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Out of Bounds #1
Game On
Can the Devil of the NFL keep his hands off his coach’s sister-in-law?
The only way to win is to score…
With a reputation for fast moves on the gridiron and even faster moves off the field, Shane Devlin is a player in every sense of the word. Unfortunately, his bad boy persona has made him a risky prospect as a quarterback—and only the Baltimore Blaze are willing to give him a chance. But he’s about to take a hit he never expected.
Working for the Blaze, Carly March knows too well how jocks think—and what they think with—so she’s always made a point of keeping ballplayers at arm’s length. But when she shares a kiss with the devilishly handsome Shane, she finds it hard to play by her own rules—and even harder to resist him. Can a football hero and a business-minded beauty try to take it all the way? Or will their mutual attraction cost them the big game?
Game On is the first book in the Out of Bounds series featuring the Baltimore Blaze professional football team. This novel features a sexy alpha hero, a forbidden romance, lots of sexy fun and a satisfying HEA without cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.
The only way to win is to score…
With a reputation for fast moves on the gridiron and even faster moves off the field, Shane Devlin is a player in every sense of the word. Unfortunately, his bad boy persona has made him a risky prospect as a quarterback—and only the Baltimore Blaze are willing to give him a chance. But he’s about to take a hit he never expected.
Working for the Blaze, Carly March knows too well how jocks think—and what they think with—so she’s always made a point of keeping ballplayers at arm’s length. But when she shares a kiss with the devilishly handsome Shane, she finds it hard to play by her own rules—and even harder to resist him. Can a football hero and a business-minded beauty try to take it all the way? Or will their mutual attraction cost them the big game?
Game On is the first book in the Out of Bounds series featuring the Baltimore Blaze professional football team. This novel features a sexy alpha hero, a forbidden romance, lots of sexy fun and a satisfying HEA without cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2013
About the author
Tracy Solheim
22 books1,102 followersTracy Solheim writes books with shirtless men on the cover. Some of them are actually best-sellers. The books, not the men. When she's not writing, she's practicing her curling. . . bottles of wine, that is. She's been known to cook dinner but no more than two nights in a row. Most days, she'd rather be reading, which to her is just necessary research. She lives in the suburbs of Atlanta with her husband and a neurotic Labrador retriever. Her two adult children visit but not often enough. (See the note above about cooking.) Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.tracysolheim.com/ to see what she’s up to. She'll send you a free cookbook from her Chances Inlet series as a thank you!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
March 5, 2022
Game On by Tracy Solheim
Out of Bounds book 1. Contemporary sports romance.
Shane has a reputation both on and off the football field. It’s part of Carly’s job to decide if he should be hired by he team she works with.
More angst than I expected from a sports romance. Shane has father issues. Perhaps deserved but it took him quite a bit of time to do the right thing when it was clear to the reader much earlier. And while Carly is an independent career woman, I would have preferred more emotional connections during the sizzling sex scenes. Troy is the character you will fall in love with. Too bad he’s not a little older. Maybe he’ll get his own book some day.
Out of Bounds book 1. Contemporary sports romance.
Shane has a reputation both on and off the football field. It’s part of Carly’s job to decide if he should be hired by he team she works with.
More angst than I expected from a sports romance. Shane has father issues. Perhaps deserved but it took him quite a bit of time to do the right thing when it was clear to the reader much earlier. And while Carly is an independent career woman, I would have preferred more emotional connections during the sizzling sex scenes. Troy is the character you will fall in love with. Too bad he’s not a little older. Maybe he’ll get his own book some day.
May 31, 2013
Okay, the good points first:
* This author can write. She tells a good story with plenty of detail--I like that.
*Her characters are well drawn. The heroine (Carly, assistant to the GM of the NFL Baltimore Blaze)) was pretty selfless and had a boatload of patience (in regards to the hero).
*Well plotted. A couple of twists and turns that I didn't expect.
*I love a good sports romance (although Jaci Burton is #1 in my book with her Play By Play series, this author shows some real promise).
*Nice and steamy love scenes. I should say sex scenes because that's what they were until almost the end of the book when the hero finally pulls his head out of his a**...
Shane...you're hot, but an ass for 3/4 of the book
The bad points?
*The hero--NFL 'bad boy' quarterback Shane Devlin. Sorry, but he was just a self-absorbed, stubborn s***head for most of the book. So many times I wanted to say "just get over yourself already and grow up!" I think holding a grudge (against his father) for 20 years is way too long, especially when you let it mess up your life and it stunts your maturity. Thank god the heroine stepped into his life (and saw something in him besides a handsome face and a smokin' body) or he would've turned into a bitter old man. I want to love the hero when I read a romance book, and although I can accept some asshat behavior, I don't like it to go on for the majority of the book. And what really ticked me off was his .
*One small detail that was in error. The author says that the hero grew up in western PA (which got me excited because that's where I'm from). But then she mentions that he grew up in West Chester, PA (which is just outside Philadelphia in eastern PA) Hmmm...now which is it?
So, despite my issues with the hero, I did enjoy the book. It was a quick read and well-written, and I did enjoy most of the characters. I'm willing to give this series another try, because I like this author's writing style and I can't resist a good sports romance. 4 stars
* This author can write. She tells a good story with plenty of detail--I like that.
*Her characters are well drawn. The heroine (Carly, assistant to the GM of the NFL Baltimore Blaze)) was pretty selfless and had a boatload of patience (in regards to the hero).
*Well plotted. A couple of twists and turns that I didn't expect.
*I love a good sports romance (although Jaci Burton is #1 in my book with her Play By Play series, this author shows some real promise).
*Nice and steamy love scenes. I should say sex scenes because that's what they were until almost the end of the book when the hero finally pulls his head out of his a**...
Shane...you're hot, but an ass for 3/4 of the book
The bad points?
*The hero--NFL 'bad boy' quarterback Shane Devlin. Sorry, but he was just a self-absorbed, stubborn s***head for most of the book. So many times I wanted to say "just get over yourself already and grow up!" I think holding a grudge (against his father) for 20 years is way too long, especially when you let it mess up your life and it stunts your maturity. Thank god the heroine stepped into his life (and saw something in him besides a handsome face and a smokin' body) or he would've turned into a bitter old man. I want to love the hero when I read a romance book, and although I can accept some asshat behavior, I don't like it to go on for the majority of the book. And what really ticked me off was his .
*One small detail that was in error. The author says that the hero grew up in western PA (which got me excited because that's where I'm from). But then she mentions that he grew up in West Chester, PA (which is just outside Philadelphia in eastern PA) Hmmm...now which is it?
So, despite my issues with the hero, I did enjoy the book. It was a quick read and well-written, and I did enjoy most of the characters. I'm willing to give this series another try, because I like this author's writing style and I can't resist a good sports romance. 4 stars
September 7, 2017
Average.
This is, IMHO, the perfect example of a 3-star book. It's not bad, but it's not great either. Cute, friendly characters, just like 100 more out there. Sweet but forgettable plot.
It's an ordinary read, beginning to end.
This is, IMHO, the perfect example of a 3-star book. It's not bad, but it's not great either. Cute, friendly characters, just like 100 more out there. Sweet but forgettable plot.
It's an ordinary read, beginning to end.
December 4, 2013
I'm always a sucker for a sports-related romance. This one wasn't a wowzer but it did serve me well. Another bad boy football quarterback looking for redemption as well as job; another mistreated and good girl heroine who has ties to the football team; a few dramatic family situations, and a relationship that begins with "no commitment" stamped on it. The sparks fly and the flame ignites and you end up with a fairly decent contemporary romance.
May 8, 2013
This book has a great start with a hero and heroine who both appealed to me. But by the end, there was just too much drama with everyone, the hero came off as a jerk and I feel like we get cheated on the romance.
Shane Devlin is a NFL quarterback with a bad boy image in the press. Known for a hot temper and other naughty antics, he recently was let go from his team due to not only bad press, but a big interception. At 31 and still in peak performance, he heads to the tropics to get away from the media and to wait for his phone to ring so he knows he has a QB job next fall. It is on this vacation that he sees a very attractive woman that he can’t keep his eyes off of.
Unknown to Shane, Carly March is the assistant to the General Manager of the NFL team, The Baltimore Blaze. She is on vacation with a friend, but has been working on gathering all the information she can on Shane, because she knows her GM is interested in getting him. Being at the same vacation spot as him is purely coincidental. They share a hot dance together before they get pulled away. Later, Shane gets offered the job from the Blaze, and soon when they are both back in Baltimore, Shane realizes who Carly truly is, and a relationship develops.
Before I go further, let me get into just how much drama we have going on in this story.
- Shane hates his father (a former nfl player) , who abandoned his family when he was young and has lived his life to out play him. He has much anger over this.
- Carly’s wealthy, famous reporter mother was killed by terrorists when she was young, and Carly has been thrust into the paparazzi spotlight ever since.
- Carly’s sister has cancer, and is married to the head coach of the Baltimore Blaze. They have a big role in this book.
- Carly had a drink with a man who works in her building, and he is now very creepily stalking her.
- Something else quite dramatic happens to Shane and he ends up being forced to deal with his half brother who is 12 who Shane dislikes.
There is probably more but that covers the big ones. I think this author has a good voice, and I think the first 30%ish is well done. But after awhile, the drama just piles, and piles into this story. While not confusing, it becomes a little exhausting. My biggest gripe though is that because Carly is constantly dealing with her stalker, her sick sister, her job etc.. we really don’t see Carly and Shane fall in love. They have some hot scenes together and their sexual tension is well done. But that is only one part of a romance book. We also need to see and not be told that they are in love. They barely have page time together in the second half of the book for that to happen.
One other frustration I had is Shane’s relationship with his young half-brother. He treats him poorly. Since Shane doesn’t have a relationship with his father, he brings all that dirt into his relationship with Troy. Troy is just a kid going through some really hard stuff. It doesn’t reflect well on Shane at all for how he treats Troy. I don’t like it when heroes (or heroines) treat kids poorly in romance books. Want to be a jerk? Go for it, but not towards a young kid. Shane is 31 and could have separated his anger towards his father from an innocent kid.
So this one had potential but didn’t quite work out for me at the end. A supporting character gets a book this fall and I’ll probably try that one to see if I like it better than this one.
Rating: C
Shane Devlin is a NFL quarterback with a bad boy image in the press. Known for a hot temper and other naughty antics, he recently was let go from his team due to not only bad press, but a big interception. At 31 and still in peak performance, he heads to the tropics to get away from the media and to wait for his phone to ring so he knows he has a QB job next fall. It is on this vacation that he sees a very attractive woman that he can’t keep his eyes off of.
Unknown to Shane, Carly March is the assistant to the General Manager of the NFL team, The Baltimore Blaze. She is on vacation with a friend, but has been working on gathering all the information she can on Shane, because she knows her GM is interested in getting him. Being at the same vacation spot as him is purely coincidental. They share a hot dance together before they get pulled away. Later, Shane gets offered the job from the Blaze, and soon when they are both back in Baltimore, Shane realizes who Carly truly is, and a relationship develops.
Before I go further, let me get into just how much drama we have going on in this story.
- Shane hates his father (a former nfl player) , who abandoned his family when he was young and has lived his life to out play him. He has much anger over this.
- Carly’s wealthy, famous reporter mother was killed by terrorists when she was young, and Carly has been thrust into the paparazzi spotlight ever since.
- Carly’s sister has cancer, and is married to the head coach of the Baltimore Blaze. They have a big role in this book.
- Carly had a drink with a man who works in her building, and he is now very creepily stalking her.
- Something else quite dramatic happens to Shane and he ends up being forced to deal with his half brother who is 12 who Shane dislikes.
There is probably more but that covers the big ones. I think this author has a good voice, and I think the first 30%ish is well done. But after awhile, the drama just piles, and piles into this story. While not confusing, it becomes a little exhausting. My biggest gripe though is that because Carly is constantly dealing with her stalker, her sick sister, her job etc.. we really don’t see Carly and Shane fall in love. They have some hot scenes together and their sexual tension is well done. But that is only one part of a romance book. We also need to see and not be told that they are in love. They barely have page time together in the second half of the book for that to happen.
One other frustration I had is Shane’s relationship with his young half-brother. He treats him poorly. Since Shane doesn’t have a relationship with his father, he brings all that dirt into his relationship with Troy. Troy is just a kid going through some really hard stuff. It doesn’t reflect well on Shane at all for how he treats Troy. I don’t like it when heroes (or heroines) treat kids poorly in romance books. Want to be a jerk? Go for it, but not towards a young kid. Shane is 31 and could have separated his anger towards his father from an innocent kid.
So this one had potential but didn’t quite work out for me at the end. A supporting character gets a book this fall and I’ll probably try that one to see if I like it better than this one.
Rating: C
August 18, 2015
Shane Devlin, aka Devil of the NFL, has been stamped a bad boy in the press due to his hot temper and reputation with the ladies. Because of the bad press and a bad play he made, his team lets him go. Now he’s trying to find another team to play on. In the meantime, he heads to Mexico to get a little bit of R&R, and to get away from the media while his agent negotiates a new contract for him. As he’s waiting for the phone call that could get his career back on track one night, he sees a sexy and beautiful woman at the same bar as him. He immediately finds himself fascinated with her and can’t stop starring.
Carly March is the assistant to the General Manager of The Baltimore Blaze football team. She’s supposed to be on vacation with a friend, but as luck would have it, Carly and Shane are at the same vacation spot. So, Carly is now trying to gather information on Shane for the GM instead. Shane has no idea who Carly is. Bombarded by fans of his famous father, Shane decides to use Carly as an escape to get away from them. They end up having a hot and heavy dance where there is obvious chemistry between them. But, all too soon, the dance ends and they go their separate ways. Soon after their encounter, Shane receives the long awaited phone call that offers him the job as QB for The Baltimore Blaze.
Now they are both back in Baltimore, Shane is surprised to find out who Carly is. And Shane realizes the woman he can’t get off his mind is completely off limits. He doesn’t want to risk his job and she is in no place in her life to get involved with another athlete. So they both agree it’s best to stay away from each other… until they can’t. They decide that one night together will get the sexually charged attraction they have towards one another out of their system, but one night turns into many nights of passion and heat, and a relationship is formed.
For years, Shane has been angry at his father for never being there for him and his mother when he was a child, and angry because he basically abandoned him after the death of his mother. He has lived his life trying to be better than his father – a former NFL football star. This anger and hate towards his father is heavy baggage Shane has been dealing with all his life and has no idea how to just forgive. There are two sides to Shane: sweet and passionate and the angry devil side. And it felt like the devil side to him made an appearance too often. I can handle an asshole hero, but Shane just rubbed me the wrong way. Especially with the way he treated his half-brother, Troy. If it wasn’t for Shane’s rudeness and stand-offish ways towards Troy, I might have been able to forgive Shane for being such a jerk. Maybe.
Carly, on the other hand, is a complete sweetheart and opened her arms to anyone and everyone. She’s extremely loving and caring. She brought heart and emotion into this story. And, if it wasn’t for her, I may not have liked this story at all. Even though I thought Shane was a jerk, Carly brought out the sweet and passionate side to him that I did like. Carly’s big heart and compassion was good for Shane. I really liked the scenes with her family and the scenes she had with Troy. But mostly, I really liked that she didn’t put up with all of Shane’s crap and put him in his place when needed.
Shane and Carly do have great sexual chemistry that lit up the sheets. And I didn’t really mind the angst between them. Both of them struggled quite a bit with their decision to be with each other – which some of their reasons for avoiding their feelings were understandable. I did empathize with the characters on an emotional level. Everything they both went through tugged on my heart strings, especially with Shane’s little brother. Troy’s story touched me the most and was my favorite part of the story.
On top of not really liking the hero, there is too much drama in this story that kept me from enjoying it. This drama includes a stalker, tragic deaths, an unwanted guardianship, and a sick sister. There is other drama, but these are the main conflicts of the story. The first 30% of the book starts off good, maybe a little slow, and then the pace picks up, and the drama just kept on coming. There was so much going on that it hindered the relationship development between the hero and heroine. I felt like we barely got any page time with them together, which took away from the romance.
I had high hopes for this one. Give me a sports romance any day and I will read it. Unfortunately, this book simply wasn’t my cuppa. I can see why some readers would enjoy this book though. This would be a great summer read on the beach. Because I am curious about the secondary characters, I will most likely read their story.
Rating: C
Heat: Hot
-- A Romantic Book Affairs Review
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April 23, 2013
I picked up Tracy's book because I had an hour or two free one afternoon last week. Well, after the first paragraph, I was hooked! The rest of the day passed by in a blur as I was so engrossed in the characters and story line of Game On I did nothing else, sadly finishing the book in the late evening, as I did not want the experience to end!
Tracy paces this novel expertly. Characters you think you may not like, professional football players with large egos, for example, end up in the palm of your hand.
The story is engrossing, surprising, romantic, and well-crafted. The writing is quick, funny, and spunky.
I can't believe this is Tracy Solheim's first novel. I wait in anticipation to indulge myself in her next two releases! She is poised to become a strong force in women's fiction.
Tracy paces this novel expertly. Characters you think you may not like, professional football players with large egos, for example, end up in the palm of your hand.
The story is engrossing, surprising, romantic, and well-crafted. The writing is quick, funny, and spunky.
I can't believe this is Tracy Solheim's first novel. I wait in anticipation to indulge myself in her next two releases! She is poised to become a strong force in women's fiction.
June 12, 2013
Being a fan of football (GO PACK!!), I was very excited to read this book. Who doesn't love a man in tight pants?? I thought it was just a normal contemporary romance but this book had sizzle!! The sexual tension not only had me frustrated but coming back for more. Tracy Solhiem is an amazing writer.
The book starts off with Shane Devlin in Mexico on what we can call a hideout instead of a vacation. Shane is a quarterback for the NFL that has a wild side to him. Even though he was not in the wrong he was fired from his former team for being intimate with the boss’ daughter. He was framed; she was angry that Shane wanted nothing to do with her so she flipped the story, poor Shane. When it came to football he was very serious. His father was the famous Bruce Devlin. He was an NFL quarterback that broke many records and Shane lived to break those records!! So now no team wants to pick him up because of the bad reputation that follows him around all because of a lie.
In Mexico there is a mysterious woman that seemed to work more than play that caught Shane’s eye. This is when we meet Carly March. She was on vacation but always on her phone more than anything. Little does Shane know, Carly works for the Baltimore Blaze; the team that is interested in hiring him. Shane has been trying to catch her attention since he had seen her there. In an escape attempt from pesky fans of his father, Shane finally gets his chance.
Carly is very cautious when it comes to jocks. She was married to a famous soccer player in Italy but he cheated on her. Her mother was a famous journalist that was killed by terrorists so the divorce added to her mother’s only put Carly in the spotlight of the paparazzi even more. She stays away from any potential of being in the spotlight. Carly and Shane have this sexual attraction from the beginning. They finally had the chance to interact but Carly was pulled away with a phone call from the Blaze. This leaves Shane frustrated because he thinks this will be the last time he sees Carly.
Shane finally was given a break and was offered a spot on the Baltimore Blaze. The Blaze is very cautious though because it is a family type team. They tell Shane repeatedly that he is to not screw up. To Shane’s surprise Carly is the one who gives him the tour. They both now work for the team so they make a deal that their relationship is strictly professional. Can they keep it that way??
I can't tell you enough times that this is a great read. Not only a love story it also had action and suspense twined in with heartbreak and shock. There are definitely some surprises and drama. I also liked how the book swapped the thoughts of Carly and Shane so you could get into each of their heads with what is going on and their feelings. I found myself wanting more and more. Tracy Solheim is now one of my favorites. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this series. This book is for 18 years and up due to the sexual content. I loved it from the start to the finish.
The book starts off with Shane Devlin in Mexico on what we can call a hideout instead of a vacation. Shane is a quarterback for the NFL that has a wild side to him. Even though he was not in the wrong he was fired from his former team for being intimate with the boss’ daughter. He was framed; she was angry that Shane wanted nothing to do with her so she flipped the story, poor Shane. When it came to football he was very serious. His father was the famous Bruce Devlin. He was an NFL quarterback that broke many records and Shane lived to break those records!! So now no team wants to pick him up because of the bad reputation that follows him around all because of a lie.
In Mexico there is a mysterious woman that seemed to work more than play that caught Shane’s eye. This is when we meet Carly March. She was on vacation but always on her phone more than anything. Little does Shane know, Carly works for the Baltimore Blaze; the team that is interested in hiring him. Shane has been trying to catch her attention since he had seen her there. In an escape attempt from pesky fans of his father, Shane finally gets his chance.
Carly is very cautious when it comes to jocks. She was married to a famous soccer player in Italy but he cheated on her. Her mother was a famous journalist that was killed by terrorists so the divorce added to her mother’s only put Carly in the spotlight of the paparazzi even more. She stays away from any potential of being in the spotlight. Carly and Shane have this sexual attraction from the beginning. They finally had the chance to interact but Carly was pulled away with a phone call from the Blaze. This leaves Shane frustrated because he thinks this will be the last time he sees Carly.
Shane finally was given a break and was offered a spot on the Baltimore Blaze. The Blaze is very cautious though because it is a family type team. They tell Shane repeatedly that he is to not screw up. To Shane’s surprise Carly is the one who gives him the tour. They both now work for the team so they make a deal that their relationship is strictly professional. Can they keep it that way??
I can't tell you enough times that this is a great read. Not only a love story it also had action and suspense twined in with heartbreak and shock. There are definitely some surprises and drama. I also liked how the book swapped the thoughts of Carly and Shane so you could get into each of their heads with what is going on and their feelings. I found myself wanting more and more. Tracy Solheim is now one of my favorites. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this series. This book is for 18 years and up due to the sexual content. I loved it from the start to the finish.
December 20, 2018
DNF
I read 39% of this book before calling it quits. The beginning was so good. I was into the lead characters. I was into their work situation. Then something happened and in comes a character, a kid. I know exactly what's going to happen and it's not my cup of tea. I don't like child plot moppets so I threw in the towel.
I read 39% of this book before calling it quits. The beginning was so good. I was into the lead characters. I was into their work situation. Then something happened and in comes a character, a kid. I know exactly what's going to happen and it's not my cup of tea. I don't like child plot moppets so I threw in the towel.
May 20, 2013
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/05/06/...
I’m always on the lookout for new sports romance books, so when I saw that debut author Tracy Solheim was coming out with a series about football stars, I immediately went to get my hands on this book, and I’m glad I did!
Shane has a little bit of an attitude problem, and when he is let go from his contract, he worries if he’ll ever play in the NFL again. He gets picked up by the conservative Blaze, and is expected to follow their up-standing values and morals, if he wants to ever play. When he first met Carly, he had no idea she was a Blaze employee, and after he learns the truth, the attraction between them is still strong, despite Shane’s intentions.
Carly has always wanted a family of her own, and getting to spend time with her half-sister and her family has been a godsend. Shane’s advances are doing fabulous things to her libido, but she isn’t sure her heart can take another beating from a jock. Despite the walls Carly is building, Shane breaks them all down and worms his way into her heart. But as their lives swirl around them, will Shane and Carly actually be able to make their romance work in the long haul?
I really liked the beginning of this book. It was fun and sexy and had a really great premise. I was excited to turn each page as the story unraveled. I thought the first half had a quick-moving plot, although as the story developed more and more plot points were added and the book got a little bit convoluted. There were so many things that kept getting added in, and while it all fit nicely within the story, it did bog down the plot a bit.
I adored Carly. The poor woman had been through so much as a child, then as an adult. She lived her life in the spotlight of the media, and hated every moment of it. All she wanted was to find a family, especially since the one she had growing up was practically non-existent. The relationship between her half-sister and her family was one that Carly lived for, that and her job. Her relationship with Shane as one that she wasn’t even sure wanted, however, as she fell for him she realized just how special they could be together.
Shane was a little more difficult to like as a character. He had his great moments, and yet other times he drove me absolutely bat-shit crazy. He felt so abandoned by his father that he let it cloud the rest of his decisions in life. His wild ways, his drive to beat any and all NFL records, his reluctance to form any kind of bond with anyone, all because of the way his childhood went.
The relationship between Carly and Shane was one that started purely sexual and developed over time. They had to keep things on the downlow because of Carly’s position with the team, and the past that each of them brought to the relationship. The tension in their romance was increased as Carly’s personal life took an unexpected turn, and Shane was forced to face aspects of his past that he was desperate to run from. I liked the slow build up to the emotional aspects of their romance.
As for how things got a little complicated, there was just so much going on. Solheim seemed to add more and more to the book, and for me, things just got to be too much. There was a stalker, a death in the family, and a surprise family member that were all thrown in with the general angst of a relationship between two people who are scared to fall in love. While I really enjoyed this book, I could have done without some of the added external drama.
All in all I really liked this book. The characters were fun and engaging and exciting. The romance was sexy and well developed. I’m really excited to read the next book in the series, as the heroine was a character I really enjoyed in this book. Despite the ongoing drama that was a bit overdone, this was a wonderful debut novel.
I give Game On a B-
I’m always on the lookout for new sports romance books, so when I saw that debut author Tracy Solheim was coming out with a series about football stars, I immediately went to get my hands on this book, and I’m glad I did!
Shane has a little bit of an attitude problem, and when he is let go from his contract, he worries if he’ll ever play in the NFL again. He gets picked up by the conservative Blaze, and is expected to follow their up-standing values and morals, if he wants to ever play. When he first met Carly, he had no idea she was a Blaze employee, and after he learns the truth, the attraction between them is still strong, despite Shane’s intentions.
Carly has always wanted a family of her own, and getting to spend time with her half-sister and her family has been a godsend. Shane’s advances are doing fabulous things to her libido, but she isn’t sure her heart can take another beating from a jock. Despite the walls Carly is building, Shane breaks them all down and worms his way into her heart. But as their lives swirl around them, will Shane and Carly actually be able to make their romance work in the long haul?
I really liked the beginning of this book. It was fun and sexy and had a really great premise. I was excited to turn each page as the story unraveled. I thought the first half had a quick-moving plot, although as the story developed more and more plot points were added and the book got a little bit convoluted. There were so many things that kept getting added in, and while it all fit nicely within the story, it did bog down the plot a bit.
I adored Carly. The poor woman had been through so much as a child, then as an adult. She lived her life in the spotlight of the media, and hated every moment of it. All she wanted was to find a family, especially since the one she had growing up was practically non-existent. The relationship between her half-sister and her family was one that Carly lived for, that and her job. Her relationship with Shane as one that she wasn’t even sure wanted, however, as she fell for him she realized just how special they could be together.
Shane was a little more difficult to like as a character. He had his great moments, and yet other times he drove me absolutely bat-shit crazy. He felt so abandoned by his father that he let it cloud the rest of his decisions in life. His wild ways, his drive to beat any and all NFL records, his reluctance to form any kind of bond with anyone, all because of the way his childhood went.
The relationship between Carly and Shane was one that started purely sexual and developed over time. They had to keep things on the downlow because of Carly’s position with the team, and the past that each of them brought to the relationship. The tension in their romance was increased as Carly’s personal life took an unexpected turn, and Shane was forced to face aspects of his past that he was desperate to run from. I liked the slow build up to the emotional aspects of their romance.
As for how things got a little complicated, there was just so much going on. Solheim seemed to add more and more to the book, and for me, things just got to be too much. There was a stalker, a death in the family, and a surprise family member that were all thrown in with the general angst of a relationship between two people who are scared to fall in love. While I really enjoyed this book, I could have done without some of the added external drama.
All in all I really liked this book. The characters were fun and engaging and exciting. The romance was sexy and well developed. I’m really excited to read the next book in the series, as the heroine was a character I really enjoyed in this book. Despite the ongoing drama that was a bit overdone, this was a wonderful debut novel.
I give Game On a B-
December 9, 2023
3 stars
Perfectly average read - not that I remember much as I wrote this months after reading.
Perfectly average read - not that I remember much as I wrote this months after reading.
May 13, 2013
Some football, a little suspense, a romance and some family drama.
November 14, 2018
This was a super cute book. I read this because it was on the Aubible Romance Package and because I needed it for a challenge. And I wasn't disappointed.
Carly works for an NFL team. Her family is associated with the team and gets her a position working for them. The team needs a new quarterback. That's where Shane comes in. He's a playboy superstar and he gets signed to the team.
Carly and Shane meet before he gets signed where they almost hook up. But it doesn't happen. And then all of a sudden they are thrust into working at the same place. Their sexual attraction to one another obviously amps up even more and eventually they're sleeping together.
There is so much going on in this book but it wasn't overwhelming. There's deaths, stalkers, football, smut, orphans, sexual tension. Man. It was like never ending. But it was well put togetherand it was super enjoyable.
Carly works for an NFL team. Her family is associated with the team and gets her a position working for them. The team needs a new quarterback. That's where Shane comes in. He's a playboy superstar and he gets signed to the team.
Carly and Shane meet before he gets signed where they almost hook up. But it doesn't happen. And then all of a sudden they are thrust into working at the same place. Their sexual attraction to one another obviously amps up even more and eventually they're sleeping together.
There is so much going on in this book but it wasn't overwhelming. There's deaths, stalkers, football, smut, orphans, sexual tension. Man. It was like never ending. But it was well put togetherand it was super enjoyable.
April 19, 2013
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.
Quick & Dirty: Tabloids give us only a version of the truth. What happens when you get two infamous people together? Will love blossom or wither?
Opening Sentence: “Well, I’ll be doggone!”
The Review:
Let me preface this entire book review with “Purchase this book ASAP!” Tracy Solheim’s book resounds with sharp, witty dialogue and a plot that has many unexpected twists and turns while remaining so grounded that I got lost in the story.
Not many books can begin with “Well, I’ll be doggone!” and sound genuine but the author pulls this off with style and grace. The scope of accents, languages and locations was breath taking. This book navigates Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Baltimore, glimpses of Italy and Allegheny Mountains with such heartfelt emotions I believed I was there with the characters experiencing everything just as if I was there too. This is a gift that very few authors can achieve especially in a first book.
Shane Devlin aka Devil of the NFL is between Quarterback jobs in part because of his reputation and has gone to Mexico for a little R&R and to allow his agent to negotiate a new contract for him. Shane’s personality jumps off the page. We are gifted with a real look at his feelings, his motivations and even his anger at a father that left him to care for his dying mother when he was still a child himself.
While he has been trying to lay low he had been fascinated by a woman that appears to be a wedding designer’s assistant. How could anyone not notice this amazing woman especially when her ring tone chimed the theme to The Wizard of Oz. He had even attempted to buy her a drink but “Dorothy” didn’t seem to find him at all worthy of the effort.
However “Dorothy” aka Carly March is anything but a wedding designer’s assistant. In fact she is the assistant to the General Manager of the Baltimore Blaze, the team considering signing Shane. Her job had been to help management decide whether he had earned his nickname or if he was capable of good behavior. Carly is anything but impervious to Shane’s charisma but has been hurt by a professional athlete in Italy and has promised to stick to boring men like podiatrists and accountants. Shane is neither of those.
Once they return from Mexico, they attempt to keep their relationship professional but it all goes sideways when Carly is threatened by a journalist with an unhealthy obsession with Carly. This addition to the storyline was part of the reason that I was up until nearly midnight finishing this book.
The other reason for my late night was the addition of Troy, Shane’s half brother, that ends up in Shane’s care because his parents die in a plane crash. The emotions that are conveyed as Shane deals not just with the death of his father, whom he has despised for years, but having to come to terms with the importance of family and relationships is a huge reason you need to purchase this book on launch. One of my favorite things that Troy says is in this paragraph: “Don’t forget to feed the dog.” Troy yelled from the open passenger window. When he turned to face forward again, tears were streaming down his face. “Butthead.” It doesn’t get much more honest than that.
I have one itsy bitsy quibble about the last sequence of the book and I’m not going to spoil it, but it seemed a bit trite to have that happen there but you be the judge when you read the book. Let me know if you think I’m wrong.
As I began this review, this is a must buy but be prepared to be away for a number of hours, never getting up from your chair or hammock. This is a prime candidate for a TV movie.
Notable Scene:
“You jocks are all alike.” She fingered the chain around her neck. Shane took a slow break. The gesture was more erotic than her licking the ice of her glass. “You think any woman will be flattered by your attentions.”
“You could flatter me with a little of yours.”
His lines were bordering on pathetic, but at least she didn’t break out in hysterics. He thought he saw the beginnings of a real smile, but before she could say anything, the fashion designer and photographer returned to the table. The designer’s eyes went wide as she noticed him sitting there. The phtographer recognized Shane immediately.
“Hey, you two do know each…” Before he could finish his sentence, Dorothy grabbed Shane’s arm, yanking him up from the table.
“Let’s dance.” Her warm fingers manacled his wrist as she dragged him to the other side of the bar.
FTC Advisory: Berkley/Penguin provided me with a copy of Game On. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Tabloids give us only a version of the truth. What happens when you get two infamous people together? Will love blossom or wither?
Opening Sentence: “Well, I’ll be doggone!”
The Review:
Let me preface this entire book review with “Purchase this book ASAP!” Tracy Solheim’s book resounds with sharp, witty dialogue and a plot that has many unexpected twists and turns while remaining so grounded that I got lost in the story.
Not many books can begin with “Well, I’ll be doggone!” and sound genuine but the author pulls this off with style and grace. The scope of accents, languages and locations was breath taking. This book navigates Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Baltimore, glimpses of Italy and Allegheny Mountains with such heartfelt emotions I believed I was there with the characters experiencing everything just as if I was there too. This is a gift that very few authors can achieve especially in a first book.
Shane Devlin aka Devil of the NFL is between Quarterback jobs in part because of his reputation and has gone to Mexico for a little R&R and to allow his agent to negotiate a new contract for him. Shane’s personality jumps off the page. We are gifted with a real look at his feelings, his motivations and even his anger at a father that left him to care for his dying mother when he was still a child himself.
While he has been trying to lay low he had been fascinated by a woman that appears to be a wedding designer’s assistant. How could anyone not notice this amazing woman especially when her ring tone chimed the theme to The Wizard of Oz. He had even attempted to buy her a drink but “Dorothy” didn’t seem to find him at all worthy of the effort.
However “Dorothy” aka Carly March is anything but a wedding designer’s assistant. In fact she is the assistant to the General Manager of the Baltimore Blaze, the team considering signing Shane. Her job had been to help management decide whether he had earned his nickname or if he was capable of good behavior. Carly is anything but impervious to Shane’s charisma but has been hurt by a professional athlete in Italy and has promised to stick to boring men like podiatrists and accountants. Shane is neither of those.
Once they return from Mexico, they attempt to keep their relationship professional but it all goes sideways when Carly is threatened by a journalist with an unhealthy obsession with Carly. This addition to the storyline was part of the reason that I was up until nearly midnight finishing this book.
The other reason for my late night was the addition of Troy, Shane’s half brother, that ends up in Shane’s care because his parents die in a plane crash. The emotions that are conveyed as Shane deals not just with the death of his father, whom he has despised for years, but having to come to terms with the importance of family and relationships is a huge reason you need to purchase this book on launch. One of my favorite things that Troy says is in this paragraph: “Don’t forget to feed the dog.” Troy yelled from the open passenger window. When he turned to face forward again, tears were streaming down his face. “Butthead.” It doesn’t get much more honest than that.
I have one itsy bitsy quibble about the last sequence of the book and I’m not going to spoil it, but it seemed a bit trite to have that happen there but you be the judge when you read the book. Let me know if you think I’m wrong.
As I began this review, this is a must buy but be prepared to be away for a number of hours, never getting up from your chair or hammock. This is a prime candidate for a TV movie.
Notable Scene:
“You jocks are all alike.” She fingered the chain around her neck. Shane took a slow break. The gesture was more erotic than her licking the ice of her glass. “You think any woman will be flattered by your attentions.”
“You could flatter me with a little of yours.”
His lines were bordering on pathetic, but at least she didn’t break out in hysterics. He thought he saw the beginnings of a real smile, but before she could say anything, the fashion designer and photographer returned to the table. The designer’s eyes went wide as she noticed him sitting there. The phtographer recognized Shane immediately.
“Hey, you two do know each…” Before he could finish his sentence, Dorothy grabbed Shane’s arm, yanking him up from the table.
“Let’s dance.” Her warm fingers manacled his wrist as she dragged him to the other side of the bar.
FTC Advisory: Berkley/Penguin provided me with a copy of Game On. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
June 15, 2024
"Game On" by Tracy Solheim is book one in the "Out of Bounds" series. Shane is the new quarterback for a team in Baltimore. He has lost his mother and doesn't have anything to do with his father. Shane keeps to himself and is known for trouble on and off the field. All he is focusing on is beating his father's records and not getting close to anyone. Carly works for the team that Shane is with and knows that she doesn't want to have anything serious with him. Shane gets a call letting him know that his father has passed away and that he now has custody of his 12 year old brother, Troy, that he has never met before. Carly feels that she can help out with Troy because she can relate to losing a parent at a young age. Shane keeps telling himself that he doesn't have any feelings for Carly or that he doesn't want anything to do with Troy and wants to ship him off to boarding school. Sometimes, things happen, and people have a change of heart. This is my first book by Tracy, and I will definitely read more in this series.
May 9, 2013
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: C
Shane, known as the Devil of the NFL, is currently teamless but he has a chance at the QB position for the Baltimore Blaze after their starting quarterback is injured during the offseason. He signs with the Blaze and his drive to beat every single one of his dad’s NFL records is still on. He can’t stand his father and has refused to try and rebuild their broken relationship over the years and as a result he hasn’t gotten to know his now 12-year old half-brother by choice. He wants nothing to do with his dad or his current family and all he wants to beat his records and he plays up the image the press has given him, a playboy who doesn’t really care about anything other than football and women. His life takes a turn when he meets Carly, the sister-in-law of his new head coach and an executive assistant within the Blaze organization. His life takes another sharp turn when tragedy strikes and he’s forced into his brother’s life.
First, the things I enjoyed were Carly and Troy, Shane’s brother. I loved the scenes with Carly and her family. She brought the emotion and some depth to the book and I very much enjoyed getting to know her throughout the story. She has a bit of a problem with a stalker who won’t pay attention to the restraining order she has against him. Carly’s past is a bit crazy, she and her mom were in the paparazzi’s sites and after her mom died, Carly got her education in a boarding school overseas. She was engaged to a soccer player, who was a player on and off the field and it caused more media attention forced Carly’s way. She’s finally at a place in her life that has her out of the media spotlight and surrounded by family.
Shane was a different story. I honestly couldn’t stand the guy for much of the book and he only barely came around during the last 20%, too little too late for me. My problems with him mainly centered around his attitude toward Troy but also with his relationship with Carly. First, with Troy, Shane wanted nothing to do with him, channeling his anger at his dad and taking it out on this innocent kid. Troy is dealing with some very heavy, very sad emotional things in his life and he finds himself without a place to live. Shane is all too ready to pawn him off on his Grandparents who look at Troy and see dollar signs. There was nothing about this storyline between Shane and Troy that had me liking Shane. At all. He constantly refers to Troy as “the kid” and always in a rude way. I hated the way this played out on page and it did nothing but make me a fan of Troy and dislike Shane a lot, which is too bad because those feelings carried over into other storylines that featured Shane, including his relationship with Carly.
Their relationship starts out as just being a one (then two) night stand. Shane can’t get her out of his head, and they end up having sex every time they’re together. They’re a sexy couple, so no issues there, but they both constantly kept their distance and would say or do something with the intention of driving the other person away so their relationship never went too deep and never very romantic. I’m still not sure why they kept doing this instead of trying to build their relationship, it went from hot and sexy to one of them wanting space and nothing really convinced me that they’re a great long term couple once the HEA declarations came at the end. I think I just needed to see more romance between them instead of coming off as so hot and cold.
This was an ok read for me – I really enjoyed Carly and seeing her and all the different relationship she has with people in the story, including Troy who stole my heart. I can’t say the same for Shane. Because my soft spot was Troy and Shane acted like an ass towards him through much of the story, I never warmed up to the hero and that’s never a good thing in a romance story.
Blog rating: C
Shane, known as the Devil of the NFL, is currently teamless but he has a chance at the QB position for the Baltimore Blaze after their starting quarterback is injured during the offseason. He signs with the Blaze and his drive to beat every single one of his dad’s NFL records is still on. He can’t stand his father and has refused to try and rebuild their broken relationship over the years and as a result he hasn’t gotten to know his now 12-year old half-brother by choice. He wants nothing to do with his dad or his current family and all he wants to beat his records and he plays up the image the press has given him, a playboy who doesn’t really care about anything other than football and women. His life takes a turn when he meets Carly, the sister-in-law of his new head coach and an executive assistant within the Blaze organization. His life takes another sharp turn when tragedy strikes and he’s forced into his brother’s life.
First, the things I enjoyed were Carly and Troy, Shane’s brother. I loved the scenes with Carly and her family. She brought the emotion and some depth to the book and I very much enjoyed getting to know her throughout the story. She has a bit of a problem with a stalker who won’t pay attention to the restraining order she has against him. Carly’s past is a bit crazy, she and her mom were in the paparazzi’s sites and after her mom died, Carly got her education in a boarding school overseas. She was engaged to a soccer player, who was a player on and off the field and it caused more media attention forced Carly’s way. She’s finally at a place in her life that has her out of the media spotlight and surrounded by family.
Shane was a different story. I honestly couldn’t stand the guy for much of the book and he only barely came around during the last 20%, too little too late for me. My problems with him mainly centered around his attitude toward Troy but also with his relationship with Carly. First, with Troy, Shane wanted nothing to do with him, channeling his anger at his dad and taking it out on this innocent kid. Troy is dealing with some very heavy, very sad emotional things in his life and he finds himself without a place to live. Shane is all too ready to pawn him off on his Grandparents who look at Troy and see dollar signs. There was nothing about this storyline between Shane and Troy that had me liking Shane. At all. He constantly refers to Troy as “the kid” and always in a rude way. I hated the way this played out on page and it did nothing but make me a fan of Troy and dislike Shane a lot, which is too bad because those feelings carried over into other storylines that featured Shane, including his relationship with Carly.
Their relationship starts out as just being a one (then two) night stand. Shane can’t get her out of his head, and they end up having sex every time they’re together. They’re a sexy couple, so no issues there, but they both constantly kept their distance and would say or do something with the intention of driving the other person away so their relationship never went too deep and never very romantic. I’m still not sure why they kept doing this instead of trying to build their relationship, it went from hot and sexy to one of them wanting space and nothing really convinced me that they’re a great long term couple once the HEA declarations came at the end. I think I just needed to see more romance between them instead of coming off as so hot and cold.
This was an ok read for me – I really enjoyed Carly and seeing her and all the different relationship she has with people in the story, including Troy who stole my heart. I can’t say the same for Shane. Because my soft spot was Troy and Shane acted like an ass towards him through much of the story, I never warmed up to the hero and that’s never a good thing in a romance story.
October 2, 2013
Okay, I admit it, a book about an NFL player, THAT cover and a synopsis which drew me in….yep, I was looking forward to reading this book.
We first meet Carly and Shane while both are both in Mexico, separately yet come together through somewhat accidental circumstances and end up pressed up against one another on the dance floor.
There’s obvious sexual chemistry between Carly and Shane, the bad boy NFL star who is on the brink of being signed by the Baltimore Blaze. The only club willing to take a risk on this unpredictable, bad boy quarterback. Unbeknownst to Shane, the woman he is getting hot and heavy with on the dance floor actually works for the Blaze.
Shane arrives at Blaze headquarters for a meet and greet, and he comes face to face with Carly. He hasn’t forgotten the woman he was pressed up against on the dance floor in Mexico.
There is no fraternizing between staff at the Baltimore Blaze, even if Carly is related to the head coach. They are both off limits to one another, yet the attraction between the pair is strong. Playing by the rules is easier said than done.
Shane has issues stemming from his past. Trying to make a name for himself in his own right, rather than in his father’s ( a former NFL hero) shadow. Shane has a hard time moving on and forgiving. He needs to shed the baggage, but has no idea how to go about it.
Carly has a heart of gold and has not had it easy. She definitely has her share of heartbreak. Carly lost her mother under truly horrific circumstances and had lived life under the public microscope due to her mother’s infamy. She is also dealing with here sister who is very bravely battling cancer, not to mention she is being pursued by a stalker.
There was a lot going on this book and whilst I did enjoy some parts, it didn’t completely grab me. Unfortunately as I didn’t connect to the characters, and in particular Shane, I wasn’t invested in the story as much as I would have liked.
In saying that, I am inclined to pick up the next book in the series to see where the story takes us.
Fans of stories centred on sports players, who like their books hot and filled with drama will love this one.
ARC Supplied by publisher via for an honest review.
We first meet Carly and Shane while both are both in Mexico, separately yet come together through somewhat accidental circumstances and end up pressed up against one another on the dance floor.
There’s obvious sexual chemistry between Carly and Shane, the bad boy NFL star who is on the brink of being signed by the Baltimore Blaze. The only club willing to take a risk on this unpredictable, bad boy quarterback. Unbeknownst to Shane, the woman he is getting hot and heavy with on the dance floor actually works for the Blaze.
Shane arrives at Blaze headquarters for a meet and greet, and he comes face to face with Carly. He hasn’t forgotten the woman he was pressed up against on the dance floor in Mexico.
There is no fraternizing between staff at the Baltimore Blaze, even if Carly is related to the head coach. They are both off limits to one another, yet the attraction between the pair is strong. Playing by the rules is easier said than done.
Shane has issues stemming from his past. Trying to make a name for himself in his own right, rather than in his father’s ( a former NFL hero) shadow. Shane has a hard time moving on and forgiving. He needs to shed the baggage, but has no idea how to go about it.
Carly has a heart of gold and has not had it easy. She definitely has her share of heartbreak. Carly lost her mother under truly horrific circumstances and had lived life under the public microscope due to her mother’s infamy. She is also dealing with here sister who is very bravely battling cancer, not to mention she is being pursued by a stalker.
There was a lot going on this book and whilst I did enjoy some parts, it didn’t completely grab me. Unfortunately as I didn’t connect to the characters, and in particular Shane, I wasn’t invested in the story as much as I would have liked.
In saying that, I am inclined to pick up the next book in the series to see where the story takes us.
Fans of stories centred on sports players, who like their books hot and filled with drama will love this one.
ARC Supplied by publisher via for an honest review.
April 28, 2013
I'm usually not a fan of this particular genre, but Tracy Solheim's story telling, character development and plot advancement has changed my perception! I couldn't wait to find out what happens next. By the end of the book I not only felt I knew each and every character personally but found myself actively cheering them on! Tracey has managed to elevate each "delicate" scene beyond the common denominator of her competition, keeping the reader engrossed in the beautiful, unfolding of a love story between two very unlikely people. Readers of Nicholas Sparks books will particularly enjoy this one. I could see a movie in the future as well!
May 3, 2013
Won through Goodreads Giveaway.
4.5 stars. This book started out all kinds of cheesy (i.e. phrases like da-bomb, dweeb, and even podiatrist we're used one to many times). But somewhere along the line, I found myself enjoying the story. The characters were engaging and the love story was unbelievably sweet. Even the football aspects were fun to read about. I wasn't expecting all the steamy sex scenes but they were an unexpected bonus. If I hadn't won this book, I wouldn't have given it a shot but I'm glad I did. Can't wait to read the next book and I hope Asia gets a book of her own, too.
4.5 stars. This book started out all kinds of cheesy (i.e. phrases like da-bomb, dweeb, and even podiatrist we're used one to many times). But somewhere along the line, I found myself enjoying the story. The characters were engaging and the love story was unbelievably sweet. Even the football aspects were fun to read about. I wasn't expecting all the steamy sex scenes but they were an unexpected bonus. If I hadn't won this book, I wouldn't have given it a shot but I'm glad I did. Can't wait to read the next book and I hope Asia gets a book of her own, too.
November 2, 2023
Loved it! Lots of action!
Most of the characters suffer abandonment by love ones, therefore trust issues are huge in this story. NFL Baltimore Blaze Quarterback, Shane Devlin, allowed his hatred and resentment for his father to block his chance of sharing love with his team's GM assistant, Carly March.
Shane even cut himself off from a loving relationship with his 12 year old half-brother, Troy, until a gun in the hands of a stalker shows him what is really important in life!
June 12, 2013
Ok the cover made me cringe a little cause I was afraid this was going to be all smut and no meat...but it was really good. I liked the back stories on all the characters and the development of their relationships. I think the Troy made the book...his character created the dynamic needed to be substantial. Anyway, enough with the big words...it was good, read it! I can't wait for the next one!
July 16, 2013
A fantastic debut novel. This sports romance had everything in it, including a whole host of loveable secondary characters. I always find that a sign of a good romance writer is one that makes me care about the secondary characters as much as the Hero/Heroine.
I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I can't wait for the next book in the series.
January 13, 2014
tightly woven characters and plot... a most enjoyable read. Highly recommend it. A book you won't want to put down! I am looking forward to Tracy Solheim's next book!
October 22, 2019
3.5*
Shane is a quarterback in need of a team. Carly is an assistant to the Blaze, a team that gives Shane a second chance. It seems Shane is a bit too wild in his personal life (or so the tabloids say). Carly has had her own issues with the tabloids too. Oh, and the daddy issues both if them have.
I was pleasantly surprised I liked this one as much as I did. I thought with each character's issues I would have wanted to slap them both. Carly is the more mature one. I didn't like Shane's attitude when it came to his brother. I thought he was mean. However, throw in a supportive family, friends, and a crazy stalker and it all turns out!
* next book is Julianne's (Carly's best friend) and I don't think I will be reading since it contains a trope that pisses me off (one night stand, unplanned *secret* pregnancy with no plans to tell the baby daddy). Nope!
Romanceopoly Mystery Square- sports romance with football or hockey
Shane is a quarterback in need of a team. Carly is an assistant to the Blaze, a team that gives Shane a second chance. It seems Shane is a bit too wild in his personal life (or so the tabloids say). Carly has had her own issues with the tabloids too. Oh, and the daddy issues both if them have.
I was pleasantly surprised I liked this one as much as I did. I thought with each character's issues I would have wanted to slap them both. Carly is the more mature one. I didn't like Shane's attitude when it came to his brother. I thought he was mean. However, throw in a supportive family, friends, and a crazy stalker and it all turns out!
* next book is Julianne's (Carly's best friend) and I don't think I will be reading since it contains a trope that pisses me off (one night stand, unplanned *secret* pregnancy with no plans to tell the baby daddy). Nope!
Romanceopoly Mystery Square- sports romance with football or hockey
February 4, 2024
DNF @ 68%
I'm with Shane on this one. Why do these people just expect him to be okay with suddenly being saddled with his father's kid who he doesn't have a relationship with?
Especially Carly. Why the hell can't she give him compassion and try to understand what he's struggling with instead of just judging him to be an asshole?
I'm with Shane on this one. Why do these people just expect him to be okay with suddenly being saddled with his father's kid who he doesn't have a relationship with?
Especially Carly. Why the hell can't she give him compassion and try to understand what he's struggling with instead of just judging him to be an asshole?
December 27, 2022
Despite being very busy, plot wise, committed the crime of being boring. It was free on Apple Books though.
February 9, 2024
3.75 ⭐💁
August 31, 2024
I listened to this for a book challenge. I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. Sports Romance is a genre I don’t typically read. I want to finish this series! I enjoyed Shane and Carly❤️ The secondary characters were great as well. The family, co-workers and friends added to the story.
September 27, 2024
I enjoyed this book. There was enough of a sports side to classify it as sports romance, but I was pulled in by Shane’s relationship with his half brother Troy. All the characters were tied together by similar childhood trauma, making their reactions believable to me as well as their forgiveness of others’ reactions. I liked the feel that the team was a family. I feel as if the relationship took second place to a lot of other things, but that those things kept them together when they may have walked away.
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