The league didn’t believe in me. I was the last pick of the first round. The Kings didn’t believe in me. They low-balled my contract and mandated therapy to begin immediately. My coach didn’t believe in me. But I get it; she’s a female. The General don’t halfway believe. He keeps threatening violence if I blow this opportunity. This chick I bagged at the first team event… Well, let’s say she’s listening.
I’m a black, educated, and self-made man. I have no kids, and was rich and established before draft night. The odds are stacked against me, but I’ll show them all. They’ll understand my name before it’s all said and done.
I was born a king, and now I am a King.
Publisher's Love's Ineligible Receiver is book 5 of the Connecticut Kings series and is a completed installment.
Love Belvin is a native of the Tri-State area and now lives in the Delaware Valley. She's an avid reader and enjoys dinner parties with her closest girlfriends. While she enjoys many things, nothing excites her more than curling up with a glass of wine and a good romance novel.
Love has been given the moniker "adult contemporary series queen." She is the author of the "Love's Improbable Possibility," "Wayward Love," and "Love Unaccounted" serials. Her two standalones, “Love's Inconvenient Truth” and "Low Love, Low Fidelity" are available. Love Belvin is also the co-author of the "Connecticut Kings" series. She's currently penning the journey of her latest captivating clients.
LB continues to shock me with her stories….CREATIVE….Rutledge is the type of character that you don’t like, usually…but, there was something about him….I liked him and was eager to get to know him immediately….Now, Parker on the other hand took some getting use to for me….her back and forth got on my nerves….but, the bottom line is the two of them really grew together and that’s really what I enjoyed….excellent read for me….on to Book 6.
3rd read Newly released audiobook narrated by Alyx Monroe & Winston James….Outstanding!
There's plenty to do so! Parker was a formidable match for Rut... but Rut, gosh..... this book was all him - it was the Rutledge Kadar Amare show all the way. His transition, growth, and acceptance of himself was something powerful to experience.
For anyone who doesn't know by now, anything written by LB is going to have you in your feelings rather you want to be or not. Strangely, Parker's role in this almost felt we were witnessing the entire thing from strictly her POV, so many of her feelings felt like "Sis, I feel you!" Whereas, everything from Rut was like a release of raw emotion... it was very heavy.
I almost don't even have the words to fully articulate the truths and impact made by Rut & Parker. I will say if you want to read something that's more than just surface area, easy, and light-hearted... this is the book for you. You will not be disappointed and you will probably need a hug when you're done! LOL
After you're done, come back and unpack what you thought about Love's Ineligible Receiver!
Let me start by saying I absolutely LOVE the Connecticut Kings series. Ditto for Love Belvin. But I initially had concerns that this would be the first book by LB that I wouldn't like. See, I read CCJs book first because I wanted to participate in the book discussion, since I missed the discussion for this book. I was not really feeling Rut in that book. Hated his real name, his nickname and his attitude. But I knew LB was going to make me love him. Happy to say I was right!
While I never warmed up to the name Rut, I ended up loving the man himself. His views about women were awful, but after repeatedly being called out on this, he listened, learned and eventually grew up. Miss Parker kind of blindsided him, but he was so good to and for her.
Parker was a treasure. The devotion and care she showed for Jimmy was nothing short of amazing. His kids were the absolute worst and I was actually glad when they put her out, but only because it freed her of a life and responsibilities that she shouldn't have had. Loved the scenes where she was able to get out of the house and enjoy herself. She deserved it.
So much going on in this book. Rut and his Five Percenters thing. The parents, who were a whole trip. I was prepared to dislike inga, but the forgiveness that takes place between her and Parker was beautiful. I was so happy that they reconciled. Ms. Paula was a mess. And largely responsible for much of Rut's views about women. I liked that she and Kadar were able to maintain their relationship all those years. Glad Rut and his dad were working things out, because that man was too much. And Azmir. That scene at the cookout was beyond intense. And that documentary had me worried. I did not want to see him go out like that. Glad everything was resolved - at least I hope it was. Those damn Ercegs were back, irking my very soul. As was Brielle.
So why 3 stars? Listen, I never, ever thought I would be giving a LB book anything less than 4 stars. I agonized over what to rate this one, but this book wasn't up to LB's usual level of excellence. The storyline was on point, but there is no way that the book was proofread or edited because there were way too many missing words, typos, etc. Not sure what happened here, but I have every confidence that LB will fix it.
Anyway, football season is upon us, so I’m off to buy a Connecticut Kings t-shirt so I can rep my team. I’m also going to do a re-read of Love’s Inconvenient Truth because I fell a little bit in love with Candace after that scene with Emily Erceg, but I can’t remember her and I’m guessing she was in that book.
Oh, and don’t get it twisted: despite the 3 stars, I still stan for Love Belvin. She is the bomb.com!
So I obviously came to this book with an understanding that the mailman character was going to be extremely misogynistic, however it was just so how do you say not resolved. Like if you’re going to put an extremely misogynistic main character you have to have some sort of resolution and the relevant solution cannot be oh he’s sort of stops calling all women females and respect some woman kinda when they’re doing something for him. Like that’s not a redemption arc. It simply is not. There are a multitude of quotes I hope this is worth but I’m just gonna put this one here.
“I had little desire for sex. Rut would be his usual needy self, always teasing, prodding my new body, and pulling down my panties. I complained little, understanding it was a part of my duties if I wanted to keep this thing monogamous. I put on my best efforts but had very little orgasms and was often left unsatisfied.”
Literally when he supposed to have been redeemed or whatever this woman is still saying I kind of have to put up being like having sex with him because it’s the price I have to pay for him to be monogamous because he can’t be monogamous with that me having sex with him even though I’m not turned on at all and I’m pregnant and I’m kind of uncomfortable like is it supposed to be a reformed man where’s the reformation.
Another thing is the author does that I do not like is every single character she writes is in all of her books and the issue is if you haven’t read all of her books you’re just confused like it is this very clear there’s a backstory that you’re supposed to know if they don’t read a standalones at all. It’s just very irritating and just like it makes the book harder and it’s kind of cool to see some connecting characters but like you’re just confused are these for me I’m just confused. I think this authors writing style is just I think it’s not my fan I don’t enjoy the way she will import certain beliefs onto these characters to make them “flawed” but not this demonstrate any backlash against those obviously flawed beliefs. Like you can’t introduced for example racist behavior by your main character never correct the race behavior and then be like oh but like it’s here to create character depth or tear to create flaws of the main character like it just doesn’t work.
Rutledge Amare is now a King. Too bad his contract doesn't reflect it. In trying to prove himself on the field and among his teammates, he meets Parker Grayson. She isn't your average caretaker: her unusual circumstances makes for an interesting coupling. Will this Ineligible Receiver find love?
I'm really tired of Love Belvin messing with my mind and heart with these books! It's never just some book to paaa the time: these stories provide lessons in love, spiritual enlightenment and a journey to redemption. This wasn't no fairytale and Rut and Parker are as different as they come! One thing I can always expect from Belvin is a storyline that is penned beyond the parameters of your normal 'cookie cutter' romance.
You also never know what to expect from her flawed yet redeemable characters. Rut and Parker's unique coupling made for a hearty and steamy read. The unusual circumstances of Parker's life mixed with Rut's a**hole-like characteristics makes for a sensually explosive read! I really liked Parker: she is that 'old maid' friend who doesn't know how to color her life, but when she learns, she goes outside of the lines. And Rut's coloring as far outside the lines as you can get! Bites lip*, that body and man! Chale, almost made me overlook his flaws, almost. Belvin does a great job of showing readers raw and gritty characters that are molded beautifully by her pen.
This story was concluded well and left no questions for me to mull over in my mind. The immense character development of Rut and Parker from their sessions on LB's couch has left me feeling full and satisfied.
I won't lie; I don’t like the name Rutledge🤣🤣, but I began to like the man . Rut learned a lot about himself from Parker, and vice versa. My favorite aspect of the plot, I believe, was Rut's character growth.
This was a fair addition to the Connecticut Kings series. Admittedly, I was a little nervous coming into this because I haven’t been a huge fan of the author’s previous two books in this series but this was actually okay. Yes, I found a lot of it incredibly problematic. And I pretty much rolled my eyes almost out of my head at the characters, but I didn’t dislike them. They were sort of okay. I still couldn’t relate at all, but I could imagine that people like them existed in real life and I could at least understand their reasoning (unlike the author’s previous two books in the series featuring Trent and Jade).
The premise of this is that there’s a new rookie, Rut, and he’s known to be a trouble magnet with a pretty misogynistic attitude that is absolutely the product of his upbringing and like most misogynists, completely lacking in self irony. Anyway, Rut meets Parker (who you may remember from working with Cole in Book 2), a mature woman, who has her own baggage, in addition to being occupied being the sole caregiver for her ex who’s suffering from ALS. This story basically focuses on Rut’s change in mindset and maturity.
I liked this story more or less. I wasn’t always a fan of the author’s problematic language (e.g. racially inappropriate descriptions of the shape of people’s eyes when they were drunk), and I don’t feel like Parker was always firm enough with Rut, but this wasn’t a bad story. It was okay. I wish we had seen a bit more of the dynamic with Rut and his coach, or gotten to know what made him suddenly change. I feel like there were opportunities for depth that weren’t always explored and that would have made this a stronger book. That said, this was okay. I recommend it if you’re already reading the series. It’s not essential reading if you’re on the fence but I’d say it is the best one by Love Belvin in the series so far and for that reason, it’s worth checking out.
I usually read books twice before I give a review, especially a LB novel because I want to make sure I didn't miss anything but this here book I don't need to do that. I loveeeee this novel by Love Belvin. I love the drama, the sarcasm from the heroine. I love the chemistry between the hero and the heroine .I love. The laughs in this book. I love the story line the sub characters and the hero had me at the door.
Rut is a jerk and that's putting it mildly. He has views about women and what they are good for that make you want to smack him so hard. But I like it, not his views of course but his character, his swag, his authenticity. Parker is a independent, low key vulnerable chick. She is semi sarcastic, strong, selfless and caring. Her dynamics for me is one of Love Belvin best heroines. Parker does not take any mess from Rut and is not afraid of putting him in his place. Their journey together is superbly written and beautifully woven. I don't know but this book is different from Love Belvin novel. I don't know if it the wit of the characters or the dynamics and roles of the sub characters. You get everything from a traditional LB novel but their is something extra special about this book.
Rut has something to prove to the NFL ,team coaches and all the haters. Parker has some issues to fight though but she but she helps Rut journey into becoming a better man in the process.
This is an awesome read!!!! If this review could be a standing ovation to Love Belvin and he pen then lets do it. Bravo Love Belvin Bravo.
I waited to read this book because I knew I was gonna need time to take all in.
Rut...I thought I had finally found a hero I didn’t like! Everything about him screamed no. Seeing his growth, was amazing and real! Parker...her loyalty, was everything, the changes she endured and how she maintained it all my goodness. Reading this book almost felt like I was invading someone’s privacy, or listening to a conversation between friends. Rut being raw and Parker being real.
Love does that to you. The real, raw and emotional feeling you get when reading her work is what keeps coming back over and over again. This book was again amazing, don’t just take my word for it, get it, read it and tell us all about it. Another great one.
I really enjoyed this story! I read Coach Brooks’ book first so I was familiar with Rut. Getting his perspective was interesting because he was more of an asshole than she made him out to be. But I still loved him from the start. I’ll always appreciate an honest flawed character. Rut and Parker were dealing with some heavy things. Parker’s story had been mentioned by Mel but getting the details through her perspective was moving. I loved how this odd pairing found respite in each other and eventually love and family. I so appreciated that they both utilized therapy. The audiobook was great! Winston always does the damn thing but Alyx Monroe really stepped up her game.
This book had me tearing up… Jimmy made me cry. Jimmy. Yes. I felt how Parker felt despite of their history. Rut had to grow on me… I loved Parker from the jump. She was just doing her, doing her own thing.
Rut and Parker was too cute. I loved seeing Ruts growth. Parker was dealing with a lot ( she low key should have let ole dude die or did him how Helen did Charles IYKYK 🤣🤣). I liked Rut being there for her when she didn’t have anyone. Parker finding love and happiness with Rut was well deserved.
This book is EVERYTHING... Honestly, it’s layered and complex and you can’t eat it all at once. You have to take it 1 course at a time and let Chef Love Belvin serve up this masterpiece of a unforgettable multi course meal.
Rut was a mess, and had me shaking my head and side eyeing him from the first moment we were introduced to him. Parker, Parker, Parker...baby girl had been through too much and was living in a situation that I couldn’t fathom, but she was doing it with grace. I love that a friendship developed out of Rut’s curiosity to find out if she was just another “female”. Parker proved herself to be one of the most loyal characters that I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. She’s a real one! Their journey was messy in spots but their growth was tremendous.
This story has to be consumed slowly. I couldn’t inhale this like I do most books, but I took my time and let the complexities of the two lives that Love was merging together. I had to pay attention to the supporting characters that added so much to Rut and Parker. Those characters seasoned and enhanced their growth and highlighted why they were the way the were. Love served up a complete meal, from start to finish it all came together so well. I loved seeing Azmir in his full glory running things-that was a treat!
It’s a must read, go ahead and sit down at the table and let Love serve you a story of exceptional growth and maturity. You’ll be full and satisfied when you finish!
Rutledge is a very complex jerk...however he has the capacity to become a great person with the right one. He develops this routine with Parker that causes him peace but yet is stressed about her situation and the underlining feelings of why is he like this with her. • Parker is a woman who decided to make her own twist and turns early in her life. And had dedicated most of her twenties caring for another man. She developed a responsibility that wasn’t hers yet showed her loyalty to her promise. • Parker and Rut together was just amazing. Their chemistry and routine is just HOT HOT AND MORE HOT!!!!!! And the bond that they created was tested due to Ruts views about women. Rut learn and grows thru therapy which I love when any one sits on Love’s chair. The break down and put together have you thinking about yourself. • Let’s just say it’s another 5 star book from Love Belvin! And if you haven’t gotten into her...you better get on it!
So she's done it again people. She yet again managed to make me fall in love with two broken people lucky enough to find themselves on her couch. Love has once again made me the biggest fan of an arrogant, rude and broken man. I was #TeamRut from page one to the very end because Love managed to make him human in his flaws and loveable in his imperfection. Thanks again for sharing your genius with us. Thanks for updating us on our faves. #SheCo tinuesToMakeUsLoveHer #FiveStarsAlways
I wanted to hate Rut so bad from the very beginning of this book. Well, I actually did. He was crass, rude and had the most demeaning views of woman. Parker was damaged from trying so hard to prove her mother wrong that she backed herself into a corner, living in isolation and has no life. Both of them were pieces of coal and their worth was not evident. But in each other, they found that how they were perceived was not their genuine self. They brought out the best in each other and found love in the process.
Love Belvin and I have had a rough relationship but with Loves Ineligible Receiver, I can see the growth in her writing and character development. I love how she weaved religion and spiritualality throughout this book without it sounding preachy or overbearing.
I enjoyed these characters and following along on their journey of growth and maturity. Parker and Ruts relationship and friendship is a very unorthodox one, but it was very entertaining and completely engrossing. 400+ pages finished in a single read. YOU GOT ONE LOVE. Also loved the Paterson shouout. 😁
Not my favorite. Loved Rut and Parker, but I think at the time I wasn't as focused on it as I needed to be? I read it when I was crazy involved with work, and maybe I need to reread. I know I disliked the religious aspect, because I always do, but that has never affected my rating.
LB know she can write a book. Rut was making mad for a lot of the book. Of course I ended up liking him. Lol. I wanted more of their story. Hopefully I’ll be updated in another book. I also liked how she touched on mental health and the advantages of therapy.
Oh em gee!!! This is what books are supposed to do , make you !!!!!! I loved every minute of this book. The way Love Belvin tells a story is so satisfying, her story lines are always fresh and entertaining.
So I read this one after reading book 6. But it didn’t spoil anything for me. I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would! Amare had to get some act right about him. And shoot Parker did too! This couple actually might be my favorite couple for the Kings…maybe.
Love’s Ineligible Receiver is much better than Trent and Jade’s story. While Rut is immature, he finds a woman he connects with. Parker is stunted socially after so many years caring for Jimmy. This couple evolves and conquers the tough stuff.
When this book started out I did not think I would ever love anything about Rutledge. By the end, I was singing a different tune. This is a favorite series of mine. Love and CCJ blend the stories so seamlessly and they flow so well! I hope we get more in the future.
Rut was a mess, using women like garden tools but he met his match with Parker! This one was a little hard for me, much more foul mouth trash talk. You could tell Rut was about that life frfr! Overall I enjoyed it, loved the cameo of Trent and Jordan. The Wright children were a trip! Looking for even more in this series.