Down and Dirty: Hot Jocks Book 5

Aubree and Landon have been casual friends for about a year now. Both insanely attracted to each other but she thinks she is too old for him (30 to his 23) and is afraid and doesn't want to distract from his hockey season. At Owen and Becca's co-ed stag party in Vegas, Aubree and Landon get drunk and she wakes up with a giant diamond on her finger. Oops. She wants to end it immediately but Landon wants to date his wife and see where it goes.Landon is the most amazing man on earth. I absolutely adored how he adored Aubree and just wanted to be the perfect husband for her. How he just wanted give her everything her heart desired and protect her. Just the perfect husband/boyfriend ever. Now, Aubree, I didn't like her one bit. I didn't like the way she treated Landon, talked down to him about his age all the time and every time he confided in her she overreacts and shuts him out/runs away. And she keeps things secret from him. Just not cool. While I loved Landon to pieces and am glad they worked their issues out this wasn't my favorite Hot Jock book.

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️First, it began with Justin and Elise. Then, it was Owen and Becca. After that, it was Teddy and Sara. In the fourth book, there was the story of Asher and Bailey. Now, Kendall Ryan’s newest book, Down and Dirty, gives us the story of Landon and Aubree “Bree.” In each of the Hot Jocks’ books, Ryan offers us a romantic trope, meaning that she’s providing her readers a variety. From the trope of brother’s best friend to her most recent, reverse age gap, quickie Vegas marriage to a virgin, this series offers a little of everything for everyone. Each book moves us deeper into the fast and sexy world of hockey, and it makes for an entertaining afternoon read.In her newest book, Ryan treats us to the story of Landon and Aubree. Landon is the rookie; he’s the newer guy. And he is all hockey. His past has taught him to work hard and stay focused solely on hockey. However, his lack of playing time in the season creates an unease. He’s made friends and begun to settle in Seattle, but he’s not sure if he’s long for the Seattle Ice Hawks, and this worries him. Keeping his focus on hockey is key.Aubree is one of the girls in their friend group. While Landon is focused on hockey, Aubree has always captured his attention. Yes, she is older than Landon, but he has always been more mature than most. He’s attracted to her, but unsure that she would even consider him. While in Vegas for Owen and Becca’s bachelor and bachelorette parties, Landon and Aubree test their chemistry. It ends in a surprise marriage. Not wanting to annul their marriage, Landon hopes that Aubree will try to work it out with him. However, Aubree’s need for independence seeks to derail their fledgling marriage. Will they work it out, or will their quickie marriage end in divorce?It isn’t a trial to exist in the world of Kendall Ryan’s hockey series. Each book has offered steamy bedroom scenes, enough angst to keep her readers engaged, and happily-ever-afters to make the angst worth it. Along with these qualities, her readers are treated to a variety of tropes, so there is literally something here for everyone. Landon and Aubree’s story in Down and Dirty is no different. What is a bit different, though, is that Landon is a virgin. I have to admit…I don’t read many romances where this is the case, and I kind of like it. It makes for a certain level of tension in the story as you are never sure if Landon will give up his V card to Aubree. You want it for him, but Ryan does a great job of toeing the line between “will they” or “won’t they.” Obviously, the readers want it, but Ryan keeps you guessing for most of the book.Yet, there are places where I struggled with Down and Dirty. I wanted more backstory for Aubree. She is the most reticent for their relationship. She’s the thorn in the side of it, and I wanted to understand more. Ryan doesn’t really play up their age-gap in the story. In fact, it is barely touched on. If there is something in Aubree’s past that has made her spurn relationships, I would have liked to know that. Additionally, Landon still has his V card, although he has engaged in other bedroom activities. So much so, he is a consummate expert. Why? He’s pleasured other women, but yet, he hasn’t received it. Ryan chalks it up to his want to find the right woman plus his need to stay focused on hockey, as his future is precarious in the sport. Yet, it didn’t feel organic enough for the story. I would have liked more of his psychology. Of the two, we find out more about Landon than Aubree in that regard, but I wanted a bit more of their backstories.For me, this story felt the most contrived of the five books. Landon is my favorite part of Down and Dirty. I appreciate Aubree’s character as a strong independent woman, but there was very little background for the reader to understand her stubbornness with Landon. This made her unlikeable in a way.Overall, I enjoyed reading Down and Dirty. I especially loved returning to the members of the Seattle Ice Hawks. This is the power of this series. Each book reminds us of how much we love Kendall Ryan’s characters and their stories. It feels like visiting an old friend who we haven’t seen for a while. Down and Dirty gives us more of the players’ stories while developing Landon and Aubree’s. It is here where Kendall Ryan reminds us that we are always stronger when we love fully. Landon and Aubree show us that an unexpected attraction can offer a wealth of love if we allow ourselves to accept it.

I am loving Kendall Ryan’s Hot Jocks series so much! She has been creatively blending the friends-to-lovers trope with another to form distinct and personal romantic foundations for each couple in this hockey-themed series. Every single one of these stories has been unique, thoroughly entertaining and smoking hot. There are definitely feels to be felt in each of these romances, but nothing overwhelmingly angsty. Ryan layers in just enough conflict to keep readers engaged, but these stories are lighter-hearted, feel-good, pleasures to read. I simply can’t get enough of these completely swoon-worthy hockey players and their feisty, fiery women, and I am officially addicted.Landon has just completed his rookie year, and even though he’s the new guy, his teammates have welcomed him into their crew. During a joint bachelor/bachelorette weekend in Vegas for his teammate, Owen, and his bride-to-be, Becca, Landon and Aubree, one of the bride’s best friends, learn that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay there when they wake up after a night of drunken shenanigans with more than just a hangover.Cautious and career-focused, Aubree’s main concern is their seven-year age difference. The thing about that, though, was that more often than not, it was Landon, the younger one of the two of them, who was the calm, cool voice of reason. He was mature beyond his years, decisive and determined. He knew what he wanted—an honest chance with Aubree to build something real. He was patient and thoughtful, and I loved how his introspections allowed him to be really open and vulnerable with her. He may have lacked some practical experience, but there was no mistaking his desire for her. His reverent explorations of her coupled with his natural alpha personality was so incredibly hot. The fact that they didn’t rush to consummate their relationship, focusing their intimate activities instead on discovering, learning and experimenting with each other, was even hotter. I’ll admit that there were times I was screaming in my head at Aubree to open her eyes and her heart to this sexy, kind and sweet man before her. It took her a while to get there, but once she did, she was all in.Down and Dirty was another awesome story in a series full of them. Landon and Aubree’s chemistry was off the charts, and I loved their sexy, slow burn romance. This was one seriously swoony and steamy part friends-to-lovers, part fake marriage romance, and I devoured it in a day. Down and Dirty by Kendall Ryan gets 4.5 smooches from me!

Phenomenally, following a drunken night out to celebrate the future wedding of their friends, the hero Landan Covington and heroine Anbree Derrick wake up in a Las Vargas hotel married. They previously admired each other from a distance, yet never dated or voiced their interest. But what will they do now? Was it a huge mistake? Will they immediately press for an annulment?Turns out, there seems to be no rush. And after the initial shock, both characters start to try get to know each other. Seemingly, working in reverse of their current married situation. They start to date. They find out their favourite films. But will fate work for or against them.Well, if you want to know the answer I suggest you get this book. You might even want to read the other four books in the series.

The writing is good & the story very much in line with the other Hot Jocks series, but I've had to give a lower review than I otherwise would have because frankly the heroine was a bit of a bitch.How would we feel about a male character withholding crucial information from his virgin bride, and getting her to have sex with him by doing so when knowing that information would clearly have changed her decision to have sex for the first time?That's what Aubree does, and I'm not OK with it.So whilst the story was interesting, and the writing good, I really don't enjoy having characters who are OK with sex by deception being bigged up. It's great that things work out between them, but I just couldn't get on board with Aubree's behaviour. Not cool, Aubree. Not cool.

So glad Landon and Aubree got their relationship they had spent so much time alone their chemistry was always good when they finally let it happen the realised they were made for each other brilliant a great romance loved reading it can't wait for the next one

Not a scenario I haven't met before, but the interaction between players and partners is odd. Would men discuss their virginity? Whatever, it was a good read.

Excellent story brilliant,now I'm just about to start reading the next series of these fabulous books and I can't wait!!