The Good Guy Challenge

The Dating Games, Book 2

By: Lauren Blakely

Narrated by: Stella Hunter, Jason Clarke

Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

Fake real dating the one who got away? Sign me up…

There’s just something about bad boys. Tattoos and leather jackets, am I right? Trouble is, my last boyfriend was a teensy bit too bad and now he’s in prison. Yikes. When my friends challenge me to take a dip in the good guy side of the dating pool, I see their dating bet and I raise it, looking up the guy I crushed on growing up.

With a winning grin and heart of gold, Gabe Clements is now the star receiver for a pro football team. Except, the supposed good guy turns out to be nothing like I imagined. He’s better. He’s growly, possessive, smoldering. And he’s determined too.

At the end of the night, he asks me to be his fake real girlfriend for the rest of the week. Sounds like my kind of dating challenge since he’s a good guy by day, and a very dirty man after dark. I’ll cure my bad boy blues in no time. Well, as long as I don’t fall for Gabe’s big heart too.

©2022 Lauren Blakely Books (P)2022 Lauren Blakely Books

BDSM and role playing, hell yes!

Having grown up in the same town and social circles, Gabe and Ellie have known each other for years. When they happen to be in the same place due to their professions; his a pro football player, and hers actress turned screenwriter, they meet up for a drink to catch up. Turns out, there's an immediate, very strong attraction between them. With Gabe having recently broke up w/his girlfriend due to let's say "compatibility," Gabe's feeling a little off. With their obvious attraction, and neither is looking for long term, what's the harm in a little right now? With Ellie having no luck with her usual type--the bad boy--she decides to give Gabe a shot. Being the total opposite of what Ellie normally falls for, Gabe would be a great challenge. Turns out, Gabe may not be quite the good guy she thinks he is.

I loved this story. Old acquaintances seeing one another after years, only to have sizzling chemistry that can't be denied. Add to that a little BDSM, and I'm in erotica heaven!

Stella Hunter and Jason Clarke are perfectly wonderful in their narration. Their amazing talents complement one another, and I honestly couldn't think of a better duo for this story. Lauren definitely knows how to select her narrators.

Be sure to stick around for the bonus audio Lauren has included. I was on a plane when I heard it, and let's just say some of the passengers were aware of my surprise.

Outstanding!!

Is it a secret that I love Lauren Blakely? No, no it isn't. But it's books like this that keep me coming back for more! The Good Guy Challenge is sexy, steamy, fun with just the right balance of sweet. I was hooked from the first line and could not put this down. I also listened to this book twice in a row-it's just that amazing.

I love Gabe. I have claimed Gabe numerous times and will continue to shout it from the rooftops that he's mine. He is sexy, smart, funny-did I mention sexy? He is an ideal book boyfriend for sure. I loved getting to know him and get inside his head. I fell for him hard and fast, just like Ellie.

Ellie was so much fun. Seriously. I loved her sassy self. I felt like this was someone I would want to be friends with in real life for sure, and honestly? Throughout the book I did feel connected to her.

You will need something to cool you down with this book because Gabe and Ellie have chemistry that just goes up in flames from the very start. I LOVED how open they were with each other, how much they trusted each other. Seriously, their sexy times were SCORCHING to say the least. Their connection obviously extended past the bedroom and I enjoyed seeing them try to balance their feelings for each other with everything else going on for them.

I'm a self proclaimed Lauren Blakely nerd, and I'm totally ok with that. I love all the little Easter eggs throughout this book; they always give me such a little smile. That being said, this book IS a standalone. I felt totally immersed in this book and sighed when it was over because I wasn't ready to leave this little universe.

I have to mention the narration here. Holy wow Stella Hunter and Jason Clarke just nailed it. Their performance portrayed Gabe and Ellie perfectly-sexy, smart and fun. I'm always amazed at how narrators make each book sound different, but they do. I encourage everyone to listen to this book as well as eyeball read it-you won't regret it!

This book would get more than five stars from me if I could. It completely pulled me in and kept me engaged the entire time. I read it in one sitting because I just couldn't resist. Friends, grab a fan, a cold drink and get ready for this smoking hot book!!

HOT!

The Good Guy Challenge (The Dating Games - Book 2)
MC's: Gabe, NFL Player; Ellie, actress turned screenwriter
age gap, fake (but real) dating, role playing, HOT, HOT, HOT
Audiobook narrated by: Stella Hunter & Jason Clarke

OMG! This book was so naughty and HOT. Gabe & Ellie both appear to have bad luck in the romance department. After his most recent break-up Gabe is determined to focus all of his attention on his last year as a player in the NFL. Ellie is known for dating bad boys, including an ex-boyfriend currently in prison for con but as she is in the process of a career change, she has vowed to stay away from the bad boys and find a good guy to date - hence The Good Guy Challenge. Ellie's new job brought her to California, where she sees her teenage and now adult longtime crush, Gabe, the ultimate Good Guy.

Ellie & Gabe aren't strangers. They grew up living in the same neighborhood. Their families are friends. After a few flirtatious DM exchanges, these two agree to meet up and MAN OH MAN, things sure take an unexpected and really steamy turn. Lauren Blakely sure kicked up the heat with this one. The flirtatious banter between these two went from 0-100 really fast. I loved them together. I loved how open they were when it came to talking about their fantasies and exploring their desires.
Another thing that I really loved about this book is how unapologetic Ellie and Gabe were about their relationship. From the beginning, it was about them and not about what others would think about them being together. They were not trying to hide their relationship or feel guilty about it.

I both read and listened to the audiobook. Let me tell you that Stella Hunter and Jason Clarke really turned up the heat on those role playing scenes. This was more than a feel good story, it was about exploring your desires, about communication and honesty. It was a great romance, with a lot of steamy role-playing, strong characters, and a fantastic group of friends.

5 STARS! Sweet, romantic & seriously sexy fake date sports romance!

The Good Guy Challenge was a Blakely style mash-up of her wonderful contemporary romances and her white hot After Dark series. A fake-dating, MF sports romance, Blakely brought together a couple with a bit of history and an age gap in this sweet and surprisingly spicy story. I listened to the audiobook, and I was positively captivated by Stella Hunter and Jason Clarke’s performances.

Gabe and Ellie have known each for years. Their families were friends and neighbors, Gabe was her childhood babysitter, and unbeknownst to him, he later was teenage Ellie’s secret crush. Fast forward a decade and some change, and Gabe is entering his final year in the NFL, and actress/screenwriter Ellie has just relocated back to California after a horrific breakup to focus on her new project. Her friends have challenged her to date a good guy, and as it turns out, Gabe just happens to be one.

Blakely penned an absolutely addictive story here that was meant to get lost in. Gabe and Ellie’s connection was sincere and authentic, their attraction to each other was electric, and their banter was sassy and witty. While they meshed well everywhere, Gabe and Ellie were especially in sync in the bedroom where their sexy, spontaneous sides really came out to play. Full of heart-revving heat and feel-good emotions, The Good Guy Challenge was full of absolutely everything I love about a Blakely novel. Five smooches from me for The Good Guy Challenge by Lauren Blakely!
~Danielle Palumbo, Red Cheeks Reads

Fun & Flirty Age Gap Romance!

This age gap romance was filled with so much flirty, dirty fun! Ellie and Gabe come from the same small town. Gabe was the neighborhood boy the neighbors could always count on, including babysitting for Ellie at times. He was her young teen crush and the star of her night time fantasies. When she was in college, Gabe started seeing her as something much more grown up and sexy. Now they are both living and working in LA when they find each other again. Ellie has always been attracted to bad boys which led to a string of bad luck. She has been challenged to give good guys a try. Gabe is sweet and charming, with a heart of gold, but is deliciously dominant behind closed doors. When they meet up for drinks, they see the sweet people they show to the world, and don't think they are the right fit. But when a sweet goodnight kiss reveals the dirty desires they both want, they can't be happier. Because their demanding careers are about to kick into high gear soon, they agree to a week of fake/real dating, where they show the world their sweet side but enjoy each others darker passions. But what happens when they both fall for not only the adventurous side but the sweet side as well? When they agreed on an end date and need to focus on work? Can they really have it all when they weren't even looking for it? Ellie and Gabe were so perfect together. From their shared love of family and friends to their fun and adventurous role play, their chemistry was explosive! I loved Ellie's new show and her dating challenge ideas, and Gabe was so swoony, and romantic in the way he pursues, and goes all alpha with Ellie. I also really enjoyed all their quirky friends and family who added so much fun and heart to this story.
Stella Hunter and Jason Clarke helped to make this story even more sweet and sizzling with their flawless performance. Their chemistry as Ellie and Gabe is off the charts as they deliver all the witty banter, thrills, and passion so exquisitely. They made me fall even harder for Ellie and Gabe and cheer for their HEA.
This story was fun and flirty, and super hot and sexy, with seriously humorous banter that are all my favorite things to read!

It’s so good!!!

Looking for a spicy, age-gap story? I have the perfect listen for you! Lauren Blakely's second book of The Girlfriend Playbook series is just what you need! Meet Ellie,a Webflix show writer, she always falls for the bad boy. Taking a challenge from her friend, she is going to pursue a good guy to see if that works out better for her. Gabe is a football player, Ellie's babysitter from years ago and is getting ready for training camp. He is the perfect good guy, right? Over the next week, the two make a plan and when they go to her Aunt's party, their fling will be over. Could it be that easy? Ellie is a go-getter, and I love her. She finds out just what her life is missing with Gabe. Gabe is sweet on the outside and spicy on the inside! This couple is perfect together! And their story is fun! Give this a one click and get it in your ears!

And it true Blakely style, she matches the characters to the perfect voices. Stella Hunter and Jason Clarke give us an amazing performance. Hunter is so good at strong heroines! She knows how to pull out the power in her characters, and she can easily add the softness. Clarke is Gabe, swoony athlete, sensual lover. This combination will keep your ears happy!

Another Banging Hit!

Another Banging Hit! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read

Gabe and Ellie are electric! This tale of two people that finally find their match is spectacular! Loved this story as much as the first in the series! More Please!

5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hot sweet sexy

Gabe & Ellie have such amazing chemistry, if you love some roll play ✅ sweet romance yup great friendship also check . This was a fun fast hot romance, the narrator’s did amazing!

❤️ CHOCK FULL OF HEAT, HEART & HAPPY FEELS ❤️

This sweet and very sexy listen has all the warmth, friendship and charm we love and expect from this talented author.. and Gabe and Ellie’s chemistry, attraction, heated desires, passion, role play, flirty and fun love story was brought to life by two of Audible’s best. Stella and Jason’s five star narration made the heat, romance and characters come to life in a wonderfully delicious way and added the magic that compels you to keep listening until you’ve very quickly reached the Epilogue.

Worth a credit? Yes, it’s very enjoyable.. and thank you too Jason for the Bonus Irish scene 😉 🥰.

Loved every filthy dirty moment of awesomeness!!!

Lauren Blakely went to a whole new level of awesome with The Good Guy Challenge. I woke my husband in the middle of the night with a squeal and clap at chapter 9. Holy naughty spankings, Batman!!!! This pulls together so many tropes - family friends to lovers, age gap, forbidden, fling agreement, super busy with “no time for love” and some super surprising similar tastes that had me grinning and swooning from beginning to end. I have so much love for this one it is already a repeat listen and will stay on my list of favorites. I loved how their desires just meld together and they were so happy to find that part of each other! It bleeds through in the performances…especially in the NOT-TO-BE-MISSED BONUS!! As usual, all of the side characters are intriguing and contribute to the story. I love all of the spin-offs and cameos, and even the familiar places like Gin Joint lend to the story. This is a naughty escape, and Myrtle is the gift that keeps on giving. She is perfectly placed and I loved her sex-positive badassery!

Jason and Stella are amazing together and I’m so happy to see them in Lauren’s world bringing us all of this kinky awesomeness! It’s no secret that they are both favorite narrators, and together they are magic, but now to have them in Lauren Blakely’s world it’s just a beautiful mix of perfection. Absolutely loved every filthy dirty moment of awesomeness!!!

Super sexy feel good romance

Ooh. I love the little twist in this story. A bad girl who wants to try out a good guy, and a good guy who’s actually a bad boy. When Ellie decides she needs a good guy, who better to proposition than her childhood babysitter, neighbour and family friend, all round good guy and pro footballer, Gabe Clemente. What she doesn’t know is Gabe has secret desires. Desires that will not in any way make Eliie blush. What a wonderful, feel good friends to lovers (with a little fake dating on the side), romance. Some super sexy moments (no holds barred), with wonderful characters, each and every single one of them. The audiobook is narrated by one of my favourites, Jason Clarke, he can sweep me up into any story, add in his perfect partner Stella Hunter, and I was in audiobook heaven. I could listen to these two all day.