Fair Catch

Virginia Valley University #2

by Jessica Ruddick

Rachel Byrne is the black sheep in her family, meaning she didn’t marry straight out of high school and immediately start popping out babies. Determined to have a career of her own, she’s putting herself through college. So what if her love life has been less than stellar? She doesn’t need a man getting in her way, anyway.

Virginia Valley University wide receiver Jake Truitt’s dreams of going pro took a nosedive when his parents died at the start of last season. Finally coming to terms with the tragedy, he’s ready to pick up the pieces and get his life back on track only to be derailed again when he takes custody of his three younger siblings.

Jake needs help and Rachel needs money. When she accepts his offer for a summer nanny job, she knows it’s a bad idea to get involved with her new boss. But sometimes the worst ideas are the hardest to resist.

Genres: College, Sports, Sports Romance, Romance, New Adult, Football, 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

[Nova · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book but I didn’t love it both the main characters I found it hard to connect with either.

Rachel wanted a life different from the one her family wanted for her, desperate to break the mould she now finds herself in debt up to her eyeballs, with no real direction that she wants her life to go in. Also she’s in a lack lustre relationship that if she’s truly honest isn’t ever going to go anywhere, when she meets Jake Truitt. She’s pulled to him immediately and feels a real connection but he comes with baggage and through a friendship she helps him until it becomes something more. Can she continue down the road she’s taking with Jake without losing who she is and could she be happy without him in her life is she chooses to walk away?

Jake Truitt once one of the golden boys of Virginia Valley university that is until six months ago when his parents were killed and he is left with three younger siblings and a future that looks uncertain. His drinking is out of control and with his brother and sisters living with his aunt and uncle he’s finding it hard to find the right direction in his life. But when he meets Rachel and her butterflies he feels something for someone else a feeling he thought was lost forever but with his life about to change again will he have time for her or will his priorities cause him to take for granted what he had?

Good story I just didn’t feel a real connection for the characters. 3.5🌟 read. I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced copy of this book.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Losing his parents was a tragedy that Jake wasn’t prepared for especially when he finds himself trying to balance, college, football and trying to raise his two younger sisters and brother. Rachel didn’t want the life that her parents had planned for her so she finds herself struggling to put herself through college and working at a job she doesn’t like.

Rachel working for Jake seems like the solution to both their problems but what happens when their relationship is starting to feel more personal than professional?

I really liked both of the characters in this book as they are both trying to do the best they can with the hand that life has dealt them.

[KellAYE · Rating 2 out of 5]

Taking a whole star away just for the “ending”. No resolution or conclusion at all. Just a weak make up so there could be an unnecessary epilogue.

[Fi ;D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a rlly rlly good book but the end conflict was kinda lacking


Btw don’t judge me for the book cover I beg there isn’t even that much smut in here, cover is v misleading

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

It Grabbed My attention and focus so strong I could not put it down. A word of advice when you get your copy. Grab a snack, a comfy seat, kick back and relax. You will not be moving until you finish this bad boy here. Remarkable job. Thanks for sharing.

"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming easy read. The attraction between Rachel and Jake is strong right from the start of their first encounter which comes across the pages well, creating a page-turner of an experience. The book's characters are all well developed and described with a lot of positive interaction between them. The book is about family ties, doing the right thing, even if it means putting your own life on hold for a while. Jake, following their parent's untimely death decides to take his 3 siblings to live with him to protect them from their aunt's rude and resentful husband's influence. Caring for young children when you yourself are a University student and a college football player isn't easy. Out of his depth, he turns to trainy teacher Rachel, who not only proves to be the perfect girlfriend but also a lifeline to bring normality and stability to the children's lives. I very much enjoyed the good rapport the characters have with each other. However, being taken for granted isn't what an independent young woman wants out of life, so Jake has to up his game. This is a clean romance with a lot of moral messages about sacrifices that often need to be taken in order to do the right thing. I would recommend this novel with a satisfying HEA.

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

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake and Rachel meet through mutual friends - Wyatt and Katie from In The Pocket Jake is in college, playing football and hoping to be good enough to be drafted. His parents were killed recently, causing him to miss a season. There's trouble with his younger siblings, and he brings them to Bleaksburg to take over raising them. Rachel is going to college without the support of her family. They believe that she should be married and having babies - no education required for that. Part-time jobs and student loans keep her afloat. She needs a summer job, or she'll have to go home to work. As it turns out, Jake needs help shuffling his siblings to their various activities. Suddenly, he's not just her boyfriend, he's her boss. I just love this book. Jake and Rachel are so good together, and she's so good with his siblings. I like that the kids are real kids, pushing the limits whenever they can, and they're smart. They are also sneaky, although Katie is even sneakier. The story grabbed me from the beginning, and never let go. As much as I enjoyed the first book, I think this was is even better, and can't wait for the next one.

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

[JudyAnnLovesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and a half stars ⭐️
“Fair Catch” by Jessica Ruddick is a fantastic football sports romance read. In it we meet sexy as sin Jake. His dream to go pro sidelined by the unexpected death of his parents. Everything in his life is on hold and things are even more crazy when he moves his three younger siblings in with him. Needing help he turns to Rachel, the woman he is lusting after.
Rachel is lost and confused. Raised with the expectation of getting married and having babies has her running far, far, away from home. Even her career choice have proven a mistake.
When Rachel and Jake meet the sparks fly and their attraction is off the charts. Problem arise when he hires her as his nanny. Nothing is easy as these two try and fail to fight their attraction to one another. Watching them cope with the crazy that is their life and relationship as they work towards their happily ever after is a sweet, sweet ride. TBR and enjoy.

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

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Much to love about this book
This is my first book by Jessica, it will not be my last.
Jake is just getting back to normal after losing his parents when his 3 younger siblings move in with him. That's a lot for any person to handle but a 21 year old junior in college with pro football dreams. Plus he just meet an amazing woman, now his life is crazy.
Rachel grew up in a home where the man ruled and the woman ran the house and kids. She didn't agree and broke tradition by going to college. Was dating her boss blurring the lines of helping and being a pushover?
I could really feel and understand a lot of the drama that went into this story. The struggle of having kids and keeping a part of yourself yours is hard a lot of the time without having tons of guilt. Keeping a strong partnership with your husband or boyfriend threw it takes work and great communication.
Jessica did a great job with this subject.
Standalone with no cliffhangers.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this story about Rachel and Jake. This story takes place after In The Pocket. We get better aquatinted with these two characters are meeting in the last book. Rachel is Katie's roommate and BFF. She studying to be a elementary teacher and doesn't want to end up like her mom or sisters, having a man run her life. Be she meets Jake at the draft party Katie and Wyatt are hosting. He's had a hard year. His parents passed away suddenly and is dealing with a lot. Then he takes on custody of good three younger siblings. But the budding relationship with Rachel is put on hold and she becomes the kids nanny. Things get rough because miscommunication takes a big role. Great characters.

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

[Sherri Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered Jessica Ruddick when I read the first book in this series. Long after I was finished reading it I was still thinking about the story and all the characters. There is just something with the way she writes and the story she tells that really left a lasting impression on me. This book did the same thing for me. With what is going on in the world right now it was so nice to be able to forget everything and think of something else. This book did that for me. Reading about Jake and Rachel and the struggles that they both had in their lives and the steps that they both took to over come those struggles was inspirational. I am really looking forward to seeing what happens next with this group of friends. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Courtney Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book wasn’t what I thought it would be. It was even better then anticipated. Jake has so much on his shoulders when he takes over guardianship of his siblings after their parents death. So much that he neglects the one person in his life that puts him first. Rachel doesn’t know what’s she’s getting into when she starts dating Jake and then being his nanny. It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. And Rachel is too stubborn to see the truth. It will take some sneaky kids/best friends to get this love story back on track. I truly fell in love with this couple right from the start. And found it near impossible to put it down once I started it! Blown away

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

[Skye Yanovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet story!!

If there was ever a book that immediately touched my heart it is this one. Jake is a star wide receiver at his college but his last season was interrupted when his parents die in a tragedy. He’s trying to get back on track but has to step in to take custody of his three younger siblings. Rachel is trying to not keep the trajectory seemingly set out for her by her family….to become a wife & mother. She wants a different life. However, she has feelings for & chemistry with Jake….yet to be with him means a ready-made family. I liked this story…it was about 2 people growing up and realizing what they really wanted in life. It was a really well developed story.

[Anne OK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake is left with the responsibility of his three siblings after the death of their parents in car accident. In his last year as a wide receiver on his college football team anticipating NFL prospects, his burden is heavy.

Rachel doesn’t fit into the plans her parents have for her as a wife and homemaker. She’s smart and wants a career. Suddenly in her senior year of college her life plans are interrupted, but defined too, when she meets Jake.

Both Jake and Rachel are well-developed characters, and I loved all the friends and family that made up the secondary cast.

An easy fast-paced plot that carries heavy baggage and emotional ups and downs. An enjoyable read that carries depth and quality in the writing – unlike a lot of sports-related romances.

[Liv · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a bit difficult for me to decide how I felt about it while reading. I love the concept of them meeting and liking each other right off the bat, but then having difficulty once the dynamic changes once she begins to take care of his younger siblings. However, I did have a couple of issues throughout the book. I found him to be appreciative of her, but was shocked that he was trying to demand things of her towards the end of the novel. It seemed like his outburts were bound to happen, but it felt a little late in the game. Additionally, I felt that the FMC had a ton of internalized misogyny. I totally understand the need to include her disdain for the 'classic wife' role to make her becoming a nanny ironic, but it felt very aggressive in it's delivery. A pleasant read overall.

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Jake and Rachele. She didn’t want to follow her family’s thinking about getting married and having babies right out of high school. She wants to go to college and get a degree and then follow her dreams. Jake is a college football star but his parents getting killed and then he got guardianship of his three siblings. He has to overcome grief and take care of his siblings but needs help. He hires Rachele as she needs money for college and this is a wonderful story of the two coming together to help the children. They find themselves falling for each other but can they do this with all that going on right now? I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Deepa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young 20 yrs old guy who suddenly becomes a guardian to his 3 siblings.
A young girl from a poor family, needing some extra income. Wanting to spread her wings because her parents are uber traditional.
They meet and have a connection before he takes over care for his siblings.
She meets a sibling in a restroom and has an instant connection.
The story per se sounds good on paper. However, there wasn't any wow factor to the chemistry. There wasn't a great set of dialogues or fantastic humor or really fantastic chemistry where you are just waiting to see what happens next.
It was all just about OK. I wouldn't be tempted to go and explore the whole series or anything.

[Kathleen De Raes Rammeloo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read of Jessica Ruddick, and I loved it. I am looking forward in reading the other books in this series. The world building in this book was fenomenal. How Jake did for his family what needed to be done and how Rachel fitted into this picture. It was a drama and romantic story. You could feel their pain and issues trough the letters and my heart ached for them several times. Oh God how did I feel with them... I loved all of it , thank you for writing this wonderful book!!!

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

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty sweet and very well developed. It's not complicated as a storyline but it's emotional level was intense. We liked and felt all the characters. It was fun to read about Wyatt and Katie from a previous book too.
I have to admit that Jake was kind of wonderful in taking on his family. I loved him for that and the author had me feeling the pressure he was under with good writing.
The h was pretty neurotic and that drove me a little crazy. Luckily her brother and Katie called her on it plus Jake's sisters were in on it. Fun stuff.

[L H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked Jake a lot because he clearly wanted his football career but he stepped up and took custody of his younger siblings and found them someone to help him care for them. Rachel takes the job because she needs the money, but she also needs to be in a good situation with family as her own family situation was not good. Then coming together as caretakers and couple wasn't pretty but was filled with humor, love and good for all.

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

[An Epilogue a Day Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel is the middle child of a tradicional small town family and is fighting against the husband and babies that her parents want. During he summer break playing house with her boyfriend and his siblings is exactly what she does. Jake has to jiggle between classes, quaterback practice and being the guardian of his two sisters and one brother. In the middle of a lot of family drama and getting used to one another Rachel and Jake learn that they can allowed themselves to be happy.

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

[AND 1515 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Five Star Book...
by and1515

I love reading books by authors I've never read before and this one by Jessica Ruddick is absolutely sweet and charming.
I adored Jake when stepped up for his younger siblings when he realized they needed a more stable home and this is one of the reasons this story totally rocks and deserves five stars.

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

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me by surprise. It had romance, angst, family drama, pets, school/college headaches, sports, and friends. It sucked you into the life of Rachel and Jake. As the more you read, the further you get drawn in - along with all the messy ups and downs of life. Times I wanted to cry; others I was happy. This is one of those stories that you cannot figure out how it will end.

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

[Shanna D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fair Catch by Jessica Ruddick. Circumstances of past events lead main characters (Jake and Rachele) together which leads to a beautiful story. I found this story to be a nice paced contemporary drama with just enough steam, drama, and conflict to keep you interested until the end. This is a new author for me and I am looking forward to reading more of her work. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Acai · Rating 4 out of 5]

What’s a budding football player supposed to do when his parents die and leave behind 3 younger siblings to take care of. He’s torn between the love of the game and the love of his family. Then he meets her, the woman that could be the love of his life and saving grace. This was a cute New Adult romance with some familiar tropes, falling in love with the nanny/star athlete romance. I enjoyed it and the characters were well written.

[Melissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake is juggling three siblings, college, the loss of his parents and the football career he was vying for. Rachel doesn't have a good family relationship as she didn't follow their mantra and the career she wanted may not be the right one.
It's amazing how the author brings family drama, romance, angst, steamy moments and conflict.

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

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake and Rachel were very down to earth characters. Rachel was trying to figure out what to do with a degree she came to discover she didn't really want and Jake is dealing with the aftermath of his parents's death. The main focus was on Jake and his new lifestyle and how Rachel helped. Loved the realistic parts that had Jake dealing with his siblings. Great read.

[Haz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel was so put off with relationships her didn't help Adam or either her parents and siblings but when she meets jake is that about to change her opinion or will he fall in with rest of them ,this was a good read

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

[BusyM3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story will pull you in. You fall in love with these two and follow them on their journey. The story was well written, they have amazing chemistry. This is my first time reading this author and it didn't disappoint. I will be on the look out for more.

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

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Rachel and Jake's story! It's a good college romance and good addition to the "Virginia Valley University" series. She is putting herself through college and he is trying to get his life back on track. These two need each other for different reasons. This is a good heartfelt romance and a bit of emotional roller coaster with angst, drama, conflict and more.