Two hearts, a decade of secrets, and the second chance they never saw coming.
Emma Potter, a bestselling author, thought she could outrun her past. But when a relentless stalker resurfaces, her carefully constructed world crumbles. Determined to protect those she loves, she's reluctant when her ex-husband demands she stay with him until the culprit is caught. Amidst danger, their unwilling reunion rekindles a love story that betrayal and divorce papers couldn't quite smother.
Kyle Justice, a pro football player, has resented Emma for years for her unexpected demand for divorce on the biggest night of his life. Their unexpected reunion triggers a wave of tension, anger, betrayal, and passion in him that proves impossible to ignore. But an unexpected threat thrusts them reluctantly together again. As they navigate treacherous waters, secrets surface, threatening to tear them apart.
Emma and Kyle are forced into a race against time, battling unseen enemies and unraveling mysteries that could shatter them. Will they choose to surrender to their past wounds or fight for a future together?
Dive into a story of love, redemption, and courage that will keep you turning pages late into the night. Read now and experience a love that's as irresistible as it is dangerous.
Ella Haines is a contemporary romance author of various mid-steam romance novels and novellas.
Her books are all standalones in an interconnected world, usually centered around sexy athletes and the empowered women who love them.
As a person who went through years of infertility treatments, she understands wholeheartedly how reading certain tropes (such as secret baby, pregnancy, etc) could be upsetting to people. Therefore, all books are standalones, though there are easter eggs scattered between them.
In addition to writing, she is a CPA and a mom to two young boys. In between potty training, naps, and tax returns, Ella finds the time to write and share her heart-heavy stories with others.
Her novels have heat, heart, and plot. They are not light and fluffy - though there are rom-comesque moments.
A typical New Englander, Ella was born and raised in New Hampshire, and much to her husband’s chagrin, hopes to spend forever there (plus the taxes are good (CPA remember :-) ))
Overall, this book was a good read. The author knows how to keep the reader engaged. So much happened in this book, and I was invested in finding out how the story was going to play out.
At first, Kyle left a bitter taste in my mouth. His hatred for Emma in the beginning seemed to be a little over the top. I understand that he was heartbroken over their divorce, but he took his hatred a little too far. A little more than halfway through the book, Kyle managed to redeem himself.
Emma made some silly decisions throughout the book. Her only good decision was when she decided to finally tell him the truth about why she left him in the first place. I understand that some people prefer to keep their lives private, or they are too prideful to show their weakness, but of all people, her husband should have been the one she could rely on the most. She made decisions for her husband that she had no right making. When you are married, and you find out something horrible, your husband should be the first person you go to. She should have given Kyle the chance to choose for himself, and throughout the story she continued to think she knew what was best for Kyle. She didn't.
After having said all that, these two decided to give their relationship a second chance. Watching the story unfold was enjoyable, and being able to almost feel the connection and chemistry between Emma and Kyle was a beautiful thing.
I would recommend this book to others, and I would happily read more from this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Although False Start is the 5th book in the Springfield Spartans series, it is a stand alone second chance romance. This book was my introduction to author Ella Haines, and the care with which she handled this story drew me into the world and helped me fall in love with Emma and Kyle as not just a couple, but as individual characters.
Emma and Kyle had been seemingly happily married until the night before he was drafted into a professional football team, when Emma inexplicably asked for a divorce. Heartbroken and furious, Kyle channeled his grief and rage into the sport, becoming a sought after player. Emma left Kyle to deal with issues she felt would be a distraction for him as a newly drafted player, secret issues that she divulged to almost no one.
Several years later Emma attends one of his games with friends who are WAGs of other players, and Kyle becomes enraged. They have an ugly public confrontation a few days later, and Kyle decides to follow Emma around to figure out what Emma’s up to. Arriving at her place, there’s been a break in and threats left for her. Kyle, while still furious with her, insists that Emma stay with him until her place can be secured and monitored.
As she and Kyle spend more time in each other’s company, old feelings spark. Meanwhile, the reason Emma left Kyle in the first place rears its ugly head.
False Start is a quick, engaging read with a protective MMC and a suspenseful subplot that’ll keep you turning pages. This is a love story that truly defines ‘second chance’ by teaching us that, with the support of loved ones, hope can be found in even the darkest of places and reminds us the importance of tackling the hurdles of life one day at a time.
I’ve enjoyed several books in this series and was excited to read about Kyle and Emma’s second chance. I’m glad I was familiar with the author’s storytelling and had read a review that indicated the book’s ending redeemed what would normally be deal breakers for me.
Emma’s reason for asking her husband for a divorce the night of the NFL draft, one of the biggest moments in his life was ridiculous and frustrating. I get she is an intensely private person, but the idea she would keep this from her husband and throw away her marriage makes no sense.
Kyle’s initial reaction to Emma is outrageous and a total turn off; however, the Ella Haines is a gifted storyteller who actually redeems him and makes him a sympathetic character. The premise and plot points of the story may have frustrated and vexed me, but it absolutely entertained and had me emotionally engaged - hence the 4 star rating despite strong issues with big parts of the story.
Yes, I would have preferred the characters acted differently, but in the big picture this is an emotionally impactful story and one that left me wanting more.
MF, Second Chance, Football, Contemporary, Romance. The fifth book in the series and while it is interconnected it is also a stand-alone read. This is a fast paced story full of twists and turns, intrigue and drama, lots of heat and angst...this is a Page-turner, filled with mostly wonderful characters and one or two scummy ones. I really enjoyed this brilliantly emotional story. Guaranteed HEA.
This was an Great Book. This book had, wonderful characters, a second chance romance. This was an Sweet Love Story. . 💓 this couple. I couldn't put this book down, until the end.. Will definitely, read more of her books.
Emma and Kyle had been seemingly happily married until the night before he was drafted into a professional football team, when Emma inexplicably asked for a divorce. Heartbroken and furious, Kyle channeled his grief and rage into the sport, becoming a sought after player. Emma left Kyle to deal with issues she felt would be a distraction for him as a newly drafted player, secret issues that she divulged to almost no one.
Several years later Emma attends one of his games with friends who are WAGs of other players, and Kyle becomes enraged. They have an ugly public confrontation a few days later, and Kyle decides to follow Emma around to figure out what Emma’s up to. Arriving at her place, there’s been a break in and threats left for her. Kyle, while still furious with her, insists that Emma stay with him until her place can be secured and monitored.
As she and Kyle spend more time in each other’s company, old feelings spark.
Meanwhile, the reason Emma left Kyle in the first place rears its ugly head.
This book at first seemed a superficial run of the mill second chance story, with a contrived event throwing them back together, but the author does a good job of avoiding making the MCs out to be too cliche.
I received an advance reader copy from the author and booksprout and I’m pleased to leave my honest review.
This is the fifth book in the Springfield Spartans series but can easily be read as a standalone. It's the first book in the series I have read and the first book I have read by Ella Haines.
While Kyle drove me a little crazy with his attitude at the beginning of the book, Ella Haines was still able to write the character in such a way that I genuinely cared about him getting his redemption and the development of his character. There were also times that I thought some of Emma's decisions were pretty bad, to put it mildly, but I was still absolutely rooting for these two to figure it out and Ella had me absolutely invested in these characters and the story. It was a great romance and definitely had the spice factor going for it. The chemistry between Emma and Kyle was absolutely off the charts and so evident, it was coming off the page whenever the two of them were together.
I absolutely recommend this book and this author! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What can I say I'm a sucker for a second chance romance ❤️ give me sports and I'm even more interested and football ugh yes please 💜 let's go and get this out to everyone!
Although False Start is the 5th book in the Springfield Spartans series, this stand alone second chance romance was my introduction to author Ella Haines. The care with which she handled this story drew me into the world and helped me fall in love with Emma and Kyles as not just a couple, but as individual characters.
False Start is a quick, engaging read with a protective MMC and a suspenseful subplot that’ll keep you turning pages. This is a love story that truly defines ‘second chance’ by teaching us that, with the support of loved ones, hope can be found in even the darkest of places and reminds us the importance of tackling the hurdles of life one day at a time.
False Start is a second chance romance with mild heat. The story is fast paced and takes place over three weeks, in a cool format. The story and plot are kind of wild and there are a bunch of turns and twists. The writing was good overall.
This is the fifth book and the first I’ve read. It was easy to read as a standalone.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wow, this was a super fast read, and it was a sweet one as well. This series is one I've read in its entirety so far—novellas included—and I've largely enjoyed each interconnected but standalone installment. Some of the stories occur concurrently, but because I read a LOT, I frequently forget details from one story to another. I'm pretty sure there are references to Kyle being preoccupied in earlier books, and I'm sure Emma has been at minimum in the book club scenes, but I couldn't specify any details.
So Emma and Kyle were high school sweethearts who married young and soon divorced at Emma's request, breaking Kyle's heart. It's pretty obvious early on that this is a second chances/left-him-for-his-own-good trope, and it isn't too long where we get more info. The two hadn't seen each other for a decade, in spite of living in the same town and Emma being friends with all his buddies' women (quite the coincidence), until they run into each other twice. Kyle is angry until he discovers she got a stalker, then he goes into uber protector mode.
The jump from thinking Emma ruined his life to them cohabitating is too quick, and it feels like the book needed more plot there. Also, Emma continues to leave Kyle in the dark, which is a little frustrating. The suspense part is possibly not even necessary; it mostly seems to serve as a reason for Emma to move in with Kyle. She's got enough on her plate that the focus didn't need the stalker, who was easy to figure out, by the way. That said, I always like a bit of woman in peril, so it didn't really bug me.
I am glad to have had the chance to read this one since the previous novel or two didn't excite me.
I received an ARC of this book for free from the author and BookSirens. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!
Get ready for the feels! Ella Haines is back with False Start, a story packed with heart, secrets, and a second chance you won't see coming. Emma Potter, a bestseller in a tight spot, faces her past when a creepy stalker shows up. Cue the ex-husband, Kyle Justice, a pro football player, demanding she shack up with him for safety. Yeah, awkward much?
Their reunion brings back a whole lot of tension, anger, and that undeniable passion that never really went away. But life throws a curveball, forcing them together again. As they navigate through unseen enemies and unravel mysteries, you'll be flipping pages like there's no tomorrow.
False Start isn't just a love story; it's a wild ride of redemption and courage. Will Emma and Kyle let the past dictate their future, or will they kick some butt and fight for love? With the Springfield Spartans making appearances, this steamy standalone is a must-read for romance junkies. Get ready to binge-read into the wee hours. #FalseStart #EllaHaines #SecondChanceLove #SteamyRomance #FootballRomance #BookBuzz #MustRead #RomanceReaders #PageTurner #LoveAndRedemption #BookRecommendation
This book was the first book I've read in this series and boy what a story it was. It's a second chance romance, with mastery, stalker and more.
It's action packed with secrets, spice, chemistry, heartache and so much more. It's an emotional rollercoaster ride that has twists and turns you don't see coming at all. It had me gripped to the edge of my seat needing to know more, will they , won't they, I couldn't put it down at all. I was hooked from the start.
The characters, storyline, plot where brilliantly written, I like the way the author created their world. I was so invested in it.
I was cheering on the pair, their chemistry is off the charts . Life forces them together, even know their was some teething problems , they never lost the love they have for each other. They go through so much, my heart broke for them.
False start is book 5 in the Springfield series, and can be read as standalones, but they are interconnected. I will definitely be going back to read the rest in the series. Highly recommend!
This sweet love story will hit you right in the heart in the best possible way. I love second chances and in this story Emma and Kyle get theirs. They quickly became two of my favorite characters. Emma is sweet, vulnerable, and whose inner strength makes her a good FMC. Kyle, while devastated by his divorce from Emma and is angry, is a protecter and the MMC Emma needs. While I won’t give any spoilers as to why Emma filed for divorce, her reasons will first make your heart hurt then warm with happiness as the story progresses.
This was such a great story, and the addition of suspense made it that much better. This is the first time reading this author and will not be the last. I am quickly adding the rest of this series to my TBR list.
It's an immediate read for me if it has to do with anything about Football (Don't judge me lol) SECONDLY I LOVED the storyline. I had to get that out of the way. But Emma is one of my favorite characters I've read in one of these books. One thing that wasnt my favorite was how she asked for a divorce. But I still continued to read because I was so intrigued on how it ended. I love the character redemption of Kyle. The character development was fantastic too. Not just for Kyle but for Em too.
Ella has amazing talent and I can't wait to read more from this author!
False Start is Book 5 in The Springfield Spartans, which is a series of interconnected standalones. I really enjoyed this read. It’s a second chance romance that will have you on the edge of your seat. I loved that there was a bit of mystery in this book. Emma broke my heart, and I really felt bad for Kyle. Will they get their HEA? You will have to read it to find out. Im excited to read more books by Ella and I cannot wait to read another book in this series!
As always be mindful of any trigger warnings what I like you may not.
A absolutely loved this book. I found myself trying to keep the tears in when learning everything Emma had and was going through. As someone who has undergone my own medical stuff I was happy to see that I could sympathize with both of them. Yet I truly understood her thinking. The suspense at the end of this book really did me in and I wanted to reach through the book and fight for her. It was a really good book and was really well written.
I really enjoyed the balance between this second-chance romance and mystery. It flowed well and kept my interest, constantly guessing what happened between Emma and Kyle and who was trying to hurt Emma. I loved that it kept me on my toes.
I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is so good and very emotional. Emma divorced Kyle and didn't tell him why. Years later they cross page and now he's trying to work through his anger to be there for her. She's still not telling him what happened, but it ask eventually comes out. I highly recommend this is book!
This story was well written, the characters and world the author created are wonderful! In this story, Emma and Kyle work toward a second chance after being divorced for years, after some new truths, a stalker and new togetherness, an HEA happens.