False Start

Virginia Valley University #3

by Jessica Ruddick

I've studied his playbook, and I'm ready to go big or go home.

As an engineering major, I'm used to being the only girl in the room. Usually, being one of the guys doesn't bother me... except when it comes to Carson Fleck. He's my older brother's best friend and the man I've been in love with for half of my life. Carson seems fine with seeing me as another buddy, but I'm sick of being stuck in his friend zone.

The problem is Carson only cares about three things: scoring in football and with the ladies, and keeping his promise to my brother to watch out for me. There's chemistry sizzling between us, though, and he feels it, too. But how can I convince him that he doesn't need to protect me from himself?


***Winner of the Romance Writers of America Vivian Award***

False Start is a fun and sexy best friend's little sister romance that contains mild adult language and open-door sexual scenes/situations. It is the third book in the Virginia Valley University series. While it is a stand-alone, you may enjoy reading the series in order:

In the Pocket
Fair Catch
False Start
Down by Contact

Genres: Sports Romance, College, Sports, Romance, New Adult, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary

Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2023

About the author

Jessica Ruddick is a 2014 Golden Heart finalist for her new adult novel, Letting Go, which was inspired by her own college experiences. She lives in Virginia and is married to her college sweetheart—their first date was a fraternity toga party (and nothing inspires love like a toga, right?). When she doesn’t have her nose in a book or her hands on a keyboard, she can be found wrangling her two rambunctious sons, taming two rowdy but lovable rescue dogs, and battling the herd of dust bunnies that has taken up residence in her home. To learn more about Jessica, please visit her website at jessicaruddick.com. To sign up for her newsletter, visit jessicaruddick.com/NL.

Reviews

[HR-ML · Rating 4 out of 5]

A CR. A story of 2 college seniors.

Carson, a college football star tight end, hoped to be drafted
by the NFL. He took another look at BFF & budding scientist
Becca. They admitted their love. Then he lost hope after a
sports injury. Carson insisted he wasn't good enough/ smart
enough for Becca.

I liked this couple, but the author ended on a vague note.
Would these 2 stay together? Would they get their dream
jobs? Would they land in the same city? Would we readers
get a true epilogue w/ answers provided?


Yesterday, 10/13/20, I read the author plans a new series.
The 3 original VVU couples will have "cameos" in the new
series to tie up their stories. This feels like an attempt to
sell more books. I'm now undecided. Dear Author- please
don't take your readers for granted.

[Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.

Becca has spent pretty much half her life in love with Carson Fleck, but he is her brother Roman best friend and has vowed that whole they are at college he will protect her and boy is he taking that responsibility seriously. But Becca only sees them together in her dreams she knows that he will never look at her the way that she looks at him and she makes the decision to move on but when she ends up hurt after her home is broken into and trashed he decides that he need her to stay with him so he can protect her. Things change and it’s not long before they are sharing more than just a friendship. But can Becca fully give her heart to Carson and will he cherish it or break it?

Carson has always looked out for Becca, but he cannot stand anyone else around her and chases anyone who shows romantic intentions towards her, without even realising that he is doing it but when there is an incident and Becca gets hurt he needs to take care of her, soon there is tension between them and things feel different than they ever have he wants something with Becca that he never realised until he was on the verge of losing her forever when he decided she needed better than him. Will he be able to convince her that what he has in his heart for her is a love that will never die or has he pushed her away forever?

I am really loving this series and if you don’t get sucked in by just reading the blurb in this book then trust me when I say that if you love a friends to lovers romance and a love that cannot be denied this is the book to read. Highly recommended read and I am happily looking forward to more in this series. 4.5* Read

[Agata · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another book where there's manwhore hero and almost 21 yo virgin heroine who's in love with him since she was 12. She didn't even try to move on from him she just waited for him to notice her for all those years and watched him with OW. Really disapointed- I WANT STRONG HEROINES!!!

[Kari Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becca has loved Carson, her brother’s best friend, for as long as she can remember however he has never treated her as more than a friend. She is now in college and decided that she needs to know if he is her destiny or if friends is all they will ever be.

Carson’s feelings for Becca run much deeper than friends so he is determined to protect her from everyone and that includes himself. When they become temporary roommates it becomes a game changer and he must decide if he is willing to take a change on love and a future with Becca.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read. Becca and Carson have been friends for a long time. She has also been in love with him for a long time. He has liked her but never let himself get there. Now that things have happened between them things got a little complicated. Thankfully in the end it all works out for them.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A romance that has you rooting for the couple. Being in love with your brother’s best friend isn’t always an easy thing. He might pledge to take care of you, but what happens when you wish it was more. Thoroughly enjoyable.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this one up because of the Virginia author. This book was good and I liked the main characters. New Adult books and unrequited love from the heroines POV are starting to wear a little thin these days for me though.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. The story was well written and flowed beautifully. The characters were well defined within the story and they had such great chemistry. I loved the ending. If you like the works of this wonderful author, then this book is a must-read.

[JudyAnnLovesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

False Start by Jessica Ruddick is a friends to lovers, Best friend’s sister, sports romance read And the second book I’ve read by this author. I loved hot jock Carson so much. He’s a tall glass of sexy football playing man and his crazy over protective nature kicks into high gear whenever he’s around Becca. He’s completely clueless as to why he’s the way that he his until his feelings for her can no longer be denied. Becca has been crushing hard on her older brother’s BF and is frustrated with his womanizing ways and overbearing nature. Desperate to move on, she puts herself out there. Carson isn’t about to let her go and declares himself. Talk about swoon worthy *sigh. Their happily ever after is sweet and will leave you with a smile on your face. TBR and enjoy!

[AND 1515 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The girl of dreams has been there all a long...
by and1515

My parents had obviously been gluten for punishment when they had me and my brother in the same year he was born at the beginning and me at the end.
Carson was most girls secret fantasy dreamy to look at but highly poisonous to ones heart better left alone.
And he took his promise he made my brother way to serious.
He's also the guy I have a huge crush on but It's really sad when the person you wanted doesn't even notice you standing
and probably never will.
Unbelievable just because some guy showed me a little attention he practically chased him away.
But then again maybe the main reason I chase them all is the fact I'm hiding my true feelings for her.
Honestly Becca can be so naive when it comes to jerks like him and I'd never want to see her get hurt.
I nearly lost my mind when she called begging for me to come over and when I saw her I wanted to punch something.
Someone had broken into the apartment totally terrifying her leaving Becca with bruised and a concussion.
I insisted she stay with me especially while the police were hunting for the man who did that to her.
Okay I'm the biggest jerk In the world I honestly don't want to see her on a date with some other man.
I'm acting like a coward I've kept secret from her and even my best friend.
But what if I honestly tell her how I truly feel would she want me as much as I want her or would she shot me down?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[S Powell]

The 3 Muskateers Grow up together and while Becca's brother is now in the Navy, he still has a strong presence in the story. Carson and Becca both attend VVU and have know each other forever as he grew up with her and her Irish twin brother. The three of them were always together and Becca has been in love with Carson most of that time. He of course never knew ans was acted like he was her 2nd older brother. The two of them end up at VVU, Carson playing football and Becca earning a full scholarship as an Engineering Major. Carson suddenly is n t feeling so brotherly towards Becca and eventually comes to the realization that he has feelings for her. I loved when he realized he was feeling different towards her and they were so cute together as a couple, I really like them together. This story sizzles from the beginning and kept my attention the entire time. While this is the first book I have read by this author, it will not be the last. This book is part of a series and I am going to go back and purchase the others to read the stories of their friends.
I love a book that gives me an Epilogue, and this one did not disappoint!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[madtrekkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becca has had a secret since she was in high school, she loved Carson, her brother's best friend. Becca can't let him know though for as much as it hurts he is a player. Becca has not had a chance to have a serious boyfriend as Carson has warned his friends not to even date her. Becca has firmly been best-friends-sister-zoned, as he calls her Zizzo like he did with her brother. After a girl gives her a dirty look Becca decides to go 'save' Carson and she succeeds in making him forget the other girls name! (atta girl) Drinking shots at his place later only make her sick and Carson takes care of her. Before she passed out she laments how he doesn't see her. He does. Things change between them as awareness protectiveness, and jealousy grow and Carson can't think of her any longer as Romans sister...

Omggg I was so hooked into this story ❤️ I loved it! The story is well written and fast paced. The characters are likeable and relatable, interesting backstories that made me want to know them and care about them! There's angst, confusion, friendship, bromance, bravado, jealousy, protectiveness, a whole range of emotions, thoughts and feelings described through Becca and Carsons POV. There's an epilogue and a HEA

[Dhwani Kothari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another TikTok book that didn't live up to the amount of likes and recognition it got. This book is about Becca, an engineering major, and Carson, the big boy football player wanting to get drafted.
As a brother's best friend romance, it definitely lacked the brother Roman (working in the navy). The relationship between Becca and Carson seemed to be more like friends. Carson was the guy who would ward of all the boys from dating Becca (giving me Kissing Booth vibes), and Becca being in love with Carson since they were 12 gave me even more KB vibes. The writing was really good and easy to visualise which is always a must for me, but there weren't any moments in the book that felt like it was 'Becca and Carson' moment. Each cute(ish) scene felt shared with other characters, giving the MMC and FMC no room. The book was dual point, where each chapter contained both POVs rather than alternating (something I am not sure I like). Overall, this was a cute fast paced read, with only some points where I felt like something was missing from the book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

False Start is my first read by Jessica Ruddick and book 3 in the Virginia Valley University Series. I definitely plan to go back and read the first two books. Becca has crushed on Carson, her older brother's best friend forever but nothing has ever happened between them. Carson and her brother Roman have perfected the protective big brother game, chasing all the guys away from Becca. No one is good enough for her in their eyes. The chemistry between Carson and Becca was so hot it was only a matter of time but Carson had doubts even he was good enough for her. After an injury Carson is even more convinced she deserves better. Will Carson come to his senses in time or will he lose Becca for good?

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's in love with him, but he only sees her as his best friend's sister. He's in love with her, but she's his best friend's sister, and he promised to keep her safe. How long will it take for someone to admit their true feelings? This book is a terrific addition to the VVU series. Becca and Carson are both interesting, each in their own ways. But their attraction is bubbling just under the surface, until it comes to a full boil. The story grabbed my interest from the very beginning, and flowed smoothly all the way through. It was nice to see the couples from the earlier books make appearances and offer advice. I hope to see more in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Jessica but it will not be the last book from her that I read. She did a great job balancing the sports, friendship and romance in this book.
Standalone with no cliffhangers.
Becca has loved her brothers best friend for years, if being his friend is all she can have she'll try to make it work. After years of watching him be a player she finally decides to distance herself when everything changes, but can she trust him with her heart?
Carson is a great guy with a big heart, but lacks confidence in himself without football. When it finally becomes clear to him how he feels about Becca will he accept her love or will he lose both her and his best friend?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sherri Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great addition to this series. I love Becca and Carson together. They are both great characters. Becca has had a crush on Carson forever and even though Carson feels the same way he would never act on it. Instead he protects her from other guys. When something happens to Becca and he was not there to protect her he offers her a place to stay. What happens when two people crushing on each other end up living together? I suggest you pick up this book and find out because it is a fast paced read you will not want to miss. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather Nakkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carson and Becca were destined to be nothing more than friends. That's it. It wasn't like someone can date their brother's best friend or their best friend's little sister, right? Wrong. The chemistry between Carson and Becca lit up the pages as they each fought the attraction they were not supposed to feel and fought off everyone else getting their chance at the one thing they both wanted... Each other. This story sizzles from beginning to end and if you are stronger than me you might be able to put it down to go to sleep. Jessica Ruddick definitely scored a field goal with this football romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Courtney Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carson and Becca

Best friends little sister

These two are like fire and ice from the start. Carson has spent years keeping boys and now men away from his best friends little sister. He has always thought it was because no one was ever good enough for her. But he finally comes to his senses and realizes he wants the smart beautiful Becca for himself. But now he has to fight demons so that he can find his happy ending. I have truly loved this series and all the couples I have met. But Becca and Carson’s love story has definitely been my favourite. And I really liked that we got to check in with past couples. This is a great book and I hope their is still more to come!

[Kayla Pocernich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carson and Becca were destined to be nothing more than friends. It's like someone can date their brother's best friend or their best friend's little sister, right? The chemistry between Carson and Becca is hot, intense, sexy, steamy and you feel there chemistry towards each other coming off the pages as you read this book. Carson and Becca fight there attraction towards one another because they aren't supposed to feel what they do. their chance at the one thing they both wanted.This story sizzles from beginning to the end of it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great one for the Virginia Valley University series. Becca and Carson have known each other since childhood. Their relationship develops into more over the years but neither one wants to admit it. Story is stead paced. We get to see the characters from the first two books interact with them. The only reason it wasn't a five was Carson's reaction to what happens near the end of the book seems a bit extreme for him. For most of the book he was so protective of Becca it seemed weird for him to hurt her knowingly.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becca and Carson's relationship has been since they were kids as Carson is Becca' s brother Roman's best friend. Becca has held a crush on Carson ever since she was kid and blossomed in to love. Carson has also felt the same always making sure Becca was okay and not letting any guys get near her. One day all that changed and in a blink of eye Carson was feeling unworthy of her. In the end Carson makes it right. This is a new author for me and cant wait to read more of her books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aneta Marković · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome! I love Carsons and Beccas story. I had a good laugh, got really nervous, annoyed, sad and happy. Everything I love in a great story. This is the first book I've read from Jessica and I can honestly say that I love her writing, the way that book got my full attention from page one and the fact that you could feel their emotions.
Five stars from me! Keep the good work Jessica and keep'em comming!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vinessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becca and Carson are playing the same game but from different playbooks.
She never intended to be with anyone else.
He never intended to let her.
Neither new what the future could have for tnem until they got on the same page.
Becca knew she better take a page out of his playbook if she was going to be able to keep up with Carson.
Catson knew he better take a page out of her playbook if he was gonna be good enough for her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becca and Carson have been headed toward one another for a long time. They have known each other since childhood and and he is her brother's best friend. Once in college together where he's playing football and she is an engineering major, they finally begin to realize that they are meant. He is not just keeping an eye on her on behalf of her brother and she wakes up and realizes they are not just close but they are attracted to one another.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rae Latte · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if you discovered that the only woman you wanted was your best friends little sister, the one who helps you ace your papers and keeps things real? Friendships are tested when the truth is revealed, will they have the strength to survive?

Tension, hot chemistry, football shenanigans, witty banter, and a story that gives you all the feels.

A heartwarming, slow burn, friends to lover story that is refreshing and fun. Lucky for you there are plenty of books in this series to dive into.

[Shanna D · Rating 4 out of 5]

False Start by Jessica Ruddick. I found this story to be a nice paced contemporary sports drama with just enough steam, drama, and conflict to keep you interested until the end. The budding connection between main characters, and the banter between them was genuine and made you feel like you were part of the story as it unfolded. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

What you need to know: this book contains no cheating, no cliff-hangers.

All-in-all, you would not be reading reviews if you were not already intrigued by the blurb, so I will stick with what you need to know:
Great characters that will keep your interest extremely well. You will find plenty of toe curling steaminess with a laugh or two along the way, and smile on your face from their happily ever after.

This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.

[Danielle Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed False Start. Jessica Ruddick did a great job on the story. The plot and characters were strong. Carson and Becca's relationship may have been on the forbidden side but they've been drawn to each other from the start. The connection was strong between them, so wasn't the attraction. Their chemistry was sexy, they were great together.
This was a great story. Thank you, Jessica Ruddick. Great work :)

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it was a football romance that I enjoyed reading. The story sizzles form beginning to end. It is Carson and Becca's story, they have known each other since child hood and have been drawn to each other from the start. They are well written characters with a good story line and they had a sexy chemistry together.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.