What do you think?
Rate this book
Kickoff
Hearts break. Sparks fly. If only love was as straightforward as the game, right?
Star quarterback. Straight-A swimmer. Two lives bound by a secret that could destroy them both.
I’m on top of the world—the king of the field, the guy everyone wants. Except Melinda Shepard. She’s brilliant, distant, and refuses to be dazzled by my fame or my reputation. Years ago, we almost became something—but it all went up in flames before it even started.
When a night takes a dark turn and she’s left fighting for her life, I’m the only one there to save her. Suddenly, I’m trapped back in the friendship zone, right where I never wanted to be. But the fire between us hasn’t died—it’s raging, and my heart is hers, no question. Melinda is holding back, hiding a secret so dark it could ruin us both. As truths unravel and emotions crash, every unsaid word cuts deeper. Our friendship might be the only thing left—if it can survive the storm.
Falling for the girl who could break you? Who knew it would be the hardest and cruelest play of my life.
🏈 opposites attract
🏈 high school quarterback
🏈 athlete FMC (swimming)
🏈 touch her and d!e
🏈 he falls first
🏈 childhood friends to enemies to it's complicated
🏈 mental health rep
Star quarterback. Straight-A swimmer. Two lives bound by a secret that could destroy them both.
I’m on top of the world—the king of the field, the guy everyone wants. Except Melinda Shepard. She’s brilliant, distant, and refuses to be dazzled by my fame or my reputation. Years ago, we almost became something—but it all went up in flames before it even started.
When a night takes a dark turn and she’s left fighting for her life, I’m the only one there to save her. Suddenly, I’m trapped back in the friendship zone, right where I never wanted to be. But the fire between us hasn’t died—it’s raging, and my heart is hers, no question. Melinda is holding back, hiding a secret so dark it could ruin us both. As truths unravel and emotions crash, every unsaid word cuts deeper. Our friendship might be the only thing left—if it can survive the storm.
Falling for the girl who could break you? Who knew it would be the hardest and cruelest play of my life.
🏈 opposites attract
🏈 high school quarterback
🏈 athlete FMC (swimming)
🏈 touch her and d!e
🏈 he falls first
🏈 childhood friends to enemies to it's complicated
🏈 mental health rep
- GenresSports
494 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 29, 2025
About the author
Emmanuelle Snow
31 books207 followersSoulfully Beautiful Love Stories
Busy writing your next book boyfriend!
USA Today Bestselling author Emmanuelle Snow is an author of contemporary YA and women's fiction love stories, who gives life to strong characters who’ll fight with all they have to reach their life goals and find their own happiness. She loves her characters to be relatable and realistic.
Emmanuelle is in love with love. Especially complicated, deep, and passionate feelings that make a relationship extraordinary and complex all at the same time.
She likes her characters to be believable and relatable! And her stories laced with raw emotions.
Grab a tissue box (or two)!
♥Join her ARC team, The Snowmates:
https://emmanuellesnow.com
♥Visit her bookstore:
http://emmanuellesnow.com
Book series
Carter Hills Band Universe
Busy writing your next book boyfriend!
USA Today Bestselling author Emmanuelle Snow is an author of contemporary YA and women's fiction love stories, who gives life to strong characters who’ll fight with all they have to reach their life goals and find their own happiness. She loves her characters to be relatable and realistic.
Emmanuelle is in love with love. Especially complicated, deep, and passionate feelings that make a relationship extraordinary and complex all at the same time.
She likes her characters to be believable and relatable! And her stories laced with raw emotions.
Grab a tissue box (or two)!
♥Join her ARC team, The Snowmates:
https://emmanuellesnow.com
♥Visit her bookstore:
http://emmanuellesnow.com
Book series
Carter Hills Band Universe
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 25, 2025
Kickoff by Emmanuelle Snow
3/5 stars
Kickoff is a new book in a new series by Emmanuelle Snow. I am a huge Emmanuelle fan and was super excited to read her new book.
This book is about Mason who loves to play football. He is an extremely gifted athlete. And ever since he was a young boy he loved Melinda Shepard. Melinda moved in next door and they instantly hit it off. But when young Mason mentions he wants her to be his girlfriend she instantly sets clear boundaries that that is not an option whatsoever.
Melinda is a gifted athlete as well and trains to be a competitive swimmer. And she does absolutely anything to beat her biggest rival from another school.
Their entire lives they sort of gravitate towards each other. But there is always something that keeps them apart. At times Mel seems aloof. While Mase is utterly and completely in love with her. His eyes always follow her. He always thinks about her, yearns for her, his entire life is lasered towards Mel. And when he saves her from a guy who tries to force himself upon her, they finally become friends again. And their bond starts to grow. As friends. And slowly they both start to feel some lust towards each other.
And while I really like the story, I did enjoy reading it. This book is vastly different from Emmanuelle's other books. She tried a new approach and for me personally it didn't completely work and/or I didn't enjoy it as much.
There is a repetitive cadence in this story. They like each other, something happens, they drift apart. They talk, someone mentions something, they drift apart. One gets scared, or one hurts the other one, distance happens and then they find each other again. If a girl wants to claim Mason (which he never allows), Mel instantly runs and pushes him away. Resulting in him trying to explain and gaining her trust back. All these things happen again and again and again. And because this is a fairly long book for a duet it felt like it was on repeat with not much difference between each time it happens.
I was also constantly thinking about Carter's book which Emmanuelle wrote in The Carter's Hills Band series. That book was a standalone at first. And then she rewrote it into a duet. And that duet was utterly, utterly perfect. It was brilliant and so much better than the standalone. And while I was reading this series, I was constantly thinking nothing happens apart from that repetitive sequence. I was constantly thinking the pace needs to pick up and I constantly wished for this duet to be a standalone so that the pacing would be better.
Like halfway through the book Mason's inner monologue, that were the same thoughts on repeat, started to annoy me a little bit. They are stuck so long in that repetitive sequence. It doesn't push the story forwards at all. In the last few chapters a lot changes and finally the story picks up and it gets pushed forwards. I predicted the reveal, the secret, quite early on in the story and that was a bit of shame.
In the last chapter or epilogue there are finally some scenes through Mel's eyes. And I really missed her personal views throughout this entire book. I think chapters through her eyes would have added so much more depth and a different cadence to the story. It would have broken up the repetitiveness that stalled the story immensely. Now it was just the same thing that happened again and again. I really missed the variety, depth and vital things to push the story forwards.
I hope I explained myself respectfully and kindly. And I did enjoy the book, I just didn't fall in love with it. It was really hard to fall in love with either Mason or Melinda. I missed that all consuming chemistry between them. I missed the chemistry that is between all the other couples Emmanuelle ever created. A part of me really hopes this duet will get rewritten so that the pacing will get better and so that the story is going somewhere more solidly. And that Mel will get chapters of her own. Because those three small chapters, through her eyes, were my favorite of the entire book.
So I am giving this book 3 very solid and deserved stars. I just hope one day, if it gets rewritten, I can give it 4 or 5 stars. Because the potential is really there. I am curious to read the second half of this duet and see how it connects to the first. And I am dying to know what the pacing of the second half is. And to see if I really want them to be combined to get a more exciting story about Mel and Mase.
So 3 stars overall from me!
3/5 stars
Kickoff is a new book in a new series by Emmanuelle Snow. I am a huge Emmanuelle fan and was super excited to read her new book.
This book is about Mason who loves to play football. He is an extremely gifted athlete. And ever since he was a young boy he loved Melinda Shepard. Melinda moved in next door and they instantly hit it off. But when young Mason mentions he wants her to be his girlfriend she instantly sets clear boundaries that that is not an option whatsoever.
Melinda is a gifted athlete as well and trains to be a competitive swimmer. And she does absolutely anything to beat her biggest rival from another school.
Their entire lives they sort of gravitate towards each other. But there is always something that keeps them apart. At times Mel seems aloof. While Mase is utterly and completely in love with her. His eyes always follow her. He always thinks about her, yearns for her, his entire life is lasered towards Mel. And when he saves her from a guy who tries to force himself upon her, they finally become friends again. And their bond starts to grow. As friends. And slowly they both start to feel some lust towards each other.
And while I really like the story, I did enjoy reading it. This book is vastly different from Emmanuelle's other books. She tried a new approach and for me personally it didn't completely work and/or I didn't enjoy it as much.
There is a repetitive cadence in this story. They like each other, something happens, they drift apart. They talk, someone mentions something, they drift apart. One gets scared, or one hurts the other one, distance happens and then they find each other again. If a girl wants to claim Mason (which he never allows), Mel instantly runs and pushes him away. Resulting in him trying to explain and gaining her trust back. All these things happen again and again and again. And because this is a fairly long book for a duet it felt like it was on repeat with not much difference between each time it happens.
I was also constantly thinking about Carter's book which Emmanuelle wrote in The Carter's Hills Band series. That book was a standalone at first. And then she rewrote it into a duet. And that duet was utterly, utterly perfect. It was brilliant and so much better than the standalone. And while I was reading this series, I was constantly thinking nothing happens apart from that repetitive sequence. I was constantly thinking the pace needs to pick up and I constantly wished for this duet to be a standalone so that the pacing would be better.
Like halfway through the book Mason's inner monologue, that were the same thoughts on repeat, started to annoy me a little bit. They are stuck so long in that repetitive sequence. It doesn't push the story forwards at all. In the last few chapters a lot changes and finally the story picks up and it gets pushed forwards. I predicted the reveal, the secret, quite early on in the story and that was a bit of shame.
In the last chapter or epilogue there are finally some scenes through Mel's eyes. And I really missed her personal views throughout this entire book. I think chapters through her eyes would have added so much more depth and a different cadence to the story. It would have broken up the repetitiveness that stalled the story immensely. Now it was just the same thing that happened again and again. I really missed the variety, depth and vital things to push the story forwards.
I hope I explained myself respectfully and kindly. And I did enjoy the book, I just didn't fall in love with it. It was really hard to fall in love with either Mason or Melinda. I missed that all consuming chemistry between them. I missed the chemistry that is between all the other couples Emmanuelle ever created. A part of me really hopes this duet will get rewritten so that the pacing will get better and so that the story is going somewhere more solidly. And that Mel will get chapters of her own. Because those three small chapters, through her eyes, were my favorite of the entire book.
So I am giving this book 3 very solid and deserved stars. I just hope one day, if it gets rewritten, I can give it 4 or 5 stars. Because the potential is really there. I am curious to read the second half of this duet and see how it connects to the first. And I am dying to know what the pacing of the second half is. And to see if I really want them to be combined to get a more exciting story about Mel and Mase.
So 3 stars overall from me!
June 12, 2025
i thoroughly enjoyed this book it’s cute but it does touch on a heavy topic especially toward the end with melinda but it’s definitely a must read if you have time for it
June 24, 2026
This book was a super cute and easy read! Overall I would give it 3.5 stars.
Both Mason and Melinda are star athletes of their respective high school sports which makes the story feel more authentically "teenage". Similarly, a lot of the issues that they go through, including some of the harsher topics, can feel relatable to younger readers. One thing that I found interesting and refreshing compared to a lot of other romantic comedy books is that the whole story was told from the male lead's point of view (excluding the final chapter of course). Most books of this genre are mostly told from the female lead's point of view or there is duel narration, so having Mason tell the whole story from his eyes was enjoyable.
Some things I think were a bit challenging when reading the book was the narration. While the characters themselves and their relationships seemed realistic, I feel like some of the dialogue was very stilted which made the conversations feel unnatural. At some points it even made the characters feel more mature than their actions, especially within the friends' social interactions. They could be joking around yet everything felt extremely formal. The one other issue that I had was that at time the book seemed like it's foundation was the tropes and the plot was built on top of it. It felt like the first step was a checklist of romance book tropes that needed to be included, which in turn left the scenes in between feeling repetitive or stagnant at times.
Overall, I think the storyline was really entertaining and I can't wait to see what happens next in their story!
Both Mason and Melinda are star athletes of their respective high school sports which makes the story feel more authentically "teenage". Similarly, a lot of the issues that they go through, including some of the harsher topics, can feel relatable to younger readers. One thing that I found interesting and refreshing compared to a lot of other romantic comedy books is that the whole story was told from the male lead's point of view (excluding the final chapter of course). Most books of this genre are mostly told from the female lead's point of view or there is duel narration, so having Mason tell the whole story from his eyes was enjoyable.
Some things I think were a bit challenging when reading the book was the narration. While the characters themselves and their relationships seemed realistic, I feel like some of the dialogue was very stilted which made the conversations feel unnatural. At some points it even made the characters feel more mature than their actions, especially within the friends' social interactions. They could be joking around yet everything felt extremely formal. The one other issue that I had was that at time the book seemed like it's foundation was the tropes and the plot was built on top of it. It felt like the first step was a checklist of romance book tropes that needed to be included, which in turn left the scenes in between feeling repetitive or stagnant at times.
Overall, I think the storyline was really entertaining and I can't wait to see what happens next in their story!
May 25, 2025
Finally got an ARC copy! I absolutely loved this book. Mason is just such an interesting character and I love his dynamic with his brother Craig and Craig’s girlfriend Paige. Also, yes. I do fudging HATE Nathan F-ing Bellevue. Mason is such a complex character and I love seeing how he tries to improve himself for the person he has been in love with for so long. It’s not like those other characters that change themselves to try and please the other person, he just makes an effort to mature while staying true to himself. I really hope that Mason and Melinda get the happy ending that they deserve. Can’t wait for the next one! ❤️
May 26, 2025
This is book one in The Touch Down series and it is Melinda and Mason’s story and omg what a great start to this series and definitely a must read. Melinda and Mason meet when she moved in next door to him and he felt a instant connection to her and wanted them to become friends and maybe in time more especially as they were also going to be at the same school but then everything fell apart and they really didn’t connect until years later. Mason is the star quarterback for Elk River High Bears Team and also a bit of a playboy due to his popularity and then you have Melinda who a straight a student and also the star swimmer with the team and even though he has been in love with her right from the start she also had her reasons for keeping him at arm’s length because of his playboy ways and her own secrets but they are both very complicated people especially as her best friend Paige is the girlfriend of Mason’s brother Craig. Mason had never stopped wanting and loving Melinda and what could have been if he hadn’t made a mess of everything so now he needed to change his reputation if he ever wanted a chance to show her that he is a good person and not what others see and he was prepared to do anything to be with Melinda in any way possible even though he knew it wouldn’t be easy. Melinda and Mason had so many ups and downs and things between them was definitely not plain sailing and even though they are perfect together and for each other they will both need to be vulnerable and communicate while saying how they feel before it is all taken away from them and just when you think things between them start to progress something happens that completely tears everything apart leaving devastation, heartbreak and a cliffhanger ending leaving you with so many emotions. Wow this book will take you on the biggest rollercoaster ride of emotions with everything that Melinda and Mason had been through and I loved this book so much that I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. The storyline will pull you in and have you turning the pages while keeping your attention throughout because it was so engaging and addictive. I definitely recommend you read this book but just remember that it is not a standalone story and you will need to read the next book but you will not be disappointed.
July 18, 2026
My Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
My Review:
This was my first football romance book. And it has also been a while since I read a YA romance. And needless to say, I truly enjoyed the read.
High school QB and Swimmer romance, the girl next door, teen romance, you touch her, and you die, he fell first (I think), childhood friends, and small town are a few tropes that I noticed.
As always, Em's book gracefully and fabulously touches on real-life struggles in ways that readers feel every single emotion while reading it, even without personal experience in those subjects. Trigger warnings are advised for readers who easily get triggered. Likewise, this book touches on teenage bullying, struggles of high school, mental health struggles, eating disorders, therapy, lack of self-confidence, body shaming, etc., that were written so delicately it truly added a depth to this YA romance.
However, the miscommunication and the on-again, off-again nature of the relationship made it feel like whiplash and a bit repetitive throughout the book, but then again, that is also how the indecisiveness of young love could be as well. I honestly felt every pain the main characters felt, the heart break and the struggles the way it was narrated. And it was nice to have the book narrated in the male main character's POV apart from that last chapter.
I loved how not only the main characters had prominence in the book, but the other characters too had some story to them in the plot. I cannot wait to see how Craig's and Paige's story is to unfold in the next book...maybe...or will there be a series for them? (I will have to wait and see)
I truly love Mason and Melinda. And I hope they will rekindle, keep their egos aside and their miscommunication and find their way back to each other.
I am honestly not surprised to love another Emmannuelle Snow book. I've read them all, guys!!! And I cannot wait to read Game Plan.
My Review:
This was my first football romance book. And it has also been a while since I read a YA romance. And needless to say, I truly enjoyed the read.
High school QB and Swimmer romance, the girl next door, teen romance, you touch her, and you die, he fell first (I think), childhood friends, and small town are a few tropes that I noticed.
As always, Em's book gracefully and fabulously touches on real-life struggles in ways that readers feel every single emotion while reading it, even without personal experience in those subjects. Trigger warnings are advised for readers who easily get triggered. Likewise, this book touches on teenage bullying, struggles of high school, mental health struggles, eating disorders, therapy, lack of self-confidence, body shaming, etc., that were written so delicately it truly added a depth to this YA romance.
However, the miscommunication and the on-again, off-again nature of the relationship made it feel like whiplash and a bit repetitive throughout the book, but then again, that is also how the indecisiveness of young love could be as well. I honestly felt every pain the main characters felt, the heart break and the struggles the way it was narrated. And it was nice to have the book narrated in the male main character's POV apart from that last chapter.
I loved how not only the main characters had prominence in the book, but the other characters too had some story to them in the plot. I cannot wait to see how Craig's and Paige's story is to unfold in the next book...maybe...or will there be a series for them? (I will have to wait and see)
I truly love Mason and Melinda. And I hope they will rekindle, keep their egos aside and their miscommunication and find their way back to each other.
I am honestly not surprised to love another Emmannuelle Snow book. I've read them all, guys!!! And I cannot wait to read Game Plan.
June 5, 2025
I've had to take my time with this one. It will definitely bring back high school memories and make you feel nostalgic if you've been out of school as long as I have. I did like the book, but YA is hard for me.
Mason is a phenomenal football player as is his brother. Together they're a force to be reckoned with on the field. They have each other's backs regardless of the situation and never hesitate to call out the other for BS. I love their sibling relationship.
Melinda is an amazing swimmer and is a powerhouse in the water. I wish we could have got more insight into her brother and parents.
Mason and Melinda meet while in middle school and he's instantly smitten, but is in that awkward phase of life where he doesn't understand his feelings and all the hormones, therefore, scares Mel away.
Flash forward to high school where he's your typical football player with a reputation with the girls. It comes back to bite him when he finally wants to try to get Mel's attention. I will say though, once he realized how he felt for her he was very sweet, caring, and attentive to her. It always felt two steps forward and 10 steps backward with them though. There was so much back and forth that I got an emotional whiplash, much like the teen love experience will give you. It did feel repetitive at times and I think it could have been shortened by about 50 pages or so without losing the heart of the story.
Thank you, Emmanuelle Snow for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Mason is a phenomenal football player as is his brother. Together they're a force to be reckoned with on the field. They have each other's backs regardless of the situation and never hesitate to call out the other for BS. I love their sibling relationship.
Melinda is an amazing swimmer and is a powerhouse in the water. I wish we could have got more insight into her brother and parents.
Mason and Melinda meet while in middle school and he's instantly smitten, but is in that awkward phase of life where he doesn't understand his feelings and all the hormones, therefore, scares Mel away.
Flash forward to high school where he's your typical football player with a reputation with the girls. It comes back to bite him when he finally wants to try to get Mel's attention. I will say though, once he realized how he felt for her he was very sweet, caring, and attentive to her. It always felt two steps forward and 10 steps backward with them though. There was so much back and forth that I got an emotional whiplash, much like the teen love experience will give you. It did feel repetitive at times and I think it could have been shortened by about 50 pages or so without losing the heart of the story.
Thank you, Emmanuelle Snow for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 29, 2025
You tear us apart with each book - but the problem with splitting your books into multi-part series… now we have to wait forever to be put whole again!
My goodness! I though I’d be OK since we got near the end and I hadn’t been emotionally destroyed yet, like Emmanuelle has done in every single other one of her books, except she’s gone and given us a cliffhanger and left a hole in our hearts! Now we don’t know what’s happening in Melinda’s mind, or if Mason is going to be all right, just as they are graduating and heading off to the same college.
Melinda finally gave Mason a chance after 5 years, and while recovering from an eating disorder she destroys his (and in turn, our) heart … along with her best friend’s. I need the next book, asap, to find out if anything in their newly built relationship can be salvaged!
Emmanuelle Snow is a brilliant storyteller, building up the drama and emotions right from page one, and getting you hooked so you don’t want to put the book down. I finished this nearly 450 pager in only 2 days (had to work or it’d be a single sitting!), since I had to find out what these high school seniors would do next - would they or wouldn’t they finally get together?!?! He fell for her from the day she moved in next door when they were 12 and they played basketball, and she beat him in a swimming race!
Mostly told from Mason’s point of view, I truly enjoyed every single word.
Thank you to Emmanuelle Snow for the advance copy. This is my honest review.
My goodness! I though I’d be OK since we got near the end and I hadn’t been emotionally destroyed yet, like Emmanuelle has done in every single other one of her books, except she’s gone and given us a cliffhanger and left a hole in our hearts! Now we don’t know what’s happening in Melinda’s mind, or if Mason is going to be all right, just as they are graduating and heading off to the same college.
Melinda finally gave Mason a chance after 5 years, and while recovering from an eating disorder she destroys his (and in turn, our) heart … along with her best friend’s. I need the next book, asap, to find out if anything in their newly built relationship can be salvaged!
Emmanuelle Snow is a brilliant storyteller, building up the drama and emotions right from page one, and getting you hooked so you don’t want to put the book down. I finished this nearly 450 pager in only 2 days (had to work or it’d be a single sitting!), since I had to find out what these high school seniors would do next - would they or wouldn’t they finally get together?!?! He fell for her from the day she moved in next door when they were 12 and they played basketball, and she beat him in a swimming race!
Mostly told from Mason’s point of view, I truly enjoyed every single word.
Thank you to Emmanuelle Snow for the advance copy. This is my honest review.
May 24, 2025
Well guys Emmanuelle Snow did it again! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Kickoff is a gem of a book.
Mason Pierce is the star quarterback for the Elk River High’s Bears and he’s popular and a bit of a womanizer at first and he can date any girl he wants.
But he’s in love with the only person that he can’t have, his neighbour Melinda Shepard. She a star on the swimming team and doesn’t care about Mason even though her best friend Paige is dating Craig, Mason’s brother.
Mason and Melinda are important characters in Emmanuelle Snow’s Wrecked series and I was so happy to get the story of how they met and fell in love when they were teens.
The main tropes are
- childhood friends to enemies to lovers
- Small town
- Opposite attracts
- He falls first
- Mental health awareness
Kickoff will make you laugh,cry,and want to throw your book at the wall but in a good way. The banter is fantastic, the tension between the two MC will keep you on the edge of your seat. The book is quite big but it’s easy to read in one sitting. Who needs sleep anyway?
Can’t wait to read more of Emmanuelle’s magic worlds she creates and continue this series. I have so many questions I need answers to like right now.
This is a must-read book if you like emotions, angst, love, and someone who moves
the world for the person he loves.
Mason Pierce is definitely my new Johnny Kavanagh Sorry Johnny!
Kickoff is a gem of a book.
Mason Pierce is the star quarterback for the Elk River High’s Bears and he’s popular and a bit of a womanizer at first and he can date any girl he wants.
But he’s in love with the only person that he can’t have, his neighbour Melinda Shepard. She a star on the swimming team and doesn’t care about Mason even though her best friend Paige is dating Craig, Mason’s brother.
Mason and Melinda are important characters in Emmanuelle Snow’s Wrecked series and I was so happy to get the story of how they met and fell in love when they were teens.
The main tropes are
- childhood friends to enemies to lovers
- Small town
- Opposite attracts
- He falls first
- Mental health awareness
Kickoff will make you laugh,cry,and want to throw your book at the wall but in a good way. The banter is fantastic, the tension between the two MC will keep you on the edge of your seat. The book is quite big but it’s easy to read in one sitting. Who needs sleep anyway?
Can’t wait to read more of Emmanuelle’s magic worlds she creates and continue this series. I have so many questions I need answers to like right now.
This is a must-read book if you like emotions, angst, love, and someone who moves
the world for the person he loves.
Mason Pierce is definitely my new Johnny Kavanagh Sorry Johnny!
June 11, 2025
Mel and Mason have known each other since before high school. When they first met, they had a great tie together and thought they would have a great friendship. But Mason wanted to make sure everyone knew that Mel was his and he went a little overboard with the possessiveness. Mel didn't want that kind of relationship, so she spent years staying away from Mason. But right before Senior year, they started hanging out more and Mason was determined to win her heart for good.
Mel is so driven that she finds herself relapsing after an emergency appendectomy. Her eating disorder is back and she is beyond angry at her best friend Paige and Mason for not having her back and outing her to her parents. She can't see that they only want her to get the help she needs to get better. Trust is so hard for Mel, but Mason is determined to show her that love will prevail.
Kickoff is a great story about young love and finding a way to trust. Emmanuelle Snow brings out all your feels as usual. Don't stray too far from the tissues while reading this one!
Mel is so driven that she finds herself relapsing after an emergency appendectomy. Her eating disorder is back and she is beyond angry at her best friend Paige and Mason for not having her back and outing her to her parents. She can't see that they only want her to get the help she needs to get better. Trust is so hard for Mel, but Mason is determined to show her that love will prevail.
Kickoff is a great story about young love and finding a way to trust. Emmanuelle Snow brings out all your feels as usual. Don't stray too far from the tissues while reading this one!
May 28, 2025
Boy oh boy. This book took me on quite the emotional rollercoaster. I was up, down, and sideways with Melinda and Mason's story.
The way that as soon as Mason met Melinda, he knew that she was "The One" for him was so endearing. Even at a young age. Melinda took longer to share the same feelings. In fact, these two never cross the border into boyfriend/girlfriend territory. They are stuck in the "friend zone".
Melinda has so many reasons why she can't be Mason's girlfriend. Mason is more than willing to change and prove to Melinda just how much she means to him. While there are times that it does m=feel like Mason puts a lot of pressure on Melinda to be his girlfriend, the way that he truly cares for her and talks to her is so endearing.
By the end of this story by heart has shattered. I need the follow up book to Mason and Melinda's story ASAP! This book is one you don't want to miss. Melinda and Mason will stick with you.
The way that as soon as Mason met Melinda, he knew that she was "The One" for him was so endearing. Even at a young age. Melinda took longer to share the same feelings. In fact, these two never cross the border into boyfriend/girlfriend territory. They are stuck in the "friend zone".
Melinda has so many reasons why she can't be Mason's girlfriend. Mason is more than willing to change and prove to Melinda just how much she means to him. While there are times that it does m=feel like Mason puts a lot of pressure on Melinda to be his girlfriend, the way that he truly cares for her and talks to her is so endearing.
By the end of this story by heart has shattered. I need the follow up book to Mason and Melinda's story ASAP! This book is one you don't want to miss. Melinda and Mason will stick with you.
June 26, 2026
The first in the Touchdown YA romance series.
Kickoff 4.5⭐️ and 1/2🌶️
Some tropes include athlete MMC/MFC, He falls first, Childhood friends/enemies to it’s complicated and some different mental health representations.
Melinda moves in next door to Mason at age 11 and they instantly connect but then they drift apart. They reconnect in their senior year but both are struggling with different mental health issues and typical teenager problems and just as things seem to be heading toward a relationship things come out that will change everything. This story is an emotional rollercoaster with some heavier mental health topics but I really enjoyed how they were written. The book does end with a bit of a cliffhanger but the next book is out June 26 2026 😊
Thank you to Emmanuelle Snow for providing a copy of this book for me to read and review before the next in the series. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
Kickoff 4.5⭐️ and 1/2🌶️
Some tropes include athlete MMC/MFC, He falls first, Childhood friends/enemies to it’s complicated and some different mental health representations.
Melinda moves in next door to Mason at age 11 and they instantly connect but then they drift apart. They reconnect in their senior year but both are struggling with different mental health issues and typical teenager problems and just as things seem to be heading toward a relationship things come out that will change everything. This story is an emotional rollercoaster with some heavier mental health topics but I really enjoyed how they were written. The book does end with a bit of a cliffhanger but the next book is out June 26 2026 😊
Thank you to Emmanuelle Snow for providing a copy of this book for me to read and review before the next in the series. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
May 29, 2025
This is book one in the Touchdown series. It is a spinoff of the author’s Wrecked series. This is a YA, opposites attract, football romance. There is so much passion and heartbreak in this story that you will be left with a book hangover after you read this. This was a sweet read with all the feels that check all the boxes. Well-developed characters that you will fall in love with and root for their happy ending. I really liked how the author built up the relationship between the two main characters. The chemistry between the two main characters is steamy and intense. I found the story to be well written, easy to read and highly engaging. It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention. I received an ARC copy of this book, and I am providing an honest review.
June 1, 2025
Wow!!! What a powerful story. Mason and Melinda have been neighbours for many years. Mason has always loved the girl next door but he can’t figure out how to get her to notice him.
He uses his boyish charm, ego and football skills to get him what he needs but is this persona enough for him?
After saving Melinda one day, she gives him a chance and he works hard to earn her trust. Sadly, Melinda has a secret that she wants to remain hidden. When the secret comes to light, is it enough to keep Mason around or will it scare him away?
I read this book as an ARC reader and as usual Emmanuelle Snow never disappoints. I haven’t ugly cried like this in a while. Thank you Emmanuelle for writing such a special story.
Trigger warning:
Eating disorders (anorexia)
Mental health awareness
He uses his boyish charm, ego and football skills to get him what he needs but is this persona enough for him?
After saving Melinda one day, she gives him a chance and he works hard to earn her trust. Sadly, Melinda has a secret that she wants to remain hidden. When the secret comes to light, is it enough to keep Mason around or will it scare him away?
I read this book as an ARC reader and as usual Emmanuelle Snow never disappoints. I haven’t ugly cried like this in a while. Thank you Emmanuelle for writing such a special story.
Trigger warning:
Eating disorders (anorexia)
Mental health awareness
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ Kickoff follows Melinda and Mason’s complicated friendship while covering the difficult topics they struggle with. My favorite aspect of this book is the yearning, it is STRONG! The complexities of each character are shown through their development, and flashbacks within the timeline allow us to better understand their dynamic. I found the mysterious element of why Melinda was pushing Mason away before we got the explanation to be well executed. My only complaint is that the major conflict came so late in the book that I began to lose interest leading up to it, and the lack of communication between characters was frustrating.
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for an ARC in exchange for a honest review
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for an ARC in exchange for a honest review
May 29, 2025
This young adult novel brought back all the nostalgia of being in high school. The pressure of senior year, figuring out who you are and who you want to be is there. It has the whacky friendships, the sports teams, and, of course, dating. Especially the kind of dating in which you want to move out of the friend zone. It was incredibly relatable.
Mason and Melinda are so raw and real. Vulnerable. Unsure. But also brave. Their experiences rocked me to my core. This book is so emotionally charged with Mason trying to prove he’s a changed guy and how he worships the ground Melinda walks on. And the emotional tidal wave at the end still has me trying to figure out which way is up.
Mason and Melinda are so raw and real. Vulnerable. Unsure. But also brave. Their experiences rocked me to my core. This book is so emotionally charged with Mason trying to prove he’s a changed guy and how he worships the ground Melinda walks on. And the emotional tidal wave at the end still has me trying to figure out which way is up.
July 13, 2026
I haven't read a teen romance in some time, so this was an interesting read for me. The MCs meet when they're seven and Mason makes a mistake that causes Melinda and him to not be friends since. They're seventeen now and feelings are starting to develop between them as they slowly become friends and then more.
I enjoyed the story but I didn't like that the story wasn't resolved. I completely hated Melinda's reaction at the end of the book. Everyone is valid to their own reactions, but I didn't like hers. Mason and her friends have been there for her throughout and her response just didn't sit right with me.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for gifting me a copy of this book.
I enjoyed the story but I didn't like that the story wasn't resolved. I completely hated Melinda's reaction at the end of the book. Everyone is valid to their own reactions, but I didn't like hers. Mason and her friends have been there for her throughout and her response just didn't sit right with me.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for gifting me a copy of this book.
July 16, 2026
Kick Off is a heartwarming High School Sports Romance featuring Childhood friends to enemies and complicated relationship.
Melinda and Mason are childhood friends since she moved next door. He always wanted more but she always set clear boundaries.
After years, she finally gives in. She keeps a lot of secrets from everyone and as those get uncover heartbreaks are guarantee.
Kick Off is book # 1 on a series Touchdown an YA romance series, A Spin off the Wrecked Series.
I enjoyed the emotional road trip this book takes you. IT will make you want read book#2!
Thank you the publisher, the author and NetGalley
Melinda and Mason are childhood friends since she moved next door. He always wanted more but she always set clear boundaries.
After years, she finally gives in. She keeps a lot of secrets from everyone and as those get uncover heartbreaks are guarantee.
Kick Off is book # 1 on a series Touchdown an YA romance series, A Spin off the Wrecked Series.
I enjoyed the emotional road trip this book takes you. IT will make you want read book#2!
Thank you the publisher, the author and NetGalley
May 29, 2025
A heart wrenching start to a new series. Mason is just a perfect MMC, he’s good at sports, popular and totally in love with Melinda. Their pulling and pushing keeps you reading, your emotions all over the place and the cliffhanger makes you desperate for book 2. The MCs are young so their problems and how they deal with them are just what you would expect them to be. Likeable characters and I’m rooting for them. Great start so thank you Ms Snow for giving me the chance to give YA a chance as it’s not usually my trope.
July 5, 2026
This was a fun sports romance lots of chemistry and emotional tension and a good ratio between romance and personal growth. Not to be insensitive, as the book deals with heavy topics, but I felt that some plot points that happened in this book were either unnecessary or should've been focused on a lot more. It also would've been great to see some more niche tropes that made this book a bit more unique.
Other than that, this book was still a very quick and engaging read, and probably one of the only romance books I have ever read that was fully in the male main character's point of view. Can''t wait to read the next book!
Thank you NetGalley for the E-ARC.
Other than that, this book was still a very quick and engaging read, and probably one of the only romance books I have ever read that was fully in the male main character's point of view. Can''t wait to read the next book!
Thank you NetGalley for the E-ARC.
July 9, 2026
This is a sweet high school romance that feels like it could happen in any high school. There's no spice, just a wholesome, heartfelt story. It's the kind of book that brings you right back to your own high school memories. Touch Down is well written and enjoyable, and I'll be diving straight into the next book because I can't wait to see what's in store for Mase, Mel and the rest of the characters.
May 23, 2025
I am a big fan of Emmanuelle Snow's books, and this one did not disappoint. Great to read Melinda and Mason's story. I found Mason a very irresistible character. I had a lot of emotions for Melinda, such a sad character. I hope they get their happily ever after. This does end in a cliffhanger, and I can't wait to read the rest of this series. I hope the next book comes out soon.
May 29, 2025
This book was so good. It definitely covers some major topics and will bring you to tears in some parts of the story. Mental health definitely plays a big part in Melinda and Masons story. You will get hooked quickly and definitely will want the second part of their story as soon as you finish reading this one.
May 30, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! The beginning of Mason and Melinda's story is beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time. Be prepared for an emotional roller-coaster.
July 14, 2025
This was a good read for me. Mason and Melinda are full of the ups and downs of teenage love. My emotions were all over the board and didn't know how I should feel at times. I did enjoy the book.
June 18, 2026
Great romance story set during high school. Childhood friends to enemies to lovers.
June 8, 2025
"Kickoff" by Emmanuelle Snow, the first book in the Touchdown series, is a heartfelt YA romance you won't want to miss. This captivating story features a dynamic childhood friends-to-enemies-to-lovers trope between the high school football quarterback and his swimming star neighbor. It also thoughtfully explores teen mental health and emotions, adding depth to their journey. You'll be on the edge of your seat wondering: will they get their happy ending?
June 30, 2025
This was a heart wrenching book that pulled on every emotion I had and then some. Mason has been in love with Melinda since they were kids and she has always been distant keeping him at arm’s length. They are both highly competitive with ambitions that are high, but Melinda carries pain and a secret that is heartbreaking. When Mason finally gets his shot with Melinda all seems to go fairly well until it doesn’t and everything spirals and crumbles. While I loved this story and can relate to Melinda’s struggle because I too went through some of those things, the ending crushed my soul and, in some ways, I understood her pushing Mason away again and yet I couldn’t understand. What I couldn’t understand was she letting Mason go and saying it was for his own good (her words) and because she didn't feel like she deserved him (her words), yet she was jumping into another relationship with his enemy? I’m sorry but if you want to heal, truly maybe try it without a relationship, to me that would make more sense of why she pushes Mason away but this seemed to be almost a vengeful thing or a I don't want to be lonely but I can't have the one I want thing even if it wasn’t and I guess that’s because I felt so hard for Mason. All he ever has done was love her, deeply devoted to her and she kept pushing him away because of her insecurities, yet she’s with another guy or says she is. Honestly, if I didn’t love Mason so much, I’d be so mad at Mel and want him to find someone else, so I’m hoping in book two things make a turn. I know people handle difficult situations and trauma in different ways and I get that, so I kept reminding myself these are highschoolers, relax. The story was a beautiful one and I did enjoy the emotional take it had on me, which this author knows how to pull those out of her readers, and the ending will crush you but I hope the next one comes soon.
July 19, 2025
This did for me in the most glorious of ways. Touchdown Kickoff was mighty fine ,in fact it’s a divine storyline . Will you be mine angst dance and then a glimpse at romance . It’s the play of his life to keep her safe and warm in his arms but first the disarms ,the charm offensive but it ends up defensive and even pensive heat. It’s a bit of a seesaw ride that’s for sure . A push and they’re friends once more then not agin ,she does refrain and he tries agin but it’s a great story and the characters are sweet a real treat. I’m keeping schtum as I don’t want to give nothing away . I do wish we’d had more of Melissa’s pov though as well as Mason who is a strong MMC but just left to hold up the story at times. I still had a good time ,I don’t mind telling and it was compelling bis storytelling .
July 6, 2026
Neighbors and friends, Mason and Melinda, are taking on their stheir way of High School. For Mason, he has big feelings. Melinda has her struggles with who she perceives Mason is.
Part one of this series ended with high emotions and I can't wait to see how these two overcome the obstacles in their way.
Cliffhanger
No spice
Sports Romance
Triggers (from her website): anxiety, mental health awareness
Part one of this series ended with high emotions and I can't wait to see how these two overcome the obstacles in their way.
Cliffhanger
No spice
Sports Romance
Triggers (from her website): anxiety, mental health awareness
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews