The daughter of one-time rock legends, Emma Maxwell is the good girl of the family, the dutiful sister, the doting aunt, and a dedicated employee in the family party-crashing business. Every Wednesday night at Karaoke, she indulges in her secret fantasy of being a singer. Yet the thrill of being on stage doesn't rival the thrill of a spontaneous liaison with the delectable, yet downtrodden, quarterback of the Seattle Steelheads, Tanner Wolfe, Emma’s long-time crush.
Tanner didn't see it coming--not any of it. He was blindsided--by his dysfunctional family, his plummeting career, and the one thing he least expected--by love. After photos with Emma go viral, Tanner is caught in a lie and tells a bigger one to get out of it. Now he’s shoulder-pads deep in a temporary marriage while struggling to resurrect his disastrous career and reunite his broken family. As time passes, Tanner begins to wonder if temporary is good enough, but he’s made a promise to Emma, one which has nothing to do with marriage vows and everything to do with her Nashville singing career and the end of their relationship.
Will Tanner and Emma take the ball and drive for the win, or will they be permanently relegated to the sidelines as the clock runs out on their temporary marriage?
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USA Today bestselling author Jami Davenport writes sexy contemporary, new adult, and sports romances, including Gone Missing, Seattle Sockeyes, and The Scoring Series.
Jami lives on a small farm near Puget Sound with her Army Ranger-turned-plumber husband, a Newfoundland drool monster, and a prince disguised as an orange tabby cat.
Jami worked in IT for years and is also a former high school business teacher but recently achieved a life-long dream of being a full-time author. A horse lover since birth, Jami showed dressage horses for over thirty years. Now she gardens and goes glamping, along with other travelling adventures. She's a lifetime Seahawks and Mariners fan, and has season tickets to the Seattle Kraken hockey team. She still misses her SuperSonics.
An avid boater, Jami has spent countless hours in the San Juan Islands, a common setting in her books. In her opinion, it's the most beautiful place on earth.
This is the excerpt my friend sent me. A conversation between female mc Emma and her sister Bella (who slept with male mc A FEW TIMES)
"You do realize I had wild monkey sex with your fiancé several times, don't you? Emma blanched, not expecting this at all. 'I, uh, I suspected so.' 'You don't think it's weird that you're having my left overs?' 'Uh, I hadn't thought of it like that.' Emma wanted to crawl under the table and pretend she was invisible."
A couple of lines later:
"Are you jealous of us? Bella through back her head and laughed. 'Not at all. I hate seeing you making a big mistake, that's all. You two won't last more than six months.' Emma was hurt, but she tried not to show it. She sat up straighter and forced herself not to cry. 'Thanks for the vote of confidence.' 'Ems, I'm sorry to be so blunt, but-' 'No, you're not. Not at all. You don't want him, but you don't want anyone else to have him either.' 'How will you ever know who he's really thinking of when you have sex with him?' Bella countered, her claws out and her hackles raised. Emma had a few claws or her own. 'You think you're so memorable he'll think of you? then why isn't he with you right now?' Bella touched her hand, and Emma jerked away. 'There's no easy way to say this. We were together as soon as a month ago, yet you claim this thing with Tanner started months ago?' Emma's eyes opened wide, not because Tanner had cheated on her, since he hadn't, but because he'd been with her sister so recently. She'd thought they'd called quits several months ago. 'Do you really want to be with a guy you can't trust?' We never had an exclusive relationship until recently. I told him I didn't want to know about the others,' Emma lied, a little shocked at how easily the fib rolled off her tongue. Bella rolled her eyed. 'I can see this conversation is going nowhere.' 'You're right, it's not. I expected you of all the sisters to understand.' 'Oh, I understand all right, I just don't approve. He's a player Ems. You aren't prepared for a guy like this.' 'I'm twenty three years old. I don't ask for your approval or anyone else's.' Emma sniffled, turning away from Bella. 'That', Bella said pointing, 'is exactly why you can't handle a guy like Tanner. He'll eat you up and spit you out. You want love, commitment, forever. all he can give you is hot sex, a hollow promise, and tonight.'
IMO, this conversation is all kinds of disgusting. The heroine a pathetic doormat. And the sister a royal evil bitch. I am glad I stopped at chapter one. This dialogue between the sisters was unnecessary. It was humiliating to the fmc. The sister was feeling so superior rubbing in the heroin's face her "relationship" with the male mc. And the heroine was there being treated as horse manure. Zero respect for both. And to make matters a little more gross, there really was a wedding and the sister was one of the bride's maid. Anyone with self respect and preservation would not accept this. Heroine deserves all the heartache that may come her way. this story is a real portrait of female degradation.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
I don’t know why this was not informed anywhere but I think some readers like me would like to know: male mc in this book used to sleep -many times- with female mc’s sister. Female mc is a pathetic excuse of a woman for loving-yes, loving- the guy since her teens, caring a torch for him even when she watched her sister and he getting. What kind of romance is that? Quote from the book where the female mc Emma talks/knows about her sister Bella being sexually involved with male mc.
“BELLA HAD SAID HE HAD TATOOS ELSEWHERE, AND EMMA COULD ONLY IMAGINE. BELLA WOULD KNOW; SHE’D SLEPT WITH TANNER A FEW TIMES. IF ONLY EMMA COULD BE BELLA FOR A FEW HOURS, THROW OUT ALL INHIBITIONS, AND SLEEP WITH A HOT GUY LIKE TANNER THEN NEVER LOOK BACK. BUT EMMA WASN’T BELLA.”
I keep thinking the same thing, going in circles on why a woman would write something like this, a woman so weak and pathetic? How would the family reunion dynamics be? Both sisters would change info/detail abou sex with the man? How can someone get involved with someone your sister slept with A FEW TIMES and willing to get second sloppy ? That’s pathetic, degrading and NOT romantic.
I read the prologue and first chapter. And I read the previous book but didn’t catch the part where Bella had sex with Tanner the male mc here. I went back to check and there was a part where there’s some kind of get together after a hockey game and the male mc here had an altercation with male mc of previous book (they’re brothers) and mmc here leaves with Bella. Not before one of the sisters mentions she haven’t seen Bella and Tanner saying they’re probably somewhere private (or not so private)having sex. And Emma the female mc in this book was present the entire time. Please, explain to me how this woman love this guy since High school? Her words not mine : “... Their eyes meet briefly, and Emma knew. Yes, she knew. From that moment forward, Tanner Wolfe held her heart in his big hands”. From prologue in high school. 5 years later her love for him just grew, even her watching his manwhore ways and knowing he had sex with her sister “A FEW TIMES”.
Loving this series, and Tanner is a character that you love but slightly loath in a good way. He does nothing bad, but he’s a show off and he lies, he also is badly damaged by his upbringing so there are reasons for everything. Emma is sweet and light l, to good for him l, she wants her own career, can their relationship survive the test ?
What a great story this was! I so enjoyed Emma and Tanner's love story.
Tanner Wolfe has been in the NFL for a couple of years and he has yet to make the impact everyone expected. Instead, he's getting more press of his off-field antics and the new management of the Steelheads has had enough, issuing him an edict of clean up your act or you may find yourself on the outside looking in.
Emma Maxwell has always been the "good" sister. She's never gone against anything her older sisters have wanted for her, but what they don't know is she has a secret - one she's been indulging in for several months in secret. She doesn't want her sisters to find out of her dream to be a recording artist because of a pact they made as children.
Emma and Tanner's path's cross and it becomes apparent very quickly they can help one another with their current situations. With that in mind, Tanner proposes that the two marry to help him look more settled and he can use his connections to help Emma break into the music industry. Once their situations are under control, they'll go their own ways. But will it be that easy?
With Emma having been in love with Tanner for years, this marriage is as real to her as anything and for Tanner, he's fighting to keep his emotions out of it and to keep his dysfunctional childhood a secret. Can these two get out of their own way and make their marriage real?
This was such a great book and I loved both Emma and Tanner. These two were a great match for each other and Jami Davenport did an phenomenal job telling their wonderful story. I'd recommend any of the Game On In Seattle books!
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
The romance storyline of a fake marriage is nothing new but it really worked for this couple. The fact that Emma is actually in love with Tanner had me pulling for her. I struggled with Tanner at times, especially when he lied like it was the easiest thing in the world. But I also felt sorry for him so I wanted him to be happy too.
When Emma's sisters (who we've met in previous books) learn about the impending marriage and Emma's desire for a singing career their reactions are disgusting. I don't remember these girls being so horrible in the previous books but with friends like these who needs enemies. They made me so mad.
Blindsided had ups and downs, sad bits and sweet bits and sexy bits. It was very good.
This book was a disappointment. The hero starts off as a slimy playboy and doesn't really get past the slimy to me. The heroine is one of those "I fell in love with him the first time I saw him" women. In this case, when she was 17 and he was on a football field. The marriage is the result of a face-saving lie on the hero's part, and she goes along with it because he's her one true love. There's some character development on the hero's part; in fact, the book seems to revolve around him. The heroine doesn't grow much. Ultimately, I was wholly disappointed. The plot was tolerable but would have been better with more likeable characters.
**Received a copy in exchange for an honest review.**
"Blindsided" is written by Jami Davenport, and it is the 6th book in her Game On In Seattle series. It can be read as a stand-alone book. It features Tanner Wolfe and Emma Maxwell.
Tanner is the starting quarterback for the Seattle Steelheads, but he might lose his job due to his off-the-field antics. In addition, there's a new rookie quarterback, who wants to take his starting job. The new management still believes in him, but they want him to straighten his act.
Emma is the good girl in her family. She sticks by the rules, but sometimes, she just wants to let loose. So every Wednesday on Karaoke night, she does something she loves. She sings. Her family doesn't know she does this. But Tanner sees her one night, and they duet. The media gets a hold of this, which worries Emma. Her sisters know she's always had a crush on Tanner. They don't want Tanner to use her or break her heart.
Tanner is mesmerized by Emma singing on stage. He's always liked her, but something changed that night. When her family warns her off about him, he makes up a lie that him and Emma have been going out for awhile and plan to get married. This surprises Emma, but she goes along with it if it means spending more time with him. After all, they're both going to get what they want, right?
Everything is going well! The new management for the Seattle Steelheads approves of Tanner's marriage to Emma. Tanner is helping Emma fulfill her dream of being a singer. And of course, the added benefit to being married is the hot sex. Their chemistry is undeniable! What happens when their marriage starts to become real? How will they handle Emma's singing career? Will Tanner be able to keep his starting position?
Jami really outdid herself with "Blindsided", and I feel like I keep saying this with all of her books, but she just keeps getting better and better! Tanner and Emma were so enjoyable to read! You will smile, laugh, and cry with them! Everyone needs to read this book!
I really enjoyed Tanners and Emma's story. Tanner is the quarterback and he is the love and leave em type. After his team is sold to a family organization they decide he either needs to clean up his image or find another place to be. While cleaning up his image he runs into a drunk Emma at karaoke and now she is all he can think about.
Emma dreams of becoming a famous singer but she made a pact with her sister that she wouldn't let that happen. Now she sneaks around and sings karaoke every week. She has always loved Tanner so when he suggests they get married for his image he will help break her into Nashville. But what they didn't expect was to find love along the way.
I really enjoyed these two characters and how in the story they kept getting closer and closer. Tanner actually surprised me on how much he thought of her and wanted to see her smile all the time. It was actually pretty sweet of him.
The one thing I had a issue with was that Tanner had been with her sister in past. I mean how do you get over something like that and try to be with the man you love? Plus her sister didn't make the situation any less awkward when they spoke.
I liked that Tanner finally put someone's needs before his own. It's like he grew up. He kept his promise to try to get her into Nashville even though he wanted her to stay with him. I wish he told her sooner that he loved her but then she probably wouldn't have got the chance to live her dream for the months she did.
In this sports romance Tanner actually played some football which helped make the story more believable. I have been find lately that some authors who write in the sports romance genre are leaving out the field time but it's not an issue for Davenport.
If you love sports and romance this is the book for you. I am excited to read Bella's story and to see what goodies Davenport will have for us.
If you have been following the Game on in Seattle books you would have recognize Tanner. And if this is your first one that you have picked up, don't worry you're not missing too much. Anyway, Tanner has this bad boy image that has cause a little trouble for him. Now he has to clean up his image, and one of the things that would help is find a steady relationship with a good, wholesome girl. Cause we know that solves all problems. ;) Now Emma is that good girl that Tanner needs. Out of all the Maxwell sisters she's the most dedicated. Even though she has a dark secret of wanting to become singer. Tanner has offer her to help her career take flight if she helps him improve his image by marrying him. Yes, a marriage of convenience kind of story. Woot-woot! Of course, Emma hopes to keep Tanner forever, after all she's been in love with him forever.
I liked Blindsided. Yes, I do have a soft spot for marriage of convenience story, but I also liked how Tanner starts to face his demons. If you have been following the series, you would remember that Tanner has an older brother who plays for the Sockeyes (the hockey team), and they haven't had the best relationship. Fortunately, they start to mend bridges, but it's all due to Emma's influence. I like this story because we have Emma who's sweet and little naïve paired up with a bad boy who loves to be in the limelight. Tanner's like an attention whore, but that stems from family issues. Anyway, those who have enjoyed Jami's previous books will enjoy Tanner and Emma. If you are looking for a marriage of convenience and football, you might have found your next read in Blindsided.
I was given a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
What an excellent read! Tanner Wolfe is a quarterback for the local football team that has just been sold. The new owners are demanding that Tanner change his playboy image and become more family oriented. Emma Maxwell's dream is to some day be a singer. The only problem is that her and her sisters made a pact as kids not to follow the difficult path their parents followed by pursing a career as a performer. Instead Emma is in college working towards a teaching degree and on Wednesday evenings she dresses up and performs karaoke at a local bar, she's also secretly been in love with Tanner Wolfe for years. When Tanner finally notices Emma the attraction is immediate and Tanners sets out to make Emma another notch on his bed post. When things don't go as planned Emma makes a promise to herself - no sex until marriage. When Tanner and Emma's siblings find them in a compromising position and demand to know what's going on Tanner presents his plan - marriage through the end of the football season to help his image and he'd use his connections to get Emma a foot up in the music industry. It doesn't take long for things to heat up and for Tanner and Emma both to realize that walking away from each other at the end of the season isn't going to be an easy task. I really enjoyed this read. It has a great flow and sucks you in from the very first page, I couldn't stop reading. This is the first book in the series that I've read and it's great as a standalone. I will say it has enticed me to check out the other books in the series because I fell in love with the other siblings/characters and can't wait to go back and read their stories. Highly recommend you check this series out!
Really good book by Jami Davenport. I love this series & Tanner & Emma's story is great. The struggle for love & the pain it brings in wonderfully written. Tanner's trying to redeem himself in the eyes of his football teams new management & Emma's trying to break away from her good girl & invisible sister life. Tanner's career is on the line & Emma wants to a singing career but is held back by her sisters. Emma has had a crush on Tanner since college, he's her sister Avery's fiancés estranged brother & he's the love of her life but Tanner is a bad boy with a string of beauties in his bed(one of her sisters being one of them). After a night of drinking with friends they meet up at a karaoke bar, ending up singing together & then trying for a hook up only to be interrupted by none other than one of her sisters. They meet up again & Tanner comes up with an idea of marriage to show his new bosses that he's changing for now & offering Emma his connections to her dream of a singing career. They have a termination date & as they move through the marriage they both realize that they don't want it to end but Tanner can't admit his feelings. When Emma finally gets her big break Tanner doesn't know if he can let go but he doesn't want to stand in her way either. Great series, it's become another one of my favorites, can't wait for the next book. Definitely recommend to read.
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
I have read all the Game On Seattle books, and this is a worthy new episode in the series. I love how everything is becoming increasingly interwoven, as three of the Maxwell sisters have now fallen for sports stars in the city. This one is particularly poignant, as it links to Isaac's past, and thereby gives us more of that story as well as giving Avery's quiet twin Emma her chance at happiness.
Throughout this book the ongoing theme of family being made of the people you choose it to be is even more in evidence. I love how we have been drawn in and cannot help but care for these people, and along with their friends want the best for them. At this stage in the series, one can have confidence that Ms Davenport will steer the ship home safely and give us the outcome that we desire. The route is sometimes not as we predicted, and the stumbling blocks can blindside even the most devoted fan.
A great mix of romance, heat, humour and sport - thank you again Ms Davenport and I can't wait for the next one!
What can I say but I absolutely loved Tanner & Emma Story. We meet once again Tanner Wolfe Quarterback for the Seattle Steelheads with his career going down in flames and his social life causing all kinds of problems Tanner is given an ultimatum about his life and career "Clean it Up" Then there is the youngest Maxwell Sister Emma always the good one always doing what others tell her but wanting to follow her dreams of becoming a singer. As her crush for a long time comes into the bar where she is singing everything is about to change. At first they both want to help the other get what they both want but overtime feelings start to change, priorities start to change and there circumstances change and what they both see if they need the other to be truly happy. So as you read this book all your hoping for is that maybe they can have that HEA. If you are looking for a book that will leave you with a smile on your face this is the one you don't want to miss.
Tanner is quite the flirty guy, “you’re welcome. Let me take a shower and get dressed .” He still held her hand to his chest. Her fingers curled into his chest hair, and she drew in a sharp breath. “You could join me if you’d like,” he added with a hopeful grin." Tanner isn't a bashful person, “of course, I’m always prepared. Usually that means plenty of condoms, but tonight it means a house key.” He cocked his head to the side and turned on his most adorable smile. “Not that I don’t have the condoms, too.” I really enjoyed this book.
This was an awesome book. I'll admit it had me crying quite a bit towards the end, but it was so worth it. I enjoyed it so much, that I went and bought all of the other books in this series, so I can go back and see what I might have missed. I will say that Jami Davenport has gotten herself a new fan. This book definitely gets 5 stars and would recommend to anyone who loves romances and especially those of us who love the sports romances. **This copy was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
A contemporary romance of dreams, a marriage of convenience, dysfunctional families, and what is most important.
Tanner, a professional quarterback for the Cleveland Browns (sorry,actually the Seattle Steelheads, but reading about the lack of an offensive line and hotdog quarterbacks who aren't producing seemed straight of the Browns playbook) is struggling on and off the field. His exploits off the field have him labelled as the team's horndog as he is seen with starlets, celebrities, and more. With new management wanting a more family oriented team, he's told to shape up, and fast.
Emma, the youngest of several sisters who grew up with parents who were two-hit wonders, has a secret life of singing karaoke. Secret, because of a pact made with her sisters to never become too involved in music like their parents. But she is good and dreams of making it as a singer. She also has a 'waiting until marriage' policy ever since she got her heart broken in high school; however, she has had a major crush on Tanner since her freshman year in college. To her, he is The One.
Ignored by most people as the good girl, Emma stays under the radar, but one night everything changes when she and bad boy Tanner sing a duet at karaoke. Lies on top of lies land the pair suddenly married. At least for the season, that is.
Will either get their happily ever after? Will either of them succeed in achieving their dreams? Will either ever admit to secretly loving the other? Or will the quest for success destroy a chance for happiness?
Spicy sexual scenes, some language, and plenty of WTT trends (green eyed characters, hair tucking incidents to name two) seen, but overall a fun romance with two realistically flawed characters.
Blindsided: Seattle Steelheads Football (Game On in Seattle Book 4)
The fourth book in the Game On in Seattle, you can read without reading the other book. The love story of Emma and Tanner. Tanner is a football player, who was abuse by his father when he a child. He was the bad boy of the team until he met Emma. Emma want to be a singer and when she met Tanner, her world change. Will Emma get her dream? Ok story.
Blindsided was a hilarious yet sweet romantic tale about a marriage of convenience turned right.
Tanner is on notice with his time, put away the bad boy behavior, and show the new owners what he's made of or be out on his rear. While also dealing with a private family drama, Tanner feels overwhelmed. He doesn't neceissarly mind cleaning up his act some, but giving up the multitude of women, he might as well give them up completely. That is of course until he opens his eyes and comes up with a better plan.
Emma has her own family struggles, a pact she made with her sisters means she has to set aside one of her dreams. Something she's good at and loves, but she is not willing to set it aside completely, so one night a week, she lets loose and behaves in a way not at all expected of her. Normally the good sister, the prudish one, the naive sister, when the secret comes out what will the family think of her then. She's also crushed on Tanner and knew instinctually he was the ONE, but he's never felt that way or even acted interested so she puts that aside.
Tanner comes across Emma while she's singing in secret and realizes he's never really seen her before. He knows her, and obviously has seen her, but what he thought he knew goes out the window and he's inexplicably drawn to this new side of Emma. But he's concerned about what it would mean to his friendship with her sister to act on this newfound appreciation. Until he has the perfect plan, a marriage between the two can be beneficial and give them both what they want, solidarity in his team for Tanner, and a music career for Emma. What happens when those wants change and both fall deeper into the marriage than they expected?
Blindsided was a fabulously written story about Love smacking you in the face. Emma wants to 'fix' Tanner and dig deep in his past to help him move on with his life. She wants to help him with his family issues and work out things with his team. Tanner can't help but keep himself detached from Emma, worried about his past and how it would make him look to her. As Emma and Tanner both struggle to hold back on their feelings, it is clear that they both have fallen deep in love, but they have to find a way to fight for each other.
I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to going back and reading past books in the series, and any future books as well. The characters came alive and I felt pulled into not just Tanner and Emma's story, but the rest of the side character's stories as well.
Blindsided: Seattle Steelheads Football (Game On in Seattle, #6) by Jami Davenport Emma Maxwell wants a singing career. Tanner Wolfe needs to revamp his image to save his job as the quarterback of the Seattle Steelheads. The two form an agreement to help both their careers.
I love, love, love this book! Ever since reading Melting Ice: Seattle Sockeyes Hockey (Game On in Seattle #5) I have been patiently waiting to read Emma and Tanner’s story, Blindsided. I was not disappointed.
Emma is an extremely likeable character. She is the sweetest of the Maxwell sisters. I liked that she finally goes after what she wants instead of doing what everyone expects of her.
I enjoyed discovering more about Tanner. It was interesting to hear his side of the story about what happened between him and his brother, Isaac (book 5). His personality is a lot different from Isaac’s. He wants people to like him. He is perceived as having confidence, however, in reality, he does not.
Despite what everyone else initially thinks, Emma and Tanner make a great couple. He had enamored her so long before they finally got together. They start out with an interesting arrangement. As they get to know one another, they complement each other well.
I thought Tanner’s agent was a little slimy. I did not like the man.
We already established in book five that Tanner’s dad in a piece of work, the man in evil. He makes an appearance in this story. I have chills just thinking about it, and not good chills.
I found it interesting that the Seattle Gridiron Group (lead by the Reynolds family - owners of the Sockeyes) bought the Stealheads. I love that the hockey and football players hang out together.
Blindsided is a fabulous addition to the Game On in Seattle Series. While it could be read as a standalone, both Emma and Tanner are introduced early in the series, and I feel you appreciate their characters more having read about them in the previous books.
Jami Davenport is a wonderful writer. She is fantastic with her character development and plots. She creates believable and heartfelt stories that are hard to put down. I cannot wait for book 7, Bodychecking.
Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
I was given an advanced copy of this book to write an honest review for Cocktails and Books.
BLINDSIDED is an entertaining, feel good story with sizzling heat between the characters. This is the sixth book in the Game on in Seattle series and each book is a standalone with interconnected characters. I love a story about a sexy athlete and I have enjoyed reading all the books in this series. Tanner Wolfe, the quarterback for the Seattle Steelheads is informed the team has been sold. The new owners are conservative and let Tanner know they have high expectations and he must follow their rules. Tanner knows he not only needs to improve his game, he also has to put an end to his high profile partying lifestyle or he will be cut from the team. Tanner decides good girl, Emma Maxwell is the perfect woman to date to help him repair his bad boy reputation and along the way, he discovers good girls can be fun, too.
Emma has secretly crushed on Tanner since college, but he has always been too busy partying and womanizing to notice her. Out of the four Maxwell sisters, Emma is the rule follower, but for once in her life, Emma decides to live without following any rules. Tanner and Emma are total opposites, but when they come together, they bring out the best in each other. They are confident in some areas and insecure in others and help each other develop into better people. At times Tanner’s inner dialogue broke my heart; he is a good guy hiding his insecurities behind a cocky demeanor. I liked and admired Emma; she is sweet and innocent and also has the inner strength to stand up for her beliefs. She cares about Tanner and helps him get in touch with his feelings and Tanner helps Emma loosen up and shows her life on the wild side. There is a lot of chemistry flowing between them and they care about each other, but they are afraid to express their growing feelings for each other. This story has a lot of interesting and amusing secondary characters. Their family, friends and the guys on the hockey team are all closely watching and speculating on Tanner and Emma’s relationship.
Reading the synopsis and seeing the cover of Blindsided is what initially drew me to the book. I love a romance between a bad boy and good girl, and when the boy is a man who plays football is just icing on the cake! Emma is the sweet, beautiful girl who falls for the sexy bad boy, Tanner. Some may find their instant attraction to each other and the different situation they find themselves in as unrealistic. However, the plot and the characters are so well-developed that it’s not only realistic but a really enjoyable read! I loved watching our bad boy, Tanner, having his world turned upside down with Emma!
My favorite books always have characters that change, grow, and eventually mature into the individuals they were created to be, and Blindsided does just that, especially in regards to Tanner. I loved Emma from the very beginning. I could very easily relate to her; she was the strong, responsible one. As people leaned on her, they didn’t realize her feelings and dreams. I enjoyed watching her take up for herself and become even stronger. In the beginning, I wasn’t much of a Tanner fan. Yes, he was gorgeous, but underneath all that sex and bravado, he was a scared little boy with issues caused by his family. As I read further and got to know him better, I could see the scared little boy he was underneath that sexy exterior. He never thought he quite measured up, that is until Emma extraordinaire showed up in his world. I want to add that I loved the secondary characters as well. They were so complex that they greatly affected the lead characters. Blindsided isn’t just the romance between Tanner and Emma. There is a lot of emotions running through the pages. It was also a story about family and its complicated relationships, love, forgiveness, and ultimately going after your own HEA. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Review***
***Copy provided by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.***
I have been reading quite a few holiday romances these past few weeks, and needed a reprieve from all the mistletoe and holly. Luckily, Blindsided by Jami Davenport was next on my TBR list. A football romance in the middle of football season is a perfect combination. This is Ms. Davenport's sixth book in her Game On Seattle series, and America's gridiron pastime is one of the stars of the show. Emma Maxwell, a wannabe singer, and Tanner Wolfe, the pro-quarterback of the Seattle Steelheads, round out the primary cast.
Emma has crushed on Tanner since they both attended the same Seattle college, and due to their respective siblings, their lives are now intertwined. At one time Emma's parents were rock stars, so her amazing singing talent is an understandable gift. However, she has always been the good and dutiful daughter, so she has never explored her dream to be a famous singer. Tanner's childhood was a nightmare, so the fact that he is where he is today is truly a remarkable triumph. Tanner needs to show the new team owners that his playboy ways and lackadaisical approach to the game are in the past. Emma wants a chance at stardom and a relationship with the love of her life. The answer to both of their predicaments is a marriage of convenience. Overtime, Tanner falls hopelessly in love with Emma and Emma's crush evolves into true love.
I enjoyed this sweet and sexy story. Ms. Davenport evolved the kind-of friends to lovers relationship with skillful ease, and there was never a moment that I did not want Emma and Tanner to fulfill their dreams and find their happily ever after. Emma and Tanner are an interesting couple, and their sexy times are both sensual and hot. Tanner's father is quite a nasty character, and his revolting actions were difficult to fathom. If you are looking for a well-written sports romance with characters that are easy to connect with, then pick up a copy of Blindsided.
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Emma Maxwell has lived most of her adult life in unrequited love with Tanner Wolfe. Emma is the odd duck in her family, being the only singleton in the group and the only one who secretly wants to follow her famous parents and become a professional singer. Her sisters have fallen for famous hockey players and one, Avery, happens to be engaged to Tanner's estranged brother. Estranged is a mild description for how Tanner feels about Isaac (hero of Melting Ice). Tanner and Isaac have been apart since Isaac left their abusive father's home for junior hockey. Tanner is a deeply troubled man with a "good ole boy" facade. Unfortunately for him, his love'em and leave'em lifestyle has angered the new owners of his struggling football team and he needs to appear to clean up his act. When he discovers Emma singing karaoke at a casino, it leads to them pretending to date and then ultimately getting married.
Emma loves Tanner but she isn't sure she wants to give up her dreams. Tanner likes Emma and the faux family life she provides but his demons still haunt him. When they finally get together physically it's super hot but not enough to keep them together without some honesty on both sides. Tanner is afraid to reveal his past and Emma is afraid to reveal her hopes for the future. In Emma's case, she has two possible futures and she isn't sure which one is the one she really wants.
I enjoyed both of these characters. Emma is a bit meek but she's definitely got a feisty side to her. Tanner is a mess but he knows that he can't keep going on as he has without losing everything. This story has it all, unrequited love, fake marriage, hot hunky athlete with mild mannered woman, family conflicts and even a sort of villainess in Emma's sister Bella. I couldn't read it fast enough!
Loved this book! I hadn't read any of the previous ones in the Game On in Seattle series yet, but you don't need to in order to enjoy this one. It's a totally stand alone story. Really enjoyed getting to know the characters and falling in love with them. Tanner is one of those guys you love to hate at times, but when you get to the parts where you can see down deep inside him, he becomes attached to your heart! I will definitely be going back to read those earlier books to see who else I can notch on my bedpost. :)
Emma Maxwell is one of four daughters of once big time rock legends. She's the good girl of the family who always does the right thing. Except on Wednesday nights when she's been sneaking around to have a blast on stage singing Karaoke, regardless of a "never going to sing" pact she has had for years with her sisters.
Tanner Wolfe is the bad boy Quarterback of the Seattle Steelheads. Emma has been crushing on him for years, but is always too shy to have much to say to him when he's hanging around with her sister Izzy who he's good friends with. When he's out for a quiet good time, hoping not to catch the attention of his new team owners, he runs into her at the casino where she's singing. One thing leads to another and they have a moment. Then all hell breaks loose and a short time later, they find themselves temporarily married.
They find themselves enjoying each other and married life alot, and as Tanner calms down and concentrates on football, his game starts to improve and his career is looking up. Will the marriage stay temporary, or will the fact that they are falling in love change the outcome?
Besides my love of reading, football is my other obsession so I LOVED Blindsided. I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough.
Emma Maxwell is a good girl, she doesn't drink very often, have one night stands, or rebel in any way. She's had a crush on Tanner since she first saw him in college. Pro Football Quarterback Tanner Wolfe's career isn't going so well. He's not playing well on the field, and can't stay away from women. When his team is sold to new owners, they make him clean up his act, or he's off the team. He has a connection with Emma, but he's allergic to commitment. When pictures go viral of them, he decides to make her a deal, marry him for the season, and he will help her with her singing career, but what he didn't count on was his developing feelings for Emma. Will Tanner and Emma be able to walk away when the season is over?
The character development is great, with a ton of hilarious secondaries. Emma is a strong women with a huge heart, and Tanner had me wanting to choke him out but still loved him hard. The storyline is very well written that flows smoothly. Jami Davenport does an amazing job blending the sports and romance perfectly. Well placed humor had me laughing a ton, and the sexy scenes are SMOKIN HOT! And the journey of love that is rocky, is emotional goodness. The author had me hooked from beginning to end, and I still needed more. CANNOT WAIT to read more of this talented author.
This book is the 6th in the Game on in Seattle series. This book can easily be read as a standalone. It can also be read as part of the series, and it is very nice to connect it all up. Everything just makes more sense when you read a series and enjoy it in order.
Emma Maxwell and Tanner Wolfe travel in the same circles and have since college. Tanner just does it for Emma and she knows it. The problem is Tanner is more than a major player.
Tanner is suddenly told by new owners he has to clean up his act or he is out. Not much later, he runs into Emma and can barely keep himself from taking her in public. The chemistry between them is electric and real. Could she be more than a play?
Emma and Tanner get backlash from friends and family and a plan comes together. They are friends first, and that is a surprise for Tanner. He enjoys just being with her.
Emma has been in love with him for so long, she cannot see anything past what he has to offer. Is this a mistake? Then it is one she is willing to make.
Their chemistry is hot. They are great together. There were moments of tearing up and laughing out loud that just make you feel good about this story. Great addition to the series and such a great couple to celebrate a HEA for!
***This ARC was given in exchange for an honest review.
I've always been a huge football fan and no other author writes great sports romances like Jami Davenport. This football love story belongs to Tanner and Emma!
Middle Wolfe family brother Tanner is an up and coming NFL quarterback for the Seattle Steelheads. Having come from a difficult home life with an abusive father and losing his mother and his sister at a young age, Tanner keeps his heart guarded. Believing that everyone he has ever loved has left him. Emma Maxwell has had a secret crush on Tanner Wolfe worshipping him and his sexy body for years. Having rock star parents, Emma has always had a yearning to be on the stage singing her heart out.
When Emma has the choice of following her dream.....will it be spent on the stage in front of her adoring fans or in the arms of the man of her secret dreams? Where will she spend forever?
I loved how Emma & Tanner both held the key to unlocking each others hearts. This was such a sweet love story. I think I like Tanner the best of the Wolfe brothers and it was fun watching him turn his life around....all for the love of a beautiful woman he just couldn't live without!
Nobody warned me, but I'm warning others: holy crap, this book makes time stop. Once you start reading this book, you won't put it down. Don't start reading it before bed thinking you'll read a few pages and go to sleep. Didn't work for me. I'd suggest you not try. I've loved Emma since I was introduced to her earlier in the series. I'm so glad she got her own story and especially such an awesome one. Emma and Tanner, Isaac's little brother, trap themselves into a fake marriage. Then the marriage becomes real and the emotions become real. Jami Davenport just keeps out doing herself with each one of these books. I am so lucky to have been given an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. I bought the book anyways, but I just didn't have to wait until release day. My advice: read this book. You can read the previous books in this series first, but you really don't have to. Everything is explained in this book. That being said, reading the earlier books does add even more to the story. Buy, read, enjoy!
Received a copy of the title in exchange for an honest review.
Yet another cute sport romance from Jami Davenport, following a hockey book with a football one. This time, we have Emma Maxwell and Tanner Wolfe (last was Emma's sister, Avery, with Tanner's estranged hockey-playing brother, Isaac.
Tanner hasn't had the best outlook on life and romance, but when things go a little too far, he finds himself in a marriage-of-convenience with Emma.
What I loved about these two was watching Tanner come down to earth a little bit, and Emma opening up a little bit more, learning to let go of her good girl persona. I loved watching Tanner grow to support Emma and her dreams, pushing her to accept that she had talent and could do more than a disguise on karaoke night. Equally, though, I loved watching Emma battle her inner demons on that, even when it came down to her ultimate life decision.
I haven't read many of Jami's books (ok, so MELTING THE ICE was the only one), but I do love these players, and I will definitely be looking into the other books!
Ms. Davenport scored with this story and I am so very lucky that I was able to read this book! I LOVED it! Emma has had a crush on Tanner since college but her sisters thought he was too much of a player for her and the fact that he was dating a head cheerleader didn't help. Tanner is finally in the pros and has been a living a wild existence and becoming the league badboy. When the team's owners change he is given a chance to clean up his act or he would be gone. My only regret is that I have not had the chance to read the previous books in this series, although this makes a great standalone. Tanner ends up making an agreement with Emma so they both get what they want; however, when they are together things aren't so very business like. Tanner's childhood has made him hard and also has caused some issues between he and his brother Isaac, who happens to be with Emma's sister. I loved this whole group of characters and the story pulled me in and kept me intrigued throughout. Amazing book that you need to read and enjoy!
Jami brought her A game again and brought us a new installment in her Game On series. Blindsided focuses on quarterback Tanner Wolfe and straight-laced Emma Maxwell. The only time she lets loose is when she sneaks away once a week and defies her sisters to sing karaoke. When Tanner needs a good girl to keep him on the team, he makes Emma a deal. She spends a season married to him, and he'll open doors for her making a career possible. Love was never supposed to happen, but sometimes the best laid plans don't work out like they're supposed to.
What I love about Jami's series is that no matter if you're reading football or hockey, all the characters are connected. We still get to see the people we've grown to know and love. Jami knows her football, and this book shows her knowledge of the game, a game she loves, and it shows. If you're a fan of Jami's Game On series, pick this one up! You won't be disappointed.