Playing the Long Game: A Phoenix Rampage Romance Novelette

by Lizzy Barnett

Tyler can't forgive himself for not being there with his team..
Emma can't forgive him for not being where she needed him.
It's all about forgiveness and the tragedy that changes everything for them and the Phoenix Rampage Football Team.

48 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2024

Reviews

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good and I love that you had Kyle as the person that helps players. Because he does not force anything he only gives suggestions with options. This is about Tyler one of them whom I never remember hearing about, asking for help with his alcohol issue. His wife would be filing for divorce, she had tried to contact him, but he did not return any of the calls or texts. Not any from his wife, Emma, Brooke, one of the Owners, and Kyle. So, when he didn't call, but had strolled up to the door trying to get in but couldn't he whined as to why through the front door. You see he knew she was pissed at him this time, all his stuff is out on the lawn. What he didn't know was that when she did open the door she was banged up and bruised and her arm was in a sling. Yet, he truly believed he could sweet-talk her. Yup, nope!

He didn't realize just how bad it was until Kyle was let into his home as if they were long-lost buddies. Emma said well at least he was here for me to pick me up and stay with me. Since my husband once again wasn’t around. Yup, trouble in Paradise. The bombing did a number on him. Survivors guilt. After the gamut of emotion and drama from the other books this one fell flat. Sorry🙁

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grovel = H was grieving after a bombing and turned to alcohol which resulted in addiction. H ignored h when she called needing help after an accident where she was hurt. h kicked H out and told him to get help. H went to rehab and they reconcile.

OW drama = very minor, while drunk OW sat in H's lap and a picture was taken. H stood up to get OW off his lap, but implication of infidelity was made. OW later claims to be pregnant, but claims it was from when the H was in rehab, so not likely as well as a negative paternity test.

Very short book packed with a lot but it is 3rd in series. I only read this one, so I cannot comment on what was done in the first two books.

[Anne Wondra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short read (too short) that dealt with some serious, big issues, the biggest being that Tyler was an alcoholic, even before the explosion. Repeatedly ghosting his wife was also not okay, but typical for him. Emma had enough and threw him out and changed locks...and then she let him back, instead of moving on to take care of herself. This didn't feel like a realistic portrayal of getting clean and healthy and staying sober, of earning and rebuilding her trust and their relationship. It needed more fleshing out, and didn't have the expected feels; a good start, though.

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clean Standalone Romance Interconnected Series

Several of the characters overlap with other books by this author. Reading in order recommended but can be read as a standalone.
Second chance
Addiction
Grief
Guilt
Mental health post traumatic events
Rebuilding

[Allison Comis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tyler and Emma

This was about Tyler and Emma. He came home to find his stuff on the lawn and he couldn’t get into his house. She finally opens the door and tells him what he did. He didn’t remember any of it. He needed to make things right with her and he did. Quick read

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of real life and working through tough things. I really enjoyed the story focusing on them. It was an easy read but also with a good ending.

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

totally not what I expected
a touching story about grief and addiction