Can you fall in love with someone you’ve never even met?Hailey Taylor Emery has a hunch that her favorite client at Fetch–an anonymous virtual assistant service–is actually hockey star Matt Eriksson.Although it’s against the rules for her to check his file, she’s 95% sure she spends at least part of each day texting with her lifelong crush and catering to his every need. Still nursing a wounded … every need. Still nursing a wounded heart thanks to her recent breakup, Hailey is perfectly content with some harmless online flirting…until she has to meet her client. Face to face. Cue: utter panic.
Matt Eriksson is no stranger to heartbreak. He’s still not over the destruction of his marriage, and it sucks to be the only guy on the team who knows the truth–that hockey and long-term relationships are a toxic mix. He barely sees his kids, and dealing with his ex makes him feel insane. The only person in his life who seems to understand is someone who won’t show her pretty face.
But it’s nothing that a pair of fourth row hockey seats can’t fix. Hailey can’t resist the offer. Matt can’t resist Hailey. Good thing he doesn’t have to. Fire up the kiss cam!
Warning: Contains rabid hockey fans, misunderstood dick pics, hockey players at the opera and exploding ovaries.
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Oh my heart broke for Matt in the book. His horrible ex wife has made him feel like the end of their marriage was all his fault. He believes this so deeply that he is afraid to try again but then he has been having this fun and flirty relationship with a virtual assistant he calls Hottie who just so happens to be Hailey. Hailey loves hockey and is shocked when her favorite player wants to take her on a date. Recently divorced her confidence has taken a hit. The two are finally able to help each other see that they are worth trying again.
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.
Great book!
I love Sarina Bowen’s books!!!
What I loved about this book was it was a second chance novel but for both characters, both going through a divorce and really both not remembering how to date. Also it was Hockey and hot single dad nearly all my favs rolled into one.
The way this novel was set out with the company that Hailey runs and how Matt and herself would text, I love texting and this makes the book fun
The one thing that I am loving about this series is how Elle and Sarina have really included the previous characters in this book especially Blake with his nicknames for everyone, and I love the mention of the fear of sheep he has always makes me laugh out loud. I also love how every new girlfriend gets a very loud introduction to Blake’s mum with her extremely awesome cheering.
Matt was a fantastic character, he was scared to love again and felt the way his marriage ended was all his fault and he just needed someone to remind him that it wasn’t his fault and he could have everything he wanted. He had two daughters and I loved it when they were in it.
Hailey was exactly what I imagined myself being if I started dating again and if my luck could be the crush I have had for years that would get me back dating I would be a very happy woman. I loved her passion for Hockey and how she really saw Matt for who he was.
Loved loved this book really what more could I asked for I laughed, it was about a hockey player, single dad. Loving this series really hard 5 stars and very well deserved.
Hailey and Matt are an awesome couple. Loved the slow build for the relationship.
I really had fun with this book and I’m seriously enjoying the WAGs Series. If you are new to the series, know that Stay can absolutely be read as a standalone. I believe I said this in my last review for Good Boy but I really enjoy the collaboration between Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy. We get the hockey romance story that we love from both of them and then we get their infused humor, which is quite fun.
There are so many elements that I enjoyed so I’ll just tick them off. First off all, I love Hailey’s business, Fetch. The idea is fun and we get some pretty hilarious situations that Hailey and her team are put in with some pretty outlandish requests. I enjoyed the time that was taken to play out the business part of it and the stories that came along with it. Plus, Jenny is hilarious and I want more of her.
Secondly, I like that Matt comes off as sweet but he’s got a bit of alpha in him. He’s an amazing Dad and loved when he was with his girls. Basically, I just really like Matt. Haha. Doesn’t everyone. He seems to take the world on his shoulders and is just an all out great guy.
Hailey is the perfect match for Matt. I adore her love for Hockey and can relate to her only with college basketball and MLB. I’m the rowdy girl in the stands yelling at anyone and anyone, just like Hailey. She also has a bit of vulnerability to her that just makes her that much more relatable. She’s patient and understanding. I just like the two of them together.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I thought it was fun, flirty and swoon worthy. If you haven’t read this series or any collaboration by these two authors, you need to fix that. ASAP!
So awesome! I love Matt’s story!
If you are following my reviews, you most probably know Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy are both my favorite authors. I enjoyed all their books but when they write together, the outcome is always an excellence. The books written by this duo is un-put-downable ‘Stay’ is the second book of the ‘WAGs’ series and I was looking forward to read this book since I finished the first book ‘Good Boy’. As always, fantastic duo didn’t disappoint. Most of the times when I read an amazing story, I get the feeling that whatever I say won’t be enough to convey my feelings and do justice for the book. So I will try to do my best without ruining the story for you.
First of, it was great to catch up with the team, especially Blakey, and the WAGs If you read the first book of the series ‘Good Boy’, you will remember Matt, the bitter newly divorced guy, who has twins. To tell you the truth I didn’t really liked him because of his behavior on Wesmie’s wedding but now I can totally understand his bitterness. Matt Erikson, a.k.a. Matty-Cake/Math, is sweet, caring, loyal, ambitious, successful and sexy. After his divorce Matt uses company called ‘Fetch’, which provides all kinds of services or items their customers demands, for all his needs including furnishing his apartment and walking his dog. Introducing ‘Fetch’ to Matt is one of the few good things Kara, the b*tchy ex, does for Matt because it leds Matt meeting Hailey, a.k.a. HTE/Hottie. Just like Matt, Hailey is newly divorced and she co-owns Fetch with her ex-husband. She is smart, driven, feisty and beautiful. She is also a die-hard hockey fan. Even though, they never met in real life, their friendship and bond grew through virtual chat. Because Matt’s account is set as private Hailey doesn’t really know he is ‘The Matt Erikson’. Yes, she suspects but doesn’t do anything to confirm it. Matt is also really curious about Hottie and when he gets a chance first he invites her to a game and then uses an ‘Emergency’ delivery as an excuse to meet with her face to face. What I loved the most about Hailey is, she is so real. She meets up with her long time celebrity crush Matt Erikson and she is so nervous, clumsy and puddle of nerves. It made me laugh and I connected with her more. Because if I was in her shoes, I would be acting just like her if not worse And Matt was soooo cute. When he realized that Hailey gets nervous around him, he does everything to make her comfortable. Also, Matt tries to woo her and take it slow so that Hailey won’t run away. Because they are both newly divorced and not read to take a big step, their relationship grows slowly and I loved how understanding and supportive they are to each other. Also, Matt’s relation with his twin girls will make you swoon. There are so many things I want to write about but I am afraid it will ruin the story for you. So I will stop here but you should definitely read the book, you won’t be disappointed
‘Stay’ is a great novel that you will read in one sitting because you won’t be able to put it down. At least that is what happened to me I cannot wait for the third book of the ‘WAGs’ series and I have a feeling it will be O’Connor and Jenny, a new skating coach’s story If you are looking for something sweet, sexy, fun and minimum drama, ‘Stay’ is just for you.
Would I recommend this book: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Definitely.
Would I read future books by these authors: Yes.
The review was originally posted on: http://miabookaddict.com/
This book is #2 in the WAG’s series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. For reader enjoyment and understanding, I recommend reading series in order.
Matt has had a rough time with his divorce. Taking a chance again seems far away. Then he finds himself attracted to the app agent he chats with. Could she be someone he could learn to care about?
Hailey has always been a big fan of Matt and his hockey prowess. Is it possible that getting to know him could make her feelings stronger? There is certainly sparks a flyin’!
This series is so much fun! Every book brings laughter and heat and this was no exception. I cannot wait to see what is next!
***This ARC copy was given in exchange for an honest review.
Sarina Bowen is an auto-purchase in my book. Another great novel from her here.