Striker by Michelle Betham

This summer, it’s time to play dirty...

Amber Sullivan is an ambitious, beautiful and feisty Sports reporter for a local TV news programme. With an ex-professional soccer player for a father, she’s grown up in and around the world of premiership football, and boy does she know better than to get mixed up with the men who play the game. As rich and charming as they are, Amber has a strict no player rule.

One of the biggest names in football, Ryan Fisher is young, hot, and talented. He has it all – looks, fame, money; not to mention women falling at his over-insured feet and a lifestyle he’s in no hurry to give up.

At the centre of a multi-million-pound transfer deal back to his home club, Ryan’s a big scoop for a local sports journalist and Amber can’t afford to miss this career-making opportunity – even if that means having to interview the cocky sports star.

But once the tape starts rolling it’s clear Ryan’s got more than just an exclusive on his mind… and he’s used to getting exactly what he wants.

Delving into the lives of those who live and work within the so-called Beautiful Game, ‘Striker’ is a story of sex, secrets and the true cost of fame.


This book was one of those books that I have been wanting to read but never got around to doing it until weeks, months later. (Thank you, ever-growing TBR pile!) I am a huge football fan and I was uber excited to read this book since it's especially rare to find footy romances. Not to mention great ones.

Unfortunately, this read didn't quite meet up with my expectations, high or otherwise. Don't get me wrong, although part of a trilogy, this book does have its own HEA. But it was a HEA wrapped up with an entirely different bow than I was expecting. Maybe I haven't been reading these kinds of books wherein more than two protagonists are highlighted in a relationship and then typical of me, I ended up cheering for the wrong couple. What an eye-opener. Haha!

With my aforementioned love for football, I guess it was only natural for me to be so Team Ryan and Amber because that was what I expected. But as things became clear, that this was not the usual love story, I became partly sad. It turned out that although this was Amber's story, it wasn't Ryan's. And Ryan turned out to be a bit douchy that needed a lot of growing up. Imagine me having to deal with that when I am used to roses, rainbows, and unicorns.

Nevertheless, this book ended with something for us to look forward to and even if this wasn't one hundred per cent my cup of tea, I will eventually come around to reading the next books. If this book felt like a break-up, I need a deserved closure. 


Final verdict: 7/10. Okay read.

Scoring Wilder by RS Grey

What started out as a joke— seduce Coach Wilder—soon became a goal she had to score. 

With Olympic tryouts on the horizon, the last thing nineteen-year-old Kinsley Bryant needs to add to her plate is Liam Wilder. He's a professional soccer player, America's favorite bad-boy, and has all the qualities of a skilled panty-dropper.

• A face that makes girls weep – check. 
• Abs that can shred Parmesan cheese (the expensive kind) – check. 
• Enough confidence to shift the earth’s gravitational pull – double check.

Not to mention Liam is strictly off limits . Forbidden. Her coaches have made that perfectly clear. (i.e. “Score with Coach Wilder anywhere other than the field and you’ll be cut from the team faster than you can count his tattoos.”) But that just makes him all the more enticing…Besides, Kinsley's already counted the visible ones, and she is not one to leave a project unfinished.

Kinsley tries to play the game her way as they navigate through forbidden territory, but Liam is determined to teach her a whole new definition for the term “team bonding.”


I have been asking for a football, er, soccer romance novel for what felt like forever now so when I first came across this book, I was ecstatic. Over the moon. Uber extra happy. And to think that it was by RS Grey? It was already scoring big with me because I loved the first RS Grey book I read, Behind His Lens. It had been months since then but this book just reminded me that I need to get started on her other stuff already in my TBR pile. Stat.

There are books that you enjoy and then there are books that make you all happy inside. This book was the latter for me. No, both. I was smiling nearly the entire time that I was reading this--whether outside or inside. Amazingly engaging narration and storytelling with the random Harry Potter or Game of Thrones reference thrown in. Who doesn't like when that happens? The main characters are entirely likeable...the others I like to hate.

Okay, although I am not 100% on the side of how Liam and Kinsley's romance started, I am nevertheless cheering for them. (I would like to score Coach Wilder, too.) Good Lord, their chemistry was leaping out of the pages. Eh, my iPad, that is. They were sooo hot together. And this was before the even hotter sex. Kilig is a Filipino word that doesn't have a direct translation in the English language (Google it) but nevertheless, the kilig-factor of this book is just skyrocketing! 

Everyone who knows me know that I have a weakness for footballers but Liam is just so easy to fall in love with. I have never put up celebrity pictures who would make for the ideal main characters in books but I shall make a first for this read because I did have someone in mind while reading this book. And Isco from Spanish club Real Madrid was the Liam in my head. Never mind that he may not fit the exact physical description of the character but everytime his scruff is mentioned...ahh, I just melt. Just look at the guy, for chrissakes! 

(Te amo, bebe. Sigh.)

And the epilogue just melted my insides. Melted me all over. Scrape me off the floor now please. Why oh why do you do this to me, Ms Grey?

Bottomline is, this was an utterly captivating romance and beautiful love story. Call me biased because I love football and any romance associated with it. But this was a definite win for me and my favorites stack. For the footy mad, dare I say, hat trick?


Final verdict: 10/10. I-drowned-in-awesomeness read.

Room For More by Beth Ehemann

Four years ago, my dreams were shattered in an instant.

Three months ago, I found something I haven’t had in years. 

Hope. 

That hope came in the form of a sexy, carefree hockey player named Brody Murphy. He swooped in and won me over with his big heart and the way he cared for me…and my girls. When they look at him, they see the father they’ve never had.

Now, my past and present are colliding and the outcome might just be too much for me to bear. Can I make the right decision when I’ve spent my whole life making the wrong ones?


I fell so hard for the first Cranberry Inn book that moving on to the second book is a natural progression. Or not. Because I really wanted to wait for a few more days before reading this book. I am not ready to say goodbye to Brody Murphy yet.

And true enough, this turned out to be another fantastic story to read. When Kacie's past came back in to her life and her twins', she had no other choice to keep it quiet until after Brody's hockey season was over. But then we all know what happens when someone lies, even by omission, and even with the best intentions. My favorite part has got to be the scene when Brody and Zac met for the first. Brody got all territorial and called himself Kacie's twins father. My heart just melted into a puddle right there.

But I loved how everything turned out in the end--that Brody was a man big enough to share his girls with their real father. I understood when he got angry the first time when he found out that Zach was back in Kacie's life because I wouldn't want to be lied to either. But the ending was just great--I loved knowing that they can all have a peaceful life together for the kids' sake. This was just an outright heartwarming story that is worth maybe a second read. Ha, I did. 

But here's a question: WHY does Beth Ehemann only have these two Cranberry Inn books published? I want more of her stuff.


Final verdict: 8/10. Great read.

Room For You by Beth Ehemann

Four years ago, my dreams were shattered in an instant.

I tried to pick up the pieces and glue them back together the best I knew how, but something was always missing.

A father for my two girls.

But then, Brody Murphy landed on my doorstep, literally. He was a carefree, playful hockey player who barged into my life and messed with my head. He left me more confused than I had ever been.

What if the one thing I thought I needed was the only thing holding me back?


I did not expect to find this book so enjoyable. I just felt so...part of the book...while I was reading it. I was all sucked in into the story. And that was unexpected since this was an accidental find of some sort. 

Was it because the central setting of the story was an inn that I felt so at home while reading this book? Was it because Brody was irresistible while Kacie was so relatable? Was it because there was just an instantaneous connection they both felt that it was so easy to fall in love with the idea of them falling in love? Was it because the Twinkies were awesomely cute? And Diesel? I loved him! And then there was Brody's mom? She was the best-est!

There were just so many great things going on in this book and I cannot probably list down each one of them. I love it when I am reading an author for the first and get what I expect and more. I think I have a new name to add to my list of favorite authors because BE made my day after I read this. I just fell in love with this work. 

Bottom line is that this book is full of heart and one for the for-life shelf.


Final verdict: 9/10. Great read.

High Octane: Ignited by Rachel Cross and Ashlinn Craven

Everyone’s fueled by something…

Cassidy Miller was living her dreams as an EMS helicopter pilot saving lives in Arizona but it all came crashing down. Suspended from her job and desperate to escape memories of that night, she jets to Europe and is swept along on a whirlwind world tour of Formula One racing courtesy of her father, an executive sponsor of a team. The last thing she needs is to get involved with a driver, who thrives on risk.

Sexy, daredevil British driver Ronan Hawes has no room in his life for anything but winning. Strategy meetings, press conferences, practices, sponsor events, and racing consume him. Halfway through the season, he’s on track to win the Formula One World Drivers Championship—a title that has eluded him for years—and no emotionally damaged woman, felon father, rookie rival, or rumor mill are going to run him off course.

From Brussels to Abu Dhabi, Texas to Germany, their relationship speeds across the globe, navigating the dangerous turns of life, love and racing.


I can never refuse a sports romance especially if it involves a sport that I love. So here's a Formula One romance to feast my senses on. Not to mention that I was reading this while the 2014 Shanghai GP qualis was blaring on the telly.

And boy, were my senses happy or what? Because reading about Ronan and Cassidy's romance was something, in a good way. They wanted each other and then went for each other. No bullshit there whatsoever. That's exactly the kind of romance that I'd like to read.

I have always enjoyed the RC books that I have read so far so I didn't know what to expect since this was a collab. It turned out that the characters were just as enjoyable to read as always. They had enough depth in them that always make a good romance novel more than just that. And like how straight forward they took their romance, Brad and Cass faced their personal demons before they could bite them in their assess. I admit Cass may have been a tad slow on this part but I found her a character to be strong enough to finally face something that she had been hiding from.

Bottom line is, this book was as real as it gets. Although it didn't have 100% accuracy when it comes to the sport of F1, I found this to be totally real when it comes to the human-aspect of the sport--that drivers are there to drive the car but also that F1 is a team sport. And God, yes, hybrid engines are pains in the butt when not crafted to perfection. My favorite team is suffering from this debacle as we speak.


Final verdict: 8/10. Great read.


*** Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review. Expected publication: May 2014 by Crimson Romance ***

Taking A Shot by Jaci Burton

If you want to score, you have to get in the game...

The last thing Jenna Riley needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she's stuck running the family's sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro hockey stud Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she's vowed to never fall for a jock-even one as hot as Ty.

Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty's insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it, too...

But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it all-including Ty...


I don't know why but Tyler came out like a brother for me in this book. Yes, he was hot (let's make that cover a guide!) but he just sounded too cute that I really wanted to pinch his cheeks. Like a baby!

So I thought that was going to help me lose interest in the romance aspect of the story. But it kind of added to the appeal because I was rooting for Tyler to come out on top in this story.

When I first met Jenna in the first book of this series, I really didn't know what to make of her character. And I was glad not to make any sort of biases because she turned out to be a great character to read. I personally love sports but a lot of my friends aren't so in reverse, I totally got her predicament in being surrounded by too much of it. Although it started out that she was not going to do anything about it, I loved how she eventually decided to slowly come of her comfort zone. I also liked how Tyler pushed her to really be the person that she was and not to be defined by what was expected of her.

My most favorite part of the book? There wasn't the usual pride that could cause so much drama in the usual stories. When Ty and Jenna had a falling out, there wasn't any childish no-talking-to-each-other part. The willingness to actually talk it out with each other was a good change. Good, good, good.


Final verdict: 8/10. Good read.


Play By Play series reviews:
The Perfect Play
Changing The Game

Series Recommendation #5: Take Me by Colleen Masters

Forgive me if I have not blogged much lately but there have been some work commitments that made it hard for me to do so. Rest assured though that there were some reading done and a few books need to be reviewed.

My time this past weekend was also occupied with one of my other loves--Formula 1! The 2014 season finally started Down Under with the Australian Grand Prix. Excited could not even begin to describe how I felt...it is always a long three-month wait between seasons and with the new changes in the sports, drama was expected. And had.

And what better way to celebrate it than to post this series reco? I went gaga when I first came across the first book last year. Trust me to put aside whatever reading I had been doing everytime a new book came out. I was a bit hesitant to actually follow through reading the entire series because I couldn't help but question some the technicalities in the book. But I eventually learned that F1 is a tricky thing and can be a hard and technical sport to understand. Even I, a fan for a number of years, still have some things to understand myself. So I just let myself enjoy and get carried away by the romance, intrigue, and andrenaline between the pages. I will always love the story of Davies and Siena. 

So here goes the reco. I hope you'll read and enjoy it as much as I did.

Book 1: Faster Harder

Book 2: Faster Deeper

Book 3: Faster Longer

Book 4: Faster Hotter

Changing The Game by Jaci Burton

Most people play by the rules. Gavin and Liz aren't most people...

Win at any cost. That's always been the mantra of sports agent Liz Darnell. When she carries things too far and risks losing her number-one client, baseball pro Gavin Riley, Liz realizes that she'll have to work extra innings to win him back. It might not be too much of a stretch. She's had a thing for this player's moves since she first laid eyes on him, and by the looks of it, he wants her just as bad.

Gavin's more than ready—especially when Liz is offering herself as part of the bargain. And as much of her as Gavin wants. For added thrills, he decides to throw a little curve ball Liz's way to see just how far she's truly willing to go to keep him as a client. But when love unexpectedly enters the playing field, neither Liz nor Gavin are ready for the biggest game-changer of them all.


I enjoyed the first book in this series so much I got on the second one as soon as I could...which was as soon as I ended the last page in the previous one. Ahhh, Jaci Burton, you're killing me with awesomeness here!

I loved this book, too. Once again, mind that you check the cover. Right?!?! And to think that Gavin and Mick were brothers; and then looking at these two covers, I couldn't help but think that these Rileys have some great genes. I want. Ha!

Alright, so the reason I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book was because book one of this series teased me enough. That Elizabeth-Gavin kiss right at the end of that book really got me. ***SPOILER*** I admit, Liz became my least favorite person there for a while after what she did to Mick and Tara but I just knew that if they had a book, it was going to a sizzler.

And JB did not disappointment. This dirty talking was enough to get me--hook, line, and sinker. But it was the fluidity of weaving the sexy parts and melding it comfortably into the more familial side of the story that was making me addicted to this story. There was one hiccup in this book that really irritated me--Gavin's asshole moments. I wanted him to really fight for Liz, and especially to Mick when he really started attacking her verbally. These parts (there was more than one occasion...ugh!) in the book really deflated me and kind of burst my bubble a bit. 

Good thing all was good in the end. I guess they were the necessary evils for the good ending. It didn't mean I had to like it though. Nevertheless, I cannot get enough of this series. But since it is still ongoing, I am trying to go through the books slowly so I don't run out. I'll probably give it a week before I give in and pick up the third book.



Final verdict: 7/10.


Play-By-Play series reviews:
A Perfect Play

The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton

Football pro Mick Riley is an all-star, both on the field and in the bedroom. But a sexy, determinedly single mom just might be the one to throw him off his game...

For years Mick has been taking full advantage of the life available to a pro athlete: fame, fortune, and a different girl in every city. But when he meets and beds confident, beautiful event planner Tara Lincoln, he wants much more than the typical one-night stand. Too bad Tara's not interested in getting to know football's most notorious playboy any better.

As the single mother of a teenage son, the last thing Tara needs is the jet-set lifestyle of Mick Riley; even though their steamy and passionate one-night stand was unforgettable. Tara's life is complicated enough without being thrust into the spotlight as Mick's latest girl du jour. Tara played the game of love once and lost big, and she doesn't intend to put herself out there again, especially with a heartbreaker like Mick.

But when Mick sets his mind to win, nothing will stop him. And he has the perfect play in mind.


I wanted to take a break from all the rockstars I have been reading about lately and what better way to do that than spending time with athletes. I love sports and equally, the sportsmen that come with them. Never mind that this book was about American football...which I am not a fan of. When I talk football, I really meant soccer. (Trivia: Only four countries in the world call the sport soccer while the rest of the world call it football. I agree with the rest of the world.)

This was my first Jaci Burton and I have had this book in my TBR pile for quite some time. Most of the books in the series are in my TBR right now, in fact. I am an easily distracted reader so I guess that explains me delaying starting this series. But also because I really like a series to be done and over with before starting it because I hate having to wait for the succeeding books in it. But just look at that cover. SWEET BABY JEEZUS! I just couldn't say no anymore.

I loved this book. Hey, it just wasn't about the cover! I had fun reading about Mick and Tara. This was probably one of the most fast-paced, easiest reads I had in sometime. I just went through it a snap. Should I mention that I started reading this at 3AM because I woke up that early and couldn't go back to sleep anymore...on a Sunday morning?! 

But I was glad I finally got around to reading this book and starting this series. It was sexy as hell, family-rooted, kinda reminiscent of KP's With Me In Seattle series which I also adored. The dirty talk got me good, too. Phew! *fans self* And despite this, it managed to maintain a serious undertone regarding the Mick's history with alcohol. It was finely incorporated into the story, too. I hope this series stretches enough until Nathan is grown and gets a story of his own--loved this kid!

I guess it goes without saying I have found a new name to add to my (growing) list of favorite authors.


Final verdict: 8/10. Great read.

Faster Hotter by Colleen Masters

A good girl..a bad boy...an enduring love. 

Who knew wrong could feel so right? 

Siena Lazio never saw him coming, she never thought a reckless badass and notorious playboy could ever steal her heart. But when it came to Harrison Davies, the irresistibly charming and insanely handsome Formula One driver, she was proven wrong. Very wrong. 

In spite of media blackmail, her family's vehement hate, and an explosive rivalry, Siena and Harrison overcame incredible odds to find each other's hearts. This is the last piece of their story, one filled with secrets and angst, unbridled passion, new-found hope, and unwavering love. 

Although their journey has reached its final lap, what lies around the last turn is even more exciting than either of them could have imagined. And like all great love stories, the heartache was worth it in the end...


Finally! It has been quite a lag waiting for this last book in this series. Who would have thought that finding the first one and reading it just because I was in need of a sports romance at that time would lead to me waiting and waiting for the succeeding books to come out. Patience has never been my virtue so that's why I try to stay away from serials until the entire series has been completed. But I just couldn't say no to this. Nope, not this F1 junkie.

The best thing about being an F1 fan is that I had no problems thinking what my hero would look like. Contrary to popular belief, there are hot men in F1 (or in motorsports as a whole), you just have to know where to look. With a ready picture of the hero in mind, reading about Harrison became just too easy.

This book made great in wrapping up the series. The first half of the book was an emotional one as Siena's dad finally succumbed to his fight with cancer. I'm actually glad that the story tackled this topic as a main part of the story because in most romance books, the subject of death is usually just a small blip in the story.

The one negative thing in this book though was the waiting game. Siena had some important news to share with Harrison but it took her forever to open up to him and come out clean with it. It took the entire book, in fact! That news was big and was going to affect their future together but she kept it to herself. Good thing CM wrote Harrison the way he was so he wasn't offended by the secrecy. I have read of heroes blowing their tops over the same matter when kept from them.

Nevertheless, I was satisfied with this book. I was actually happy thinking I was only getting a trilogy in this series. But I got a fourth one. Booyah! More Harrison for me. It's just sad to be saying goodbye to this series because I enjoyed the company of the characters in this book--Bex and Charlie, Enzo...oh, good Lord! I hope we get to read about Enzo's story soon, yeah? And maybe a Bex-Charlie novella. That wouldn't be so bad.


Final verdict: 8/10. Great read.

Faster Longer by Colleen Masters

 Two star crossed lovers racing together at breakneck speeds, barreling along at 200 miles per hour willing to destroy everything and everyone in their path. 

Siena can't escape. 

She's trapped now. 

How did she fall so helplessly, recklessly in love with the one man who could single handedly turn her life upside down? 

Harrison has her wrapped up in his strong, muscular, tattooed arms. Right where he wants her. Right where she wants to be. 

Even as the championship is decided and fate comes crashing down around them—betrayal, blackmail, death...all seem like nothing compared to Siena's ultimate secret.


I thought the storytelling in this book was a better improvement from the first two books in the series. I don't know if that was really the case but I found it more comfortable reading this one than the others.

This book continued Harrison Davies and Siena Lazio's story after the whole world found out about their secret relationship. Although it wasn't their intention to hide their relationship from the world and almost everyone close to them both, they were pressured to do so since they come from rival teams in the F1 world. Coming public was something that they had planned doing on their own terms. But someone was out to maliciously bring their relationship into the open to disctract Harrison and Siena's brother, Enzo, from their bid to the driver's championship.

If I thought Harrison didn't man up enough in the second book, he pretty much made up for it in this book. Even after Seina walked out on him after their story was exposed (plus a few more embellishments), he still braved going to her turf--to her family, in the midst of a rival team, and despite that he was Enzo's closest rival in the championship and Enzo hated his guts.

The characters have developed quite well in the course of these three books. This was probably the book I enjoyed best in the series, so far. There were still some good twists when I thought I couldn't be surprised anymore by the plot. The only con (no pun intended) though was identifying who was behind all the rumors being spread about Seina and Harrison. I may have mentioned who I thought was guilty when I reviewed the second book. I'm glad I was right.

Some of the irregularities from how Formula One really works still bothered me a bit. But I have let all that slide and have accepted that this series has simplified it enough to make it more readable by non-F1 fans.


Final verdict: 8/10. Great read.


Take Me series reviews:
Faster Harder
Faster Deeper

Play With Me by Kristen Proby

Will Montgomery is a successful professional football player and seemingly has it all. He’s not used to being told no, and certainly doesn’t take no for an answer. So when he turns his charms on his sister’s sexy rocker-chick friend Meg, he’s not only turned down, but met with open hostility, piquing his curiosity and libido. He’s determined to show her that he’s not the arrogant jock she thinks he is, and to get her into his bed.

Megan McBride is not impressed with Will Montgomery, his fat contract, fancy car, or his arrogant public persona. She doesn’t have time for a relationship, and if she’s learned anything in life, it’s that loving means losing, so she guards her heart ferociously. But she can’t deny the overwhelming attraction to the sexy, tattooed athlete, and when Will starts breaking down her defenses and grabs hold of her heart, will she be able to admit her feelings for him, or will her troubled past cause her to lose the first man she’s ever truly loved?


I have loved this book since before I have read it. They say never judge a book by its cover but when you have a cover like what this book has, what am I to do but love it to death? My disappointment was sky high though when I realized the same cover art was used in a different book. It was blasphemous really.

It's a good thing the story pretty much made up for that. I'm a sucker for a good romance (duh!) but when I have an athlete for a hero, I'm pretty much a shoo-in to love it. Never mind that Will Montgomery was a football player and the only thing I know about the sport is next to zero. My favorite sport is football of the European kind. (You cannot blame me because they show thighs there and a good number of players strip their shirts off when scoring despite the threat of being carded. And I have been a Beckhamist since 1996.)

So we have established that I cannot possibly find fault in this book so I might as well as list my favorite moments, in no particular order:
1) The crazy bachelorette party that the girls had for Jules was just that--crazy! I meant, when the ladies got drunk they definitely knew how to have a crazy conversation. I couldn't stop laughing.
2) I just melted at the picture of Will painting Meg's toes. I have a fixation for this scenario. Blame it on a advertisement spread I saw in a magazine a bijillion years ago.
3) Meg's three-date rule. Atta girl!
4) Will's Shelby Mustang. I agree Meg on this. Yes. *nods head*
5) The cover. I must reapeat that.
6) That last scene with Will surprising Meg with breakfast with her brother, Leo.

...and more. Just read it so that you can't accuse me for spilling some spoilers.


Finver verdict: 9/10. Great must read, must have.


With Me In Seattle series reviews:
Come Away With Me
Under The Mistletoe With Me
Fight With Me

Faster Deeper by Colleen Masters

Fast Cars.

Beautiful Women.

Sexy Drivers.

Pain, Lies, Deceit, Tears, Violence, Anger, Blackmail, Passion, Love, Lust...

Sex.

Siena wants Harrison, needs him, more than anything in the world, but she's falling in love with a man she can't have—Not without losing everything and everyone she's ever loved.

Harrison's set his sights on Siena and nothing can stand in his way—He's going to get her, or die trying.


This is the second book in Colleen Masters' Take Me series. Read my review of the first book, Faster Harder, here.

This book picked up where the first book left off--when Siena started getting the first blackmail material against her and Harrison. Because they come from rival teams in the F1 world, they continue to hide their relationship from the public despite the threat of everything getting out in the open that could really affect their professional and personal lives, especially on Siena's side since her older brother had started treating Harrison as enemy number one.

By the middle of this book, I had a pretty keen idea on who was blackmailing them. If I got it wrong, I'll be very disappointed--even if I don't have money riding on it. Meh. I somehow think that Harrison was still not alpha enough for me and didn't take enough control of the situation as I would've wanted. But I would also blame that on the part that Siena has more to lose on a personal level than him, i.e. her family.

Although this was fast-paced enough for me, there was still something lacking depthwise considering that this was the second book already. I was really expecting for the story to pick up. This doesn't mean that I'm not looking forward enough to the next installment in this series. Everything should come to a head since this books leaves us with the world finding out about Siena and Harrison's secret.


Final verdict: 7/10. Good read.

Scored by Lily Harlem

Okay, so I eat, sleep and breathe football and reporting the beautiful game is my dream career. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have time for a major crush on the England captain, Lewis Tate. The bloke is sex on legs, hot with a capital H. Add in his awe-inspiring talent, his brooding good looks and what’s not to lust after?

So my excitement is sky-high as I set off with the official press team to cover England’s battle for the European Cup. But when a series of unfortunate, or as it turns out fortunate events, attracts Tate’s attention my way, who am I to say no?

Add in a misogynistic manager, an over-zealous colleague, two blue silk ties and some incredible ball-handling skills and it becomes clear the road to victory, for me, will be an intensely erotic journey. Determined to savor every moment, I hang onto my sanity as best I can while living the fantasy and wondering if it can ever become reality. Because once Lewis Tate has taken me to heaven and back, its clear no one else will ever compare.


I'm such a sucker for sports so it would go without saying that I'm a goner when it comes to sports romances. So imagine me jumping up and when I came across this book. Oh, sweet lord, a football romance story!

Okay, so I didn't really jump up and down...but I really wanted to! I was that excited.

The premise was simple enough but I really didn't expect the entire story to be that simple. I would've really liked a deeper element in the story and not just on Lewis Tate and Nicky Thomas' romance. That was a given so I thought this would've been a more interesting read if there were more to the story than that.

I also have a thing for punctuation marks. (I personally think that Oxford commas are sexy.) It kind of gets old when when you don't get too far into the book and realize that you will have to second guess some punctuations for the rest of the book. Yes, it was a relief when, at times, I realize that a question mark or a period is the right punctuation at the end of the sentence. Edit, edit, edit.

If I was that high upon finding this book, I was bit disappointed when I finished it. I was left there with a "That's it?!"

But I must say that there were a number of saving graces: The most important ones being that this was a romance set in football and I have a footballer for a hero. The perfect excuse to use one of my favorite footballers as the hero. Also, I'm an England fan...well, I'm really a Beckhamist. So I cheer for England even if these days a win is hard to find. ***SPOILER*** And England wins the European Cup in this book--something that will probably never happen in my lifetime. I also don't know if Ms Harlem was being hopeful or sarcastic about using the penalty shootout as the climax of the finals match but any self-respecting England fan knows England never wins in the pens. It's almost tradition.

Irony: The finals in this book was England versus Spain but it's kind of ironic that right off the bat, I had a real-life Spanish national player in my head while reading this book.


Final verdict: 7/10. Okay read.