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Field of Schemes
Let the games begin!
Newly widowed Claire Emmett leaves Los Angeles so she and her eleven-year-old daughter, Rachel, can have a fresh start in the picture-perfect suburb of Santa Bella, California. But the simple, quiet life she seeks is nowhere to be found in the town where soccer is king and parents are far, far too involved in children's sports.
When Rachel is scouted for an elite travel team, Claire is sucked into a world of high drama, backstabbing and deceit. The team manager plots a Wall Street-style hostile takeover. Parents sabotage players, serve as sports agents, and trade sexual favors for playtime.
Off the field, Claire must navigate the brave new world of the suburbs and build a life that doesn't revolve around kids' sports. Nothing is simple in Santa Bella, though. Claire's neighbor is an outrageous flirt. She stumbles upon some dark secrets and unwittingly becomes the target of a very powerful enemy.
As Rachel's team moves to the State Cup championship, Claire must develop a game plan of her own. It's time for her to fight back and show her daughter what it means to be a soccer mom who plays to win when it matters most.
***
"Soccer moms will laugh out loud (and cringe inwardly) in knowing agreement."
- Kim Grunenfelder, author of "Misery Loves Cabernet"
"Jennifer Coburn's 'Tales from the Crib' is a deliciously fun, laugh-out-loud read about a woman's journey toward motherhood. You won't be able to put this book down until you arrive at the final, satisfying page."
- Emily Giffin, author of "Where We Belong"
"'The Queen Gene' is entertaining...fresh, fast, and unpredictable...I didn't want it to end."
- Jennifer Lancaster, author of "Jeneration X"
"I absolutely loved 'The Wife of Reilly.' It's so funny and snappy. It was a total delight...a riot from start to finish, but an intelligent, thoughtful one that says a lot about the nature of love and relationships."
-Marian Keyes, author of "This Charming Man"
Newly widowed Claire Emmett leaves Los Angeles so she and her eleven-year-old daughter, Rachel, can have a fresh start in the picture-perfect suburb of Santa Bella, California. But the simple, quiet life she seeks is nowhere to be found in the town where soccer is king and parents are far, far too involved in children's sports.
When Rachel is scouted for an elite travel team, Claire is sucked into a world of high drama, backstabbing and deceit. The team manager plots a Wall Street-style hostile takeover. Parents sabotage players, serve as sports agents, and trade sexual favors for playtime.
Off the field, Claire must navigate the brave new world of the suburbs and build a life that doesn't revolve around kids' sports. Nothing is simple in Santa Bella, though. Claire's neighbor is an outrageous flirt. She stumbles upon some dark secrets and unwittingly becomes the target of a very powerful enemy.
As Rachel's team moves to the State Cup championship, Claire must develop a game plan of her own. It's time for her to fight back and show her daughter what it means to be a soccer mom who plays to win when it matters most.
***
"Soccer moms will laugh out loud (and cringe inwardly) in knowing agreement."
- Kim Grunenfelder, author of "Misery Loves Cabernet"
"Jennifer Coburn's 'Tales from the Crib' is a deliciously fun, laugh-out-loud read about a woman's journey toward motherhood. You won't be able to put this book down until you arrive at the final, satisfying page."
- Emily Giffin, author of "Where We Belong"
"'The Queen Gene' is entertaining...fresh, fast, and unpredictable...I didn't want it to end."
- Jennifer Lancaster, author of "Jeneration X"
"I absolutely loved 'The Wife of Reilly.' It's so funny and snappy. It was a total delight...a riot from start to finish, but an intelligent, thoughtful one that says a lot about the nature of love and relationships."
-Marian Keyes, author of "This Charming Man"
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2013
57 people are currently reading
472 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Coburn
15 books775 followersJennifer Coburn is the author of CRADLES OF THE REICH, a historical novel about three very different German women who meet at a Nazi Lebensborn breeding home.
She is the author of a travel memoir, six contemporary novel, and contributor to five literary anthologies. Jennifer has written for U-T San Diego, Washington Post, Miami Herald, Mothering magazine, The Huffington Post, Salon.com, and numerous other newspapers and magazines. She lives in San Diego with her husband William and their daughter Katie.
She is the author of a travel memoir, six contemporary novel, and contributor to five literary anthologies. Jennifer has written for U-T San Diego, Washington Post, Miami Herald, Mothering magazine, The Huffington Post, Salon.com, and numerous other newspapers and magazines. She lives in San Diego with her husband William and their daughter Katie.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
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May 19, 2017https://celebrityreaders.wordpress.co...
Originally, the title, cover and blurb drew me in.
But…..It was slow, and the same things kept getting repeated. Like how hard it was for her to move on and the fact she likes to run away when things get tough. They just didn’t seem to be progressing fast enough to hold my attention. And I guess I have an issue with this but….the TELLING! OMG, there was so much telling. I was just not interested enough to move past the slow parts.
Originally, the title, cover and blurb drew me in.
But…..It was slow, and the same things kept getting repeated. Like how hard it was for her to move on and the fact she likes to run away when things get tough. They just didn’t seem to be progressing fast enough to hold my attention. And I guess I have an issue with this but….the TELLING! OMG, there was so much telling. I was just not interested enough to move past the slow parts.
April 19, 2013
As with every one of Jennifer's books I have read and I think I've read all of them that I can get on my Kindle, I loved it.
September 28, 2018
I really did love ready this one. As an ex soccer mom, I related to every one of these characters! I laughed so much, I didn’t want it to end. Great character development, great comedic timing and good plot! The ending was just right. Not to hurried and not drawn out. Very, very good! It’s chick lit, but without the silly romance novel driving force. Good to see that a book can have no actual sex in it and still be excellent. In fact, I’m changing my 4 to a 5💗
October 4, 2018
The silliness of club soccer antics can apply to all parent situations, which that part of the book funny.
Claire and her daughter Rachel move to a new town after her husband passes away.
They decide to join club soccer after Rachel is approached on her rec team by a scout.
The book loses me when it glazes over its team manager feeding the 12 year old player OxyContin. The parents only seem mildly annoyed.
I didn’t find that in the least bit funny.
Claire and her daughter Rachel move to a new town after her husband passes away.
They decide to join club soccer after Rachel is approached on her rec team by a scout.
The book loses me when it glazes over its team manager feeding the 12 year old player OxyContin. The parents only seem mildly annoyed.
I didn’t find that in the least bit funny.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2018
Hilarious
This book kept me laughing. My husband is dying and I'm sitting next to him laughing my funny off. Had to keep telling him it was the book.
This book kept me laughing. My husband is dying and I'm sitting next to him laughing my funny off. Had to keep telling him it was the book.
January 26, 2014
Let me start by saying I was never a soccer kid, I'm not a soccer mom and I was never the one traveling on the weekends to out-of-town tournaments. I feared I wasn't the target audience for this one.But I was wrong. With insightful humor, relatable characters and peek inside soccer, Field of Schemes by Jennifer Coburn scored major points with me.
After her husband dies, Claire Emmett takes her 11-year-old daughter, Rachel, to the seemingly quiet Santa Bella for a fresh start. The idyllic suburb has a Stepford quality to it, and when Rachel is scouted for the elite travel soccer team they're quickly dragged into the fast-paced and competitive world of soccer that makes me fear becoming a mother.
With crossing stories of handsome (and married) neighbors, frightening enemies out to see Rachel
sink, and a rather Hanzel and Gretel twist at the end, Field of Schemes is another page turner from the addictive Ms. Jennifer Coburn (for other amazing reads see Tales from the Crib, The Queen Gene, and Brownie Points ).
Even though summer is quickly coming to an end, pair Field of Schemes with The Naked Grape's Summer White Blend. This crisp sweet wine complements Coburn's strong wit and happy endings, perfect whether reading on the beach in your last summer vacation - or sneaking a glass into the tournament.
Freebie alert: Jennifer Coburn will be having giveaways all fall and winter. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep updated!
xx, Syrah
December 31, 2014
LOL reading!
Claire & daughter Rachel have moved into a new community in an effort to start fresh after the death of Claire's husband. Rachel becomes involved in soccer at school and shows such promise, she is invited to try out for the soccer league. Anyone who has had a child in sports can relate to the parent dynamics on the sidelines. I enjoyed the humor, it was quick light reading.
Claire & daughter Rachel have moved into a new community in an effort to start fresh after the death of Claire's husband. Rachel becomes involved in soccer at school and shows such promise, she is invited to try out for the soccer league. Anyone who has had a child in sports can relate to the parent dynamics on the sidelines. I enjoyed the humor, it was quick light reading.
July 2, 2013
I picked this book because I am a mother of 2 daughters that play club sports. This was an easy, light hearted and at times a lol book to read. I am thankful that neither of my daughters' clubs are like the one in the book, but I have seen some behavior on opposing teams, that, too, have made me lol!
February 22, 2016
While a sympathetic character - coming to terms with her husband's death and moving forward with her life - the mother's journey was mostly hidden behind the minutiae (more than you'll want to know) of pre-teen competitive soccer (including stereotypical overzealous parents, couches and manager behaving badly...).
June 28, 2013
I picked this up because I expected a skewering satire of the soccer-club culture. This book delivered that, but not very well. It seemed to go on forever in the middle. Way too much setup for not enough payoff.
January 29, 2015
I love her writing!
Jennifer Coburn is an awesome writer! I happily stumbled across her and love her style. It is an easy-to-read, quick and quirky style. I laugh the entire time. Easy to want to read cover to cover!
Jennifer Coburn is an awesome writer! I happily stumbled across her and love her style. It is an easy-to-read, quick and quirky style. I laugh the entire time. Easy to want to read cover to cover!
May 10, 2015
Charming
Another well written and quite funny book. There are a few characters that reappear in each of her books (using different names but having similar dispositions), but this does not detract from the quirkyness of the book. Great fun.
Another well written and quite funny book. There are a few characters that reappear in each of her books (using different names but having similar dispositions), but this does not detract from the quirkyness of the book. Great fun.
July 26, 2015
As with all the other Jennifer Coburn books I have read, Field of Schemes had me giggling from the beginning to the end! A light hearted fun filled book featuring such a unique cast of characters.... I totally loved this story!
October 26, 2015
FABULOUS! I don't do soccer AT ALL but this book had me from the start. It is difficult to make me laugh but I literally laughed my way through it. What a gifted author. I can hardly wait to read more of her books.
March 25, 2013
Funny, and unfortunately not that far off base in the world of club sports at some level. Consistently entertaining and a good read!
June 29, 2013
I just like the writing style of Jennifer Coburn and she makes me laugh. After reading this book I know everything about girls rec & club soccer - Conclusion: I'm so happy I'm a swim mom :)
June 25, 2013
Absolutely loved this laugh out loud book!!! Anyone that has been involved with organized sports, moved to a new area to start over or just likes to laugh this is the book for you!
July 4, 2013
Very entertaining, especially since I am a soccer mom who can totally relate!
July 9, 2013
This was a fun laugh out loud book.
July 8, 2013
Kindle freebie, lol funny at spots, but overall not well developed, not believable even for club soccer scenarios. Just Ok.
September 11, 2013
This book was an easy read. A page turner for most of the book. Both humor and mystery. I felt the ending was absolutely silly, however.
May 14, 2015
DNF - 26%
January 23, 2015
Great book! Hilarious situations and characters.
July 21, 2015
This is kids sports
This is great read for moms who have kids in sports or are vicariously living through them! Totally related to parts!
This is great read for moms who have kids in sports or are vicariously living through them! Totally related to parts!
November 23, 2015
The lack of depth in this book was a bit too much for me. If you are looking for a light easy read it could be fine.
August 25, 2017
I love her sense of humor when she writes. The characters were interesting...a very cute story that kept me laughing
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews