Careless Storm

San Francisco End Game #4

by Katherine Jay

I’m not his to protect, but the NFL's bad boy has never been one to follow the rules.

Six years ago, I was living my dream life. Supportive family, amazing friends, admission into my dream college... And a secret relationship with my brother’s best friend.

Zane and I had it all worked out until one horrific moment tore our worlds apart, sending us spiraling in different directions.

Now he’s making headlines for all the wrong reasons, while I’m drifting through life, dating his biggest rival.

But just as I start questioning my future, Zane reappears. He was never supposed to come back, yet here he is, reminding me of my worth, begging me to walk away from a man who never truly valued me.

Everything has changed, yet he’s the same—confident, charismatic, and looking at me with fire still burning in his eyes. It’s impossible to pretend he’s not the incredible man I once knew.

I try to keep my distance, but for the first time since losing it all, I’m starting to find my strength. And it’s all thanks to Zane’s unwavering support.

But it turns out, I’m not the only one who’s broken, and the only way forward is to face the past… together .


Careless Storm is a second chance sports romance full of angst, banter and steam.

Genres: Second Chance, Sports Romance, Football, Sports, Friends To Lovers, Enemies To Lovers, Slow Burn

495 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 18, 2025

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️
📕: CARELESS STORM by Katherine Jay
Why you’ll love this book!
All The Banter
Emotion
Angst
He’s Obsessed
Secretly Broken MC
Shared Trauma
Always Been You
Boyfriend’s Rival
Football Romance
This is my first book by Katherine Jay and she didn’t disappoint! I will be going back and reading these rest of the books in this series! I read this book in one day I couldn’t put it down! Blair and Zade grew up together she is his sister’s best friend and he is her brother’s best friend. They were in a secret relationship till a tragic event happened and spilt them until Zane is in another accident and Blair is his er nurse! This story is an emotional roller coaster and I knew it would be but man is it so worth it! Blair and Zane both helped each other know their worth they both deserve so much happiness in their lives. This isn’t a relationship that just goes right the whole time no it was more real they had to work and fight for each other!

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a heartbreakingly beautiful story this one was. Katherine really takes you on an emotional rollercoaster with this but then puts all the pieces back together again 🤍

Zane and Blair go through a few highs and lows in their story. A tragic accident sent them on their separate ways 7 years ago. And after being reunited after all that time, feelings are brought back up (they never really went away) and they have to work hard to put the pieces of their heart break together. Both surrounded by some amazing people who want nothing but the best for them 🥰

The San Francisco Storms group chat is always a highlight for me in this series, I love a good group chat in books.

I am so glad these two found their way back to each other and got their HEA ❤️

[Jen Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC, Katherine!

football romance • shared trauma • always been you • boyfriend’s rivals • man obsessed

“I’ve finally got my girl back, and this time, I’m never letting go.”

You can always expect Katherine to put you through it, and make her characters work for it, but you’re going to get that extra special love because of it.

Zane and Blair share a heartbreaking tragedy, a loss that changed them and ended the connection they shared.

It’s the silent love that shines here. The never ending support. The gestures. A true first love that gets reignited. Zane’s always been protective. Blair’s always been supportive. Their story is one of growth, healing, and love. Seeing them get their second chance was everything.

You can also expect to see our friends from the other books, Katherine’s signature banter, and steamy spice.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥

[❀ Tayla ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreakingly beautiful! Katherine knows how to bring the hurt and then make it all better

I loved Zane and Blair's story so much! I had been waiting for this one after how Reckless Storm finished up and I was not disappointed in the slightest.
Two broken souls just trying to get by and after appearing in each other's lives again after 7 years, it stirs some things up and they have to work even harder to bring those walls down again and put the pieces of their heart back together.

Zane and Blair go through so many highs and lows but truly come out on top together with the help of each other and their friends and people around them. I always love being back with the San Francisco Storm fam and what shenanigans go on in the group chats 🤭

🏈 football romance
🏈 Boyfriend’s rival
🏈 Always been you
🏈 Shared trauma
🏈 Man obsessed
🏈 all the banter, angst and steam
🏈 a guaranteed HEA

[Madison_renee2415 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I loved this book so much!
Zane and Blair grew up together and had a secret relationship because they weren’t ready for her brother to know *aka, brother’s best friend.” Then a tragic event happened that kept them apart. When they meet year’s later, it happens to be under not the best circumstances. They are both hurting from the past and haven’t healed from it. So when Zane starts purposely being around Blair more, the feelings come back. I absolutely loved their story and how they worked through their problems together. Oh and the group texts- I LIVE for them!

[Tasha_loves_to_read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by @katherinejayauthor. I absolutely adored Blair and Zane. And boy did they deserve their hea. Being back with this group of friends is literally like a great big hug. The family they have found is beautiful to read about and the way they help and protect eachother. Im so glad these two found their way back together and they are endgame.

[Liana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book each time a read another one from this series I want to go back and re read, I absolutely love this group. My heart broke for Zane the weight he has carried around and the positions he’s been put it. Blair is a force what a great team with so much baggage.

[Amanda Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

full RTC

[Literary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes:

- Second chance romance
- Brother's best friend
- Always been you
- Found family
- Angst
- Slow burn


I had the absolute pleasure of reading the third book in the series, Reckless Storm, which was my first ever arc! Now, I am back in the world of the San Francisco Storm American football team, and I am absolutely delighted!

Careless Storm follows on from Reckless Storm, so I would highly recommend reading Reckless Storm first to avoid spoilers! This book centres on Zane Fitzpatrick, who is an American football player and Blair Stevens, who is a nurse.

Zane Fitzpatrick has my heart! The way he pays attention and listens. Really listens. I love how he notices every detail and how quick he is to act and go out of his way to bring a smile to Blair's face. Bonus points for not mentioning what he does! I love how he drops everything to be there for Blair and how he encourages her to pursue her dreams! In addition to how he's incredibly protective of her but is low-key so sweet and a complete gentleman, but only for her!

While I wasn't a fan of how Blair handled things, I understood her fears and not wanting to throw away a large part of her life. It was relatable and what made her human. I did feel bad for her. However, I was thrilled when she saw that holding on was causing more damage. I loved how Zane helped her see things from a different perspective and how she felt more like herself. It was refreshing to see the fight in her come back and her personality shine!

The side characters were hilarious! The boys' group chat never fails to make me laugh! Jenna was a great addition, having been introduced to her character in Mistletoe Mail, which I would recommend reading after Careless Storm. It was really nice to see her in the world of the San Francisco Storm. It was also nice to see past characters come back! Blair's dad was a great man, with integrity. I love how funny he is, his words of wisdom, and how he dealt with everything!

Overall, I quite enjoyed this book! It has some cute moments that had me giggling! In addition to swoon-worthy moments, and so much angst and tension! I would recommend this book, but would suggest reading Reckless Storm first as it contains spoilers. Be sure to check the trigger warnings!

Thank you to Katherine Jay for the opportunity to read this eARC!

Favourite quotes:

“She was sweeter than I remember, and I can’t decide if it’s because she’s forbidden fruit or I just really like the taste of her.”

“The way his lips curl, paired with the sparkle in his eyes, should be illegal. Bad boys aren’t supposed to have alluring smiles like that—they’re dangerous enough.”

“The smile she’s projecting is the one she brings out when she’s trying to avoid attention. Too bad it didn’t work, because she sure caught mine.”

“But if you’d have called, if you’d ever reached out, I would have moved heaven and earth to be here. In a heartbeat. No matter how broken I was.”

“Most girls I hook up with would bark like a dog if I asked them to. I know this because I may have tested the theory once or twice. I’m an asshole, I know.”

“But I’d forgotten the energy that follows you when you’re truly happy. And that energy brightens when Zane’s in your life. It always has.”

“We just had to find our way back to each other. We both needed time apart to be stronger together.”

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I received an ARC for this book)

This can be read as a standalone, but it does include spoilers for the book prior as the MMC is involved in that book’s storyline

trigger warnings will be at the bottom of this review, to avoid spoilers
physical violence on page that involves main characters, discussions of the loss of a loved one (described on page in detail), grief is a heavy topic throughout, emotional abuse

Katherine ALWAYS plays with my feelings. My poor heart ALWAYS goes through the wringer! (And I’m not mad about it!) The togetherness throughout this book was pure perfection. Zane and Blair, the teammates, the significant others, Blair’s family (plus them with Zane). Everything about these bonds. This is why I love this series, and why I love Katherine’s writing! Plus, the perfect tie-ins with other books and characters! After the pain I suffered through the last book, I THOUGHT I was ready for this one, but this just added a new layer of OUCH to my heart! The fears and hesitations Zane and Blair both had were SO valid, and were fleshed out perfectly! Zane was Blair’s reminder of a lot of things she had lost, forgotten, and ignored. You can’t force Fate, but Mr. Zane Fitzpatrick has her working overtime! He only wants what’s best for Blair, but that is up to her to decide. The fact they’re from Florida (and we spend time in Florida) may be a sliver of why they became my favorite of the series!

My Favorite Quotes:
• “Don’t ever let anyone make you feel like you’re not the most beautiful woman on this planet. Ever.
• “You’ve always been it for me.”
• “You are so fucking beautiful when you come apart like that. Thank you for letting me watch.”
• “We should have had more of these. We should have had a lifetime.”
• “This is for you and you alone. Always has been.”
• “You can’t expect me not to touch you, then stare at me like I’m your next meal.”
• “I deserve what I want. And what I want is you.”
• “It’s always been you.”
• “This is how it always should have been.”
• “I was made to worship the ground you walk on.”

7/10 Dirty Birdy
3/10 Forbidden Romance
4/10 Friends to Lovers
9/10 Second Chance
4/10 Slow Burn
6/10 Sports Romance
7/10 Series

This is my review for Beautiful Storm
This is my review for Delicate Storm
This is my review for Reckless Storm

Trigger Warnings include:
physical violence on page that involves main characters; car accident causing deaths (includes a loved one) and the death of a loved one is heavily discussed, including the grief is has caused; a fight that ends in a main character being stabbed (violence is off page, but discussed); a death after life support (this is discussed on page as it occurs) caused by a main character; character drugging (off paged, but discussed); emotional abuse during grief

[Christina Loshikian · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review: Careless Storm

Careless Storm
By: Katherine Jay
Book 4 in the San Fransisco End Game Series

5⭐️ 4🌶️

🏈boyfriend’s rival
🏈football romance
🏈second chance romance
🏈brother’s best friend
🏈always been you
🏈shared trama
🏈he’s OBSESSED
🏈angst
🏈emotion
🏈banter upon banter

ZANE FITZPATRICK is all I have to say!!! He is the definition of perfect and deliciousness all wrapped in one big bow! CHEF’S KISS!!! This was my first read by author Katherine Jay and it will not be my last!!! This story follows Zane and Blair’s story and if you love a second chance, sports, and brother’s best friend romance this is the book for you

Zane and Blair’s relationship is the definition of the right person at the wrong time. They have such a painful and heavy past that they are both tied to. A lot of what if’s surround the two of them and one very traumatic accident that unfortunately tears them apart for 7 years.

Zane, a rising star football payer for the San Francisco Storm, perceived as a bad boy who is always in the headlines. Deep down he is loyal and would give the shirt off of his back for his friends and family but not everyone gets to see that side of him. He’s protective and believes in always doing the right thing even if it kills you. Blair is just as broken as Zane, she struggles with finding her strength and her worth during a time of grief. This is not a quick fix or an easy forgiveness for both Zane and Blair, they have so much to work through together and individually, they had to face the past head on and work through putting all the broken pieces of their heart back together.

The chemistry between Zane and Blair, once those walls come down, is feral! The banter, oh the banter, between Blair and her brother, between Zane and the group chat with the team, priceless! And everyone needs a friend like Jenna in their life!!! The relationship that Blair had with Jenna and how Jenna started to make her feel alive again is they the type of friendship we all need in our lives. This book was full of emotion and angst, it’s messy and it’s painful at times. I laughed so much and cried just as much, the story of Zane and Blair was heartbreaking and watching the two of them work through their trauma and find each other again was pure perfection. I LOVED this book, I could not put it down, i was hooked page after page.

Careless Storm will be releasing on Thursday, December 18th and it needs to be on your TBR list, I promise you will not be disappointed. You will fall so in love with Zane and Blair. ✨Please check your trigger warnings✨Thank you to author Katherine Jay and The Author Agency for this opportunity to read this eARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#footballromance #secondchance #Brothersbestfriend #CarelessStorm #katherinejay

[Mayville (Tourbiez Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars✨
2 Spice🌶️

Because there is a lot to soak up and I wanted to fully appreciate the experience, I took my time reading this. I've never read anything by this author before, but the fact that this book hooked me is enough to reassure me that it won't be the last one I read.

Careless Storm is the fourth installment in the San Francisco End Game Series that follows the story of Blair Stevens and Zane Fitzpatrick. A dreadful tragedy separated two childhood sweethearts, but an unfortunate chance brought them back together years later.
The story, which is told in a non-linear fashion, tackles themes of redemption, loss, guilt, and second chances.

The characters of Blair and Zane exhibit considerable amounts of depth and fragility. Zane is ambitious and profoundly broken, while Blair is captivating yet conflicted, making their relationship achingly genuine. The charm of eternal love was captured by their chemistry, which was already intense in the past and became much more tangible in the present.

With all the secrets, revelations, and twists, Katherine Jay crafted a story that underscores the challenges of loss, sacrifice, and redemption while striking a balance between gritty realism and tender and painful moments. Beneath its delicate yet melancholic framework, this book serves as a reminder of how love evolves with time and that genuine relationships may persevere in the face of adversity.
What also makes this book exceptional is its refusal to romanticize or oversimplify relationships. Rather, it depicts love as both exquisite and messy, able to elicit both great happiness and tremendous sorrow.

In summary, Careless Storm is essentially a monument to the highs and lows of interpersonal and familial relationships. It's a poignant, thought-provoking examination of love in all its frail, flawed grandeur that leaves a lasting impression on those who encounter it.

Receiving a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was an honour, and I'm presenting my candid opinion based on my own experience. I am eternally grateful to Katherine Jay and The Author Agency for entrusting me with reading this book beforehand.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

full emotional chokehold from page one and I never wanted out. Second chance romance? Brother’s best friend? NFL bad boy with a soft heart he only shows her? Say less. I was already seated — but this book went so much harder than I expected.

Blair and Zane are the definition of right person, wrong time, devastating consequences. Their past is heavy, painful, and unresolved in a way that feels painfully real. You can feel the weight of those six lost years in every look, every half-finished sentence, every moment they’re in the same room trying not to fall back into each other. The angst?? Immaculate. The tension?? Suffocating. I was internally screaming the entire time.

Zane is a headline-making NFL bad boy on the surface, but underneath he’s loyal, protective, and so emotionally broken it hurt. The way he never stopped seeing Blair’s worth — even when she couldn’t see it herself — absolutely destroyed me. And Blair? Watching her find her strength again, step by step, while navigating grief, love, and a relationship that never truly valued her… chef’s kiss. Her growth felt earned, not rushed.

Their chemistry is still feral. The banter is sharp, the looks are loaded, and when the steam hits? 🔥🔥🔥 But what really got me was how much work they had to do — individually and together. This wasn’t a quick fix or an easy forgiveness arc. They had to face the past, the pain, and their own broken pieces, and that made their reunion hit so much harder.

Careless Storm is messy, emotional, angsty, and deeply satisfying. It’s about love that never really leaves, about choosing yourself, and about finding your way back when everything fell apart. I laughed, I swooned, I cried a little (okay, a lot), and I closed the book with a full heart.

If you love second chance romance with real depth, big feelings, protective energy, and characters who fight for their happiness — do not skip this one. I’m obsessed. 💔❤️

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Careless Storm surprised me in the best way. I went in expecting angst, but this story carried so much more emotional weight than I anticipated. Just when I thought all the secrets had been revealed, another layer surfaced, and it kept unfolding like that all the way through.

Zane and Blair are the definition of right person, wrong time. Their past is heavy and unfinished, shaped by a shared tragedy that took everything from them and left years of guilt, grief, and unanswered questions behind. When they’re brought back together years later, there’s no pretending the pain didn’t happen. It’s all still there, sitting between them, demanding to be addressed.

Zane may be known as the NFL bad boy, but underneath that reputation is a deeply loyal, protective man who never stopped loving Blair, even when he didn’t believe he deserved her. Watching the layers peel back and seeing who he really is with her was one of my favorite parts of the story. Blair’s journey was just as compelling. She’s been surviving instead of living for a long time, and seeing her slowly reclaim her strength, her voice, and her sense of self felt incredibly real and earned.

What really worked for me was that this wasn’t an easy forgiveness story. Healing took time. The conversations were hard, the emotions were messy, and the past couldn’t be swept aside. Their chemistry is intense once those walls come down, but it’s the emotional work, both individually and together, that made their reunion feel so satisfying.

Add in the found family, the banter (especially the team group chats), and the genuine sense of support surrounding these characters, and this book delivered on every level. I laughed, I cried, and I stayed fully invested from start to finish.

Careless Storm is emotional, angsty, and deeply rewarding. If you love second-chance romance with real depth, meaningful healing, and characters who have to fight for their happily ever after, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

[Lisa Nizz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never read a Katherine Jay book before and none in this series. I signed up for this ARC as I have been reading a lot of football books lately and other book girlies recommended this series. Well I was able to jump right in without reading the prior books and now want to read everything!

This book was phenomenal! I could not put it down, having to stop the first night because I couldn’t see straight and finished the next morning. If you love second chance romances this was by far the best I have read.

Zane & Blair grew up together. He was her brother Cade’s best friend and she was his sister Sierra’s bestie. Their parents were friends also. They developed feelings for each other and kept the relationship secret, they never had sex, wanting to wait until they went to college. A tragic accident leads to devastation of relationships, families and friendships. Years later they are thrown back in each other’s orbits when Zane now the NFL bad boy is injured saving a teammate and his wife. His nurse is Blair who is now in a long term relationship with his nemesis Nathan, also an NFL player on a different team.

Everything about this book was powerful. The emotions, feelings, the secrets, the past and present colliding in such a dramatic fashion. I was on the edge of my seat. My heart broke for Zane and Blair so many times. There was so much for them to get through before even thinking about a relationship. Their vulnerability and heartbreak made my chest ache, had me anxious and crying tears of pain and joy. A couple learning to open up and trust, face and let go of the past while at the same time facing more that the present kept throwing at them.

I felt like I needed to calm myself and relax after reading this book. What a great ride! I highly recommend. Bravo Katherine Jay!

[Sabrina Mordini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Careless Storm is a gentle romance about reconnecting after trauma.

I appreciated how the author portrayed the individual journey of the MC through loss and heartache, though at a certain point the lack of any mention of therapy felt a bit strange, especially given the emotional weight of what the MMC goes through.

For a romance, the first part of the book focuses heavily on the FMC being in another relationship, which I personally found confusing and a bit drawn out. The whole “rival” aspect of the story is revealed very late in the plot, and by then it feels more disruptive than impactful, slowing down the overall pacing.

The story includes several flashbacks to the MCs’ past, which made the narrative slightly confusing at times. Since what happened back then is such a key part of the plot, the constant hinting and delayed reveal made it feel more stretched out than necessary.

That said, I really enjoyed the FMC’s journey. Her struggles with self-worth and self-assurance were handled with care, and while some of the themes could have benefited from deeper exploration, it was satisfying to see her reconnect with herself by the end.

Although this is book four in the series, it works well as a standalone. There are brief mentions of other characters’ stories, but nothing that significantly affects the main plot.

The spice is present but limited, mostly tied to the plot and fairly quick.

Overall, Careless Storm is an emotionally driven story with strong character work, even if some narrative choices and pacing issues kept it from fully shining.

[Pages With Teastains · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been dying for Zane’s redemption book, and I was so curious to see how Katherine was going to turn him into a character I actually loved. Safe to say, I was completely blown away.

Seeing Zane’s sensitive side and finally understanding why he hides behind that cocky persona made such a difference. He felt real, layered, and honestly so easy to fall for once you see what’s beneath the surface. Blair is the perfect match for him in every way, and I loved their dynamic together.

Second-chance romance is one of my favourite tropes, and this was done so well. Zane and Blair’s past is absolutely tragic, and my heart broke for both of them. The trauma they have each been through was so emotional and genuinely had me crying more than once.

The banter in this book is top-tier, not only between Zane and Blair but also with the rest of the team. I loved seeing characters from previous books pop back up, especially ones I already adored. It made the world feel so full and connected.

I absolutely despised Zane in the earlier books, but after reading Careless Storm, he has completely stolen my heart. I knew the tropes going in and thought I was prepared, but my heart still broke for everything they lost, for what could have been, and for all the time they never got.

Katherine has such a gift for writing characters that pull you in, and her storytelling flows so effortlessly. Once you’re in her world, you never want to leave.

I love Katherine’s books, I am obsessed with this whole series, and I honestly cannot wait for the next one.

[SherrecePQ Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I thought I had picked a favourite in this series (which all can be read as standalone but is better read in order), Katherine gives me Zane and Blair and I was NOT READY!! My actual heart, the angst in this book literally broke me and was absolutely friggen amazing. This will go down as one of my top reads this year, and Zane is now in my stable of book boyfriends because I love him, there I said it!!

Zane and Blair have a past, a secret relationship from the past, as Zane was her brother's best friend, and she was his sister's best friend. But, there is a moment that would break them all, the relationship, a family, and each other's hearts. (including the reader).

This story sees them finding their way back to each other, working thru unimaginable hurt, speculation, misunderstanding, and in the ire of media. Zane has never forgotten his Little B, and can see she is worth better than the arse he cannot believe she is with now. He only ever wanted the best for her, and thought he was doing just that by walking away. And if you have read the other books in this series, the brotherhood of the football team, and their women, wrap themselves around these two. And the texts between those that are part of these groups I absolutely love.

And, do I think I know who may be the next MMC, I have a theory, and I cannot wait. I absolutely love Katherine Jay, romantic angst, suspense, emotions that run high, and HEA's that are worth all of that. This was perfection, and will stay with me. Highly recommend.

[Kathryn Kirchner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another banger! ⭐️ I truly adore everything Katherine Jay writes, and Careless Storm is no exception. From the moment I was introduced to Zane in book one, I found myself drawn to him, hoping he’d get a redemption story of his own.

I’m so glad I was right, because his story truly felt like a gift. Reading about Zane and Blair was an absolute pleasure. 💙

I loved the way this story was written. The then and now timeline felt like piecing together a puzzle, slowly uncovering why Zane was the way he was and what truly happened all those years ago. 🧩 The structure added so much depth to the story and kept me completely invested, layering in mystery and emotion that made everything hit even harder.

Zane is a broken, tortured soul who has faced far more than anyone ever knew. 💔 He put on a front and kept everyone at arm’s length. Sure, he’s still cocky, but that attitude was armor, meant to protect the shattered man underneath. And honestly… who doesn’t love a misunderstood man?

And Blair. 🖤 She is incredible—just as strong and compelling as the female characters who came before her. I loved watching her rediscover herself, fight for her happiness and for love, and stand firmly by Zane’s side. Her friendship with Jenna was wonderful, and I adored how naturally she fit in with all the wives and fiancées.

If you’ve read the San Francisco End Game series and haven’t picked up Zane’s story yet… what are you waiting for?! 😍 I highly recommend this one. And if you haven’t read book one yet, definitely start there—you won’t regret it! 📖✨

[Laurenreadingrecs · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes:

🏈BOYFRIEND'S RIVAL
🧡ALWAYS YOU/ RIGHT PERSON WRONG TIME
🏈SHARED TRAUMA
🧡SECRETLY BROKEN MC
🏈HE'S OBSESSED
🧡ANGST
🏈EMOTION
🧡ALL THE BANTER
🏈BROTHERS BEST FRIEND



Holy Cow Zane was perfection!

Careless Storm from author Katherine Jay is book 4 in the San Francisco endgame series. This finally gives us the story of Zane Fitzpatrick and Blair and their story was everything. It’s important to know that you should read Reckless Storm first to avoid spoilers.

Zane and Blair's relationship began 7 years ago. They shared a very painful and traumatic experience together, but ultimately it caused them to go their separate ways back then. Neither has really moved on although both have had their own way of coping.

Fast forward to now.

Zane is now the perceived bad boyin the NFL . The attitude, women and tattoos that go along with it. He’s currently playing for the San Francisco Storm and trying to acclimate himself to his teammates. Zane outwardly plays this part but inside lays a whole lot of baggage just like Blair. When Zane sees Blair again it becomes obvious he’s not letting her go a second time.

Once both take down the walls around their hearts that’s when we see the truth. How much love they have for each another. The care, the support, the intense chemistry and now years later the shared grief.

I loved to see both characters come out of their trauma and heal. The angst in this book as well as the banter, especially the text chain with Zane and his teammates was done so well.

If you have read the previous book I definitely recommend reading Zane and Blair’s story but be prepared for the emotions it may evoke. Highly recommend

[Frankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

GUYSS!! If you want angst, this is the one for you!

Careless Storm is the literal definition of right person, wrong time - if you looked that up in the dictionary, you'd see Blair and Zane pictured next to it. Both characters have been through it, and are still going through it, but seeing these two reconnect after so long felt so right, like everything was okay in the world.

Blair and Zane are both Characters who are struggling; they are both broken in their own ways and their stuggles and trauma stem from the same tragic night but they've delt with it in different ways..or also haven't dealt with it at all. Careless Storm is full of forgiveness, second chances and coming to terms with grief and past choices.

If there's one thing I know I'll get from Katherine's books its secrets, twists, characters with chemistry that is out of this world and SO MUCH ANGST! like the edge of your seat, must lose sleep to find out what happens angst.

I always love getting back into this universe and seeing all my fav characters, Careless Storm was an amazing edition to this series and has everything you could ever want!

The Vibes
- Football Romance
- Boyfriend's Rival
- Second Chance
- Always been you
- so many emotions
- shared trauma
- Brother's best friend

Thank you so much, Katherine, for the Arc of this book! always have the best time getting lost in your stories x

[k · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ 3 🌶️

Damn does this book not give you a chance to catch a break between emotions. I’m going to be honest the way the book starts doesn’t shed the best light on the relationship for me because we don’t know that Zane and Blair had been dating for a while just that they are 16 and 17 (almost 18) so for me I feel like that should be prefaced ahead of time. There are aspects of the book that is like minor-adult despite the dating since they were both teens, idk it felt wrong to me and I almost dnf’d it but I wanted to try and push through to see where the story went. The book starts off very ominously. You know something went awry but not what until quite a bit into the first chunk of the book. There’s so many nuances and complexities happening throughout the book. And the way the author writes them coming back into each other’s lives is 😮‍💨. Let me tell ya I had to take a few breaks while reading it because there is a lot of big emotions and a lot of big moments/ revelations that happen. I wish the author had put second chance as a trope because its a huge part of the plot. I also love the found family aspect within the teammates and the redemption arc Zane goes through. He deserved the found family and amazing people who stood at his side. I do have my suspicions on who Keely’s MC is but we shall see and I hope Caden gets his own book too. Overall I think the book was good but there were some points where it was like gahh how much more will these characters endure?!

[nancys_reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to The Author Agency and Katherine Jay for the e-arc!

Rating: 3/5


——————

Tropes:
🏉 Boyfriend’s rival
🏉 Always been you
🏉 Secretly broken MC
🏉 He’s obsessed
🏉 Angst & emotion
🏉 All the banter

——————

This is my first ever Katherine Jay book, so I was so excited to start it! I loved the beginning so much, there was so much emotion and angst and I just needed to know what had happened that caused Blair and Zane to break-up. There was so much mystery about what happened that I couldn’t put the book down! And I loved that Zane literally saves her at every time and lets her know that he messed up but this time, he will always be there for her and never stop loving her!

And even though this is my first book from Katherine Jay and the fourth book in the series, I still enjoyed reading about the other couples (and some of them, I’m very interested in!!) and seeing the found family! I literally broke down when Zane finally realized that he has found his new family since he’s was so ughhhhh (no spoilers from me).

My only issue was the last 20-ish% when everything was happening everywhere all at once! It was hard to follow because I felt my emotions and thoughts being pulled in different ways. Everything that happened was too much for me. Yes it was still very emotional but it left me overwhelmed. I had to reread a bit of it just to ensure I didn’t mess up the information.

Overall, I am excited to dive into the other books in the series and read more of Katherine Jay’s books! Once again, thank you to The Author Agency and Katherine Jay for the e-arc!

[Alison turton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautifully tragic story, of young love, heartbreak, loss, redemption and the kind of enduring love that inspires fairytales.

This is the story of Blair and Zane, high school sweethearts who had a seemingly unbreakable bond. When tragedy strikes them both, their tether to one another breaks and unable to face their reality they go off into the world without each other. When they meet again, Zane is determined to show Blair that their love didn’t disappear along with the physical and emotional distance he put between them. Instead it was a case of right girl wrong time and although they aren’t the same people they were, their changes only make them more perfect for one another. As they spend more time together Blair realises that maybe things weren’t as simple and as straight cut as they had seemed and that Zane had suffered far more than any of them had ever realised. Can they overcome their shared trauma in order to be together or will it prove to be more than they can handle? And Will Zane’s friends and loved ones be able to protect him as he faces the ghosts from his past?

This is book 4 in the San Francisco End Game Series but can be read as a standalone as each book focuses on a different couple, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the love between Blair and Zane was evident throughout the book and they had an undeniable chemistry and connection, that made it a truly engaging story.

[TheBookishK9RN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love That Waited Through the Storm

Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Second Chance Romance, Brother’s Best Friend, Sports Romance, Emotional Healing

Review:
Careless Storm delivers an emotionally satisfying second-chance romance that leans hard into healing, growth, and love that never really let go. Zane is exactly the kind of MMC you root for—steadfast, patient, and willing to fight for Blair even when she’ll only offer him friendship. His quiet persistence and unwavering support made his redemption arc feel earned rather than rushed.

Blair is equally strong and believable. I loved how self-aware she became about the ways she’d molded herself to fit her relationship with Nathan—and how being around Zane helped her reclaim her sense of self. Their banter and connection were a standout; it felt effortless, like no time had passed at all, and the realization that unprocessed grief played a role in their separation added emotional depth without feeling manipulative.

The balance of spice and emotion was spot-on, enhancing the story rather than overpowering it. The only thing holding this back from five stars was a small amount of miscommunication—some things left unsaid a bit longer than necessary. Still, the payoff made the journey worth it.

If you love second-chance romances filled with heart, banter, and genuine growth, this one hits the mark.

[Jamie Tuckwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚BOOK REVIEW 📚

Careless Storm - @katherinejayauthor

Katherine Jay is my favourite author that I've found this year. I'm so delighted to have found her books and every read is just phenomenal. This one was no exception.

After having read Reckless Storm and it automatically going into one of my favourite reads, I couldn't wait for Careless Storm especially with how Reckless Storm ended. I knew this was going to be an emotional read and it absolutely was but again it just ticked all my boxes.

The way the author built up the tension of this second chance romance was perfection. The flashbacks really added to the story and I was sucked in right from the start desperate for Zane and Blair to get their happy ever after.

I love how this book had a bit of everything, there was romance, mystery, some real villains and a whole lot of trauma. But I loved how Zane and Blair helped each other heal. Zane was the perfect broken boy and Blair had her own insecurities and issues as well but together their relationship was beautiful. They made each other stronger.

I would recommend that you read Reckless Storm before reading this book for the full reading experience. But really you should just read the full series as it's great.

Another winner and another fantastic read from this author.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

Absolutely incredible! This is such an underrated series, and I wish there was more hype around it. Every part of this book was just so good - the characters, the plot, the friendships, the tension, and the love. Blair is a pillar of strength. I loved her character - she loved her friends and family fiercely. She's loyal to a fault, kind, witty, and just an amazing person. Zane - Wow, when we say we want a protective MMC, this is what we're looking for. The way he wanted to protect Blair is amazing. I also loved how he grew in this book, but it wasn't without Blair's help. I loved the two of them together. They helped each other grow and empowered each other to take their lives back essentially. I also love their banter and the love that they had for each other was oozing from the pages. They both experienced some real trauma and thought it was heartbreaking to see what they went through it was also such a great experience to see them come out of it on the other side together. Aside from Zane and Blair, let's not forget the "support groups" that both sides had. The boys were funny as always, and the girls really rallied around Blair. I also loved Blair's parents and brother Cade. Their family moments were among my favorites. This book was so much more than a football romance. It was filled with trauma, healing, and pure love.

[Kristina Maysonet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katherine Jay can do no freaking wrong! I am obsessed with her storytelling and the emotional angst that she puts us through. The torture hurts, but I love it! Careless Storm is the 4th book in the San Francisco End Game series. Zane has been in the series and hasn’t been well liked, this is his very well earned redemption story.

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔: Zane Fitzpatrick & Blair Stevens
𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒆: San Francisco Storm

Zane is best friends with Blair’s brother, so when they started a relationship 7 years ago, they had to hide it. Ultimately, the hiding and a tragic accident ended their relationship. When Zane gets hurt and ends up in the hospital, he is reunited for the first time with Blair. Even though Blair is dating his rival, Zane sees this as his chance to win back the girl he has always loved.

There is so much that happens that I don’t want to spoil. But just know that this story is full of healing, and reuniting both for friends and lovers. Zane might be this bad boy on the outside, but his devotion for Blair really shows his softer side. Blair doesn’t think she should be entering a new relationship so soon, but Zane is going to give her every possible reason why she should.

The angst and all the pain was exactly what I needed and I think every part of this story was so powerful and beautifully executed.

[Annireads · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Careless Storm the latest book in the San Francisco End Game series.

This was a heartbreaking tragic story of two people who found friendship with each other and their siblings, fell in love as teenagers (secret relationship) Blair’s brother was Zane’s best friend, and Zane sister Sierra was Blair’s best friend. They were then torn apart when tragedy strikes tearing them and their families apart.

Several years later, Zane is in hospital recovering from an injury he received while trying to save Hayley and Reed from (Reckless Storm) Zane now a football player with a bad boy reputation and Blair a nurse cross paths. Their love, connection and chemistry is undeniable. They are truly only meant for each other.

As they rebuild their relationship they are confronted with ramifications of the incident and their trauma, guilt, grief and the secrets still haunting them from their past that will test their love and their future.

Amongst this heart wrecking story there is lightheartedness like the group chats/support groups the team banter and the friendships and support of the Storm team and their partners

Thank you Katherine Jay for the opportunity to read this arc and it will definitely be on my reread list

[Jasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC REVIEW**

Careless Storm was an emotional, angsty second-chance romance that kept me hooked from start to finish. The twists and secrets had me turning pages. Even though this is book four in the San Francisco End Game series, it can be read as a standalone—I do plan to go back and read the earlier books to get the full series experience.

Blair and Zane are both deeply broken in different ways, and their pain felt raw and real. Watching their growth—both individually and together—was incredibly rewarding. Their chemistry was undeniable, and the banter between them felt fun, natural, and full of emotion.

Zane is everything you want in a book boyfriend: loyal, patient, protective, and endlessly supportive. Seeing Blair find her strength and self-worth, and watching them both face their past head-on while working through their trauma together, made their journey even more impactful.

The side characters added great depth to the story, and their interactions and banter made the world feel even more alive.

Overall, Careless Storm is a story about forgiveness, second chances, grief, and healing—and I absolutely recommend it.

Thank you to Katherine Jay and The Author Agency for the ARC.