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Stone Creek University #2
Deep in the Pocket: Stone Creek University, Book 2
What happens when research partners discover more than they bargained for?
Serena Sanders is determined to put her past behind her. She's done with football and most importantly, with football players. She's got her sights set on graduate school…and maybe her sexy professor can help her get there.
All her plans come crashing down as Talon The Claw Kelly stumbles into her class. The quarterback for SCU is cocky and more interested in Serena's assets than he is in working on their group project…until he finds out she's still got her v-card, that is.
Will Serena overcome her growing feelings for this unexpected ally? Will Talon outgrow his partyboy ways and get serious before graduation? This is a stand-alone romance in a shared Stone Creek University world, with steamy love scenes and a guaranteed HEA.
Serena Sanders is determined to put her past behind her. She's done with football and most importantly, with football players. She's got her sights set on graduate school…and maybe her sexy professor can help her get there.
All her plans come crashing down as Talon The Claw Kelly stumbles into her class. The quarterback for SCU is cocky and more interested in Serena's assets than he is in working on their group project…until he finds out she's still got her v-card, that is.
Will Serena overcome her growing feelings for this unexpected ally? Will Talon outgrow his partyboy ways and get serious before graduation? This is a stand-alone romance in a shared Stone Creek University world, with steamy love scenes and a guaranteed HEA.
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First published December 14, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 16, 2020
Serena just wanted an experienced lover for her first time, not a commitment. Shouldn't be too hard when the starting QB, who's a huge player, takes notice and starts hitting on her, right? HA! The joke is on them. Talon's a hit-it-and-quit-it guy but can't bring himself to put her in that category and starts to befriend her instead. Yes, the dreaded friend zone!
Things get a bit intense at times and they ignite with their desire. Life in the friend zone? It becomes... complicated. And he turns out to be VERY protective of her (and there are times she needs it).
It was a fun, easy listen. I really liked Crystal Crockett as the voice of Serena.
Story: 4 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Things get a bit intense at times and they ignite with their desire. Life in the friend zone? It becomes... complicated. And he turns out to be VERY protective of her (and there are times she needs it).
It was a fun, easy listen. I really liked Crystal Crockett as the voice of Serena.
Story: 4 stars
Narration: 4 stars
November 11, 2019
Really good storyline - I love football. Both college and pro. Like the way the girlfriends interacted with each other. And friends of Talon’s as well. Portrayed all as thoughtful, intelligent people... not dummies.
If it wasn’t for some awkward sounding paragraphs, this would have scored higher.
If it wasn’t for some awkward sounding paragraphs, this would have scored higher.
May 22, 2020
Deep in the Pocket by Lainey Davis is a football romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Crystal Crockett.
This is the second book of Lainey’s that I have read and it definitely won’t be my last. I really enjoyed Serena and Talon love story. I look forward to reading more books in the Stone Creek University Series.
Crystal did a great job on the narration. I look forward to listening to more of her projects in the future.
StoryOriginAppReviewer
This is the second book of Lainey’s that I have read and it definitely won’t be my last. I really enjoyed Serena and Talon love story. I look forward to reading more books in the Stone Creek University Series.
Crystal did a great job on the narration. I look forward to listening to more of her projects in the future.
StoryOriginAppReviewer
December 9, 2022
Audiobook
Serena and Talon
Serena and Talon
May 23, 2020
Fantastic Story & Audible Listen🎧 Enjoyable & Smoking🔥Hot!
Deep in the Pocket (A Football Romance)
Stone Creek University, Book 2
By: Lainey Davis
Narrated by: Crystal Crockett
I absolutely loved this book, it is an entertaining and enjoyable sports romance. Lainey Davis is a gifted author, she creates stories and characters that are realistic and easy to relate to. I loved how much story she managed to fit in this novella sized book. I adored the two lead characters, both college students, one a jock the other a bit of a nerdy geek. Serena Sanders has her eyes on graduate school, she loves statistics and excited to attend an elective class that will be taught by her statistic idol, Professor Matt Jacobs, someone she hopes to work with in the future. She gets annoyed when she sees Talon “The Claw” Kelly arrives late for class, he is the star football player on the school’s team. Currently walking with crutches because of an injury he sustained on the field. And just her luck she gets paired with him to work on a team assignment. She has to work around his busy schedule to get together for the project. Talon is pretty full of himself, a player on and off the field but as he and Serena start to work together they start to build a bond. He knows he is a player but he does not want to play her especially after what she tells him. I loved these two together and for each other. She had her issues to deal with, her dislike for football because it kept her father away from her. He had a relationship phobia, not wanted to have one hold him back or down. I love how everything plays out in this book, the story is beautifully plotted and there is never a dull moment with plenty of drama, some angst, heartfelt moments and steamy hot romance.
I listened to the Audible edition, Crystal Crockett does a nice job portraying the characters, bringing them and their story to life. She gives each character their own voice and personality as well as heart and attitude. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this great listen🎧
Deep in the Pocket (A Football Romance)
Stone Creek University, Book 2
By: Lainey Davis
Narrated by: Crystal Crockett
I absolutely loved this book, it is an entertaining and enjoyable sports romance. Lainey Davis is a gifted author, she creates stories and characters that are realistic and easy to relate to. I loved how much story she managed to fit in this novella sized book. I adored the two lead characters, both college students, one a jock the other a bit of a nerdy geek. Serena Sanders has her eyes on graduate school, she loves statistics and excited to attend an elective class that will be taught by her statistic idol, Professor Matt Jacobs, someone she hopes to work with in the future. She gets annoyed when she sees Talon “The Claw” Kelly arrives late for class, he is the star football player on the school’s team. Currently walking with crutches because of an injury he sustained on the field. And just her luck she gets paired with him to work on a team assignment. She has to work around his busy schedule to get together for the project. Talon is pretty full of himself, a player on and off the field but as he and Serena start to work together they start to build a bond. He knows he is a player but he does not want to play her especially after what she tells him. I loved these two together and for each other. She had her issues to deal with, her dislike for football because it kept her father away from her. He had a relationship phobia, not wanted to have one hold him back or down. I love how everything plays out in this book, the story is beautifully plotted and there is never a dull moment with plenty of drama, some angst, heartfelt moments and steamy hot romance.
I listened to the Audible edition, Crystal Crockett does a nice job portraying the characters, bringing them and their story to life. She gives each character their own voice and personality as well as heart and attitude. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this great listen🎧
January 3, 2019
I love sports romances as a general matter, but sometimes a book just resonates with a reader. This is such a book. Even though I’ve always been a sports fan (my first love being hockey, but I’m happy to go to pretty much any kind of game no matter what the sport), I was a total geek girl in college. I identify with Serena on that level alone. Then there’s the fact that my dad was a coach (even if not a football one as with Serena), and he died (of a heart attack) when I was 18. Again I can see me in Serena. Trust me that the way she is portrayed is totally genuine. I can bear witness to it. As I said, the book just resonates with me. It’s also a really great sports romance. It gets the athlete-life part down perfectly. It also gets the romance part down perfectly (with, wow-worthy heat). Pretty much perfect in every way, which is only possible if the writing and character development are also of equally high quality. That’s certainly the case here. I frankly loved the leads in this novel and also loved the cast of supporting characters. Both the “good guys” here, especially the Coach and Serena’s roomie and friends, and the “jerks”, in this case meaning the stats prof, are perfectly crafted. I’ve had this book less than a week and already read it twice. Considering I’ve a huge TBR pile of books I want to read that in itself is an accolade. Run and get this book. I guarantee you’ll love it. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
May 8, 2025
1.25 stars
I considered DNFing at chapter two due to the forced annoyance at the MMC by the FMC. If it's not forced, then she's just an unlikable character. First, she's annoyed with the MMC for being a couple minutes late to class even though he has to use crutches to get around. Then, she is annoyed and glares at him because he accidentally gets his crutch leg snagged on her backpack. His injury is just super inconvenient and bothersome for her, apparently.
Then, the FMC comes on to her college professor out of nowhere. He didn't say anything inappropriate to her AT ALL and she insinuates she wants to get into his pants. What an idiot. My respect for the FMC couldn't get any lower. I'm not even going to talk about the fact that we learn right after that, that she's a virgin. Not to mention the later development with the professor.
There's no relationship development whatsoever. She's in love but they have barely talked to each other. Then, she gets angry at the MMC for not having casual sex with her, which is a pet peeve of mine. No means no. He doesn't owe the FMC sex. It doesn't matter if he has sex with anyone or everyone else. It doesn't matter if he has feelings for her. If he doesn't want to have sex, then he doesn't. She can talk to him about it maturely. She can ask him questions. She can even try to seduce him if she wants. But anger? That's a crappy, inappropriate, immature response.
The FMC's feelings about her dad and football also came off as selfish, but it is possible this subplot wasn't developed properly. Nothing in this book was developed properly.
This is really a one star read, but I'll give it 1.25 stars for being slightly better than the first book in this series.
I considered DNFing at chapter two due to the forced annoyance at the MMC by the FMC. If it's not forced, then she's just an unlikable character. First, she's annoyed with the MMC for being a couple minutes late to class even though he has to use crutches to get around. Then, she is annoyed and glares at him because he accidentally gets his crutch leg snagged on her backpack. His injury is just super inconvenient and bothersome for her, apparently.
Then, the FMC comes on to her college professor out of nowhere. He didn't say anything inappropriate to her AT ALL and she insinuates she wants to get into his pants. What an idiot. My respect for the FMC couldn't get any lower. I'm not even going to talk about the fact that we learn right after that, that she's a virgin. Not to mention the later development with the professor.
There's no relationship development whatsoever. She's in love but they have barely talked to each other. Then, she gets angry at the MMC for not having casual sex with her, which is a pet peeve of mine. No means no. He doesn't owe the FMC sex. It doesn't matter if he has sex with anyone or everyone else. It doesn't matter if he has feelings for her. If he doesn't want to have sex, then he doesn't. She can talk to him about it maturely. She can ask him questions. She can even try to seduce him if she wants. But anger? That's a crappy, inappropriate, immature response.
The FMC's feelings about her dad and football also came off as selfish, but it is possible this subplot wasn't developed properly. Nothing in this book was developed properly.
This is really a one star read, but I'll give it 1.25 stars for being slightly better than the first book in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2025
Scared at first by MeemsAngel82
This was a fun and honest read! This felt like a realistic college story with ups and downs, mistakes and feelings all over the place. College life. Both characters are likeable, even our H has his moments. He's scared of real feelings and she is scared to a point as well. I love the coach, bless him for so much.
She was interested in her teacher, someone she admired. Then she realized the jock being over the top was actually the one getting to her. And it scared him.
The feelings and mistakes happen as you navigate life. Things happen and people do some dumb things. She wasn't a forward person and decided to be with the wrong person. Our H was a player and I wasn't into that, but upon meeting her and getting to know her, he was scared of feeling so much. I appreciate the ups and downs because nothing is necessarily cut and dry. She never saw herself with him because her mind was one way and then she realized what she needed and actually wanted was real to her and not a crush. It turned out to be our H and he was scared and thought he couldn't do this. But trying to be without her? Not an option and when he thought she couldn't really be his? He showed his squishy heart several times and that did it again. He should have asked what was going on and not assumed. She could have been in a worse situation. Thankfully this ended up as a sweet read. I do desperately wish we had his POV, I would have loved that!
This was a fun and honest read! This felt like a realistic college story with ups and downs, mistakes and feelings all over the place. College life. Both characters are likeable, even our H has his moments. He's scared of real feelings and she is scared to a point as well. I love the coach, bless him for so much.
She was interested in her teacher, someone she admired. Then she realized the jock being over the top was actually the one getting to her. And it scared him.
The feelings and mistakes happen as you navigate life. Things happen and people do some dumb things. She wasn't a forward person and decided to be with the wrong person. Our H was a player and I wasn't into that, but upon meeting her and getting to know her, he was scared of feeling so much. I appreciate the ups and downs because nothing is necessarily cut and dry. She never saw herself with him because her mind was one way and then she realized what she needed and actually wanted was real to her and not a crush. It turned out to be our H and he was scared and thought he couldn't do this. But trying to be without her? Not an option and when he thought she couldn't really be his? He showed his squishy heart several times and that did it again. He should have asked what was going on and not assumed. She could have been in a worse situation. Thankfully this ended up as a sweet read. I do desperately wish we had his POV, I would have loved that!
April 13, 2023
The couple: Talon and Serena
Romance trope: new adult
Series: Stone Creek University
Length: 107 pages
Plot: Serena is in a stats class with a professor that she has a bit of a crush on; Talon is the star football player who is also in the class. After Serena makes a mistake with the professor and is assigned to work with Talon on a project, she finds herself becoming interested in "That Claw," as people call him. He's not looking for a relationship though.
Commentary: I actually don't like when a hero is all "I can't do relationships." Yes you can. You choose not to. There is no reason you can't. You just haven't yet(or have been hurt in the past or whatever). The whole "I can't" thing is just a cop-out. There was no real reason that Talon couldn't. It would be way more accurate to say that he hadn't fallen in love yet and so just hadn't found the right girl. His insistence that he couldn't annoyed me.
Previous book in the series: Hard Edge
Next book in the series: Possession
Romance trope: new adult
Series: Stone Creek University
Length: 107 pages
Plot: Serena is in a stats class with a professor that she has a bit of a crush on; Talon is the star football player who is also in the class. After Serena makes a mistake with the professor and is assigned to work with Talon on a project, she finds herself becoming interested in "That Claw," as people call him. He's not looking for a relationship though.
Commentary: I actually don't like when a hero is all "I can't do relationships." Yes you can. You choose not to. There is no reason you can't. You just haven't yet(or have been hurt in the past or whatever). The whole "I can't" thing is just a cop-out. There was no real reason that Talon couldn't. It would be way more accurate to say that he hadn't fallen in love yet and so just hadn't found the right girl. His insistence that he couldn't annoyed me.
Previous book in the series: Hard Edge
Next book in the series: Possession
October 14, 2020
This is book 2 in Davis' Stone Creek University series. Each of read / listen in the series thru far can be read as a stand alone. I loved how in book 1 the sport of focus was hockey and here we have football. This college must have a heck of a sports program...which would make sense with the alpha jock characters. Sidelined by an injury - Talon is focusing on his school work just as much as his recovery; paired up for a class project he and Serena are thrust together and the chemistry was undeniable, although a good effort was put forth. Steamy chemistry - great character growth, especially for Serena. This book was a great, quick, romance that flowed really well. I loved this escape into Stone Creek University. Narration was spot on and make this listen all the more enjoyable.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
October 24, 2020
Title: Deep in the Pocket
Author: Lainey Davis
Format: Audio
Narrator: Crystal Crockett
Genre: Romance, New Adult, Sports (football), enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, virgin
Standalone: Yes
Part of a Series: Book 2 of Stone Creek University
POV: Surena
Steam Leve: Slow Burn to Steamy
4/5
Deep in the Pocket is a complete standalone in the Stone Creek University series. I didn't recognize any overlapping characters. Surena is assigned to work with Talon for a class project. The chemistry between them is instant but fought. The steam level rises and falls throughout this novella which was fun but too short.
I received this audiobook for free from StoryOrigin. This is my hones and voluntary review.
Author: Lainey Davis
Format: Audio
Narrator: Crystal Crockett
Genre: Romance, New Adult, Sports (football), enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, virgin
Standalone: Yes
Part of a Series: Book 2 of Stone Creek University
POV: Surena
Steam Leve: Slow Burn to Steamy
4/5
Deep in the Pocket is a complete standalone in the Stone Creek University series. I didn't recognize any overlapping characters. Surena is assigned to work with Talon for a class project. The chemistry between them is instant but fought. The steam level rises and falls throughout this novella which was fun but too short.
I received this audiobook for free from StoryOrigin. This is my hones and voluntary review.
October 22, 2020
I loved Talon and Serena's journey to love! The banter, the sexual tension, the chemistry kept me listening all the way through. Serena is dead set on keeping focused to further her education. She didn't expect her study partner, Talon, to come along and make her think about what she's been missing. Talon is a football player and known to be player but there's more under the surface. He's never committed to more than one night with the women he's been with but no matter how hard he tries he can't get his mind off Serena. This story is complicated, heartwarming, and steamy. So worth the listen!
October 29, 2020
Talon, the star QB has a reputation of a player on and off the field. Talon and Serena are in the same statistic class. They were thrust in working together for a class project. The more they are together, the more they are attracted to each other. The chemistry between Talon and Serena was hot and steamy. A short, fun, sports romance. with a little angst, miscommunication, and a misunderstanding with an HEA!
Crystal Crockett narration is very good. I enjoyed listening to this story!
I requested this audio by Story Origin and offered my honest review
Crystal Crockett narration is very good. I enjoyed listening to this story!
I requested this audio by Story Origin and offered my honest review
November 2, 2020
4 Stars
I received this audiobook for free from StoryOrigin via a promo code and this is my voluntary review.
This is Stone Creek University Novella book two, Lainey Davis has a fantastic talent for providing a well fleshed out story in miniature form.
Talon is the cocksure QB of SCU football team and he gets paired up with Stats prodigy Serena Sanders for a research project. Reluctant at first, it doesn't take long before love enters the equation and they begin subtracting their clothes. It was a fun, easy listen.
Crystal Crockett did a fantastic job at the narration
I received this audiobook for free from StoryOrigin via a promo code and this is my voluntary review.
This is Stone Creek University Novella book two, Lainey Davis has a fantastic talent for providing a well fleshed out story in miniature form.
Talon is the cocksure QB of SCU football team and he gets paired up with Stats prodigy Serena Sanders for a research project. Reluctant at first, it doesn't take long before love enters the equation and they begin subtracting their clothes. It was a fun, easy listen.
Crystal Crockett did a fantastic job at the narration
March 10, 2023
Truth be told, I found the characters in this story to be incredibly annoying.
Serena seems desperate and holds little respect for herself, wanting Talon, who has the personality of a burnt piece of bacon. She's also heavily obsessed with losing her virginity for some fucking reason. All in all, she's an idiot in my opinion.
Talon, meanwhile, isn't much better. He seems pretty idiotic as well, playing games and all sorts of other shit with Serena and she meanwhile, just lets him do whatever he wants.
This is what I get for buying books at good deals.
Serena seems desperate and holds little respect for herself, wanting Talon, who has the personality of a burnt piece of bacon. She's also heavily obsessed with losing her virginity for some fucking reason. All in all, she's an idiot in my opinion.
Talon, meanwhile, isn't much better. He seems pretty idiotic as well, playing games and all sorts of other shit with Serena and she meanwhile, just lets him do whatever he wants.
This is what I get for buying books at good deals.
June 1, 2020
This was my first Lainey Davis's book. This is the second book in the Stone Creek University, a high school football romance. Serena and Talon's novella is fast-paced, sweet and sexy, filled with misunderstandings and a lack of communication. Crystal Crockett is a new narrator to me. She has a great voice, and she did a good job with the narration. I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. #storyorigin
March 16, 2022
Serena and Talon end up in the same statistics class but being paired in a class project with the school quarterback that probably hasn't seen the inside of a text book since he learned to read has Serena seeing red. With his cocky attitude and sexual innuendos it's obvious he is more interested in Serena than their project, especially when he finds out she wants to lose her v-card. And just when they both think they have nothing in common they realize they aren't so different after all.
February 17, 2019
Good book
Nice storyline, easy to read and follow along with. I love a good happily ever after. Didn’t like the professor character but, thankfully, he wasn’t too much of a slime ball.
Nice storyline, easy to read and follow along with. I love a good happily ever after. Didn’t like the professor character but, thankfully, he wasn’t too much of a slime ball.
February 28, 2023
Read on Radish. Serena loves stats and plans to go far with them. Talon is the injured quarterback. He is also just her research partner until some figures come between them. A sweet story with a rather abrupt ending.
August 13, 2018
Lainey does it again!
Another enjoyable read. A quick fun jaunt down the memory road of university. Can't wait for more from Lainey Davis! Great writing and characters.
Another enjoyable read. A quick fun jaunt down the memory road of university. Can't wait for more from Lainey Davis! Great writing and characters.
October 27, 2019
Lainey has an amazing talent of bringing two people that fit perfectly together. It's hot and it's romantic, and it always has a happy ending. ❤️
May 3, 2021
I enjoyed the Audiobook. It is a short book.
May 28, 2021
Loved the banter between Talon and Serena. I love sport romance and this one was a fantastic read.
Want to read
July 26, 20227/26/2022 - 99¢ on chirp
April 26, 2023
Writing style 3/5
Story 3/5
Romance 3/5
Steam 3/5
Story 3/5
Romance 3/5
Steam 3/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2024
Lainey Davis did a much better job with this book over the first in the series. However, the hero’s POV, Talon, was still needed and would have brought depth to the story.
June 14, 2024
don't enjoy AI narrators but love a good football romance and a stats girl
September 3, 2024
This book was a 4/5 but I changed it to 5/5 when they mentioned the Steelers and Troy Polamalu!!🖤💛😂
June 4, 2022
Fun, short, funny and sweet. Both characters were very likeable. It was the first book of the series I've read and I think also my first read from this author and I'll definitely be keen to read other works!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews