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hjb_128's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical content, and Pandemic/Epidemic
newdaydawning's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
The fake dating trope never gets old to me, but when you add sports and friends-to-lovers in the mix? It’s a combination that had me unable to stop turning the pages as quickly as I could. The spicy scenes in this book were so well-written - I could feel the emotions they were trying so hard to keep under wraps every time. And the ending? I couldn’t have thought of anything better. I absolutely love these characters. I’m off to read more in the series now!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
ambercunningham's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Medical content, and Alcohol
katchupp25's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I’m not convinced this author knows anything about football, which makes most of the plot implausible. Also, the dialogue is a bit of a stretch and cringey. Some scenes were great. Overall would not recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
theamyleblanc's review against another edition
2.0
I read a little snippet of this story on Instagram and Shawn seemed so swoon-worthy so I picked it up.
My mistake.
I've been on a football romance kick and this one seemed interesting because it featured a player-turned-coach. As a rabid NFL fan, I have a soft spot for that particular storyline so I was excited to see it play out in fiction.
Unfortunately, this fell short of the myriad of marks it tried to hit. Shawn felt too idealized and therefore was a bit unbelievable. He didn't seem real. Lacey was better but they both needed a bit more depth, more of an exploration of their flaws and what makes them tick.
The dialogue was hit or miss. In some places, it was very cringey but it worked in others. On the whole, it felt monologue-y and cumbersome. Because of that, I didn't really enjoy the obvious trajectory of their arcs.
Personal note that <u>did not</u> affect my star rating: I'm the absolute worst audience for the kinks in this book. Excessive dirty talk and a praise kink are not for me. It was so unexpected that I almost stopped reading around the 40% mark. I'm a champion of healthy intimacy and whatever that looks like for the people involved but I don't think this was handled well. It came out of nowhere! Shawn had no idea if Lacey would be into that; he just went for it. It felt like something that needed a brief discussion first.
I don't see myself recommending this book.
My mistake.
I've been on a football romance kick and this one seemed interesting because it featured a player-turned-coach. As a rabid NFL fan, I have a soft spot for that particular storyline so I was excited to see it play out in fiction.
Unfortunately, this fell short of the myriad of marks it tried to hit. Shawn felt too idealized and therefore was a bit unbelievable. He didn't seem real. Lacey was better but they both needed a bit more depth, more of an exploration of their flaws and what makes them tick.
The dialogue was hit or miss. In some places, it was very cringey but it worked in others. On the whole, it felt monologue-y and cumbersome. Because of that, I didn't really enjoy the obvious trajectory of their arcs.
Personal note that <u>did not</u> affect my star rating: I'm the absolute worst audience for the kinks in this book. Excessive dirty talk and a praise kink are not for me. It was so unexpected that I almost stopped reading around the 40% mark. I'm a champion of healthy intimacy and whatever that looks like for the people involved but I don't think this was handled well. It came out of nowhere! Shawn had no idea if Lacey would be into that; he just went for it. It felt like something that needed a brief discussion first.
I don't see myself recommending this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
_thebookishintrovert_'s review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I legit devoured this!! I am so glad I found this book on KU because it was such a fun read! I love me a fake dating trope and factor in the fact that they’re friends and it’s sprinkled with plenty of banter? Count me in! If you’re looking for a fun, spicy romance definitely check this out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
lreadss's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
alissamargaret's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
daisycantread24's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
sami_leigh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
It might be below freezing outside, but her laugh is warm. Inviting. Sunshine in human form, and one of my favorite noises.
“Doesn’t matter. Fake. Real. I don’t give a shit. I take care of what’s mine, and right now, you are mine.”
“You’re the only person I want to be myself around.”
“You feel more like home to me every day.”
I’m still not used to being cared for, but I’m learning.
📸 First person dual POV
📸 Second in a series that can be read as stand alone
📸 Fake dating
📸 CHRISTMAS!
📸 Friends to lovers; they are each other’s safe space
📸 Kiss cam
📸 Doctor / NFL Coach
📸 Sunshine x Sunshine
📸 “Just once to get it out of our systems” 😏
📸 Nicknames! 😍
📸 Protective MMC
📸 Well established secondary characters: Aiden & Maggie (Book 1), Dallas (Book 3), Maven.
📸 MCs both want someone to love them for them
📸 Spicey 🥵
📸 MC growth: Risking a relationship, trust, communication, self worth.
📸 Sex positivity & consent culture 🙌🏻
📸 Epilogue
Available in paperback and ebook. KU.
⚠️ Panic attacks/disorder (on page).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders