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Las Vegas Ramblers #1
Defensive Stance: Las Vegas Ramblers
Deion McCabe is a veteran basketball player with an adversarial disposition. Following an altercation with a fan during a game, the league orders him to attend anger management. Deion’s behavior and subpar gameplay threatens to jeopardize his livelihood. He’s courting disaster and must demonstrate to the organization that he’s capable of turning his fate around. If not, he could face being traded or worse … the end of his basketball career.Sloane Kaplan is a single mother and cocktail waitress who’s known to pack a mean punch. She’s earnestly trying to keep her life on the straight and narrow, but people around her seem to push the right buttons, igniting her short fuse. While she’s always been taught to go down fighting, her latest brawl lands her in an anger management course. Unbeknownst to her, this mandatory class will introduce her to a towering basketball player with a grumpy temperament and captivating smile.Love is the only thing worth fighting for, even if that means not playing fair.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2023
286 people are currently reading
1026 people want to read
About the author
Kasha Thompson
15 books366 followersKasha Thompson is a contemporary romance writer. She writes authentic love stories that examine the complexity of falling and staying in love.
Upcoming Novel LOVE YOU A LITTLE BIT releases on April 22.
Follow Kasha on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q6EvjR
Visit Kasha's website: https://authorkashathompson.my.canva....
Upcoming Novel LOVE YOU A LITTLE BIT releases on April 22.
Follow Kasha on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3q6EvjR
Visit Kasha's website: https://authorkashathompson.my.canva....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
February 12, 2024
EXHAUSTING
This story was different. A 36 year old Deion McCabe is a basketball player, who can’t control his temper & because of that has to go to anger management. When he gets there, he meets a 34 year old Sloane Kaplan, who picked up some shady ways because she has a family full of crooks. Their relationship started off tense, but they eventually fell into a “business” arrangement. The arrangement was that Deion paid Sloane to be his girlfriend to help his image, but Deion had already started to fall for Sloane.
The relationship definitely had potential, but it seemed super forced! The spicy scenes in the book were decent. Sloane, in my opinion, didn’t reciprocate the same energy as Deion! Even toward the end it seemed to drag, it was like beating a dead horse. Sloane had a lot of issues that ultimately lead her to push Deion away and sacrifice her happiness & it was annoying lol. To make a long story short, Sloane was really just exhausting after a while! The book was a decent read, but again had so much potential to be a great one!!
This story was different. A 36 year old Deion McCabe is a basketball player, who can’t control his temper & because of that has to go to anger management. When he gets there, he meets a 34 year old Sloane Kaplan, who picked up some shady ways because she has a family full of crooks. Their relationship started off tense, but they eventually fell into a “business” arrangement. The arrangement was that Deion paid Sloane to be his girlfriend to help his image, but Deion had already started to fall for Sloane.
The relationship definitely had potential, but it seemed super forced! The spicy scenes in the book were decent. Sloane, in my opinion, didn’t reciprocate the same energy as Deion! Even toward the end it seemed to drag, it was like beating a dead horse. Sloane had a lot of issues that ultimately lead her to push Deion away and sacrifice her happiness & it was annoying lol. To make a long story short, Sloane was really just exhausting after a while! The book was a decent read, but again had so much potential to be a great one!!
July 22, 2023
This book was soooo good!!!
I haven’t read a Rom-Com book in a minute and then you add in the sports, and fake dating elements too?!? Deion and Sloane were everything!! Their love, hate, sexual tension, and funny moments made this book so great! How they met in an anger management class is still so wild to me and how Sloane got into that class was even wilder! Their fake dating situation seemed so unrealistic but these two made the most sense! I will say the conflict in this book being their past made me cheer for them individually and as a couple even more! They both struggle with the fear of the unknown for different reasons and the process of them working out was enjoyable. That final AM meeting 😭😩 I loved it!! Also, let me say this Sloane had that man gone from the first knee to the balls ok?!? 🤭 Deion was all in at the fiery bottle girl from his AM class and he wasn’t letting her go, and I’m so glad cause Sloane was fighting love at every turn! Her resolution with her past took a bit longer but I’m so glad she came around! I want to read more from this author and also hope there are more books to come in this series! I definitely recommend this super fun, steamy and explorative sceks, fake dating, RomCom/ sports romance! A fun time was had!!
I haven’t read a Rom-Com book in a minute and then you add in the sports, and fake dating elements too?!? Deion and Sloane were everything!! Their love, hate, sexual tension, and funny moments made this book so great! How they met in an anger management class is still so wild to me and how Sloane got into that class was even wilder! Their fake dating situation seemed so unrealistic but these two made the most sense! I will say the conflict in this book being their past made me cheer for them individually and as a couple even more! They both struggle with the fear of the unknown for different reasons and the process of them working out was enjoyable. That final AM meeting 😭😩 I loved it!! Also, let me say this Sloane had that man gone from the first knee to the balls ok?!? 🤭 Deion was all in at the fiery bottle girl from his AM class and he wasn’t letting her go, and I’m so glad cause Sloane was fighting love at every turn! Her resolution with her past took a bit longer but I’m so glad she came around! I want to read more from this author and also hope there are more books to come in this series! I definitely recommend this super fun, steamy and explorative sceks, fake dating, RomCom/ sports romance! A fun time was had!!
September 12, 2023
Sloane x Deion
Loved, loved loooved this story. In Defensive Stance, we get to meet Sloane. Boy, was she frustrating? But I love every bit of her. She was outspoken, free spirited, and she was feisty as hell. Sloane had a mouth on her and a bigger attitude to match. Sis drove her car into her parole officer boyfriend...while he was still in it. That should tell you all you need to know about her. But Sloane was so layered and so guarded. Her walls were up so high. With a family like hers and the business they were into, it was understandable.
Basketball star Deion McCabe isn't having a good time. Not being able to control his anger lends him in anger management, where he meets Sloane. Both sucked at managing their anger…but they formed an odd bond. An almost toxic, love/hate bond. They both bring out something special out of each other…more so her out of Deion. She definitely gave Deion a run for his money. She can dish it out just as she can take it and…she can most definitely dish it out. She was frustrating, super caring, loyal af and her trash talk will have you hollering 😂.
This was a really fun read. Although the heroine was a bit exhausting, you can't help but root for her and Deion to get it together and get it right. They'll definitely take you through it for that HEA.
The ending was definitely rushed. Would've loved a glimpse a year or two into their future.
This author is NTM, but I'll definitely be taking a deep dive into her catalog.
Super recommend this if you haven't read yet.
Loved, loved loooved this story. In Defensive Stance, we get to meet Sloane. Boy, was she frustrating? But I love every bit of her. She was outspoken, free spirited, and she was feisty as hell. Sloane had a mouth on her and a bigger attitude to match. Sis drove her car into her parole officer boyfriend...while he was still in it. That should tell you all you need to know about her. But Sloane was so layered and so guarded. Her walls were up so high. With a family like hers and the business they were into, it was understandable.
Basketball star Deion McCabe isn't having a good time. Not being able to control his anger lends him in anger management, where he meets Sloane. Both sucked at managing their anger…but they formed an odd bond. An almost toxic, love/hate bond. They both bring out something special out of each other…more so her out of Deion. She definitely gave Deion a run for his money. She can dish it out just as she can take it and…she can most definitely dish it out. She was frustrating, super caring, loyal af and her trash talk will have you hollering 😂.
This was a really fun read. Although the heroine was a bit exhausting, you can't help but root for her and Deion to get it together and get it right. They'll definitely take you through it for that HEA.
The ending was definitely rushed. Would've loved a glimpse a year or two into their future.
This author is NTM, but I'll definitely be taking a deep dive into her catalog.
Super recommend this if you haven't read yet.
August 9, 2023
EXHAUSTING
This story was different. A 36 year old Deion McCabe is a basketball player, who can’t control his temper & because of that has to go to anger management. When he gets there, he meets a 34 year old Sloane Kaplan, who picked up some shady ways because she’s apart of family full of crooks & swindlers. Their relationship started off tense, but they eventually fell into a “business” arrangement. The arrangement was that Deion paid Sloane to be his girlfriend to help his image, but Deion had already started to fall for Sloane.
The relationship definitely had potential, but it seemed super forced! There were some spicy scenes in the book & they were decent. Sloane, in my opinion, didn’t reciprocate the same energy as Deion! Even toward the end it seemed to drag, it was like beating a dead horse. Sloane had a lot of issues that ultimately lead her to push Deion away and sacrifice her happiness & it was annoying lol. To make a long story short, Sloane was really just exhausting after a while! The book was a decent read, but again had so much potential to be a great one!!
This story was different. A 36 year old Deion McCabe is a basketball player, who can’t control his temper & because of that has to go to anger management. When he gets there, he meets a 34 year old Sloane Kaplan, who picked up some shady ways because she’s apart of family full of crooks & swindlers. Their relationship started off tense, but they eventually fell into a “business” arrangement. The arrangement was that Deion paid Sloane to be his girlfriend to help his image, but Deion had already started to fall for Sloane.
The relationship definitely had potential, but it seemed super forced! There were some spicy scenes in the book & they were decent. Sloane, in my opinion, didn’t reciprocate the same energy as Deion! Even toward the end it seemed to drag, it was like beating a dead horse. Sloane had a lot of issues that ultimately lead her to push Deion away and sacrifice her happiness & it was annoying lol. To make a long story short, Sloane was really just exhausting after a while! The book was a decent read, but again had so much potential to be a great one!!
July 19, 2023
Seriously LOVED it!
This is my second read from this author and it was another slam dunk!
Everything from character development, to storyline flow and dialogue was pretty much impeccable.
I did not see how 2 hot mess people could make a relationship work, but Slone and Deion did just that.
This story was so entertaining. I laughed, I shook my head in exasperation and even teared up a little.
It was a really good story and I'll definitely be recommending.
This is my second read from this author and it was another slam dunk!
Everything from character development, to storyline flow and dialogue was pretty much impeccable.
I did not see how 2 hot mess people could make a relationship work, but Slone and Deion did just that.
This story was so entertaining. I laughed, I shook my head in exasperation and even teared up a little.
It was a really good story and I'll definitely be recommending.
August 23, 2023
I personally believe that this is a book about two people who should not be together. They’ll probably benefit more from therapy tbh; especially Sloane.
April 9, 2024
why are they always yelling and shouting?
March 17, 2024
This was my first book from the author and now I want to binge all of her work. I loved everything about this book! Can’t wait to read book 2 in the series.
August 15, 2023
emotionally unbalanced
Sloan was exhausting! I understand and empathize with her insecurities but my gosh, Deion was fighting for her literally the whole book and his arms should be tired. This would have been better if Sloan actually waded through some of her issues and fought for Deion, as well. The relationship continuously felt unbalanced because Sloan didn’t seem to be contributing as much as Deion emotionally.
Sloan was exhausting! I understand and empathize with her insecurities but my gosh, Deion was fighting for her literally the whole book and his arms should be tired. This would have been better if Sloan actually waded through some of her issues and fought for Deion, as well. The relationship continuously felt unbalanced because Sloan didn’t seem to be contributing as much as Deion emotionally.
November 11, 2023
You deserve
Man this was a fun and entertaining story but the depth of it really lies in Sloane. Her fear and anger was so relatable and real, unfortunately the author didn’t do the best job of showing how she progressed into understanding she did deserve love and it was ok to have hope. But it was only at the very end, which wrapped up upper fast. So the 90% of the story is really great it’s the last bit that gets a bit rushed. Anyway I think Kasha Thompson is a great writer and I love how real her characters feel.
Man this was a fun and entertaining story but the depth of it really lies in Sloane. Her fear and anger was so relatable and real, unfortunately the author didn’t do the best job of showing how she progressed into understanding she did deserve love and it was ok to have hope. But it was only at the very end, which wrapped up upper fast. So the 90% of the story is really great it’s the last bit that gets a bit rushed. Anyway I think Kasha Thompson is a great writer and I love how real her characters feel.
November 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and the writing style. I love the fake dating trope! Sloane was exhausting and refreshing at the same damn time. I appreciated the take on Deion, he wasn’t a bad boy, he really was just misunderstood.
December 31, 2023
Ok, boom, picture this…you in anger management cuz your ex got you fucked up and you meet a fine, but failing basketball player who is there cuz he attacked a fan.
Both of y’all are a$$holes in your own way, but still lovable and just in need of some TLC so you decide to start fake dating because you need stability and he needs an image makeover. Y’all know what happens next…😏😏
My review:
This was a lil edgy, and I loved it. I wanted to punch Deion a few times cuz he was a lil stubborn, and I was giving that mama look to both of them to GET IT TOGETHER and you know, let yourself fall ❤️
As always, Kasha crafted such imperfect characters, and like Deion said, “your flaws and imperfections which are the things that make you most beautiful” and this was beautiful. 🥹❤️
And Kasha can always make me laugh in her books. It wasn’t long before I was putting my Kindle down to kee-kee to something a character said. Then soon I was blushing cuz gosh the romance was romancing, and also I was whining my hips cuz they was getting DOWNNN 🥵
I really enjoyed this story and I’m ready for the next installment in the series, please and thank you 😊
Both of y’all are a$$holes in your own way, but still lovable and just in need of some TLC so you decide to start fake dating because you need stability and he needs an image makeover. Y’all know what happens next…😏😏
My review:
This was a lil edgy, and I loved it. I wanted to punch Deion a few times cuz he was a lil stubborn, and I was giving that mama look to both of them to GET IT TOGETHER and you know, let yourself fall ❤️
As always, Kasha crafted such imperfect characters, and like Deion said, “your flaws and imperfections which are the things that make you most beautiful” and this was beautiful. 🥹❤️
And Kasha can always make me laugh in her books. It wasn’t long before I was putting my Kindle down to kee-kee to something a character said. Then soon I was blushing cuz gosh the romance was romancing, and also I was whining my hips cuz they was getting DOWNNN 🥵
I really enjoyed this story and I’m ready for the next installment in the series, please and thank you 😊
July 24, 2023
Basketball AND Romance…Yes, please and thank you! I love going into books blind and for this one the cover was all I needed.
Sloane is a go getter, a firecracker with a quick mouth piece, but also shielded because of her upbringing.
Deion come from a completely different background however; he also have a temper on the court. But overall such a great, loving, and unselfish man.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. We can sometimes sell ourselves short by not feeling worthy or deserving of good things. Or believing that all good things will come to an end. This was Sloane…this is me. She was so relatable.
I was screaming LET THIS MAN LOVE YOU GIRL! And I loved how Deion saw her for who she was and loved her regardless with absolutely no judgement.
The banter between the characters was everything! Such a good read!
Thank you Kasha Thompson for the ARC of Defensive Stance 🫶🏾
Sloane is a go getter, a firecracker with a quick mouth piece, but also shielded because of her upbringing.
Deion come from a completely different background however; he also have a temper on the court. But overall such a great, loving, and unselfish man.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. We can sometimes sell ourselves short by not feeling worthy or deserving of good things. Or believing that all good things will come to an end. This was Sloane…this is me. She was so relatable.
I was screaming LET THIS MAN LOVE YOU GIRL! And I loved how Deion saw her for who she was and loved her regardless with absolutely no judgement.
The banter between the characters was everything! Such a good read!
Thank you Kasha Thompson for the ARC of Defensive Stance 🫶🏾
July 18, 2023
Defensive stance follows Sloane and Deion to hot heads who meet during their required anger management class, deion is a basketball player who’s hot temper leads him into trouble most times and sloane is a single mother who’s trying to keep her life on the straight and narrow but everyone seems to want to push her to her limits.
This book was SOOOO good i found that sloane and deion complimented one another, they kept the other on their toes. The banter between the two of them was always hilarious and the spicy scenes were in fact SPICY.
You also get to see some major character development and i loved it, they mellowed one another out when it seemed like everyone around them wanted to see them lose their sh*t.
tropes:
- single parent
- fake dating
- grumpy?grumpy? lol
- sports romance
i also loved that this book discussed toxic familial relationships in a very realistic way where everything isn’t just always sunshine and roses by the end of the book.
4.5⭐️
April 12, 2024
2 stars
BADLY needed an editor, there was a lot of grammar mistakes and places there should have been periods/commas. sooooo many red flags. my god. for example, he cheated on his ex, and she dated a married man knowing he was married,, and they were SO hot and cold. they would literally go from yelling at eachother and having miscommunications to making out constantly. i feel like they never actually communicated and just "solved" all their problems by doing that. there were just s o many things i could nitpick at but im not gonna get into them all lmao
BADLY needed an editor, there was a lot of grammar mistakes and places there should have been periods/commas. sooooo many red flags. my god. for example, he cheated on his ex, and she dated a married man knowing he was married,, and they were SO hot and cold. they would literally go from yelling at eachother and having miscommunications to making out constantly. i feel like they never actually communicated and just "solved" all their problems by doing that. there were just s o many things i could nitpick at but im not gonna get into them all lmao
September 15, 2025
3.5✨I really enjoyed the premise and the banter in this read. But man, Sloane’s continued refusal to give the relationship a real chance got really exhausting, up until the very end it felt like beating a dead horse.
July 27, 2023
This author is pulling me into her web with her books. Her voice reminds me of AH when she first started writing sports-themed stories. I liked this one.... More later
August 26, 2024
This book was so damn cute. Sloan and Deion had me cackling. Sloan really was getting on my nerves cause GURLLLL .. can’t you see this man loves you. FAKE DATING OR NOT he was head over hills. Definitely recommend
July 15, 2023
I received this book as an ARC and this is an honest review.
Defensive Stance is a Black contemporary sports romance following Deck, a basketball star who gets into a physical altercation with a basketball fan, and Sloane, a woman who is trying her best and sometimes lets impulse rule.
My expectations going into this book was that it would follow more of a romcom vibe with more sweet moments than anything else. While there are sweet moments, I would say this book has far more depth than I initially thought it would. There is conversations about mental health, generational trauma, and being in survival mode. Deck and Sloane are two flawed people who, through this book, are trying to heal and get to a better place. Now, what they think of as a better place is different than the beginning of the book to the end and that really shows the growth of the characters. There is a lot of humor in this book, too. I laughed at not only the situations that occurred but also the dialogue and internal thoughts of the main characters.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
1. This book is a lot more spicy than I thought it was going to be. I'd actually put it about 4/5 out of spice. There are multiple (more than 3) spicy scenes and there are parts where the characters are in a few words: sexually liberated.
2. This book does cover toxic familial relationships and personally, I like the conclusion of it. [1]I'll give a spoiler at the end of the review.
3. Anger management and counseling is a constant topic of conversation and I loved that for this book. The counseling group Deck and Sloane go to hit on a few things that are extremely accurate with counseling groups.
SPOILER
[1] I like that the relationship between Sloane and her dad wasn't magically fixed at the end.
Defensive Stance is a Black contemporary sports romance following Deck, a basketball star who gets into a physical altercation with a basketball fan, and Sloane, a woman who is trying her best and sometimes lets impulse rule.
My expectations going into this book was that it would follow more of a romcom vibe with more sweet moments than anything else. While there are sweet moments, I would say this book has far more depth than I initially thought it would. There is conversations about mental health, generational trauma, and being in survival mode. Deck and Sloane are two flawed people who, through this book, are trying to heal and get to a better place. Now, what they think of as a better place is different than the beginning of the book to the end and that really shows the growth of the characters. There is a lot of humor in this book, too. I laughed at not only the situations that occurred but also the dialogue and internal thoughts of the main characters.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
1. This book is a lot more spicy than I thought it was going to be. I'd actually put it about 4/5 out of spice. There are multiple (more than 3) spicy scenes and there are parts where the characters are in a few words: sexually liberated.
2. This book does cover toxic familial relationships and personally, I like the conclusion of it. [1]I'll give a spoiler at the end of the review.
3. Anger management and counseling is a constant topic of conversation and I loved that for this book. The counseling group Deck and Sloane go to hit on a few things that are extremely accurate with counseling groups.
SPOILER
[1] I like that the relationship between Sloane and her dad wasn't magically fixed at the end.
July 18, 2023
Summary:
Deion is a pro basketball player who career is flopping after the passing of his father. He ends up being a hot head on the court and was assigned anger management to get his ish together.
Sloane is a bottle girl for one of the hottest clubs in Vegas. She too is a firecracker and has to attend anger management for running into her ex’s car.
Meeting at anger management but connecting after one night at the club, Deion and Sloane hits it off and makes an agreement to benefit them both.
Review:
I really enjoyed Deion and Sloane. They really went hard for each other.
There were several times when I was yelling at Sloane through the book to embrace the wins life was giving her. Deion was trying to reassure her and hype her up but she just couldn’t get through her head that she was indeed THAT GIRL in his eyes. He really was like let’s forget this agreement and make it real but she had a lot of insecurities and trust issues rooted from a jacked up childhood that made their situation even more complicated.
Even with the deep family moments, this book was funny, the banter was 10/10, the spice was 🥵🥵🥵, and I love how it showed us you still deserve happiness and joy even when life has been knocking you down for so long.
Deion is a pro basketball player who career is flopping after the passing of his father. He ends up being a hot head on the court and was assigned anger management to get his ish together.
Sloane is a bottle girl for one of the hottest clubs in Vegas. She too is a firecracker and has to attend anger management for running into her ex’s car.
Meeting at anger management but connecting after one night at the club, Deion and Sloane hits it off and makes an agreement to benefit them both.
Review:
I really enjoyed Deion and Sloane. They really went hard for each other.
There were several times when I was yelling at Sloane through the book to embrace the wins life was giving her. Deion was trying to reassure her and hype her up but she just couldn’t get through her head that she was indeed THAT GIRL in his eyes. He really was like let’s forget this agreement and make it real but she had a lot of insecurities and trust issues rooted from a jacked up childhood that made their situation even more complicated.
Even with the deep family moments, this book was funny, the banter was 10/10, the spice was 🥵🥵🥵, and I love how it showed us you still deserve happiness and joy even when life has been knocking you down for so long.
July 30, 2024
I loooooved this book! It’s funny, spicy, angsty. We get a flawed but strong FMC. A he falls first MMC who gives perfect “who hurt you” and “just let me live you” vibes! falls first MMC. It gave me everything I needed!
Sloane is going on my list of top FMCs I am IN love with her!! Her banter was hysterical, comebacks were quick and fierce, her confidence was on 1000. I actually even thought her anger issues were funny which probably isn’t politically correct but 🤷🏽♀️ she became slightly annoying trying to push my man away but I understood it so it didn’t bother me too much!
Deion.. I just loved him! It felt like he was misunderstood, not like he had an actual anger problem. As much as he told Sloane he sees her, he just wanted to be seen too. Not as an NBA legacy, nor as a washed up player, he just wanted people to see his heart and his effort. I adored the affirmations Sloane spoke into him because they were effective but also hilarious. When she went at the team owner to defend her man.. honey it was a reeeeaaaddd for the gods, tore the man to filth!
Random thought - is it just me or is Charmise a hater? What was the point of disclosing that info to Sloane?!
A great read id definitely recommend!
Sloane is going on my list of top FMCs I am IN love with her!! Her banter was hysterical, comebacks were quick and fierce, her confidence was on 1000. I actually even thought her anger issues were funny which probably isn’t politically correct but 🤷🏽♀️ she became slightly annoying trying to push my man away but I understood it so it didn’t bother me too much!
Deion.. I just loved him! It felt like he was misunderstood, not like he had an actual anger problem. As much as he told Sloane he sees her, he just wanted to be seen too. Not as an NBA legacy, nor as a washed up player, he just wanted people to see his heart and his effort. I adored the affirmations Sloane spoke into him because they were effective but also hilarious. When she went at the team owner to defend her man.. honey it was a reeeeaaaddd for the gods, tore the man to filth!
Random thought - is it just me or is Charmise a hater? What was the point of disclosing that info to Sloane?!
A great read id definitely recommend!
July 18, 2023
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a unique fake dating story with the spice turned all the way up. Sloane and Deion chemistry was through the roof. They explored a lot and had free rein to do freaky things to each other. Sloane comes from a family of scammers and has made poor decisions in her past. Deion is the son of a former ball player who has quite lived up to be a basketball player of his father stature and makes a poor decision that lands him in anger management classes. That’s where the two meet. One night together turned into a couple and now they are in a fake relationship. But as things progress things don’t seem to be as fake as they should be.
I liked Deion’s character. He was dealing with a lot as a parent to a college age daughter and a professional basketball player while still grieving his fathers death. He stood up for Sloane when who ever got out of pocket with her. Sloane had a lot of self sabotage in her due to how she grew up. I liked how she took up for Deion while at the dinner
Thank you to the Author for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
This was a unique fake dating story with the spice turned all the way up. Sloane and Deion chemistry was through the roof. They explored a lot and had free rein to do freaky things to each other. Sloane comes from a family of scammers and has made poor decisions in her past. Deion is the son of a former ball player who has quite lived up to be a basketball player of his father stature and makes a poor decision that lands him in anger management classes. That’s where the two meet. One night together turned into a couple and now they are in a fake relationship. But as things progress things don’t seem to be as fake as they should be.
I liked Deion’s character. He was dealing with a lot as a parent to a college age daughter and a professional basketball player while still grieving his fathers death. He stood up for Sloane when who ever got out of pocket with her. Sloane had a lot of self sabotage in her due to how she grew up. I liked how she took up for Deion while at the dinner
Thank you to the Author for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2025
I’m so drained reading this book I started skipping around the last 20% it pissed me off Sloane is so fucking annoying I hate a person who would rather self sabotage then risk happiness bc girl it doesn’t just effect you but everyone around u 🙄 it was so exhausting having to keep hearing how he don’t love her and don’t want to be with her also side track why the character felt younger than there age at time when it came to the pettiness of them constantly arguing to the blow up in the end shit even the last confession nothing would have truly changed if he didn’t leave idk this book had such a fun part I think the fake dating aspect truly drained the fun from the book then the insecurity issues and Sloane self sabotaging wayyyy to fucking much I just came to see a romance with a single mom but all I got is a fucking headache
July 4, 2023
Let gets right into it!! I absolutely LOVED Sloane cause she speaks her mind and tell it like it is just like me. Lol! Deion well he was definitely giving BDE and he was the sweetest considering he was a basketball player. You know they have to put on this persona and the weight of the world is on their backs! I loved this story and THIS is exactly how you do a sports romance!! Y’all know I’m a sucker for HEA and this story did not disappoint! This was also my first time reading this author but definitely will not be the last! I’ve already downloaded the next book I will be reading from her!
This was an ARC and the title will be available on July 18th!! Don’t walk… RUN to Pre-Order NOW‼️
“Love is the only thing fighting for, even if that means not playing fair.”
This was an ARC and the title will be available on July 18th!! Don’t walk… RUN to Pre-Order NOW‼️
“Love is the only thing fighting for, even if that means not playing fair.”
August 31, 2023
Had high hopes
I wanted to like this because it was a different take on how they met but I really did not care for the FMC like at all. I didn’t see why the MMC liked her so much other than being a straight shooter and even that at times was exhausting. FMC really could have benefited from going back to therapy. I saw no growth on her part. They really gave off friends with benefits more than anything. MMC had his flaws also but what threw me off was the character description he did not sound appealing I kept picturing a “lanky” late 40 or older guy that had nothing really going for him looks wise.
I wanted to like this because it was a different take on how they met but I really did not care for the FMC like at all. I didn’t see why the MMC liked her so much other than being a straight shooter and even that at times was exhausting. FMC really could have benefited from going back to therapy. I saw no growth on her part. They really gave off friends with benefits more than anything. MMC had his flaws also but what threw me off was the character description he did not sound appealing I kept picturing a “lanky” late 40 or older guy that had nothing really going for him looks wise.
July 21, 2023
This is my first book by this author. The premise seemed interesting but I could not really get into it. Sloan was exhausting and I didn't feel the romantic chemistry. Deion was a decent guy. The comedy in the book made me roll my eyes. I wish there was a bit more character development throughout the book and not just at the end. Not sure if I'll read anything else by this author.
Thank you to Kasha Thompson and team; I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
- FWB to lovers
- Fake Dating
Thank you to Kasha Thompson and team; I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
- FWB to lovers
- Fake Dating
March 3, 2024
This book begins to the tune of “Knuck If You Buck”. Sloane & Deion meet in anger management class after using their hands to deal with conflict. 2 hot heads + all the feels = 1 spicy read!
November 27, 2024
Hot head basketball player Deion meets cocktail waitress and fierce female Sloane during an anger management class they both attended. When first reading that, I thought oh my, this will be a toxic relationship. Well, it wasn’t thank goodness, because it could have been disastrous! I enjoyed Deion and Sloane’s fake dating turned loving relationship. I did think it progressed a bit quickly, but their separate personal stories made getting to their HEA interesting. Deion dealt with his career possibly coming to an end, and Sloane juggled being a single mom, making ends meet, and her own parent drama!
This was the perfect sports romance bringing the heat 🔥🔥🔥🔥. This couple was definitely spicy, but they also had their sweet moments. I wanted them both to get out of their heads at times, but the banter between the couple was good. It also gave Pretty Woman vibes which is one of my favorite movies!
I’d say definitely check this one out if you love the below tropes:
🖤 Fake dating
🖤 Sport romance
🖤 Billionaire romance
🖤 Miscommunication
This was the perfect sports romance bringing the heat 🔥🔥🔥🔥. This couple was definitely spicy, but they also had their sweet moments. I wanted them both to get out of their heads at times, but the banter between the couple was good. It also gave Pretty Woman vibes which is one of my favorite movies!
I’d say definitely check this one out if you love the below tropes:
🖤 Fake dating
🖤 Sport romance
🖤 Billionaire romance
🖤 Miscommunication
October 5, 2025
When one hot mess meets another hot mess! Lol. I really enjoyed this one. This was not cookie cutter where two people fall head over heels in love and their lives are perfect. I think thats what I loved the most. I enjoy a good beautiful romance, but I also enjoy the different complexities of relationships when both couples have their issues.
Deion and Sloane gave us highs and showed us their lows. Even their families joined in with their complex personalities. When you both in anger management what can possibly go wrong?! Enjoy!
Deion and Sloane gave us highs and showed us their lows. Even their families joined in with their complex personalities. When you both in anger management what can possibly go wrong?! Enjoy!
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