cnapierkowski's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first Maggie Radon, but will def not be my last! Can't wait to read Joss/Colton!
romance_book_obsessed's review against another edition
4.0
Everyone recommended this one to me since it’s fake dating and a sports romance!
Alexander is the hot pro footballer who typically doesn’t do more than one night. He runs into the one that got away at a party and finds out she’s divorced! Harper is freshly divorced from Alex’s manager. She actually met Alex first but he told her they could only be together for a night. She passed then and met her now ex husband and his best friend. Now, Alex and Harper need to fake date because Alex punched a teammate at that party because he was coming on to harper.
I normally like the characters to admit true feelings a bit early, so this one felt a little slow. The spice was great! The ex husband was a negative for me. The crazy af third act conflict didn’t seem necessary. The OW drama was too much, after the jealousy scene it should’ve ended. But we had text messages and a visit to the house.
So, overall I enjoyed this story! But just not a 5 star for me
Alexander is the hot pro footballer who typically doesn’t do more than one night. He runs into the one that got away at a party and finds out she’s divorced! Harper is freshly divorced from Alex’s manager. She actually met Alex first but he told her they could only be together for a night. She passed then and met her now ex husband and his best friend. Now, Alex and Harper need to fake date because Alex punched a teammate at that party because he was coming on to harper.
I normally like the characters to admit true feelings a bit early, so this one felt a little slow. The spice was great! The ex husband was a negative for me. The crazy af third act conflict didn’t seem necessary. The OW drama was too much, after the jealousy scene it should’ve ended. But we had text messages and a visit to the house.
So, overall I enjoyed this story! But just not a 5 star for me
cjcharding's review against another edition
Started skimming at 30% - overuse of pronouns in place of characters’ names. There was an entire chapter of two characters talking about the FMC and they never used her name once - just she/her. Read until the spice and it was good, but very formulaic.
stucknbooks14's review against another edition
5.0
(I received an ARC for this book)
Trigger Warnings include:
cheating (not between MCs), emotional abuse from ex-spouse, unwanted sexual advances, alcohol abuse, discussions of depression, physical violence (not between MCs), voyeurism, exhibitionism
There is a prequel to this, and while it’s not necessary to read, I do recommend it.
(I’ve included my review of that at the bottom)
The most important thing to know about this book: I am head over heels in LOVE with Harper and Alexander. I loved their undeniable connection. Their banter. And I loved that they finally got their moment. Xander’s done his damn best to control himself all these years. Having to watch Harper love someone else. But when she’s divorced, and then gets cornered by a teammate, Xander no longer keeps that control. Which puts them in a tight spot. They’ll need to fake a relationship to please the media. From day one, there’s no faking. The friendship starts as a white flag, to make things easier. But then it becomes so much more! They love spending time together. Love being in each other’s space, and he especially loves having her in his arms. All those years he spent watching her happy marriage, it caused a riff between them. So now it’s time for them to rebuild and start over. And it’s PERFECT! He lays it all out on the table without hesitation, and she does the same. So if you’ve concerned about miscommunication, you have nothing to worry about! But oh boy…what does happen? I think that third act non-breakup hurt worse than a breakup! Something else I loved? Their amazing support system within their friend group! I loved when they were involved, and I can’t wait for more time with them!
saint: 124
good girl: 8
My Favorite Quotes:
• “I had you first.”
• “You’ve got to know how good it would feel to be riding his best friend’s c!ck.”
• “I swear I’ll fuck you right. Any f!cking way you want. You just say the words.”
• “You can start by whispering my name like that and we can see how long it takes to make you scream it.”
• “Oh f!ck me, you’re such a good f!cking girl. I knew you would be.”
• “Make me work for it. It’ll make you taste that much sweeter when you finally let me have it.”
• “You’re so f!cking beautiful, coming for me like this.”
• “You want more? Take it. Use me how you need me then.”
• “You think you can take me like a good girl?”
• “I’m not pretending with you anymore. I want you, nothing fake anymore. I want you to be mine.”
• “You better come for me. Because that’s the only way you’re getting out of this room.”
• “I’ve definitely loved you since you told me I was yours.”
• “I want the people on the street to hear how good it is.”
9/10 Dirty Birdy
8/10 Fake Relationship
8/10 Friends to Lovers
6/10 Sports Romance
8/10 Series
my review for the prequel, Defensive End
While her friends bring her out of her shell, Harper is an introvert and avoids small talk at all costs. But being around a football teammate makes that nearly impossible. Especially when she falls into his lap. Though “falls” isn’t exactly what happens. By the end of the night, there’s no denying their connection. It’s comfortable, it’s natural. Harper is the settling down type. She needs and wants more. But she knows Xander’s reputation, and knows he’s the “good time” type. Xander knows he doesn’t deserve her, and respects that. This definitely had “it would be you” vibes! And I loved that!
My Favorite Quotes:
• “I don’t want to be your friend tonight.”
• “You taste like heaven. I think you are a fucking saint.”
• “You can be my own personal saint. I’ll worship you however you want.”
• “I’ll venerate every inch of you. Do penance with my tongue. You have to try something before you swear off it.”
This is my review for Overtime
Trigger Warnings include:
cheating (not between MCs), emotional abuse from ex-spouse, unwanted sexual advances, alcohol abuse, discussions of depression, physical violence (not between MCs), voyeurism, exhibitionism
There is a prequel to this, and while it’s not necessary to read, I do recommend it.
(I’ve included my review of that at the bottom)
The most important thing to know about this book: I am head over heels in LOVE with Harper and Alexander. I loved their undeniable connection. Their banter. And I loved that they finally got their moment. Xander’s done his damn best to control himself all these years. Having to watch Harper love someone else. But when she’s divorced, and then gets cornered by a teammate, Xander no longer keeps that control. Which puts them in a tight spot. They’ll need to fake a relationship to please the media. From day one, there’s no faking. The friendship starts as a white flag, to make things easier. But then it becomes so much more! They love spending time together. Love being in each other’s space, and he especially loves having her in his arms. All those years he spent watching her happy marriage, it caused a riff between them. So now it’s time for them to rebuild and start over. And it’s PERFECT! He lays it all out on the table without hesitation, and she does the same. So if you’ve concerned about miscommunication, you have nothing to worry about! But oh boy…what does happen? I think that third act non-breakup hurt worse than a breakup! Something else I loved? Their amazing support system within their friend group! I loved when they were involved, and I can’t wait for more time with them!
saint: 124
good girl: 8
My Favorite Quotes:
• “I had you first.”
• “You’ve got to know how good it would feel to be riding his best friend’s c!ck.”
• “I swear I’ll fuck you right. Any f!cking way you want. You just say the words.”
• “You can start by whispering my name like that and we can see how long it takes to make you scream it.”
• “Oh f!ck me, you’re such a good f!cking girl. I knew you would be.”
• “Make me work for it. It’ll make you taste that much sweeter when you finally let me have it.”
• “You’re so f!cking beautiful, coming for me like this.”
• “You want more? Take it. Use me how you need me then.”
• “You think you can take me like a good girl?”
• “I’m not pretending with you anymore. I want you, nothing fake anymore. I want you to be mine.”
• “You better come for me. Because that’s the only way you’re getting out of this room.”
• “I’ve definitely loved you since you told me I was yours.”
• “I want the people on the street to hear how good it is.”
9/10 Dirty Birdy
8/10 Fake Relationship
8/10 Friends to Lovers
6/10 Sports Romance
8/10 Series
my review for the prequel, Defensive End
While her friends bring her out of her shell, Harper is an introvert and avoids small talk at all costs. But being around a football teammate makes that nearly impossible. Especially when she falls into his lap. Though “falls” isn’t exactly what happens. By the end of the night, there’s no denying their connection. It’s comfortable, it’s natural. Harper is the settling down type. She needs and wants more. But she knows Xander’s reputation, and knows he’s the “good time” type. Xander knows he doesn’t deserve her, and respects that. This definitely had “it would be you” vibes! And I loved that!
My Favorite Quotes:
• “I don’t want to be your friend tonight.”
• “You taste like heaven. I think you are a fucking saint.”
• “You can be my own personal saint. I’ll worship you however you want.”
• “I’ll venerate every inch of you. Do penance with my tongue. You have to try something before you swear off it.”
This is my review for Overtime
tristavictoria's review against another edition
I got bored and just lost interest.
adagetsliterary's review against another edition
4.0
Well, the pro-sport romance era continues. “Pick Six” was a steamy, angsty, super well-done football romance from Maggie Rawdon.
Alexander (aka Xander aka XXL) Xavier has a bad boy rep. Harper is a recently-divorced museum curator. Years ago, Xander and Harper developed a connection during a night together but didn’t pursue it because they wanted different things. Now, Harper’s marriage to Drew (by coincidence, Xander’s best friend and agent) is over and the she reconnects with Xander at an event one night. They find themselves in a predicament where they have to fake date to save both their reps.
This book was angsty and super steamy. Xander is a typical Maggie man - protective with a fabulously dirty mouth. Harper was also a great FMC - strong, self-determined, and didn’t take crap from people. Plus there was A+ communication in this! AND there’s more to come from the Seattle Phantom NFL team (book 2 is out in July)!
Alexander (aka Xander aka XXL) Xavier has a bad boy rep. Harper is a recently-divorced museum curator. Years ago, Xander and Harper developed a connection during a night together but didn’t pursue it because they wanted different things. Now, Harper’s marriage to Drew (by coincidence, Xander’s best friend and agent) is over and the she reconnects with Xander at an event one night. They find themselves in a predicament where they have to fake date to save both their reps.
This book was angsty and super steamy. Xander is a typical Maggie man - protective with a fabulously dirty mouth. Harper was also a great FMC - strong, self-determined, and didn’t take crap from people. Plus there was A+ communication in this! AND there’s more to come from the Seattle Phantom NFL team (book 2 is out in July)!
artbookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This one shocked me by how good it was! I loved the new take on second chance romance with a twist! And the spice? Whew
This one shocked me by how good it was! I loved the new take on second chance romance with a twist! And the spice? Whew
calleighstone's review against another edition
5.0
Alex and Harper are….i don’t have words. The character building and storyline of their love was just too much to handle honestly. I was wrecked after this book and had to go over to the other football series because my heart needed some time…read this book. I promise it will break and mend your heart in under 400 pages.
laurendagley's review against another edition
This wasn’t my favorite of Maggie Rawdon’s books - while I liked the premise & the characters just fine, the story didn’t flow for me. It felt like most of the chapters ended abruptly which made it awkward.