Title: Good Guy
Author: Kate Meader
Series: Rookie Rebels #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Sports romance,
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

I really like that this is a bit of a second chance romance story, and also the best friends’ girl story. I mean, Levi has been in love with Jordan from the very beginning, even though she ended up marrying his best friend. Somehow, he made something that may be frowned upon less cringey, and kind of sweet. Plus, he is just so damn stoic throughout this. Don’t get me wrong, all of the angst throughout this was a little bit difficult to read. But also completely beautiful and made me want to keep turning the pages, even when I should’ve been sleeping.

Jordan’s expose and attempt to gain equality in an inequal world is kind of fantastic. Plus, I love the journey of how she gets there and how she realises that she needs to actually write this piece. It’s terrifyingly familiar many of the microaggressions which Jordan experiences. And the battles she faces to try and change the status quo. I absolutely adored the show of strength and spine of steel that she displays in her battle to try and find a way for the world to be just a little bit more just. Particularly within the realm of a male-dominated sphere. The fact that her expose touches upon dramas that have happened in the Chicago Rebels series just made me want to read them all that much more.

There is something about a good hockey romance that I’m really into lately. I don’t even get the chance to watch the sport, but I am completely intrigued by it. I’ve literally only ever seen one game in my entire life, so I definitely want more of this in my life. But, Australia. But I digress, I love the idea of hockey players and the romances that follow. Plus, there’s the whole problematic nature of having a relationship with someone who is a professional / celebrity athlete. Like many of the stories that fill my shelves, it’s the external stressors that challenge Jordan and Levi, the nature of his celebrity and how they can fit together into the world.

Expanding on the problematic nature of celebrity athletes, I love the fact that Levi chooses to join the army instead of dealing with the celebrity. He recognises the damage that fame can do upon somebody’s growing psyche at a young age. And the fact that he realised that he needed to grow up is completely admirable. It made me absolutely adore him, even in those moments when I just shook my head at his nonsense. I mean, this is such an adorable romance, but one with a little bit of extra meat to the characters. Things like Levi joining the army to make sure he doesn’t become yet another spoilt athlete made it impossible not to love.

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Image source: Goodreads