The Friend Zone (End of the Line #1). By Sariah Wilson.

The Friend Zone (End of the Line #1). By Sariah Wilson. 2019. Montlake Romance. ASIN: B07L5M7DYY (Kindle).

An entertaining read it if you like the slow burn, college jock/tutor & forbidden relationship tropes.

299 pages

Playing for Pizza by John Grisham

 Playing for Pizza
by John Grisham
Pages: 262
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

In honor of football season, I decided to start my John Grisham marathon read with his two novels about football. This one has more about the game and how football is played. The reader follows Rick, an NFL quarterback whose career is on the skids. Rick's agent talks him into going to play for the professional teams in Italy for a year to let publicity about his mistakes calm down.

Once there, Rick meets a few other Americans including the coach, Sam. In Italy, the season is 8 games long plus playoffs and only the American players are paid. The Italians all play for the love of the game and in the case of Rick's team, the Parma Panthers, all the pizza and beer they want on game nights. The different culture and values gives Rick time to examine himself and why he plays football.

The Blackhawk Boys Series by Lexi Ryan

Spinning Out by Lexi Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was full of drama and mystery. It's sold as a sports story, but there is very little sport involved in this, which was fine by me.

I really enjoyed the side characters, who kept things interesting. There were just a few small things that didn't sit well with me, hence the 4 star rating, but I did read this straight through, until 3:30 AM on a work night, which means it's definitely attention-grabbing.

Book 299 read in 2018

Pages: 462

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Rushing In by Lexi Ryan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I liked this better than book one. It’s angsty, and it addresses outdated viewpoints on female sexuality. That pleases me.

Book 300 read in 2018

Pages: 376

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Going Under by Lexi Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So the series still has almost nothing at all, whatsoever, to do with football, besides that the men apparently play football (not that you ever really see that or hear about it).

That doesn't matter to me, but since this is sold as a sports romance in a football world, I figured I should throw that out there.

This one is dark and twisty, but it's also a bit convoluted and unbelievable at times. However, I still enjoyed Alex, even if some of her drama is too surface level.

Book 301 read in 2018

Pages: 274

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Falling Hard by Lexi Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a good change of pace. I enjoyed it as I read, but when I stepped back and really thought about it, there's a lot of stuff that happens that is just too easy or convenient, rather than being truly believable.

I still enjoyed the journey and unexpected trope (actress meets con artist), but again there are some surface level moments that could have been deeper or truer to character.

Book 302 read in 2018

Pages: 376

Sacked by Jen Frederick

Summary: "Knox Masters is a quarterback's worst nightmare. Warrior. Champion. Now, he's set his sight on two things: the national title... and Ellie Campbell. Sure, she's the sister of his fellow teammate, but that's not going to stop him. Especially not when he's convinced Ellie is the one. But Ellie isn't as sure. She's trying to start a new life. And it's not just her cardinal rule of never dating her brother's teammates that keeps her away-- Ellie has a dark secret that would jeopardize everything Knox is pursuing."

Well, it started off a little rough, but next thing I knew, I was half-way finished with the book! I enjoyed it, even though it became a little too unrealistic toward the end. Oh well! Knox was obnoxious at first, but he was actually a good guy throughout the book and had a refreshing mindset. 

385 pages

"The Game Changer" by Kay Simone

This is the second Kay Simone book that I have read, and although it felt very different from the first ("The Company We Keep," which was great), I really enjoyed it.  Malcolm Rodgers is a professional quarterback who's having a very bad week.  First, he's injured in a game that will require him to undergo weeks of intensive physical therapy causing him to miss at least six games in the season.  Second, his fiancee calls off their wedding and breaks up with him for reasons he can't quite comprehend.  Malcolm ends up spending most of his time with Vance Coberly, his team's head physical therapist, just trying to get his leg back in shape as fast as he can. Although different in the way they approach life, the two men become friends.  However, when the seemingly straight Malcolm kisses the out-and-proud Vance, the two will never be the same.

This novel was about a lot of things: self-discovery, family obligations, friendship, homophobia, professional football, and love.  The author takes time to flesh out the two main characters, why they are the way they are, their fears, and their faults, which doesn't always happen in character driven novels.  This was another winner from Simone that had me hooked from beginning to end.  403 pages (Kindle edition).

"Out in the Open" by A.J. Truman

Ethan Follett is a college sophomore who dreams of going to law school and someday being a Supreme Court judge.  When he enters his Constitutional Law class on the first day of the semester, the only open seat is next to Greg Sanderson, a lazy frat boy who is more interested in playing on his phone that taking notes and paying attention to the professor.  Ethan chastises him and so begins an almost friendship that turns into something more.

Greg was a jerk throughout most of this novel, and watching him treat Ethan as his "little secret" was annoying especially since Ethan was so earnest and endearing.  However, we finally get a few glimpses of Greg when he interacts with his father that make him more human.  The novel was wrapped up a little too quickly and neatly, but I did like the character of Ethan and how he became more comfortable with himself in the end.  281 pages (Kindle edition).

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Summary: "What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though. She leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starting position ...suddenly she's hoping he'll see her as more than just a teammate."

Catching Jordan is the first book in the Hundred Oaks series by Miranda Kenneally. I could not put it down! I finished it in less than a day because I couldn't get enough! I love football, and I loved this book. 

I don't know if this series would be everyone's cup of tea, but it was right up my alley for a fun, interesting and quick read. I wish Kenneally had dealt with some of the deeper issues in the book with more detail, as it was a bit superficial/stereotypical at times. 

283 pages

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a fun story about a female quarterback who has dreams of playing college ball. I enjoyed all the different relationships and dynamics. This was a refreshing change of pace.

Pages: 288

"Outing the Quarterback" by Tara Lain

Quarterback Will Ashford seems to have it all - a blue Lamborghini, rich parents, starting position on a well-known college football team, and captain of the cheerleader squad for a girlfriend.  The problem is that he hates it all and is afraid to be who he really is - a gay man who only wants to paint.  When he meets starving artist Noah Zajack, he realizes that he can no longer hide his true self if he ever wants to be happy.  (This is just a bare bones description since I don't want to give away any spoilers.)

I really liked this story, and the primary characters were fleshed out well.  There was plenty of angst, especially since not only is Will hiding his sexuality from most everyone but he also hides his desire to be an artist instead of following his father into business.  However, the angst wasn't overwhelming since Noah was fairly patient with Will and his fears.  This is the first book in the Long Pass Chronicles, and I hope to read more.  216 pages (Kindle edition).