Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts

2.11.2026

Review: Forbidden Play by Kristin Lee

Title
: Forbidden Play

Author: Kristin Lee
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
USA Today Bestselling Author brings you her signature steamy emotional romance.

He teaches her about desire. She teaches him hope. But forever can’t be the game plan.

Blurb:

NOELLE —
Rule #1: Don’t fall for your brother’s best friend.
Rule #2: Definitely don’t fake date him.
Rule #3: Absolutely don’t let him teach you how to be intimate when you barely know what you like.

Yeah... I’ve broken every rule.

Matt Stricker kisses like the kiss is the entire story.
He listens. He pays attention.
And oh, those smoldering eyes set my insides on fire.

And there’s one more rule I screwed up:
Rule #4: Don’t get pregnant.
Too late.

I’m having my ex’s baby.
Part of me wants to keep my secret tucked under the sheets
and let him keep teaching me what it feels like to be wanted—really wanted.

Once he knows for sure, will he keep pretending or walk away?

MATT —
Noelle O’Ryan is the one line I swore I’d never cross.
My best friend’s little sister and way too young for an old ball coach like me.

My life is about discipline.
Determination.
Commitment.
Loyalty.

All of which I’ve thrown out the window.

But she keeps asking me to teach her what she’s never learned.

And I want to teach her everything.
Give her everything.
Every night.

But she doesn’t know the battles I face every day.
The warning signs I ignore.

I want to be the man she and that baby can count on.
But I can’t be that man when I don’t have enough tomorrows to give her the life she deserves, which is exactly why I never have more than one date.

Noelle needs more than I can offer long term.
Are we one 
forbidden play away from losing it all?

Age Gap
Brother's Best Friend
Fake Dating
"Teach me"
Not His Baby


Review:

The O'Ryan swagger has hooked me again, y'all. And the fact that it's an age gap book with a 14 year age gap hooked me all over again. (What can I say, I like older guys!)

Noelle and Matt's story is five alarm hot, and there's one character in here that I just wanted to slap the sweet bejezus out of. Ms. Lee, you've done it again. You've captured my heart, mind, body and soul with this book!

Character development top notch! You could almost pluck the characters right off the page and hang out with them (or slap them as the case may be). I can't wait until the next book comes out because I'm right there with you Kristin. Bring it on!

I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to read this book. What an honor. Insta buy for me for sure.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

5.25.2025

Audiobook Review: One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller

Title
: One of the Boys

Author: Victoria Zeller
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
Grace Woodhouse has left a lot behind. She used to have a great friend group, an amazing girlfriend, and a right foot set to earn her a Division I football scholarship—before she came out as trans. As senior year begins, Grace is struggling to find her place in early transition, new social circles, and a life without football. But when her skills as the best kicker in the state prove to be vital, her old teammates beg her to come out of retirement, dragging her back into a sport—into a way of life—she thought had turned its back on her forever. When a chance meeting cracks the door to college football back open, she has to decide how much of herself she's willing to give up for the game she loves.

Review:

Grace was not always Grace, to the outside world. But inside she always was. When she transistioned she decided that she was going to leave all the "boy" things behind and focus on who she is on the inside. But what she failed to realize is that she was a football player down to her very soul.

One of the Boys has got to be one of the most moving YA books I've read this year. Ms. Zeller brought to life the struggles that a young trans woman would need to deal with if she were a football player in today's world. The struggles that Grace goes through are real, raw, and well brought to page.

Jen Richards did an exceptional job reading this book and putting feeling behind the amazing words that Ms. Zeller put to page.

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

3.03.2025

Review: Fumbling in the Dark by Nichole Ruschelle

Fumbling in the Dark: Vegas After DarkFumbling in the Dark: Vegas After Dark by Nichole Ruschelle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wasn't 100% into this book, hence the 4 stars. There's something about the reverse grumpy/sunshine vibe that I think threw me a little here, but I didn't hate it.

Janae would rather read than going out on a blind date on Valentine's Day (who wouldn't), but her friend Sam talks her into going out with a friend of the man she's "dating" she reluctantly gives in.

Shane hates people who are late. It's a pet peeve of his. So when Janae shows up late, he knows that this blind date isn't going to work. At least until he sees her. It's love at first sight, and boy does he fall first, and fast.

This novella picks up pace with some great spicy scenes, and good character development. I look forward to seeing where Ms. Ruschelle goes from here.

I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

View all my reviews