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Playing for Keeps #2
False Start
If only my feelings were as fake as this "relationship" with my former teammate.
I’ve been the NFL’s “problem child” since my rookie year. If there’s trouble, I’ll find it.
But my biggest weakness has always been Houston McRae. We were secretly together in college before it blew up in our faces.
So, when I see him again years later, you’d think I’d know better than to end up in an airport bathroom stall tearing his clothes off.
To make matters worse, because of mistakes I’ve made, I find out afterward I’m being traded… to Denver.
Where Houston lives. Because of course.
I’m not taking responsibility for the two of us ending up in a fake relationship. That’s all on him, but I can’t pretend I won’t enjoy it. As long as I don’t let myself fall for him again, I’ll be fine, right?
I lived, breathed, and slept football until an injury sidelined me for life. Now I’m solely focused on finding my place again… until Cullen Atwood walks back into my life and tempts me into an airport bathroom stall, where every ounce of passion for him I thought I’d buried returns with a vengeance.
Now he’s playing for the Rush…
And staying in my apartment.
And did I mention he’s also my fake boyfriend who makes it clear he still wants me every chance he gets?
I’ve got my future to think about, though, and we’re one wrong move from becoming a tabloid headline. I can’t afford to think of Cullen as anything more than a casual hook-up.
So why do I keep wishing this relationship was real?
False Start is a low angst, high-heat sports romance in the Playing for Keeps series.
I’ve been the NFL’s “problem child” since my rookie year. If there’s trouble, I’ll find it.
But my biggest weakness has always been Houston McRae. We were secretly together in college before it blew up in our faces.
So, when I see him again years later, you’d think I’d know better than to end up in an airport bathroom stall tearing his clothes off.
To make matters worse, because of mistakes I’ve made, I find out afterward I’m being traded… to Denver.
Where Houston lives. Because of course.
I’m not taking responsibility for the two of us ending up in a fake relationship. That’s all on him, but I can’t pretend I won’t enjoy it. As long as I don’t let myself fall for him again, I’ll be fine, right?
I lived, breathed, and slept football until an injury sidelined me for life. Now I’m solely focused on finding my place again… until Cullen Atwood walks back into my life and tempts me into an airport bathroom stall, where every ounce of passion for him I thought I’d buried returns with a vengeance.
Now he’s playing for the Rush…
And staying in my apartment.
And did I mention he’s also my fake boyfriend who makes it clear he still wants me every chance he gets?
I’ve got my future to think about, though, and we’re one wrong move from becoming a tabloid headline. I can’t afford to think of Cullen as anything more than a casual hook-up.
So why do I keep wishing this relationship was real?
False Start is a low angst, high-heat sports romance in the Playing for Keeps series.
280 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2023
486 people are currently reading
1503 people want to read
About the author
Riley Hart
115 books7,202 followersRiley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She's a hopeless romantic. A lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together. If she's not writing, you'll probably find her reading.
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for everyday.
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for everyday.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews
May 14, 2023
4.5 “I’ve been in love with you probably since before we kissed for the first time, Houston." Stars
"In football, when one of the offensive players moved from the line of scrimmage before the ball was snapped, it was a false start. That’s the way I saw our first time together— a false start, our years afterward our penalty, but in the end, all it did was set us up to win the long game. And we would, together, the way we were always meant to be."
So, I had a not so good week, and I have been super stressed and sick at the same time and all I wanted to do all week was just take some time to myself while I read a book that I knew would bring me a lot of comfort, and this book was my oblivious choice for that. I just knew that reading this book would bring me joy, but even then, I think I underestimated how happy this book would make me.
This book was exactly what I would expect from a Riley Hart and Neve Wilder book and that’s exactly what I wanted. This book isn’t reinventing anything, but I like my books to be familiar and comforting, so that’s always a very good thing in my book.
I can’t really describe the feelings that this book gave me but if I had to try, I would say: pure joy. I felt so giddy with excitement while I was reading this book that I can’t grinning and smiling.
Brief Summary
Huston and Cullen used to date a couple of years ago, but they broke up because of the fear of coming out while being professional football players. They meet up again after that and they become fake boyfriends, but accidently get a second chance at love with each other at the same time.
I knew from page 3 that I would be hooked, this book really starts with a bang. I was so obsessed with this book from this moment on. That just made me so interested in the story and really made me want to keep reading the book. And I was right, because my attention was hooked during every moment of this book, I just really fell in love with every little seconds of this book. I was so invested in both Cullen and Hudson’s persona, and I was super invested in this romance too. I was just so into every little seconds of this book.
The pining and the longing in this book were just out of this world. I am always very partial to longing and pining and the one in this book was just so good. I was just so into every little seconds of pining we got into this book. Longing and pining always makes me super giddy and teary eyed and the one in this book just really got to me. I was just so in love with this part of the book. I will admit that I’m a wimp and an absolute cry baby, but I cried so many times because of Cullen’s pining and longing for Hudson, it was just so sweet to me and it just really worked for me.
I just want to talk about the characters in this one so much. I am absolutely in love with Cullen. He was just the exact type of characters I like reading about. I love the super sweet guys who are super down on themselves and who thinks that they are a little broken but are always trying to make things right anyway. Cullen was just my spirit animal, and I adored every thing he did or thought, I just could relate to him so well and I adored everything about him. I also really liked Hudson as a character, and I thought that he was the perfect foil for Cullen. These two just really complimented each other so well and I loved them together so much.
I really loved the second chance in this one. It’s not a secret that second chances romances are my favourites and that I will read any book that promises me a second chance romance, but I just loved how it was done in this one. I loved how they easily fell back into their old relationships in such an easy way. I loved how they already knew everything about each other and how they just fell back into their old ways and love. I just loved how they easily fit together and how they regained their relationship so easily, because they were just made for each other and everything about them fit.
I just adored the romance in this book so much. Hudson and Cullen truly were made for each other. I just loved how they were so attentive of each other and how they knew everything about each other. I loved how they were ready to do everything to be together because them being together was the most important thing to them. I adored how they listened to each other and how they were always there for each other no matter what. I just loved how supportive of each other they were and how proud of each other they were. They were just so good together and I adore these two as a couple so much.
This is no surprise to me as this book is written by Neve Wilder, but there was so many good sex scenes in this book. I just really loved them and I loved how they fit into the story and the romance, they were just perfect for the book and were just perfect in general too.
Also, I really don’t understand what’s up with me, but the super cute low angst books are always the books that makes me cry the most, and this book was no exceptions. I cried so many times while reading this book, I was just so invested in the characters and their lives that I kept crying my eyes out every little time that a minor inconvenience happened in someone’s life. Seriously, Cullen could have randomly broken a nail once and I would have cried for an entire hour. This book was just really connected to my tear ducks, and I know that I should not have cried this much since nothing about this book was actually sad, but I couldn’t help it.
I think that my review says it enough already, but I am absolutely in love with every part of this book. Something about this book was just really special to me and I just adored this one. This was the exact book I wanted to be reading at this moment in my life and it just really delivered on all fronts.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest opinion.
"In football, when one of the offensive players moved from the line of scrimmage before the ball was snapped, it was a false start. That’s the way I saw our first time together— a false start, our years afterward our penalty, but in the end, all it did was set us up to win the long game. And we would, together, the way we were always meant to be."
So, I had a not so good week, and I have been super stressed and sick at the same time and all I wanted to do all week was just take some time to myself while I read a book that I knew would bring me a lot of comfort, and this book was my oblivious choice for that. I just knew that reading this book would bring me joy, but even then, I think I underestimated how happy this book would make me.
This book was exactly what I would expect from a Riley Hart and Neve Wilder book and that’s exactly what I wanted. This book isn’t reinventing anything, but I like my books to be familiar and comforting, so that’s always a very good thing in my book.
I can’t really describe the feelings that this book gave me but if I had to try, I would say: pure joy. I felt so giddy with excitement while I was reading this book that I can’t grinning and smiling.
Brief Summary
Huston and Cullen used to date a couple of years ago, but they broke up because of the fear of coming out while being professional football players. They meet up again after that and they become fake boyfriends, but accidently get a second chance at love with each other at the same time.
I knew from page 3 that I would be hooked, this book really starts with a bang. I was so obsessed with this book from this moment on. That just made me so interested in the story and really made me want to keep reading the book. And I was right, because my attention was hooked during every moment of this book, I just really fell in love with every little seconds of this book. I was so invested in both Cullen and Hudson’s persona, and I was super invested in this romance too. I was just so into every little seconds of this book.
The pining and the longing in this book were just out of this world. I am always very partial to longing and pining and the one in this book was just so good. I was just so into every little seconds of pining we got into this book. Longing and pining always makes me super giddy and teary eyed and the one in this book just really got to me. I was just so in love with this part of the book. I will admit that I’m a wimp and an absolute cry baby, but I cried so many times because of Cullen’s pining and longing for Hudson, it was just so sweet to me and it just really worked for me.
I just want to talk about the characters in this one so much. I am absolutely in love with Cullen. He was just the exact type of characters I like reading about. I love the super sweet guys who are super down on themselves and who thinks that they are a little broken but are always trying to make things right anyway. Cullen was just my spirit animal, and I adored every thing he did or thought, I just could relate to him so well and I adored everything about him. I also really liked Hudson as a character, and I thought that he was the perfect foil for Cullen. These two just really complimented each other so well and I loved them together so much.
I really loved the second chance in this one. It’s not a secret that second chances romances are my favourites and that I will read any book that promises me a second chance romance, but I just loved how it was done in this one. I loved how they easily fell back into their old relationships in such an easy way. I loved how they already knew everything about each other and how they just fell back into their old ways and love. I just loved how they easily fit together and how they regained their relationship so easily, because they were just made for each other and everything about them fit.
I just adored the romance in this book so much. Hudson and Cullen truly were made for each other. I just loved how they were so attentive of each other and how they knew everything about each other. I loved how they were ready to do everything to be together because them being together was the most important thing to them. I adored how they listened to each other and how they were always there for each other no matter what. I just loved how supportive of each other they were and how proud of each other they were. They were just so good together and I adore these two as a couple so much.
This is no surprise to me as this book is written by Neve Wilder, but there was so many good sex scenes in this book. I just really loved them and I loved how they fit into the story and the romance, they were just perfect for the book and were just perfect in general too.
Also, I really don’t understand what’s up with me, but the super cute low angst books are always the books that makes me cry the most, and this book was no exceptions. I cried so many times while reading this book, I was just so invested in the characters and their lives that I kept crying my eyes out every little time that a minor inconvenience happened in someone’s life. Seriously, Cullen could have randomly broken a nail once and I would have cried for an entire hour. This book was just really connected to my tear ducks, and I know that I should not have cried this much since nothing about this book was actually sad, but I couldn’t help it.
I think that my review says it enough already, but I am absolutely in love with every part of this book. Something about this book was just really special to me and I just adored this one. This was the exact book I wanted to be reading at this moment in my life and it just really delivered on all fronts.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest opinion.
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December 11, 2023
RATING 4.5 STARS
False Start is book two in the Playing for Keeps series by Neve Wilder and Riley Hart. I loved the first book in this series, Rookie Move. So I am finally getting around to reading this next book which is Houston, Garrett’s older brother from the first book’s story.
Houston McRae loved football. After a fantastic college career, he was drafted by the Denver Rush which was perfect for him since his family lived in Denver. Only his dream came to a screeching halt when he had a career ending knee injury. Now he was just kind of existing, trying to figure out what he wanted to do with his future.
Cullen Atwood might have a bit of an impulse problem. He made terrible decisions that always seemed to get him in the news. They also seemed to keep getting him traded.
Houston and Cullen went to college together and played on the same team. They are both bi-sexual but kept that secret. Gay athletes was not something tolerated in those times. They also kept a secret relationship hidden all the way through college until it ended I their senior year in a bad way and they hadn’t seen each other since. Until the airport when they ended up in a bathroom stall, together.
Now, a few months later, Cullen has been traded again, to Denver. And because of his little brother’s big mouth, Cullen is now Houston’s roommate. And because of his OWN big mouth, Cullen is also now his fake boyfriend. Life just keeps getting better and better.
One thing that hasn’t changed from the time they were together in college a decade ago until now is the pull between them. Both are determined to be friends only but neither of them can do that. So maybe they can just enjoy each other’s bodies until their expiration date arrives. Because it will arrive. And Cullen is convinced that it is also just a matter of time until he does something that will get him traded yet again.
I really loved these two. It was so apparent from the start they they both had never let their feelings go for the other in all the years that had gone by. It made me sad that Cullen had so much trouble finding the right team fit. But it was also clear that Denver was good for him and so was Houston McRae. They were so adorable together. And yes, scorching hot as well! I wouldn’t call this book angsty, but it was more emotional than I thought it would be. Cullen was full of snark and actually was good for Houston, he lightened him up some. But I could feel their love for each other squeezing my heart. They just hadn’t figured it out yet.
This was sweet, sexy, and swoony. And had the cutest ending. I really did enjoy it. I don’t know but have an inkling as to who the next book might be about. Only time will tell if I’m right or not! Fingers crossed.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
False Start is book two in the Playing for Keeps series by Neve Wilder and Riley Hart. I loved the first book in this series, Rookie Move. So I am finally getting around to reading this next book which is Houston, Garrett’s older brother from the first book’s story.
Houston McRae loved football. After a fantastic college career, he was drafted by the Denver Rush which was perfect for him since his family lived in Denver. Only his dream came to a screeching halt when he had a career ending knee injury. Now he was just kind of existing, trying to figure out what he wanted to do with his future.
Cullen Atwood might have a bit of an impulse problem. He made terrible decisions that always seemed to get him in the news. They also seemed to keep getting him traded.
Houston and Cullen went to college together and played on the same team. They are both bi-sexual but kept that secret. Gay athletes was not something tolerated in those times. They also kept a secret relationship hidden all the way through college until it ended I their senior year in a bad way and they hadn’t seen each other since. Until the airport when they ended up in a bathroom stall, together.
Now, a few months later, Cullen has been traded again, to Denver. And because of his little brother’s big mouth, Cullen is now Houston’s roommate. And because of his OWN big mouth, Cullen is also now his fake boyfriend. Life just keeps getting better and better.
One thing that hasn’t changed from the time they were together in college a decade ago until now is the pull between them. Both are determined to be friends only but neither of them can do that. So maybe they can just enjoy each other’s bodies until their expiration date arrives. Because it will arrive. And Cullen is convinced that it is also just a matter of time until he does something that will get him traded yet again.
I really loved these two. It was so apparent from the start they they both had never let their feelings go for the other in all the years that had gone by. It made me sad that Cullen had so much trouble finding the right team fit. But it was also clear that Denver was good for him and so was Houston McRae. They were so adorable together. And yes, scorching hot as well! I wouldn’t call this book angsty, but it was more emotional than I thought it would be. Cullen was full of snark and actually was good for Houston, he lightened him up some. But I could feel their love for each other squeezing my heart. They just hadn’t figured it out yet.
This was sweet, sexy, and swoony. And had the cutest ending. I really did enjoy it. I don’t know but have an inkling as to who the next book might be about. Only time will tell if I’m right or not! Fingers crossed.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
April 11, 2023
What can I say about this book? It’s so Riley Hart that if I started reading it without knowing the title or the author I would still guess it was her book. And of course Neve’s touch is quite obvious too because 80% of the book is sex, sex and more sex.
I did enjoy it some,I can’t lie, I even tear up here and there because I felt for those 2 college kids in love who lost each other because of this fucked up world. I got emotional every time they reminisced about their tender moments in college. I have to confess it took me a bit more to warm up to Houston, he was kind of a stuck up.I got there eventually and as cliché as it was I tear up like a sucker at his grand gesture because Cullen deserved it, he was loyal and brave and fierce in his love for Houston . There were few more things that bothered me, like the woman presented as a slut who likes to fuck football players and she can’t take no for an answer, always present in Riley’s books -I think it’s time you retired her, dear author. 3,5 stars from me-I could round it up to 4 stars but I won’t because I’ve read this kind of book 100 times before and I need something new, surprising and original from these authors, I know they can do better.
I did enjoy it some,I can’t lie, I even tear up here and there because I felt for those 2 college kids in love who lost each other because of this fucked up world. I got emotional every time they reminisced about their tender moments in college. I have to confess it took me a bit more to warm up to Houston, he was kind of a stuck up.I got there eventually and as cliché as it was I tear up like a sucker at his grand gesture because Cullen deserved it, he was loyal and brave and fierce in his love for Houston . There were few more things that bothered me, like the woman presented as a slut who likes to fuck football players and she can’t take no for an answer, always present in Riley’s books -I think it’s time you retired her, dear author. 3,5 stars from me-I could round it up to 4 stars but I won’t because I’ve read this kind of book 100 times before and I need something new, surprising and original from these authors, I know they can do better.
April 24, 2023
☆☆3.0 rating ☆☆
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. When will I ever learn?🤡
This book was just as mediocre as the first one. Disappointing tbh. Same overused tropes, same bs "plot". Why they couldn't be together all these years was dragged out and made zero sense. It was also filled with sex after sex. I feel like I need to cleanse my eyes with holy water. Forgive me Father for I have sinned💀😭😭
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. When will I ever learn?🤡
This book was just as mediocre as the first one. Disappointing tbh. Same overused tropes, same bs "plot". Why they couldn't be together all these years was dragged out and made zero sense. It was also filled with sex after sex. I feel like I need to cleanse my eyes with holy water. Forgive me Father for I have sinned💀😭😭
April 12, 2023
False Start is the newest entry in the Playing for Keeps series. It is a fantastic second-chance romance between Houston and Cullen. They had an undeniable bond when they were in college playing football together, now in the present day have reunited and their connection is still just as strong.
I found this mostly low-angst story a joy to read. Watching Houston and Cullen dance around their feelings for one another while remaining ridiculously stubborn was very entertaining. They both clearly have residual feelings for one another, but neither is willing to risk anything and be together.
Overall this is a highly entertaining entry in this series and I enjoyed getting to see Garrett and Ramsay be just as frustrated at how clearly these two belong together and watch as they make every possible mistake.
I look forward to the next entry as I have a few guesses as to who the next couple might be...
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
I found this mostly low-angst story a joy to read. Watching Houston and Cullen dance around their feelings for one another while remaining ridiculously stubborn was very entertaining. They both clearly have residual feelings for one another, but neither is willing to risk anything and be together.
Overall this is a highly entertaining entry in this series and I enjoyed getting to see Garrett and Ramsay be just as frustrated at how clearly these two belong together and watch as they make every possible mistake.
I look forward to the next entry as I have a few guesses as to who the next couple might be...
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
June 8, 2023
Not much to say - this was alright.
Read
July 7, 2023DNF @ 39% - loved Cullen! but second chance romance has to be a done a certain way for me to stay interested and this didn’t do it. It was repetitive.
May 20, 2023
Not quite the big W mentioned so often in the book.
Because yes, there’s a lot of football talk in this book - the the W is mentioned 15 times (I did a search), then we have the D, the O and a few other terms that pop up. While the authors warned in the preface that not all football facts might be correct because their focus was on the romance, it didn’t feel that way to me.
No idea why - when it comes to sport romances - I seem to prefer hockey books. I know almost nothing about it, but it seems so straight forward - they stare, they glower, they fight and they score. American football is too complicated for my European brain 😂
But I digress.
It’s a second chance romance, and it starts with Cullen (who’s still an active player) hooking up with his ex, Houston, who’s had to quit football after a nasty knee injury.
We have a lot of flashbacks, and through this we learn that they’ve been secretly dating when they’ve been at college, only for Houston to break up with Cullen when they’ve been drafted by different teams, because he didn’t believe in long distance relationships.
When Cullen gets traded to Denver, where Houston lives, they’re suddenly caught up in a “fake boyfriend” relationship. Which is… cute. Nice. Because ofc, they fall in love again - but no idea why, I didn’t end up caring so much about them, even though I liked Cullen a lot.
Not a bad book, but I’d have hoped for more Neve Wilder and less Riley Hart in it.
Because yes, there’s a lot of football talk in this book - the the W is mentioned 15 times (I did a search), then we have the D, the O and a few other terms that pop up. While the authors warned in the preface that not all football facts might be correct because their focus was on the romance, it didn’t feel that way to me.
No idea why - when it comes to sport romances - I seem to prefer hockey books. I know almost nothing about it, but it seems so straight forward - they stare, they glower, they fight and they score. American football is too complicated for my European brain 😂
But I digress.
It’s a second chance romance, and it starts with Cullen (who’s still an active player) hooking up with his ex, Houston, who’s had to quit football after a nasty knee injury.
We have a lot of flashbacks, and through this we learn that they’ve been secretly dating when they’ve been at college, only for Houston to break up with Cullen when they’ve been drafted by different teams, because he didn’t believe in long distance relationships.
When Cullen gets traded to Denver, where Houston lives, they’re suddenly caught up in a “fake boyfriend” relationship. Which is… cute. Nice. Because ofc, they fall in love again - but no idea why, I didn’t end up caring so much about them, even though I liked Cullen a lot.
Not a bad book, but I’d have hoped for more Neve Wilder and less Riley Hart in it.
April 14, 2023
I usually really love the fake dating trope, but I usually don’t love second chance romance. The things that do make me like both were missing here.
Cullen honestly made the book - he was awesome and lovable and just needs a hundred hugs.
Houston was another great character but honestly there wasn’t enough groveling over the past breakup and there wasn’t enough pining from him for me. Like it felt like he wasn’t even that into Cullen for most of the book.
There was definitely a lot to like here, but there was zero communication for the entire book until the big scene at the VERY END. Because of the lack of communication, I started skimming a lot, including the sex scenes. ME!! I skimmed sex scenes!!! Unheard of. Even the adorable ending declaration couldn’t win me over though, because the characters are in a long distance relationship at the end of the book still, and I hate that.
All in all, I feel like the authors managed to write very lovable characters but the execution just wasn’t up to my standards I guess - as snotty as that sounds.
One huge complaint though - I’m done with authors using femme characters to show how hot their MCs are. There is a twink and a woman both used in the story to show the MCs are super desirable and they are framed in a slut-shamey way, and become assholes when turned down.
Cullen honestly made the book - he was awesome and lovable and just needs a hundred hugs.
Houston was another great character but honestly there wasn’t enough groveling over the past breakup and there wasn’t enough pining from him for me. Like it felt like he wasn’t even that into Cullen for most of the book.
There was definitely a lot to like here, but there was zero communication for the entire book until the big scene at the VERY END. Because of the lack of communication, I started skimming a lot, including the sex scenes. ME!! I skimmed sex scenes!!! Unheard of. Even the adorable ending declaration couldn’t win me over though, because the characters are in a long distance relationship at the end of the book still, and I hate that.
All in all, I feel like the authors managed to write very lovable characters but the execution just wasn’t up to my standards I guess - as snotty as that sounds.
One huge complaint though - I’m done with authors using femme characters to show how hot their MCs are. There is a twink and a woman both used in the story to show the MCs are super desirable and they are framed in a slut-shamey way, and become assholes when turned down.
April 27, 2023
2.5⭐, and I feel like I'm being generous here.
I cannot tell you how long I've waited for the 2nd installment of this series, I absolutely loved Rookie Move and all the characters presented there.
I was hoping Houston, Garrett's older brother, will get an amazing book, because he sure as hell deserved it, having to end his football career due to an injury, being introverted and alone most of the time.
🟨 Former college best friends and closeted lovers - broken up - things left unsaid - picking up where they left off, but this time making it work
🟩 Houston's book fell completely flat for me. The story had no oomph, no emotional weight, none of the excitement the first book had.
🟥 Throughout the whole book it was dick this-dick that, and not in a sexy, hot way! A lot of sex was off-page , some on page, but everything was boring as hell.
🟦 Houston and Cullen were likeable , but the delivery of their love story wasn't.
I'm not saying it was bad or anything, I'm just saying the only thing I liked was the initial bathroom hook-up and that was it.
What can I say? I expected more.
I cannot fathom why this book was so different. I practically didn't like anything, not even the pining and the sex!
Let's hope Tucker and Whitt's story, which I'm guessing is going to be next, will be better.
did-not-finish
April 15, 202335%
way too much riley in this one
way too much riley in this one
August 3, 2023
✰4 stars✰
Second chance romance isn't always my number one trope, it's certainly not a dislike but I don't always reach for it first. I was happily surprised with False Start because it held my interest and there wasn't anything that fully pulled me out of the story from their past.
Their past was only vaguely eluded too and I think that was okay. Trying to explain or justify or give in depth flash backs probably wouldn't have worked for this story.
Overall, Houston and Cullen had a fun dynamic and even from the start when they still hated each other, they did have an undeniable chemistry. They are certainly two magnets meant to attract.
Other reviews have stated that there isn't a new story here and that it's definitely been told before in other sports books, and I do agree to that extent... but despite not being a story that is completely new I still enjoyed it and it was a good mood read for my week.
Why did Houston McRae make me want to be so very bad with him?
Second chance romance isn't always my number one trope, it's certainly not a dislike but I don't always reach for it first. I was happily surprised with False Start because it held my interest and there wasn't anything that fully pulled me out of the story from their past.
Their past was only vaguely eluded too and I think that was okay. Trying to explain or justify or give in depth flash backs probably wouldn't have worked for this story.
Overall, Houston and Cullen had a fun dynamic and even from the start when they still hated each other, they did have an undeniable chemistry. They are certainly two magnets meant to attract.
All I knew was that the past few months had shown me I was still, for better or worse, in love with Cullen Atwood.
Other reviews have stated that there isn't a new story here and that it's definitely been told before in other sports books, and I do agree to that extent... but despite not being a story that is completely new I still enjoyed it and it was a good mood read for my week.
November 15, 2023
Audio: 5 stars, two Nick J Russo narrations in one day is a treat!
Book: 3.5 stars but rounding up
Can be read as a standalone, in my opinion. But I think there was a little too much sex not enough important talks!
Even with that said I did like Hudson and Cullens relationship, and I want book three to come out on audio now!!
Book: 3.5 stars but rounding up
Can be read as a standalone, in my opinion. But I think there was a little too much sex not enough important talks!
Even with that said I did like Hudson and Cullens relationship, and I want book three to come out on audio now!!
July 25, 2023
Tropes: second chances, long distance, forced proximity, fake dating
Feels: 3/5
Steam*: 4/5
Kinks: no
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content themes: break ups, long distance, homophobic family on Cullen's side
Houston and Cullen played college football together. For 2 years, they were best friends. Then the next two years they were hookups turned boyfriends. But they weren't out and it was all sneaking around. And they both wanted professional football careers and thought they would be separated on different teams and there were issues about coming out. They didn't choose each other back then, they broke up, they cut off all contact. They both went on to play professionally. Houston's career was cut short with the knee injury. And now he's getting into coaching.
They meet up randomly in a airport lounge and have a bathroom hook up. It's just sex. They just walk away after and don't interact for many months. Cullen freaks out of it after their hook up and gets messy in a gay bar and gets outed. He's a PR nightmare now. He gets traded to Houston's old team in Denver, where Houston lives, same team Houston's brother plays on. So they are in each other's orbit. Cullen ends up staying at Houston's while he doesn't have a place yet and then an awkward photo makes them have to pretend to be boyfriends to save Cullen's reputation from getting any worse.
They fake date for many months while hooking up. But they've already planned an off-season break up, and it's looming over their heads and their careers are taking them to different states. Are they going to walk away this time like they did in college?
This book really frustrated and disappointed me. I've seen Riley get too generic before and this book was a bit generic. This book had a bunch of potential. Riley has written some great books I've enjoyed in the past. Neve writes compelling characters and fantastic smut, her extracurricular activities series is so yummy. But there wasn't enough feelings in this, the guys were too casual. They kept talking about their future break up and about it just being sex. And they really kept it that way, for a long time.
At the 75% mark, there had been occasional hints of feelings between them, but it honestly comes off a little bit like it's just their old friendship peeking through and sexual attraction. And honestly I need there to be more feelings for this to be compelling. They both seem like they could break up this fake dating thing and be okay with it at this point, no skin off their backs. And I want them to be wrecked for each other.
They showed moments of promise like Cullen's internal monologue mentioned that at various milestones in Houston's life/career, Cullen had knee jerk emotional reactions and freaked out creating some of his PR disasters. But Houston never found out about that, he didn't realize that Cullen suffered emotionally while they were apart, so it was wasted potential of an emotional moment and depth.
At 83%, Houston in his internal monologue comments on being in love with Cullen. But he's just saying it, he's not showing it in his actions or interactions with Cullen.
At 85%. There's finally a moment of non-sexual affection, where Houston after a bad game he was coaching skips his family and walks straight into Cullen's arms and hugs him. That was the first of very few moments of non-sexual affection in this book. But then two pages later it's "nobody dicks me down like you, I'm going to miss the sex when we do our breakup"
They were both still putting up very believable fronts that they weren't having big feelings for each other and would be okay with their breakup, and will just miss the sex at the 90% mark. They weren't choosing each other. And even when they did eventually choose each other, they chose to put other things first and do long distance for another year or so. And then, yeah one of them made a career sacrifice for the other so they could be in the same state. I know you could say, "hey it's realistic that they had a tough time and had to do long distance and didn't have it too conveniently wrapped up". But my problem is the lack of choosing each other and the whole lack of emotion other than sex between them throughout the book, so it was like they limped to their happily ever after and didn't put in a lot of effort into their relationship.
Some notable moments:
"My eyes shot open as a draft of cold air hit my back, and I twisted around to see a flash of Cullen’s naked skin a second before he yanked the shower door open and barreled inside. His open palm connected solidly with my chest, forcing me back against the cold tile wall, then slid up and gripped my neck, thumb stroking over my Adam’s apple. I could have resisted, could have shoved him away, but I didn’t. Didn’t want to, and as his lips crushed against mine, my heart beat a wild, matching tempo."
"I fucked around, played some video games, and then hung all the framed photographs of myself I’d gotten to give Houston a hard time. I’d turned his place into a Cullen Atwood shrine, and I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when he got home."
"“You want to start a football camp with me?” “I do.” “I do, too.” “I think we just got married. Where’s my ring, motherfucker?”"
*FYI, I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink."
Feels: 3/5
Steam*: 4/5
Kinks: no
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content themes: break ups, long distance, homophobic family on Cullen's side
Houston and Cullen played college football together. For 2 years, they were best friends. Then the next two years they were hookups turned boyfriends. But they weren't out and it was all sneaking around. And they both wanted professional football careers and thought they would be separated on different teams and there were issues about coming out. They didn't choose each other back then, they broke up, they cut off all contact. They both went on to play professionally. Houston's career was cut short with the knee injury. And now he's getting into coaching.
They meet up randomly in a airport lounge and have a bathroom hook up. It's just sex. They just walk away after and don't interact for many months. Cullen freaks out of it after their hook up and gets messy in a gay bar and gets outed. He's a PR nightmare now. He gets traded to Houston's old team in Denver, where Houston lives, same team Houston's brother plays on. So they are in each other's orbit. Cullen ends up staying at Houston's while he doesn't have a place yet and then an awkward photo makes them have to pretend to be boyfriends to save Cullen's reputation from getting any worse.
They fake date for many months while hooking up. But they've already planned an off-season break up, and it's looming over their heads and their careers are taking them to different states. Are they going to walk away this time like they did in college?
This book really frustrated and disappointed me. I've seen Riley get too generic before and this book was a bit generic. This book had a bunch of potential. Riley has written some great books I've enjoyed in the past. Neve writes compelling characters and fantastic smut, her extracurricular activities series is so yummy. But there wasn't enough feelings in this, the guys were too casual. They kept talking about their future break up and about it just being sex. And they really kept it that way, for a long time.
At the 75% mark, there had been occasional hints of feelings between them, but it honestly comes off a little bit like it's just their old friendship peeking through and sexual attraction. And honestly I need there to be more feelings for this to be compelling. They both seem like they could break up this fake dating thing and be okay with it at this point, no skin off their backs. And I want them to be wrecked for each other.
They showed moments of promise like Cullen's internal monologue mentioned that at various milestones in Houston's life/career, Cullen had knee jerk emotional reactions and freaked out creating some of his PR disasters. But Houston never found out about that, he didn't realize that Cullen suffered emotionally while they were apart, so it was wasted potential of an emotional moment and depth.
At 83%, Houston in his internal monologue comments on being in love with Cullen. But he's just saying it, he's not showing it in his actions or interactions with Cullen.
At 85%. There's finally a moment of non-sexual affection, where Houston after a bad game he was coaching skips his family and walks straight into Cullen's arms and hugs him. That was the first of very few moments of non-sexual affection in this book. But then two pages later it's "nobody dicks me down like you, I'm going to miss the sex when we do our breakup"
They were both still putting up very believable fronts that they weren't having big feelings for each other and would be okay with their breakup, and will just miss the sex at the 90% mark. They weren't choosing each other. And even when they did eventually choose each other, they chose to put other things first and do long distance for another year or so. And then, yeah one of them made a career sacrifice for the other so they could be in the same state. I know you could say, "hey it's realistic that they had a tough time and had to do long distance and didn't have it too conveniently wrapped up". But my problem is the lack of choosing each other and the whole lack of emotion other than sex between them throughout the book, so it was like they limped to their happily ever after and didn't put in a lot of effort into their relationship.
Some notable moments:
"My eyes shot open as a draft of cold air hit my back, and I twisted around to see a flash of Cullen’s naked skin a second before he yanked the shower door open and barreled inside. His open palm connected solidly with my chest, forcing me back against the cold tile wall, then slid up and gripped my neck, thumb stroking over my Adam’s apple. I could have resisted, could have shoved him away, but I didn’t. Didn’t want to, and as his lips crushed against mine, my heart beat a wild, matching tempo."
"I fucked around, played some video games, and then hung all the framed photographs of myself I’d gotten to give Houston a hard time. I’d turned his place into a Cullen Atwood shrine, and I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when he got home."
"“You want to start a football camp with me?” “I do.” “I do, too.” “I think we just got married. Where’s my ring, motherfucker?”"
*FYI, I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2023
3/5 stars
I was so bored. But it was still okay. I think I just wasn’t in the mood for this.
I was so bored. But it was still okay. I think I just wasn’t in the mood for this.
April 12, 2023
Enjoyable read, though nothing particularly special. I like it more than the first book, which I also enjoyed but was fairly forgettable. Some generically likable stuff here, but without a ton of depth or real meat on its bones and it had basically all the same issues as the first; I'll keep reading this series as a pleasant way to pass the time, but they're not doing anything new or particularly interesting. I felt like the job/distance stuff was really not handled with the nuance I'd have preferred, the fake boyfriend plot made absolutely no sense at all, and there were times when the character POVs felt fairly indistinct from one another--most frequently when in Cullen's POV, Houston's dialogue sounds exactly like Cullen and I kept getting confused about who was speaking. Also, I barely remember the first book, except that Houston is supposed to be best friends with Ramsey (his brother Garrett's boyfriend) but suddenly in this book it's like he has no friends at all?
Like I said, this is enjoyable enough if you go in with the mindset of something light and shallow--if you want something more complex, you're not gonna get it here.
Like I said, this is enjoyable enough if you go in with the mindset of something light and shallow--if you want something more complex, you're not gonna get it here.
April 27, 2023
3.5 stars
September 12, 2023
* 5 stars *
False Start is such a fun and interesting story!
Cullen and Houston had a secret relationship when they were in college which ended with a bad note because they weren't ready to risk their careers in football. When they meet again years later they get a second chance at making it work but with a fake relationship twist thrown in as well.
Recommended!
False Start is such a fun and interesting story!
Cullen and Houston had a secret relationship when they were in college which ended with a bad note because they weren't ready to risk their careers in football. When they meet again years later they get a second chance at making it work but with a fake relationship twist thrown in as well.
Recommended!
April 30, 2024
Another low angst read and yes, I enjoyed this story….this wasn’t humorous like the previous one, but maybe more depth of feeling
May 14, 2023
Even better than Rookie Move, and I enjoyed the hell out of Rookie Move.
Read it, Cullen and Houston were a huge and welcome surprise.
Read it, Cullen and Houston were a huge and welcome surprise.
April 12, 2023
Probably 3.25ish
I wasn’t sure this one was going to work for me. Second chance romances are rarely my trope of choice. I find that either the reason for the initial breakup was too unforgivable or the new opportunity to be together too unbelievable.
But the initial breakup made sense and although I would have appreciated more groveling and pining on Houston’s part I did like them together.
Cullen was a marshmallow; there wasn’t a moment I didn’t feel his heartbreak and it made him so sympathetic and lovable. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like Houston for the first half of the book - I really liked him in the first book but didn’t love that he was always the one pulling away here.
I feel like the misstep might have been trying to combine second chance romance with fake dating. Either one would have been enough of a story catalyst on its own, but when paired together like this, one ended up undermining the other.
For me, a second chance romance should be about regret, realization, and the determination and resolution to get it right this time around. Whereas fake dating is full of discovery, high stakes and a finite timeline. Pairing the precarious restored relationship with the finite timeline was… sad?
Idk made me feel kinda hopeless for them for a lot of the book. It’s not like they had a one night stand and we’re just getting to know each other through this fake dating experience. They had two seemingly wonderful years together before they broke up and yet it still didn’t seem to be enough to convince Houston to give it a real shot when the opportunity presented itself.
Personally, I think Houston’s apprehension would have been more compelling if his reason for not wanting to commit to the new relationship was “I’m afraid to enjoy this because good things always get taken away from me” I would have been like “YES give me that angst!”, but instead it just read like he wasn’t as invested as Cullen which was a bummer since he was the one who initially ended their relationship. The years apart and reconciliation should have been enough for him to get fully on board.
That said, I wouldn’t have been sad if I wasn’t invested. They were cute together and compensated for each other when needed which was sweet. The Ross & Rachel cinematic declaration was 10/10 and the epilogue was lovely.
Looking forward to Tucker & Whitt which I’m assuming is next (but am hoping for a bit more rivalry and a little less reckless bad boy falls for the responsible team leader which seems to be this series’ redundant hallmark)
I wasn’t sure this one was going to work for me. Second chance romances are rarely my trope of choice. I find that either the reason for the initial breakup was too unforgivable or the new opportunity to be together too unbelievable.
But the initial breakup made sense and although I would have appreciated more groveling and pining on Houston’s part I did like them together.
Cullen was a marshmallow; there wasn’t a moment I didn’t feel his heartbreak and it made him so sympathetic and lovable. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like Houston for the first half of the book - I really liked him in the first book but didn’t love that he was always the one pulling away here.
I feel like the misstep might have been trying to combine second chance romance with fake dating. Either one would have been enough of a story catalyst on its own, but when paired together like this, one ended up undermining the other.
For me, a second chance romance should be about regret, realization, and the determination and resolution to get it right this time around. Whereas fake dating is full of discovery, high stakes and a finite timeline. Pairing the precarious restored relationship with the finite timeline was… sad?
Idk made me feel kinda hopeless for them for a lot of the book. It’s not like they had a one night stand and we’re just getting to know each other through this fake dating experience. They had two seemingly wonderful years together before they broke up and yet it still didn’t seem to be enough to convince Houston to give it a real shot when the opportunity presented itself.
Personally, I think Houston’s apprehension would have been more compelling if his reason for not wanting to commit to the new relationship was “I’m afraid to enjoy this because good things always get taken away from me” I would have been like “YES give me that angst!”, but instead it just read like he wasn’t as invested as Cullen which was a bummer since he was the one who initially ended their relationship. The years apart and reconciliation should have been enough for him to get fully on board.
That said, I wouldn’t have been sad if I wasn’t invested. They were cute together and compensated for each other when needed which was sweet. The Ross & Rachel cinematic declaration was 10/10 and the epilogue was lovely.
Looking forward to Tucker & Whitt which I’m assuming is next (but am hoping for a bit more rivalry and a little less reckless bad boy falls for the responsible team leader which seems to be this series’ redundant hallmark)
August 3, 2024
«I’m not giving up without fighting for you because…because my world isn’t right without you, Cullen Atwood. It’s always been you for me.»❤️
📚⇢ Este libro fue, por mucho, mejor que el primero, tiene varios de mis tropes favoritos como: segunda oportunidad, relación falsa, proximidad forzada y una buena dosis de angustia. Houston y Cullen se robaron mi corazón con esta historia en la que los vemos luchar contra los sentimientos que nunca dejaron de tenerse desde la primera vez que estuvieron juntos hace tantos años; hay escenas divertidas con el equipo de futbol, con la familia de los McRae y con varias personas que hacen de la lectura mucho más entretenida, también hay un toque de spicy entre nuestros protagonistas que siempre es bienvenido, pero sobre todo, hay momentos románticos en los que se va desarrollando nuevamente su amor y que, genuinamente, me hicieron creer que estaban destinados a estar juntos. Los conflictos me hicieron estrujar el corazón y hasta derramé una o dos lágrimas porque sólo quería verlos ser felices, me gustó mucho que haya sido Houston quien volviera para recuperar a su amado, ya que Cullen había sido el que se notaba más enamorado, al final todo salió bien y los llevaré por siempre en mi corazón.
«I’ve been in love with you probably since before we kissed for the first time, Houston.»
📚⇢ Este libro fue, por mucho, mejor que el primero, tiene varios de mis tropes favoritos como: segunda oportunidad, relación falsa, proximidad forzada y una buena dosis de angustia. Houston y Cullen se robaron mi corazón con esta historia en la que los vemos luchar contra los sentimientos que nunca dejaron de tenerse desde la primera vez que estuvieron juntos hace tantos años; hay escenas divertidas con el equipo de futbol, con la familia de los McRae y con varias personas que hacen de la lectura mucho más entretenida, también hay un toque de spicy entre nuestros protagonistas que siempre es bienvenido, pero sobre todo, hay momentos románticos en los que se va desarrollando nuevamente su amor y que, genuinamente, me hicieron creer que estaban destinados a estar juntos. Los conflictos me hicieron estrujar el corazón y hasta derramé una o dos lágrimas porque sólo quería verlos ser felices, me gustó mucho que haya sido Houston quien volviera para recuperar a su amado, ya que Cullen había sido el que se notaba más enamorado, al final todo salió bien y los llevaré por siempre en mi corazón.
«I’ve been in love with you probably since before we kissed for the first time, Houston.»
May 10, 2023
False Start is a second-chance romance between Houston and Cullen who have always had a connection and find themselves reuniting. This was low angst and had common tropes. It was mildly entertaining but I wanted more angst and tension and steam.
October 9, 2025
Reread 2025 Football season so I was dying for more football romance. Still enjoy this one! Although the football is a lil shaky. There was an extra point referred to as a field goal, but that's pretty minor. The most de-immersive thing was the special teams coordinator vs wide receiver coach...? I am not sure if I missed something in between Houston interviewing for special teams coordinator positions and then it turning into a WR coach thing or if they just switched what it was supposed to be. So I was kind of trying to figure that out during the full last half. Enjoyed it anyway though! Although I will say re my initial review below, Beth Bolden is still the queen of football romance.
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Reread 11/7/2023 since I started Illegal Contact but couldn't remember anyone but Garrett and Houston. Still enjoyed it although I'm also still not a fan of the grand, public gesture and accompanying speeches. It's such a minor part of the book though. 🤷♀️
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Not usually a fan of fake boyfriends but I really liked how this was done. I don't always like these authors individually either (although I do love some of each of their books) but I really like what they're doing together here. And I love football so I'm always down for a good football romance, especially since Beth Bolden's Piranhas series ended.
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Reread 11/7/2023 since I started Illegal Contact but couldn't remember anyone but Garrett and Houston. Still enjoyed it although I'm also still not a fan of the grand, public gesture and accompanying speeches. It's such a minor part of the book though. 🤷♀️
________________________________
Not usually a fan of fake boyfriends but I really liked how this was done. I don't always like these authors individually either (although I do love some of each of their books) but I really like what they're doing together here. And I love football so I'm always down for a good football romance, especially since Beth Bolden's Piranhas series ended.
April 13, 2023
Just as good as the first one
I do love me a sports romance, especially when it's coupled with a second chance, former college lovers plotline.
There's plenty of heat in this right from the off as Houston and Cullen hook up in an airport bathroom, years after they'd had an emotional breakup.
Of course, both never got over it and are still dealing with all the feels of missed opportunities and emotional ties.
When another irresponsible act has Cullen transferred to Denver, Houston's home city and his former NFL team, it looks like they'll have to finally confront the past.
Instead, they end up living together and in a 'fake' relationship that's anything but and there's plenty of humour brought to lighten the sexual tension of their forced proximity.
I loved this book just as much as that of Garrett and Ramsey, Houston's younger brother, who's still playing for the Rush and in a relationship with his quarterback.
The pining is delicious and the sex delivers on all fronts, it's emotional but also has moments of lightness and humour which makes it clear how much these two men are suited.
I very much liked the secondary plot with Houston's high school coaching gig and I'm pretty sure we got plenty if hints as to who might be getting a book next.
If so, I'm totally down for an enemies to lovers romance!
I do love me a sports romance, especially when it's coupled with a second chance, former college lovers plotline.
There's plenty of heat in this right from the off as Houston and Cullen hook up in an airport bathroom, years after they'd had an emotional breakup.
Of course, both never got over it and are still dealing with all the feels of missed opportunities and emotional ties.
When another irresponsible act has Cullen transferred to Denver, Houston's home city and his former NFL team, it looks like they'll have to finally confront the past.
Instead, they end up living together and in a 'fake' relationship that's anything but and there's plenty of humour brought to lighten the sexual tension of their forced proximity.
I loved this book just as much as that of Garrett and Ramsey, Houston's younger brother, who's still playing for the Rush and in a relationship with his quarterback.
The pining is delicious and the sex delivers on all fronts, it's emotional but also has moments of lightness and humour which makes it clear how much these two men are suited.
I very much liked the secondary plot with Houston's high school coaching gig and I'm pretty sure we got plenty if hints as to who might be getting a book next.
If so, I'm totally down for an enemies to lovers romance!
April 14, 2023
Rating: 4 ♥️
Steam: 4 🔥
PoV: dual, 1st person
False Start was an entertaining and captivating read! Cullen and Houston had amazing chemistry and the banter between them was definitely on point.
I adored this second chance romance, Cullen and Houston were so sweet together and it was clear that even years after their breakup, they still had feelings for each other. There was a lot of push and pull between these two, and I liked how they just couldn’t stay away from each other. The heat was turned to high and there were some really steamy scenes, exactly what I expected from these authors!
Cullen’s vulnerability really showed through his PoV, both his feelings and how he was very aware of his reactions to Houston. There was some pining and hurt that he was really good at hiding from others, and I felt like his PoV added a lot of layers and depth to his character. The box scene made me swoon so much, it was such a strong and emotional scene that spoke volumes about Cullen’s personality and the love he had for Houston.
Their history together in college was pretty vague, and while I would have liked a bit more details or flashbacks, a part of me liked that the focus was on their current relationship and future. There was no angst or bad feelings between them, and while their relationship started out as fake, it was obvious straight away that neither of them needed to fake a thing.
Riley Hart and Neve Wilder is definitely a great combo, and I’m curious to see which couple that will be up next - there are a lot of great characters to chose from!
Steam: 4 🔥
PoV: dual, 1st person
False Start was an entertaining and captivating read! Cullen and Houston had amazing chemistry and the banter between them was definitely on point.
I adored this second chance romance, Cullen and Houston were so sweet together and it was clear that even years after their breakup, they still had feelings for each other. There was a lot of push and pull between these two, and I liked how they just couldn’t stay away from each other. The heat was turned to high and there were some really steamy scenes, exactly what I expected from these authors!
Cullen’s vulnerability really showed through his PoV, both his feelings and how he was very aware of his reactions to Houston. There was some pining and hurt that he was really good at hiding from others, and I felt like his PoV added a lot of layers and depth to his character. The box scene made me swoon so much, it was such a strong and emotional scene that spoke volumes about Cullen’s personality and the love he had for Houston.
Their history together in college was pretty vague, and while I would have liked a bit more details or flashbacks, a part of me liked that the focus was on their current relationship and future. There was no angst or bad feelings between them, and while their relationship started out as fake, it was obvious straight away that neither of them needed to fake a thing.
Riley Hart and Neve Wilder is definitely a great combo, and I’m curious to see which couple that will be up next - there are a lot of great characters to chose from!
April 11, 2023
***ARC Review***
This is my honest review for the ARC I received.
I loved this second installment in the Playing for Keeps series. Hart and Wilder score a touchdown again with how captivating and engaging this book is. It’s really entertaining. It’s got lots of heat and a little bit of angst. There’s a good bit of humor and heart in this book as well. I loved the push and pull between Houston and Cullen as they tried to navigate decade(s) old (they first hook up in college) residual feelings and a fake relationship. This is a fantastic second chance sports romance story.
Cullen often claims to make bad decisions but I think the smartest thing he did was reigniting the flame with Houston. Houston has a good reputation in the league right until he has to retire earlier due to a knee injury. Cullen has a less than stellar reputation. Houston is more level headed. Cullen brings the fun. The two balance each other out though.
There’s a bit of conflict with Houston having to decide about taking a job out of state but these two are able to overcome their obstacles and achieve an HEA. I loved the direction both MCs chose to go in terms of their careers. I really enjoyed seeing Garrett, Ramsey and Tucker again. It was equally enjoyable to see Cullen’s twin sister Charity as well. She proves to be a good source of support. The epilogue is amazing. Definitely check this book out!
This is my honest review for the ARC I received.
I loved this second installment in the Playing for Keeps series. Hart and Wilder score a touchdown again with how captivating and engaging this book is. It’s really entertaining. It’s got lots of heat and a little bit of angst. There’s a good bit of humor and heart in this book as well. I loved the push and pull between Houston and Cullen as they tried to navigate decade(s) old (they first hook up in college) residual feelings and a fake relationship. This is a fantastic second chance sports romance story.
Cullen often claims to make bad decisions but I think the smartest thing he did was reigniting the flame with Houston. Houston has a good reputation in the league right until he has to retire earlier due to a knee injury. Cullen has a less than stellar reputation. Houston is more level headed. Cullen brings the fun. The two balance each other out though.
There’s a bit of conflict with Houston having to decide about taking a job out of state but these two are able to overcome their obstacles and achieve an HEA. I loved the direction both MCs chose to go in terms of their careers. I really enjoyed seeing Garrett, Ramsey and Tucker again. It was equally enjoyable to see Cullen’s twin sister Charity as well. She proves to be a good source of support. The epilogue is amazing. Definitely check this book out!
June 3, 2023
3.5 stars. This is a low-angst, easy-to-read, second chances, fake dating story. We meet Houston again, Garrett's brother from book 1. He is trying to find a job as an NHL coach after his injury put him out of commission, but in walks previous flame and NHL bad boy Cullen. Cullen needs an image overhaul, and golden boy Houston ends up in a fake (but actually not) relationship with him. This becomes even more complicated when Houston ends up coaching a rival team on the other side of the country. It's predictable af, but it was hot and entertaining, and I liked the easy chemistry these two shared. I definitely spied the third couple in there, so looking forward to having my suspicions confirmed.
May 19, 2025
A great second chance, fake dating romance.
While the circumstances and reasons ending their relationship the first time were not quite ideal, I think it was the right move. When they got together a second time, Cullen and Houston were in a more settled place than they were in college.
I think they brought out the best in each other.
Cullen is goofy, “ask forgiveness not permission” thinks without action, but with Houston he kind of calms down and bites his tongue against sexual remarks that aren’t appropriate.
Houston is “the golden boy” but with Cullen he’s able to let loose a little and have more balance in life.
(Also pretty sure the only play called in this series is white 80… whatever that means)
While the circumstances and reasons ending their relationship the first time were not quite ideal, I think it was the right move. When they got together a second time, Cullen and Houston were in a more settled place than they were in college.
I think they brought out the best in each other.
Cullen is goofy, “ask forgiveness not permission” thinks without action, but with Houston he kind of calms down and bites his tongue against sexual remarks that aren’t appropriate.
Houston is “the golden boy” but with Cullen he’s able to let loose a little and have more balance in life.
(Also pretty sure the only play called in this series is white 80… whatever that means)
April 2, 2025
Houston + Cullen
-mm romance
-football romance
-second chance
-former teammates
-fake relationship
sooooo obsessed, in fact, thatttt i moved on immediately to houstons story & am never looking backkkk!!! omg these two’s story lowkey hurt soooo goood!! like the PININGGG was amazing!! & them both being like so in love from the start but having hesitations of the past was amazing!! & again..the filthy mouths & the banter!! i can’t!! another thing i’m loving is that these guys have absolutely NOOO reservations of saying what they want & how the other guys make them feel!! & its fuelinggg meee!!
-mm romance
-football romance
-second chance
-former teammates
-fake relationship
sooooo obsessed, in fact, thatttt i moved on immediately to houstons story & am never looking backkkk!!! omg these two’s story lowkey hurt soooo goood!! like the PININGGG was amazing!! & them both being like so in love from the start but having hesitations of the past was amazing!! & again..the filthy mouths & the banter!! i can’t!! another thing i’m loving is that these guys have absolutely NOOO reservations of saying what they want & how the other guys make them feel!! & its fuelinggg meee!!
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