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Trinity Lakes Romance #13
Right in Front of You
Rachel Marshall, a sports nutritionist, will do anything to save her mother’s health. Even travel to the tiny town of Trinity Lakes to bring bad-boy NFL player, Hayden Donovan, back to Texas.
Despite turning over a new leaf, circumstances conspire against Hayden Donovan that sees his bad-boy reputation the center of viral social media outrage. His past won’t let him be the better man he’s determined to be.
When his nutritionist, Rachel, turns up to find him in Trinity Lakes, he sees an opportunity to strike a deal. He'll help her get the medicine her mother needs if she'll help him show the world he has truly changed.
Sparks fly between them, but will Rachel let cruel memories and scars from her past stop her from seeing the man behind the image? And will Hayden find the courage to show the world how much he’s truly changed?
A friends-to-more, ex-NFL player, small town contemporary Christian romance. Book thirteen of the Trinity Lakes Romance series (can be read as a standalone). Visit Trinity Lakes and meet the fun and quirky characters who value family, faith, and happily-ever-afters.
Despite turning over a new leaf, circumstances conspire against Hayden Donovan that sees his bad-boy reputation the center of viral social media outrage. His past won’t let him be the better man he’s determined to be.
When his nutritionist, Rachel, turns up to find him in Trinity Lakes, he sees an opportunity to strike a deal. He'll help her get the medicine her mother needs if she'll help him show the world he has truly changed.
Sparks fly between them, but will Rachel let cruel memories and scars from her past stop her from seeing the man behind the image? And will Hayden find the courage to show the world how much he’s truly changed?
A friends-to-more, ex-NFL player, small town contemporary Christian romance. Book thirteen of the Trinity Lakes Romance series (can be read as a standalone). Visit Trinity Lakes and meet the fun and quirky characters who value family, faith, and happily-ever-afters.
192 pages, Paperback
Published August 5, 2024
6 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 24, 2024
Thanks to the author for my review copy.
This is the next book in the Trinity Lakes series. I enjoyed this book. It is different having Hayden a retired NFL player and Rachel a Sports Nutritionist and of Filipino descent. I am not an American football fan partly cos I don’t understand the game, but this book doesn’t feature the game. Hayden is recently retired and some of what he deals with could be any professional sport when a player retires but is still a headline name.
After an incident Hayden goes to help his grandfather pack up his home in Trinity Lakes to move to a retirement village. We see Rachel follow and we get to see a few characters from other books. We hear mention of the 2 Rhonda, and many of the local attractions.
Hayden is trying so hard to be more than his on-field nickname and prove he has changed. Rachel has her own baggage, and it clouds her opinion of sports stars. Watching both characters deal with issues and insecurities from their past was good and seeing the changes.
While you can read this as a standalone reading the series would enrich your experience. I would recommend if nothing else reading book 3 Lisa Renee’s "I Will Always Choose You" as it introduces Leah and her back story who is in this book.
Jessica Wakefield’s writing gets better with each book she writes, looking forward to more from this author.
This is the next book in the Trinity Lakes series. I enjoyed this book. It is different having Hayden a retired NFL player and Rachel a Sports Nutritionist and of Filipino descent. I am not an American football fan partly cos I don’t understand the game, but this book doesn’t feature the game. Hayden is recently retired and some of what he deals with could be any professional sport when a player retires but is still a headline name.
After an incident Hayden goes to help his grandfather pack up his home in Trinity Lakes to move to a retirement village. We see Rachel follow and we get to see a few characters from other books. We hear mention of the 2 Rhonda, and many of the local attractions.
Hayden is trying so hard to be more than his on-field nickname and prove he has changed. Rachel has her own baggage, and it clouds her opinion of sports stars. Watching both characters deal with issues and insecurities from their past was good and seeing the changes.
While you can read this as a standalone reading the series would enrich your experience. I would recommend if nothing else reading book 3 Lisa Renee’s "I Will Always Choose You" as it introduces Leah and her back story who is in this book.
Jessica Wakefield’s writing gets better with each book she writes, looking forward to more from this author.
July 16, 2024
A solid four-star read. A super sweet friends-to-more closed door romance about ex-football player, Hayden, and his nutritionist, Rachel. Both struggle with their pasts and themes forgiveness run throughout the book.
The small town of Trinity Lakes seems lovely. Hayden's grandfather, Willis, is my favorite secondary character.
I would recommend Right In Front Of You to anyone looking for a short, sweet read about forgiveness and turning over a new leaf.
Thank you to author, Jessica Wakefield, for providing an ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
The small town of Trinity Lakes seems lovely. Hayden's grandfather, Willis, is my favorite secondary character.
I would recommend Right In Front Of You to anyone looking for a short, sweet read about forgiveness and turning over a new leaf.
Thank you to author, Jessica Wakefield, for providing an ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
June 26, 2024
What an emotional rollercoaster this contemporary romance is! (And I mean that in the best way). If you’re looking for a sweet, clean romance with flawed characters who all come good in the end for their HEA, then this is the book for you.
I have read other Trinity Lakes series books, and just like the others, Right in Front of You is set in the same town, same lake, with familiar characters. And of course, the same heartwarming qualities.
Hayden, our hero, is seemingly a deadbeat, washed up football player who’s trying to convince everyone he’s changed. Rachel is a slightly cynical but sweet heroine who (despite her attraction to Hayden) has been hurt in the past by her deadbeat washed up football player dad. You can already see the conflict!
But what you can’t see is the way Jessica Wakefield cleverly puts these loveable, emotionally blind, characters through the wringer by giving them very good reasons that they must stay in each other’s orbit. I won’t include any spoilers, except to say that there is a particularly well crafted “black moment” in this novel. Well worth reading.
I gratefully received an ARC copy of this book from the author, and all the opinions are my own.
I have read other Trinity Lakes series books, and just like the others, Right in Front of You is set in the same town, same lake, with familiar characters. And of course, the same heartwarming qualities.
Hayden, our hero, is seemingly a deadbeat, washed up football player who’s trying to convince everyone he’s changed. Rachel is a slightly cynical but sweet heroine who (despite her attraction to Hayden) has been hurt in the past by her deadbeat washed up football player dad. You can already see the conflict!
But what you can’t see is the way Jessica Wakefield cleverly puts these loveable, emotionally blind, characters through the wringer by giving them very good reasons that they must stay in each other’s orbit. I won’t include any spoilers, except to say that there is a particularly well crafted “black moment” in this novel. Well worth reading.
I gratefully received an ARC copy of this book from the author, and all the opinions are my own.
August 2, 2024
Oh this book! What a beautiful journey this book took me through. The struggles that we all face: pain, fear, doubt, difficulty to forgive, hiding or escaping so we won't be hurt. All of these things are wrapped up in this story. Join these characters as they face their own issues with the help of those around them, life is better when we live in community and allow others to speak into our lives and that is showcased in this book .💖
August 16, 2024
messy but awesome
I’ve never met two book characters so perfect for each other, yet determined to push the other away. Rachel is fiery and stubborn and refuses to see what’s right in front of her. The backstories complement each other and the action pulls the reader in. Definitely recommend.
I’ve never met two book characters so perfect for each other, yet determined to push the other away. Rachel is fiery and stubborn and refuses to see what’s right in front of her. The backstories complement each other and the action pulls the reader in. Definitely recommend.
July 29, 2024
This is such a sweet, heartfelt story! It had me laughing, crying, and reflecting on the love and grace of God.
September 13, 2024
This is the 2nd book I’ve read by this author and she’s nailed the swoony-sweet romance in her stories. I loved both of these characters and the premise. The female lead could be hard headed but that’s a very real and often a true characteristic:). Will def read this author again!
August 31, 2024
Good story about life and the hold the past has on you. Strong characters and good plot line. Worth the read. This book was provided to me by the author, Jessica Wakefield for me to read and review. The thoughts expressed are my own.
February 4, 2025
I loved that the male character had an authentic voice (my pet hate is male characters that think and sound like women) and the transitions between past and present were seamless. Keen to read more from this author.
July 26, 2024
🏈 Former NFL football player
🥗 his personal nutritionist
🏠 his small hometown
💔 will past hurts keep them from falling in love?
Hayden Donovan, a former NFL player with a bad reputation is working on turning his life around with Christ at the center. One choice puts him back in the spotlight for bad boy behavior. His foundation is now at risk of not getting enough funds to meet its mission of helping people with their medical bills.
So he heads from Texas to Liberty Lakes, Washington. Where he tries to lay low and help his grandfather pack up years of memories- good and bad.
His nutritionist comes to Liberty Lakes with the intention of helping him improve his image. In exchange, Hayden’s foundation will help Rachel’s Mom with her insulin medication.
As they work together- sparks
⚡️ fly as they both fight against their true feelings. Will they ever lay down their defenses and help each other with their past?
I enjoyed this book, it is a perfect summer read. Jessica is able to draw the reader in to the angst of how men also have hopes for relationships but they mask it.
I am grateful to the author for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
#sweetromance
#cleanandwholesomereads
#whattoreadnext #bookstagram #newrelease
🥗 his personal nutritionist
🏠 his small hometown
💔 will past hurts keep them from falling in love?
Hayden Donovan, a former NFL player with a bad reputation is working on turning his life around with Christ at the center. One choice puts him back in the spotlight for bad boy behavior. His foundation is now at risk of not getting enough funds to meet its mission of helping people with their medical bills.
So he heads from Texas to Liberty Lakes, Washington. Where he tries to lay low and help his grandfather pack up years of memories- good and bad.
His nutritionist comes to Liberty Lakes with the intention of helping him improve his image. In exchange, Hayden’s foundation will help Rachel’s Mom with her insulin medication.
As they work together- sparks
⚡️ fly as they both fight against their true feelings. Will they ever lay down their defenses and help each other with their past?
I enjoyed this book, it is a perfect summer read. Jessica is able to draw the reader in to the angst of how men also have hopes for relationships but they mask it.
I am grateful to the author for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
#sweetromance
#cleanandwholesomereads
#whattoreadnext #bookstagram #newrelease
August 13, 2024
A Trinity Lakes book with a difference…
Disgraced retired football star, Hayden, hides out with his Grandpa, who has decided to sell the old family home in Trinity Lakes prior to moving into a retirement home. When his nutritionist, Rachel, arrives to discover the status of her mom’s medical funding from the Foundation Hayden started, they decide to join forces to try and salvage Hayden’s media image, while packing up Grandpa’s belongings.
The author has created an engaging story that differs from previous books in the series as it features two older and more experienced ‘out-of-towners’, both American, with less discernible Christian faith, and who are both hiding personal fears which inhibit their willingness to begin romantic relationships. Discovering their secrets helps the reader to realise the long-lasting impact the actions of parents have on their children, often well into adulthood!
This is my honest opinion of a review copy I received from the author.
Disgraced retired football star, Hayden, hides out with his Grandpa, who has decided to sell the old family home in Trinity Lakes prior to moving into a retirement home. When his nutritionist, Rachel, arrives to discover the status of her mom’s medical funding from the Foundation Hayden started, they decide to join forces to try and salvage Hayden’s media image, while packing up Grandpa’s belongings.
The author has created an engaging story that differs from previous books in the series as it features two older and more experienced ‘out-of-towners’, both American, with less discernible Christian faith, and who are both hiding personal fears which inhibit their willingness to begin romantic relationships. Discovering their secrets helps the reader to realise the long-lasting impact the actions of parents have on their children, often well into adulthood!
This is my honest opinion of a review copy I received from the author.
July 20, 2024
The world is in short supply of grace…” that very line says it all about the world these days and sets the foundation for the story Right in Front of You by Jessica Wakefield. This contemporary romance story surrounds ex NFL player, Hayden, and nutritionist, Rachel as he tries to overcome his past mistakes and she can’t get a grip on the fact that all football players aren’t horrible because of her past experiences.
I had no idea about the stats which led to Hayden’s foundation, but it made for an interesting premise, a tragic backstory, and if this were real life, a great way to actually help people. I appreciated the faith talk throughout the story and how Rachel finally opened up her heart so that she could feel love. So I recommend anyone who wants a clean story with love in the center.
I had no idea about the stats which led to Hayden’s foundation, but it made for an interesting premise, a tragic backstory, and if this were real life, a great way to actually help people. I appreciated the faith talk throughout the story and how Rachel finally opened up her heart so that she could feel love. So I recommend anyone who wants a clean story with love in the center.
April 26, 2025
Good story
The Trinity Lakes series is one of my favourites. Right In Front of You is another good story, blending new characters into a familiar setting and adding depth by their interactions with characters from previous books in the series.
The two friends-to-more central characters have significant reasons for keeping their distance, and it was good to see them facing their fears and dealing with the traumas from their past. The only thing that stopped me from giving five stars was the sense that there were more layers to their inner struggles, a wish that I could hear their prayers and see them realise that God hadn’t forgotten them )i(
The Trinity Lakes series is one of my favourites. Right In Front of You is another good story, blending new characters into a familiar setting and adding depth by their interactions with characters from previous books in the series.
The two friends-to-more central characters have significant reasons for keeping their distance, and it was good to see them facing their fears and dealing with the traumas from their past. The only thing that stopped me from giving five stars was the sense that there were more layers to their inner struggles, a wish that I could hear their prayers and see them realise that God hadn’t forgotten them )i(
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews