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The Red Zone Rivals Series Box Set
Four college football romance novels in one epic box The Red Zone Rivals series is spicy, fun, and addictive -- available for a limited time.Fair Catch
As if things aren’t already tough enough as the only girl on a college football team, Coach had to go and assign Zeke Collins as my roommate.
Blind Side (an Amazon Top 30 Bestseller)
The hottest college football safety in the nation just asked me to be his fake girlfriend.
And I just asked him to take my virginity.
Quarterback Sneak (an Amazon Top 10 Bestseller)
Quarterback Holden Moore can have any girl he wants.
Except the coach’s daughter.
Hail Mary (a #1 Amazon Kindle Store Bestseller)
Leo F*cking Hernandez.North Boston University’s star running back, notorious bachelor, and number one on my people I would murder if I could get away with it list.
And now?
He’s my new roommate.
As if things aren’t already tough enough as the only girl on a college football team, Coach had to go and assign Zeke Collins as my roommate.
Blind Side (an Amazon Top 30 Bestseller)
The hottest college football safety in the nation just asked me to be his fake girlfriend.
And I just asked him to take my virginity.
Quarterback Sneak (an Amazon Top 10 Bestseller)
Quarterback Holden Moore can have any girl he wants.
Except the coach’s daughter.
Hail Mary (a #1 Amazon Kindle Store Bestseller)
Leo F*cking Hernandez.North Boston University’s star running back, notorious bachelor, and number one on my people I would murder if I could get away with it list.
And now?
He’s my new roommate.
1359 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 23, 2024
76 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Kandi Steiner
79 books14.8k followersKandi Steiner is a USA Today and #1 Amazon Bestselling Author living in Tennessee. Best known for writing “emotional rollercoaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal.
An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. Her love for writing started at the ripe age of 10, and in 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.”
She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a hopeless romantic and found herself bursting at the seams with love stories she was eager to tell.
When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, planning her next adventure, or pole dancing (yes, you read that right). She enjoys live music, traveling, hiking, yoga, spending quality time with her family (fur babies included) and soaking up the sweetness of life.
CONNECT WITH KANDI:
➜ NEWSLETTER: kandisteiner.com/newsletter
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/kandisteiner
➜ FACEBOOK READER GROUP (Kandiland): facebook.com/groups/kandilandks
➜ INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/kandisteiner
➜ TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@authorkandisteiner
➜ PINTEREST: pinterest.com/authorkandisteiner
➜ WEBSITE: www.kandisteiner.com
Kandi Steiner may be coming to a city near you! Check out her “events” tab to see all the signings she’s attending in the near future:
➜ www.kandisteiner.com/events
An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. Her love for writing started at the ripe age of 10, and in 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.”
She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a hopeless romantic and found herself bursting at the seams with love stories she was eager to tell.
When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, planning her next adventure, or pole dancing (yes, you read that right). She enjoys live music, traveling, hiking, yoga, spending quality time with her family (fur babies included) and soaking up the sweetness of life.
CONNECT WITH KANDI:
➜ NEWSLETTER: kandisteiner.com/newsletter
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/kandisteiner
➜ FACEBOOK READER GROUP (Kandiland): facebook.com/groups/kandilandks
➜ INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/kandisteiner
➜ TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@authorkandisteiner
➜ PINTEREST: pinterest.com/authorkandisteiner
➜ WEBSITE: www.kandisteiner.com
Kandi Steiner may be coming to a city near you! Check out her “events” tab to see all the signings she’s attending in the near future:
➜ www.kandisteiner.com/events
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 24, 2024
This series is Kandi at her best, and also has two of my all time favorite books ever. I'm madly in love with the whole world, all of the characters, and every single word. From the first book to the last, this series delivers on heart, heat, true emotional, and unforgettable chemistry.
Overall Ratings
Fair Catch: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Blindside: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+
Quarterback Sneak:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hail Mary: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My favorite of the batch is Blind Side- which is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE books. My full review:
I am so in love with the Blind Side! Kandi Steiner delivers her sexiest, most DELICIOUS story to date, but still with her characteristic heartfelt charm and soulful chemistry. It's angsty, it's emotionally resonant, it's adorable, and it's so darn sexy! Hands down a favorite Kandi read!
Talk about my trope catnip- nerdy virgin girl-popular guy, fake dating, sexy “tutoring, “ friends to lovers. But oh man, this story is so much more than trope. Kandi Steiner always writes romantic relationships that have such sincerity, such authenticity. With characters so uniquely realized- memorable and lovable, relatable and empowering. And the Blindside is brimming with Kandi charisma- characters you adore, a story with emotional teeth, one so heartfelt and swoony that you can’t help but feel lighter and happier.
Gianna, my goodness- hands down my favorite Kandi heroine to date. She’s so endearing and relatable, with her big giant heart. Her strength is her vulnerability, her compassion, her gentleness. But she’s also fierce- she loves hard, accepts openly, and feels deeply. But like so many of us, Gianna sometimes feel like a secondary character in her own life- sidelined and isolated in her world with only her dreams and romances and sweet kind soul to sustain her. And my, haven’t we all felt that way? Feeling contentledy invisible, feeling just average, feeling like you’re forever a supporting character in a world full of more vibrant, more interesting, more gifted people than you. My heart ached with familiarity, but like so many of us, Gianna doesn’t see just how brightly she shines. She’s committed and loving, authentic and charming, moderately insecure within her own quirkiness but also ready to embrace it. I was so deeply charmed by her, and I loved seeing her friendship and “fake” situation with Clay help her find more confidence, helped her demand to be the star of her own story. She found her soulmate, and in doing so, she found more of herself. And the courage to start to accept that she’s truly a treasure.
CLAY. OH MY HEART AND SOUL AND PANTIES. CLAY IS EVERYTHING. My favorite Kandi bookboyfried EVER. I said what I said. He’s a good guy- too much so. A guy that has sacrificed his own happiness and needs for so long to make those around him happy. It it takes a pint-sized little sexy librarian-like PR intern to wake him up. To help him realize that his gift is that he loves so hard, loves so intensely, but that he’s lost himself in the way he loves others. And that he doesn't’ have to. She sees him in a way that no one else has, and helps him see what kind of love he deserves. He just has to have the courage to expect it- and to give it in return.
The chemistry- HOLY SMOKES the chemistry. Pure perfection. These two start out as awkward allies, then evolve into meaningful and compassionate friends, and then find their way into so much more. And Kandi creates each note, each dynamic of their progression with pitch perfect precision. Not only are they INCREDIBLY sexy- I kid no you not, Kandi set my kindle on fire with her steamiest book yet, and HOLY DIRTY TALKING CLAY AND ALL HIS BOOK BOYFRIEND RESEARCH!- but they also touch the heart. Because they slowly start to see and understand each other in really powerful and captivating ways, they help each other heal and accept parts of themselves, but they also help each other see their own worth, their own needs. Giana may be the virgin, but they are both experience first- they are both learning for the first time what real, healthy, and fulfilling partnership can be. They’re learning the true potential of LOVE with a soulmate. Fake dating to friends to lovers to one of the most emotionally fulfilling, beautifully rendered, mesmerizing connections Kandi has written. They are truly soul mates, the perfect match, with a love so rich and authentic and adorable that my heart swelled with joy for them.
We have a bit of a blindside (see what I did there?) twist at the end- not my favorite plot convention, but i appreciated how the characters’ reactions were outside of the box, and gave a create chance for the ensemble to shine. But the real blindside is how something so fake turns into the most authentic thing these two have ever experienced - the love they both finally deserve. And I can not stop smiling.
Overall Ratings
Fair Catch: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Blindside: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+
Quarterback Sneak:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hail Mary: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My favorite of the batch is Blind Side- which is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE books. My full review:
I am so in love with the Blind Side! Kandi Steiner delivers her sexiest, most DELICIOUS story to date, but still with her characteristic heartfelt charm and soulful chemistry. It's angsty, it's emotionally resonant, it's adorable, and it's so darn sexy! Hands down a favorite Kandi read!
Talk about my trope catnip- nerdy virgin girl-popular guy, fake dating, sexy “tutoring, “ friends to lovers. But oh man, this story is so much more than trope. Kandi Steiner always writes romantic relationships that have such sincerity, such authenticity. With characters so uniquely realized- memorable and lovable, relatable and empowering. And the Blindside is brimming with Kandi charisma- characters you adore, a story with emotional teeth, one so heartfelt and swoony that you can’t help but feel lighter and happier.
Gianna, my goodness- hands down my favorite Kandi heroine to date. She’s so endearing and relatable, with her big giant heart. Her strength is her vulnerability, her compassion, her gentleness. But she’s also fierce- she loves hard, accepts openly, and feels deeply. But like so many of us, Gianna sometimes feel like a secondary character in her own life- sidelined and isolated in her world with only her dreams and romances and sweet kind soul to sustain her. And my, haven’t we all felt that way? Feeling contentledy invisible, feeling just average, feeling like you’re forever a supporting character in a world full of more vibrant, more interesting, more gifted people than you. My heart ached with familiarity, but like so many of us, Gianna doesn’t see just how brightly she shines. She’s committed and loving, authentic and charming, moderately insecure within her own quirkiness but also ready to embrace it. I was so deeply charmed by her, and I loved seeing her friendship and “fake” situation with Clay help her find more confidence, helped her demand to be the star of her own story. She found her soulmate, and in doing so, she found more of herself. And the courage to start to accept that she’s truly a treasure.
CLAY. OH MY HEART AND SOUL AND PANTIES. CLAY IS EVERYTHING. My favorite Kandi bookboyfried EVER. I said what I said. He’s a good guy- too much so. A guy that has sacrificed his own happiness and needs for so long to make those around him happy. It it takes a pint-sized little sexy librarian-like PR intern to wake him up. To help him realize that his gift is that he loves so hard, loves so intensely, but that he’s lost himself in the way he loves others. And that he doesn't’ have to. She sees him in a way that no one else has, and helps him see what kind of love he deserves. He just has to have the courage to expect it- and to give it in return.
The chemistry- HOLY SMOKES the chemistry. Pure perfection. These two start out as awkward allies, then evolve into meaningful and compassionate friends, and then find their way into so much more. And Kandi creates each note, each dynamic of their progression with pitch perfect precision. Not only are they INCREDIBLY sexy- I kid no you not, Kandi set my kindle on fire with her steamiest book yet, and HOLY DIRTY TALKING CLAY AND ALL HIS BOOK BOYFRIEND RESEARCH!- but they also touch the heart. Because they slowly start to see and understand each other in really powerful and captivating ways, they help each other heal and accept parts of themselves, but they also help each other see their own worth, their own needs. Giana may be the virgin, but they are both experience first- they are both learning for the first time what real, healthy, and fulfilling partnership can be. They’re learning the true potential of LOVE with a soulmate. Fake dating to friends to lovers to one of the most emotionally fulfilling, beautifully rendered, mesmerizing connections Kandi has written. They are truly soul mates, the perfect match, with a love so rich and authentic and adorable that my heart swelled with joy for them.
We have a bit of a blindside (see what I did there?) twist at the end- not my favorite plot convention, but i appreciated how the characters’ reactions were outside of the box, and gave a create chance for the ensemble to shine. But the real blindside is how something so fake turns into the most authentic thing these two have ever experienced - the love they both finally deserve. And I can not stop smiling.
February 14, 2025
Kandi Steiner has made me fall in love with football, college romances. Neither of these tropes have been on the top of my list but listening to
The Red Zone Rivals
on audible has been nothing short of amazing.
Zeke, Clay, Holden, and Leo all hold a special place in my heart and the girls who have stolen theirs are just as amazing. Each of these girls are turning into powerful women who know where they are going in this world, and that is so empowering to listen to. They aren’t shriveling wallflowers waiting to be spotted in a crowd. No! They are all working towards their life goals with a powerful advocate by their side. An advocate who cares that they succeed on their own and don’t just become a pretty piece of arm candy.
I would have to say that each audio book and story became better than the last. My favorite is Hail Mary and the rest just fall in line after that. Holden and Julip taking 2nd, Clay and Giana taking third, and then Zeke and Riley rounding out the series. Each couple had their own special qualities that could draw the reader in, but my taste prefers older characters; seniors or sophomores instead of freshmen or juniors.
My heart was broken by the tragedies that both Julip and Holden experienced. Quarterback Sneak was so well written by author Kandi Steiner. Many readers, myself included, would have found these scenes relatable due to our own tragic losses. Kandi was so sensitive to the possible triggers that many readers may have experienced, and she wrote numerous passages and quotes that drilled into my soul as a healing power, just as they were meant to help heal both Holden and Julip. After losing my own sister at a young age, I struggled with what to do with myself and how to remember or honor her memory. Both Holden and Julip gave me some eye-opening examples of how to do this. The narrators fit the bill as well and really made the story compelling. They both did am amazing job with all of the voices they portrayed.
Hail Mary featured some textbook teenage struggles. Very few people get through high school unscathed, which would really trigger the reader to relate to both Leo and Mary. So many kids fight to stay “in the cool club,” or basically stay afloat in that coming of age period of life. Leo felt he had an image to uphold and was too young to realize how to but those things behind him and just be himself. Mary struggled with her appearance and acceptance by her mother and others. When she finally got the courage to out herself to Leo and it didn’t go as planned, it was devasting to her young mind. This is definitely something many young adults experience and I really enjoyed seeing this story through both POVs. Sometimes we assume too much instead of taking time to listen and give people the time and chance they need to open up. Another reason I think that I was so invested in Leo and Mary was that fact that we had met these characters in previous books of this series. They both appeared frequently in Quarterback Sneak and their dynamic was intriguing. I was excited to see why Mary detested Leo so much. When considering the narration, it was done quite well and I was pleased with all of the voices. I think I struggled a little matching the voice with who I pictured Leo to be. For some reason that voice didn’t match up to me, but it did not minimize my enjoyment of their story.
I enjoyed Clay and Giana’s story in Blindside, but I’m no longer a fan of the “overused” trope of fake dating. I did like how they navigated those waters and came to the realization of their true feelings, it just wasn’t one of my favorites from Kandi. That does not mean it won’t be yours. It is definitely worth the read. I also found the audio recording to be somewhat lacking. Many words were skipped over during transitions from different POVs or chapters, and I found that to be quite annoying.
I didn’t listen to Fair Catch, but I did read it. When I read it, Kandi Steiner was a one-click author for me, but I was not yet very interested in college football, so perhaps my rating is biased. I love her writing but I found it hard to get on board with a female kicker in college ball. To be honest, I wouldn’t even know if that is even a thing in reality, but that is what threw me off this couple. I’m sure anyone who does already love college football, will also love every one of these stories.
I’m thoroughly convinced that no matter what route Kandi Steiner chooses to go with her stories, I’m going to be a lifelong fan.
Zeke, Clay, Holden, and Leo all hold a special place in my heart and the girls who have stolen theirs are just as amazing. Each of these girls are turning into powerful women who know where they are going in this world, and that is so empowering to listen to. They aren’t shriveling wallflowers waiting to be spotted in a crowd. No! They are all working towards their life goals with a powerful advocate by their side. An advocate who cares that they succeed on their own and don’t just become a pretty piece of arm candy.
I would have to say that each audio book and story became better than the last. My favorite is Hail Mary and the rest just fall in line after that. Holden and Julip taking 2nd, Clay and Giana taking third, and then Zeke and Riley rounding out the series. Each couple had their own special qualities that could draw the reader in, but my taste prefers older characters; seniors or sophomores instead of freshmen or juniors.
My heart was broken by the tragedies that both Julip and Holden experienced. Quarterback Sneak was so well written by author Kandi Steiner. Many readers, myself included, would have found these scenes relatable due to our own tragic losses. Kandi was so sensitive to the possible triggers that many readers may have experienced, and she wrote numerous passages and quotes that drilled into my soul as a healing power, just as they were meant to help heal both Holden and Julip. After losing my own sister at a young age, I struggled with what to do with myself and how to remember or honor her memory. Both Holden and Julip gave me some eye-opening examples of how to do this. The narrators fit the bill as well and really made the story compelling. They both did am amazing job with all of the voices they portrayed.
Hail Mary featured some textbook teenage struggles. Very few people get through high school unscathed, which would really trigger the reader to relate to both Leo and Mary. So many kids fight to stay “in the cool club,” or basically stay afloat in that coming of age period of life. Leo felt he had an image to uphold and was too young to realize how to but those things behind him and just be himself. Mary struggled with her appearance and acceptance by her mother and others. When she finally got the courage to out herself to Leo and it didn’t go as planned, it was devasting to her young mind. This is definitely something many young adults experience and I really enjoyed seeing this story through both POVs. Sometimes we assume too much instead of taking time to listen and give people the time and chance they need to open up. Another reason I think that I was so invested in Leo and Mary was that fact that we had met these characters in previous books of this series. They both appeared frequently in Quarterback Sneak and their dynamic was intriguing. I was excited to see why Mary detested Leo so much. When considering the narration, it was done quite well and I was pleased with all of the voices. I think I struggled a little matching the voice with who I pictured Leo to be. For some reason that voice didn’t match up to me, but it did not minimize my enjoyment of their story.
I enjoyed Clay and Giana’s story in Blindside, but I’m no longer a fan of the “overused” trope of fake dating. I did like how they navigated those waters and came to the realization of their true feelings, it just wasn’t one of my favorites from Kandi. That does not mean it won’t be yours. It is definitely worth the read. I also found the audio recording to be somewhat lacking. Many words were skipped over during transitions from different POVs or chapters, and I found that to be quite annoying.
I didn’t listen to Fair Catch, but I did read it. When I read it, Kandi Steiner was a one-click author for me, but I was not yet very interested in college football, so perhaps my rating is biased. I love her writing but I found it hard to get on board with a female kicker in college ball. To be honest, I wouldn’t even know if that is even a thing in reality, but that is what threw me off this couple. I’m sure anyone who does already love college football, will also love every one of these stories.
I’m thoroughly convinced that no matter what route Kandi Steiner chooses to go with her stories, I’m going to be a lifelong fan.
May 28, 2024
I was so excited when the 𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝒁𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝑹𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝑩𝒐𝒙 𝑺𝒆𝒕 by Kandi Steiner came out on Audible!! It has been a blast to experience an entire series and all its players this way!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 is the first book in the Red Zone Rivals series by Kandi Steiner, featuring an entertaining friends to enemies to lovers/ brother’s best friend football romance for Riley and Zeke. I loved their chemistry, banter, and the team dynamics. Having a strong woman join the football team was such a fun premise! I’ll admit that the third act break up was not my favorite, but it worked out great in the end! I have to say that I 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 Riley’s brother Gavin, and I hope we see more of him in the future!! This portion of the Box Set was narrated by Hannah Chiclana and Chris Williams, both of whom did a great job bringing all the characters to life, and setting up the world building for the rest of the series to come. —★★★★
𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 is the 2nd book in the Red Zone Rivals series by Kandi Steiner, featuring a steamy fake dating romance for Clay and Giana. I enjoyed this take on a common trope, especially as the angst and emotions amped up. Although the twist in the third act kind of just ticked me off, if I’m honest. I’m not a fan of unilateral decisions.😅 I loved the team dynamics again in this book, and the friendships and, yes more glimpses of Riley and Zeke. The audio of this book was narrated by Edward Black and Miranda Dyer, and they were both fantastic at juggling all the voices and situations!! —★★★★
𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐤 is the 3rd book in the Red Zone Rivals series by Kandi Steiner, featuring a forbidden love/ Coach’s daughter sports romance for Holden and Julep. He’s the injured QB1 with NFL dreams, and she’s on his rehab team and his Coach’s daughter. Touching her could end his career, but he can’t seem to stay away. They both understand loss like no one else they know. I loved the emotion behind their connection, the Will-They-or-Won’t-They tension, the spicy chemistry when they finally start giving in, and the drama around the secrecy. It was kind of fun throwing darts at her dad in my mind!😂 The football action and team camaraderie was great, and Holden was able to pull off a pretty cool grand gesture. The audio of this book was narrated by Edward Black and Amy L. Levin, and they both did a wonderful job conveying the personalities and emotions. I’m super curious about Mary and Leo, so I’m glad I get to jump right into their story! —★★★★
𝐇𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲 is the 4th book in the Red Zone Rivals series by Kandi Steiner, featuring second chance sports romance for Leo and Mary. This one hit a little close to home for me. I could identify with Mary in some ways. I enjoyed the progression of their relationship, but I do wish she would have had an honest conversation with him much sooner. It was obvious that he was not the guy she was judging him to be. He was a total cinnamon roll hero, and I loved him!! However when they finally gave in to their attraction, he really cranked up the HEAT!!🔥 I love every moment with the the teammates and friends, and the emotional scenes were good, too. The epilogue was a great touch, and I’m glad to know that there is another story coming soon! The audio of this book was narrated by Megan Wicks and Gabriel Marquez, and they both did a fantastic job acting out the various characters and scenarios. —★★★★
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 is the first book in the Red Zone Rivals series by Kandi Steiner, featuring an entertaining friends to enemies to lovers/ brother’s best friend football romance for Riley and Zeke. I loved their chemistry, banter, and the team dynamics. Having a strong woman join the football team was such a fun premise! I’ll admit that the third act break up was not my favorite, but it worked out great in the end! I have to say that I 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 Riley’s brother Gavin, and I hope we see more of him in the future!! This portion of the Box Set was narrated by Hannah Chiclana and Chris Williams, both of whom did a great job bringing all the characters to life, and setting up the world building for the rest of the series to come. —★★★★
𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 is the 2nd book in the Red Zone Rivals series by Kandi Steiner, featuring a steamy fake dating romance for Clay and Giana. I enjoyed this take on a common trope, especially as the angst and emotions amped up. Although the twist in the third act kind of just ticked me off, if I’m honest. I’m not a fan of unilateral decisions.😅 I loved the team dynamics again in this book, and the friendships and, yes more glimpses of Riley and Zeke. The audio of this book was narrated by Edward Black and Miranda Dyer, and they were both fantastic at juggling all the voices and situations!! —★★★★
𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐤 is the 3rd book in the Red Zone Rivals series by Kandi Steiner, featuring a forbidden love/ Coach’s daughter sports romance for Holden and Julep. He’s the injured QB1 with NFL dreams, and she’s on his rehab team and his Coach’s daughter. Touching her could end his career, but he can’t seem to stay away. They both understand loss like no one else they know. I loved the emotion behind their connection, the Will-They-or-Won’t-They tension, the spicy chemistry when they finally start giving in, and the drama around the secrecy. It was kind of fun throwing darts at her dad in my mind!😂 The football action and team camaraderie was great, and Holden was able to pull off a pretty cool grand gesture. The audio of this book was narrated by Edward Black and Amy L. Levin, and they both did a wonderful job conveying the personalities and emotions. I’m super curious about Mary and Leo, so I’m glad I get to jump right into their story! —★★★★
𝐇𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲 is the 4th book in the Red Zone Rivals series by Kandi Steiner, featuring second chance sports romance for Leo and Mary. This one hit a little close to home for me. I could identify with Mary in some ways. I enjoyed the progression of their relationship, but I do wish she would have had an honest conversation with him much sooner. It was obvious that he was not the guy she was judging him to be. He was a total cinnamon roll hero, and I loved him!! However when they finally gave in to their attraction, he really cranked up the HEAT!!🔥 I love every moment with the the teammates and friends, and the emotional scenes were good, too. The epilogue was a great touch, and I’m glad to know that there is another story coming soon! The audio of this book was narrated by Megan Wicks and Gabriel Marquez, and they both did a fantastic job acting out the various characters and scenarios. —★★★★
March 4, 2024
I loved all four of these books, and now you can get them all in one box set!
Fair Catch: An original spin on a common trope. This story hit me with all the feels right from the start and it was an emotional read at times. I found myself laughing and crying both with this book...so many ups and downs. I admired Riley's strength, and my heart broke for Zeke. I loved the world that the author created, and there are so many other characters that I would like to see more of, especially Riley's brother.
Blind Side: I almost stopped reading this book. I hit a certain part in this story, and I was just like NO. No. No. No. WHY?!! I didn't want to see these characters that I'd fallen in love with continue on the path that they were headed, and I didn't want to torture myself by watching it unfold. But...I couldn't walk away. So, I kept going. I am so very happy that I did.
Now, I've read more than my fair share of fake dating romances, because let's face it...it's a popular trope right now. And yet, Kandi Steiner has taken this all too common story line and turned it into something angsty and yet refreshing with characters that I loved and a world that I wanted to be a part of.
Quarterback Sneak: This is a forbidden sports romance with a good mix of steam and emotion. Since this is a forbidden football player/coach's daughter romance, there is obviously a lot of tension and secret hook-ups in this story, but it has a lot more going for it than just that. There are some emotional moments laced throughout this story as these two finally break down their walls and begin to share their grief with each other. Their story is deeper than just the forbidden aspect of it and this is more than just another sports romance.
Hail Mary: This is the perfect conclusion to the Red Zone Rivals series. I pretty much loved everything about this story. Mary is a terrific heroine and I loved that she didn't fit the typical mold. She's curvy, tattooed and pierced, and she's fiercely independent. Leo is the perfect book boyfriend. When he falls, he falls hard, and he'll do anything to get his girl. Their story had me laughing and I cried a little too. There was a bit of angst, plenty of feels, and an ending that was bittersweet as we say goodbye to these football players and the women that they love.
Fair Catch: An original spin on a common trope. This story hit me with all the feels right from the start and it was an emotional read at times. I found myself laughing and crying both with this book...so many ups and downs. I admired Riley's strength, and my heart broke for Zeke. I loved the world that the author created, and there are so many other characters that I would like to see more of, especially Riley's brother.
Blind Side: I almost stopped reading this book. I hit a certain part in this story, and I was just like NO. No. No. No. WHY?!! I didn't want to see these characters that I'd fallen in love with continue on the path that they were headed, and I didn't want to torture myself by watching it unfold. But...I couldn't walk away. So, I kept going. I am so very happy that I did.
Now, I've read more than my fair share of fake dating romances, because let's face it...it's a popular trope right now. And yet, Kandi Steiner has taken this all too common story line and turned it into something angsty and yet refreshing with characters that I loved and a world that I wanted to be a part of.
Quarterback Sneak: This is a forbidden sports romance with a good mix of steam and emotion. Since this is a forbidden football player/coach's daughter romance, there is obviously a lot of tension and secret hook-ups in this story, but it has a lot more going for it than just that. There are some emotional moments laced throughout this story as these two finally break down their walls and begin to share their grief with each other. Their story is deeper than just the forbidden aspect of it and this is more than just another sports romance.
Hail Mary: This is the perfect conclusion to the Red Zone Rivals series. I pretty much loved everything about this story. Mary is a terrific heroine and I loved that she didn't fit the typical mold. She's curvy, tattooed and pierced, and she's fiercely independent. Leo is the perfect book boyfriend. When he falls, he falls hard, and he'll do anything to get his girl. Their story had me laughing and I cried a little too. There was a bit of angst, plenty of feels, and an ending that was bittersweet as we say goodbye to these football players and the women that they love.
May 31, 2025
not a fan of the voices used in any of these books
Having read so many other sports romance, these were just not it and I listened to it which probably made it worse because I really was not a fan of the voices used
Having read so many other sports romance, these were just not it and I listened to it which probably made it worse because I really was not a fan of the voices used
November 25, 2024
cutest
Such a cute freakin series! Had me laughing and crying- heart break and happy tears! The emotions in this was out the window! Such a good series. Loved each book!!
Such a cute freakin series! Had me laughing and crying- heart break and happy tears! The emotions in this was out the window! Such a good series. Loved each book!!
March 29, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
April 19, 2025
hail Mary
I really enjoyed these characters. The amount of hurt that Mary experienced was relatable and the multicultural character of Leo was an added part to his character.
I really enjoyed these characters. The amount of hurt that Mary experienced was relatable and the multicultural character of Leo was an added part to his character.
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