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The Game of Love
Chris St. James is ready for normal. After walking away from her pro tennis career and a toxic relationship with a star hockey player, she's starting a new life as a teacher and tennis coach in a small town. Now all she needs is an average guy to share it with.
Brett Wallace is no average guy. Forced to retire from the NFL after an injuryand suddenly single after being dumped by his status-conscious wife, he's returned to his hometown to coach the varsity football team. Wary of women interested only in his celebrity, Brett finds Chris's indifference to his former career refreshing.
The last thing Chris needs is to get involved with another pro athlete, but she can't deny the sparks that fly between them. So she agrees to a purely physical, no-strings-attached affair. But the rules of the game change when she falls for him...
85,000 words
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2011
19 people are currently reading
3388 people want to read
About the author
Jeanette Murray
18 books406 followersFacebook.com/JeanetteMurrayBooks
@KJMurrayBooks
Jeanette lives just outside St. Louis with her husband, daughter and their lovable-but-stupid Goldendoodle. When she's not writing her next romance, she's found hanging out with the new friends she's made here, catching up with old friends from past duty stations on Facebook, or surfing Pinterest pretending she can cook. Catch up with her on Facebook or Twitter for contests, sneak peeks of what she's working on, and updates about her life in general.
@KJMurrayBooks
Jeanette lives just outside St. Louis with her husband, daughter and their lovable-but-stupid Goldendoodle. When she's not writing her next romance, she's found hanging out with the new friends she's made here, catching up with old friends from past duty stations on Facebook, or surfing Pinterest pretending she can cook. Catch up with her on Facebook or Twitter for contests, sneak peeks of what she's working on, and updates about her life in general.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
August 17, 2011
Five stars,Dinjolina?
Yeah.Five stars. *rocks on the balls of her feet*
But, but...five stars to a cont. romance?
Mh-mmm.That about sums it up.
Five stars by you? But you are on a 3 to 4 star maximum almost always!
Well, the hell with you, mister! I LOVED this book! It had it all! A hunky ex football player...
They don't even have football in your country!
Ok, we do not have it. But it was the ball. That kind of ball, being held by a man? A man with a six pack? It is sexy. If the hero was a tennis player I do not think I would be so crazy about it. You just know a rugby ball has aerodynamics. And you know what that makes me think? It makes me think that that hero can make the heroine fly! See the angels! Nudg-nudg. Know what I mean? And there is the six pack. You gotta love a book that has a hot guy on the cover.
You make me sick! You evil who...erm...Is this my script? No? Ok. Carry on.
Any way, my point is that it was an amazing read! And I did not even mind that their courtship faze was so long. The misunderstanding? It was quick and sweet. The crazy ex? Got what he deserved! Even thou I would have like a follow up on that. And the epilogue? Awww! The sweetums is pregnant! I do love my HEA-s!
Where did you even get this book?
Why, I got it from NetGalley! And I do hope this author decides to write some more! Carina press sure knows how to pick them!
How did you pick this exact book any way?
Oh! The cover! It had a sexy guy with the ball and...
Oh my God! Will you just shut up about the ball??! I am so out of here!
Do not forget to buy the book and try it!!! *waves with a blissful smile on her face*
Yeah.Five stars. *rocks on the balls of her feet*
But, but...five stars to a cont. romance?
Mh-mmm.That about sums it up.
Five stars by you? But you are on a 3 to 4 star maximum almost always!
Well, the hell with you, mister! I LOVED this book! It had it all! A hunky ex football player...
They don't even have football in your country!
Ok, we do not have it. But it was the ball. That kind of ball, being held by a man? A man with a six pack? It is sexy. If the hero was a tennis player I do not think I would be so crazy about it. You just know a rugby ball has aerodynamics. And you know what that makes me think? It makes me think that that hero can make the heroine fly! See the angels! Nudg-nudg. Know what I mean? And there is the six pack. You gotta love a book that has a hot guy on the cover.
You make me sick! You evil who...erm...Is this my script? No? Ok. Carry on.
Any way, my point is that it was an amazing read! And I did not even mind that their courtship faze was so long. The misunderstanding? It was quick and sweet. The crazy ex? Got what he deserved! Even thou I would have like a follow up on that. And the epilogue? Awww! The sweetums is pregnant! I do love my HEA-s!
Where did you even get this book?
Why, I got it from NetGalley! And I do hope this author decides to write some more! Carina press sure knows how to pick them!
How did you pick this exact book any way?
Oh! The cover! It had a sexy guy with the ball and...
Oh my God! Will you just shut up about the ball??! I am so out of here!
Do not forget to buy the book and try it!!! *waves with a blissful smile on her face*
December 19, 2014
2.5 stars
Well, I have to say that the first half of the book was more than good; I'd say it was a solid 4 stars, even if the heroine was so stiff and rude that she already grated my nerves. It was witty, fast paced, well written and had a yummy, gentle but also very sexy hero that compensated for the lack of charm in the heroine's part.
Brett is an ex pro-athlete and current football coach in the high school where Chris(=Christina) comes to work as a tennis coach. What Brett doesn't know, is that Chris was also a pro tennis player and used to date a pro hockey player herself, before she left everything and everyone and decided to work as a tennis coach. Brett is initially impressed that Chris is not awed by his pro-athlete status and big bucks, and that makes him want her all the more. But Chris has just come out of an abusive relationship with the afore-mentioned hockey player and is seriously prejudiced where pro athletes come from, so she's less than receptive to Brett's efforts to court her. Soon though, it becomes obvious that Brett is different from Dax; he's good natured and generous and kind, and as he's also very handsome, it doesn't get long to give in to his attentions.
And that is when my dislike for her, turned to hate. Till then, I had to read through a few scenes where she was just rude to his kindness while he, besotted with her long legs as he was, decided to treat it like a joke. So far, she had pushed him with the door of her car and he'd fallen on his butt, thrown iced coffee on his face and generally talked him down, just because "all pro athletes are stupid, self-centered jocks", herself excluded of course. Can it get worse? YES, IT CAN. Their making out starts when at a picnic she throws first garlic bread and then a whole plate of spaggeti and meatballs on him, just for fun. Fun??? This was fun when we were seven years old, not twenty seven! And then he jumps on her and starts liking the sauce and salad and pasta from her, while also kissing and fondling her of course, which makes it one of the most gross make-out scenes I've read about, only to get worse: he gets her pants off, only to find that she wears no underwear. And her excuse is that "hey, I thought I was going out with my girlfriend for coffee, not a date so I'd put on my sexy underwear." Really? Is that the only reason women wear underwear? Stupid me, I thought it was for hugienic reasons first and foremost. And after their sex-fest, when they sit on bed and eat some pizza -where the hero's impressed that she eats four whole pieces of pizza (really? is 4 pieces of pizza too much? I must be a pig myself)- she proceeds to wipe her chin with the T-shirt (his T-shirt mind you) she's wearing. Cute, right? WRONG. Lack of self hygiene is not cute, nor tomboyish and definitely NOT SEXY. Add that to her belief that "the food in restaurants nicer than Texas Roadhouse starts smelling like feet anyway", meant to show how indiferrent to money she is, and she's gained a position in my least favorite heroines' shelf.
As if her prejudice and rudeness were not enough, there's also her inability to confess the truth to him about her past with excuses like "I don't want people here knowing about my failures", where the failure is not being in the first top twenty tennis players in the world and dating a famous, wealthy but admittedly very stupid jock, and I wanted to bang her head in a wall.
So, in the end I admit I didn't even enjoy this book. I spent too much time being angry at the heroine to be able to do that. Yummy as the hero was and crisp and witty the writing, it touched too many pet peeves of mine. If however you don't share any of my indignations above, then this is a book you'll probably like, since the basic plot is fun and sexy.
ARC provided by NetGalley
Well, I have to say that the first half of the book was more than good; I'd say it was a solid 4 stars, even if the heroine was so stiff and rude that she already grated my nerves. It was witty, fast paced, well written and had a yummy, gentle but also very sexy hero that compensated for the lack of charm in the heroine's part.
Brett is an ex pro-athlete and current football coach in the high school where Chris(=Christina) comes to work as a tennis coach. What Brett doesn't know, is that Chris was also a pro tennis player and used to date a pro hockey player herself, before she left everything and everyone and decided to work as a tennis coach. Brett is initially impressed that Chris is not awed by his pro-athlete status and big bucks, and that makes him want her all the more. But Chris has just come out of an abusive relationship with the afore-mentioned hockey player and is seriously prejudiced where pro athletes come from, so she's less than receptive to Brett's efforts to court her. Soon though, it becomes obvious that Brett is different from Dax; he's good natured and generous and kind, and as he's also very handsome, it doesn't get long to give in to his attentions.
And that is when my dislike for her, turned to hate. Till then, I had to read through a few scenes where she was just rude to his kindness while he, besotted with her long legs as he was, decided to treat it like a joke. So far, she had pushed him with the door of her car and he'd fallen on his butt, thrown iced coffee on his face and generally talked him down, just because "all pro athletes are stupid, self-centered jocks", herself excluded of course. Can it get worse? YES, IT CAN. Their making out starts when at a picnic she throws first garlic bread and then a whole plate of spaggeti and meatballs on him, just for fun. Fun??? This was fun when we were seven years old, not twenty seven! And then he jumps on her and starts liking the sauce and salad and pasta from her, while also kissing and fondling her of course, which makes it one of the most gross make-out scenes I've read about, only to get worse: he gets her pants off, only to find that she wears no underwear. And her excuse is that "hey, I thought I was going out with my girlfriend for coffee, not a date so I'd put on my sexy underwear." Really? Is that the only reason women wear underwear? Stupid me, I thought it was for hugienic reasons first and foremost. And after their sex-fest, when they sit on bed and eat some pizza -where the hero's impressed that she eats four whole pieces of pizza (really? is 4 pieces of pizza too much? I must be a pig myself)- she proceeds to wipe her chin with the T-shirt (his T-shirt mind you) she's wearing. Cute, right? WRONG. Lack of self hygiene is not cute, nor tomboyish and definitely NOT SEXY. Add that to her belief that "the food in restaurants nicer than Texas Roadhouse starts smelling like feet anyway", meant to show how indiferrent to money she is, and she's gained a position in my least favorite heroines' shelf.
As if her prejudice and rudeness were not enough, there's also her inability to confess the truth to him about her past with excuses like "I don't want people here knowing about my failures", where the failure is not being in the first top twenty tennis players in the world and dating a famous, wealthy but admittedly very stupid jock, and I wanted to bang her head in a wall.
So, in the end I admit I didn't even enjoy this book. I spent too much time being angry at the heroine to be able to do that. Yummy as the hero was and crisp and witty the writing, it touched too many pet peeves of mine. If however you don't share any of my indignations above, then this is a book you'll probably like, since the basic plot is fun and sexy.
ARC provided by NetGalley
August 16, 2011
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Chris is a first time high school tennis coach, moving into her second year of teaching and trying her hardest to distance herself from her family and her past. After struggling in the pros as a tennis player, she never lived up to her parents expectations in anything and after taking enough hits to her confidence she starts doing for herself instead of trying to please everyone else. That includes breaking up with her controlling, emotionally abusive boyfriend, a pro-hockey player. She’s looking forward to teaching and coaching teens and moving forward with her life until she runs into a road block, Brett.
Brett, a retired NFL player, is the head football coach at the local high school and the first night he meets Chris is also the night their banter/fighting/relationship begins. They initially clash over how funding is going to be used within the athletic department and when the Athletic Director makes them come up with a solution as to how the money should be split, they finally sit down to talk or else both would end up losing the funds altogether. Brett is divorced and not looking for love, at all. His ex-wife was with him for the fame and attention he received being in the NFL and everything fell apart for them when he retired. He realized just how horrible and shallow she really is and while he’s glad to be free of her, he’s incredibly weary of women in general and tries to figure out what Chris’s angle is, and if she’s just like all the others. He couldn’t be more wrong as their hate/love/hate/love relationship begins.
I love a couple that banters back and forth. It adds that extra spark in a new relationship and Brett realizes pretty quickly that chasing after Chris is turning out to be the most fun he’s had in ages, even if he ends up embarrassing himself and acting like a teen in love.
“Hey! How’s it going?”
She glanced at him, her eyes growing wide. Then they narrowed, and she kept jogging like he hadn’t said a word. Apparently he wasn’t forgiven for whatever heinous crime he’d committed…like having a penis.
They were such an easy couple to want together. Brett came to understand that Chris wasn’t the type of woman to be impressed with jewelry or fancy dinners, but rather when her girls first tennis match came and only parents were in the bleachers, Brett brought his football team over to pack the stands and support Chris and her team. Things like that made me fall a little more in love with Brett after each page.
Chris tried to be so strong on the outside and she is, she’s there for her team, she loves that she’s able to encourage them to have fun while still teaching them the fundamentals about tennis and winning, which was so different from her own teen years playing tennis. It’s the little things that she finds exciting and that Brett finds so endearing about her.
“I’m using this second toothbrush from the two-pack that’s already opened. Bonus points to you for actually having one in here. Ooo, floss!”
The high-pitched tone of her voice made it sound like the floss container was encrusted with diamonds. He almost laughed at how pleased and excited she was about his oral hygiene. She was having an oralgasm.
Of course, no road to happiness is easy and while I really did fall for Brett and Chris, I wish Chris would have come clean a little sooner about her past to Brett. I didn’t fully understand why she kept holding back, it’s very clear how devastating it is to her to have zero support from her family and an ex who makes her so nervous and angry she gets physically sick after listening to just his voice messages, but my one little issue was how long she held herself back. But Brett’s determined to make her see how good they can be together and doesn’t let up, even when outside forces try to interfere.
We get some fun scenes with Brett’s family, his brothers and all their sons, at their weekly brunch. Chris gets to see what a real family get-together is like and she doesn’t dare hope that she could ever be a part of something so wonderful when all she’s known is her own family who won’t support any of her decisions. Jared and Katie, a married couple who are also best friends with Brett and Chris, are a nice addition and add to the overall humor with their supportive ways in trying to get their friends together.
This was such a delightful contemporary romance – I was drawn into the story from the beginning and loved that it was centered around high school and how these two adults, while finding their own professional careers cut short, could find even more success and satisfaction not only with coaching at the school, but having each other there for support after wins/losses and in every other aspect of their lives. Very nice read and one I recommend to anyone who loves a sweet, funny romance.
Chris is a first time high school tennis coach, moving into her second year of teaching and trying her hardest to distance herself from her family and her past. After struggling in the pros as a tennis player, she never lived up to her parents expectations in anything and after taking enough hits to her confidence she starts doing for herself instead of trying to please everyone else. That includes breaking up with her controlling, emotionally abusive boyfriend, a pro-hockey player. She’s looking forward to teaching and coaching teens and moving forward with her life until she runs into a road block, Brett.
Brett, a retired NFL player, is the head football coach at the local high school and the first night he meets Chris is also the night their banter/fighting/relationship begins. They initially clash over how funding is going to be used within the athletic department and when the Athletic Director makes them come up with a solution as to how the money should be split, they finally sit down to talk or else both would end up losing the funds altogether. Brett is divorced and not looking for love, at all. His ex-wife was with him for the fame and attention he received being in the NFL and everything fell apart for them when he retired. He realized just how horrible and shallow she really is and while he’s glad to be free of her, he’s incredibly weary of women in general and tries to figure out what Chris’s angle is, and if she’s just like all the others. He couldn’t be more wrong as their hate/love/hate/love relationship begins.
I love a couple that banters back and forth. It adds that extra spark in a new relationship and Brett realizes pretty quickly that chasing after Chris is turning out to be the most fun he’s had in ages, even if he ends up embarrassing himself and acting like a teen in love.
“Hey! How’s it going?”
She glanced at him, her eyes growing wide. Then they narrowed, and she kept jogging like he hadn’t said a word. Apparently he wasn’t forgiven for whatever heinous crime he’d committed…like having a penis.
They were such an easy couple to want together. Brett came to understand that Chris wasn’t the type of woman to be impressed with jewelry or fancy dinners, but rather when her girls first tennis match came and only parents were in the bleachers, Brett brought his football team over to pack the stands and support Chris and her team. Things like that made me fall a little more in love with Brett after each page.
Chris tried to be so strong on the outside and she is, she’s there for her team, she loves that she’s able to encourage them to have fun while still teaching them the fundamentals about tennis and winning, which was so different from her own teen years playing tennis. It’s the little things that she finds exciting and that Brett finds so endearing about her.
“I’m using this second toothbrush from the two-pack that’s already opened. Bonus points to you for actually having one in here. Ooo, floss!”
The high-pitched tone of her voice made it sound like the floss container was encrusted with diamonds. He almost laughed at how pleased and excited she was about his oral hygiene. She was having an oralgasm.
Of course, no road to happiness is easy and while I really did fall for Brett and Chris, I wish Chris would have come clean a little sooner about her past to Brett. I didn’t fully understand why she kept holding back, it’s very clear how devastating it is to her to have zero support from her family and an ex who makes her so nervous and angry she gets physically sick after listening to just his voice messages, but my one little issue was how long she held herself back. But Brett’s determined to make her see how good they can be together and doesn’t let up, even when outside forces try to interfere.
We get some fun scenes with Brett’s family, his brothers and all their sons, at their weekly brunch. Chris gets to see what a real family get-together is like and she doesn’t dare hope that she could ever be a part of something so wonderful when all she’s known is her own family who won’t support any of her decisions. Jared and Katie, a married couple who are also best friends with Brett and Chris, are a nice addition and add to the overall humor with their supportive ways in trying to get their friends together.
This was such a delightful contemporary romance – I was drawn into the story from the beginning and loved that it was centered around high school and how these two adults, while finding their own professional careers cut short, could find even more success and satisfaction not only with coaching at the school, but having each other there for support after wins/losses and in every other aspect of their lives. Very nice read and one I recommend to anyone who loves a sweet, funny romance.
November 10, 2011
The Game of Love was ACES and scored a Touchdown with me! Sports themed books are one of my favorite’s to read. As seems to be the norm for me now these days, I saw some of my Goodreads peeps taking about this book and quickly added it to my TBR list. A tennis player heroine? SOLD! Lots of sports books feature mostly hockey and football jocks...but no one hardly ever writes about a tennis player. As a big fan of both watching and playing tennis - I knew I had to read it...now.
Christina seemed like a hard nut to crack at first, full of attitude and with a huge chip on her shoulder. Ex tennis pro, retired after only a few years on the pro circuit, never ranked higher than 25 in the world and fresh off a break-up with her abusive hockey player boyfriend she’s trying to make a go at a normal life as a teacher and coach of the girl’s tennis team. The last thing she needs or wants is a relationship with the boy’s football coach Brett “The Wall” Wallace, an ex NFL football player. Christina vowed never to get involved with an athlete again. But then again she’s never met anyone like Brett.
A Game for Love was sweet, funny and I fell in love with Brett right along with Christina. He was pretty much perfect *sigh*. What a sweetheart. And his “grand gesture” at the end...perfect for a tennis player.
Like sports with your romance - then you will love The Game of Love. Don’t care about sports with your romance...you’re still going to enjoy this book.
Christina seemed like a hard nut to crack at first, full of attitude and with a huge chip on her shoulder. Ex tennis pro, retired after only a few years on the pro circuit, never ranked higher than 25 in the world and fresh off a break-up with her abusive hockey player boyfriend she’s trying to make a go at a normal life as a teacher and coach of the girl’s tennis team. The last thing she needs or wants is a relationship with the boy’s football coach Brett “The Wall” Wallace, an ex NFL football player. Christina vowed never to get involved with an athlete again. But then again she’s never met anyone like Brett.
A Game for Love was sweet, funny and I fell in love with Brett right along with Christina. He was pretty much perfect *sigh*. What a sweetheart. And his “grand gesture” at the end...perfect for a tennis player.
Like sports with your romance - then you will love The Game of Love. Don’t care about sports with your romance...you’re still going to enjoy this book.
August 31, 2011
As most of you all already know, I am someone who loves a good contemporary romance. In fact, contemporary is my preferred genre and I would be one happy chick if authors continue to pen just straight old contemporary romances without the mystery, suspense or paranormal aspects in the mix. Don't get me wrong, I love reading a mix of all these genres from time to time, but still at heart I am a big fan of plain old contemporary romances when it comes down to it.
34 year old Brett Wallace is a retired pro-football player and now the highschool football coach back in his hometown. Divorced from his ex-wife Lilith which could have turned real ugly if not for the prenup he had signed up before marrying her, needless to say Brett is leery of taking a step towards anything that remotely resembles a relationship with the opposite sex.
28 year old Christina St. James is an ex-pro tennis player who retires from a world from which she wants no part of and moves to Northeastern high school to teach Mathematics and lands the job of coaching their tennis team. Having being burnt badly in a relationship with a pro-athlete whose sole purpose of hanging onto Chris had been to boost his ego and image in front of supporters and the media, Chris has no intention of getting involved with the opposite sex anytime soon, much less Brett Wallace who oozes testosterone just by entering a room.
From the start both Brett and Chris who brings forth a lot of baggage from their previous relationships form misconceived opinions about the other which just delays the inevitability of them getting together. Chris is wary than most and is prickly as a hedgehog when she first encounters Brett and labels him to be just another Dax who would never be content with letting her be herself.
But time and time again, Brett proves that he is just the polar opposite of every misconceived perception that Chris has thought up of and before she knows it, Brett somehow worms his way into her life and into her heart making her yearn for things that she seems incapable of voicing. With a past that continually tries to invade into the present, Chris nearly loses Brett and what he offers until towards the very satisfying end to the story.
Jeanette Murray might be a new author for me, but I felt right at home with her voice that rings with the unbeatable combination of humor, passion and those sweet romantic moments that I just felt right at home with. I loved the way the story flowed, the way she developed both Chris and Brett and inevitably got them together.
Being not much of a fan of sports romances, I tend to stay away from them most of the time. But The Game of Love seemed to call my name when I came across its very well done and drool inducing cover and I am glad I did pay heed to the calling since this is a romance that indeed balances things out in every aspect. Jeanette surely knows her subject matter when it comes to sports and it definitely comes across during the whole story.
Brett Wallace is the dreamiest and sexiest sports jock hero I have come across to date. He is sexy, kind, funny, charming, endearing and knows his way around the erogenous zones of the female anatomy quite well I would say. His past that has left some emotional scars behind makes him cautious and at times tends to let him make a fool out of himself. But the way he is the ultimate good guy all around and nevertheless give the total alpha-male-in-control vibe without going overboard just makes him into my list of yummy heroes.
I just flat out loved the way Brett worms his way into Chris's life, catching her unawares which in the end gives them both the best thing to happen to both of them in a long while. The thing that endeared Brett most to me was how he always seems to know Chris and her needs even when her overly cautious nature refuses to confide in Brett of her painful past. The way he comforts her when she seems in dire need of it - I could definitely use someone like Brett in my life.
Chris on the other hand had the whole prickly female thing going on for her when the story started, a trait which I am not much of a fan of. But once I got deeper into her character, the way she had grown up with a set of parents who lost sight of the happiness of their little girl a long time back and the way her past relationship had shaped out to be, hell I would have been prickly myself after going through all that.
In the end, Chris's character develops along nicely, Brett's understanding and loving nature working its magic over her battered emotions and soul until she is ready to face the concept of being in love and making herself vulnerable to another once again. Once Chris gives into the heady passion between herself and Brett, the heat factor is on and I just couldn't get enough of the light amusement that always seems a part of their heady lovemaking sessions. And the way Brett continually spaces out into fantasy land featuring Chris in various get-ups just makes him totally and irrevocably male in my opinion!
I have got to say that I just adored Katie's character who is Chris's best friend and a hugley pregnant one at that, who just made me howl out in laughter with her quirky thoughts and laugh-out-loud variety interactions with both Chris and Brett.
The Game of Love by Jeanette Murray is a romance that delivers exceptionally well on all counts, a contemporary not to be missed if you are a fan of light hearted romance with the bite of toe-curling passion in the mix!
Rating=4.5/5
Original review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
My Quotes are included below the review!
34 year old Brett Wallace is a retired pro-football player and now the highschool football coach back in his hometown. Divorced from his ex-wife Lilith which could have turned real ugly if not for the prenup he had signed up before marrying her, needless to say Brett is leery of taking a step towards anything that remotely resembles a relationship with the opposite sex.
28 year old Christina St. James is an ex-pro tennis player who retires from a world from which she wants no part of and moves to Northeastern high school to teach Mathematics and lands the job of coaching their tennis team. Having being burnt badly in a relationship with a pro-athlete whose sole purpose of hanging onto Chris had been to boost his ego and image in front of supporters and the media, Chris has no intention of getting involved with the opposite sex anytime soon, much less Brett Wallace who oozes testosterone just by entering a room.
From the start both Brett and Chris who brings forth a lot of baggage from their previous relationships form misconceived opinions about the other which just delays the inevitability of them getting together. Chris is wary than most and is prickly as a hedgehog when she first encounters Brett and labels him to be just another Dax who would never be content with letting her be herself.
But time and time again, Brett proves that he is just the polar opposite of every misconceived perception that Chris has thought up of and before she knows it, Brett somehow worms his way into her life and into her heart making her yearn for things that she seems incapable of voicing. With a past that continually tries to invade into the present, Chris nearly loses Brett and what he offers until towards the very satisfying end to the story.
Jeanette Murray might be a new author for me, but I felt right at home with her voice that rings with the unbeatable combination of humor, passion and those sweet romantic moments that I just felt right at home with. I loved the way the story flowed, the way she developed both Chris and Brett and inevitably got them together.
Being not much of a fan of sports romances, I tend to stay away from them most of the time. But The Game of Love seemed to call my name when I came across its very well done and drool inducing cover and I am glad I did pay heed to the calling since this is a romance that indeed balances things out in every aspect. Jeanette surely knows her subject matter when it comes to sports and it definitely comes across during the whole story.
Brett Wallace is the dreamiest and sexiest sports jock hero I have come across to date. He is sexy, kind, funny, charming, endearing and knows his way around the erogenous zones of the female anatomy quite well I would say. His past that has left some emotional scars behind makes him cautious and at times tends to let him make a fool out of himself. But the way he is the ultimate good guy all around and nevertheless give the total alpha-male-in-control vibe without going overboard just makes him into my list of yummy heroes.
I just flat out loved the way Brett worms his way into Chris's life, catching her unawares which in the end gives them both the best thing to happen to both of them in a long while. The thing that endeared Brett most to me was how he always seems to know Chris and her needs even when her overly cautious nature refuses to confide in Brett of her painful past. The way he comforts her when she seems in dire need of it - I could definitely use someone like Brett in my life.
Chris on the other hand had the whole prickly female thing going on for her when the story started, a trait which I am not much of a fan of. But once I got deeper into her character, the way she had grown up with a set of parents who lost sight of the happiness of their little girl a long time back and the way her past relationship had shaped out to be, hell I would have been prickly myself after going through all that.
In the end, Chris's character develops along nicely, Brett's understanding and loving nature working its magic over her battered emotions and soul until she is ready to face the concept of being in love and making herself vulnerable to another once again. Once Chris gives into the heady passion between herself and Brett, the heat factor is on and I just couldn't get enough of the light amusement that always seems a part of their heady lovemaking sessions. And the way Brett continually spaces out into fantasy land featuring Chris in various get-ups just makes him totally and irrevocably male in my opinion!
I have got to say that I just adored Katie's character who is Chris's best friend and a hugley pregnant one at that, who just made me howl out in laughter with her quirky thoughts and laugh-out-loud variety interactions with both Chris and Brett.
The Game of Love by Jeanette Murray is a romance that delivers exceptionally well on all counts, a contemporary not to be missed if you are a fan of light hearted romance with the bite of toe-curling passion in the mix!
Rating=4.5/5
Original review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
My Quotes are included below the review!
August 4, 2011
Chris St. James is looking for a fresh start. She left her pro tennis career along with the emotionally abusive boyfriend. She found a new job as a teacher and a tennis coach. But her first day at her new job didn't go as planned. First she found out that all the donation money automatically goes to the football team (which is totally not fair) and when she lost her temper and complained it kinda make her look bad in front of her colleagues. And then there's Brett Wallace - a pro athlete that coaches the football high school team.
Brett knows the score - football rakes in most of the money, so they should be the one to get the donation. Of course Chris disagrees, she still isn't aware of the way things are around here. She is persistent, though. And there's something about her that's really refreshing - she isn't awed by him, and is more than willing to stand up to him.
Chris is sick and tired of pro athletes - her ex is one, and after years of living with him and his ego, she wants nothing to do with pros. But Brett is nearly irresistible. And he does seem different.
Brett had some bad experience with women who were only attracted by the fact that he's a pro, so Chris, who considers his career a negative, is hard to resist. His family is close and loving and he wants that for himself and for the first time he can see the woman sharing his dream.
I liked Brett, he was patient and open to his feelings. He did have a few faults, mainly jumping to conclusions without any evidence, but mostly he was good. My problem is Chris.
Chris had a tougher childhood. Her parents were rather cold and didn't really care for her feelings as long as she was successful in her career. And Dax - the ex - didn't really help. She has some serious commitment issues. And she has hard time believing that Brett's feelings for her are real - so she hurts him.
There were a lot of misunderstandings and some of them could have been avoided if only they were more truthful to each other.
I love Brett's family, they are amazing. His brothers and their wives and especially his mother. :-)
All in all, a funny and decent read with a realistic relationship.
Rating:
4 stars
*ARC provided by NetGalley*
Brett knows the score - football rakes in most of the money, so they should be the one to get the donation. Of course Chris disagrees, she still isn't aware of the way things are around here. She is persistent, though. And there's something about her that's really refreshing - she isn't awed by him, and is more than willing to stand up to him.
Chris is sick and tired of pro athletes - her ex is one, and after years of living with him and his ego, she wants nothing to do with pros. But Brett is nearly irresistible. And he does seem different.
Brett had some bad experience with women who were only attracted by the fact that he's a pro, so Chris, who considers his career a negative, is hard to resist. His family is close and loving and he wants that for himself and for the first time he can see the woman sharing his dream.
I liked Brett, he was patient and open to his feelings. He did have a few faults, mainly jumping to conclusions without any evidence, but mostly he was good. My problem is Chris.
Chris had a tougher childhood. Her parents were rather cold and didn't really care for her feelings as long as she was successful in her career. And Dax - the ex - didn't really help. She has some serious commitment issues. And she has hard time believing that Brett's feelings for her are real - so she hurts him.
There were a lot of misunderstandings and some of them could have been avoided if only they were more truthful to each other.
I love Brett's family, they are amazing. His brothers and their wives and especially his mother. :-)
All in all, a funny and decent read with a realistic relationship.
Rating:
4 stars
*ARC provided by NetGalley*
August 18, 2016
Former tennis star Chris St. James just wants her life to normalize. She's walked away from her pro career and has taken a job teaching and coaching the girls' tennis team at a small high school. Her first order of business is securing new tennis uniforms for her girls and planning a tournament to raise the team's profile. But first, she must get through Brett Wallace, former pro football player and coach of the boys' football team.
Brett enjoys his status as beloved local son, and his cushy job as head football coach. He's entertained when the new girls tennis coach challenges the donation coming to going completely to the football team. She wants some of that money. Brett likes the looks of her and agrees to work with her to come to a compromise about the donation. Chris resents Brett's lackadaisical sense of entitlement and is enraged when he allows his assistant coaches to ogle her. She's not having it.
This is more or less where I stopped reading. My problems with this book were two fold. I think that the author was going for a "Rachel Gibson-esque" feel for the story, but her dialogue felt leaden to me and didn't sparkle and pop. Also, I felt like Brett pretty much lasered in Chris's ass, and was very "Good Old Boy" about how he approached her. For her part, she was prickly and terse and generally unlikeable. I got almost 10 chapters into the book before I determined that I didn't care about either character's happily ever after and was not going to continue to invest time in the story.
Final grade: DNF
Brett enjoys his status as beloved local son, and his cushy job as head football coach. He's entertained when the new girls tennis coach challenges the donation coming to going completely to the football team. She wants some of that money. Brett likes the looks of her and agrees to work with her to come to a compromise about the donation. Chris resents Brett's lackadaisical sense of entitlement and is enraged when he allows his assistant coaches to ogle her. She's not having it.
This is more or less where I stopped reading. My problems with this book were two fold. I think that the author was going for a "Rachel Gibson-esque" feel for the story, but her dialogue felt leaden to me and didn't sparkle and pop. Also, I felt like Brett pretty much lasered in Chris's ass, and was very "Good Old Boy" about how he approached her. For her part, she was prickly and terse and generally unlikeable. I got almost 10 chapters into the book before I determined that I didn't care about either character's happily ever after and was not going to continue to invest time in the story.
Final grade: DNF
September 3, 2011
One of the best sports-related romances I've read in a long time. And a real surprise at $4.59 for the Kindle. Ms. Murray has written an captivating, interesting and fun story built around a female pro-tennis player and a retired NFL football player who is now a high school coach. Both are strong characters who have been victims in one way or another. Trust is an issue for both. The dialogue is well-written, there is humor, heartbreak, and lots of romance. A secondary cast is strong and a big plus to the storyline. This book was well-edited and formatted.
July 23, 2012
LOL! Loved this one. Fun, funny sports-rom with very witty dialogue. Reminded me a bit of a Julie James bk. Love a good sarcastic character and the h-Chris was at the top of her game. The banter back and forth between the Chris/Brett as well as the H-Brett with his family was hilarious. Side characters were fun too. Already bought the new bk out by JM, The Officer Says I Do, a new series. Hoping I'll like it just as well.
October 27, 2011
~* 4.5 Stars *~
Fun, Feisty, Sweet, and Sexy
Former professional tennis player Christina St. James doesn't have an idyllic past. Raised by emotionally stunted and controlling parents who withheld love and demanded perfection from their less-than-perfect tennis-playing daughter, she was ripe pickings for the sort of emotionally abusive bastard that was her NHL star goalie ex-boyfriend. Getting away from him was one thing. Building herself back up into someone who could look herself in the mirror without flinching was another thing altogether. She did it, though - even if remembering her past with her ex still gives her rough moments.
Now she's got a new job at a local high school. She's to coach their tennis team and teach math. She's got big plans for the previously mediocre team and she's excited to get started...right up until her plans slam her head first into God's gift to the athletic department - former NFL player and current football team head coach Brett "The Wall" Wallace. Over six feet of chauvinistic, football-or-nothing, egomaniacal muscle and smarmy toothpaste-commercial smile. Chris has every intention of knocking the big boy off his pedestal if he tries to stand in her way.
Brett Wallace thoroughly enjoys the view of the new tennis coach. Long, lithe, and lean in all the right places, the woman is a walking dose of hormone therapy. Pity about the attitude and the mouth on her, though. No man should have to put up with that, especially Brett, who had his fill of pro-hos after the number his ex-wife did on his heart and his wallet. Still, she was awful nice to look at...and he was going to have to work with the shrew to figure out a couple of sticky sports financing situations, so he may as well try to be nice. Charming even.
Only that doesn't go over so well and the sparks fly fast and hot. It isn't until the school's athletic director forces the issue that they are even capable of being in the same room together without wounding each other. That turns out to be a good thing, though, because it doesn't take Brett long to realize he may have initially misjudged Chris and failed to credit her with the talent and grit she displays with her team. In fact, there are several things about the sexy tennis coach that definitely make him want to field that ball and rush for the end zone. Problem is, Chris isn't interested in inviting another jock into her life or her heart. She barely survived the first one.
The whistle just may have blown on any potential relationship between Chris and Brett before either of them really have a chance to face off on the gridiron of love.
~*~
Gridiron of love? Seriously? I can't believe I actually typed that. Eh, well, it's fitting - if ridiculously trite, so you'll have to forgive me. Truth is, this book tickled me to no end. Not only was the enemies-to-lovers theme well-developed and executed, but the characters were absolutely perfect for each other...after a few initial rough spots.
As far as sports-themed contemporary romances go, this was a little more high school and less major league, but I still enjoyed the way these two coaches dealt with their teams, their lives, and each other. This book just really worked for me. I thought the humor was great, the primary characters complex enough - and occasionally hard-headed enough - to be both charming and believable, and the secondary characters fit nicely with both of the main characters, accentuating their individuality and helping define their lives outside the scope of the romantic plot arc. I find that aids in main character depth and complexity and helps flesh them out.
Admittedly, there were times when Chris annoyed me. Especially at the beginning, where her militant stance against professional sports jocks in general and school sponsored, football-flavored favoritism in particular seemed a bit too harsh, and in drips and drabs throughout the book, when her mommy and daddy issues combined with the ex-boyfriend issues and made her a little crazy. There were also times when Brett's lack of trust and his mindless acceptance of some Very Bad Lies made me want to spike him in the end zone. Still, he had a sort of sweet, clueless charm and aw-shucks demeanor that really appealed to me, so despite the few moments of frustration, I liked him a lot.
And I loved them together.
Murray offers up a fun blend of likable characters, witty banter, tongue-in-cheek humor, and physical chemistry that really revved my reading motor. And I totally give props to her for creating a male character capable of apologizing and compromising when he knows he's been a total tool. How cool is that?!
The romance is more character-driven than plot-driven, and there were a few fairly predictable plot points along the way. That being said, I found this book to be a thoroughly entertaining light read that either had me sweetly melting with a big sappy grin on my face or chuckling/laughing out loud at the characters and their antics. By now it should be fairly clear to anyone familiar with my reviews that if a book can make me chuckle or laugh out loud as this one did, I'm a happy, happy camper. This one did. I am.
Quotables:
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Carina Press via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
Fun, Feisty, Sweet, and Sexy
Former professional tennis player Christina St. James doesn't have an idyllic past. Raised by emotionally stunted and controlling parents who withheld love and demanded perfection from their less-than-perfect tennis-playing daughter, she was ripe pickings for the sort of emotionally abusive bastard that was her NHL star goalie ex-boyfriend. Getting away from him was one thing. Building herself back up into someone who could look herself in the mirror without flinching was another thing altogether. She did it, though - even if remembering her past with her ex still gives her rough moments.
Now she's got a new job at a local high school. She's to coach their tennis team and teach math. She's got big plans for the previously mediocre team and she's excited to get started...right up until her plans slam her head first into God's gift to the athletic department - former NFL player and current football team head coach Brett "The Wall" Wallace. Over six feet of chauvinistic, football-or-nothing, egomaniacal muscle and smarmy toothpaste-commercial smile. Chris has every intention of knocking the big boy off his pedestal if he tries to stand in her way.
Brett Wallace thoroughly enjoys the view of the new tennis coach. Long, lithe, and lean in all the right places, the woman is a walking dose of hormone therapy. Pity about the attitude and the mouth on her, though. No man should have to put up with that, especially Brett, who had his fill of pro-hos after the number his ex-wife did on his heart and his wallet. Still, she was awful nice to look at...and he was going to have to work with the shrew to figure out a couple of sticky sports financing situations, so he may as well try to be nice. Charming even.
Only that doesn't go over so well and the sparks fly fast and hot. It isn't until the school's athletic director forces the issue that they are even capable of being in the same room together without wounding each other. That turns out to be a good thing, though, because it doesn't take Brett long to realize he may have initially misjudged Chris and failed to credit her with the talent and grit she displays with her team. In fact, there are several things about the sexy tennis coach that definitely make him want to field that ball and rush for the end zone. Problem is, Chris isn't interested in inviting another jock into her life or her heart. She barely survived the first one.
The whistle just may have blown on any potential relationship between Chris and Brett before either of them really have a chance to face off on the gridiron of love.
~*~
Gridiron of love? Seriously? I can't believe I actually typed that. Eh, well, it's fitting - if ridiculously trite, so you'll have to forgive me. Truth is, this book tickled me to no end. Not only was the enemies-to-lovers theme well-developed and executed, but the characters were absolutely perfect for each other...after a few initial rough spots.
As far as sports-themed contemporary romances go, this was a little more high school and less major league, but I still enjoyed the way these two coaches dealt with their teams, their lives, and each other. This book just really worked for me. I thought the humor was great, the primary characters complex enough - and occasionally hard-headed enough - to be both charming and believable, and the secondary characters fit nicely with both of the main characters, accentuating their individuality and helping define their lives outside the scope of the romantic plot arc. I find that aids in main character depth and complexity and helps flesh them out.
Admittedly, there were times when Chris annoyed me. Especially at the beginning, where her militant stance against professional sports jocks in general and school sponsored, football-flavored favoritism in particular seemed a bit too harsh, and in drips and drabs throughout the book, when her mommy and daddy issues combined with the ex-boyfriend issues and made her a little crazy. There were also times when Brett's lack of trust and his mindless acceptance of some Very Bad Lies made me want to spike him in the end zone. Still, he had a sort of sweet, clueless charm and aw-shucks demeanor that really appealed to me, so despite the few moments of frustration, I liked him a lot.
And I loved them together.
Murray offers up a fun blend of likable characters, witty banter, tongue-in-cheek humor, and physical chemistry that really revved my reading motor. And I totally give props to her for creating a male character capable of apologizing and compromising when he knows he's been a total tool. How cool is that?!
The romance is more character-driven than plot-driven, and there were a few fairly predictable plot points along the way. That being said, I found this book to be a thoroughly entertaining light read that either had me sweetly melting with a big sappy grin on my face or chuckling/laughing out loud at the characters and their antics. By now it should be fairly clear to anyone familiar with my reviews that if a book can make me chuckle or laugh out loud as this one did, I'm a happy, happy camper. This one did. I am.
Quotables:
It wasn't a hardship to watch her tight bottom swing as she turned into a neighborhood of new townhouses. But, with her in an outfit that left so little to the imagination, he had to wonder where she stored the pitchfork.
It was true what they said. The Y chromosome really was just a damaged X.
"Men are completely ignorant of what will set a woman off. Oh, I'm sure you didn't say anything mean-spirited or with malicious intentions—"
He held back a wince at that. Thanks, Mom.
"—but you're a male. And God put men on this earth with a taste for shoe leather."
Her mouth didn't get the schedule of events, apparently, because it felt so full of cotton no words would fit. So she nodded like an idiot. Yes, dazzle him with your witty nodding. That'll do the trick.
No, hell probably has better transportation. I bet that handbasket is in good working order.
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Carina Press via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
August 29, 2011
Brett ‘The Wall’ Wallace is a retired NFL player who has returned to his home town to couch the Northeastern High School football team. Wary of women after him only because of his past career Brett is instantly intrigued by Chris who seems to want nothing to do with him.
Chris St. James is a retired pro tennis player who has just moved to town to couch the girl’s tennis team and teach high school math. Embarrassed and resentful of her pro past Chris hides it from everyone, and wanting nothing to do with pro anything Chris instantly forms a dislike for Brett.
The Game of Love was a fun, easy read with in interesting story about two people with totally different backgrounds but who are very similar to each other and have a passion for their sport of choice. These two, Chris and Brett, instantly clash. Both strong minded independent persons wary of the opposite sex for their own reasons. Brett, thanks to his ex-wife, has steered clear of women since his divorce. Fearful of what he terms ‘prohos’, women only after him for his past career of a pro football player. While Chris wants nothing to do with anyone from the pro’s because of her over bearing parents who pushed her into a pro career then condemned her for retiring and a psychotic ex boyfriend who is a pro hockey player. Sparks flew when these two meet up but they are continually at odds throughout the first half of the story. Chris is very standoffish and Brett, who get’s props for trying, usually ended up putting his foot in his mouth because of his arrogant attitude. Chris and Brett’s relationship built gradually and eventually while Chris’s background and the reasons for her poor attitude are slowly revealed; after several ups and downs they learn trust each other. There was a lot of sexual tension in the building process and though the sexual relief, so to say, was romantic it wasn’t intense. Brett’s family was a great addition to the story that I really enjoyed, they were fun and humorous. There was also a sub plot concerning Chris’s ex that added a nice twist to the story line.
The Game of Love was well written and well set-up, as well as realistic with some of the issues involved and the relationship development but the quibbling between the h/h went on a little too long and began to drag the story down. I also didn’t care for the heroine, Chris, at all. I don’t think her problems justified such a severe attitude. She was very quick to confrontation, rarely giving Brett or anyone a chance to explain or reason out their actions and even by the end when she redeemed herself somewhat I never warmed up to her. I did love Brett though; he was sweet, sexy and an all-around great guy.
Over all a good read that held my interest, I just couldn't get into the heroine.
Chris St. James is a retired pro tennis player who has just moved to town to couch the girl’s tennis team and teach high school math. Embarrassed and resentful of her pro past Chris hides it from everyone, and wanting nothing to do with pro anything Chris instantly forms a dislike for Brett.
The Game of Love was a fun, easy read with in interesting story about two people with totally different backgrounds but who are very similar to each other and have a passion for their sport of choice. These two, Chris and Brett, instantly clash. Both strong minded independent persons wary of the opposite sex for their own reasons. Brett, thanks to his ex-wife, has steered clear of women since his divorce. Fearful of what he terms ‘prohos’, women only after him for his past career of a pro football player. While Chris wants nothing to do with anyone from the pro’s because of her over bearing parents who pushed her into a pro career then condemned her for retiring and a psychotic ex boyfriend who is a pro hockey player. Sparks flew when these two meet up but they are continually at odds throughout the first half of the story. Chris is very standoffish and Brett, who get’s props for trying, usually ended up putting his foot in his mouth because of his arrogant attitude. Chris and Brett’s relationship built gradually and eventually while Chris’s background and the reasons for her poor attitude are slowly revealed; after several ups and downs they learn trust each other. There was a lot of sexual tension in the building process and though the sexual relief, so to say, was romantic it wasn’t intense. Brett’s family was a great addition to the story that I really enjoyed, they were fun and humorous. There was also a sub plot concerning Chris’s ex that added a nice twist to the story line.
The Game of Love was well written and well set-up, as well as realistic with some of the issues involved and the relationship development but the quibbling between the h/h went on a little too long and began to drag the story down. I also didn’t care for the heroine, Chris, at all. I don’t think her problems justified such a severe attitude. She was very quick to confrontation, rarely giving Brett or anyone a chance to explain or reason out their actions and even by the end when she redeemed herself somewhat I never warmed up to her. I did love Brett though; he was sweet, sexy and an all-around great guy.
Over all a good read that held my interest, I just couldn't get into the heroine.
September 26, 2011
"Love is nothing in tennis. But in life, it's everything."
my favorite quote from the book!
From the back of the book...
Chris St. James is ready for normal. After walking away from her pro tennis career and a toxic relationship with a star hockey player, she's starting a new life as a teacher and tennis coach in a small town. Now all she needs is an average guy to share it with.
Brett Wallace is no average guy. Forced to retire from the NFL after an injury—and suddenly single after being dumped by his status-conscious wife—he's returned to his hometown to coach the varsity football team. Wary of women interested only in his celebrity, Brett finds Chris's indifference to his former career refreshing.
The last thing Chris needs is to get involved with another pro athlete, but she can't deny the sparks that fly between them. So she agrees to a purely physical, no-strings-attached affair. But the rules of the game change when she falls for him…
This was a great fall afternoon escape! I really felt sorry for Chris and her family situation but thought she handled it rather well. As for Brett and his family some of their stunts had me laughing out loud, they were great. I adored Brett from the very beginning he was so typical of his character, wasn't really sure about Chris, she seemed a little over the top in her "fear" of getting involved with a pro athlete. But then I was surprised at how awful her previous relationship was, he was an ass and only got more professional at that thru the story. Sure was glad Chris got over her fears! Has a great HEA ending!
I would def recommend this one if you like contemporary romance with a sports theme.
my favorite quote from the book!
From the back of the book...
Chris St. James is ready for normal. After walking away from her pro tennis career and a toxic relationship with a star hockey player, she's starting a new life as a teacher and tennis coach in a small town. Now all she needs is an average guy to share it with.
Brett Wallace is no average guy. Forced to retire from the NFL after an injury—and suddenly single after being dumped by his status-conscious wife—he's returned to his hometown to coach the varsity football team. Wary of women interested only in his celebrity, Brett finds Chris's indifference to his former career refreshing.
The last thing Chris needs is to get involved with another pro athlete, but she can't deny the sparks that fly between them. So she agrees to a purely physical, no-strings-attached affair. But the rules of the game change when she falls for him…
This was a great fall afternoon escape! I really felt sorry for Chris and her family situation but thought she handled it rather well. As for Brett and his family some of their stunts had me laughing out loud, they were great. I adored Brett from the very beginning he was so typical of his character, wasn't really sure about Chris, she seemed a little over the top in her "fear" of getting involved with a pro athlete. But then I was surprised at how awful her previous relationship was, he was an ass and only got more professional at that thru the story. Sure was glad Chris got over her fears! Has a great HEA ending!
I would def recommend this one if you like contemporary romance with a sports theme.
September 6, 2011
It was so much fun reading The Game of Love. I really enjoyed it and now I want more from Jeanette Murray.
Both characters, Brett and Chris were hilarious and the sexual tension between the two was steaming off the pages. Whenever these two were in a room together or just standing next to each other, I wanted to scream "Kiss already!" Chris has a past and her past has left some scars that when she sees Brett she can't help but dislike him. But the more time she spent around Brett the more he surprises her. Brett too has a past that left some scars and at first he thinks it's best to not even pursue Chris, but in the end his attraction to her wins. He can't help but find her funny and super sexy.
I really enjoyed the way Murray developed their relationship. It wasn't super-fast, but it wasn't super-slow. It moved at a very good pace and so did the story. There wasn't a moment I wanted to put the book down. The ending will leave you at the edge of your seat holding your breath and then the next smiling from ear to ear. A Good Choice for Reading!
Five out of Five stars!
Both characters, Brett and Chris were hilarious and the sexual tension between the two was steaming off the pages. Whenever these two were in a room together or just standing next to each other, I wanted to scream "Kiss already!" Chris has a past and her past has left some scars that when she sees Brett she can't help but dislike him. But the more time she spent around Brett the more he surprises her. Brett too has a past that left some scars and at first he thinks it's best to not even pursue Chris, but in the end his attraction to her wins. He can't help but find her funny and super sexy.
I really enjoyed the way Murray developed their relationship. It wasn't super-fast, but it wasn't super-slow. It moved at a very good pace and so did the story. There wasn't a moment I wanted to put the book down. The ending will leave you at the edge of your seat holding your breath and then the next smiling from ear to ear. A Good Choice for Reading!
Five out of Five stars!
September 2, 2016
First time reading this author and it won't be my last. I love sports romances featuring high school coaches, (maybe cause I'm married to one) and this has a double bonus about two coaches, retired NFL star, Brett, who now is the football coach at his old high school and a former pro tennis player, Chris, who is the new tennis coach/ math teacher at the school. They start out as enemies/adversaries both competing for donated money for their programs, but their relationship quickly evolves as the sparks start flying. This was very funny, the banter between them was hilarious. The secondary characters, Brett's brothers as well as Katie, Chris's best friend , were delightful and added so much to the story. Add in a douche of an ex, and Chris's heartless parents and this makes one very entertaining story. I loved it. 5 stars.
July 31, 2011
I struggled with the silly misunderstandings and lack of communication but still found this to be a well written romance. Despite both of them letting their paste rule their lives, I liked both Brett and Chris.
August 1, 2012
Very sweet and funny! I liked a lot the hero: his musings very really great! I felt really in good mood while reading this book!
August 27, 2011
Joint review with Lou originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2011/08/26/...
Publisher: Carina Press
Publish Date: August 29th
How we got this book: NetGalley
Lou: Nicole and I are big fans of sport romances, so when Nicole told me about this story, I agreed to a joint review coz’ there’s something about hot sports heroes that does it for me . Whilst it did feature a sporty premise, Brett and Chris are athletes that have now retired from their game. Brett has been coaching football, and Chris has just moved to his hometown and school to teach tennis at Northend High. Chris pretty much hates jocks due to an ex of hers, and Brett rubs her up the wrong way from their first meeting due to some inappropriate comments made by Brett’s assistants. Unfortunately, I had a lot of trouble warming up to Chris in the first half of the book because she was so aggressive and antagonistic towards Brett that I felt she kept kicking him in the balls verbally, and he just let her.
MinnChica: I had some trouble warming up to Chris as well, mainly because she came across as cold and mean. Our first glimpse of her is during Brett’s POV, and she is kinda a bitch. It wasn’t until well into the story that we get a little history lesson on her life and find out why she acts the way she does towards jocks. From there, I started to understand and like her a little more. But for me the thing that clinched it for Chris’ character was her way with the kids. I loved reading about a sports coach who went above and beyond for her students on both her tennis team, and other athletes. Then at the end when she was able to stand up for herself…. I likey!
Lou: It was only in the second half of the book that I started to understand and like Chris because her reasons were explained, and the fact that she realises she was damaging what could be a good thing with Brett redeemed her in my eyes. Whilst their romance was a little slow, it really did pick up in the second and latter part of the book. But whilst I warmed up to their romance, I had problems with some of the descriptions the author used and some of the over top reactions the characters had. I honestly lost count of how many times either the hero or heroine ‘breathed’ hard, how many times the heroine puked, and when you notice these things, it pulls you out of the story. I also had a ‘huh’ moment with Brett’s mom as she seemed to be the atypical small-town busybody mum — especially when she wanted him married so he could provide grandbabies for her. But the characters that I did love was Katie and Jared. Katie I thought was really funny, and her banter with Brett and ‘Cletus the fetus’ was pretty darn funny.
MinnChica: I liked Brett’s mom. Yes, she was not what I expected from a small town mother with only boys – all up in their business and love life – but she was also a strong matriarch. I love those kind of mother characters in books, I think they can add a lot of perspective to their children’s characters. I’m with you in that the secondary characters were almost more engaging and fun for me to read than the main ones. Katie with all her pregnancy jokes were HILARIOUS! I could just picture her waddling along throughout the story. I’ll admit though that I have a teensy tiny crush on Brett. The man was so damn open about his feelings, and yet a possessive alpha in his own way. So sexy……
Lou: I really liked Brett a lot more than Chris. He was just so open and nice, and even when his mum got into his business, he took it well. The way he opened up to Chris totally made him a sweetheart, and I felt like screaming at Chris, can’t you see how good he is for you! Stop acting like such a damn meanie. And whilst they grew closer, I still can’t make up my mind about the ending, and when Chris’ ex came into the picture. I’m torn between it was the usual/predictable tension/danger that’s added towards the end of a book, but it did actual kinda work as her ex was pretty scary without being a cartoonish character.
MinnChica: Yeah, their romance was definitely slow in the beginning, and then sped up quickly, only to be twisted tested in the end. I liked that Chris was so hesitant to get involved, but then even once she admitted to herself she was in love, she still seemed to be careless with Brett’s feelings. It was… awkward. I thought the end was good. I mean, it was no secret her ex was a little batty. While yes, it was predictable, it was also fitting end to the story. Especially the little twist with Brett and the minor injury he sustained.
Lou: Yeah, she was careless with Brett’s feelings, and I can understand protecting yourself, but if she wasn’t willing to go the long haul with him, I think she should have said no to smexy times with him as it was easy to see just how much Brett really loved her. I kinda wished that Chris realised that sooner rather than later. Overall for me, I think the author has promise, and for a debut, it was a nice read. I would definitely pick up another book by the author.
I give The Game of Love a C.
MinnChica: I agree that Chris could have handled a lot of things better. All in all though I enjoyed this book. I thought despite the few rough patches the book was very well done. The story moved quickly and covered a lot of great topics that I’ve never seen before in a contemporary romance. The secondary characters were engaging and kept things light and airy despite the serious undertone between the hero and heroine. I will definitely be looking for more from Murray in the future.
I give The Game of Love a B-
Publisher: Carina Press
Publish Date: August 29th
How we got this book: NetGalley
Lou: Nicole and I are big fans of sport romances, so when Nicole told me about this story, I agreed to a joint review coz’ there’s something about hot sports heroes that does it for me . Whilst it did feature a sporty premise, Brett and Chris are athletes that have now retired from their game. Brett has been coaching football, and Chris has just moved to his hometown and school to teach tennis at Northend High. Chris pretty much hates jocks due to an ex of hers, and Brett rubs her up the wrong way from their first meeting due to some inappropriate comments made by Brett’s assistants. Unfortunately, I had a lot of trouble warming up to Chris in the first half of the book because she was so aggressive and antagonistic towards Brett that I felt she kept kicking him in the balls verbally, and he just let her.
MinnChica: I had some trouble warming up to Chris as well, mainly because she came across as cold and mean. Our first glimpse of her is during Brett’s POV, and she is kinda a bitch. It wasn’t until well into the story that we get a little history lesson on her life and find out why she acts the way she does towards jocks. From there, I started to understand and like her a little more. But for me the thing that clinched it for Chris’ character was her way with the kids. I loved reading about a sports coach who went above and beyond for her students on both her tennis team, and other athletes. Then at the end when she was able to stand up for herself…. I likey!
Lou: It was only in the second half of the book that I started to understand and like Chris because her reasons were explained, and the fact that she realises she was damaging what could be a good thing with Brett redeemed her in my eyes. Whilst their romance was a little slow, it really did pick up in the second and latter part of the book. But whilst I warmed up to their romance, I had problems with some of the descriptions the author used and some of the over top reactions the characters had. I honestly lost count of how many times either the hero or heroine ‘breathed’ hard, how many times the heroine puked, and when you notice these things, it pulls you out of the story. I also had a ‘huh’ moment with Brett’s mom as she seemed to be the atypical small-town busybody mum — especially when she wanted him married so he could provide grandbabies for her. But the characters that I did love was Katie and Jared. Katie I thought was really funny, and her banter with Brett and ‘Cletus the fetus’ was pretty darn funny.
MinnChica: I liked Brett’s mom. Yes, she was not what I expected from a small town mother with only boys – all up in their business and love life – but she was also a strong matriarch. I love those kind of mother characters in books, I think they can add a lot of perspective to their children’s characters. I’m with you in that the secondary characters were almost more engaging and fun for me to read than the main ones. Katie with all her pregnancy jokes were HILARIOUS! I could just picture her waddling along throughout the story. I’ll admit though that I have a teensy tiny crush on Brett. The man was so damn open about his feelings, and yet a possessive alpha in his own way. So sexy……
Lou: I really liked Brett a lot more than Chris. He was just so open and nice, and even when his mum got into his business, he took it well. The way he opened up to Chris totally made him a sweetheart, and I felt like screaming at Chris, can’t you see how good he is for you! Stop acting like such a damn meanie. And whilst they grew closer, I still can’t make up my mind about the ending, and when Chris’ ex came into the picture. I’m torn between it was the usual/predictable tension/danger that’s added towards the end of a book, but it did actual kinda work as her ex was pretty scary without being a cartoonish character.
MinnChica: Yeah, their romance was definitely slow in the beginning, and then sped up quickly, only to be twisted tested in the end. I liked that Chris was so hesitant to get involved, but then even once she admitted to herself she was in love, she still seemed to be careless with Brett’s feelings. It was… awkward. I thought the end was good. I mean, it was no secret her ex was a little batty. While yes, it was predictable, it was also fitting end to the story. Especially the little twist with Brett and the minor injury he sustained.
Lou: Yeah, she was careless with Brett’s feelings, and I can understand protecting yourself, but if she wasn’t willing to go the long haul with him, I think she should have said no to smexy times with him as it was easy to see just how much Brett really loved her. I kinda wished that Chris realised that sooner rather than later. Overall for me, I think the author has promise, and for a debut, it was a nice read. I would definitely pick up another book by the author.
I give The Game of Love a C.
MinnChica: I agree that Chris could have handled a lot of things better. All in all though I enjoyed this book. I thought despite the few rough patches the book was very well done. The story moved quickly and covered a lot of great topics that I’ve never seen before in a contemporary romance. The secondary characters were engaging and kept things light and airy despite the serious undertone between the hero and heroine. I will definitely be looking for more from Murray in the future.
I give The Game of Love a B-
August 31, 2011
So I have been without power since just after 9am on Sunday the 28th, thanks to Hurricane Irene. As a result, I am tired, cranky, and frustrated. All I want to do is yawn and glare at things. Don't expect great revelations from this review. Fair warning.
Anyways, I really liked this. I've been on a sports kick lately, and I went to another baseball game last night, so I was in the mood for something good. This is an ebook from Carina Press. The hero, Brett, is a former NFL star, now a high school football coach. Chris is the heroine and she is a former tennis pro, now the tennis coach & math teacher for the school (I think it's supposed to be a public school, but it reads like a private). The story is already unique for featuring two star athletes as protagonists.
Game of Love is not really about sports so much as it's about dealing with your past and the value sports can have. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm inclined to agree that sports often take precedence over the arts in high school, but that's not the point of this story. The point is that Chris is gun-shy after getting out of an abusive relationship with a NHL star. She's immediately inclined to think Brett's a misogynistic meathead. Rather than be turned off by her man-hating ways, Brett's intrigued because she's clearly not a 'pro-ho' and she's strong enough to stand up to him.
That, by the way, is the main reason I loved this book. I'm a strong-willed person and I need a guy who has the balls to tell me no. I broke up with my last boyfriend because he was too nice. I walked all over him. So to read about a hero who purposely sought out a strong woman? Hot. Add on the fact that Brett cares about his students and is willing to learn from his mistakes? Scorching.
Another sign of a good book is an immediate desire to seek out more by the author. While reading Game, I wanted to go read Jared's & Katie's story. Also, anything about Brett's brothers. Unfortunately, this seems to be the only book by the author. I wouldn't be surprised if Murray had the manuscripts in a drawer somewhere, but they were too raw for publication. Carina Press is intriguing me lately with its ability to sniff out strong contemporary authors.
In conclusion, I'm giving this a five star review because I felt it was a strong story that would appeal to a wide variety of contemporary readers. Also because it distracted me from my grumpiness for a while. It's not quite Holy Shit worthy, but I still highly rec it. Would appeal to fans of Shannon Stacey and Jaci Burton.
Anyways, I really liked this. I've been on a sports kick lately, and I went to another baseball game last night, so I was in the mood for something good. This is an ebook from Carina Press. The hero, Brett, is a former NFL star, now a high school football coach. Chris is the heroine and she is a former tennis pro, now the tennis coach & math teacher for the school (I think it's supposed to be a public school, but it reads like a private). The story is already unique for featuring two star athletes as protagonists.
Game of Love is not really about sports so much as it's about dealing with your past and the value sports can have. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm inclined to agree that sports often take precedence over the arts in high school, but that's not the point of this story. The point is that Chris is gun-shy after getting out of an abusive relationship with a NHL star. She's immediately inclined to think Brett's a misogynistic meathead. Rather than be turned off by her man-hating ways, Brett's intrigued because she's clearly not a 'pro-ho' and she's strong enough to stand up to him.
That, by the way, is the main reason I loved this book. I'm a strong-willed person and I need a guy who has the balls to tell me no. I broke up with my last boyfriend because he was too nice. I walked all over him. So to read about a hero who purposely sought out a strong woman? Hot. Add on the fact that Brett cares about his students and is willing to learn from his mistakes? Scorching.
Another sign of a good book is an immediate desire to seek out more by the author. While reading Game, I wanted to go read Jared's & Katie's story. Also, anything about Brett's brothers. Unfortunately, this seems to be the only book by the author. I wouldn't be surprised if Murray had the manuscripts in a drawer somewhere, but they were too raw for publication. Carina Press is intriguing me lately with its ability to sniff out strong contemporary authors.
In conclusion, I'm giving this a five star review because I felt it was a strong story that would appeal to a wide variety of contemporary readers. Also because it distracted me from my grumpiness for a while. It's not quite Holy Shit worthy, but I still highly rec it. Would appeal to fans of Shannon Stacey and Jaci Burton.
June 20, 2012
Chris St. James, tennis pro, is tired of being the target of her parents and ex's disappointment. She's never been good enough at anything for either of them and they have never hesitated to list in detail her many shortcomings. When her ex, an emotionally unstable hockey player, starts setting off warning signals she decides to move away. As luck would have it, she gets a job coaching tennis. This is exactly what she needs. She loves her job mentoring and bringing out the best in these young high school girls, she is away from "pro" players, which she has sworn off and doesn't trust at all.
Brett Wallace had his football career cut short due to an off field injury. This is fine by him. He would have retired in just a couple of years anyways. His wife left him when his career ended, but he's healing from that as long as he stays away from "pro-ho's". This is his name for women who only want to date pro athletes to get themselves in the public eye. He is coaching high school football in his old hometown and life is good.
A donation has been made to the high schools athletic department. Brett and Chris find theirselves competing for this money. The athletic director creatively puts the decision in their hands. He tells them they have to find a way to agree on who gets the money and how it is divided or all of the money goes to the "fall teams".
This is where the story gets so predictable. They fight over the money, they come to an agreement, they fall for each other, Chris hides her ex and her fears from Brett because she's embarassed of her bad choices with men, Brett holds on to his hatred and distrust of anyone he deems a "pro-ho". Of course, it comes out about the ex, Brett finds out about her past and assumes she is exactly what he has been avoiding. They fight, break up and eventually work it out for the HEA.
PROS:
This is an okay read. There is some witty banter to keep you entertained. It would be perfect for a beach day.
CONS:
So predictable. I could totally have stopped midway through the book and still described what was happening and going to happen. The characters were okay. Chris got on my nerves a bit. She played the whole "I hate and won't date a pro player ever again" game for too long. How can you admit you really like a person, hang out with them and enjoy their witt and company, yet hold what job they are retired from against them? Just not realistic.
Brett Wallace had his football career cut short due to an off field injury. This is fine by him. He would have retired in just a couple of years anyways. His wife left him when his career ended, but he's healing from that as long as he stays away from "pro-ho's". This is his name for women who only want to date pro athletes to get themselves in the public eye. He is coaching high school football in his old hometown and life is good.
A donation has been made to the high schools athletic department. Brett and Chris find theirselves competing for this money. The athletic director creatively puts the decision in their hands. He tells them they have to find a way to agree on who gets the money and how it is divided or all of the money goes to the "fall teams".
This is where the story gets so predictable. They fight over the money, they come to an agreement, they fall for each other, Chris hides her ex and her fears from Brett because she's embarassed of her bad choices with men, Brett holds on to his hatred and distrust of anyone he deems a "pro-ho". Of course, it comes out about the ex, Brett finds out about her past and assumes she is exactly what he has been avoiding. They fight, break up and eventually work it out for the HEA.
PROS:
This is an okay read. There is some witty banter to keep you entertained. It would be perfect for a beach day.
CONS:
So predictable. I could totally have stopped midway through the book and still described what was happening and going to happen. The characters were okay. Chris got on my nerves a bit. She played the whole "I hate and won't date a pro player ever again" game for too long. How can you admit you really like a person, hang out with them and enjoy their witt and company, yet hold what job they are retired from against them? Just not realistic.
August 29, 2011
My Review:
I love sports-themed books and seem to have a weakness for books featuring high school football coaches, so you know that this book has a lot going for it already. I really did enjoy this book. It's a sweet little read and was thoroughly entertaining.
Brett's character is awesome and I absolutely adored his family, especially his brothers. They all have a wonderful relationship with each other and his reactions to them letting themselves in with their keys to his house is priceless. It's definitely a family that love each other to the point of constantly harassing each other which makes it so much fun.
quote from Scott, Brett's brother, after Brett quoted Fiddler on the Roof...
"One, that was scary.
Don't ever quote a musical if you ever want to get laid again."
Just really funny dialogue between the family all throughout the book. I especially loved Anna, Brett's mom, and her reaction to Chris.
"Oh, sweetheart, I was almost positive after I heard
about you tossing a drink in my son's face, but after that,
now I'm sure. You are about as perfect for that son of mine as it gets."
It's an interesting twist to have BOTH of these characters with a history as former professional athletes, although I didn't understand why Chris didn't want to share that with Brett. It would have prevented a lot of misunderstanding, but then where would that have left the story without the conflict? I liked that she was a tennis pro and coached the girls tennis team. I really, really loved her philosophy for coaching the girls especially after her history as a pro. I loved that she did everything in her power to help them succeed, but made sure that the emphasis was on them having fun above all else.
I really liked the addition of Jared & Katie to the story. Katie is Chris' best friend, who's also pregnant (which added some funny lines to the story) and married to Jared. Jared is Brett's best friend (since kindergarten) and he is also the Athletic Director for the school. They are both shown throughout the book as offering advice/sarcasm. They have a fabulously sweet marriage and the addition of their friendships added a lot to the overall story.
This was my first book that I have read by Jeanette Murray, but I definitely look forward to reading more of her contemporary romance. Hopefully, she has more coming out soon!!
I love sports-themed books and seem to have a weakness for books featuring high school football coaches, so you know that this book has a lot going for it already. I really did enjoy this book. It's a sweet little read and was thoroughly entertaining.
Brett's character is awesome and I absolutely adored his family, especially his brothers. They all have a wonderful relationship with each other and his reactions to them letting themselves in with their keys to his house is priceless. It's definitely a family that love each other to the point of constantly harassing each other which makes it so much fun.
quote from Scott, Brett's brother, after Brett quoted Fiddler on the Roof...
"One, that was scary.
Don't ever quote a musical if you ever want to get laid again."
Just really funny dialogue between the family all throughout the book. I especially loved Anna, Brett's mom, and her reaction to Chris.
"Oh, sweetheart, I was almost positive after I heard
about you tossing a drink in my son's face, but after that,
now I'm sure. You are about as perfect for that son of mine as it gets."
It's an interesting twist to have BOTH of these characters with a history as former professional athletes, although I didn't understand why Chris didn't want to share that with Brett. It would have prevented a lot of misunderstanding, but then where would that have left the story without the conflict? I liked that she was a tennis pro and coached the girls tennis team. I really, really loved her philosophy for coaching the girls especially after her history as a pro. I loved that she did everything in her power to help them succeed, but made sure that the emphasis was on them having fun above all else.
I really liked the addition of Jared & Katie to the story. Katie is Chris' best friend, who's also pregnant (which added some funny lines to the story) and married to Jared. Jared is Brett's best friend (since kindergarten) and he is also the Athletic Director for the school. They are both shown throughout the book as offering advice/sarcasm. They have a fabulously sweet marriage and the addition of their friendships added a lot to the overall story.
This was my first book that I have read by Jeanette Murray, but I definitely look forward to reading more of her contemporary romance. Hopefully, she has more coming out soon!!
August 9, 2011
This is a time I wish for half stars. This is a 3.5 star book. I liked it -- a lot-- but not enough for four stars.
Grade: B
Mostly because of the mis-communications, little omissions, and just plain stubborness of both Brent Wallace and Chris(tine) St. James.
Ex-Pro Football Star Brent Wallace has practically sworn off women after he learns his wife was only with him for the fame and fortune. She obviously didn't take her vows very seriously...for richer or richer should have been her spoken words... So now he is weary of others motivations. He is now a high school football coach, doing what he loves.
Christine St. James is a Former Pro Tennis player who is hiding out. She's hiding from her ex, her parents and her shame. After accepting a teaching position and coaching position she is starting to finally feel good about herself, and her decisions. She's 28 years old, and never really lived life according to herself. She always worked to please her parents, her coaches and fans. Her life was a constant pressure cooker. Her top finally blew.
I know some people won't like Chris, and others won't like Brent. I liked them together. Sure, more often than not Chris acted like an ice princess and Brent acted like a superstar jackass, they both had legitimate trust issues and quite frankly I am amazed at Chris's parents. I really, really hated them in this novel. They are vile people. In contrast, Brent's family was fantastic. They obviously love each other, and he grew up much different than Chris.
Any parent who tells their child that they are lying when they confide that their significant other is abusive (because he is rich, powerful and 'successful' in the pro's) My momma bear was all up on her hind legs ready to do battle with those feckers. They actually told her to go back to him and that she--in effect-- was worthless without a pro husband.
Brent and Chris have power struggles, and are both stubborn and insecure. Chris kept secrets from Brent that come back to bite her in the ass, and she pays for her omissions.
Overall, it was a nice afternoon read, and the characters kept me interested. There is a small plot revolving around Chris's crazy Ex.
ARC provided by Netgalley and Carina Press :)
Grade: B
Mostly because of the mis-communications, little omissions, and just plain stubborness of both Brent Wallace and Chris(tine) St. James.
Ex-Pro Football Star Brent Wallace has practically sworn off women after he learns his wife was only with him for the fame and fortune. She obviously didn't take her vows very seriously...for richer or richer should have been her spoken words... So now he is weary of others motivations. He is now a high school football coach, doing what he loves.
Christine St. James is a Former Pro Tennis player who is hiding out. She's hiding from her ex, her parents and her shame. After accepting a teaching position and coaching position she is starting to finally feel good about herself, and her decisions. She's 28 years old, and never really lived life according to herself. She always worked to please her parents, her coaches and fans. Her life was a constant pressure cooker. Her top finally blew.
I know some people won't like Chris, and others won't like Brent. I liked them together. Sure, more often than not Chris acted like an ice princess and Brent acted like a superstar jackass, they both had legitimate trust issues and quite frankly I am amazed at Chris's parents. I really, really hated them in this novel. They are vile people. In contrast, Brent's family was fantastic. They obviously love each other, and he grew up much different than Chris.
Any parent who tells their child that they are lying when they confide that their significant other is abusive (because he is rich, powerful and 'successful' in the pro's) My momma bear was all up on her hind legs ready to do battle with those feckers. They actually told her to go back to him and that she--in effect-- was worthless without a pro husband.
Brent and Chris have power struggles, and are both stubborn and insecure. Chris kept secrets from Brent that come back to bite her in the ass, and she pays for her omissions.
Overall, it was a nice afternoon read, and the characters kept me interested. There is a small plot revolving around Chris's crazy Ex.
ARC provided by Netgalley and Carina Press :)
August 16, 2011
After Chris retires from pro tennis all she wants to do is start fresh with her new career as a teacher and tennis coach at a high school. She wants to avoid pro athletes at all costs because she has been hurt by their egos before. But when she arrives at her school and sees how football is running everything she instantly takes a dislike to their coach and to add insult to injury he is a retired pro football player. Chris and Brett start off with an equally antagonistic relationship. Chris doesn't like Brett's sense of entitlement to all athletic funds and Brett doesn't like this new coach who is trying to take things away from his department and who seems to have no interest in him what-so-ever.
When they are both forced to work together to come up with new ideas for budgeting a large donation they both see their is more to the other one than meets the eye. Chris is hiding her past and her previous career from Brett. Brett is hiding some emotional hangups from his previous marriage and relationship. What starts off as light and casual quickly becomes more and each person doesn't know how to bring up what they have both omitted to say. But when Chris's past comes rushing up to catch up with her and leaves Brett with only parts of the story and thoroughly confused. Will he leave Chris because he doesn't know the full story and believes she is like his ex-wife. And will Christ be able to reconcile who she was with who she is now and tell Brett the whole truth.
Both must overcome their fears and emotional hangups if they wish for the relationship to work out. This was a great read and I really enjoyed it. Both characters were very likeable and both definitely had good reasons for their issues. The characters were believable and they really had to work to make the relationship work. I like it when everything isn't perfect, all good things take work and this relationship was great!
When they are both forced to work together to come up with new ideas for budgeting a large donation they both see their is more to the other one than meets the eye. Chris is hiding her past and her previous career from Brett. Brett is hiding some emotional hangups from his previous marriage and relationship. What starts off as light and casual quickly becomes more and each person doesn't know how to bring up what they have both omitted to say. But when Chris's past comes rushing up to catch up with her and leaves Brett with only parts of the story and thoroughly confused. Will he leave Chris because he doesn't know the full story and believes she is like his ex-wife. And will Christ be able to reconcile who she was with who she is now and tell Brett the whole truth.
Both must overcome their fears and emotional hangups if they wish for the relationship to work out. This was a great read and I really enjoyed it. Both characters were very likeable and both definitely had good reasons for their issues. The characters were believable and they really had to work to make the relationship work. I like it when everything isn't perfect, all good things take work and this relationship was great!
August 18, 2011
I really enjoyed this debut book by Janette Murray. When I was in junior high and high school, we had some very attractive coaches, so it was no stretch on my part to picture Brett Wallace. Now I confess we didn't have a women's tennis team (that I was aware of) but we did have a men's tennis team but I only knew about that because I dated one of the tennis team. There were no uniforms, no stands for fans to watch the matches, etc so these elements of this story didn't seem that urgent to me, but in today's high school world, it's probably realistic.
I liked the heroine, Chris St. James even though she enters the story with a huge chip on her shoulder. It was fun to watch the hero not only knock that chip off and watch as he wormed his way into her life. Now her parents? The WORST set of parents ever.
Chris's ex-boyfriend, Dax, displayed many of the negative personality traits too commonly seen in professional sports stars. I had no trouble with his characterization, with the exception of all his money. Not being familiar with professional hockey, I'll assume they are paid as well as portrayed here but flying someone across the country for dinner is really expensive! But as a gal who loves escapism, I love the idea.
I adored Brett's family...all of them- his mother, brothers and sisters-in-law. The Wallace family was the complete antithesis to Chris's family.
The book isn't without its occasional hard-to-believe scenes, such as the football coach sending his players over to watch/support the women's tennis team. Most of the football coaches I am familiar with are usually too involved in their own world and the stress to win to allow their players time away from practice. However, within the context of this story, it worked just fine.
My verdict: This is a wonderfully fun contemporary read that I can comfortably recommend.
I liked the heroine, Chris St. James even though she enters the story with a huge chip on her shoulder. It was fun to watch the hero not only knock that chip off and watch as he wormed his way into her life. Now her parents? The WORST set of parents ever.
Chris's ex-boyfriend, Dax, displayed many of the negative personality traits too commonly seen in professional sports stars. I had no trouble with his characterization, with the exception of all his money. Not being familiar with professional hockey, I'll assume they are paid as well as portrayed here but flying someone across the country for dinner is really expensive! But as a gal who loves escapism, I love the idea.
I adored Brett's family...all of them- his mother, brothers and sisters-in-law. The Wallace family was the complete antithesis to Chris's family.
The book isn't without its occasional hard-to-believe scenes, such as the football coach sending his players over to watch/support the women's tennis team. Most of the football coaches I am familiar with are usually too involved in their own world and the stress to win to allow their players time away from practice. However, within the context of this story, it worked just fine.
My verdict: This is a wonderfully fun contemporary read that I can comfortably recommend.
October 8, 2024
Chris starts out with a hair trigger and very little patience and I wasn't sure how this would work for me in the long run. Immediately on the wrong foot with Brett after an inappropriate remark by his assistant coach, Chris assumes Brett is exactly the same. It takes time, but Chris begins to let go of her biases toward pro athletes and see Brett for who he really is. After I began to understand Chris's motivations, I came to really like her; she's incredibly strong and refuses to give up on her team or herself. Chris's life hasn't been easy but she refuses to give up and is determined to live the life she wants, not what others want for her. Chris is the epitome of a firecracker personality and by the end of the book I loved every part of her.
Brett was surprisingly romantic and I adored the way he tried to take care of Chris. Initially, Brett is intrigued by Chris because she doesn't care at all about his history as a pro-athlete; this is refreshing for Brett whose ex-wife divorced him when he left the NFL after an injury. But then Brett begins to see the woman beneath the cold exterior and he loves what he sees. Both Brett and Chris have trust issues which create some unnecessary obstacles to their relationship, but also provide moments of growth for both of them. Easily one of my favorite things about Brett was this relationship with his mother which was beautiful, funny, and just perfect.
I was sucked into this fun and entertaining plot from the beginning. All the characters were wonderfully developed and Brett and Chris were great as individuals and as a couple. On top of that, the side characters were so real I was wishing for an entire series just to get their stories. The more I read the more I fell for THE GAME OF LOVE and it's easily my favorite book by Jeanette Murray so far.
Content Warning: References to past emotional abuse
Brett was surprisingly romantic and I adored the way he tried to take care of Chris. Initially, Brett is intrigued by Chris because she doesn't care at all about his history as a pro-athlete; this is refreshing for Brett whose ex-wife divorced him when he left the NFL after an injury. But then Brett begins to see the woman beneath the cold exterior and he loves what he sees. Both Brett and Chris have trust issues which create some unnecessary obstacles to their relationship, but also provide moments of growth for both of them. Easily one of my favorite things about Brett was this relationship with his mother which was beautiful, funny, and just perfect.
I was sucked into this fun and entertaining plot from the beginning. All the characters were wonderfully developed and Brett and Chris were great as individuals and as a couple. On top of that, the side characters were so real I was wishing for an entire series just to get their stories. The more I read the more I fell for THE GAME OF LOVE and it's easily my favorite book by Jeanette Murray so far.
Content Warning: References to past emotional abuse
January 31, 2017
This was a nice and easy read. It was well written and engaging. While there's certainly nothing new in this book, I enjoyed it.
What I liked:
1) The alternating povs, not limited to the MCs, but also the the h's bestie.
2) This book is about adults and they act adults for the most part. There are no juvenile antics.
3) The writing. It was very engaging. While this plot isn't original, the writing made me invested in what happens to the MCs.
4) The H. He was a really nice guy. Sure, he had his own securities and what he pulled toward the end of the story made me pretty mad, but he owned his mistakes and never tried to shirk taking responsibility for them. He also wasn't a manwhore. His past was unclear, but there wasn't any mention of that kind of thing. Also, when the MCs were on the outs, there weren't any thoughts of using other women to forget about the h, starting the moment they separated. I can't stand that. Yick.
5) The h. While her insecurities also made me mad sometimes, she wasn't some simpering damsel in distress. She was proud and I didn't really think she did anything wrong during the big fight. Sure, she didn't spill her guts to the H, but he didn't give her much of a chance to gather her wits and explain.
6) The H's family. They were a hoot and very realistic.
7) The plot was very simple. Again, this is a story about two adults. They were very intent on each other, so there was no intentional drama with ow/om.
What I didn't like:
1) I know that there wouldn't have been a story if the MCs had just been better at communicating, but sometimes their lack of communication annoyed me.
2) The epilogue left a lot of questions unanswered.
3) The h's family could have been a little bit more developed.
What I liked:
1) The alternating povs, not limited to the MCs, but also the the h's bestie.
2) This book is about adults and they act adults for the most part. There are no juvenile antics.
3) The writing. It was very engaging. While this plot isn't original, the writing made me invested in what happens to the MCs.
4) The H. He was a really nice guy. Sure, he had his own securities and what he pulled toward the end of the story made me pretty mad, but he owned his mistakes and never tried to shirk taking responsibility for them. He also wasn't a manwhore. His past was unclear, but there wasn't any mention of that kind of thing. Also, when the MCs were on the outs, there weren't any thoughts of using other women to forget about the h, starting the moment they separated. I can't stand that. Yick.
5) The h. While her insecurities also made me mad sometimes, she wasn't some simpering damsel in distress. She was proud and I didn't really think she did anything wrong during the big fight. Sure, she didn't spill her guts to the H, but he didn't give her much of a chance to gather her wits and explain.
6) The H's family. They were a hoot and very realistic.
7) The plot was very simple. Again, this is a story about two adults. They were very intent on each other, so there was no intentional drama with ow/om.
What I didn't like:
1) I know that there wouldn't have been a story if the MCs had just been better at communicating, but sometimes their lack of communication annoyed me.
2) The epilogue left a lot of questions unanswered.
3) The h's family could have been a little bit more developed.
September 19, 2011
Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
The game of love, just like any other game, is a gamble. When two people have a history in the pro athletic world and have been burned, the last thing either needs is a new relationship. But here they are, meeting by chance, and despite what both want, Chris and Brett find playing the game of love could end up the best thing they've ever done.
Chris and Brett didn't hit it off right away. It takes time for her to warm up to this ex-NFL star. She's already had one bad relationship with an athlete, and look where that got her. The more she spends time around Brett, though, the less he reminds her of the past, and the more she actually likes him.
Brett is definitely one fine hero, and his family is hilarious! I certainly felt like I belonged with each visit into Brett's life and family. Each has their own distinct personality and adds a flavor to this story. With the authors creative voice and witty writing, every character is memorable and fun.
The chemistry between Brett and Chris is strong, and even though they deny it at first. Their path to happily ever after has quite a few curve balls, but what a ride! The pacing stays steady, the plot and characters believable, and this novel is sure to win the hearts of contemporary romance fans.
Do you love to read romances with a sports theme? Do you dig a hero who once played in the NFL? The Game of Love is a delightful contemporary romp that can put a smile on your face. Why not get yourself a copy?
The game of love, just like any other game, is a gamble. When two people have a history in the pro athletic world and have been burned, the last thing either needs is a new relationship. But here they are, meeting by chance, and despite what both want, Chris and Brett find playing the game of love could end up the best thing they've ever done.
Chris and Brett didn't hit it off right away. It takes time for her to warm up to this ex-NFL star. She's already had one bad relationship with an athlete, and look where that got her. The more she spends time around Brett, though, the less he reminds her of the past, and the more she actually likes him.
Brett is definitely one fine hero, and his family is hilarious! I certainly felt like I belonged with each visit into Brett's life and family. Each has their own distinct personality and adds a flavor to this story. With the authors creative voice and witty writing, every character is memorable and fun.
The chemistry between Brett and Chris is strong, and even though they deny it at first. Their path to happily ever after has quite a few curve balls, but what a ride! The pacing stays steady, the plot and characters believable, and this novel is sure to win the hearts of contemporary romance fans.
Do you love to read romances with a sports theme? Do you dig a hero who once played in the NFL? The Game of Love is a delightful contemporary romp that can put a smile on your face. Why not get yourself a copy?
September 14, 2012
2.5 stars
I've had this on my TBR list for a while, and was anxious to read because I'm always on the lookout for new, hot sports romance books.
While this did include two pro-athletes in a relationship, there was very little talk of actual sports (except the HS girls' tennis team, which bored me to tears), so if you're looking for that, you'll want to look elsewhere.
All in all, I thought this book was okay. It didn't blow me away, but found it a satisfactory read. I wasn't wowed by either the hero or the heroine. Brett, for all that he was big and beefy and hunky, he was a little bit of a meathead at first. And Chris, for all that she was the strong, empowered woman, she was a little bit of a cold-hearted bitch.
Besides not really warming to either of the MCs, there were parts of this book that just didn't work for me. Lots of things left unresolved or just weren't discussed at all (her relationship with her parents, his father's death, etc, etc). In all honesty, this read like the 2nd or 3rd book in a series, but this is a stand alone book. There wasn't enough world-building, and I felt lost a lot of the time because the author told us things like we should've already known the details.
So, this was somewhere between an ok read and me liking it. I'm rounding up because Brett was fond of calling her baby, and you all know that's my kryptonite.
I've had this on my TBR list for a while, and was anxious to read because I'm always on the lookout for new, hot sports romance books.
While this did include two pro-athletes in a relationship, there was very little talk of actual sports (except the HS girls' tennis team, which bored me to tears), so if you're looking for that, you'll want to look elsewhere.
All in all, I thought this book was okay. It didn't blow me away, but found it a satisfactory read. I wasn't wowed by either the hero or the heroine. Brett, for all that he was big and beefy and hunky, he was a little bit of a meathead at first. And Chris, for all that she was the strong, empowered woman, she was a little bit of a cold-hearted bitch.
Besides not really warming to either of the MCs, there were parts of this book that just didn't work for me. Lots of things left unresolved or just weren't discussed at all (her relationship with her parents, his father's death, etc, etc). In all honesty, this read like the 2nd or 3rd book in a series, but this is a stand alone book. There wasn't enough world-building, and I felt lost a lot of the time because the author told us things like we should've already known the details.
So, this was somewhere between an ok read and me liking it. I'm rounding up because Brett was fond of calling her baby, and you all know that's my kryptonite.
July 27, 2011
** Taken from Atastyread.blogspot.com
Retired tennis pro, Chris St. James meets retired WR Brett Wallace and it is mutual dislike at first sight, well she dislikes him and he thinks she has hot legs. He shows her that all jocks aren't chauvinist pigs with his support for her tennis team and for her as a coach and she shows him that not all woman are pro ho's looking for a piece of the pie. But can she set aside her past and fall in love with another jock, or will the past show up and ruin a future with the guy that might have just won her heart?
The Game of Love is a fun, delicious read with sexy players. I loved the chemistry between Chris and Brett. The progression of the relationship was more realistic than usual for a romance novel, but I like the realistic nature of the story and the writing was vivid and descriptive. I got a great sense of the characters and I really like them as individual people, Chris, the want to be hard ass but with the marshmallow center and Brett, the tough footballer taken down by the soft kisses of one hot tennis coach. Great story and nice progression. Looking forward to seeing more from Jeanette Murray!
Retired tennis pro, Chris St. James meets retired WR Brett Wallace and it is mutual dislike at first sight, well she dislikes him and he thinks she has hot legs. He shows her that all jocks aren't chauvinist pigs with his support for her tennis team and for her as a coach and she shows him that not all woman are pro ho's looking for a piece of the pie. But can she set aside her past and fall in love with another jock, or will the past show up and ruin a future with the guy that might have just won her heart?
The Game of Love is a fun, delicious read with sexy players. I loved the chemistry between Chris and Brett. The progression of the relationship was more realistic than usual for a romance novel, but I like the realistic nature of the story and the writing was vivid and descriptive. I got a great sense of the characters and I really like them as individual people, Chris, the want to be hard ass but with the marshmallow center and Brett, the tough footballer taken down by the soft kisses of one hot tennis coach. Great story and nice progression. Looking forward to seeing more from Jeanette Murray!
May 18, 2013
The plot was meh. The high point not much of a wow. Loved Brett. He was fun, real, considerate, loving. But seriously the guy is a grade-A masochist. Why he put up with Chris's crap, I have no idea. She's so not worth it. She's a cold-hearted, stereotyping, judgmental, venomous bitch, especially at the beginning. Sure, she got burned by a pro-athlete, so she becomes a man hater, specifically if he's an athlete of any kind. That's just sad. And frankly I find her a sad excuse of a woman. What's more is, even though her best friend was mentioning all her faults when dealing with things, she just holds on to her uncalled "righteous" indignation. What a crack-pot!! And when does she realize the enormity of her mistakes? When Brett is down, probably dying. I didn't only find it hard to relate to her, I just plain hated her.
Not much of a great read. It'll do if you have nothing better to do or read. Passes the time.
Not much of a great read. It'll do if you have nothing better to do or read. Passes the time.
June 25, 2014
CUTE
A cute but predictable romance about two ex pro athletes. Chris St. James is a former pro tennis player, she's given up her career and left behind her ex a hockey player. Jaded and disillusioned she plumps to coach tennis at a small high school. Brett Wallace who was forced to retire from the NFL because of injury is now the head football coach. He has his own past hurt, namely his ex money grabbing wife.
From the first moment Chris and Brett meet sparks fly, Brett is handsome and charming but wary of women who just want him for his money, and Chris has no time for big headed jocks. Brett is intruiged when Chris doesn't fall at his feet like the rest of the female population. Chris's reaction to that is in his dreams.
I liked this story the characters were likeable, Brett was my favourite his patience and good humour were endless. I did like Chris she was very feisty, although at times she was a bit too mouthy. Overall this is a hot and sweet romance.
A cute but predictable romance about two ex pro athletes. Chris St. James is a former pro tennis player, she's given up her career and left behind her ex a hockey player. Jaded and disillusioned she plumps to coach tennis at a small high school. Brett Wallace who was forced to retire from the NFL because of injury is now the head football coach. He has his own past hurt, namely his ex money grabbing wife.
From the first moment Chris and Brett meet sparks fly, Brett is handsome and charming but wary of women who just want him for his money, and Chris has no time for big headed jocks. Brett is intruiged when Chris doesn't fall at his feet like the rest of the female population. Chris's reaction to that is in his dreams.
I liked this story the characters were likeable, Brett was my favourite his patience and good humour were endless. I did like Chris she was very feisty, although at times she was a bit too mouthy. Overall this is a hot and sweet romance.
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