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Thunder Creek #1
Out of Bounds
A small town, coach's daughter, forbidden, football romance from bestselling author Kara Kendrick
Rule #1: Don’t date the football coach’s daughter
Rule #2: Don’t fall for your best friend
Rule #3: Definitely don’t do both
Some rules are made to be broken…
Sloane Carter.
The good girl with gorgeous curves and an easy smile. Also my best friend – and my high school football coach’s daughter.
She’s majorly off-limits.
I resisted temptation for years, focusing on football, college, and finally, a professional career in the league.
A decade later, I’m back in Thunder Creek after getting cut from my team. Standing on Coach Carter’s doorstep, I beg him to help me get my mojo back. After all, he is the winningest football coach in the state of Georgia.
Except I’m not the only one on a losing streak. Sloane’s back home reeling from a bad break-up. Next thing I know, I’m down the hall in the spare bedroom and things between us start to feel so high school—in all the right ways. The more time we spend together, the closer we get. Soon, plays are made and forbidden lines are crossed.
But when I finally get the call from a new team, a secret scandal threatens to shatter everything—including Sloane’s heart.
Will a Hail Mary be able to save this Happily Ever After?
Rule #1: Don’t date the football coach’s daughter
Rule #2: Don’t fall for your best friend
Rule #3: Definitely don’t do both
Some rules are made to be broken…
Sloane Carter.
The good girl with gorgeous curves and an easy smile. Also my best friend – and my high school football coach’s daughter.
She’s majorly off-limits.
I resisted temptation for years, focusing on football, college, and finally, a professional career in the league.
A decade later, I’m back in Thunder Creek after getting cut from my team. Standing on Coach Carter’s doorstep, I beg him to help me get my mojo back. After all, he is the winningest football coach in the state of Georgia.
Except I’m not the only one on a losing streak. Sloane’s back home reeling from a bad break-up. Next thing I know, I’m down the hall in the spare bedroom and things between us start to feel so high school—in all the right ways. The more time we spend together, the closer we get. Soon, plays are made and forbidden lines are crossed.
But when I finally get the call from a new team, a secret scandal threatens to shatter everything—including Sloane’s heart.
Will a Hail Mary be able to save this Happily Ever After?
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2024
152 people are currently reading
794 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
October 9, 2024
Out of Bounds by Kara Kendrick
4/5 stars
Out of Bounds is a delicious, funny, hot and feel good romance book. It's a fast paced book that will keep you on your toes and is a joy to read.
The book starts with Sloane and Cam being teenagers. They are the best of friends but Sloane is secretly crushing hard on Cam. Cam is mostly focused on his football career. But their friendship is one of a kind.
Then the book shifts to the present time. And Cam just got kicked out of his Chicago team after a transgression got video taped and put out into the world. But he doesn't give up. Cam goes back to his home town and knocks on the door of his high school coach. Asking him to train him again and to get some advice to get ready to get back into the game again. Coach Carter instantly agrees and offers him a place at his house.
But Sloane is the Coach's daughter. And after her fiance cheated on her she moved back home again. Trying to get her life back in order. And the spark that has pounded in her heart since her teens burns even brighter as an adult. And Cam feels that burning burn through his own body and they heavily gravitate towards each other.
Their banter and their flirting had me grinning throughout the book. I love how they want to keep it all a secret but are as obvious as the sun in the sky. I love their giddyness and how loyal they are towards each other.
But the past doesn't want to stay in the past and comes knocking on their door. And that drastically changes things.
I just adore this story and how cute and funny it was throughout its entirety. Both characters are so loveable and relatable. And that made it easy to feel their emotions run through me.
One thing really annoyed me though. I don't want to spoil it. But one event is repeated a few times in his book. And it is unresolved. Well it's resolved if you sign up for the author's newsletter and that pisses me off slightly. Why not finish this story in the book? Why do you always need to sign up for things? It might be peer pressure from the publisher/publicist or whatever. But quit with the annoying habit of not finishing a book and put vital details in bonus scenes. It might just be me. But it's becoming a regular habit of authors/publishers and I do not like this new trend. But maybe it's just me. I don't know. I'll stop ranting lol!
4 huge stars from me for this wonderful, funny and sweet book!
4/5 stars
Out of Bounds is a delicious, funny, hot and feel good romance book. It's a fast paced book that will keep you on your toes and is a joy to read.
The book starts with Sloane and Cam being teenagers. They are the best of friends but Sloane is secretly crushing hard on Cam. Cam is mostly focused on his football career. But their friendship is one of a kind.
Then the book shifts to the present time. And Cam just got kicked out of his Chicago team after a transgression got video taped and put out into the world. But he doesn't give up. Cam goes back to his home town and knocks on the door of his high school coach. Asking him to train him again and to get some advice to get ready to get back into the game again. Coach Carter instantly agrees and offers him a place at his house.
But Sloane is the Coach's daughter. And after her fiance cheated on her she moved back home again. Trying to get her life back in order. And the spark that has pounded in her heart since her teens burns even brighter as an adult. And Cam feels that burning burn through his own body and they heavily gravitate towards each other.
Their banter and their flirting had me grinning throughout the book. I love how they want to keep it all a secret but are as obvious as the sun in the sky. I love their giddyness and how loyal they are towards each other.
But the past doesn't want to stay in the past and comes knocking on their door. And that drastically changes things.
I just adore this story and how cute and funny it was throughout its entirety. Both characters are so loveable and relatable. And that made it easy to feel their emotions run through me.
One thing really annoyed me though. I don't want to spoil it. But one event is repeated a few times in his book. And it is unresolved. Well it's resolved if you sign up for the author's newsletter and that pisses me off slightly. Why not finish this story in the book? Why do you always need to sign up for things? It might be peer pressure from the publisher/publicist or whatever. But quit with the annoying habit of not finishing a book and put vital details in bonus scenes. It might just be me. But it's becoming a regular habit of authors/publishers and I do not like this new trend. But maybe it's just me. I don't know. I'll stop ranting lol!
4 huge stars from me for this wonderful, funny and sweet book!
October 14, 2024
This was a solid 3.5 stars for me. I thought it was a nice intro to a new world and it's characters. I just had a hard time connecting with our two MCs. The pace seemed to be faster but then slow in regards to the relationship progressing at all. I liked the friends to more- I have only read a handful of those but am learning that I like that trope. I liked the circumstances of the story- both MCs find themselves back in their hometown unexpectedly. The chemistry that they have is instant and intense. I always have a hard time when people end up being rude to one another because they are trying to avoid their attraction- which happened in this one. Overall though, I liked the buildup (to a point). The spice was great and creative. The third act breakup happened but not too intensely. I just wish I had clicked with the characters more. I just didn't feel like I really knew them like I have with other characters.
Sloane has found herself back home after an engagement gone wrong. She is going to lick her wounds at her dad's house until she can figure out her next move. She does not expect her crush/best friend, Cam Crawford, from when she was in high school to also be back home and also now staying at her dad's. The same Cam Crawford who is a professional football player who she hasn't spoken to in a few years. She is hoping he hasn't read her drunken email she sent him professing her love for him. For now, she will act how she has always acted- as friends. But then he starts sending her mixed signals. He is looking at her longingly but then ignoring her for days. She decides to throw caution to the wind and let him know how she feels. And man does it pay off because he feels the same. The worry for her is what happens now. They are doing this thing. They are seeing where things are going but he is in between teams. Will they be able to stand the strain of him being on a team that travels? They are tested even more when he has to do just that and go to Florida. Secrets are unveiled and now their relationship is on the line. Will Sloane be able to trust him again? She knows he is her end game but will she be able to get over what stands between them.
Cam can't forget his mistake. It is following him around like a shadow. He is now back home and living with his football coach while figuring out his next move. He doesn't expect to see Sloane, his best friend from high school. The girl he had a crush on but could never make a move because she was his coach's daughter. But now things may have changed. She is a woman. She is her own woman, but he can't afford a distraction. He has to think about his future. But all he can think about is her in his future. So when she lays it out for him, he decides to go for it. He cares for her a LOT. He has always cared for her. He just has to be honest with what he can offer right now which isn't much. But he does know he wants her in his life. So when he gets a chance at a new team, he takes it. He travels to Florida and is visualizing their future, but then his past has come back to haunt him. He should have told Sloane but he didn't think to and now she knows anyways. He is losing her. He doesn't know what to do except throw a hail mary and hope it works.
I would recommend this one if you are looking for a light, quick read with a small-town setting. I am on the fence about reading book 2 for this one. I liked Gracelyn a lot and am more than curious to see how her and Mack are going to evolve when they didn't really have any interaction in this one- at least that we know of.
Thank you to Valentine PR and Kara for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Sloane has found herself back home after an engagement gone wrong. She is going to lick her wounds at her dad's house until she can figure out her next move. She does not expect her crush/best friend, Cam Crawford, from when she was in high school to also be back home and also now staying at her dad's. The same Cam Crawford who is a professional football player who she hasn't spoken to in a few years. She is hoping he hasn't read her drunken email she sent him professing her love for him. For now, she will act how she has always acted- as friends. But then he starts sending her mixed signals. He is looking at her longingly but then ignoring her for days. She decides to throw caution to the wind and let him know how she feels. And man does it pay off because he feels the same. The worry for her is what happens now. They are doing this thing. They are seeing where things are going but he is in between teams. Will they be able to stand the strain of him being on a team that travels? They are tested even more when he has to do just that and go to Florida. Secrets are unveiled and now their relationship is on the line. Will Sloane be able to trust him again? She knows he is her end game but will she be able to get over what stands between them.
Cam can't forget his mistake. It is following him around like a shadow. He is now back home and living with his football coach while figuring out his next move. He doesn't expect to see Sloane, his best friend from high school. The girl he had a crush on but could never make a move because she was his coach's daughter. But now things may have changed. She is a woman. She is her own woman, but he can't afford a distraction. He has to think about his future. But all he can think about is her in his future. So when she lays it out for him, he decides to go for it. He cares for her a LOT. He has always cared for her. He just has to be honest with what he can offer right now which isn't much. But he does know he wants her in his life. So when he gets a chance at a new team, he takes it. He travels to Florida and is visualizing their future, but then his past has come back to haunt him. He should have told Sloane but he didn't think to and now she knows anyways. He is losing her. He doesn't know what to do except throw a hail mary and hope it works.
I would recommend this one if you are looking for a light, quick read with a small-town setting. I am on the fence about reading book 2 for this one. I liked Gracelyn a lot and am more than curious to see how her and Mack are going to evolve when they didn't really have any interaction in this one- at least that we know of.
Thank you to Valentine PR and Kara for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
October 16, 2024
#Review: *Out of bounds* - Kara Kendrick - ARC - [18+]
4.8/5✨
3/5🌶️
As a sports romance lover, I couldn't say no to this book and I had to read it! Kara and Valentine Pr made it possible for me to receive this e-ARC and I need to thank them for this!!
Cam is a football player who has made a pretty big mistake which messed up his career. Now no team wants him and he finds the best solution for that moment, to go back to his hometown. There, he will continue training with the school coach, who is the father of his best friend from his teenage years. Her name is Sloane, aka 'Trouble', a pretty cute nickname, if you ask me🤭.
Cam and Sloane had an amazing friendship but because their paths split, they haven't kept in touch with each other in that time apart. Now, Sloane is home too, staying with her father, because she had a huge heartbreak, caused by her ex fiancée. She would have never thought that her father will bring her best friend in their house, for which she had a huge crush when she was a teenage girls and, apparently, still has.
The tension was palpable between them and, after Cam finds out about something Sloane did, in order to sort of confess her feelings for him, they'll start to try to exploit these feelings they were nurturing. Only the whole thing will be a secret, because of Sloane's dad.
I really had such a great time reading this book! From the sweet friendship from the beginning, to the hot, steamy love story they shared throughout the book, everything was so wonderful and fun to follow. This story had something unique by having this football player who would do anything to have his career back and at the same time, building a beautiful relationship with 'Trouble'.
I'll be definitely adding more books by this author to my reading list. It was a story which stole my heart and I need more of this kind.
✨Tropes:
#SecretRomance
#BestFriends
#FriendsLovers
#FirstLove
#SportsRomance
#SmallTown
#BadBoyGoodGirl
#SoulMates
4.8/5✨
3/5🌶️
As a sports romance lover, I couldn't say no to this book and I had to read it! Kara and Valentine Pr made it possible for me to receive this e-ARC and I need to thank them for this!!
Cam is a football player who has made a pretty big mistake which messed up his career. Now no team wants him and he finds the best solution for that moment, to go back to his hometown. There, he will continue training with the school coach, who is the father of his best friend from his teenage years. Her name is Sloane, aka 'Trouble', a pretty cute nickname, if you ask me🤭.
Cam and Sloane had an amazing friendship but because their paths split, they haven't kept in touch with each other in that time apart. Now, Sloane is home too, staying with her father, because she had a huge heartbreak, caused by her ex fiancée. She would have never thought that her father will bring her best friend in their house, for which she had a huge crush when she was a teenage girls and, apparently, still has.
The tension was palpable between them and, after Cam finds out about something Sloane did, in order to sort of confess her feelings for him, they'll start to try to exploit these feelings they were nurturing. Only the whole thing will be a secret, because of Sloane's dad.
I really had such a great time reading this book! From the sweet friendship from the beginning, to the hot, steamy love story they shared throughout the book, everything was so wonderful and fun to follow. This story had something unique by having this football player who would do anything to have his career back and at the same time, building a beautiful relationship with 'Trouble'.
I'll be definitely adding more books by this author to my reading list. It was a story which stole my heart and I need more of this kind.
✨Tropes:
#SecretRomance
#BestFriends
#FriendsLovers
#FirstLove
#SportsRomance
#SmallTown
#BadBoyGoodGirl
#SoulMates
October 10, 2024
4.25/5 ⭐️
3/5 🔥
RTC — I loved this!
3/5 🔥
RTC — I loved this!
Currently reading
October 10, 2024Available now!
Grab your copy today!
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/outofboundskk
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3Xaqhy6
Grab your copy today!
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/outofboundskk
Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3Xaqhy6
October 17, 2024
4/5⭐️
1.5/5🌶️
This was my first read by Kara Kendrick and won’t be my last. This was really cute. I am a sports romance lover, and you know that if you follow me. When Kara reached out if I would be interested, I couldn’t say no. The tropes PULLED me in.
Out of Bounds is the first book in the Thunder Creek Series Following Cam Crawford & Sloane Carter. Cam is a football player who has made a big mistake which ended up messing up his career. No team wants him, and he thinks the best decision is to head back to his hometown. He starts to train with his old high school coach to get himself back to who he used to be. The same coach who is the father of his best friend from his teenage years. The same girl he hasn’t seen or talked to in YEARS. He has always lowkey had a thing for her but never made a move because she is his coach’s daughter.
Sloane has always had a crush on her best friend Cam from HS. Those feelings never really went away. After dealing with a huge heartbreak from her ex-fiancée, she decided to move back in with her father. What will happen when they are both back in their hometowns? Will the attraction towards each other grow? The tension between them was everything. I really enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to see what Kara has in store for the rest of this series. PLUS, THE COVER!!! HOW CUTE.
Thank you, Kara Kendrick and team, for this ARC. 😊
Tropes:
🤍Friends to Lovers
💚Football Romance
🤍Coach’s Daughter
💚Forced Proximity
🤍Small Town
💚First Love
🤍Secret Romance
1.5/5🌶️
This was my first read by Kara Kendrick and won’t be my last. This was really cute. I am a sports romance lover, and you know that if you follow me. When Kara reached out if I would be interested, I couldn’t say no. The tropes PULLED me in.
Out of Bounds is the first book in the Thunder Creek Series Following Cam Crawford & Sloane Carter. Cam is a football player who has made a big mistake which ended up messing up his career. No team wants him, and he thinks the best decision is to head back to his hometown. He starts to train with his old high school coach to get himself back to who he used to be. The same coach who is the father of his best friend from his teenage years. The same girl he hasn’t seen or talked to in YEARS. He has always lowkey had a thing for her but never made a move because she is his coach’s daughter.
Sloane has always had a crush on her best friend Cam from HS. Those feelings never really went away. After dealing with a huge heartbreak from her ex-fiancée, she decided to move back in with her father. What will happen when they are both back in their hometowns? Will the attraction towards each other grow? The tension between them was everything. I really enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to see what Kara has in store for the rest of this series. PLUS, THE COVER!!! HOW CUTE.
Thank you, Kara Kendrick and team, for this ARC. 😊
Tropes:
🤍Friends to Lovers
💚Football Romance
🤍Coach’s Daughter
💚Forced Proximity
🤍Small Town
💚First Love
🤍Secret Romance
October 3, 2024
I love a good sports romance. Add in coaches daughter? Yeah I’m sold!
Read if you like:
🏈sports romance (football)
📖small town
🏈childhood friends-to-lovers
📖forced proximity
🏈coaches daughter
For me, this one didn’t quite hit the mark. While I understood the reason behind the authors choice for picking the “secret” she did, it really didn’t feel like something the MMC would do (even if he says it’s a mistake) and took away from the story for me. And I wanted more from the ending.
As always, take what I say with a grain of salt. The sneaking around and spice was good in this one. The small town was fun! If these tropes are up your alley, try it out!
Thank you Valentine PR for my copy. All opinions are my own.
Read if you like:
🏈sports romance (football)
📖small town
🏈childhood friends-to-lovers
📖forced proximity
🏈coaches daughter
For me, this one didn’t quite hit the mark. While I understood the reason behind the authors choice for picking the “secret” she did, it really didn’t feel like something the MMC would do (even if he says it’s a mistake) and took away from the story for me. And I wanted more from the ending.
As always, take what I say with a grain of salt. The sneaking around and spice was good in this one. The small town was fun! If these tropes are up your alley, try it out!
Thank you Valentine PR for my copy. All opinions are my own.
December 29, 2024
This was recommended by a friend and I loved it! I’m a sucker for friends to lovers and when the sweet heroine is a librarian. Even better!
October 12, 2024
Out of Bounds by Kara Kendrick 💙
The Thunder Creek Series
Interconnected Standalone
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Adult • Sports Romance
ARC Review
368 pages
🗓️ October 10
💙football romance
💚friends to lovers
💙down on their luck MCs
💚small town
💙close proximity
💚coach’s daughter
📌”She’s an angel, fallen from heaven, and I’m going to corrupt her.”
This book was so effortlessly good. The writing really did me in and I flew through the first 1/4 of Out of Bounds in one single breath.
‘Tis the season of football and Out of Bounds not only delivers on that but adds a bit of small town magic to this Friday night lights.
I would’ve loved them in high school, full of dreams and small touches. I sure did love Cam and Sloane as adults, down on their luck and all the way 🥵 She was his safe haven even if he didn’t realize it before. He was the risk, she was gonna take it 🎵
What a way to kick off October 👏🏼
The Thunder Creek Series
Interconnected Standalone
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Adult • Sports Romance
ARC Review
368 pages
🗓️ October 10
💙football romance
💚friends to lovers
💙down on their luck MCs
💚small town
💙close proximity
💚coach’s daughter
📌”She’s an angel, fallen from heaven, and I’m going to corrupt her.”
This book was so effortlessly good. The writing really did me in and I flew through the first 1/4 of Out of Bounds in one single breath.
‘Tis the season of football and Out of Bounds not only delivers on that but adds a bit of small town magic to this Friday night lights.
I would’ve loved them in high school, full of dreams and small touches. I sure did love Cam and Sloane as adults, down on their luck and all the way 🥵 She was his safe haven even if he didn’t realize it before. He was the risk, she was gonna take it 🎵
What a way to kick off October 👏🏼
October 13, 2024
✩3
✦What to Expect✦
•He’s the star football player
•She’s the coach’s daughter
•He calls her trouble
•Just friends
•Small town
•”Good girl”
✦Characters✦
•Sloane Carter
•Cam Crawford
✦Fav Quotes✦
He’s it for me. Always has been. Always will be.
“Now you’re mine.”
“Trouble, I’ve been yours.”
All these years later, and Cam still has the same effect on me. Breathless.
✦Thoughts✦
This really was a cute one and the spice was *chefs kiss*. Cam and his dirty talk took me by surprise in the best way. I loved their friendship as well. It started a bit a slow for me at first, but it picked up and I was invested in these two.
Also her dad, I sort of a need a book on her dad and him getting his HEA.
Overall I enjoyed this, but there were some things I didn’t like.
•The secret video of it all.
•The third act breakup.
✦What to Expect✦
•He’s the star football player
•She’s the coach’s daughter
•He calls her trouble
•Just friends
•Small town
•”Good girl”
✦Characters✦
•Sloane Carter
•Cam Crawford
✦Fav Quotes✦
He’s it for me. Always has been. Always will be.
“Now you’re mine.”
“Trouble, I’ve been yours.”
All these years later, and Cam still has the same effect on me. Breathless.
✦Thoughts✦
This really was a cute one and the spice was *chefs kiss*. Cam and his dirty talk took me by surprise in the best way. I loved their friendship as well. It started a bit a slow for me at first, but it picked up and I was invested in these two.
Also her dad, I sort of a need a book on her dad and him getting his HEA.
Overall I enjoyed this, but there were some things I didn’t like.
•The secret video of it all.
•The third act breakup.
February 21, 2025
5 Star Review Out Of Bounds (Thunder Creek #1) by Kara Kendrick
This book is everything I look for in a romance novel. The characters were easy to relate too and I quickly found myself invested in Sloane Carter and Cam Crawford’s story.
They were friends years ago and now find themselves back in Thunder Creek. Neither are looking for love but fate has other plans for these two.
This book ticked all the boxes for me. As you would expect from a story based in a small town, everyone is up in everyone’s business and that just added an additional layer to the story. The characters are quirky, and I cannot wait to read more in the series.
This book is everything I look for in a romance novel. The characters were easy to relate too and I quickly found myself invested in Sloane Carter and Cam Crawford’s story.
They were friends years ago and now find themselves back in Thunder Creek. Neither are looking for love but fate has other plans for these two.
This book ticked all the boxes for me. As you would expect from a story based in a small town, everyone is up in everyone’s business and that just added an additional layer to the story. The characters are quirky, and I cannot wait to read more in the series.
October 10, 2024
What a perfect read for football season! Out of Bounds by Kara Kendrick was a swoony and emotional second chance romance set in a sweet small town. Cam and Sloane bring all the heartache and warmth and slow burn goodness in their love story.
🏈 friends to lovers
🏈 second chance
🏈 forbidden ( she is coach's daughter)
🏈 small town romance
Synopsis
Cam and Sloane were best friends in high school. Cam was the popular star wide receiver of Thunder Creek High & Sloane was the coach's daughter with a shy personality. They have lost contact when Cam became a pro NFL player. Cut to present. Cam is back to the home town for some advice and training with his old coach after a stupid mistake cut him off from Chicago team. Coincidentally, Sloane is back too, after being cheated by her fiance just one month before wedding. Cam cannot afford distraction but he cannot deny his growing feeling and electric attraction. Sloane doesn't want to get her heart broken but Cam was her forever crush and she is ready to take a chance.
Sloane is such a beautiful person and my heart hurts to see her getting heartache so often. Her mother left, her fiance cheated and Cam technically left her friendship too. Her father was amazing though. I love to see a protective father. Right now she is vulnerable and that tequila fuelled email with word vomit didn't help either. Cam is lost and desperate too. He built a bad boy reputation but it wasnt as bad as the media portrayal. And the s3x video was a grave mistake that has tarnished his reputation to almost irredeemable level. So he has to work hard. And he cannot mess it. But as he spends time with Sloane doing little happy things, all the feelings come rushing back. How she is so sweet and caring and supportive. How she never cared for his fame. How she helps him to carry his burdens. So he took the risk of facing the consequences even from the coach. Their connection makes me feel so happy inside. They are just adorable together. The friendship is so precious and love was built on that solid foundation. A lot of back and forth will happen as they try to resist falling for each other. It was slow burn but right kind of spicy. Cam's past almost ruined it all but he fought hard to earn her forgiveness and regain her trust. Those were some real grand gestures! He is a total goner for Sloane and she absolutely deserves that kind of dreamy love.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
🏈 friends to lovers
🏈 second chance
🏈 forbidden ( she is coach's daughter)
🏈 small town romance
Synopsis
Cam and Sloane were best friends in high school. Cam was the popular star wide receiver of Thunder Creek High & Sloane was the coach's daughter with a shy personality. They have lost contact when Cam became a pro NFL player. Cut to present. Cam is back to the home town for some advice and training with his old coach after a stupid mistake cut him off from Chicago team. Coincidentally, Sloane is back too, after being cheated by her fiance just one month before wedding. Cam cannot afford distraction but he cannot deny his growing feeling and electric attraction. Sloane doesn't want to get her heart broken but Cam was her forever crush and she is ready to take a chance.
Sloane is such a beautiful person and my heart hurts to see her getting heartache so often. Her mother left, her fiance cheated and Cam technically left her friendship too. Her father was amazing though. I love to see a protective father. Right now she is vulnerable and that tequila fuelled email with word vomit didn't help either. Cam is lost and desperate too. He built a bad boy reputation but it wasnt as bad as the media portrayal. And the s3x video was a grave mistake that has tarnished his reputation to almost irredeemable level. So he has to work hard. And he cannot mess it. But as he spends time with Sloane doing little happy things, all the feelings come rushing back. How she is so sweet and caring and supportive. How she never cared for his fame. How she helps him to carry his burdens. So he took the risk of facing the consequences even from the coach. Their connection makes me feel so happy inside. They are just adorable together. The friendship is so precious and love was built on that solid foundation. A lot of back and forth will happen as they try to resist falling for each other. It was slow burn but right kind of spicy. Cam's past almost ruined it all but he fought hard to earn her forgiveness and regain her trust. Those were some real grand gestures! He is a total goner for Sloane and she absolutely deserves that kind of dreamy love.
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
October 6, 2024
Out of Bounds by Kara Kendrick is part of the Thunder Creek series. This book is all about Cam Crawford, star pro football wide receiver, and Sloane Carter. Both Sloane and Cam are in a hard spot in life and end up back in Thunder Creek at Sloane’s dad’s house. They were best friends in high school, but Sloane was always off-limits because she was the coaches daughter. During their time back, they get to spend a lot of time together and catch up on life. This book was so sweet and well written that I didn’t want it to end. The chemistry between Sloane and Cam was perfection. They are so perfect for each other but so stubborn at the same time. This was a new to me author, and it will not be the last time I read her books!
April 14, 2025
I am obsessed! This book was so cute. I don’t know how more people aren’t talking about this! If you love a sweet, small town, sports romance, this is your book! The writing was so good I could picture everything. It was like watching a movie. Was some of it cheesy or unrealistic? Sure. But i don’t read for that. It had me smiling, giddy, and even at the edge of my seat at one point.
There is open door spiciness, so that is your warning if you don’t love that. But, there was also some sweetness. It was relatable because it has her listening to Taylor Swift and talks about pulling out her Jonas Brothers sheets from her younger years. Too relatable.
A series it reminded me of was The Knockemout Series by Lucy Score. If you liked that, you’ll love this!
There is open door spiciness, so that is your warning if you don’t love that. But, there was also some sweetness. It was relatable because it has her listening to Taylor Swift and talks about pulling out her Jonas Brothers sheets from her younger years. Too relatable.
A series it reminded me of was The Knockemout Series by Lucy Score. If you liked that, you’ll love this!
October 21, 2024
Out of Bounds is an adorable small-town romance about two best friends finding each other at the right points in their lives. Sloane, recently ex-engaged, moved back home with her single dad, the all star high school football coach, to figure out her next steps. Cam, pro football player, recently got cut from his team and moves back to town to train with his old coach, Sloane’s dad. The high school best friends spend the summer together working towards finding what they want to do next, but also finding out what they mean to each other. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a friends-to-lovers story with very lovable characters and some romantic spice
September 30, 2024
Out of bounds is a small town, Friends to Lovers football romance. It gave me Gilmore Girls meets Friday Night Lights vibes and I loved every minute of it!
Sloane Carter and Cam Crawford both liked each other all during their school years but neither one knew. Sloane is the coach's daughter and very much off limits.
Flash forward to the present where they both end up back home in Thunder Creek. Sloane and Cam pick up right where they left off except this time attraction and feelings can't be ignored.
Cam finally gets the call from his agent that he's been hoping for a chance at a new team and a fresh start. Of course it's not that simple. Throw in,
"A secret scandal that threatens everything, including Sloane's heart.
Will she be able to forgive him and get the happily ever after they both deserve?
"All these years later, Cam still has the same effect on me.
Breathless".
Kara Kendrick did such a fabulous job creating the world of Thunder Creek. I am in love with Sloane and Cam and all of Thunder Creek's fun loving characters!
Tropes:
-Small Town
-Forbidden Romance
-Forced Proximity
-Coaches Daughter
-Friends to Lovers
-Football Romance
Sloane Carter and Cam Crawford both liked each other all during their school years but neither one knew. Sloane is the coach's daughter and very much off limits.
Flash forward to the present where they both end up back home in Thunder Creek. Sloane and Cam pick up right where they left off except this time attraction and feelings can't be ignored.
Cam finally gets the call from his agent that he's been hoping for a chance at a new team and a fresh start. Of course it's not that simple. Throw in,
"A secret scandal that threatens everything, including Sloane's heart.
Will she be able to forgive him and get the happily ever after they both deserve?
"All these years later, Cam still has the same effect on me.
Breathless".
Kara Kendrick did such a fabulous job creating the world of Thunder Creek. I am in love with Sloane and Cam and all of Thunder Creek's fun loving characters!
Tropes:
-Small Town
-Forbidden Romance
-Forced Proximity
-Coaches Daughter
-Friends to Lovers
-Football Romance
October 4, 2024
Wow super cute and spicy
I am so excited for the next book!
This book instantly hooked me in. The big plot twist was very predictable. But not in a bad way.
I loved this book I am gonna recommended it a lot.
I loved all the side characters.
I loved the friends to lovers, kind of second chance, I loved that he got to go home and kind of reset. There is obviously a huge relationship with his high school coach! And its understandable he is a great guy and he is to her dad, the love if his life father.
Its such a cute story. After the big plot twist it felt a little rushed to wrap up the story. But the sneak peek to the next book so excited.
If you love sports, football, cute spicy, friends to love, a bit forbidden, small town, you will love this!!!!!
I am so excited for the next book!
This book instantly hooked me in. The big plot twist was very predictable. But not in a bad way.
I loved this book I am gonna recommended it a lot.
I loved all the side characters.
I loved the friends to lovers, kind of second chance, I loved that he got to go home and kind of reset. There is obviously a huge relationship with his high school coach! And its understandable he is a great guy and he is to her dad, the love if his life father.
Its such a cute story. After the big plot twist it felt a little rushed to wrap up the story. But the sneak peek to the next book so excited.
If you love sports, football, cute spicy, friends to love, a bit forbidden, small town, you will love this!!!!!
March 5, 2025
I struggled getting invested in these characters. I think it had a lot of good bones for a romance but the execution wasn’t there. With it being a sort of right person, wrong time romance I would have liked to have seen some flashbacks or something to show that the characters had the connection that was implied. Otherwise it felt insta-love and overall very quick.
🏈 football
😊 childhood friends to strangers to lovers
👥 close proximity
dual POV
3/5 stars ⭐️
2/5 spice level 🌶️
🏈 football
😊 childhood friends to strangers to lovers
👥 close proximity
dual POV
3/5 stars ⭐️
2/5 spice level 🌶️
October 15, 2024
This was a fun sports romance read focused on Sloane and Cam. Sloane is home, living with her dad, after a filed engagement. She's ready to reset her life. Her dad happens to be the high school football coach, who is highly respected by former and current players.
After confessing her feelings for her high school crush to him in an email, he shows up on their doorstep. The catch, she doesn't think he read the email because he's there for her dad. Cam was the high school football star who went all the way and made the pros. Now, a few bad mistakes have led him to his former coach's door, hoping that he can find a way to get the spark of football back.
Sloane and Cam find themselves staying under the same roof and becoming friends again, like in high school. This time though, there's an undeniable spark that can't seem to be ignored by either one of them.
I do love the small romances, and this one was great from beginning to end. Both characters were strong in overcoming pasts and looking forward in hopes of healing. They made you want to root for them, hoping they would get a happily ever after together.
Thank you Kara Kendrick and Valentine PR for a gifted ebook in exchange for my honest review.
After confessing her feelings for her high school crush to him in an email, he shows up on their doorstep. The catch, she doesn't think he read the email because he's there for her dad. Cam was the high school football star who went all the way and made the pros. Now, a few bad mistakes have led him to his former coach's door, hoping that he can find a way to get the spark of football back.
Sloane and Cam find themselves staying under the same roof and becoming friends again, like in high school. This time though, there's an undeniable spark that can't seem to be ignored by either one of them.
I do love the small romances, and this one was great from beginning to end. Both characters were strong in overcoming pasts and looking forward in hopes of healing. They made you want to root for them, hoping they would get a happily ever after together.
Thank you Kara Kendrick and Valentine PR for a gifted ebook in exchange for my honest review.
January 14, 2025
dnf'ing this book at 30%
I really didn't want to dnf this book, but something was missing there. I didn't feel connected with the MMC and FMC. I also didn't feel they were THAT in love with each other. It felt like just a high school crush.
However, I'm giving 3 stars because I didn't even reach 50% of the book, so it feels unfair to give 1 or 2 stars.
I also didn't want to start 2025 with a reading slump and dnf'ing a book but here we are
I really didn't want to dnf this book, but something was missing there. I didn't feel connected with the MMC and FMC. I also didn't feel they were THAT in love with each other. It felt like just a high school crush.
However, I'm giving 3 stars because I didn't even reach 50% of the book, so it feels unfair to give 1 or 2 stars.
I also didn't want to start 2025 with a reading slump and dnf'ing a book but here we are
October 8, 2024
Loved this story of friends to lovers that had a great storyline. From laughter to tears, love, and redemption and healing, this book was great. Sloane is the coaches daughter in high school and off limits to the players. Cam is a football player who was friends with Sloane and would hang out together with neither admitting their feelings for the other. They went their separate ways with him to college and the Pros and her to life as a paralegal. Engaged to be married, the true colors of her fiancée are found out and she returns home to her dad’s house. Cam returns home also hoping to have his former coach help him train as he looks for a new team after being cut. Being this close together, they have trouble denying their feelings. Until one person brings to Sloane’s attention the true reason Cam was cut from his team and a doctored up video to cause trouble. This author gets to the heart of the matter and with great stories. I always feel like I am right there with the characters. You can’t go wrong with reading one of her books!
October 9, 2024
This was such a cute read! From beginning to end! This is a small town football romance! Coachs daughter is off limits? Not for long! In this book you’ll find all the banter and swoon worthy moments. You’ll never guess what made them break up … OMG.. you’ve gotta read to find out though! I loved the ending of this book so much!
November 24, 2024
The thing that annoyed me the most was that her dad and her boyfriend both called her "baby". I needed one of them to call her a different endearment. Too weird.
October 3, 2024
2.5 stars
I don’t feel like anything…happened. And it was just really weird to me that a professional athlete would come back to train at his high school. Not to mention the fact that he ended up having beef with a high schooler. These people are supposed to be in their 30s, geez!
Thanks to Valentine PR for the ARC.
I don’t feel like anything…happened. And it was just really weird to me that a professional athlete would come back to train at his high school. Not to mention the fact that he ended up having beef with a high schooler. These people are supposed to be in their 30s, geez!
Thanks to Valentine PR for the ARC.
October 10, 2024
This is a first read for me by this author, and I very much enjoyed this friends to livers story. Highly recommended
October 7, 2024
5 Star Review Out Of Bounds (Thunder Creek #1) by Kara Kendrick
This book is everything I look for in a romance novel. The characters were easy to relate too and I quickly found myself invested in Sloane Carter and Cam Crawford’s story.
They were friends years ago and now find themselves back in Thunder Creek. Neither are looking for love but fate has other plans for these two.
This book ticked all the boxes for me. As you would expect from a story based in a small town, everyone is up in everyone’s business and that just added an additional layer to the story. The characters are quirky, and I cannot wait to read more in the series.
This book is everything I look for in a romance novel. The characters were easy to relate too and I quickly found myself invested in Sloane Carter and Cam Crawford’s story.
They were friends years ago and now find themselves back in Thunder Creek. Neither are looking for love but fate has other plans for these two.
This book ticked all the boxes for me. As you would expect from a story based in a small town, everyone is up in everyone’s business and that just added an additional layer to the story. The characters are quirky, and I cannot wait to read more in the series.
October 9, 2024
Small town football, best friends in high school, and too scared to take it further. Fast forward 13 years and Cam and Sloane might get a second chance.
Cam has returned home, he needs to regroup and get back to basics if he wants to get his career back on track. His NFL team has cut him due to serious misconduct. He seeks advice from his first coach, Sloan’s dad. But the proximity to Sloan, has the two of them distracted to temptation.
Sloan has had her share of heartbreak including Cam leaving her, but her father is her rock. Cam is a little lost as well, but his time with Sloan is slowly healing him. He is full of grand gestures, but as a thing from his past nearly derails all his momentum to gain her trust.
I loved reading their story, the slow burn, the meddling small town and a friendship that evolves to more.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Cam has returned home, he needs to regroup and get back to basics if he wants to get his career back on track. His NFL team has cut him due to serious misconduct. He seeks advice from his first coach, Sloan’s dad. But the proximity to Sloan, has the two of them distracted to temptation.
Sloan has had her share of heartbreak including Cam leaving her, but her father is her rock. Cam is a little lost as well, but his time with Sloan is slowly healing him. He is full of grand gestures, but as a thing from his past nearly derails all his momentum to gain her trust.
I loved reading their story, the slow burn, the meddling small town and a friendship that evolves to more.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
March 6, 2025
Friends to Lovers football romance and I loved every minute of it!
Sloane Carter and Cam Crawford both liked each other all during their school years but neither one knew. Sloane is the coach's daughter and very much off limits.
So if you like:
🏈sports romance (football)
📖small town
🏈childhood friends-to-lovers
📖forced proximity
I can only recommend this book.
Sloane Carter and Cam Crawford both liked each other all during their school years but neither one knew. Sloane is the coach's daughter and very much off limits.
So if you like:
🏈sports romance (football)
📖small town
🏈childhood friends-to-lovers
📖forced proximity
I can only recommend this book.
October 17, 2024
This was a cute second chance romance between high school best friends who always had feelings for each other but never took the chance to pursue more then friendship. Then life takes them in different directions and they loose touch, only to have fate bring them both back to their home town where they seem to pick up right where they left off all those years ago.
I liked Sloane and Cam. They had great banter, fun conversations, emotionally bonding moments and OTT chemistry. There was a little angst and a 3rd act break up but there is no doubt about their deep love for each other so not gonna lie, I was a little antsy over Sloane's stubborn attitude and the huge misinformation that as the reader we knew about but she didn't. I almost wished she was the one to chase after Cam and make a big gesture because our boy definitely tried long after most people would have taken the loss and moved on.
It all ends well and it really is a cute read that I read from start to finish. Their shared history was cute, with only a little time jump to give you a taste of what they were like in high school then the majority of the story is present time. Our MCs were great together and I'm definitely excited to explore Gracelyne and Mack's story next. 1) Because I loved their teaser scene! 2) I'm a sucker for age gap romance and lastly 3) I really want Jamie to get visited by Karma.
Favorites Quote:
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
SAFETY INFO:
I liked Sloane and Cam. They had great banter, fun conversations, emotionally bonding moments and OTT chemistry. There was a little angst and a 3rd act break up but there is no doubt about their deep love for each other so not gonna lie, I was a little antsy over Sloane's stubborn attitude and the huge misinformation that as the reader we knew about but she didn't. I almost wished she was the one to chase after Cam and make a big gesture because our boy definitely tried long after most people would have taken the loss and moved on.
It all ends well and it really is a cute read that I read from start to finish. Their shared history was cute, with only a little time jump to give you a taste of what they were like in high school then the majority of the story is present time. Our MCs were great together and I'm definitely excited to explore Gracelyne and Mack's story next. 1) Because I loved their teaser scene! 2) I'm a sucker for age gap romance and lastly 3) I really want Jamie to get visited by Karma.
Favorites Quote:
A book boyfriend is cute and all, but nothing replaces the actual feeling of being with someone.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
SAFETY INFO:
October 9, 2024
I absolutely loved Out of Bounds, an incredible small-town friends to lovers love story, the fourth book in her Thunder Creek series. Kara Kendrick has shown readers that she is an amazing storyteller and is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors to read. It was impossible to put Out of Bounds down, and I loved every moment on every page. Who does not love hot sexy men, strong females, loving families, and friends, who always support one another? I really enjoy how the book is told in the first person from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting the insight and feelings from the different characters. I love how Kara Kendrick always manages to create the "perfect" heroine, who is a strong, sassy woman on her own, to balance out the sexy, swoon worthy man. Out of Bounds is filled with the heartbreaking and heartwarming moments that I have come to love and expect in a love story, and Kara Kendrick did not disappoint with the delivery, especially with the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner. Out of Bounds is the story of Sloane Carter and her high school best friend Cam Crawford, professional football player. Sloane recently returned to Thunder Creek. Georgia from New Orleans after discovering that her fiancé was cheating on her. Sloane and Cam were best friends in high school, but Cam always considered Sloane off-limits since she was the daughter of his high school football coach. Cam returns to Thunder Creek for the first time since turning pro. Cam was cut from the Chicago football team following a secret scandal involving a drunken video of him and two teammates, he has not told anyone why he was really cut from the football team. Cam starts training and practicing with high school football team to get ready to be hired by a new team. Since Cam’s family moved away from Thunder Creek, Sloane’s father offers the extra bedroom to Cam while he is in town. I love the sheets that Sloane puts on the bed in the extra room. Conversation between Sloane and Cam flows so easily, with innuendos and playful banter, and Cam constantly flirts with Sloane. I love that Cam always calls Sloane “Trouble”. Sloane decides to take a part-time job at the library, until she decides what she wants to do. As Sloane and Cam begin to spend time together things change between them. As Cam travels to tryout, a plot twist puts their relationship in jeopardy. I love how Sloane and Cam admit their real feelings, especially when Cam admitted he had feelings for Sloane in high school. I love Sloane’s relationship with her father. I loved the ending of their love story! I loved the bonus epilogue and Cam’s proposal and where it takes place, but I especially love how he presented it to Sloane. I love the characters and the family dynamic in Out of Bounds. I enjoy all the interactions among the characters, it feels like real family love and makes me laugh at their teasing. Kara Kendrick’s descriptions are so real, I was right there with Sloane and Cam in Thunder Creek. Who does not love a friends that always have each other’s backs? I thoroughly enjoyed Out of Bounds, who does not love a small-town friends to lovers love story. Highly recommend this incredible love. I received an advance copy from the author.
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