The author of Intercepted introduces readers to single-mother Poppy Patterson, who moved across the country to Denver a decade earlier when she was sixteen and pregnant by T.K. Moore, who is now the starting wide receiver for the Denver Mustangs. When Poppy and T.K. cross paths again, emotions they've suppressed for years come rushing back.
I loved [Poppy's] character, her feisty nature and her internal monologue is laugh out loud funny ... Whether you are a football fan or not, there’s much to enjoy about this story. There’s a depth of understanding of the sport and what goes on behind the scenes for the partners of the players that make it a realistic read (no surprise, since the author has personal experience in this regard). There’s a delightful and sexy second chance romance for a couple who are clearly compatible equals and parents learning to become a real family unit. And their son is a joyful boisterous nine year old thrilled to connect with his Dad, a boy who steals all his on page scenes. The combination of serious and laugh out loud funny makes for a wholly entertaining read. I’m looking forward to the next in the series!
Blending an emotional journey with an intoxicating romance, Alexa Martin's Fumbled—the second novel in her Playbook series—scores touchdown after touchdown in a sports romance set against a backfield of tropes (and only a few clichés) ... Whether you love or hate the sport itself, this story of second chance romance offers an authentic look into the world of pro ball, the paparazzi, the wives and girlfriends, the agents, and the wild and crazy fans that invade their privacy. And Martin—who's married to a former NFL player—is also skilled at delivering the funny. Even during some of the novel's most emotional scenes, Poppy will make you laugh out loud as she wipes away her latest flood of tears ... Fumbled doesn't gloss over the difficult topic of concussions—rather, Martin examines it from both an emotional and a realistic perspective ... There are a couple of story threads that seem slightly under-baked. One of the not-so-decent mothers Poppy meets could've used a bit more comeuppance on the page, and the double appearance of a mysterious bouquet didn't add the suspense the author might've intended. Still ... a sports romance that really scores.
Martin expertly captures the struggle between the need for a quiet, ordinary life and the demands of an all-star career path that invites gossip, grudges, and jealousy. In this delicious follow-up to Intercepted, Martin once again draws on her own experience as an NFL wife to create a winning sports romance.
