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The Fundamentals
Lissa’s not a rule-breaker. But how can she stop herself? Breaking the rules with Bowie might mean finding love and happiness—and it might also save her…
Obviously, Lissa and Bowie are not together. Obviously.
First of all, she’s a cheerleader for the Woodsmen football team and he’s a starter on the defensive line—and they’re not even allowed to socialize, let alone have a relationship of any kind. That’s why she keeps it a secret when they meet at her sister’s wedding, when he swoops in to help her, a stranger in distress. He’s just like a knight riding in on a white horse, except that he has a ponytail and tattoos and drives her in his pickup truck.
There’s a second reason that Lissa and Bowie can’t even be she’s with someone else, Ward. He’s more than just a boyfriend, since she knows that she has to marry him. Really, she doesn’t have a choice in the matter, even though…well, Ward scares her. For good reason.
And in comparison, Bowie is so fun that hanging out together feels like a vacation. He’s so genuinely nice, so genuinely genuine! How could a woman resist a strong, handsome, professional football player who also knows how to wield a hammer and a screwdriver? How could she stop herself from melting over a guy who wants to learn to dance and always has a smile for her? How can she keep away from the man that she wants to be with all the time?
She just can’t do it. But solutions to the problems that separate them take her in a different direction from the one she was steering in before. Lissa might even be heading toward danger, and is the risk worth it? If it means that she’ll end up with Bowie, how far should she go?
Obviously, Lissa and Bowie are not together. Obviously.
First of all, she’s a cheerleader for the Woodsmen football team and he’s a starter on the defensive line—and they’re not even allowed to socialize, let alone have a relationship of any kind. That’s why she keeps it a secret when they meet at her sister’s wedding, when he swoops in to help her, a stranger in distress. He’s just like a knight riding in on a white horse, except that he has a ponytail and tattoos and drives her in his pickup truck.
There’s a second reason that Lissa and Bowie can’t even be she’s with someone else, Ward. He’s more than just a boyfriend, since she knows that she has to marry him. Really, she doesn’t have a choice in the matter, even though…well, Ward scares her. For good reason.
And in comparison, Bowie is so fun that hanging out together feels like a vacation. He’s so genuinely nice, so genuinely genuine! How could a woman resist a strong, handsome, professional football player who also knows how to wield a hammer and a screwdriver? How could she stop herself from melting over a guy who wants to learn to dance and always has a smile for her? How can she keep away from the man that she wants to be with all the time?
She just can’t do it. But solutions to the problems that separate them take her in a different direction from the one she was steering in before. Lissa might even be heading toward danger, and is the risk worth it? If it means that she’ll end up with Bowie, how far should she go?
359 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2023
52 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 10, 2023
At this point, I think amazon should thank Jamie Bennett because I’m only keeping my subscription to KU to read her new releases.
I don’t know how she does it, but I always find her characters so charming, intriguing and somehow with a touch of “something else” I can’t explain but love anyway.
I very much liked this couple, how it all came together naturally, without effort. But at the same time the romance in this book was a bit off in my opinion. I didn’t like how they ended up getting together with excuses and not really because of love?
I loved this story as a friendship story but the romance didn’t get to me as the majority of her other work does. Still, the writing, the characters, the football, it all made it up and was such a nice read.
I don’t know how she does it, but I always find her characters so charming, intriguing and somehow with a touch of “something else” I can’t explain but love anyway.
I very much liked this couple, how it all came together naturally, without effort. But at the same time the romance in this book was a bit off in my opinion. I didn’t like how they ended up getting together with excuses and not really because of love?
I loved this story as a friendship story but the romance didn’t get to me as the majority of her other work does. Still, the writing, the characters, the football, it all made it up and was such a nice read.
September 10, 2023
This book is a modern twist on a plot line that Penny Jordan used to great success. The heroine is sweet, beautiful, valorous, and extremely naïve. She has been dealing with some extremely serious situations without even realizing it, and there are things taking place among her family and personal life that are legitimately shady and she doesn’t understand what’s happening.
The H enters the situation and somehow manages to be around whenever the h needs help the most. They begin a friendship and she is obviously in love with him and he with her, but the H realizes that the h is living in such a dream world, and is so preoccupied by the problems of others that she’s going to take a long time to catch on to her own feelings.
In a non-creepy way, he maneuvers her into a closer relationship with him while pretending it’s just something a friend would do, and he is so delighted that he can’t help but blow his cover by gloating, but the h doesn’t even notice it.
It ends well, with a happy epilogue and with the reader’s awareness that the h is never going to have to worry about anything again because the devoted and wealthy H is going to dedicate himself to making her happy, with a lot of spoiling thrown in.
The H enters the situation and somehow manages to be around whenever the h needs help the most. They begin a friendship and she is obviously in love with him and he with her, but the H realizes that the h is living in such a dream world, and is so preoccupied by the problems of others that she’s going to take a long time to catch on to her own feelings.
In a non-creepy way, he maneuvers her into a closer relationship with him while pretending it’s just something a friend would do, and he is so delighted that he can’t help but blow his cover by gloating, but the h doesn’t even notice it.
It ends well, with a happy epilogue and with the reader’s awareness that the h is never going to have to worry about anything again because the devoted and wealthy H is going to dedicate himself to making her happy, with a lot of spoiling thrown in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2023
Did not care for this one even though Jamie Bennett is a go to author for me.
August 28, 2023
Jamie’s books are always fun to read. The plot is always interesting and I like that she writes her main characters and how they always have backgrounds that make the readers empathetic and excited to see her growth at the end. I gave this book 3 stars for these few reasons:
1.) I love Lissa and Bowie, however for me, I’m always left feeling a bit unsatisfied about the romance portion of Jamie’s books. Since her books are more “slowburn” (which i LOVE!), these characters need more tension, more yearning. I would’ve loved to read more angst in Bowie, since it was obvious from the beginning of how much he cared for her.
2.) Grandma Diane has this huge moment at the end of the book. Unfortunately, we don’t get much of her throughout the story, so the impact doesn’t hit as hard as it could’ve. I would’ve liked to have had more scenes with her to understand her more outside of Lissas own thoughts and past experiences.
3. Despite how much I didn’t like Aubin in the beginning, throughout the book she definitely grew on me. But i still have so many questions. She’s such a complex character that could’ve been fleshed out more. I wanted to see more growth in her and Lissas relationship. I wanted to see the sisterhood truly grow a bit as the book went on.
Other than that, this was a good read! I liked the Wonderwomen and their coaches. The epilogue was sweet and gave a pretty decent resolution to the story.
1.) I love Lissa and Bowie, however for me, I’m always left feeling a bit unsatisfied about the romance portion of Jamie’s books. Since her books are more “slowburn” (which i LOVE!), these characters need more tension, more yearning. I would’ve loved to read more angst in Bowie, since it was obvious from the beginning of how much he cared for her.
2.) Grandma Diane has this huge moment at the end of the book. Unfortunately, we don’t get much of her throughout the story, so the impact doesn’t hit as hard as it could’ve. I would’ve liked to have had more scenes with her to understand her more outside of Lissas own thoughts and past experiences.
3. Despite how much I didn’t like Aubin in the beginning, throughout the book she definitely grew on me. But i still have so many questions. She’s such a complex character that could’ve been fleshed out more. I wanted to see more growth in her and Lissas relationship. I wanted to see the sisterhood truly grow a bit as the book went on.
Other than that, this was a good read! I liked the Wonderwomen and their coaches. The epilogue was sweet and gave a pretty decent resolution to the story.
October 15, 2023
I didn't enjoy this book. Although I appreciated the author's concept, the writing was challenging to follow due to excessive rambling, internal monologues, and unnecessary conversations. It felt both overwhelming and lacking in substance, making it hard to engage with the story. I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters, except for bowie, and the protagonist came across as too passive, accepting mistreatment from others. Even when attempting to break free from a toxic relationship, she seemed to maintain other toxic connections, which didn't make sense. Additionally, there was no noticeable romantic chemistry between the heroine and the hero, leading me to stop reading at around 56% completion. Despite my efforts, I couldn't continue with this book.
January 7, 2025
3-3.5 ⭐️
This one falls into the group of Jamie Bennett books that are not my favorite, simply because of personal issues I have with reading about abuse and good people trapped in it and them (and others) making excuses for it, as is so often the case in abuse cases, and it hits too close to home so colors my enjoyment in reading it.
So, my rating reflects my personal struggles with reading that aspect, but objectively speaking this is as well-written as every one of this author's books, and of course has the slowly building friends-to-lovers romance that progresses almost in the background of the heroine finding the strength to overcome and fight against the situation she is in and get away from (or demand better treatment from) the damaging people in her life.
It is set in the Woodsmen series but is more of an actual standalone than some of the others, with the main cameos being from the cheerleading coaches and just a name drop here and there. None of the main characters were featured players in previous books so this could be read on its own, though if it was me I wouldn't start here since it wasn't one of my favorites.
That being said, it has a romantic, happy ending (again, no steam on my scale, don't come to this author for that) that made me smile, and certainly it was nice for Lissa to get one after what she had been through.
This one falls into the group of Jamie Bennett books that are not my favorite, simply because of personal issues I have with reading about abuse and good people trapped in it and them (and others) making excuses for it, as is so often the case in abuse cases, and it hits too close to home so colors my enjoyment in reading it.
So, my rating reflects my personal struggles with reading that aspect, but objectively speaking this is as well-written as every one of this author's books, and of course has the slowly building friends-to-lovers romance that progresses almost in the background of the heroine finding the strength to overcome and fight against the situation she is in and get away from (or demand better treatment from) the damaging people in her life.
It is set in the Woodsmen series but is more of an actual standalone than some of the others, with the main cameos being from the cheerleading coaches and just a name drop here and there. None of the main characters were featured players in previous books so this could be read on its own, though if it was me I wouldn't start here since it wasn't one of my favorites.
That being said, it has a romantic, happy ending (again, no steam on my scale, don't come to this author for that) that made me smile, and certainly it was nice for Lissa to get one after what she had been through.
September 2, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ Every time I read this author, I go through stages..
I start at I don’t know if I can read this > this heroine is so frustrating > this hero is pretty cool but I’d like his POV > oh now I’m invested > this heroine is getting better > I want them to be a couple now!
Spoilers from now on!!
*
*
I think all her heroines are either doormats or oblivious. Usually it’s frustrating but in this case, with actual abuse from her boyfriend, it was harder to read than normal.
I definitely wanted to reach out and help Lissa a few times. Her family sucked and her boyfriend sucked and she had no friends to help her.
Bowie was super cute and like a ray of laid-back sunshine. I liked how he protects her and makes her happy.
I do wish their romance portion was a little longer. You could guess they had feelings, but it also could’ve read as good friends for a long while. I would’ve loved more glimpses into them as a couple.
I also loved when Lissa started standing up for herself and saying honest things to people. I wish the part with her sister and airing out their past was even more explored.
So I enjoyed it overall and the epilogue was super cute!
I start at I don’t know if I can read this > this heroine is so frustrating > this hero is pretty cool but I’d like his POV > oh now I’m invested > this heroine is getting better > I want them to be a couple now!
Spoilers from now on!!
*
*
I think all her heroines are either doormats or oblivious. Usually it’s frustrating but in this case, with actual abuse from her boyfriend, it was harder to read than normal.
I definitely wanted to reach out and help Lissa a few times. Her family sucked and her boyfriend sucked and she had no friends to help her.
Bowie was super cute and like a ray of laid-back sunshine. I liked how he protects her and makes her happy.
I do wish their romance portion was a little longer. You could guess they had feelings, but it also could’ve read as good friends for a long while. I would’ve loved more glimpses into them as a couple.
I also loved when Lissa started standing up for herself and saying honest things to people. I wish the part with her sister and airing out their past was even more explored.
So I enjoyed it overall and the epilogue was super cute!
November 16, 2023
This is one of Bennett’s where the FMC is so beleaguered it’s a difficult read. Lissa’s father is an alcoholic, her sister is a user, and her boyfriend is abusive and controlling. Lissa herself is basically a professional doormat. Her boyfriend’s abuse is on-page and it’s hard to get through. Midway through, the abuse finally gets bad enough that Lissa starts taking steps to end the relationship, but it also felt like Bennett was retconning the relationship at that point (telling us that Lissa had reached out in the past for help leaving Boyd, that he had cheated on her in the past, etc. - there was no mention of any of this, or even hints of it, during the relationship portion of the book).
The ending was also ridiculously over-the-top and I just… didn’t like that resolution for what was clearly attempting to be a very accurate portrayal of someone coping with domestic abuse. I think some of Bennett’s books really suffer from the speed at which she produces them, and this is definitely one of those.
On the plus side, this is definitely one of Bennett's better covers.
The ending was also ridiculously over-the-top and I just… didn’t like that resolution for what was clearly attempting to be a very accurate portrayal of someone coping with domestic abuse. I think some of Bennett’s books really suffer from the speed at which she produces them, and this is definitely one of those.
On the plus side, this is definitely one of Bennett's better covers.
October 5, 2023
idk how to say this without sounding offensive but to me the FMC read like… she shouldn’t have graduated middle school much less college. like she flew beyond the limits of naivety and absentmindedness and went leaping right into straight up being pitifully clueless and stupid. like girl… how are you still alive??? is your brain ok???? her inner dialogue was a mess and it had me truly wondering if it was on purpose?? like is the FMC supposed to be this offensively dumb??
ANYWAYS i decided to skip some chapters to see if the plot picked up after the worst case of secondhand embarrassment when the FMC tried to give a wedding toast and then got assaulted by her (then) boyfriend and tried to write it off… and i guess it did. jamie bennett managed to get me hooked on these two absolute dummies AND THEN she threw in some fake relationship and the cutest “my wife” moment and i was hooked.
i guess the second half sort of redeemed that first quarter? maybe. the ending for the ex-bf was out of pocket! and the epilogue was maybe too saccharine but i didn’t expect anything different.
ANYWAYS i decided to skip some chapters to see if the plot picked up after the worst case of secondhand embarrassment when the FMC tried to give a wedding toast and then got assaulted by her (then) boyfriend and tried to write it off… and i guess it did. jamie bennett managed to get me hooked on these two absolute dummies AND THEN she threw in some fake relationship and the cutest “my wife” moment and i was hooked.
i guess the second half sort of redeemed that first quarter? maybe. the ending for the ex-bf was out of pocket! and the epilogue was maybe too saccharine but i didn’t expect anything different.
August 26, 2023
I live in northern Michigan. So the fact that I live up here makes this series pretty relatable.
I like how the female main characters usually have a hard life and it isn't always economical. This time it's a combination of an alcoholic father, an upright sister, and an abusive boyfriend. Oh, she's a cheer leader for the local football team, goes to college, and works two jobs besides the cheerleading gig.
We cheer for her and I yelled a couple of times (maybe out loud) at her reactions to certain situations.
It has a very suspenseful situation which in JB terms is a bit quirky.
I love how Lyle, the security guard is brought along through the series along with several others and it makes it fun to realize them.
WOW. I read it quickly which means I'll have to read again 😁.
I like how the female main characters usually have a hard life and it isn't always economical. This time it's a combination of an alcoholic father, an upright sister, and an abusive boyfriend. Oh, she's a cheer leader for the local football team, goes to college, and works two jobs besides the cheerleading gig.
We cheer for her and I yelled a couple of times (maybe out loud) at her reactions to certain situations.
It has a very suspenseful situation which in JB terms is a bit quirky.
I love how Lyle, the security guard is brought along through the series along with several others and it makes it fun to realize them.
WOW. I read it quickly which means I'll have to read again 😁.
August 27, 2023
I’m in my feels with this book. I fell in love with Jamie’s characters and writing style starting with Defending the Rush, and each book has been up at the same caliber. I love how Lissa is so strong, but also a little weird, lovable, funny and relatable. Bowie is a sweetheart, gentle giant, true lover but will also kick ass as needed.
The two of them together, paired with all of the obstacles they overcome make for another fantastic read from Jamie Bennett. Highly recommend!!!!!
The two of them together, paired with all of the obstacles they overcome make for another fantastic read from Jamie Bennett. Highly recommend!!!!!
September 11, 2023
solidly engrossing
Sweetest characters in traumatic situations. Kinda what this author does best.
The plot was foreshadowed thru the first half of the book even.. ok no spoilers...
The strength of her writing carries us past any objections about repetitive stereotypes.
There is, as usual, plenty of traumatic family circumstances in this book.
but who cares- I stayed up to midnight to finish it.
Sweetest characters in traumatic situations. Kinda what this author does best.
The plot was foreshadowed thru the first half of the book even.. ok no spoilers...
The strength of her writing carries us past any objections about repetitive stereotypes.
There is, as usual, plenty of traumatic family circumstances in this book.
but who cares- I stayed up to midnight to finish it.
September 18, 2023
Genuinely hated it- couldn't even finish. Sissy is a victim of life, and I just could not read another word where she takes abuse from everyone around her, and makes excuses for them, but then decides to stay away from and hurt the feelings of the only good person around. Was totally stressing me out to read. No thanks
September 25, 2023
Feel like I’m reading the same book over and over again. Female doormat who is completely oblivious to everything and happily puts up with an abusive relationship. Can’t question why she would stay with someone like that. I couldn’t stomach finishing. Is it heathy to read about similar females characters over and over? Are they the only ones deserving of a happy ending. Dnf 44%
February 24, 2024
I enjoyed The Fundamentals. I liked that Lissa understood what was happening, but that it took her some time to extract herself from the situation. I liked that Lissa’s colleagues were supportive and thought of her as a friend even though Lissa didn’t think she was. I liked Bowie’s support and kindness.
August 31, 2023
heartwarming
I loved everything about this touching story. The characters are vulnerable and believable and have a lot of chemistry. The story is well written and held my interest from start to finish.
I loved everything about this touching story. The characters are vulnerable and believable and have a lot of chemistry. The story is well written and held my interest from start to finish.
September 10, 2023
Another great story from Jamie!! Lissa and Bowie are both quiet people, with different types of strength, Lissa is in an emotionally abusive relationship and Bowie becomes her friend and strength, loved the slow burn of their relationship. A great read.
September 10, 2023
I loved this one
Never does these slow burns miss. Bowie and Lissa were everything and more. The themes are always deep but the love is always kind and strong. The one spice scene is always worth the wait. Absolutely adored this one too.
Never does these slow burns miss. Bowie and Lissa were everything and more. The themes are always deep but the love is always kind and strong. The one spice scene is always worth the wait. Absolutely adored this one too.
August 26, 2023
I always get excited when Jamie has a new book out.
October 7, 2023
I DNFed @ 15% because the FMC is a domestic violence victim and lies to cover for her abuser. Does that happen in RL? Absolutely? Do I want to spend most of the book experiencing it? No.
January 1, 2024
3.5 stars
December 10, 2024
love these big tough men
This was another great read. Excellent characters and a wonderful big football player. I love these relatable characters. And a lovely happy ending.
This was another great read. Excellent characters and a wonderful big football player. I love these relatable characters. And a lovely happy ending.
November 21, 2025
reread. another great JB book that follows a familiar and successful formula.
a naive, bighearted heroine is doing her best to please those around her, without fully grasping the seriousness of the bad situations she’s in. the H does a wonderful job of stepping in to take care of the h, positioning himself as a protective ‘friend’ because he realises the h is too in her own head to recognise her feelings as love. this makes for a super cute, heartwarming romance that puts friendship first, although its so delightfully obvious that the H always adores the h, he’s just waiting for the right time and for the h to catch on!
a naive, bighearted heroine is doing her best to please those around her, without fully grasping the seriousness of the bad situations she’s in. the H does a wonderful job of stepping in to take care of the h, positioning himself as a protective ‘friend’ because he realises the h is too in her own head to recognise her feelings as love. this makes for a super cute, heartwarming romance that puts friendship first, although its so delightfully obvious that the H always adores the h, he’s just waiting for the right time and for the h to catch on!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews