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Varsity Dads #4
Second Down Darling
Jake’s my best friend and first love. There’s just one problem—he belongs to my sister.
I’ve been crushing on Jake for years, but never had the guts to tell him. One drunken night with my sister and two pink lines later, and he’s lost to me forever.
She doesn’t care that I met Jake Ramirez first. That he and I were best friends first. That I fell in love with him first. Because what my sister wants, my sister gets.
When she video-calls me and Jake accidentally walks by in the buff, something in me snaps.
Transferring to a different college might seem like a copout, but I have to get away from Jake and my sister before I say or do something I’ll regret. In an act of desperation, I ghost my old life.
For the next two years, everything is great—until I come face-to-face with Jake and his son, who my sister abandoned.
Jake’s the new wide receiver at my school, and he wants nothing to do with me, which is fine because I plan to keep my distance. Except we’re thrown together in the most dire circumstances that bring back all those old feelings.
They say everyone deserves a second chance, but my heart can’t handle breaking one more time.
_ _ _
Second Down Darling is an angsty, friends-to-lovers, forbidden romance, featuring a sexy single dad who’s a down-and-out college football player and a nerdy girl determined to overcome her wallflower ways. It has major second chance vibes and lots of steam! Second Down Darling is a dual POV standalone in the USA Today-bestselling series Varsity Dads.
TROPES:
✔️ Single Dad
✔️ Forbidden Romance
✔️ College Football
✔️ Friends to lovers
✔️ Major Second Chance Vibes
✔️ Slow Burn But Steamy
I’ve been crushing on Jake for years, but never had the guts to tell him. One drunken night with my sister and two pink lines later, and he’s lost to me forever.
She doesn’t care that I met Jake Ramirez first. That he and I were best friends first. That I fell in love with him first. Because what my sister wants, my sister gets.
When she video-calls me and Jake accidentally walks by in the buff, something in me snaps.
Transferring to a different college might seem like a copout, but I have to get away from Jake and my sister before I say or do something I’ll regret. In an act of desperation, I ghost my old life.
For the next two years, everything is great—until I come face-to-face with Jake and his son, who my sister abandoned.
Jake’s the new wide receiver at my school, and he wants nothing to do with me, which is fine because I plan to keep my distance. Except we’re thrown together in the most dire circumstances that bring back all those old feelings.
They say everyone deserves a second chance, but my heart can’t handle breaking one more time.
_ _ _
Second Down Darling is an angsty, friends-to-lovers, forbidden romance, featuring a sexy single dad who’s a down-and-out college football player and a nerdy girl determined to overcome her wallflower ways. It has major second chance vibes and lots of steam! Second Down Darling is a dual POV standalone in the USA Today-bestselling series Varsity Dads.
TROPES:
✔️ Single Dad
✔️ Forbidden Romance
✔️ College Football
✔️ Friends to lovers
✔️ Major Second Chance Vibes
✔️ Slow Burn But Steamy
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 2023
1445 people are currently reading
3565 people want to read
About the author
Lex Martin
34 books5,653 followersLex Martin is the USA Today bestselling author of Varsity Dads, Texas Nights, and the Dearest series. She writes contemporary romance novels, the steamy kind she hopes her readers love but her parents avoid. A former high school English teacher and freelance journalist, she resides in Texas with her husband and twin daughters. Drop her a line. She loves hearing from readers.
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NEW RELEASE: FALLING STARS is now available! Get your copy here:
EBOOK: https://geni.us/FallingStarsEbook
PAPERBACK: https://geni.us/FallingStarsRegPPBK
DISCREET PAPERBACK: https://geni.us/FallingStarsDiscPPbk
GET A FREE SHORT STORY:
http://bit.ly/2mQLZpX
SUBSCRIBE:
http://bit.ly/2DrPcUi
FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK:
http://on.fb.me/1xbYIVv
JOIN LEX’S FACEBOOK GROUP:
http://bit.ly/2dRXBGE
FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM:
http://bit.ly/2rJMwfN
VISIT HER WEBSITE:
https://www.lexmartinwrites.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 582 reviews
nope-nope-nope
August 1, 2023It's so crazy to me how many authors do the whole sloppy seconds from my sister plot in romance. I honestly don't know anyone who would ever date or sleep with someone their sister has. Does it happen? Yes. Just not enough to warrant how rampant it is in romance. It's such a lazy lazy attempt at angst.
August 11, 2023
“Gonna need you to come again. Wanna feel that tight little pussy squeeze my cock.”
THE WAY I LIVED FOR THIS COUPLE!!! This angsty forbidden romance was everything I hoped it would be and MORE! I have adored each story in this series of companion standalones but something about this one just holds a special place in my heart! I just knew Lex was going to wreck me in all my feels! Jake and Charlotte's heartbreaking love story stole my soul! The sexy times were fire, the emotional moments unforgettable and of course I wanted to throw my damn kindle so many times! I wanted one of the secondary characters to be hit by a train, not going to lie! Then there were other secondary characters that had me smiling so big, I can't wait for their story! Lex never disappoints and this is another top read for me!
READ NOW IN KINDLE UNLIMITED!
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If you haven't read the rest of the series, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND! These are all companion standalone with different couples and I adored them!
Start the series here:
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February 18, 2025
Hero and heroine are childhood bff, they both have a secret crush on each other, but while he manages to move on pretty well having sex with plenty of women, of course she stays a damned virgin until well into her twenties.
At 17 he gets her prettier, more famous, hotter older sister pregnant and the idiot heroine helps the raise the kid for almost two years, watching and hearing them have sex while she plays nanny to their kid.
When she eventually leaves everyone, the hero, her sister, their mother, treats her like she is a selfish spoiled bitch because she chose to go to a different college instead of seeing the guy she’s been pining for years screwing the brains out of her sister.
They meet again some years later, the hero left her sister because she cheated on him and he is now single dad.
He holds a grudge until she tells him why she left, humiliating herself.
Of course she will become his child’s mother since her sister is now a celebrity and is also shitting on her and publicly accusing her to sleep with her baby daddy while they were together, basically making her a home wrecker.
It would never have happened because the hero would have never left her sister had she not cheated on him.
He tells the heroine he never loved her sister (but he found her hotter than the heroine since he had sex with her just hours after he met her) and he always loved her, even if he screwed plenty of women and even her sister, while apparently the heroine was never worthy enough to even give it a try.
Of course she’s still a virgin because women who have sex with more than one man in their lives are whores. They have to have sex with a loser of their choice or else if the loser doesn’t want them they have to stay celibate as nuns. Sex is bad, dirty and wicked, and women can’t enjoy it except with said man.
A nunnery would find this thought very proper. Or maybe not.
So, what can I say.
I feel queasy.
At 17 he gets her prettier, more famous, hotter older sister pregnant and the idiot heroine helps the raise the kid for almost two years, watching and hearing them have sex while she plays nanny to their kid.
When she eventually leaves everyone, the hero, her sister, their mother, treats her like she is a selfish spoiled bitch because she chose to go to a different college instead of seeing the guy she’s been pining for years screwing the brains out of her sister.
They meet again some years later, the hero left her sister because she cheated on him and he is now single dad.
He holds a grudge until she tells him why she left, humiliating herself.
Of course she will become his child’s mother since her sister is now a celebrity and is also shitting on her and publicly accusing her to sleep with her baby daddy while they were together, basically making her a home wrecker.
It would never have happened because the hero would have never left her sister had she not cheated on him.
He tells the heroine he never loved her sister (but he found her hotter than the heroine since he had sex with her just hours after he met her) and he always loved her, even if he screwed plenty of women and even her sister, while apparently the heroine was never worthy enough to even give it a try.
Of course she’s still a virgin because women who have sex with more than one man in their lives are whores. They have to have sex with a loser of their choice or else if the loser doesn’t want them they have to stay celibate as nuns. Sex is bad, dirty and wicked, and women can’t enjoy it except with said man.
A nunnery would find this thought very proper. Or maybe not.
So, what can I say.
I feel queasy.
August 27, 2023
4.5 stars
Soooo angsty! This one is a romance about the heroine who has been in love with the hero since they became best friends in high school. When she was going to make her move, though, he sleeps with her sister and gets her pregnant. The heroine tries her best to be there and be a good aunt, but she can't bear seeing the hero with her sister anymore, so she cuts off communication and moves to a different college. Now, it's her senior year and the new hotshot football player is the hero, who moved there with his son. There's definitely angst because the hero is basically off limits to her, but they can't stop being around each other and falling in love. This didn't get a full five stars from me because a lot of the drama is other woman drama with the sister, which I don't always love. But I loved their connection and their second chance at a first chance with each other. I definitely recommend picking up this series!!
Soooo angsty! This one is a romance about the heroine who has been in love with the hero since they became best friends in high school. When she was going to make her move, though, he sleeps with her sister and gets her pregnant. The heroine tries her best to be there and be a good aunt, but she can't bear seeing the hero with her sister anymore, so she cuts off communication and moves to a different college. Now, it's her senior year and the new hotshot football player is the hero, who moved there with his son. There's definitely angst because the hero is basically off limits to her, but they can't stop being around each other and falling in love. This didn't get a full five stars from me because a lot of the drama is other woman drama with the sister, which I don't always love. But I loved their connection and their second chance at a first chance with each other. I definitely recommend picking up this series!!
August 10, 2023
Best part is the revenge/pushback against the rotten sister of the h and the H's ex. Forget the high road and maintaining a dignified silence. They shut the evil OW in a practical and satisfactory way.
August 6, 2023
***COMING TOMORROW***
5 STARS
I couldn’t put this one down. Completely devoured it.
Jake was such a fantastic hero and dad. Yes, he made mistakes and once he realizes that, he is very aware of his actions and making sure the heroine feels secure in how he feels. I also loved that we saw the heroine come out of her shell as she become more confident.
I always love the steam in Lex Martin’s romance, as they really seemed tailored to the couple and their journey to an HEA.
It is safe to say this is one of my fave football romance standalone series, and I already cannot wait for the next one!
ARC review
5 STARS
I couldn’t put this one down. Completely devoured it.
Jake was such a fantastic hero and dad. Yes, he made mistakes and once he realizes that, he is very aware of his actions and making sure the heroine feels secure in how he feels. I also loved that we saw the heroine come out of her shell as she become more confident.
I always love the steam in Lex Martin’s romance, as they really seemed tailored to the couple and their journey to an HEA.
It is safe to say this is one of my fave football romance standalone series, and I already cannot wait for the next one!
ARC review
November 8, 2024
This was ok. I don’t mind a sister-sloppy seconds plot (especially if it’s soapy), but this was a smidge bland for me. The blurb sets it up, Jake was Charlotte’s best bud that she secretly loved but was too timid and shy to make her move, so her sister did. A drunken hookup led to a surprise baby, and the book opens with a miserable Charlotte helping the two (Jake and Dakota) raise their son in college.
I had a few issues that kept me from loving this.
⚫ The book starts after all the good stuff.
⚫ The chemistry felt a bit flat. She clearly was the better choice, I just felt like if they were compatible, then he should’ve reciprocated her feelings (or at least felt some attraction) before the sister snafu.
⚫ Charlotte’s low self-esteem/virgin status made this feel VERY young adult for much of the book. She grows a tiny spine by the end, but I prefer a mature/confident h.
⚫ There’s not enough drama. There’s a large chunk of the book where nothing is happening besides them hanging out and friend filler. Things pick up when the sis returns, but it almost at the end.
Bottom Line- It had potential, it was just executed with very little drama and a fair amount of friend/life filler making it a bit of a snoozefest. The sis is gone by chapter 1 and doesn’t return until 82%, IMHO, she needed to return way earlier, or another conflict needed to be introduced.
Safety-
Random- 〰️ Update This is The Gravity of Us Thank You Nikka! 〰️ I know I read a book with the same ending and it’s driving me crazy. It was a loveless marriage, like they decided to get married because they were both professionals. I think the sis might’ve been a lawyer. If anyone knows this book, please let me know.
I had a few issues that kept me from loving this.
⚫ The book starts after all the good stuff.
⚫ The chemistry felt a bit flat. She clearly was the better choice, I just felt like if they were compatible, then he should’ve reciprocated her feelings (or at least felt some attraction) before the sister snafu.
⚫ Charlotte’s low self-esteem/virgin status made this feel VERY young adult for much of the book. She grows a tiny spine by the end, but I prefer a mature/confident h.
⚫ There’s not enough drama. There’s a large chunk of the book where nothing is happening besides them hanging out and friend filler. Things pick up when the sis returns, but it almost at the end.
Bottom Line- It had potential, it was just executed with very little drama and a fair amount of friend/life filler making it a bit of a snoozefest. The sis is gone by chapter 1 and doesn’t return until 82%, IMHO, she needed to return way earlier, or another conflict needed to be introduced.
Safety-
Random- 〰️ Update This is The Gravity of Us Thank You Nikka! 〰️ I know I read a book with the same ending and it’s driving me crazy. It was a loveless marriage, like they decided to get married because they were both professionals. I think the sis might’ve been a lawyer. If anyone knows this book, please let me know.
August 13, 2023
This was my least favorite of the 3 Varsity dads books I've read and maybe the problem is me, maybe I'm finally aging out of new adult college romance (say it ain't so! crying face)
I think my biggest issue was it read like a high school romance for almost the first 30-40% and I blame Charlotte for that. She was written very shy, fragile, and kind of like a doormat and although she makes big strides by the end of the book I just never warmed up to her character. Every time Jake makes a declaration about how he feels, her follow up is always, "do you mean it, are you sure?" That need for reassurance just bugged me and it never went away.
Jake. Jake isn't a bad character but again something was just off for me with this one. I never got the emotional connection between the characters or even with Charlotte, Jake, and his son. Usually cute kids steal the story, but not this time. Too much telling and not enough showing? Too formulaic? I hate to say this but not enough drama? The Dakota drama was over before it even began it seemed.
Again, I think I'm in the minority here but it just wasn't my favorite. It felt like work getting through it and I hate that. Maybe give it a go for yourself if you LOVE unrequited love, second chances, single dad, and college football romance.
I think my biggest issue was it read like a high school romance for almost the first 30-40% and I blame Charlotte for that. She was written very shy, fragile, and kind of like a doormat and although she makes big strides by the end of the book I just never warmed up to her character. Every time Jake makes a declaration about how he feels, her follow up is always, "do you mean it, are you sure?" That need for reassurance just bugged me and it never went away.
Jake. Jake isn't a bad character but again something was just off for me with this one. I never got the emotional connection between the characters or even with Charlotte, Jake, and his son. Usually cute kids steal the story, but not this time. Too much telling and not enough showing? Too formulaic? I hate to say this but not enough drama? The Dakota drama was over before it even began it seemed.
Again, I think I'm in the minority here but it just wasn't my favorite. It felt like work getting through it and I hate that. Maybe give it a go for yourself if you LOVE unrequited love, second chances, single dad, and college football romance.
November 22, 2023
I was all over the place with this book.
At first I had soooo much second hand embarrassment for our pathetic h, and was glad when she flees the scene.
Then when she sees the H again…. I was pretty underwhelmed with him. And I kept thinking… giiiirl 👀… he’s just not that into you. Bless your heart.
Then I wanted to DNF when she word-vomited her “feelings” without any encouragement from him. I really needed some intensity from him here. And I did not get it.
And I continued to want to close the book as we watched the hero remember his very tepid interest in the h in high school and watch those tepid feelings sorta grow but he does nothing about it… even sends her off on dates 🙄
Gawd save me from passive beta males in romance novels. 😵💫
But then at around 50-ish% it picked up… I was finally feeling some of the angst this premise deserves. The characters start growing on me. The sex is hot, if a little ridiculous with the whole virgin porn star thing…. I’m wondering if maybe I can give it 4 stars??? Maybe??
But then it nosedives again. The hero went back to passive timid dude and does NOTHING to defend the supposed “love of his life” while his ex eviscerates her right in front of him for several pages. He literally sat on the couch and let that vile woman insult, ridicule, and threaten the h and he didnt even look up. Later he blames it on the kid being in the room. He couldn’t possibly yell at the bitch with the child there. 🙄 (And this is why kids from previous relationships RARELY work for me in books)
He does eventually make a public statement but never actually confronts the ex directly. No, his passive ass leaves that for the h to do. She does all the heavy lifting… as she had done their entire relationship… and she takes the trash out for him.
So we’re back to a 3 star. Only because of that golden 50-80% that was pretty good. Their relationship and interactions were cute, and I was buying it 🤷🏼♀️
At first I had soooo much second hand embarrassment for our pathetic h, and was glad when she flees the scene.
Then when she sees the H again…. I was pretty underwhelmed with him. And I kept thinking… giiiirl 👀… he’s just not that into you. Bless your heart.
Then I wanted to DNF when she word-vomited her “feelings” without any encouragement from him. I really needed some intensity from him here. And I did not get it.
And I continued to want to close the book as we watched the hero remember his very tepid interest in the h in high school and watch those tepid feelings sorta grow but he does nothing about it… even sends her off on dates 🙄
Gawd save me from passive beta males in romance novels. 😵💫
But then at around 50-ish% it picked up… I was finally feeling some of the angst this premise deserves. The characters start growing on me. The sex is hot, if a little ridiculous with the whole virgin porn star thing…. I’m wondering if maybe I can give it 4 stars??? Maybe??
But then it nosedives again. The hero went back to passive timid dude and does NOTHING to defend the supposed “love of his life” while his ex eviscerates her right in front of him for several pages. He literally sat on the couch and let that vile woman insult, ridicule, and threaten the h and he didnt even look up. Later he blames it on the kid being in the room. He couldn’t possibly yell at the bitch with the child there. 🙄 (And this is why kids from previous relationships RARELY work for me in books)
He does eventually make a public statement but never actually confronts the ex directly. No, his passive ass leaves that for the h to do. She does all the heavy lifting… as she had done their entire relationship… and she takes the trash out for him.
So we’re back to a 3 star. Only because of that golden 50-80% that was pretty good. Their relationship and interactions were cute, and I was buying it 🤷🏼♀️
August 8, 2023
DNF at 13%. Charlie is in love with her best friend. He has a child with her sister, whom he is dating. Unrequited love is a good story but I absolutely could not keep reading when we find out Charlie is a virgin.
I hate reading books with virgins. Ugh. Not my type of story.
Stopped reading.
I hate reading books with virgins. Ugh. Not my type of story.
Stopped reading.
August 8, 2023
omg I loved it! Y’all I can’t even begin to explain how much I loved this book; or more accurately this series! This book has just taken the top spot as my favorite of this series! It gave me all the feels. All of them! From the moment I started reading this book I was captivated and could not put it down.
Charlotte and Jake are perfect for eachother. The chemistry between them is off the charts! This book has everything I love: second chance romance, swoony AF single dad, teammates and friends that support each other, and a perfect balance of emotional and steamy moments. Lex knocked it outta the park with this one, and I’m so excited for what’s coming next!
Charlotte and Jake are perfect for eachother. The chemistry between them is off the charts! This book has everything I love: second chance romance, swoony AF single dad, teammates and friends that support each other, and a perfect balance of emotional and steamy moments. Lex knocked it outta the park with this one, and I’m so excited for what’s coming next!
never-gonna-read
October 5, 2023A whole series related to college football players becoming dads….maybe their coach should have the bird and bees talk with them because clearly these guys don’t know about protection or abstinence.
February 8, 2024
This story wasn't too shabby. Charlotte and Jake have been best friends for years, and Charlotte was secretly in love with Jake the entire time, until her asshole sister decided to take him away (knowing that Charlotte was in love with him). The sister gets preggers, Jake marries her and they have Charlotte tag along and use her as a babysitter for the kid, because evil sister is too into herself and her 'career' to give a crap about her husband and baby. Charlotte has a up close view of the happy couple, and when she just cannot take watching them together any longer, she uproots, and leaves the couple high and dry to take care of their own kid by themselves for a change. Cruella the evil sister cheats on Jake, they divorce and Cruella signs away all of her rights so she doesn't have to pay child support, and is never heard from again (well, until the end of the story).
Charlotte and Jake find their way back to each other through this story, and honestly most of the story is kind of boring relationship building and back story of their history. Not terrible, but definitely not exciting either. The story doesn't pick up at all until the very end when the evil sister finally gets back into the picture, trying to humiliate the couple with her lies, and monkey wrench their relationship. IMO the evil sister drama should have been brought back way earlier in the story. She would have added a lot more excitement and entertainment to this somewhat dry story. The evil sister is dealt with, albeit VERY QUICKLY, and the evil mother of these women wasn't dealt with at all. That was a bit of a letdown as well.
That being said, I did enjoy the story.
August 7, 2023
I know a lot of readers are not a fan of this type of plot... but wanna know who is? This girl right here. I'm a sucker for any unrequited love book throw-in hero knocks up heroine's sister, and it's gold( don't judge me😅).
Anywho, on to the story, Charlotte and Jake have been best friends for a long time. Their friendship had a lot of ups and down (especially for Charlotte), but they hung in there and supported each other until one of them couldn't handle it anymore.
Fast forward a couple of years, and this is where this story takes off. What I really appreciated was that Charlotte confessed her "old" feelings pretty early on. Their friendship got back on track, and Jake realized he was a moron. Speaking of Jake, that man is a sweetheart. He was so good and patient with Charlotte. He had some great lines.
My only complaint was I wish Jake really tore the sister apart instead of Charlotte doing it. I understood his reasoning for not doing it, but damn my petty side wanted it bad.
Anyway, this is a solid read that I definitely recommend if you don't have issues with the sibling thing. I'm really excited for Billy and Roxy's book that comes out next. I have some suspicions about Erza.
I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.
Anywho, on to the story, Charlotte and Jake have been best friends for a long time. Their friendship had a lot of ups and down (especially for Charlotte), but they hung in there and supported each other until one of them couldn't handle it anymore.
Fast forward a couple of years, and this is where this story takes off. What I really appreciated was that Charlotte confessed her "old" feelings pretty early on. Their friendship got back on track, and Jake realized he was a moron. Speaking of Jake, that man is a sweetheart. He was so good and patient with Charlotte. He had some great lines.
My only complaint was I wish Jake really tore the sister apart instead of Charlotte doing it. I understood his reasoning for not doing it, but damn my petty side wanted it bad.
Anyway, this is a solid read that I definitely recommend if you don't have issues with the sibling thing. I'm really excited for Billy and Roxy's book that comes out next. I have some suspicions about Erza.
I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.
August 15, 2023
Ugh this book! It was so freaking good and I could not put it down. The angst in this is HIGH and i definitely shed a few tears. I loved Charlie's growth in this story and Jake had a pretty epic grovel in this!
August 9, 2023
This single dad sports romance was so enjoyable; it’s fun, the characters are extremely likable, it’s super steamy and there’s plenty of bigger emotions.
It has some angst, it has life drama that made me really feel for Jake and Charlotte’s situation. And, it’s a single dad, forbidden romance. I love forbidden so much and this great single dad won my heart.
The college world the author has created has character, charm and really great secondary characters that add humor and truly great friendships.
Jake is focused on his football career, he’s a great single dad who’s juggling a lot. He’s under pressure yet he’s such a sweetheart who’s also very sexy.
Charlotte is finally out from under the thumb of her mother and sister who treated her horribly. She’s starting over at a new college, trying to come out of her shell and not be the shy “wallflower “ anymore. She has a big heart, she’s smart and she’s working to find her place in life.
She has an awesome roommate and friend Roxy who is the ultimate wingwoman, I adore her so much, too.
The two characters were best friends through high school and the first year of college with Charlotte secretly pining for Jake. It gets very messy when Jake has an anonymous one night stand that results in pregnancy…. And then he discovers it’s Charlotte’s older sister!! Uh-oh!
Let me just say I really don’t care for Charlotte’s sister. Drama and awkward feelings happen.
Fast forward a few years, Jake and Charlotte have been out of touch and now they are at the same college. They keep being thrown into each other’s lives and what follows is a swoony, adorable and sexy situation between the two that brings plenty of laughs, tons of sexual tension and lots of feelings.
The author tells such a full, well paced story with characters that have depth. I could picture their college life and friends so well as I was swept up in the story and a truly beautiful romance. Their relationship was a bit angsty, so heartwarming and the sexy times are unique and incredibly hot!!
It’s a really fantastic book with such a satisfying story and wonderfully lovable characters.
It’s a great addition to this author’s series of interconnected standalone’s, (it can be read as a standalone.) I’ve loved all the books I’ve read by this author.
It has some angst, it has life drama that made me really feel for Jake and Charlotte’s situation. And, it’s a single dad, forbidden romance. I love forbidden so much and this great single dad won my heart.
The college world the author has created has character, charm and really great secondary characters that add humor and truly great friendships.
Jake is focused on his football career, he’s a great single dad who’s juggling a lot. He’s under pressure yet he’s such a sweetheart who’s also very sexy.
Charlotte is finally out from under the thumb of her mother and sister who treated her horribly. She’s starting over at a new college, trying to come out of her shell and not be the shy “wallflower “ anymore. She has a big heart, she’s smart and she’s working to find her place in life.
She has an awesome roommate and friend Roxy who is the ultimate wingwoman, I adore her so much, too.
The two characters were best friends through high school and the first year of college with Charlotte secretly pining for Jake. It gets very messy when Jake has an anonymous one night stand that results in pregnancy…. And then he discovers it’s Charlotte’s older sister!! Uh-oh!
Let me just say I really don’t care for Charlotte’s sister. Drama and awkward feelings happen.
Fast forward a few years, Jake and Charlotte have been out of touch and now they are at the same college. They keep being thrown into each other’s lives and what follows is a swoony, adorable and sexy situation between the two that brings plenty of laughs, tons of sexual tension and lots of feelings.
The author tells such a full, well paced story with characters that have depth. I could picture their college life and friends so well as I was swept up in the story and a truly beautiful romance. Their relationship was a bit angsty, so heartwarming and the sexy times are unique and incredibly hot!!
It’s a really fantastic book with such a satisfying story and wonderfully lovable characters.
It’s a great addition to this author’s series of interconnected standalone’s, (it can be read as a standalone.) I’ve loved all the books I’ve read by this author.
August 7, 2023
Second Down Darling may just be my new favorite Lex Martin book!! This book has everything I love!!
Second Chance ✔️
Forbidden ✔️
Single dad ✔️
Sports romance ✔️
Best friends ✔️
Unrequited love ✔️
From start to finish, I was sooo invested in Jake and Charlotte's story. If any couple have ever deserved a HEA, it's these two. Being best friends since freshman year of high school wasn't always easy for Charlotte. What with having feelings for him and all. It certainly didn't get any easier one her sister inserted herself into the picture.
Fast forward two years, and Jake and Charlotte are face to face again. I loved watching how this was going to play out, and let me tell you, it was perfect!!
Second Chance ✔️
Forbidden ✔️
Single dad ✔️
Sports romance ✔️
Best friends ✔️
Unrequited love ✔️
From start to finish, I was sooo invested in Jake and Charlotte's story. If any couple have ever deserved a HEA, it's these two. Being best friends since freshman year of high school wasn't always easy for Charlotte. What with having feelings for him and all. It certainly didn't get any easier one her sister inserted herself into the picture.
Fast forward two years, and Jake and Charlotte are face to face again. I loved watching how this was going to play out, and let me tell you, it was perfect!!
August 1, 2023
wow this series just keeps getting better, I loved this book, it GAVE ME ALL THE FEELINGS, it is one of my favorite works by the author to date, it is kindle crack.
I love Jake so much, he is such a responsible dad, he is so sweet and caring, I swooned so hard with him, and his dirty mouth, he melted my panties, and Charlotte is so kind and sweet, always helping others and putting their wishes before her own.
Jake and Charlotte are best friends, and she has had a crush on him for a long time, but after he gets Charlotte sister pregnant and they become a couple, it's so hard for her to see them together. then she decides to leave, my heart broke a thousand times for her, so they stop seeing each other for a few years but when circumstances force them to be close again these old hidden emotions resurface with a vengeance, I love their scenes together, they are pure fire, they are so passionate, sweet and emotional, they provoked me a swarm of butterflies in my stomach.
Lex Martin is the queen of single dad romances, steamy, angst and addictive, Second Down Darling is a forbidden second chances romance, the perfect combination of slow burn, spicy and feelings.
The author always leaves me with a heart full of happiness and a smile.
Highly recommended for fans of
Forbidden romance
Slow burn
Spicy
Single dad
Small town
Sport romance
Friends to strangers to lovers
Angsty
August 28, 2023
2.75 stars.
Some spoilers ahead, read with caution.
This was pretty boring tbh. I didn’t think it was that angsty at all. The h’s sister was pretty evil so there def wasn’t angst there, as the h was the obvious choice. If the sister was less 2 dimensional, it would have added a LOT to the angst, as it truly would have made the h have to stand out in her own way and showcase why the H would pick her. In this case, it was such an obvious choice, plus the cheating, that the h was almost a consolation prize. Like “oh, look at this nice, polite, virgin, tiny, never been kissed, loved me already, loyal, can babysit and cook, is beautiful with no make up on, nOt LiKe oThEr gIrlS, meh she will do”.
Also, if my cat was lost after a fire, u bet ur ass I wouldn’t have gone on with my life until I found out what happened. Like seriously are y’all psychos? Smh, I almost DNF’d after that. Honestly 90% of why I kept reading is because I wanted to find out if the cat was okay. None of the reviews mentions the cat, so to save you the trouble: the cat is fine and is found around 70-80% of the book. You’re welcome.
Some spoilers ahead, read with caution.
This was pretty boring tbh. I didn’t think it was that angsty at all. The h’s sister was pretty evil so there def wasn’t angst there, as the h was the obvious choice. If the sister was less 2 dimensional, it would have added a LOT to the angst, as it truly would have made the h have to stand out in her own way and showcase why the H would pick her. In this case, it was such an obvious choice, plus the cheating, that the h was almost a consolation prize. Like “oh, look at this nice, polite, virgin, tiny, never been kissed, loved me already, loyal, can babysit and cook, is beautiful with no make up on, nOt LiKe oThEr gIrlS, meh she will do”.
Also, if my cat was lost after a fire, u bet ur ass I wouldn’t have gone on with my life until I found out what happened. Like seriously are y’all psychos? Smh, I almost DNF’d after that. Honestly 90% of why I kept reading is because I wanted to find out if the cat was okay. None of the reviews mentions the cat, so to save you the trouble: the cat is fine and is found around 70-80% of the book. You’re welcome.
August 14, 2023
I love Lex Martin's writing. I really do. But i DNF'd this book at 5% because
*SPOILER ALERT*
the hero is already single by chapter 2. His ex is terrible, so we *must* root for the main couple. heroine is sweet, pure and naive. hero is a great guy and a great dad. the ex was the worst person ever.
Nah, I just couldn't be bothered to continue.
*SPOILER ALERT*
the hero is already single by chapter 2. His ex is terrible, so we *must* root for the main couple. heroine is sweet, pure and naive. hero is a great guy and a great dad. the ex was the worst person ever.
Nah, I just couldn't be bothered to continue.
August 25, 2023
Uhm no ew. I disliked sister’s ex, not to mention the MMC had a child with said bitchy sister.
What more is that the FMC is a super shy who’s only ever-had-butterflies-with-the-MMC-pining-virgin ughh why so pathetic.
What more is that the FMC is a super shy who’s only ever-had-butterflies-with-the-MMC-pining-virgin ughh why so pathetic.
August 10, 2023
5⭐️
3🌶
▪️Messy Romance
▪️Sisters ex boyfriend/ baby daddy
▪️Sports Romance
▪️Evil sister
I absolutely love a messy romance and sisters ex/boyfriend troupe with an evil sister is always fun.
Charlotte the FMC moved away after deciding she couldn't watch her sister with her childhood crush any longer. Her sister walked all over her and she'd had enough. She moved to another College and cut off everyone in her life, or they cut her off for leaving.
Jake the MMC leaves town to attend a different college after finding out his girlfriend/ baby mama cheats on him with his teammate. He moves his little boy and himself to another college not realising his exs sister/ his childhood bestie goes there.
The romance between Jake and Charlotte was great and I can't wait to read Roxy's book!
3🌶
▪️Messy Romance
▪️Sisters ex boyfriend/ baby daddy
▪️Sports Romance
▪️Evil sister
I absolutely love a messy romance and sisters ex/boyfriend troupe with an evil sister is always fun.
Charlotte the FMC moved away after deciding she couldn't watch her sister with her childhood crush any longer. Her sister walked all over her and she'd had enough. She moved to another College and cut off everyone in her life, or they cut her off for leaving.
Jake the MMC leaves town to attend a different college after finding out his girlfriend/ baby mama cheats on him with his teammate. He moves his little boy and himself to another college not realising his exs sister/ his childhood bestie goes there.
The romance between Jake and Charlotte was great and I can't wait to read Roxy's book!
July 30, 2023
Ahhhh Jake and Charlie! Swoon!!!! These two were everything! I loved their story and all the hurdles they went through over years of friendship to get to each other. All the side characters (including Duke and Winkie too) made this one a winner! Jake is the ultimate in book boyfriends! Can’t wait for more on Roxy and (not gonna name him for fear of a spoiler!) story since that is destined to be a good one after Roxy’s news!! Couldn’t put this one down at all! Amazing!
January 13, 2024
Oops, I absolutely forgot I read this several months back until I received a notification of a review from a previous book in the series jogged my memory 🫣😂. Although perhaps that is telling of the book 🤔.
>>Second Down Darling — 3 stars<<
✔️ Surprise Baby
✔️ Forbidden Romance/Sister’s Ex (or more aptly —> Certifiable Crazy B*tch’s Ex, in this case)
✔️ Single Dad
✔️ College Sports Romance
✔️ Friends-to-Lovers
{{{Fair warning - the more I thought about it, the more this turned out to be more of a rant than an overall review than I even expected…oh! & it’s definitely ⛔️ spoilery ⛔️.}}}
So anyhoo…
If there’s anyone who might read my reviews with regularity, you are probably so sick of me reading this series 🫣. Because honestly, knowing about the top 2 tropes(especially the 1st) beforehand & still going through with reading this just proves I can be such a glutton for punishment when I wanna be 🤦🏻♀️.
I think I’ve returned to a series I find increasingly vexing because I still manage at least kind of like (if not, really like) each of the hs & Hs in tVDD series (& sports romances are one of my favorite tropes & I like LM’s writing style, especially several from her back catalog). So in that sense, it was no different with SDD’s h & H, BUT I’m so damn bored by the surprise baby trope as a series theme & all the drama that comes with it, including all the OW drama(I hate this the most) brought on when the baby isn’t the h’s . (the case in 3 out of the 4 books).
Here SDD’s other problematic trope, the sister/the ex being a malicious nutjob, who spitefully made a move on the H knowing damn well the h/her sister loved him & taunted the h about sleeping with the H(like a dog pees on trees 🤦🏻♀️, “marking” him as her territory 🙄), made it a little easier to get past (this part took place a few years before the present btw), BUT the general concept of a sibling’s ex is still so cringy to me, much more than not. (For the record & why I’m not damming the H as severely along with the crazy narcissist, is because he was a teenage boy & totally dense about the h’s feelings —like no clue whatsoever the h was into him— when the hooked up took place. He was reeling over a family issue & drinking when she more or less preyed on him. They only had a relationship after he found out he knocked her up & tried to do the right thing. I do believe he wouldn’t have done it (hooked up) if he had any idea about the h’s feelings.)
None of the above is to say there’s nothing to like or suggest to anyone reading this rant(‘cause let’s be honest 😂) to stay clear. After 4 books, I’m simply burnout by the first trope & the second generally tends to be one of my trope dislikes. Believe it or not, I do think the h & H were fairly good together (usually). Which is why it’s more frustrating than most 3-star reads for me. Because what I found problematic (especially sb) was just too much to be saddled with to really enjoy them & their romance for my taste.
The good news (for me) is I’m SO burnout that even though I liked Roxy(next h), I’m finally not big enough of a glutton to read the 5th upcoming book in the series(shocker 🤪). So I’m out ✌️& just gonna wait until LM is done with this series before I pick up anything new from her.
>>Second Down Darling — 3 stars<<
✔️ Surprise Baby
✔️ Forbidden Romance/Sister’s Ex (or more aptly —> Certifiable Crazy B*tch’s Ex, in this case)
✔️ Single Dad
✔️ College Sports Romance
✔️ Friends-to-Lovers
{{{Fair warning - the more I thought about it, the more this turned out to be more of a rant than an overall review than I even expected…oh! & it’s definitely ⛔️ spoilery ⛔️.}}}
So anyhoo…
If there’s anyone who might read my reviews with regularity, you are probably so sick of me reading this series 🫣. Because honestly, knowing about the top 2 tropes(especially the 1st) beforehand & still going through with reading this just proves I can be such a glutton for punishment when I wanna be 🤦🏻♀️.
I think I’ve returned to a series I find increasingly vexing because I still manage at least kind of like (if not, really like) each of the hs & Hs in tVDD series (& sports romances are one of my favorite tropes & I like LM’s writing style, especially several from her back catalog). So in that sense, it was no different with SDD’s h & H, BUT I’m so damn bored by the surprise baby trope as a series theme & all the drama that comes with it, including all the OW drama(I hate this the most) brought on when the baby isn’t the h’s . (the case in 3 out of the 4 books).
Here SDD’s other problematic trope, the sister/the ex being a malicious nutjob, who spitefully made a move on the H knowing damn well the h/her sister loved him & taunted the h about sleeping with the H(like a dog pees on trees 🤦🏻♀️, “marking” him as her territory 🙄), made it a little easier to get past (this part took place a few years before the present btw), BUT the general concept of a sibling’s ex is still so cringy to me, much more than not. (For the record & why I’m not damming the H as severely along with the crazy narcissist, is because he was a teenage boy & totally dense about the h’s feelings —like no clue whatsoever the h was into him— when the hooked up took place. He was reeling over a family issue & drinking when she more or less preyed on him. They only had a relationship after he found out he knocked her up & tried to do the right thing. I do believe he wouldn’t have done it (hooked up) if he had any idea about the h’s feelings.)
None of the above is to say there’s nothing to like or suggest to anyone reading this rant(‘cause let’s be honest 😂) to stay clear. After 4 books, I’m simply burnout by the first trope & the second generally tends to be one of my trope dislikes. Believe it or not, I do think the h & H were fairly good together (usually). Which is why it’s more frustrating than most 3-star reads for me. Because what I found problematic (especially sb) was just too much to be saddled with to really enjoy them & their romance for my taste.
The good news (for me) is I’m SO burnout that even though I liked Roxy(next h), I’m finally not big enough of a glutton to read the 5th upcoming book in the series(shocker 🤪). So I’m out ✌️& just gonna wait until LM is done with this series before I pick up anything new from her.
July 13, 2023
The perfect Lex Martin book! Swoony hero, smart, nerdy heroine, tons of fun, drama, and romance in equal measure. Don’t miss this sweet and sexy single dad romance with a dash of second chance.
November 20, 2023
Another fabulously swoon worthy romance from this author,ripe with ow drama and cheating from ancillary characters! Loved it and have no doubt I will enjoy whatever she pens.Read in KU and appreciated well crafted Audible narration on sale for $1.99!
September 1, 2023
I feel like it was predictable and corny. I don’t feel like there was good buildup and the characters were bland. Not my favorite read.
avoid
November 3, 2023Self note:
⚠️⚠️⚠️avoid
V*rgin x best-friend-who-is-sisters-sloppy-seconds-has-a-baby-with-sis
⚠️⚠️⚠️avoid
V*rgin x best-friend-who-is-sisters-sloppy-seconds-has-a-baby-with-sis
March 4, 2024
4 ⭐'s
Would've been a better read if Dakota wasn't so over the top!
Would've been a better read if Dakota wasn't so over the top!
August 10, 2023
This was my least favorite in the series… I don’t know if it’s just me or if other people can relate but a lot of the writing in romance books that has released lately is extremely cringy. For this book, I was really excited for it to release I love single parent romance books and have enjoyed Lex Martin books but I feel like I just read it and didn’t really have too much of a feelings about it. All I can say is that it was okay.
Quote:
““Don’t you look like the cat who got the cream,” Roxy teases as she joins me in the computer lab.
Oh, yeah. I got creamed.”
WHO THE FUCK SAYS SOME SHIT LIKE THAT!!!! 😅🤦🏻♀️
For this being a single dad romance I wish we could have seen more of his son (Asher). I understand his character being busy but I feel like the kid was left with whoever whenever loll and forgotten.
Charlotte was okay…I just didn’t like half the shit she said and thought it just was weird.
Jake was just clueless and honestly I didn’t really feel like he had feelings for Charlotte but because shared her long lost feelings he decided to be with her 🤷🏻♀️
Despite my thoughts I will still be reading the next book 🤫 What can I say I enjoy reading single parent books well at least when they are written well.
Quote:
““Don’t you look like the cat who got the cream,” Roxy teases as she joins me in the computer lab.
Oh, yeah. I got creamed.”
WHO THE FUCK SAYS SOME SHIT LIKE THAT!!!! 😅🤦🏻♀️
For this being a single dad romance I wish we could have seen more of his son (Asher). I understand his character being busy but I feel like the kid was left with whoever whenever loll and forgotten.
Charlotte was okay…I just didn’t like half the shit she said and thought it just was weird.
Jake was just clueless and honestly I didn’t really feel like he had feelings for Charlotte but because shared her long lost feelings he decided to be with her 🤷🏻♀️
Despite my thoughts I will still be reading the next book 🤫 What can I say I enjoy reading single parent books well at least when they are written well.
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