This opposites attract/forced proximity story had lighthearted moments interspersed with some past darkness in both the main character’s lives, but watching them both accept and deal with their hard pasts and embrace the good in their lives was uplifting and made this an incredible romance. ~ Slick – Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Synopsis:
Reid Durand isn’t here to make friends.
Coming from a legacy of hockey greatness, he has games to win and things to prove. With his focus during his first season as a Chicago Rebel purely on his drive to succeed, every vice is off the table. No booze, no sugar, and definitely no women.
Kennedy Clark is the master of the side hustle.
She’ll walk your dog, brew your espresso, and pick up your dry-cleaning, all while rocking it in Warrior pose. Standing still is impossible for her, because the moment she starts to slow down, it’ll come rushing back in a torrent. The memories. The pain. The heartbreak.
Their meet-cute is more of a freeze-cute. Besides, they already know each other. He’s the rude, entitled customer at her coffee shop, or what used to be her coffee shop since she just got fired–because of Mr. Extra Shot Americano himself.
Reid didn’t intend to get Kennedy fired.
He didn’t intend to rescue a dog after the poor thing ended up in the lake.
And he definitely didn’t intend to acquire a new roommate.
A curvy, chatty, tempting roommate.
Now this perfect storm of events are about to wreak havoc on his neatly-ordered life.
Reid Durand isn’t here to make friends, and he’s certainly not here to lose his heart to a puppy, a team, or a chaos agent like Kennedy. But then we don’t always get what we want …
Can I just say once again how happy I am that Kate Meader decided to continue writing in the Chicago Rebels world? The Rookie Rebels series has been fantastic from the start and it continues in Dear Roomie. This opposites 
attract/forced proximity story had lighthearted moments interspersed with some past darkness in both the main character’s lives, but watching them both accept and deal with their hard pasts and embrace the good in their lives was uplifting and made this an incredible romance.
Reid Durand is new to the Chicago Rebels and plans to keep his head down and prove his worthiness to the team and get that multi-year contract he’s been after. He doesn’t do distractions during his hockey season; he trains, he eats what fuels him, and he is celibate. His younger half brother is a natural and Reid has spent his entire career just trying to make his step-father as proud as his brother does. He’s known as a grump, an a$$hole, and as a player with attitude. He’s never made friends on a team, but then he’s never played for a team like the Rebels before. He also has never had a hard time ignoring women during the season but there is something about the pink streaked haired, silver eyed barista that calls to him making him wonder if she’ll be around once his season is over.
Kennedy Clark has taken time out from her globe-trotting life to spend time in Chicago with Edie, her grandmother and pretty much her only living relative who has had to move into a retirement center. It’s not a hardship; Edie was there for her when she needed her most. Barista, dog walker, yoga instructor; Kennedy does what she needs to in order to have a roof over her head and pay her bills but when Edie’s son sells his mother’s house Kennedy finds herself homeless and having trouble finding a non-creepy roommate.
Reid and Kennedy seem like complete opposites and in some respects they are but they also share a love of animals and are kind to a fault although Reid doesn’t show that side to most people. When they rescue a dog from drowning, Reid hires Kennedy to stay with Bucky who he refuses to give up even if he is a bit of a distraction and when he finds Kennedy was living in her car he insists she live with him. Man the heat between these two was so evident from the start and living together it just gets hotter by the day. Who knew Reid could be a sweetheart who whispers sexy French when he’s turned on? Not me and it makes Kennedy open her heart to the possibility of more and keeping her feet planted in one place.
I loved that they both helped one another see their hang-ups in a new light. They weren’t afraid to be open and share advice even if sometimes the other didn’t want to hear it. They went from being cautious and avoiding one another because the sexual tension was just too much, to not being able to keep their hands and other body parts to themselves.
Anyone who has read Kate Meader will recognize several characters from her past works, yet this book can easily be read as a stand-alone. However, once you experience the camaraderie of this team, the hilarious advice giving, the endearing encouragement you’ll be hooked and want to read more.
Fast paced and filled with characters you can’t help but like, once I picked up Dear Roomie I did not put it down until I finished.
5 stars
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