Stay (Wags Book 2)

I LOVED everything about this story. I loved the characters, how their backstories connected them, and how each of them were such strong and relatable characters. I liked Goodboy and wanted that story, but honestly, I enjoyed Hailey and Matt’s story much more. Plus add in the narration by Elle Kennedy and Jacob Morgan, and you have the perfect audiobook to drown out your kids' incessant discussion of Minecraft on the way to school everyday and make working at your desk much more entertaining.Hailey owns the company Fetch, a firm that provides PA services to its clients and Matt has long been one of her favorite clients. Both are recently divorced, and though neither is in love with their ex, both still struggle to embrace their new normal and date again. They’ve never met but talk via the company chat service all the time. Hailey knows Matt’s identity but she is just an intriguing mystery. Eventually they meet and couldn't be more perfect for each other, that is after Hailey quits stumbling over her words every time she is in the same room with Matt.What I loved most about this story is that neither character has any fatal flaws and are both really likeable people that are even better together. I loved how sweet Matt was to Hailey and how she stood up for Matt when he needed her to. He is kind of a doormat when it comes to his ex, but you don’t fault him for it much since he is just trying to keep the peace for his twins. This was a fun and sometimes funny story that features cameos from all the past characters from the series. The narration was perfect for the characters and made the read even more enjoyable.

Stay is the second book in the WAGs series by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy. While this is a spinoff from the Him series – Matt is only superficially mentioned in those books (mostly the fact that he’s getting a divorce) and you could listen to this without having enjoyed those first. He’s in Good Boy (WAGs book 1) slightly more but still not impacting on this book. Bowen & Kennedy individually are two of my favorite authors and together, they are usually phenomenal. That said, this is my least favorite collaboration of theirs.Matt Ericksson is a hockey player who has been divorced for 18 months or two years or something that we’re not exactly sure because the number keeps changing. Hailey Taylor Emory is the owner of an online “personal assistant” service called “Fetch” and is also divorced.Hailey becomes Matt’s assistant and they flirt online for a bit. When an emergency job requires a personal delivery to Matt and they meet in person, sparks fly.It’s a cute story and overall enjoyable. Unfortunately, there’s some issues that really detract from the overall experience.*there isn’t a consistent timeline. Matt’s twin daughters are 4 when he gets a divorce, they’re 4 throughout the book, and they’re 4 in the epilogue. Ummm…*Hailey’s chat name is “HTE” which Matt mentally turns in to “hottie” in his mind. But even after they meet and spend time together ~ 90% of the time he continues to call her “hottie” instead of her name. It’s sort of cute occasionally, but it felt somewhat impersonal or dehumanizing or something “less than”.*Hailey’s character is inconsistent. She’s a professional who owns her own business. Yet she’s a blubbering mess around Matt for 50% of their interactions. Like beyond a few goofy interactions to “why on earth does he find that appealing?” There’s even a chapter titled “Loss of IQ” and then she proceeds to lose her IQ. I’m not sure whether 100% of this is due to how she was written or how Lucy Rivers narrated her.I do like how Matt & Hailey navigate life after divorce. There’s some angst – but it doesn’t feel too OTT. Matt’s interactions with his daughters are adorable. It’s definitely an HEA and the epilogue is precious.Note: I’m a little disappointed that the book obviously set up for Will O’Connor to get his own story, but years later Stay remains the last book of this series. (update: there’s now a note in goodreads that there are no more books planned.)Narration:Jacob Morgan was good here. I have mixed feelings about Lucy Rivers in this book. I struggled to connect with her narration and portrayal of Hailey.

I feel like I need to put a disclaimer here...I'm not a hockey fan. Sometimes I shy away from hockey books (even though I LOVE sports romance) because there are too many details thrown at me that I just don't know and can't follow. I never have to worry about that with Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy's writing. Though hockey is definitely a part of this book it doesn't consume it-the focus is on the characters and I loved it. This book is flirty, sexy, and fun. I absolutely loved it.While this is technically the second book in the WAGs series from these authors this book can be enjoyed as a standalone. Stay gives us the story of Hailey and Matt and I loved every second of their journey.I loved Hailey. She's co-owner of a brilliant business called Fetch. Clever and apt name, since basically Hailey runs a team of people who will literally fetch whatever someone needs. She's put her heart and soul into this business, focusing on its growth after her failed marriage to the co-owner of Fetch. Hailey's fun. She's sweet, she's somewhat shy with herself. I loved seeing her grow in this book, finding out what she liked, what she wanted. I was really proud of her, which seems odd to say about a fictional character I suppose, but Hailey felt like a girl I could know.Matt Eriksson slayed me. This is a hot, sexy, vulnerable man. Yes, you read that right. Matt is so vulnerable and raw in this book. He's coming off of a failed marriage-in a time frame similar to Hailey's failed marriage-but he has so much self doubt. There were a couple moments where I wanted to shake him and other times I just wanted to slap his ex because I just didn't get it. I mean, this guy is a catch. Sweet, funny, sexy...and single?? It was great to see him find his confidence in his personal life again.I adored these two together from their very first text message. They're flirty and fun and when Hailey realizes who Matt is? I couldn't stop laughing at her reaction. There's a chemistry between them that neither seem to know what to do with at first, and I liked that. I liked that they were confused about how to handle each other because it made the book that much more real for me. It made the journey to their resolution that more fun as well.The supporting cast of characters is fantastic. If you've read works from these authors previously you'll see familiar faces. If you haven't read previous works, you're going to want to after you meet some of these people. They're a team and the way they behave around one another and play off each other is amazing. Also, there are some really adorable kids in this book, which just happen to be a weakness of mine.The writing in this book is phenomenal. It's sharp, it's witty. But it's also realistic. The pacing of this book was great, too. It's a delicate balance with these characters figuring out the timing so that nothing seemed rushed but these authors absolutely nailed it.This book is a fun, flirty look into two people who suddenly find themselves in a situation they didn't think they'd be in again. Watching them find their confidence again was so satisfying. This is a book I'll come back to time and again. I highly recommend this book!

5 Matt and Hailey StarsSarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy have really put the biscuit in the basket with this book. (Really hope I used the right ice hockey term there- totally had to Wiki that!) They are two authors whose individual work has been outstanding but when these two collaborate....wow!Matt Eriksson is a star hockey player for Toronto and Hailey Taylor Emery (Hottie) is the successful co-owner of 'Fetch' , an anonymous virtual assistant service which Matt uses. Hailey has adored Matt from afar for a long time- this girl is a die hard hockey fan- and she has a sneaking suspicion that Matt is one of her client's. Even before this becomes apparent there is definite attraction on both parts. Their emails to each other have a some sass and friendly flirtation to them. When they meet face to face that chemistry becomes palpable and the connection between them practically shimmers on every pageI am always a bit wary of stories where there is an ex spouse who is still very present in the character's life. In this case it was applicable to both our H/h. Matt has children with his ex so has to have contact and Hailey still co-owns her company with her ex husband. Not for one minute did I worry that anyone was still harbouring romantic feelings for past loves. Matt and Hailey were both blindsided by their respective ex-partner's requests for a divorce and it happened at similar times to each other also. Matt is beating himself up that he was a bad husband because hockey is such a strong force in his life and his ex wife berated him almost constantly for it. Hailey was stunned by Jax's request or 'suggestion' to divorce and is somehow still stuck in a rut, not really moving on with her life, until she encounters the man of her dreams. Then all bets are off. And all Kindles are overheating with the hotness that emanates from these two when their worlds collide.Matt is the loveliest hero. He is considerate, funny and damned hot. He melted me when he was with his girls and his dog. I loved how he recognised all the passion simmering under Hailey's demure surface and he took time to be patient with her and tease out all the feelings she kept locked away. Jax had been married to the girl but Matt truly discovered the woman. Perhaps some of the funniest moments are when he is with his teammates though: "Everyone shut it." I hiss. "Here comes my date. Pretend you're normal." "Good luck with that." Wrs snickers. "Mamma mia," Lemming mutters under his breath. "That can't be your date Eriksson. She's too hot for you"Hailey was a beautiful character. She was confident in her workplace and seriously kicked ass in the business world but she was endearingly shy around Matt. She had only ever been with Jax and they worked much better as friends than lovers. Her inner resolve and strength was impressive and yet a couple of scenes , I cried with her. Hailey got under my skin and she is a favourite heroine for sure.The secondary characters written by these two authors always work incredibly well and are intrinsically woven into the fabric of each book they write. This is no exception. The cast of this book enhance its strength and warmth.There is a little bit of angst but these two are made for each other and I loved every page. In the words of our heroine, "I'm a goner for this man. Our relationship might not be 'official' but holy hell, I officially feel all the feelings for Matt Eriksson."He sure does send your kindle heart a-fluttering. And I'm still smiling and sighing now looking back over the passages I highlighted. It is such good book. It is the second in the WAG's series and is a spin off from the Him and Us series- all of them are awesome reads that I would highly recommend.HEA? Yes ....and it is GORGEOUS!!!Cheating? No. These two are solid and so much the smitten kittens with each other.Worth staying up til the early hours to read because I couldn't possibly put it down? Hell yeah. But then that's how it is with books that steal your heart away.Beyond 5 stars....

Four stars. I really liked it but I didn’t love it. Maybe because Hailey and Matt were just such nice people?Hailey and her ex-husband run a business call Fetch which does exactly that for wealthy individuals. From 4 am cheesecake orders to nappy deliveries to buying an entire apartment’s full of furniture for a recently divorced client. Nothing is too much trouble or out of hours.As co-owner Hailey looks after their very special or very difficult clients – and she has one of each. The special client Sniper87 MIGHT be her favourite hockey player Matt Eriksson, but she is too professional to break her client’s request for confidentiality and look at his personal details, even though she has every right as the co-owner. The difficult client likes to send dick picks to illustrate every request he makes, many of which are for sex-related items.After her favourite client messages her to complain that the dog-walker sent by the service she recommended walked round his apartment taking pictures and fondling things (!!), Hailey agrees to find a staff member to walk Rufus for Sniper87, but decides to do it herself.Matt Eriksson is a divorcee and a father of five year old twins. His ex-wife Tara hated hockey and spent their entire marriage complaining about everything Matt did and didn’t do, things haven’t changed much since his divorce and at 30 years old he feels like a veteran compared to some of the young kids on his team. Trouble is, at his age, he doesn’t want one-night stands and hook-ups with puck-bunnies. The one thing he enjoys is the online chat with THE (or Hottie as he thinks of her), the person who answers 90% of his Fetch requests. The two of them have a great rapport and he wonders if they could take it further. When he watches the security video of the latest person to walk his dog Rufus he is struck by the looks of the young woman he sees and wonders if she could be Hottie.There are plots involving Matt’s ex-wife and Hailey’s ex-husband but they are the normal kind of dramas that can be expected when you are still connected to your ex, nothing outlandish or unbelievable. Oh and we get more of the WAGs and Wesmie, so that was nice.There is just one thing that felt off to me. (view spoiler)However, maybe if this had been written by anyone other than the incomparable Elle Kennedy and Sarina Bowan I would have rated this higher – these ladies just set the bar so flippin’ high.

Catching up with the characters from previous books was a blast. So was watching developments between HoTtiE and Sniper87. Is Will going to have his story told, and Mr Dick?There is a delightfully light touch in this series (and I hope it's going to be more than 2 books - pretty please), but the real life difficulties some people face have been dealt with, in ways which I think are encouraging, without seeming too much like saccharin.

First off I want to say a massive thank you to my book bestie as she surprised me with a Amazon gift card for this book, I told her I read the sample and was basically crying as I had to wait till next week when I got paid to read the rest. So thank you Donna. I really enjoyed this instalment of the WAGs series. The main characters were great and it was so nice to see previous characters pop up. The hint at the next book looks freaking Amazing, I need it now!!!

I really enjoyed this book from Elle Kennedy and Sabrina Bowen!Matt and Hailey were both characters that were more on the realistic side, having both been married previously and disillusioned by those relationships. However Matt really helps Hailey come into her own and find her confidence again and Hailey accepts Matt for who he is and doesn't try to change him or punish him for disappointing her.Next, I would love to read a story involving Jenny and maybe MrEightInches.... ?? Anything is possible with these two Authors at the helm right?