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marreadsbook19's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
*girly squeal* I FREAKING LOVED IT!!! This was such an adorable book to read. Both MCs are so likable. Eilish grew so much throught the book... from spoiled bitchy brat to a grown independent woman... love it! And Bryan transformed from a drunken a**hat to grown-ass man thats also such a teddy bear!
and yes this book has potholes like what happens with Bryan' S mom and Eilish fake-ass friend Josie or whatever her name was but still, this was funny and sweet and just lovely book to read.
100% recommended ♡♡♡♡
*girly squeal* I FREAKING LOVED IT!!! This was such an adorable book to read. Both MCs are so likable. Eilish grew so much throught the book... from spoiled bitchy brat to a grown independent woman... love it! And Bryan transformed from a drunken a**hat to grown-ass man thats also such a teddy bear!
and yes this book has potholes like what happens with Bryan' S mom and Eilish fake-ass friend Josie or whatever her name was but still, this was funny and sweet and just lovely book to read.
100% recommended ♡♡♡♡
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books
This is the first book I've read in the Rugby series. I wasn't sure what to expect but I was delighted with Eilish and Bryan's story.
We discover, very early on, why Bryan Leech is a cad. He broke Eilish's young girl crush and seriously made me wonder how he could possibly redeem himself. Fast forward five years and we discover a completely different Bryan Leech. One you couldn't help but root for as he went after his girl.
After their night together, Eilish would have liked nothing better than to forget it happened and move on. But she couldn't. She had a constant reminder of Bryan. You could understand why she was hesitant when she started her new job with the rugby team and knew she's be seeing Bryan every day. But when she found out how different this Bryan was from the one she was with five years before, you wanted her to fall for him. Forgive his past and love him now and in the future.
Bryan was a hot mess up until a few years ago. Since hitting rock bottom, he's dug his way out and become a better man. When he "meets" Eilish, he's instantly drawn to her although he doesn't know why. As he plays by her rules, it's hard to deny their attraction to one another and the developing friendship between them. As that grows it's hard to imagine Eilish would ever say no to Bryan or what they could build together. Eilish is a tough one though. She's been hurt and she's protective (as she should be) when it come to her heart and Bryan. But there isn't a single moment in this romance where I thought they would come out the other side in a place other than them being together. They simply worked...quirks and all.
If you, like I, haven't read the previous two book in the series...have no worries. The authors did a fabulous job of giving enough detail that we could move along with the story without knowing much about the other characters. This is definitely a series I'll be going back to the beginning with (I NEED to know Sean's story).
This is the first book I've read in the Rugby series. I wasn't sure what to expect but I was delighted with Eilish and Bryan's story.
We discover, very early on, why Bryan Leech is a cad. He broke Eilish's young girl crush and seriously made me wonder how he could possibly redeem himself. Fast forward five years and we discover a completely different Bryan Leech. One you couldn't help but root for as he went after his girl.
After their night together, Eilish would have liked nothing better than to forget it happened and move on. But she couldn't. She had a constant reminder of Bryan. You could understand why she was hesitant when she started her new job with the rugby team and knew she's be seeing Bryan every day. But when she found out how different this Bryan was from the one she was with five years before, you wanted her to fall for him. Forgive his past and love him now and in the future.
Bryan was a hot mess up until a few years ago. Since hitting rock bottom, he's dug his way out and become a better man. When he "meets" Eilish, he's instantly drawn to her although he doesn't know why. As he plays by her rules, it's hard to deny their attraction to one another and the developing friendship between them. As that grows it's hard to imagine Eilish would ever say no to Bryan or what they could build together. Eilish is a tough one though. She's been hurt and she's protective (as she should be) when it come to her heart and Bryan. But there isn't a single moment in this romance where I thought they would come out the other side in a place other than them being together. They simply worked...quirks and all.
If you, like I, haven't read the previous two book in the series...have no worries. The authors did a fabulous job of giving enough detail that we could move along with the story without knowing much about the other characters. This is definitely a series I'll be going back to the beginning with (I NEED to know Sean's story).
ba_chayut's review against another edition
3.0
It wasn't a terrible read. I enjoyed a good part of it.
The heroine stutters. Now that didn't bother me- what bothered me was that when we first read her stuttering you think that it's because she's nervous or worried not that she has an actual speech impediment. This happens throughout the book and I dislike that we as readers didn't realize it was more than just her freaking out.
I liked that she hid the baby. I know some people wouldn't agree but in this case it was the right thing to do.
There was something missing. I hated how the main point of conflict happened. Did I understand the doubt that the hero had based on his past. I didn't like how he allowed himself to be pushed around. This whole thing just felt like there was something off. Each character was missing something but I couldn't put my finger on it.
Maybe it was the friend who didn't understand that life changes when you have a kid and constantly saying she wasn't fun in the heroines face. Maybe it was the manipulative mom? Maybe it was how the heroine handled her emotions? She kept everything bottled up. She always repeated how she didn't cry. She never really dealt with any emotions at all and it hindered her character development.
The heroine stutters. Now that didn't bother me- what bothered me was that when we first read her stuttering you think that it's because she's nervous or worried not that she has an actual speech impediment. This happens throughout the book and I dislike that we as readers didn't realize it was more than just her freaking out.
I liked that she hid the baby. I know some people wouldn't agree but in this case it was the right thing to do.
There was something missing. I hated how the main point of conflict happened. Did I understand the doubt that the hero had based on his past. I didn't like how he allowed himself to be pushed around. This whole thing just felt like there was something off. Each character was missing something but I couldn't put my finger on it.
Maybe it was the friend who didn't understand that life changes when you have a kid and constantly saying she wasn't fun in the heroines face. Maybe it was the manipulative mom? Maybe it was how the heroine handled her emotions? She kept everything bottled up. She always repeated how she didn't cry. She never really dealt with any emotions at all and it hindered her character development.
amykastigar's review against another edition
3.0
Disappointing. The majority of the book was decent, even entertaining. But Cosway and Reid are evidently determined to stick religiously to their formula. This is fine, until they can't quite finesse an element of that formula, and then it all falls apart. In this case, the big "breakup" that must come before the HEA gave them real difficulties. First, it was a blowup that could've been averted with a simple 2 minute conversation (a pet peeve of mine). But then they compound the sin by making said blowup the "fault" of an absent character, in this case the father of the hero who we had been told had no part in his life. So what? Suddenly the hero calls him up, relates the entire plot of the book, and uncharacteristically asks him to intervene, thus completely effing his burgeoning romance? Yeah, no. I'm not as familiar with Ms. Cosway, but this was certainly an ending unworthy of Penny Reid.
And as a side note, what, in the name of all that's holy, was with everyone throwing around mysterious facial expressions that were never explained (and never questioned) despite all the angst they caused???? At one point I was picturing an overdone silent movie, with all of it's forehead clutching, glowering looks, and nail biting.
And as a side note, what, in the name of all that's holy, was with everyone throwing around mysterious facial expressions that were never explained (and never questioned) despite all the angst they caused???? At one point I was picturing an overdone silent movie, with all of it's forehead clutching, glowering looks, and nail biting.
virgo_reader's review against another edition
2.0
I am not a fan of surprise pregnancy or secret baby, but I had to read this one, because the heroine is the cousin of the guy from book 2. I didn’t like that this book basically undid the epilogue from book 2 (Sean/Lucy are together but she’s still in New York without him… or is it implied the epilogue from book 2 takes place after book 3 even though book 3 is set 5 years later? I’m not sure) but oh well.
Basically: Eilish slept with Bryan, a guy on her cousin’s rugby team. He didn’t remember her the next day, he is an alcoholic, and she got pregnant and in trouble with her very rich and uppity family.
The story was fine. It was a redemption arc of sorts for Bryan, who is now two years sober and, after Eilish tells him about their son Patrick, wants to get to know him. But again it’s just not a story I would gravitate towards because it’s a lot of domesticity and unnecessary angst.
I wish we’d gotten a little more justice against Eilish’s annoying, meddling mother and her bad friend, but the story literally just ended.
Basically: Eilish slept with Bryan, a guy on her cousin’s rugby team. He didn’t remember her the next day, he is an alcoholic, and she got pregnant and in trouble with her very rich and uppity family.
The story was fine. It was a redemption arc of sorts for Bryan, who is now two years sober and, after Eilish tells him about their son Patrick, wants to get to know him. But again it’s just not a story I would gravitate towards because it’s a lot of domesticity and unnecessary angst.
I wish we’d gotten a little more justice against Eilish’s annoying, meddling mother and her bad friend, but the story literally just ended.
geo_ix's review against another edition
5.0
I fucking LOVED this book. In fact. I LOVE this series. It's everything I love in books. The angst is there but not overdone. There's a little cheese but in a good way. There's some steam and it's GREAT. And there's just a really good story with each one.
As revealed in the last book, this book is one of them 'secret baby' books which personally, I love. I was SO fucking against Bryan from like the first chapter of this book because DAMN was he just all kinds of wrong. But as it progresses, I completely understand everything that happens... although I'm now super pissed at Eilish's 'friend' because as a young mum, I know people EXACTLY like her. She's toxic without realising it, and has a lot of maturing to do. At first I wanted her to have a book, but now, I'm just like girl, support not tear down. Eilish CHOOSES to not go out. It's not because of the kid. Ugh.
Anyway, there's mostly drama with trust issues and parental issues as both have a douchebag parent. I'm glad his sobriety didn't become a main issue because it kills me seeing people fall off the wagon and it would have just made me super depressed.
Loved it, can't wait to find out more about William! ... and if it comes down to it... bloody Josey.
As revealed in the last book, this book is one of them 'secret baby' books which personally, I love. I was SO fucking against Bryan from like the first chapter of this book because DAMN was he just all kinds of wrong. But as it progresses, I completely understand everything that happens... although I'm now super pissed at Eilish's 'friend' because as a young mum, I know people EXACTLY like her. She's toxic without realising it, and has a lot of maturing to do. At first I wanted her to have a book, but now, I'm just like girl, support not tear down. Eilish CHOOSES to not go out. It's not because of the kid. Ugh.
Anyway, there's mostly drama with trust issues and parental issues as both have a douchebag parent. I'm glad his sobriety didn't become a main issue because it kills me seeing people fall off the wagon and it would have just made me super depressed.
Loved it, can't wait to find out more about William! ... and if it comes down to it... bloody Josey.
vsrkive's review
3.0
This book was fun.It was like coming back to a cast that was familiar (I was so very curious how Sean Cassidy was doing ).Half the time,I think I picked this up because of Sean.
Honestly that's what kept going me in the beginning.Because it sort of felt cliched at the start but it does pick up and I had a fun ride.I expected a little more because this was Bryan's story but in the end,felt that this didn't live up to my hype.
what_alice_saw's review
4.0
Audible Audiobook
I’m not usually a fan of a woman keeping a pregnancy secret from the father, but, I have to admit, I’m ok with it this time. Bryan was completely unsuitable &, if Eilish had been older & more astute, she would’ve realized he had been totally wasted.
Bryan, years later & now sober, he notices Eilish all over again.
I’m not usually a fan of a woman keeping a pregnancy secret from the father, but, I have to admit, I’m ok with it this time. Bryan was completely unsuitable &, if Eilish had been older & more astute, she would’ve realized he had been totally wasted.
Bryan, years later & now sober, he notices Eilish all over again.
fi_c's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
**Most of my reviews contain detailed Content Warning/Trigger Warning (CW/TW) sections, which may include spoilers. I have tried to mark them appropriately, but please use caution.**
Audio (George Allan and KC Sheridan)
3/5
Summary: Several years after a one night stand where the MMC was blacked out, the two MCs reconnect when she becomes a physical therapist to his rugby team - he is now sober and she is now raising their child.
Stats: CR/Sports, MF, open door, part of a series but stands alone.
Notes: Overall, this was okay. Very, very okay. I thought the writing style was fine, the narration was okay, but the characters didn’t really seem to have much chemistry or anything tying them together besides their child. I really didn’t think the messages at the beginning of each chapter added anything to the story and they’re particularly annoying in audio. Anyways, I have a lot of irritations with this one - Number 1: The rugby is the most lacy curtain-like of window dressing. Find and replace “scrum” a couple of times and it could be any other sport - or honestly, any other setting. Number 2: The backstory with the MMC’s parents makes no sense - divorce wasn’t legal in Ireland until 1995/6 - yet his parents divorced when he was a toddler sometime in the late 1980s? Is this a petty and pedantic complaint? Yes, but I hoped for better given that one part of the writing team is Irish. Number 3: What on earth visa did the FMC get to emigrate on a whim to America at 9 months pregnant and then stay in the country, go to university and work - while raising her child alone, and with no money or support? That’s patently not how immigration to America works (and it’s not how single parenting works for most people). Assuming she got her doctor to approve the flight, she’d have been laughed out of the line by the ticket agent. Assuming she got onto the flight, she’d have been laughed right back on a flight home by the immigration officer. Really now.
OTT and Spoilery Content Notes:
Alcohol, pregnancy, mmc was drunk to the point of not remembering when they had sex, addiction, mention of drug use, mmc in addiction recovery (AA), a bit of “crazy talk,” mentions of illness (pneumonia), drunk driving, and considerations of adoption, friend breakups and tension, family estrangement/tension, ill child (mild), chronic pain from sports injury, mentions of child abuse/foster care/parents with addiction (related to side character), cockroaches/insects, reference to a character as “metrosexual,” a good bit of shaming/making fun of a character with halitosis/poor hygiene, brief mentions of religion, mentions of underage drinking, parent with alcoholism, mention of abortion, dry-humping, divorced parents (due to infidelity), absent father/parental abandonment, disownment, a little general manhandling, a little blood/sports injuries/minor medical care, custody dispute (sort of), miscommunication trope, small age gap (F24/M30)
Audio (George Allan and KC Sheridan)
3/5
Summary: Several years after a one night stand where the MMC was blacked out, the two MCs reconnect when she becomes a physical therapist to his rugby team - he is now sober and she is now raising their child.
Stats: CR/Sports, MF, open door, part of a series but stands alone.
Notes: Overall, this was okay. Very, very okay. I thought the writing style was fine, the narration was okay, but the characters didn’t really seem to have much chemistry or anything tying them together besides their child. I really didn’t think the messages at the beginning of each chapter added anything to the story and they’re particularly annoying in audio. Anyways, I have a lot of irritations with this one - Number 1: The rugby is the most lacy curtain-like of window dressing. Find and replace “scrum” a couple of times and it could be any other sport - or honestly, any other setting. Number 2: The backstory with the MMC’s parents makes no sense - divorce wasn’t legal in Ireland until 1995/6 - yet his parents divorced when he was a toddler sometime in the late 1980s? Is this a petty and pedantic complaint? Yes, but I hoped for better given that one part of the writing team is Irish. Number 3: What on earth visa did the FMC get to emigrate on a whim to America at 9 months pregnant and then stay in the country, go to university and work - while raising her child alone, and with no money or support? That’s patently not how immigration to America works (and it’s not how single parenting works for most people). Assuming she got her doctor to approve the flight, she’d have been laughed out of the line by the ticket agent. Assuming she got onto the flight, she’d have been laughed right back on a flight home by the immigration officer. Really now.
OTT and Spoilery Content Notes: