Release Blitz: The Boyfriend Goal: Lauren Blakely
(Love and Hockey book 1)
Lauren Blakely
August 21, 2024
Hockey romance
Team captain's little sister!
Oops! My one-night stand is my new roommate!
New in town / Fish out of water
One hell of a meet-cute
Golden Retriever Hero
Stubborn library cat who does what he wantsAll the team dynamics and athlete banter you could want
She has a great friend group!
Hot, dirty nights 
They write each other love letters
A forbidden romance with my brother’s hockey teammate wasn’t on my to-do list when I moved across the country…
Neither is spending my first evening in a new city with the sexy stranger who rescues me when I’m locked out of a friend’s place wearing next to nothing.
But I’m trying to get out of my comfort zone so getting out of the rest of my clothes with him seems like a good way to start.
In the morning, I learn the filthy-mouthed man with the talented hands is not only the hotshot new hockey player on my brother’s team.
He’s also – wait for it – my brand new roommate.
Thanks, fate.
But the last thing I need is a complicated fling so we agree to a friends-only rule.
It’s not easy though. Wes is bossy, flirty and generous.
He gives me rides to work.
Pitches in at my library’s fundraiser.
Takes care of me when I get hurt.
I don’t know how long I can stick to our rules, especially the night Wes comes to my door and tells me exactly how he’d like to break them.
Every single one.
A meet-cute with a damsel in a dire situation and her unexpected white knight who comes in and saves the night.
Josie Winters is starting a new job and a new life in San Francisco near her brother. She is a sweet and sassy librarian. One night ends with a surprisingly hot night with a stranger. And there may have been a bit of hope that they could find each other again and explore more. But when her lodging plans fall through, her brother finds her a place with a friend and teammate. Unfortunately, she already knows him.
Wesley Bryant is a hockey player trying to do his best for his team. He is kind, generous, charming, focused, and now is totally screwed. He knows the bro code all too well. But now temptation is living in his guest room. Roommates are dicey. Teammate's little sisters are off-limits.
I really loved their banter and chemistry. These two are just so fun and flirty together. I loved seeing that they brought this out in each other. And it made me just have butterflies and be excited, but then real life slaps them in the face. It’s a new day, new rules, and new complications. And now they’re living in close proximity and facing the temptation every day as their friendship grows even stronger along with desire. My heart broke as their hope dwindled due to perceived rules though I knew they would eventually break them. But this story turned out to have more depth, more issues, and more challenges. These two see each other for who they are deep inside but also the potential they have to be more and to live more fully.
I loved seeing these two going through different stages as the dynamics changed. Their connection and genuine affection for each other just keep building naturally. They allow themselves to be vulnerable with each other and actually seem to see the other more clearly. Rules are made to be broken or at least they’re going to bend them. But the more it goes on, the more complicated it gets. And it was only supposed to be a set timeline due to circumstances. And their timing all along has been just a bit off.
I just adored these two and this story and it kept me enthralled all the way through. It went in directions I did not expect. It took some tropes and twisted them and highlighted other problems. These two are just magic together and really support each other, but also allow each other to feel safe and bold enough to explore new things, find their true selves, and live a fuller life. They are dirty, fiery, and well-matched in the bedroom and out of it, but also just so adorable and fun together. But they both also have to fix and figure out some things to even have a chance.
This is the beginning of a brand new MF hockey series, so there are new characters along with old ones from the LB hockey world..I am interested in the side characters and I cannot wait to see more with these other couples. And the environment is familiar too due to the San Francisco scene and the hockey world.
Josie and Wes were perfect! Josie is new in town as she works on a grant funded project at a local library. She is out of her comfort zone in a lot of ways, and making her way in public wearing a t-shirt as a dress wasn’t how she imagined her first night in a new city. But the adventure causes her to run into a hottie who is extra helpful and what harm could a night of uncharacteristic fun do? At least until the next day when she learns not only is her hookup hottie her brother’s teammate, but he is also her new roommate.
Wes is absolutely boyfriend goals. He quickly moved to the top of my favorite LB men with his care, protectiveness, and his genuine kindness. From the moment he meets Josie he is all about helping her. While this could have felt insta-lovey, it felt genuine and completely sweet. Because they put the brakes on the romantic aspect of their relationship, the friendship that was built was supportive and caring, with definite sparks underlying the friendship bonds.
I loved the way this story developed. Josie isn’t sure how long she will be able to stay in San Francisco due to the nature of her job, and between that and Wes’s hockey career. These two were so good at taking a step back and sacrificing the romantic aspect of their relationship in favor of friendships and mutual support. The way they tackled the obstacles in front of them felt real and adult in a way that kept things moving without added drama. They were each dealing with stressors outside of the relationship so I loved watching them lean on the friendship to help cope with their troubles, even as they fought the chemistry developing between them.
This is a fun return to LB’s San Francisco hockey/sports world. There are a few supporting roles played by familiar favorites, but a good mix of new faces as well. I am looking forward to more from this series as it develops in the future.
I had the opportunity to listen to the audio, narrated by Erin Malloy and Connor Crais. These two are always fantastic and did a great job bringing the story to life.
Josie: Nice turnaround.
I smile stupidly against the dark window, so no one can see how I look right now. The glass is cool, but I’m warm everywhere. I don’t want to talk about me with Josie. Not with my teammates around. And honestly, not that much in general. I want to talk about her.
Wesley: It was. But what are you up to? Also, it’s late. Go to bed.
Josie: That’s where I am.
Josie: Here’s your proof of bed.
She sends a picture of the lower half of the bed. Her legs are clearly under the covers. A paperback sits on the white cover. Zooming in, I read the title. Someone Else’s Ring.
Wesley: New book. Does this mean you finished the thriller? The Woman In The Hotel?
Josie: I did and the thrill was thrilling.
Wesley: How’s this one?
Josie: It reads like you f*&k.
Forget warm. I’m red hot under the collar of my dress shirt, remembering the words she wrote on hotel stationery more than a month ago. He f*&ked like a page turner that you didn’t want to put down.
Is it just me or is Josie getting…naughtier? Bolder? More brazen? Pretty sure it’s not just me – it’s her, turning up the heat.
I’m feeling the burn in the dark of the quiet jet, streaking across the sky. Here, it’s like no man’s land, free of consequences, devoid of risks. A place where we can flirt because of the miles between us. So I tap out a reply
Wesley: Bet I still “read” like that.
Josie: You’d keep me up all night?
Wesley: Like a page turner, Josie. Like a f*&king page turner.
The Romance Line
Book 2
I should stay far away from the team's sexy-as-sin publicist, especially given our history. But when she's assigned to revamp my image that’s easier said than done…
A brand new sports romance series from Lauren Blakely! Hockey, meet cutes and spice in this MF sports rom-com series!
The Proposal Play
Lauren Blakely
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A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s cute but spicy. Lauren likes dogs, cake, and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s cute but spicy. Lauren likes dogs, cake, and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
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