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Saints vs. Pirates #2
Replay
Emma
I never meant to fall for Hawke Sheppard.
Hockey.
Scoring goals.
Having fun with my friends.
That was all I should have been concentrating on. Not the star quarterback from All Saints Academy, our rival school. But Hawke was the untouchable golden boy from the opposite side of town who had more money than I would even know what to do with. He was gorgeous, nice, and made me believe we were destined to be together.
Then with one quick phone call, he was gone. Leaving town and taking my broken heart with him.
Four years later and he’s back. But gone is the wholesome boy I fell for and in his place is a man who is willing to do whatever it takes to have me again. Too bad I’m not the same girl he left behind.
He says he is chasing dreams of being in the NFL, and I really shouldn’t believe him when he says that dream includes me. Or melt when he calls me Sugar. I made the mistake of falling for his promises before and he lied. I’m determined to not believe him again. He is a Saint after all.
Hawke
Football.
College.
The draft.
According to my family, that was all that mattered. And as far as they were concerned, my world revolved around being the best quarterback in the league.
What they didn’t know was that I had a secret obsession: Emmarys Lawson, a girl from the wrong side of town. A Pirate. With her silky hair, pink hockey laces, and fierce competitive streak, she stole my heart long before I knew how to protect it.
But when my grandfather found out, he gave me an ultimatum that forced me to walk away from the only girl I’d ever loved in order to keep her and her family safe.
I broke her heart to save her.
Now, it's been four years. I’m back and determined to make things right with Emma. And it's not going to be easy because I quickly realize that there is no playbook to win back the woman I never stopped loving.
Emma thinks she saw me first. Loved me first. Fell harder. She’s wrong. And I’m going to prove it. Every ruthless move I make, on and off the field, is designed to bring me closer to my future, my end game…Emma.
I never meant to fall for Hawke Sheppard.
Hockey.
Scoring goals.
Having fun with my friends.
That was all I should have been concentrating on. Not the star quarterback from All Saints Academy, our rival school. But Hawke was the untouchable golden boy from the opposite side of town who had more money than I would even know what to do with. He was gorgeous, nice, and made me believe we were destined to be together.
Then with one quick phone call, he was gone. Leaving town and taking my broken heart with him.
Four years later and he’s back. But gone is the wholesome boy I fell for and in his place is a man who is willing to do whatever it takes to have me again. Too bad I’m not the same girl he left behind.
He says he is chasing dreams of being in the NFL, and I really shouldn’t believe him when he says that dream includes me. Or melt when he calls me Sugar. I made the mistake of falling for his promises before and he lied. I’m determined to not believe him again. He is a Saint after all.
Hawke
Football.
College.
The draft.
According to my family, that was all that mattered. And as far as they were concerned, my world revolved around being the best quarterback in the league.
What they didn’t know was that I had a secret obsession: Emmarys Lawson, a girl from the wrong side of town. A Pirate. With her silky hair, pink hockey laces, and fierce competitive streak, she stole my heart long before I knew how to protect it.
But when my grandfather found out, he gave me an ultimatum that forced me to walk away from the only girl I’d ever loved in order to keep her and her family safe.
I broke her heart to save her.
Now, it's been four years. I’m back and determined to make things right with Emma. And it's not going to be easy because I quickly realize that there is no playbook to win back the woman I never stopped loving.
Emma thinks she saw me first. Loved me first. Fell harder. She’s wrong. And I’m going to prove it. Every ruthless move I make, on and off the field, is designed to bring me closer to my future, my end game…Emma.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 18, 2025
135 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
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July 21, 2025
SPOILERS!!!
This one is LONGGGGG people and honestly it should have wrapped up at 50% once the MCs finally got back together. It’s also very cheesy but I was all here for it because of the MMC. Yep, he was PERFECT you guys. Everything we look for in a Hero and then some – including bringing in some cray-cray with him. The things he did was just 🥰😘
So plot first - MCs met when they were teens and crushed on each other for two years before MMC got the nerve to ask her out. That was when she was 16 & he 17. From then on, they were inseparable until at age 18 when MMC had to go to college in Texas on a football scholarship and had to break FMC’s heart by ending things with her because his Grandpa held the strings to his inheritance and was threatening to destroy FMC & her family. He couldn’t allow her to be hurt by his family so in order to protect her, he had to break her heart because he took Grandpa’s threats seriously because the old geezer was an asshole. So after months of FMC calling & texting him, she is heartbroken and so is he BTW when he can’t return her calls because the old geezer is monitoring & stalking him and he didn’t want to take any risks.
So a year later at her prom, he shows up secretly because he had promised her he would and tells her everything about why he had to break things off. They have sex for the first time and lose their virginity to one another but then he quickly has to leave because old man sensed something wrong and he had to hurry back to Texas. Before he leaves, he asks her to switch colleges to Texas Uni as they had originally planned to do so that he can secretly see her but when weeks & months go by with no word from MMC, she doesn’t switch from Michigan State and just lets him go.
Two years pass and now FMC has moved on with OM whom she has been dating for 5 or 6 months but never had sex with him. An OM that she says she is getting close to, has lots of fun with, is sweet, kind, etc. and feels “butterflies” when she’s with him.
MMC spent those two years being angry & hurt with her for not switching schools but he has finally come to the end of his Grandpa’s tenure of threats as he is of age now (22 yrs old) and has gotten his inheritance and eliminated his threats against FMC & her family. This part I don’t remember if it was explained how he accomplished that but whatever….
Anyway, he shows up at FMC’s college and finds out she is dating OM and he is hurt but that won’t stop him from getting his girl! He tells her that she has one week to break up with OM or he will do it for her. When she doesn’t do as he says, he gets dirt on OM that he cheated on FMC and lays everything on the table and she is hurt by the betrayal but doesn’t immediately break up with OM. (see why I didn’t like this FMC so much?). It takes her friends to compare both men and who is the better man for her to finally get a clue and break things off with OM - though she wanted to remain friends with OM because she hated hurting him. LOL.
Anyhoo, MCs begin getting close again and they are immediately back in a relationship at 50% or so but it takes a few chapters before then of this back & forth pushing away from FMC and MMC being a patient saint for her to get with the program. This guy as I said, was pure perfection. From the first time he saw her when he was crushing on her (age 15) until the present, he never once looked at another girl. In all the 4 years (though I think technically it was 3 according to timeline author laid out in the story, he was celibate and true to his love. Too bad I can’t say the same for FMC because even though she did not sleep with OM, she had an attraction and deep feelings for OM which is why this should really be a 4 1/2 star for me. Honestly, I didn’t like FMC at all until about 90% or so when she finally grew a pair. I could understand her hurt feeling in the first year when he left without an explanation and wasn’t returning her calls or texts, but when he came back and told her everything that was happening, why didn’t she have more trust & faith in him? Why didn’t she go to his college and confront him?
Anyway, there is a lot I could say about FMC who was just a bland character in my eyes for the 80-90%, but I won’t bother because the story for me was 100% for Hero. HE made the story. He was loyal, true, possessive, obsessive, kind, considerate, dirty-talker, a bit of a psycho (see HEA before Epilogue 1 below). If that’s not possessive and psychotic, I don’t know what is!) Anyway, he was 100% a green flag.
He never gave up on her or them. Never stopped thinking of her or fighting for them. Never allowed her to have doubts about him/them, etc. He also did things for FMC even when she was pushing him away like making sure he was there to take her home, bring her food, flowers, treats and so on. He was patient and loving even when she was hurting him and never stopped telling her how he would wait for her for eternity & beyond for her to come back to him because they were meant to be. The tattoos on his body that he got for her? Every man should be like him! Like I said, PERFECTION.
After the 50% mark, they are pretty much back together and we have some OM slight drama who is still stuck on FMC, teammates who try to jeopardize his position on the team, a drug poison incident for MMC by one of his team members, a HEA with him tattooing his name on her ring finger while she was sleeping & him making it into NFL and them moving in together. Epilogue #1 is a proposal & quicky Vegas marriage on the 1st year, Epilogue # 2 is two years later with a formal wedding & plans to make a baby, Epilogue # 3 is 5 years later with 2 little girls and another baby on the way and an NFL championship.
I want to add so many quotes because every page has so many but I can’t because GR is after me lately about that so I’ll just give a sample.
“Have you fucked anyone else since I left, sugar?” She shakes her head no. “Have you wanted to?”
“No,” she answers
“What makes you think I have? I want you, and only you. This was always supposed to be ours,” I tell her, catching her face between my palms. “If you trust me enough to give yourself to me, know that I’m doing the same.”
------------
“I meant what I said last night. This is the start of forever. You gave me your heart and your body and I won’t lose you ever again. For me that means graduation, the draft, careers, marriage and babies.”
----
My apartment feels empty; she isn’t here because we never decided whose place we would stay at tonight. The overwhelming urge to set her place on fire so she has no choice but to stay with me takes over. It would be so easy, sneak in, find the security camera's blind spots, light a candle and tip it over…but I don’t. I can’t give her any options to run from me or to get away. I just need her here, forever.
---
“You have been the only woman for me since the moment I saw you. I’ve loved you ever since. To me that means taking care of you, living with you, and holding you every night.”
----
“You know what has never done us any favors before?”
I glance over at him, my brow raised. “What?”
“Miscommunication. When we don’t speak and we don’t share what we really mean, that's when we mess up. I refuse to fuck up any more time with you, Emmarys. I already lost too much.”
----
“Because I fucking love you, Emmarys. Since I was sixteen and saw you touch the ice. When I was seventeen and finally got the chance to talk to you. When I was eighteen and you were mine until I had to leave you. At nineteen, at twenty, and at twenty-one, I love you more than I ever have. We can do this.”
Safety:
No OW except for a groupie who posted a pic of them close together to make it look as if he cheated on her in the past but it was cropped and FMC with the help of her friends located the women who tried to scam them and outed her. FMC did not believe that nonsense.
OM - see above in notes.
Cheating - None
Virgins - yes. Both were each other's one and only
Separations - 2 and they were both celibate but see notes in regards to FMC & OM
HEA - Yes with 3 Epilogues that you do not need to sign up for - thank goodness.
This one is LONGGGGG people and honestly it should have wrapped up at 50% once the MCs finally got back together. It’s also very cheesy but I was all here for it because of the MMC. Yep, he was PERFECT you guys. Everything we look for in a Hero and then some – including bringing in some cray-cray with him. The things he did was just 🥰😘
So plot first - MCs met when they were teens and crushed on each other for two years before MMC got the nerve to ask her out. That was when she was 16 & he 17. From then on, they were inseparable until at age 18 when MMC had to go to college in Texas on a football scholarship and had to break FMC’s heart by ending things with her because his Grandpa held the strings to his inheritance and was threatening to destroy FMC & her family. He couldn’t allow her to be hurt by his family so in order to protect her, he had to break her heart because he took Grandpa’s threats seriously because the old geezer was an asshole. So after months of FMC calling & texting him, she is heartbroken and so is he BTW when he can’t return her calls because the old geezer is monitoring & stalking him and he didn’t want to take any risks.
So a year later at her prom, he shows up secretly because he had promised her he would and tells her everything about why he had to break things off. They have sex for the first time and lose their virginity to one another but then he quickly has to leave because old man sensed something wrong and he had to hurry back to Texas. Before he leaves, he asks her to switch colleges to Texas Uni as they had originally planned to do so that he can secretly see her but when weeks & months go by with no word from MMC, she doesn’t switch from Michigan State and just lets him go.
Two years pass and now FMC has moved on with OM whom she has been dating for 5 or 6 months but never had sex with him. An OM that she says she is getting close to, has lots of fun with, is sweet, kind, etc. and feels “butterflies” when she’s with him.
MMC spent those two years being angry & hurt with her for not switching schools but he has finally come to the end of his Grandpa’s tenure of threats as he is of age now (22 yrs old) and has gotten his inheritance and eliminated his threats against FMC & her family. This part I don’t remember if it was explained how he accomplished that but whatever….
Anyway, he shows up at FMC’s college and finds out she is dating OM and he is hurt but that won’t stop him from getting his girl! He tells her that she has one week to break up with OM or he will do it for her. When she doesn’t do as he says, he gets dirt on OM that he cheated on FMC and lays everything on the table and she is hurt by the betrayal but doesn’t immediately break up with OM. (see why I didn’t like this FMC so much?). It takes her friends to compare both men and who is the better man for her to finally get a clue and break things off with OM - though she wanted to remain friends with OM because she hated hurting him. LOL.
Anyhoo, MCs begin getting close again and they are immediately back in a relationship at 50% or so but it takes a few chapters before then of this back & forth pushing away from FMC and MMC being a patient saint for her to get with the program. This guy as I said, was pure perfection. From the first time he saw her when he was crushing on her (age 15) until the present, he never once looked at another girl. In all the 4 years (though I think technically it was 3 according to timeline author laid out in the story, he was celibate and true to his love. Too bad I can’t say the same for FMC because even though she did not sleep with OM, she had an attraction and deep feelings for OM which is why this should really be a 4 1/2 star for me. Honestly, I didn’t like FMC at all until about 90% or so when she finally grew a pair. I could understand her hurt feeling in the first year when he left without an explanation and wasn’t returning her calls or texts, but when he came back and told her everything that was happening, why didn’t she have more trust & faith in him? Why didn’t she go to his college and confront him?
Anyway, there is a lot I could say about FMC who was just a bland character in my eyes for the 80-90%, but I won’t bother because the story for me was 100% for Hero. HE made the story. He was loyal, true, possessive, obsessive, kind, considerate, dirty-talker, a bit of a psycho (see HEA before Epilogue 1 below). If that’s not possessive and psychotic, I don’t know what is!) Anyway, he was 100% a green flag.
He never gave up on her or them. Never stopped thinking of her or fighting for them. Never allowed her to have doubts about him/them, etc. He also did things for FMC even when she was pushing him away like making sure he was there to take her home, bring her food, flowers, treats and so on. He was patient and loving even when she was hurting him and never stopped telling her how he would wait for her for eternity & beyond for her to come back to him because they were meant to be. The tattoos on his body that he got for her? Every man should be like him! Like I said, PERFECTION.
After the 50% mark, they are pretty much back together and we have some OM slight drama who is still stuck on FMC, teammates who try to jeopardize his position on the team, a drug poison incident for MMC by one of his team members, a HEA with him tattooing his name on her ring finger while she was sleeping & him making it into NFL and them moving in together. Epilogue #1 is a proposal & quicky Vegas marriage on the 1st year, Epilogue # 2 is two years later with a formal wedding & plans to make a baby, Epilogue # 3 is 5 years later with 2 little girls and another baby on the way and an NFL championship.
I want to add so many quotes because every page has so many but I can’t because GR is after me lately about that so I’ll just give a sample.
“Have you fucked anyone else since I left, sugar?” She shakes her head no. “Have you wanted to?”
“No,” she answers
“What makes you think I have? I want you, and only you. This was always supposed to be ours,” I tell her, catching her face between my palms. “If you trust me enough to give yourself to me, know that I’m doing the same.”
------------
“I meant what I said last night. This is the start of forever. You gave me your heart and your body and I won’t lose you ever again. For me that means graduation, the draft, careers, marriage and babies.”
----
My apartment feels empty; she isn’t here because we never decided whose place we would stay at tonight. The overwhelming urge to set her place on fire so she has no choice but to stay with me takes over. It would be so easy, sneak in, find the security camera's blind spots, light a candle and tip it over…but I don’t. I can’t give her any options to run from me or to get away. I just need her here, forever.
---
“You have been the only woman for me since the moment I saw you. I’ve loved you ever since. To me that means taking care of you, living with you, and holding you every night.”
----
“You know what has never done us any favors before?”
I glance over at him, my brow raised. “What?”
“Miscommunication. When we don’t speak and we don’t share what we really mean, that's when we mess up. I refuse to fuck up any more time with you, Emmarys. I already lost too much.”
----
“Because I fucking love you, Emmarys. Since I was sixteen and saw you touch the ice. When I was seventeen and finally got the chance to talk to you. When I was eighteen and you were mine until I had to leave you. At nineteen, at twenty, and at twenty-one, I love you more than I ever have. We can do this.”
Safety:
No OW except for a groupie who posted a pic of them close together to make it look as if he cheated on her in the past but it was cropped and FMC with the help of her friends located the women who tried to scam them and outed her. FMC did not believe that nonsense.
OM - see above in notes.
Cheating - None
Virgins - yes. Both were each other's one and only
Separations - 2 and they were both celibate but see notes in regards to FMC & OM
HEA - Yes with 3 Epilogues that you do not need to sign up for - thank goodness.
October 3, 2025
Obsessed fictional men will ALWAYS have me in a chokehold. Add to that, her being his first and also the only girl he’s ever loved? *proceeds to choke up* BRILLIANT. Honestly, these kind of books will never not get me😩
The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars is because it took me wayyyyy too long to finish this because a) it just wasn’t interesting enough to have me hooked and devouring it in one night or b) I’m in some weird sort of slump🥲 Regardless, this was a very enjoyable AND safe read for me. Would totally, totally recommend it if you love an obsessed, OTT J/P hero that does some morally questionable things lmao🥰
Safety squad:
- no OW drama/cheating (I don’t really count the h moving on with OM as cheating because the H had ghosted her and gone no contact with her for a long time by then)
- OM drama (h and OM never have sex - just makeout. Until the H comes back and sets things right😈)
- high school sweethearts
- OTT J/P H
- boy obsessed
- morally grey H
- both lost their V cards to each other and have been celibate throughout their 2/3 year seperation
- sports romance (he’s a football player and she’s a hockey player!)
- HEA with marriage and babies (in 3 extended epilogues)
The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars is because it took me wayyyyy too long to finish this because a) it just wasn’t interesting enough to have me hooked and devouring it in one night or b) I’m in some weird sort of slump🥲 Regardless, this was a very enjoyable AND safe read for me. Would totally, totally recommend it if you love an obsessed, OTT J/P hero that does some morally questionable things lmao🥰
Safety squad:
- no OW drama/cheating (I don’t really count the h moving on with OM as cheating because the H had ghosted her and gone no contact with her for a long time by then)
- OM drama (h and OM never have sex - just makeout. Until the H comes back and sets things right😈)
- high school sweethearts
- OTT J/P H
- boy obsessed
- morally grey H
- both lost their V cards to each other and have been celibate throughout their 2/3 year seperation
- sports romance (he’s a football player and she’s a hockey player!)
- HEA with marriage and babies (in 3 extended epilogues)
October 15, 2025
I reallllllly didn’t like the h in this for the first 50%, but once they got back together after that I warmed up to her
August 18, 2025
i loved this book, totally safe, a little omd, dual V👀
August 12, 2025
Writing style was not for me. Couldn’t connect with either MC.
October 8, 2025
Ohhhh I love a boy obsessed!! In real life you need to run from these men, but in Romancelandia it is just SO good! I didn’t read the first book and this one can easily be read as a standalone.
Hawke wanted Emmarys from the moment he saw her. They dated for a while and then he had to leave to keep her safe (but she didn’t know that and thought he broke up with her). I love that the h moved on whilst H was pining. Also making the H having to ‘win her back’ and get rid of her boyfriend. Deliciousss, I ate that ish up! The romance was sugary sweet and the spice was scorching! H was waving all kinds of red flags, but I guess psycho is my new preference 😅
I devoured this puppy and will be looking into other books by this author!
Safety:
- No real OW (toward the end a woman claims to have been with H, but h doesn’t believe it and deals with the OW and the fake story)
- OM: whilst MCs were separated h moved on with OM. They kissed and were boyfriend-girlfriend but were never more intimate. h was secretly still into H. H never wavered from h in all the years they were separated and was working toward their future together.
- No cheating between MCs
- Two separations. H celibate, h had a boyfriend (see OM).
Hawke wanted Emmarys from the moment he saw her. They dated for a while and then he had to leave to keep her safe (but she didn’t know that and thought he broke up with her). I love that the h moved on whilst H was pining. Also making the H having to ‘win her back’ and get rid of her boyfriend. Deliciousss, I ate that ish up! The romance was sugary sweet and the spice was scorching! H was waving all kinds of red flags, but I guess psycho is my new preference 😅
I devoured this puppy and will be looking into other books by this author!
Safety:
- No real OW (toward the end a woman claims to have been with H, but h doesn’t believe it and deals with the OW and the fake story)
- OM: whilst MCs were separated h moved on with OM. They kissed and were boyfriend-girlfriend but were never more intimate. h was secretly still into H. H never wavered from h in all the years they were separated and was working toward their future together.
- No cheating between MCs
- Two separations. H celibate, h had a boyfriend (see OM).
July 15, 2025
second-chance romance that hurts in the best way—achingly emotional, fiercely passionate, and completely unputdownable.
From the first page, I was all in with Emmarys. Her voice is raw, honest, and unforgettable. She loved Hawke Saint when she had no business believing he could ever be hers. “I never should have thought I could have him.” But that’s the thing about young love—it doesn’t follow logic. And when Hawke told her, “I want you with me. Always,” she believed him. So did I.
Only… he left.
He lied.
And her heart broke right along with mine.
Years later, their paths collide—and suddenly, all that history crashes back. The tension is delicious. “It was easier to pretend I hated him than to admit I never stopped loving him.” YES, girl. Say it louder.
Hawke is the guy you’ll love, then hate, then fall harder for all over again. The pressure of being a Saint, the expectations, the fame—it all pulled him away from the one thing that ever felt real. “Football was the dream. She was the cost.” That line? Absolutely wrecked me.
Their story is messy and complicated, but that’s what makes it so real. Ashton Brooks doesn’t shy away from the pain, the regrets, or the longing that never truly dies. “She was my before, and I wanted her to be my after too.” Ugh, I melted.
If you love:
✔️ Football stars and the girls they shouldn’t want
✔️ Soulmate-level tension
✔️ Second chances with serious emotional payoff
✔️ Beautifully broken people trying to get it right this time
Then Replay is going to consume you. It’s a love story laced with heartbreak, redemption, and the kind of chemistry that sets every page on fire. Emmarys and Hawke left a mark on me, and I know I’ll be replaying their story in my heart for a long time.
July 15, 2025
4.5⭐️/2.5🌶️
Okay, this book was obsessively adorable! From the very first page, I was hooked on Hawke and Em’s story. Hawke was a complete simp and honestly? I was a goner for him. The man is the definition of a lovable simp, and I mean that in the best way possible.
What really made this story special was how their relationship journey was written. From high school sweethearts to navigating the chaos of college life!
Now, let’s talk about Hawke. I have a soft spot for MCs who would burn the world down for the person they love and Hawke? He was that guy. All in!
And Em? I understood her, especially the push and pull she went through. She had her reasons, and I stood by her. But I also couldn't help falling for Hawke right along with her. Their chemistry was everything.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series!🙌🏼
Okay, this book was obsessively adorable! From the very first page, I was hooked on Hawke and Em’s story. Hawke was a complete simp and honestly? I was a goner for him. The man is the definition of a lovable simp, and I mean that in the best way possible.
What really made this story special was how their relationship journey was written. From high school sweethearts to navigating the chaos of college life!
Now, let’s talk about Hawke. I have a soft spot for MCs who would burn the world down for the person they love and Hawke? He was that guy. All in!
And Em? I understood her, especially the push and pull she went through. She had her reasons, and I stood by her. But I also couldn't help falling for Hawke right along with her. Their chemistry was everything.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series!🙌🏼
July 20, 2025
“In this life and even in the next one, you will always be mine.”
Ever since meeting Ashton Brooks’ Rivals, I needed more. I needed Replay. As if its scorching cover didn’t sell me already. I was so smitten with this swoon-feeling, soul-searing, heart-stopping romance that stole my breath and every beat of my heart. From beginning to end, Rivals blew me away!
Prepare to fall for this second chance meets football and hockey romance starring a determined hero and the heroine who got away. I love a good grovel and oh did this hero deliver! Football quarterback star, Hawke, is hawt, over-the-top, obsessive, and possessive. He’s hero goals. Every girl needs a Hawke. Hockey star, Emma, is stunning and strong and she gives as good as she gets.
These two soulmates are tethered together and were destined since they met in high school. Hawke and Emma were created for each other with combustible chemistry and an undeniable connection. I felt their love through the pages.
My heart soared for this book that’s utterly breathtaking. Replay had me in a chokehold. It swallowed my heart and soul. I smiled and swooned so hard. Replay … it’s endgame.
💋💋💋💋💋 sugar kisses
➡️ https://amzn.to/44XtW6m
Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
Ever since meeting Ashton Brooks’ Rivals, I needed more. I needed Replay. As if its scorching cover didn’t sell me already. I was so smitten with this swoon-feeling, soul-searing, heart-stopping romance that stole my breath and every beat of my heart. From beginning to end, Rivals blew me away!
Prepare to fall for this second chance meets football and hockey romance starring a determined hero and the heroine who got away. I love a good grovel and oh did this hero deliver! Football quarterback star, Hawke, is hawt, over-the-top, obsessive, and possessive. He’s hero goals. Every girl needs a Hawke. Hockey star, Emma, is stunning and strong and she gives as good as she gets.
These two soulmates are tethered together and were destined since they met in high school. Hawke and Emma were created for each other with combustible chemistry and an undeniable connection. I felt their love through the pages.
My heart soared for this book that’s utterly breathtaking. Replay had me in a chokehold. It swallowed my heart and soul. I smiled and swooned so hard. Replay … it’s endgame.
💋💋💋💋💋 sugar kisses
➡️ https://amzn.to/44XtW6m
Reviewed on behalf of Bookalicious Babes Blog
July 18, 2025
Ashton Brooks did it again! I’m completely obsessed with this series!
Replay is a second chance, sports romance that expresses the emotions of these two character full blast, but in all the best way! I could not get enough of Hawke and Emmary! These are two characters who have so much between them it’s amazing. This book felt real and so well written. This had angst and emotion all throughout. Definitely a must read in my opinion and adding it to my 2025 top reads of the year!
I can’t wait for more of this series. I’m definitely excited for more from Ashton Brooks. Definitely recommend this book for others!
Replay is a second chance, sports romance that expresses the emotions of these two character full blast, but in all the best way! I could not get enough of Hawke and Emmary! These are two characters who have so much between them it’s amazing. This book felt real and so well written. This had angst and emotion all throughout. Definitely a must read in my opinion and adding it to my 2025 top reads of the year!
I can’t wait for more of this series. I’m definitely excited for more from Ashton Brooks. Definitely recommend this book for others!
August 3, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ARC Review
Tropes:
Darkish Romance
Morally Grey MCs
Stalker
Sports Romance
College Romance
Football Player MMC x Hockey Player FMC
Found Family
This is the 2nd book in the Saints vs Pirates series and can be read as a standalone. This is a darkish romance, so please check trigger warnings before reading.
Emma and Hawke are high school sweethearts that broke up after a year due to Hawke being forced to move back to Georgia. Hawke returned to Emma on her prom night to explain everything, but left again the next morning with no contact for 2 years. Now Hawke is back and finally free to be with Emma, but she's already moved on.
My heart broke for both Emma and Hawke, but I was also annoyed with Emma. Even knowing the situation, Emma built up so much hatred towards Hawke. Yes, she signed "move on" until his 21st birthday, but I wish she had more trust in him.
I completely understood where Emma's mistrust of Hawke and their relationship came from. I loved that Hawke also understood this and took the necessary steps to regain that trust and allowed Emma to come to terms with it on her own.
I loved Emma and Hawke; they were so perfect together! Both are extremely protective and jealous. It was nice reading a story with 2 unhinged(ish) MCs. They had been through so much, I'm so happy they finally got their HEA.
This book was the perfect mix of sweet & spicy! All red flags were literally green when it comes to Hawke🤭🤭
The cheating aspect didn't sit right with me in the story, but it also wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
The writing and plot flowed nicely. Nothing felt dragged out or rushed. Emma & Hawke's relationship grew naturally, which I appreciate in books. I especially liked that the prologue(past chapters) were short, but still detailed.
I'm excited for the rest of the books in this series! Especially Isla's story, which I have a feeling might be MFM (I hope not), but I'm excited regardless.
ARC Review
Tropes:
Darkish Romance
Morally Grey MCs
Stalker
Sports Romance
College Romance
Football Player MMC x Hockey Player FMC
Found Family
This is the 2nd book in the Saints vs Pirates series and can be read as a standalone. This is a darkish romance, so please check trigger warnings before reading.
Emma and Hawke are high school sweethearts that broke up after a year due to Hawke being forced to move back to Georgia. Hawke returned to Emma on her prom night to explain everything, but left again the next morning with no contact for 2 years. Now Hawke is back and finally free to be with Emma, but she's already moved on.
My heart broke for both Emma and Hawke, but I was also annoyed with Emma. Even knowing the situation, Emma built up so much hatred towards Hawke. Yes, she signed "move on" until his 21st birthday, but I wish she had more trust in him.
I completely understood where Emma's mistrust of Hawke and their relationship came from. I loved that Hawke also understood this and took the necessary steps to regain that trust and allowed Emma to come to terms with it on her own.
I loved Emma and Hawke; they were so perfect together! Both are extremely protective and jealous. It was nice reading a story with 2 unhinged(ish) MCs. They had been through so much, I'm so happy they finally got their HEA.
This book was the perfect mix of sweet & spicy! All red flags were literally green when it comes to Hawke🤭🤭
The cheating aspect didn't sit right with me in the story, but it also wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
The writing and plot flowed nicely. Nothing felt dragged out or rushed. Emma & Hawke's relationship grew naturally, which I appreciate in books. I especially liked that the prologue(past chapters) were short, but still detailed.
I'm excited for the rest of the books in this series! Especially Isla's story, which I have a feeling might be MFM (I hope not), but I'm excited regardless.
July 24, 2025
No. Nope. Nup. DNF @ 50%
Seriously….am I cursed?!
Seriously….am I cursed?!
July 21, 2025
Emmary & Hawkes story of second chances and never giving up.
This starts of showing Hawke speaking to Emmary and you instantly know that he's just taken by her and it's sweet.
Different sides of the track and insecurities play a part but finally it's all good, they have a plan and life is perfect
Until it's not.
Until Hawke disappears and she's left with no explanation.
Cue a quick catch up each year and how they're getting on and then Hawke finds his way back and that man is so far gone, it's beyond adorable. This guy has red flags flying but they are the sweetest red flags!
Really enjoyed it, yes it's high school/uni years but there's maturity there and although there is spice, it's not overly used. A good read and I'm looking forward to more in the series
This starts of showing Hawke speaking to Emmary and you instantly know that he's just taken by her and it's sweet.
Different sides of the track and insecurities play a part but finally it's all good, they have a plan and life is perfect
Until it's not.
Until Hawke disappears and she's left with no explanation.
Cue a quick catch up each year and how they're getting on and then Hawke finds his way back and that man is so far gone, it's beyond adorable. This guy has red flags flying but they are the sweetest red flags!
Really enjoyed it, yes it's high school/uni years but there's maturity there and although there is spice, it's not overly used. A good read and I'm looking forward to more in the series
November 5, 2025
i can’t believe this was written by a grown woman
December 26, 2025
I find it really hard to relate to these college kids sometimes but if you just suspend belief, you can enjoy this ride.
Hawke is hopelessly, obsessively, in love with Emmarys but he keeps leaving her to “protect” her and her family from his controlling grandfather, problem was, this was only communicated to her after the event, so through the first part of this book we get to experience Emma and her yo-yoing emotions and heartbreak, not once but twice!
Eventually, out from under granddad’s thumb, Hawke moves across the country, leaving the college winning football team he was the star of and the assured passage to the pro’s, to be with her, she had sort of moved on and has a boyfriend, but he’s up for the battle to win back her trust and affection.
While Emma as a character is a little bland, Hawke is a fabulous character. I loved his obsessiveness, yes, he was a teenager and then a young man throughout this story, ruthless and brilliant on the football field, totally clueless at times with the girl who was his end game, but at others very thoughtful in his single-minded pursuit to have her.
The roller-coaster of emotions these young lovers go through make this an enjoyable read. The friendships are strong, the characters likeable, and there’s plenty going on in teenage drama to retain your interest in this easy to read and enjoyable story.
Hawke is hopelessly, obsessively, in love with Emmarys but he keeps leaving her to “protect” her and her family from his controlling grandfather, problem was, this was only communicated to her after the event, so through the first part of this book we get to experience Emma and her yo-yoing emotions and heartbreak, not once but twice!
Eventually, out from under granddad’s thumb, Hawke moves across the country, leaving the college winning football team he was the star of and the assured passage to the pro’s, to be with her, she had sort of moved on and has a boyfriend, but he’s up for the battle to win back her trust and affection.
While Emma as a character is a little bland, Hawke is a fabulous character. I loved his obsessiveness, yes, he was a teenager and then a young man throughout this story, ruthless and brilliant on the football field, totally clueless at times with the girl who was his end game, but at others very thoughtful in his single-minded pursuit to have her.
The roller-coaster of emotions these young lovers go through make this an enjoyable read. The friendships are strong, the characters likeable, and there’s plenty going on in teenage drama to retain your interest in this easy to read and enjoyable story.
July 25, 2025
I was happy when this showed up in my inbox. I love hockey, I love obsessive MMCs and I realyl love a good second chance romance. and this book definitely had all three.
The prologue of the novel definitely drew me in. I w as hooked and could not wait to see where the author was going to take them. I loved getting that aspect of them.
I was really enjoying this about halfway though the story just started feeling off. I expected Hawke to be the way that he was, he is as advertised. I think for me, it was Emma, I needed her to have a little more backbone. I saw her trying, but she caved way to easily after everything and while I kept hoping she would find her power she just never did for me.
The Spice was spciy and I did enjoy the friendships between Emma and her friends. I enjoyed Emma making Isla feel more apart of the group. I really enjoyed their dynamic. Riggs and Falcon were great side characters for Hawke too. I though that both groupd added to the depth of both MCs.
What to expect.
💚College sports Romance
💚Second Chance
💚Jealous x possessive x obsessive
💚Football Player
💚Its always been you
Thank You Ashton Brooks and The Author Agency for the ARC in return for an honest review.
The prologue of the novel definitely drew me in. I w as hooked and could not wait to see where the author was going to take them. I loved getting that aspect of them.
I was really enjoying this about halfway though the story just started feeling off. I expected Hawke to be the way that he was, he is as advertised. I think for me, it was Emma, I needed her to have a little more backbone. I saw her trying, but she caved way to easily after everything and while I kept hoping she would find her power she just never did for me.
The Spice was spciy and I did enjoy the friendships between Emma and her friends. I enjoyed Emma making Isla feel more apart of the group. I really enjoyed their dynamic. Riggs and Falcon were great side characters for Hawke too. I though that both groupd added to the depth of both MCs.
What to expect.
💚College sports Romance
💚Second Chance
💚Jealous x possessive x obsessive
💚Football Player
💚Its always been you
Thank You Ashton Brooks and The Author Agency for the ARC in return for an honest review.
July 21, 2025
Emmarys and Hawke were high school sweethearts . . until they were not. Hawke bides his time until he can make a break from his family and he follows Emmarys to college, where she is trying to move on and get over her heartbreak. I did not like Hawke. At all. I tried, I really did, but I just couldn't do it. I found Emmarys to be frustrating at times, but these are young people, so I get it. Even though I didn't like Hawke, I still enjoyed the story!
July 23, 2025
Hawke and Emma. Man if I could slap a man upside the head I would. Yes he had good intentions but COMMUNICATION MY MAN!! It’s a second chance romance with it’s always been her and some well deserved grovelling.
January 1, 2026
this book took me soooo long to finish.
for such a simple plotted romance book, it sure dragged alot.
the author just kept adding meaningless drama and resolving it within 2 pages.
the book was okay, too many useless characters and useless scenes.
Emmarys was not likeable at all same as Riley from book 1 , which reminds me that Riley and Reign's many appearances reminded me of how unsafe and nauseasting their book was 🤢
and from the looks of it This book is going to be the only safe dual virgins book in the series, because we all saw the clusterfuck that book 1 was with the none celibate manhoe Reign and ow scenes, and virgin rag fmc Riley , plus all the other girls are simping doormats aka Sam and Isla and all the other men are manhoes aka carter, riggs and falcon .
BUT i did like that Emma at least tried to move on and got a bf when she thought Hawke gave up on her, she wasn't just sitting and wallowing in self pitty.
Hawke was the dream mmc, a little cringe sometimes with all the cheesy pet names but he makes it up in UTTER and complete loyalty, and devotion to Emmarys.
i found that i like the past chapters better,
they were so cute as teens. i really loved the nervous shy Hawke who couldn't figure out how to talk to Emma for 2 years lol
Some parts of the book still felt very stupid, for instance, the second time he left her, he insisted not to contact her, not in person, nor through anybody, because that would put her too much at risk of his grandfather finding out not. Yet he was planning to pursue her secretly when she joined his university in Texas. Now I don't know about other people, but having her in a different university and contact her in secret is a way better option than having her at his own university and pursuing her under his grandfather's nose, where he could easily find out. So why the fuck was he so mad at her When she didn't join his university in Texas, and chose Michigan while he made Absolutely no effort to contact her. the safer option was to have her away in Michigan and tell her to wait for him till he's 21. he made all the wrong decision but got mad at her for no wanting to go to the same university as her ex boyfriend who ghosted her.
safety:
-safe
-cheating but not between MCs : Emmarys cheated on her boyfriend Jax by kissing Hawke and Jax cheated on her with ow at the start of their relationship.
-owd : none, just girls throwing themselves at Hawke but he couldn't care less.
-omd: Emmarys had a boyfriend for the first 30% of the book, they never had sex just makeouts.
celibacy : both celibate during 2 year seperation
for such a simple plotted romance book, it sure dragged alot.
the author just kept adding meaningless drama and resolving it within 2 pages.
the book was okay, too many useless characters and useless scenes.
Emmarys was not likeable at all same as Riley from book 1 , which reminds me that Riley and Reign's many appearances reminded me of how unsafe and nauseasting their book was 🤢
and from the looks of it This book is going to be the only safe dual virgins book in the series, because we all saw the clusterfuck that book 1 was with the none celibate manhoe Reign and ow scenes, and virgin rag fmc Riley , plus all the other girls are simping doormats aka Sam and Isla and all the other men are manhoes aka carter, riggs and falcon .
BUT i did like that Emma at least tried to move on and got a bf when she thought Hawke gave up on her, she wasn't just sitting and wallowing in self pitty.
Hawke was the dream mmc, a little cringe sometimes with all the cheesy pet names but he makes it up in UTTER and complete loyalty, and devotion to Emmarys.
i found that i like the past chapters better,
they were so cute as teens. i really loved the nervous shy Hawke who couldn't figure out how to talk to Emma for 2 years lol
Some parts of the book still felt very stupid, for instance, the second time he left her, he insisted not to contact her, not in person, nor through anybody, because that would put her too much at risk of his grandfather finding out not. Yet he was planning to pursue her secretly when she joined his university in Texas. Now I don't know about other people, but having her in a different university and contact her in secret is a way better option than having her at his own university and pursuing her under his grandfather's nose, where he could easily find out. So why the fuck was he so mad at her When she didn't join his university in Texas, and chose Michigan while he made Absolutely no effort to contact her. the safer option was to have her away in Michigan and tell her to wait for him till he's 21. he made all the wrong decision but got mad at her for no wanting to go to the same university as her ex boyfriend who ghosted her.
safety:
-safe
-cheating but not between MCs : Emmarys cheated on her boyfriend Jax by kissing Hawke and Jax cheated on her with ow at the start of their relationship.
-owd : none, just girls throwing themselves at Hawke but he couldn't care less.
-omd: Emmarys had a boyfriend for the first 30% of the book, they never had sex just makeouts.
celibacy : both celibate during 2 year seperation
July 19, 2025
Loved Hawke & Emma's whirlwind romance!!
Omg Ashton Brooks brought another amazing OTT possessive MMC full of red flag goodness again with Replay!! This story was so fun to see how Hawke at sixteen knew Emma was his endgame and how they both shared all their firsts together over the years. These two brought all the feels with this story.
Hawke was so much fun to read because his stalkerish ways led to so many incredible moments between him and Emma. I loved that she was the center of his world no matter where he was she was his first thought. Now did he do some things that made their situation more difficult...yes he did but he had reasons and unfortunately Emma didn't know everything which leads to a lot of miscommunication. We watch as Emma goes through the heartbreak of losing her first love and hardens herself to any other relationships after Hawke leaves not once but twice. She always has this nagging feeling that no one can compare to him but eventually decides to try a slow-paced relationship with Jax who is completely different from Hawke. Spoiler alert he's not the one and she quickly realizes it once Hawke transfers to her college for her. He has to slowly win back Emma's heart and trust and he goes to extremes to show her how much he wants her forever. These two will endure some crazy ups and downs but finally find a HEA eventually.
You can expect possessive/obsessive mmc, fierce/equally possessive fmc, heartbreak, groveling, second chance, spicy moments, OTT crazy bets, incredible side characters, miscommunication, tattoos as love language, and an epic ending.
If you want something that brings the red flags but will leave you swooning then I highly recommend this one!! Emma & Hawke are a must read!! I can't wait for more in this series it's been a blast to watch these characters grow and the OTT possessiveness that each has brought in their own right throughout this series!!
Overall: 5/☆☆☆☆☆
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
Omg Ashton Brooks brought another amazing OTT possessive MMC full of red flag goodness again with Replay!! This story was so fun to see how Hawke at sixteen knew Emma was his endgame and how they both shared all their firsts together over the years. These two brought all the feels with this story.
Hawke was so much fun to read because his stalkerish ways led to so many incredible moments between him and Emma. I loved that she was the center of his world no matter where he was she was his first thought. Now did he do some things that made their situation more difficult...yes he did but he had reasons and unfortunately Emma didn't know everything which leads to a lot of miscommunication. We watch as Emma goes through the heartbreak of losing her first love and hardens herself to any other relationships after Hawke leaves not once but twice. She always has this nagging feeling that no one can compare to him but eventually decides to try a slow-paced relationship with Jax who is completely different from Hawke. Spoiler alert he's not the one and she quickly realizes it once Hawke transfers to her college for her. He has to slowly win back Emma's heart and trust and he goes to extremes to show her how much he wants her forever. These two will endure some crazy ups and downs but finally find a HEA eventually.
You can expect possessive/obsessive mmc, fierce/equally possessive fmc, heartbreak, groveling, second chance, spicy moments, OTT crazy bets, incredible side characters, miscommunication, tattoos as love language, and an epic ending.
If you want something that brings the red flags but will leave you swooning then I highly recommend this one!! Emma & Hawke are a must read!! I can't wait for more in this series it's been a blast to watch these characters grow and the OTT possessiveness that each has brought in their own right throughout this series!!
Overall: 5/☆☆☆☆☆
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
July 16, 2025
Replay is the second novel in the Saints vs. Pirates series. This book has interconnectable characters and can be read as a stand alone but it's beneficial if they are read in order. Hawke and Emmarys are the MCs of this second chance, college hockey and football, with a vibe of darkness to go along with all the obsessive and possessive tendencies. Grab a copy and get immersed in all the angst and drama that leads to a HEA, you won't be disappointed!
TW: Physical abuse from a grandparent, loss of a parent/grief, blackmail and threats. There is also, stalking tendencies, obsessive and possessive behavior from both characters, forced tattooing, cheating (not between the MCs).
I would sincerely like to Thank @theauthor.agency and @authorashtonbrooks for my Advanced Review Copy and in return I voluntarily promised an honest review.
Hawke Sheppard is the star QB for an elite private academy and has dreams of making it to the NFL. When he sees Emmarys, around the small town of Crimson Bay, he instantly falls in love.
Emmarys Lawson goes to public school and loves to play hockey. She can't believe it when the Saints QB talks to her at the rink after practice because Saints and Pirates usually don't associate since they are bitter rivals.
Hawke and Em have made plans over the past couple of years of dating to go to college in Texas together and when he gets drafted to the NFL he wants to take Em with him.
Emmarys heart is broken when Hawke breaks up with her. So, she heads to college in Michigan and tries her best to get over Hawke with the distraction of Jax, a hockey player.
Hawke has cut ties with his controlling grandfather and is transferring to Michigan to get the love of his life back. He knows he's not the same person as he was 2 years ago but he's got a plan and all she needs to do is give him a second chance at forever.
TW: Physical abuse from a grandparent, loss of a parent/grief, blackmail and threats. There is also, stalking tendencies, obsessive and possessive behavior from both characters, forced tattooing, cheating (not between the MCs).
I would sincerely like to Thank @theauthor.agency and @authorashtonbrooks for my Advanced Review Copy and in return I voluntarily promised an honest review.
Hawke Sheppard is the star QB for an elite private academy and has dreams of making it to the NFL. When he sees Emmarys, around the small town of Crimson Bay, he instantly falls in love.
Emmarys Lawson goes to public school and loves to play hockey. She can't believe it when the Saints QB talks to her at the rink after practice because Saints and Pirates usually don't associate since they are bitter rivals.
Hawke and Em have made plans over the past couple of years of dating to go to college in Texas together and when he gets drafted to the NFL he wants to take Em with him.
Emmarys heart is broken when Hawke breaks up with her. So, she heads to college in Michigan and tries her best to get over Hawke with the distraction of Jax, a hockey player.
Hawke has cut ties with his controlling grandfather and is transferring to Michigan to get the love of his life back. He knows he's not the same person as he was 2 years ago but he's got a plan and all she needs to do is give him a second chance at forever.
July 18, 2025
- 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙮 𝘼𝙨𝙝𝙩𝙤𝙣 𝘽𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙠
#𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★★
𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚝 ⋆. 𐙚 ˚
✰𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
✰𝘛𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦
✰𝘔𝘔𝘊 𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳
✰𝘏𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘍𝘔𝘊
✰𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳
✰𝘑/𝘗/𝘖 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩
✰𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵
ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ:
“𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘴𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘳. 𝘋𝘳𝘰𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦.”
I’m literally obsessed with this series already and we are only 2 books in! Want to start a hockey series but with FMC hockey players and their possessive men!? Definitely should start this series I loveee me an fmc hockey player they’re so underrated
These two are just everything to me and they BELONG together!! Idcccc this book had me going through all types of emotions after 2 years Hawke has finally got his inheritance and can do what he wants because he’s grandad don’t control him so he’s getting his girl backkkk
I couldn’t get enough of this book and their relationship sometimes it just takes people time to finally work with no one in their way to stop them and the chemistry between them was sooo good!
I love Emma so much! I definitely understood her hesitant with her being in her life again and trusting him but she just loves him so much! Hawke is literally everything to me omg I love that man and definitely going on that book boyfriend list
The book goes from them in high school and Hawke having to end things cause of his grandpa, the push and pull with them had me geeking loll but they are so perfect for each other and definitely don’t play about each other as they should
I can’t wait for the next book and rest of series I hope sams book is next I just need it RNNN!
Thank you Ashton for giving me this arc it was amazing <3
#𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★★
𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚝 ⋆. 𐙚 ˚
✰𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
✰𝘛𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦
✰𝘔𝘔𝘊 𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳
✰𝘏𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘍𝘔𝘊
✰𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳
✰𝘑/𝘗/𝘖 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩
✰𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵
ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ:
“𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘴𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘳. 𝘋𝘳𝘰𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘐’𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦.”
I’m literally obsessed with this series already and we are only 2 books in! Want to start a hockey series but with FMC hockey players and their possessive men!? Definitely should start this series I loveee me an fmc hockey player they’re so underrated
These two are just everything to me and they BELONG together!! Idcccc this book had me going through all types of emotions after 2 years Hawke has finally got his inheritance and can do what he wants because he’s grandad don’t control him so he’s getting his girl backkkk
I couldn’t get enough of this book and their relationship sometimes it just takes people time to finally work with no one in their way to stop them and the chemistry between them was sooo good!
I love Emma so much! I definitely understood her hesitant with her being in her life again and trusting him but she just loves him so much! Hawke is literally everything to me omg I love that man and definitely going on that book boyfriend list
The book goes from them in high school and Hawke having to end things cause of his grandpa, the push and pull with them had me geeking loll but they are so perfect for each other and definitely don’t play about each other as they should
I can’t wait for the next book and rest of series I hope sams book is next I just need it RNNN!
Thank you Ashton for giving me this arc it was amazing <3
July 21, 2025
I've required more since the moment I encountered Ashton Brooks' Rivals. I needed Replay. As if I hadn't been persuaded by its fiery cover already. This swoon-inducing, soul-searing, heart-stopping romance left me breathless and stole every heartbeat. I was astonished by Rivals from beginning to end!
Prepare to be enchanted by this romance that intertwines football and hockey with a second chance, featuring a determined hero and the heroine on the run. I love a great plea for forgiveness, and this hero truly delivered! Hawke is a football quarterback characterized by arrogance, flamboyance, impulsiveness, and a tendency to control. He possesses heroic ambitions. A Hawke is essential for every girl. Emma, a hockey player, is stunning, powerful, and puts in her full effort.
Following Hawke's departure on two occasions, we see Emma endure the pain of her first love's loss and grow determined regarding future relationships. She ultimately decides to engage in a slow-moving relationship with Jax, who is completely unlike Hawke, even though she continuously feels that no one measures up to him. Spoiler alert: after Hawke enrolls at her college, she quickly realizes he isn't the right guy. He must slowly rebuild Emma's trust and love, and he makes significant efforts to show his steadfast longing for her. These two will ultimately discover a happy ending after experiencing various dramatic highs and lows.
Their story is complex and chaotic, but that contributes to its authenticity. The pain, the remorse, and the longing that never truly disappears are all emotions Ashton Brooks openly reveals.
Prepare to be enchanted by this romance that intertwines football and hockey with a second chance, featuring a determined hero and the heroine on the run. I love a great plea for forgiveness, and this hero truly delivered! Hawke is a football quarterback characterized by arrogance, flamboyance, impulsiveness, and a tendency to control. He possesses heroic ambitions. A Hawke is essential for every girl. Emma, a hockey player, is stunning, powerful, and puts in her full effort.
Following Hawke's departure on two occasions, we see Emma endure the pain of her first love's loss and grow determined regarding future relationships. She ultimately decides to engage in a slow-moving relationship with Jax, who is completely unlike Hawke, even though she continuously feels that no one measures up to him. Spoiler alert: after Hawke enrolls at her college, she quickly realizes he isn't the right guy. He must slowly rebuild Emma's trust and love, and he makes significant efforts to show his steadfast longing for her. These two will ultimately discover a happy ending after experiencing various dramatic highs and lows.
Their story is complex and chaotic, but that contributes to its authenticity. The pain, the remorse, and the longing that never truly disappears are all emotions Ashton Brooks openly reveals.
July 22, 2025
Alright, I loved Rival so I just had a feeling I was going to enjoy Replay. We got to meet Emma in Rival since she is Riley’s best friend and was a hockey teammate until Riley moved to the private school. These two went to Michigan together for college to play hockey and I knew I would love to see how fierce she has become after getting her heart hurt by her ex-boyfriend who played football. Hawke was the love of her life, until he up and left without a backward glance. He is a year older than Emma and when he left, she tried to find out why. A year later he shows up unannounced at her senior prom because he promised he would go with her. He now plays college football in Texas, which was their plan when they were together. Plans changed for Emma and when Hawke has to leave suddenly and never reaches out again, she knows she has to move on. Except, Hawke will never let her go. He has his reasons for everything he did and makes the decision to show up at her campus. These two are so in love, but Emma has been hurt twice already, and she refuses to go through that again. Hawke reminds me so much of Reign, that he will stop at nothing to get the girl he wants. These two deal with each thing that is thrown their way and work around it and once they start dating again, it made me happy that they worked together to get through things. It was how well Emma knows Hawke that keeps him moving towards his goal and she was happy to support the dreams he has had. I truly enjoyed their story and love that it felt like you would watching a friend go through all of it.
July 26, 2025
Replay is a fresh and emotionally resonant take on second chances, blending the magic of serendipity with the complications of past regrets and new beginnings. Ashton Brooks crafts a vibrant and believable world where the connections feel both fated and hard earned, weaving in a slow-burn romance that rewards patience and emotional investment.
The chemistry between the main characters is palpable from the opening page, and their dynamic offers both playful banter and genuine vulnerability. Brooks does an excellent job of capturing the uncertainty and hope that come with reigniting an old flame, readers are sure to root for the protagonists as they navigate everything from awkward run-ins to late, night confessions.
What I particularly enjoyed was the story’s balance of heartfelt emotion and lighthearted moments. Supporting characters add humor and depth, making the journey feel communal and lived-in rather than isolated. The pacing smartly alternates between nostalgia and present-day challenges, creating an addictive “just one more chapter” quality.
The only area where the novel came up a bit short was in the final act, a few plot twists resolved a little too conveniently, softening the impact of the climax. Even so, the journey itself is so engaging that those minor stumbles barely detract from the overall satisfaction.
If you love contemporary romance with real-feeling characters, witty dialogue, and that undeniable spark of rediscovered love, Replay hits all the right notes and leaves you with a warm, hopeful glow.
The chemistry between the main characters is palpable from the opening page, and their dynamic offers both playful banter and genuine vulnerability. Brooks does an excellent job of capturing the uncertainty and hope that come with reigniting an old flame, readers are sure to root for the protagonists as they navigate everything from awkward run-ins to late, night confessions.
What I particularly enjoyed was the story’s balance of heartfelt emotion and lighthearted moments. Supporting characters add humor and depth, making the journey feel communal and lived-in rather than isolated. The pacing smartly alternates between nostalgia and present-day challenges, creating an addictive “just one more chapter” quality.
The only area where the novel came up a bit short was in the final act, a few plot twists resolved a little too conveniently, softening the impact of the climax. Even so, the journey itself is so engaging that those minor stumbles barely detract from the overall satisfaction.
If you love contemporary romance with real-feeling characters, witty dialogue, and that undeniable spark of rediscovered love, Replay hits all the right notes and leaves you with a warm, hopeful glow.
July 20, 2025
I mostly avoid reading high school and university students romance but damn this book was so good I was glad I made an exception and gave this book a chance. Moreover, second-chance romance is usually not my type of trope but again, this book and Hawke proved me wrong. This book delivered a second chance so well.
Hawke was smashing whatever on his way to get her girl back. He was so unhinged and so obsessed with Emmarys, I loved him so much. He was so perfect and so mature for his age. The way he took care of Emma above everything was a chef's kiss. He was way too young for me but I don't care, Hawke is my current book boyfriend! Whoever says otherwise can fight me!!
Emma, oh Emma. She was also so perfect for Hawke. She fought so hard to fall in love with Hawke (again and again) but she failed miserably. Who could resist Hawke? No one!
I understood why Emma needed to protect her heart, and I loved her for that. But when she claimed Hawke (again), she became so strong and as unhinged as Hawke. I loved her so much. I loved both of them so much.
I loved the friendship and camaraderie in Emma and Hawke's circle. I missed the background stories of some of the characters because I didn't read the first book beforehand, but it didn't bother me much. I definitely will read all the books in this series. I can't wait. I am so invested already.
Thank you to Asthon Brooks and The Author Agency for the ARC.
Hawke was smashing whatever on his way to get her girl back. He was so unhinged and so obsessed with Emmarys, I loved him so much. He was so perfect and so mature for his age. The way he took care of Emma above everything was a chef's kiss. He was way too young for me but I don't care, Hawke is my current book boyfriend! Whoever says otherwise can fight me!!
Emma, oh Emma. She was also so perfect for Hawke. She fought so hard to fall in love with Hawke (again and again) but she failed miserably. Who could resist Hawke? No one!
I understood why Emma needed to protect her heart, and I loved her for that. But when she claimed Hawke (again), she became so strong and as unhinged as Hawke. I loved her so much. I loved both of them so much.
I loved the friendship and camaraderie in Emma and Hawke's circle. I missed the background stories of some of the characters because I didn't read the first book beforehand, but it didn't bother me much. I definitely will read all the books in this series. I can't wait. I am so invested already.
Thank you to Asthon Brooks and The Author Agency for the ARC.
July 23, 2025
This is book #2 in this series Saints Vs Pirates.
This is Hawke and Em's story.
What to expect.
💚College sports Romance
💚Second Chance
💚Jealous x possessive x obsessive
💚Football Player
💚Its always been you
Hawke and Em knew each other when they were younger and something happens and the drift away from each other with broken hearts. Only years later fate steps in and brings them back into each other's lives.
Hawke is a football player and has alot going on especially with his grandfather and it's quite toxic for him, all Hawke has ever wanted to do is play for the team and be with Em but out always has a way of throwing curve balls into the mix.
This storyline flows throughout fantastically and I was completely hooked right from the off.
The characters have so much chemistry you can feel them sizzling of the page. Their connection will last forever and I absolutely love the way this author writes and makes the reader really feel everything.
This author really knows how to bring her characters to life and to make the reader feel all they are feelings together. This story has love, angst, heartbreak, and all the soul mate love you can ask for. These two one way or another we 're always meant to be and I was rooting for them both. Their love story will really pull at your heart strings and you will be captivated and turning the pages so fast to see what happens.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I absolutely recommend this series to everyone.
This is Hawke and Em's story.
What to expect.
💚College sports Romance
💚Second Chance
💚Jealous x possessive x obsessive
💚Football Player
💚Its always been you
Hawke and Em knew each other when they were younger and something happens and the drift away from each other with broken hearts. Only years later fate steps in and brings them back into each other's lives.
Hawke is a football player and has alot going on especially with his grandfather and it's quite toxic for him, all Hawke has ever wanted to do is play for the team and be with Em but out always has a way of throwing curve balls into the mix.
This storyline flows throughout fantastically and I was completely hooked right from the off.
The characters have so much chemistry you can feel them sizzling of the page. Their connection will last forever and I absolutely love the way this author writes and makes the reader really feel everything.
This author really knows how to bring her characters to life and to make the reader feel all they are feelings together. This story has love, angst, heartbreak, and all the soul mate love you can ask for. These two one way or another we 're always meant to be and I was rooting for them both. Their love story will really pull at your heart strings and you will be captivated and turning the pages so fast to see what happens.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I absolutely recommend this series to everyone.
July 28, 2025
🖤Review💚
5/5⭐️
Loved this one just like I did the first book but they are very different.
Hawke has loved Emma since he seen her at 16. He finally made his move and talked to her but then he left and broke her heart..
She doesn’t understand what happened or why he left the way he did.
Hawke has a controlling grandfather and he thought Emma was a distraction and would mess with Hawke going to the NFL so he threatened a lot of things.
Time goes by and Hawke shows up and explains EVERYTHING to her but when his brother calls and says he needs to come back he leaves her again heartbroken and with a lot of things left unsaid..
He has a plan and he can finally almost act on it.. He transfers colleges and is determined to get his girl back… It’s always been her and nothing will get in his way of claiming her.
He does a lot of sweet things and just wants to take care of her but she is afraid to give him her heart again…
He also does some crazy things and she’s like wtf but loves them anyways haha
She plays hockey while he is the QB for the football team. He wants to go pro, she does not.
He has always loved football but he loves her more.
————————————
“Because I fucking love you, Emmarys. Since I was sixteen and saw you touch the ice. When I was seventeen and finally got the chance to talk to you. When I was eighteen and you were mine until I had to leave you. At nineteen, at twenty, and at twenty-one, I love you more than I ever have. We can do this.”
5/5⭐️
Loved this one just like I did the first book but they are very different.
Hawke has loved Emma since he seen her at 16. He finally made his move and talked to her but then he left and broke her heart..
She doesn’t understand what happened or why he left the way he did.
Hawke has a controlling grandfather and he thought Emma was a distraction and would mess with Hawke going to the NFL so he threatened a lot of things.
Time goes by and Hawke shows up and explains EVERYTHING to her but when his brother calls and says he needs to come back he leaves her again heartbroken and with a lot of things left unsaid..
He has a plan and he can finally almost act on it.. He transfers colleges and is determined to get his girl back… It’s always been her and nothing will get in his way of claiming her.
He does a lot of sweet things and just wants to take care of her but she is afraid to give him her heart again…
He also does some crazy things and she’s like wtf but loves them anyways haha
She plays hockey while he is the QB for the football team. He wants to go pro, she does not.
He has always loved football but he loves her more.
————————————
“Because I fucking love you, Emmarys. Since I was sixteen and saw you touch the ice. When I was seventeen and finally got the chance to talk to you. When I was eighteen and you were mine until I had to leave you. At nineteen, at twenty, and at twenty-one, I love you more than I ever have. We can do this.”
August 1, 2025
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
This is the story of Emma and Hawke. This is the story of two people from opposite sides of the track. Emma and Hawke has huge crushed on each other back in high school. For two years they pined for each other and Hawke finally got the nerve to ask her out. From that moment on until they turned 18 when he left for college in Texas they were never seen without each other. But she has not clue what he was going though with his grandfather. In a bid to protect her he dumps her before he leaves for college to keep her and her family safe. When he shows up for her senior prom though like he promised they have the nights of her life. But sensing that his grandfather was going to find out he snuck to see her he quickly leaves again after asking her to go to college in Texas like they had planned. However, she doesn't hear from him again and doesn't go though with what they had planned. Years have passed since they have seen each other. She has moved on and has no idea how angry for those two years Hawke has been. Now he is back and he is not leaving without her. But, will there still be things in their way or will she give him a second or third chance? You have to read to find out but I am going to tell you that this book is long. So long in face that I got a little frustrated with it. I can say however that you are going to love Hawke. He is perfect book boyfriend material.
This is the story of Emma and Hawke. This is the story of two people from opposite sides of the track. Emma and Hawke has huge crushed on each other back in high school. For two years they pined for each other and Hawke finally got the nerve to ask her out. From that moment on until they turned 18 when he left for college in Texas they were never seen without each other. But she has not clue what he was going though with his grandfather. In a bid to protect her he dumps her before he leaves for college to keep her and her family safe. When he shows up for her senior prom though like he promised they have the nights of her life. But sensing that his grandfather was going to find out he snuck to see her he quickly leaves again after asking her to go to college in Texas like they had planned. However, she doesn't hear from him again and doesn't go though with what they had planned. Years have passed since they have seen each other. She has moved on and has no idea how angry for those two years Hawke has been. Now he is back and he is not leaving without her. But, will there still be things in their way or will she give him a second or third chance? You have to read to find out but I am going to tell you that this book is long. So long in face that I got a little frustrated with it. I can say however that you are going to love Hawke. He is perfect book boyfriend material.
August 22, 2025
This book was so perfect for me it’s not even funny🤣
If you have similar reading taste to mine at all, I highly recommend picking this up if you haven’t already!
Replay is a new adult, second chance romance between our hockey player FMC, Emma, and our football player MMC, Hawke.
I really felt for Emma. She’s just trying to figure out what her future looks like when Hawke suddenly reappears in her life. I understand why she’s so hesitant to get back together with him, and honestly, I loved how she stood her ground with him (read the book to find out why it works so well😉). I loved watching their love for each other heal her past wounds, and give her the freedom to embrace her future possibilities fully with Hawke by her side.
Hawke is officially in my list of favorite book boyfriends of the year! It’s no secret I luv an obsessive/possesive MMC, and that’s the perfect way to summarize Hawke. He would burn the world down for Emma, no questions asked. But he also has a softer side to him that just wants to take care of her and love her all the time. He’s a man on a mission who will stop at nothing to protect her and show her how much he loves her. He’s the perfect book boyfriend.
Thank you so much to @authorashtonbrooks and @theauthor.agency for my arc! I absolutely loved this couple, and I will definitely be reading more from Ashton in the future.
Replay is now available in KU💗
If you have similar reading taste to mine at all, I highly recommend picking this up if you haven’t already!
Replay is a new adult, second chance romance between our hockey player FMC, Emma, and our football player MMC, Hawke.
I really felt for Emma. She’s just trying to figure out what her future looks like when Hawke suddenly reappears in her life. I understand why she’s so hesitant to get back together with him, and honestly, I loved how she stood her ground with him (read the book to find out why it works so well😉). I loved watching their love for each other heal her past wounds, and give her the freedom to embrace her future possibilities fully with Hawke by her side.
Hawke is officially in my list of favorite book boyfriends of the year! It’s no secret I luv an obsessive/possesive MMC, and that’s the perfect way to summarize Hawke. He would burn the world down for Emma, no questions asked. But he also has a softer side to him that just wants to take care of her and love her all the time. He’s a man on a mission who will stop at nothing to protect her and show her how much he loves her. He’s the perfect book boyfriend.
Thank you so much to @authorashtonbrooks and @theauthor.agency for my arc! I absolutely loved this couple, and I will definitely be reading more from Ashton in the future.
Replay is now available in KU💗
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