The Wiener Across the Way

The Cocky Kingmans #2

by Amy Award

What happens when the sunshiny pop princess and the grumpy football player discover there's more to this fake romance than inspiration for a new love song?
Kelsey Best is America's pop sweetheart and anyone who says they don't like her music is a liar and needs to be punched in the nads. And I'll do it too, because I'm the guy the NFL dubbed the 'meanest player in the league.' Great for my career on the field, not so much for my reputation off it.

So I'm shocked as hell when Kelsey's team sends my agent a wild idea – they want a showmance between us. She's looking to dodge the media frenzy after her breakup with Hollywood's latest heartthrob, and I apparently fit the bill as her perfect distraction. My agent is convinced this fake dating stunt is the key to fixing my image.

But what happens when I fall for her? The whole world is going to hate me when we fake break up. But she's going to create a blank space in my heart and I don't think I'm going to be able to shake it off.

This plus-size curvy girl romance has a burnt cinnamon roll hero with a mean protective streak and a baddie plus-size pop star who is on the verge of burn out. But a Bridgertons-meets-American-Football family you'll wish you were a part of will make sure they get their happy ever after.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Sports Romance, Sports, Fake Dating, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

418 pages, Paperback

First published January 24, 2024

About the author

Amy Award is a curvy girl who has a thing for football players, fuzzy-butt pets, and spicy romance novels. She believes that all bodies are beautiful and deserve their own love stories with Happy Ever Afters. Find her at https://www.authoramyaward.com

Reviews

[Sofia]

mmm
TAYLOR AND TRAVIS FANFIC?!?!?!?!
I SAY YES PLEASE GIVE IT TO ME

[DIVINITY🌙]

omg!! It’s a second book 😍😍

And I want someone to pick me up like this 🥹😂😭

[Anastasia ｼ · Rating 2 out of 5]

╭ ✦ •
│ ⊹ 𝙳𝙽𝙵 𝟷𝟹% ⊹
╰ ✦ •

Despite enjoying Book 1 and overlooking the cringy writing, I couldn't do the same for this one.

I TRIED SO hard, but I really couldn't.. it was so hard to read, and the FMC was beyond annoying... I just couldn't subject myself to further torture


_________________________________
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[Marcela · Rating 1 out of 5]

i liked the first book, but the similarities of this with certain celebrity couple were weird to say the least

[❀ mariana ❀ · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF ate 82%, I just couldn't finish

This romance is very cheesy indeed, but I was just not vibing with the characters and was just not enjoying the plot and the characters.

It felt very rushed and instant love, and is just not my thing.

If you enjoy really cheesy stories, I think this might be good for you, but it was not for me tho.

Still, I like that the author portrays a plus-size main female character, and she really is cute and her dog as well.

[bookgalbrock 🐝✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Weiner Across The Way

star rating: 3.95
spice rating: 2.98 🌶️🌶️


”I think I’m starting to like this game.”
“I play to win, Kelsey.”
“Is that so? Well, I might just let you catch me to see if you’re as good as you say.”

It’s giving Taylor Swift (with a Lizzo flare) and Travis Kelce, It’s giving Troy and Gabriella, It’s giving Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray (but only at the end, you know the best part)

WARNING EXTREMELY ADORABLE
Declan was the perfect, soft, warm cinnamon roll of a MMC.
I definitely fell for the Kingman Family in the last book, but this go-round Wiener The Pooh and Mz. Besties Bestie stole my heart.

”I’ve never felt this way about anyone, and I think it’s because my heart was waiting for you.”

The family dynamic, the friendships, the love and care and warmth that flows from the pages… I happily savored every single moment of this book. I didn’t want it to end.


This was more than a happy ending. It was a happy continuation. Our story wasn’t just a romance followed by millions on social media, it was a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the magic that happens when two people are brave enough to march to their own drum, write their own song. This wasn’t just a love story. It wasn’t just a love song. He was my lover and belonged with me. Everything had changed, and I knew one thing that I’d whisper on a soft tune every single one of our midnights. “You are the king of my heart.”


Dual POV
Slow Burn
Football/ Pop Star Romance

[Katie Friday · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 27%

They are both single, attractive, rich nice people. They both actually want to date each other.
You might say there’s no story here.
There’s no reason for this to be fake dating trope.
When the mmc sees the fmc for the first time walking around (fully clothed, surrounded by people, working ) and he almost comes in his pants. Wtf is that?
That’s not sexy, that’s a medical condition bro.
I enjoyed the first book. But this doesn’t work for me.

[Mauberto]

I'll drop everything to read this.
I need this to be about Declan more than I need my medication.

[Grecia Robles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es una RomCom inspirada en Taylor y Travis, no tengo pruebas pero tampoco dudas.

Kelsey es una princesa del pop y para quitarse a su ex, un actor de Hollywood de encima su equipo la hacen fingir un romance con el jugador de la NFL más gruñón y más malo de la liga.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Not sure how many times I was laughing. It's a great read. It seemed to end faster than I wanted it to, but that's ok.
I will be looking into the other books in this series.

[Lisa (Remarkablylisa) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pass on cringe Taylor and Travis fan fiction. DNF at 22%

[Anna Cook · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really REALLY wanted to enjoy this book but all I could picture was Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. I know it was 100% the entire point of the novel (with multiple song references as proof) but it felt almost like reading a fanfiction about real people. It felt unoriginal because it, quite literally, is happening in real life. Without the overt name drops (hello Big Machine Records) and spoofy plot points, I would have definitely rated this a full 5 stars. If you’re not a massive Swiftie and won’t pick up the DOZENS of clues it’s an enjoyable fluffy read. Otherwise it’s just fanfiction.

[kell. · Rating 3 out of 5]

definitely felt a little more rushed and forced than the first one, still cute and fluffy. hope that the next one lives up to the first one though!

3✨

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Delcan is our grumpy mean (only on the field) football player whose family lives breaths football, and he saves Kelsey doggie from a snake. It's a super cute meet now Kel is inviting him to her show as a thank you and it gives her camp a idea of them fake dating to get her ex off her back and some publicity for Delcan. Our boy Delcan did hide that he didn't take the deal he wanted Kelsey for real to fall for him also.

So what she thought were fake dates or fake feelings they weren't. He cared deeply for her, took her to games, had private moments with his family, and together. It was super cute and fun seeing these two build a relationship. We also get to see some posts about the media and fame. I felt so bad for Kelsey when things started to get rocky, but she had her man and her family to have her back.

No ow/om drama, no cheating, secondary characters, drama, sexy times, no virgins

Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶


Slowinsta
Pinning
Praise kink
Masturbation
Fatphobia
Safe sex
Fake dating
Hea
Epilogue

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is basically Traylor fanfic lol

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧:
- football player + popstar
- grumpy x sunshine
- fake fating
- only one bed
- he falls first

[Ms reads a lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was this Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce fan fic? Yes.
Was it adorable nonetheless? Yes!
Did I love it? YESSSS!

Kelsey Best is an international superstar singer. She’s got her own group of loyal fans who call themselves the “besties” (because her last name is “Best”…. A sure nod to swifties). Declan Kingsman is a pro football player, who has pro football player brother (just like Travis and Jason Kelce).

Kelsey and Declan meet when he rescues Kelsey’s dog, Wiener The Pooh, from a rattle snake. It’s love at first sight for Declan but Kelsey, who has been burned in previous relationships, is cautious. Kelsey’s team decides that it would be good for her image if she fake dates Declan. Little does she know, Declan has no plans of it being fake and instead wants to use the opportunity to woo Kelsey. They start fake dating and sparks fly and cuteness ensues.

There’s a lot of similarities between Kelsey and T Swift, and while I am not a swifty by any means, I still enjoyed this! It’s cute, funny, charming and romantic. I highly recommend the audio, because Jacob Morgan can do no wrong.

[Steph (semi-hiatus) · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce inspired. Fine, I can handle that. The author didn't even try to make things different. I am admittedly an OG Swiftie. I was 19 when she debuted and I've followed her career since. Even so, I don't want to read books that have her as an MC just plus size and with a different name. That's weird.

As for making things different. Even someone who hasn't followed her career would be able to tell Kelsey Best is Taylor Swift. Her fan base are called Besties. They exchange Bestie Bracelets at concerts. Her label is Big Marine, her manager is Skeeter, she bought her masters, her dad is a big fan of her new boyfriend's rival team, she loves Christmas, and on, and on.

I rolled my eyes every few pages. This was just corny and read like fan fiction (derogatorily). I don't usually mind that but this was OTT corny. This isn't the author for me.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wiener Across The Way is giving major Taylor and Travis vibes, and I was absolutely obsessed. Kelsey and her grumpy, tough-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside football player, Declan, make for the perfect fake-dating duo, with tension, banter, and just the right amount of real feelings sneaking in. Their chemistry is off the charts, but what really got me was how much heart this story has—Kelsey’s burnout, his need to protect her, and their slow, *oh no, this might actually be real* realization had me kicking my feet. If you love a grumpy-sunshine romance with a swoon-worthy, secretly soft hero and a pop star heroine who deserves the world, this is the book for you!

Overall: 3.5 stars (rounded up)

[Ally Griffeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I mean this in the nicest way I possibly can...
The bookish community and their obsession with a certain popstar (and her SO) is so odd to me.
like I don't dislike her... I even like some of her songs but lordy this shit is getting out of hand.

signed, someone who just wants to read ONE book without a Tay Tay reference.

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf at 15%.
I'm not a lover of fanfic in general, so I'm not surprised I dnf'd it. If it took away all of the TS references, it might have been OK.
The author is blatantly using Taylor's popularity for her own gain, and it gave me the ick.

[sonja ✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this is not the best written book and series I’ve ever read, it is somehow getting me out of my reading slump that I’ve been in for months! ⭐️

On to the next one!

[Riley]

I had to read it, it had wiener in the title!!

[Jess ♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was boring, I just listened to it because I like Jacob Morgan 😂

[Taylor Fearn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Teresa West · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m more embarrassed that I read this than you are seeing that I read it. Sometimes curiosity gets the best of you.

*this is the one and only essay review I will ever leave. Read at your own risk*

Without even getting into how poor the writing was, I will leave you with hearing a grown, straight, NFL man utter the words “goo goo ga ga face” and “bratty mc bratterson” sent me into ORBIT.

Now, you CANNOT write a fmc based off taylor swift and then have taylor swift actually exist in the same world as a pop star. Especially if you’re going to plagiarize her literal career/life. Might I provide you with some examples…

• skeeter and big marine records
• moves around stadiums hidden in a cleaning supply cart
• attempts to buy back her masters after being backstabbed by big marine records 🙄
• awful ex-bf’s name is Jake
• fans exchange “bestie bracelets” at her concerts

spicy author Morgan Elizabeth has some competition

[oscar⭒ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very cute and fluffy read! This is a lovable grumpy x sunshine, where our main character is a prickly football player, Declan, who falls in love with an adorable pop star, Kelsey. Kelsey is a very realistic and well-written character, she's a strong, empathic, sensitive and amiable character! Definitely the perfect comfort read, which managed to give me relaxing and pleasant moments during this period when I was very stressed! It manages to keep you company and detach you from your thoughts, making you have a good time reading.
The writing style was easy and engaging, it makes you smile throughout the reading. I loved all the pop culture references, especially the similarities and references to Taylor Swift. Absolutely recommended!
3.75⭐

[Cheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the fact that Amy is writing curvy FMC's. I think we need that more in (romance) books. The first book in the series got 3 stars but I liked this one better. The story of Kelsey and Declan made me think of Taylor Swift and I think I'm not the only one, but after a bit it faded. I'm just a sucker for a fake dating trope, 4 stars for me!

[Katie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

I absolutely screamed my head off when I saw the email come through for this arc, I absolutely adored the c*ck down the block and I know Amy was going to pull out all the stops for Declan and Kelsey’s and let me tell you she did not disappoint 👏🏼

As a swifty this story definitely warmed my heart a lot, as it reminded me of Taylor and Travis🥺

This book if you aren’t already aware follows Declan Kingman and pop star sensation Kelsey Best. Our two main characters initially meet when Declan saves Kelsey’s dog Wiener the Pooh from a rattle snake👀 Now Declan has always had a little crush on the pop star but meeting her in person?? Our poor Declan didn’t start a chance he fell even harder🥺

Kelsey’s agent Penelope comes up with a plan for Declan and Kelsey to fake date, which is honestly genius.. and this is where our budding romance comes into full effect. On a side note I also loved Penelope’s character and how she was not just an agent to Kelsey but she was her support system. Now initially Declan rejected the proposal as he didn’t want anything to be fake between them, so Kelsey was totally unaware that Declan was constantly putting his heart on the line, because in her eyes she believed he just agreed to the fake dating contract, but everything that did happen was so very real😭.

Declan is a protective golden retriever when it comes to Kelsey. He just wants her happiness and he made me swoon A LOT through out this book! And when it comes to Declan in the bedroom, I only have one word and that is DAMN😮‍💨

I adored Kelsey, she was a very likeable character that I clicked with very easily👏🏼

A special mention to Wiener the Pooh, who was just as unpredictable and hilarious as Luke Skycocker😂 I absolutely loved her!! 🫶🏼

I cannot wait to read more about the Kingman family, hopefully in the near future✨

Tropes:
- Football Player x Pop Star
- He fell first and hard
- Protective Golden Retriever MMC
- Curvy FMC

I am grateful to the author for providing this e-arc for my honest thoughts💭

[Tessa B · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just really can’t get behind this characters… they kiss without cameras or anyone noticing and she thinks it’s for show… how would that be helping anyone…
I could smell the plot from a mile, it’s a Taylor swift fanfic a really poorly written at that.
The writing is really not for me, the Humor isn’t humoring lots of whole pages could have been told in one sentence.
His younger brothers and his little sister were funny tho

[kory. · Rating 5 out of 5]

#1 the c*ck down the block ★★☆☆☆
#2 the wiener across the way ★★★★★

one) if you’re gonna have your mmc tell the fmc that he’d let her peg him, for the love of god let her peg him!!!!

two) if the world can handle several books turned into movies inspired by harry styles, then the world can handle taylor swift romances

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

while the sexual thoughts in this book are just as eye roll inducing as the first book, and like the first book, they’re more concentrated in the beginning of the book, this time there’s a lot less of them overall and they don’t only come from the mmc. so it didn’t ruin my reading experience. plus, the rest of the book is just really cute. i found myself smiling more often than not, and sometimes just, you know, giggling twirling my hair kicking my feet. it’s a cute book. it’s silly and just a good time. and there’s no third act breakup!!! there’s no big angst or miscommunication or anything like that. they just get to spend time together, date, and be in love without internal or external issues tearing them apart. the conflicts of these books have nothing to do with romance and that just feels so fucking good to read.

they’re a super sweet, adorable, supportive couple, and something about them just clicked with me in a way the first book’s couple didn’t. maybe it’s the fact that it’s grumpy/sunshine and fake dating, but without the friends to lovers trope of the first book. they have a sweet meet cute, with him rescuing her dog from a rattlesnake and her giving him tickets to her concert in thanks. fake dating is probably my top favorite trope, and the way this author does it?? immaculate!! the way they just...talk and say they want to be together for real and then just...be together for real, no muss no fuss?? ugh i love it. the side characters are lovely and supportive, too. all of the characters are just complete and total ride or die for each other, it’s delightful. the dog is adorable and stole the show every time (luke skycocker riding on her back?? amazing). i love that these men adopt the women’s pets and are lowkey as obsessed with them as the women. the fat rep is really great to see. i didn’t mention it in my review of the first book, but i love that the fmc isn’t the only fat character. like the mmc of the first book said about his life, being fat in these books is the norm, not the exception. the mmc is also fat and pretty much all the important women side characters are fat, too.

i’m just jazzed because this is the book in this series that i really wanted to read. i’m not immune to the interest in celebrity couples and i’ve seen the photos and videos of taylor and travis and yeah, they’re cute as hell. so this book scratched the right itch at the right time. and there’s enough differences between the characters and who inspired them that it doesn’t give the ick of real person fanfic. i’m just really glad this one went better than the first. i guess it’s a good thing the first one was a miss for me, because i went into this one with my expectations way down and i was so pleasantly surprised.

but still, like my review of the first book, i saved a couple over the top sexual comments for your viewing pleasure: “i put my hand on the small of her back to guide her away. the absolute electric zing from that simple touch went straight to my dick. jesus, mary, and joseph. i had to use every thought of losing football games, the queen of england, and the effects of global warming on poor polar bears just so i didn’t come in my pants like a thirteen-year-old boy.” and “not to mention that ass had me on fucking fire. every time she shook it in one of her dance moves, i just about came in my goddamned pants. i had to think of stats from boring-ass baseball and count the beads of the bestie bracelet jules had put on me just to keep my penis from poking right the hell out of the front of my jeans.”

notes: the author says these books are just fluff, so i wish they actually did lean more into the fluff than the raunch. the sex scenes are pretty much always entirely focused on the fmc (i prefer balanced sex scenes). the author attributes “that’s why her hair is so big. it’s full of secrets” to “gretchen wiener” when actually, damian says it about gretchen, and her last name is wieners, not wiener. and i’m sorry but saying fat people can’t skinny dip because they aren’t skinny therefore they chunky dunk and the fmc writing a song/naming an album that?? please skull emoji lastly, the fmc is a fictional taylor swift (as opposed to just being a popstar on taylor’s level or whatever) but taylor swift exists in the book, too, so the math isn’t mathing on that one.

content/trigger warnings; explicit sexual content, sexual objectification, fatphobia, body shaming, bullying, misogyny, internalized misogyny, exhaustion, dehydration, hospital scenes, past emotionally abusive relationship discussed, lovebombing mentioned, gaslighting mentioned, gendered slurs, grief, past loss of parent discussed,

rep; kelsey (mc) is fat. declan (mc) is fat. (reviews tend to only mention her, but it’s mentioned a lot that he’s a big dude, he says he doesn’t have the body of an underwear model and isn’t and has never been skinny.)