leaping into a relationship together. Life is too short for either of them. As they learn what it means to be in a relationship together, they also have to learn to juggle some smexy times around twin girls and a bitter ex wife. But Hailey takes to being a WAG with grace and acceptance of the lifestyle. But Matt has inner demons that need to be worked through before he can fully open his heart to Hailey...

What I Loved
There was so much to love about this book. First off, you are guaranteed a book that will sweep you off your feet regarding it being engaging. I was so easily swept up in this story and the way that our couple run into each other. I really loved the animal aspect to it and I normally am not really a fan of animals in romances. But it was done very well in this book. Then we have the romance that develops between Matt and Hailey. You just know that there are demons that Matt has to face up to. I love how he has to face up to his struggles while also at the same time learning to trust Hailey. Hailey is so wonderful with Matt. She is so ready to accept him and everything that comes with being a full time WAG. I loved how open she is with Matt. They do have to learn to be patient with each other and enjoyed the relationship building aspects that we see between these two.

The humor in this book is epic and we do get some fun times with Blake and his girl Jess and its so fun. Man I am going to miss Blake the most I think leaving these books. He is such a hoot and so entertaining. And is probably my favorite character from this world.

What I Struggled With
There wasn't anything specific I struggled with in this book. It didn't quite make it to a five star feel, so I do wish that there had been a bit more heart and feels. As there wasn't quite as much of that as the Him books and with Good Boy.

Overall View
Stay is a fast paced, laugh your booty off romance that will deliver on some wonderful spice, captivating characters and endless charm all the way through! A true keeper of a read!

Favorite Quote(s)
“Question,” Hailey whispers after a while.
“Mmh?”
“Do you always hum ‘O Canada’ while you have sex?”
I let out a very unsexy snort, and she giggles. “No. That was special. Only for you.”

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Athlete, Business Owner, Cinnamon Roll, Beta Hero
Themes: Hockey, Online Dating, Love of Animals, Lots of Laughs, Hot Smexy Times
Tropes: Instant Love Connection

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict ---Slight

Song This Book Inspires
Dancing on My Own by Calum Scott

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read as a standalone

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. show less

FGMAMTC Blog Review & Teaser Pic
Hailey and Matt are great people. They're kind and down-to-earth. She's a business owner, and he's a professional athlete. Wealth and celebrity status don't play much of a role in their lives. Friendship and family are the center of this story, and the love of hockey of course. Matt is divorced. He thinks that because of the demands of hockey on his life and time having a steady relationship isn't available for him. Hailey is also divorced. She and her ex realized they're really just friends. She's never felt that romantic spark and doesn't know if it will ever happen. Hailey and Matt are absolutely the perfect match for each other. She's almost as into hockey as he is, and he brings out her sexy side. show more All the supporting cast are awesome. If you read Good Boy or Him and Us, you'll be happy to see some of the previous characters make appearances. I really enjoyed Stay. The romance is mature (no manufactured drama), realistic and very hot. I recommend it.


***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

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