The Nerd & the Quarterback by M.L. Collins

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 230
Series: Jackson High #1
Genre: YA, Football, Sports, Romance
Published: March 11, 2020, by Nancy’s Daughter Publishing
Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis:

I had a plan to survive my senior year.
Too bad Jackson High’s star quarterback BLEW. IT. UP.

Last year, I was the most hated girl at my old school.
This year, my plan was to lay low, keep to myself and graduate.

My plan was working. Until the day I ran into Dax DeLeon.

It’s impossible to stay invisible when the most popular guy at school claims I’m his girlfriend.
Did I mention his ex—the head cheerleader and the most popular girl in school—wants him back?

Boom.

Now I’ve got a fake boyfriend.
And a target on my back. Again.

But what’s scaring me the most…
If this thing with Dax is fake—why does being with him feel so real?

The Nerd & the Quarterback is a *Standalone*clean YA romantic comedy about a nerdy bowler, a hot quarterback, a possible case of mistaken identity, a bunny-napping, ransom notes, a failed ransom drop, thievery, and mean girls being mean.

But mostly about a boy and a girl learning to trust.

*Warning: this book has a romance so sweet you’ll get an urge to call your dentist.*

Review:

I needed a cheesy, teen, Romcom to cleanse for a more serious book. I have been reading historical fiction so much these last few weeks that I need something light and airy to be able to get out of a reading slump.

This book contained several of my pet peeves.

1. “Quirky” or different from other girls (Though I will give Dax credit when he said different from the girls he hangs out with.)
2. A person who talks in the third person.
3. The guy’s POV is not as well written as the girl’s POV (While Ali comes off snarky, Dax comes off as annoying.)
4. No communication

I liked Ali and if this book was told from Ali’s POV alone I would have liked this more. I will say the one thing I didn’t like about Ali was the positive affirmations. I’m not one for affirmations. I know they work for some people but to me, it’s hogwash, and apparently for Ali as well because normally she is thinking something snarky after having said affirmation. The other thing about Ali was how she faked being okay around her dad.

Ali isn’t that nerdy. Like at all. But I still think the banter between her and Dax was cute in some areas. Also, I want to say thank you to Ms. Collins for writing a parent who doesn’t live vicariously through their child. Thank you!!

The beginning of this book was a mess, but the ending was cute. Not going to continue on with the series because it doesn’t have any couples I look forward to getting to know.

The Hard Way Home by C.W. Farnsworth

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 270
Series: Hard Way Home #1
Genre: YA, Romance, Sports
Published: July 1, 2021
Rating: 3.5 stars

Synopsis:

STAR PITCHER. TOWN GOLDEN BOY. HEARTBREAKER. NEMESIS.

Caleb Winters was a familiar name long before he deigned Landry High with his presence. It took me all of ten seconds to determine he’s everything I’m not: charismatic, captivating, and celebrated.

Unlike most of Landry, he doesn’t shy away from my messy background. Or pretend I don’t exist. He answers my caustic remarks with choice retorts of his own. Our notorious bickering aside, I don’t have time for the town golden boy. I have actual problems. Challenges. Crushing responsibilities.

But when I’m suddenly forced to spend more time with him, I unexpectedly discover Caleb Winters might be more than just the entitled jock I’ve sparred with since freshman year.

And that realization can only end badly. For me.

Because everyone knows he’s destined for big, impressive things, and I’m… not.

Review:

Lennon has been an outcast most of her high school life. Senior year is a bit different. It seems after the winter break, Caleb Winters is there around the corner almost every second. The more she talks to him the more she starts to realize he’s starting not to be her enemy.

Super quick read. This is the second book I have read by Farnsworth. Like the first book I read by her, the characters use last names a lot when talking to one another. I do plan on starting the second book. I like Caleb and Lennon’s bickering/flirting. I do want more of them which thankfully the second book continues on their story.

The one thing I didn’t buy into too much was everyone staying clear of her because of her dad and mom. That didn’t make much sense to me. I wonder if we will see more family dynamics with Caleb’s family in the next book?

The Quarterback and the Ballerina by Anne-Marie Meyers & Maggie Dallen

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 210
Series: The Ballerina Academy #1
Genre: YA, Sports, Romance
Published: March 7, 2020
Rating: DNF

Synopsis:

He thought he knew what he wanted.
Turns out, all he wanted was her.
Collette

I’d kill to be the kind of dancer my mom wants me to be, but it’s just not in the cards. I’m sick of dieting. I’ll never fit into the perfect ballerina mold and I’m tired of wishing that I could.

I’m over it. I’m done trying.

I’m perfectly content to dance alone in the dark while the rest of the school is sleeping.
Ethan

Coach says our football team needs discipline. That dancing alongside a bunch of prissy prima donnas is how we’ll learn our lesson.

Only problem?

I don’t have time for ballet. Not when I’m busting my butt to be the star quarterback, the dutiful son, and the perfect student…all so I can achieve my father’s dream.

When I meet Collette, I can’t help but take notice. She’s a vision of grace and beauty all wrapped up in snark and sass. And she helps me see that my own dreams aren’t so stupid after all.

I just wish she could see that in herself. But when I try to bring her out into the light, I can feel her slipping away. Her walls are built up so high, I fear they’ll never come down. I want to love her like she deserves—but that’s just the problem.

She doesn’t believe she deserves it.

Review:

To start off with, I have only read one of Anne-Marie’s books and I didn’t give it the highest rating. With Maggie, I have read a couple of her books and I DNFed them. So when I picked up this book off my TBR and noticed Maggie as the author then went and looked at Anne-Marie I started not to have high hopes. It’s not because they have bad writing. Their writing tends to hit the younger demographic which I haven’t been in for about eleven to twelve years. But I decided I was going to give this the good ole college try.

When Coach Reynolds told me what he’d planned as punishment for my teammates, I’d thought he was joking. The entire starting lineup for the Oakwood High football team taking ballet lessons? He couldn’t be serious.

The starting line with the exception of Ethan got caught partying the night before a game. The coach decides that their punishment will be learning ballet. Ethan purposes to help out Collette.

I want to point out one thing… many famous football players actually participate in ballet to enhance their performance. Don’t believe me, google it. I did try to keep an open mind. There really wasn’t anything wrong with the story. I’m just bored. I think it has more to do with the fact that I just finished a five-star book and this really is pointed to a younger demographic.

I’m sure if I had picked it up at another time, I probably would have liked it but unfortunately, that is not the case.

Abi and the Boy Next Door by Kelsie Stelting

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 372
Series: Texas High: Abi #1
Genre: YA, Romance, Sport
Published: Dec. 8, 2018
Rating: 2.5 stars

Synopsis:

It’s the first day at my new school and I already have a wide load sticker on my back.

But this is still better than life was before. Before I was taken away from my parents. Before I moved in with my grandma.

Before I met Jon Scoller.

He’s cute, he lives down the street, but the guy asks way too many questions. Questions about a past I’d rather forget.

And I am not his type. He needs to be with a cheerleader. A perfect girl. Someone who doesn’t look like the before picture for a weight loss shake.

Jon makes me feel like I’m more than a number on the scale, but I’m starting to wonder: does he feel the same way or does he just feel sorry for me?

Review:

I have read a book series by Kelsie before. They were super cute though had a few characters who fat-shamed. I am not opposed to some characters fat-shaming due to people in real life fat shame. So it stays realistic to me. What I don’t like is when an author fat-shames and makes it a point to do so.

I don’t know if it’s just the two small-town schools I went to in my life or if fiction is just exaggerated. I feel like in most books there seems to only be one plus-sized person in the school. Sorry but that wasn’t how it was at either of the schools I went to. Also, our jocks had some big boys. They weren’t all 6 feet and muscles for days. Just saying.

And while I am ranting, if you are not where you want to be with weight, no matter how much you weigh, please don’t starve yourself. Also, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and managing weight won’t be done in a week. Please give yourself some time. I am having to remind myself of this because I’m not back to where I was before JB. I have to remember that JB is only six months. While some women can bounce back after a baby, I’m not them and my body needs time.

Anyway sorry for the rant. On to the actual review. Abi is living with her grandma after her abusive parents are put in jail. Abi lives down the street from Jon. She makes friends with a girl named Stormy on the first day. Abi is a plus-sized girl who hates herself and her weight.

I love that even though Abi hates herself, she does seem to work to better herself. She isn’t a heroine that the author made to self-pity herself or to try and get attention. I love when characters try to better themselves. It makes me not want to smack them.

Now Jon and Abi… I don’t see the attraction she has for him. He hasn’t really done anything to get the almost stalker vibe from her. I just don’t get what she sees in him. While I am glad Abi tries to better herself, I don’t like the thoughts she has about herself.

Porker dead, choked on pork.

She isn’t nice to herself. And that makes me a bit mad. I understand she doesn’t like her weight but that doesn’t mean she has the right to dig on herself. I also understand that with the way her mom was that it’s ingrained in her brain to think the worst of herself. So I guess I can let that slide.

I don’t know if I will put the second book on my TBR. I wasn’t too thrilled with the book.

#TheRealCinderella by Yesenia Vargas

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 236
Series: #BestFriendsForever #1
Genre: YA, High School, Sports Romance
Published: April 24th, 2018
Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis:

Geeky Ella Reyes is at the bottom of the totem pole at Westwood High. Her ultra-popular stepsisters refuse to be seen with her at school, and every day she comes home to a mountain of chores.

Ella’s only friend (and maybe crush) lives on the other side of her phone’s screen. She and Baller929 know everything about each other, except their real names.

When they have a chance to meet at her school’s Halloween ball, Ella must figure out a way to get there without her stepmom or stepsisters finding out.

Is revealing her identity to Baller929 worth risking the one good thing left in her life? Or is he too good to be true?

Review:

Baller929 went to Westwood High School? My phone fell from my hands. This was impossible.

Super cute! This story reminded me in many ways of the movie A Cinderella Story with Hillary Duff and Chad Michael Murray. There are also many ways that it’s not the same. But we have Ella who lost her dad on her eleventh birthday. From then on she lived with her stepmother and two stepsisters.

One day while volunteering to help students with homework over the student server, she helped Baller929 who was then Baller23. Since that day the two became close friends.

Again super cute YA. It’s almost puke adorable if you catch my drift. I’ll put the second book on my TBR list.

The Love Playbook by Suze Winegardner

My Edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 230
Standalone
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Sports, Romance
Published: November 4, 2019
Rating: DNF @ pg 18 (No Rating)

Synopsis:

When Avery Stone learns her dad will be fired if his high school team doesn’t make the playoffs, she has to get her head out of her day planner and do something—anything—to help him win. Even if it means secretly coaching the team’s newest player, who seems to have more game than skill.

Lucas Black just transferred to Hillside with a fake name and a big secret. The MVP of every team he’d played on since he was seven—not to mention the MVP of every post-game party—he can’t understand why since arriving at Hillside, he’s been unable to catch a single. Freaking. Ball.

Until…Avery. Amazing, kind, generous, and crazy-freaking-hot Avery.

As Lucas goes from zero back to hero and Avery struggles with just what Lucas means to her, she inadvertently sets them on a collision course with Lucas’s secret…a secret that could take down not only Lucas but her father too.

Review:

Oh, this is sad. It’s been a while since I DNFed a book so early. I wasn’t feeling it to start off with. Nothing jumped out at me in the first chapter. Already I didn’t like either of the MCs. Then I had a theory, read some reviews, and the theory was proven correct. I skimmed the little bit of chapter 2 that I did read.

Nothing and I mean nothing popped out at me when I skimmed. If anything it made me want to skip to the end just to know how everything turned out. Instead, I have decided this book isn’t for me. I am going to put it back and part ways. It will be easier than trying to force myself through a book that I know I will give a low rating.

#Junkie by Cambria Hebert

My edition:Kindle Unlimited
Pages:542
Series: GearShark #1
Rating:
Synopsis:

Drew Forrester is a total adrenaline junkie.

His high of choice?

Cars.

The faster, the better.

He’s been making waves in Maryland’s underground racing circuit since he crossed the state line, and after speaking with him, we know he’s not hitting the brakes anytime soon.

So what exactly does it take to burn rubber and make a name for yourself in a world where the only rule is there are no rules?

You gotta be hungry…

You gotta have balls…

And you can never back down.

What’ve we learned here at GearShark?

Drew is all of the above.

We also know he’s got some secrets buried under his hood.

Secrets we think are loaded with octane and just might set the world of cars on fire.

This is an M/M romance.

Review:

Alright friends it has happened. My M/M cherry has been popped!!! I was wary at first because this is a genre totally out of my comfort zone just like the genre dark. But I decided halfway through #Bae I wanted to know Drew and Trent’s story. I knew in #Heart that something was up with those two. It was a feeling. I liked that Hebert had that there. It makes her a great author.

Drew and Trent hit it off right way when they met at Screamerz. They were best of friends. They loved cars and they both had Mustangs. Lately though Trent is starting to realize he loves Drew. No not loves but loves Drew. What he doesn’t know is Drew feels the same way. One night Drew is hiding out with a girl named Joey at a gay bar trying to avoid a guy named Lorhaven. Drew sees Trent at the bar talking to another guy. From there Drew knew he was a goner for Trent. Trent finally confesses that he has been questioning himself. Drew got pissed that Trent was keeping such a secret from him. A secret he wanted to try with Trent.

I was glad this was my first M/M romance. Trent and Drew were adorable together. I love how possessive of Trent Drew is and how protective of Drew Trent is. So cute. I am shipping this hard. But seriously Drew’s jealousy is just too damn cute. The protectiveness Trent has, kind of a turn on. I love these two. I love them even more together.

 

#Bae by Cambria Hebert

My edition: Kindle (Owned copy)
Pages: 334
Series: Hashtag #7
Rating:4.5
Synopsis:

Happily-ever-after.
That’s what happens when you get married.
Right?
Turns out sparkly rings, cake and a fantastic wedding do not automatically grant you that, not even when it’s all you truly want.
I’m even starting to doubt the bottomless, unconditional love I share with the man I married will be enough.
I can’t have happily ever after, know why?
Because I can’t give Romeo what he truly wants. I’ve tried. So hard. I won’t be happy unless he is and something is missing.
Someone.
Paparazzi are in my face. The flashing cameras and prying eyes are everywhere. My secret is getting harder to hide, and I know the second the scoop is dished the grip I hove on the fraying rope that happily ever after will snap right in my face.
In our face.
I can’t let that happen. No matter what.
Because with or without a happy ending, Romeo comes Before Anyone Else.

Review: All I expect is for you to breathe. -Romeo

Romeo and Rimmel are having a happy marriage. Everything is going peaceful when one day Rimmel wakes up to have her world shattered. Her and Romeo are trying to pick up the pieces to heal together, but the press, and some people from the past have other news for them.

 

I finally accepted the fact I was really struggling today, and with that acceptance, it became a little easier to breathe. -Rimmel

I like that the relationship did change after the horrible news. Romeo and Rimmel still love each other but dealing with their grief has put a barrier between them. The way they work past that makes it that more realistic. Rimmel having to deal with her heartache but she puts on a front so no one worries about her. I love the heart of stone she is written with. She puts everyone else before herself. Most of all she puts Romeo before everyone else. She tries to remain strong for Romeo even when she is dying on the inside. Of course Rome knows what’s going on and makes her open up as much as she will let him.

It isn’t your fault. These things, these horrible things just happen. -Valerie

Most New Adult books have a thing me and a few people call magic peen. What that is is when a MC mostly a heroine has something horrible happen, most cases it’s rape, she has issues dealing with that as any human should. Then out of no where *clears throat, sings* here comes our hero to save the day with his magic penis!!!!*stops singing* All of the sudden our heroine forgets whatever issues she had and is all better. NO!! Authors please stahhhp that shit.

Again as I was saying with the magic peen, this book does not have it. I wanted to jump for joy with that. Thank you Hebert for making this without magic peen. Romeo and Rimmel have to deal with real life shit. But it’s okay. They make it through it. They even become a stronger couple due to this.

Here’s the thing: when you back a wounded dog into a corner, it’s going to come out fighting. -Romeo

Romeo is a man after my own heart. He is up there on my book boyfriend list with the other Romeo from Sweet Home and Preppy from King. His love for Rimmel never faltered. If anything it grew stronger. Romeo also showed that even though you’re an alpha male, sometimes you need to lean on your queen.

Yes I recommend this series. Even though #Selfie and #Poser are not anywhere near my favorites I still recommend. I’m a little sad that it’s ended but hey every great series has that bittersweet moment. Now if you excuse me. I need to go crawl into a fetal postiton and figure what I’m going to do with my life.

#Heart by Cambria Hebert

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 338
Series:Hashtag #6
Rating: 4 stars
Synopsis: Off of Goodreads

Lovers Gonna Love…

Family isn’t always defined by blood.
Sometimes Family is born of love..
Loyalty…
And choice.
Sometimes the bond that comes from someone having your back through the shittiest of times is stronger than anything you get from genetics.
And sometimes you find that piece of your soul you didn’t even know was missing.
I’m a lucky guy like that.
I found a love that will never fade. I found a group of people who aren’t just my friends.
They’ve become my family.
There’s only one place to go from here.
I’m gonna bind myself to immel in every possible way.
I’m gonna bring our family even closer together.
The past has taught me it won’t be easy.
Especially when faced with repercussions from a night that ended in death.
But that’s okay.
Family doesn’t quit each other.
Love like ours never dies.
Happily ever after isn’t just for storybooks.

Review: Spoilers if you haven’t read the other books in the series.

Okay besides the first one this one is my favorite. It had so many cute scenes. Braeden and Ivy gah!!! I had my suspicions about them and they were confirmed. It made me so happy the way they got their HEA. Now Romeo and Rimmel’s HEA I have a feeling is in #BAE which I can’t wait to read but have a short story to read before that.

The way Rimmel and Romeo got married was so adorable. Just the way Romeo proposed was so amazing.

This book made me want to go back to the very first book just to see these two fall in love again. There were even hints from the first book in this. But before I can go and reread I have to make it through the last two books in the series. Then I will start GearShank series which will be a write off from this one with Drew and Trent. I have a certain feeling about those two. 😉

#Player by Cambria Hebert

My edition:Kindle Unlimited
Pages:580
Series: Hashtag #3
Rating: 3.5 stars
Synopsis: Off of Goodreads

Players gotta play.
Hate is like a poison. It contaminates everything.
So does doubt.
Even though I deny what I overheard, even though I insist it isn’t true, the seed of doubt has been planted. I can’t help but be tormented with the endless what-if’s that have taken over out lives.
Romeo and I were happy in love. The future stretched before us brighter than any star in the darkest sky. Now everything is broken. Literally broken. Romeo’s entire career is at stake, my entire future is threatened… and my past?
It’s coming back to haunt me.
To haunt us.
Romeo says w’re in this together and right now the only sure thing is us. But how far can a love so new be pushed? The lengths we will have to go to save each other puts everything at risk.
Romeo is a #player but how much of the game can one person play?

Review: Okay first things first… that blurb… depressing as shit. I didn’t really read the blurb until I had to write it for this post.

Now onto the book… this one wasn’t drama all the way through and it wasn’t just sex, sex, sex either. We got a little more into depth with Romeo and Rimmel’s relationship. Romeo’s mom is still kind of a bitch to me. That won’t ever change. I understand she did what she did but she could have done something differently. But then again there really wouldn’t have been much of a plot for this story.

Zach wasn’t as big in this as in the first and second book which was nice since he was the one who brought on a ton of drama that was beyond ridiculous.

I think I really do like that each book has is the Alpha buzz on the first page of every chapter. Some of those are really funny.

#BadPickUpLineAlert
If you were a Transformer
you’d be Optimus Fine.
#ButSeriouslyDontSayThis
…Alpha BuzzFeed

#DidYouKnow?
Early morning sex has been 
proven to be more effective than 
coffe.
#YouAreWelcome
…Alpha BuzzFeed

I drank some Red Bull, but it 
didn’t give me wings.
#FalseAdvertising
#IFeelBetrayed
…Alpha BuzzFeed.

Now Hebert can write some good sex scenes. The fire between Romeo and Rimmel was burning bright. I mean damn. I had to stop reading this at work once because 1. it was really good and 2. it was so good I started to get into a mood. Yeah I had to stop.

In most reviews you will see people swooning over the ending. After reading the ending, yes I am part of the swooners. It was awesome. Now at the end it says #Selfie is Braeden’s story. Hmmm… Let’s do this.