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Black Jack Gentlemen #2
Red Card
Free will makes us human.
Choice makes us individuals.
Love makes us unique.
Metin Sevim has it all. At the pinnacle of international soccer playing success, he has managed to craft a perfect world for himself along the way.
When fate strips him of free will and the ability to choose his own path, he retreats from everyone and everything, destroying his hard-won career in the process.
Dragged back from the brink by his desperate family, Metin reluctantly agrees to coach the Black Jack Gentlemen Detroit soccer team but remains debilitated by memories and loss. When a surprising friendship emerges, it renews his passion for life, providing much needed solace… and extreme complications.
A saga of family dynamics and gender politics that cuts across cultures and circumstance, Red Card illustrates the human capacity for forgiveness through the life of one man as he attempts to rebuild his shattered existence.
Choice makes us individuals.
Love makes us unique.
Metin Sevim has it all. At the pinnacle of international soccer playing success, he has managed to craft a perfect world for himself along the way.
When fate strips him of free will and the ability to choose his own path, he retreats from everyone and everything, destroying his hard-won career in the process.
Dragged back from the brink by his desperate family, Metin reluctantly agrees to coach the Black Jack Gentlemen Detroit soccer team but remains debilitated by memories and loss. When a surprising friendship emerges, it renews his passion for life, providing much needed solace… and extreme complications.
A saga of family dynamics and gender politics that cuts across cultures and circumstance, Red Card illustrates the human capacity for forgiveness through the life of one man as he attempts to rebuild his shattered existence.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2013
14 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
Liz Crowe
100 books1,230 followersLiz Crowe is a Kentucky native and graduate of the University of Louisville living in South Carolina. She's spent her time as a three-continent expat trailing spouse, mom of three, real estate agent, brewery owner and bar manager, and is currently a digital marketing and fundraising consultant, in addition to being an award-winning author.
The Liz Crowe backlist has something for any reader seeking complex storylines with humor and complete casts of characters that will delight and linger in the imagination long after the book is finished.
Her favorite things to do when she’s not scrolling social media for cute animal videos is walk her dogs, cuddle her cats, and watch her favorite sports teams while scrolling social media for cute animal videos.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
July 1, 2015
"Red Card" is the second book in the Black Jack Gentlemen series by Liz Crowe, which explores the lives of the men in the team and the challenges they face in the football (soccer) world, with its politics and prejudices. On this occasion, the focus is Metin, the Turkish ex-super-star-footballer coach who had it all and lost it all. This is his story. How he got to coach the BJs and more.
If you are looking for a non-stop-sex-fest, this is not the book. Yes, there is hot sex, in appropriate places, but mainly this is a story about people, their flaws, their failings, how they change, and about life. It is a heart-breaking journey, emotionally charged and a true roller-coaster ride. If you have a heart, you will need some tissues handy.
Unlike the first book, Man On, which dealt with how the team came to be and the M/M relationship between the two mid-fielders Nicco and Parker, Metin's story is very heterosexual. Liz shows us some glimpses into the Black Jacks football team but these are mainly tie-ins to the first book and items to place Metin in its context. The subject of this book is without a shadow of a doubt Metin, the man, the human being and his life. The sporting element is there, but it is secondary, so do not worry if football is not your thing. This title can be read as a stand-alone, but I would recommend reading the first instalment as it provides a more rich background.
Metin's story is presented by a third person narrator, and it begins about five years prior to the Black Jacks team being formed. As it was hinted in book one, a major event changed Metin's life; this is reflected in this second book being split into two different parts - before and after. As a minor niggle, the timeline does become seemingly inconsistent in the second part of book, and by chapter 12 I would have expected it to have been a three years time span, however we are told it is only two. This is confusing due to the time references provided thus far. [* This is the explanation - no spoilers*: Chapter 2, 7 and 8 clearly refer to a two years time gap ("for the last two years", "for two years", "two years earlier") and Chapter 3 and 5 call it "nearly two years", Chapter 10 talks about a further four months lapse ("four solid months") and Chapter 11 and 12 talk about it being the "end of season" thus inferring Metin had been in the USA at least seven months (March to October) with a further two months to December, i.e. nine months in total. In fact, the more I look into this, the more problematic the timeline appears to be, especially when going back to book one and the reference to Metin in Chapter 11...*End of explanation*]
Liz Crowe has the ability to paint a very rich picture, with complex characters and situations. She will make you loathe a character and to then get you to see their point of view and understand them. I felt this strongly in this book, in particular with the character of Melanie (although both of the main female characters, the two sisters, Alicia and Mel, had their very irrational, very irritating behaviour). Metin was an easy given, a truly genuine character who wore his heart on his sleeve, and I could not help but sympathise with him - I also failed to see his male chauvinistic nature.
Red Card was a very good read and I look forward to the next one: Shut Out.
[ARC received via Netgalley]
BooksChatter
If you are looking for a non-stop-sex-fest, this is not the book. Yes, there is hot sex, in appropriate places, but mainly this is a story about people, their flaws, their failings, how they change, and about life. It is a heart-breaking journey, emotionally charged and a true roller-coaster ride. If you have a heart, you will need some tissues handy.
Unlike the first book, Man On, which dealt with how the team came to be and the M/M relationship between the two mid-fielders Nicco and Parker, Metin's story is very heterosexual. Liz shows us some glimpses into the Black Jacks football team but these are mainly tie-ins to the first book and items to place Metin in its context. The subject of this book is without a shadow of a doubt Metin, the man, the human being and his life. The sporting element is there, but it is secondary, so do not worry if football is not your thing. This title can be read as a stand-alone, but I would recommend reading the first instalment as it provides a more rich background.
Metin's story is presented by a third person narrator, and it begins about five years prior to the Black Jacks team being formed. As it was hinted in book one, a major event changed Metin's life; this is reflected in this second book being split into two different parts - before and after. As a minor niggle, the timeline does become seemingly inconsistent in the second part of book, and by chapter 12 I would have expected it to have been a three years time span, however we are told it is only two. This is confusing due to the time references provided thus far. [* This is the explanation - no spoilers*: Chapter 2, 7 and 8 clearly refer to a two years time gap ("for the last two years", "for two years", "two years earlier") and Chapter 3 and 5 call it "nearly two years", Chapter 10 talks about a further four months lapse ("four solid months") and Chapter 11 and 12 talk about it being the "end of season" thus inferring Metin had been in the USA at least seven months (March to October) with a further two months to December, i.e. nine months in total. In fact, the more I look into this, the more problematic the timeline appears to be, especially when going back to book one and the reference to Metin in Chapter 11...*End of explanation*]
Liz Crowe has the ability to paint a very rich picture, with complex characters and situations. She will make you loathe a character and to then get you to see their point of view and understand them. I felt this strongly in this book, in particular with the character of Melanie (although both of the main female characters, the two sisters, Alicia and Mel, had their very irrational, very irritating behaviour). Metin was an easy given, a truly genuine character who wore his heart on his sleeve, and I could not help but sympathise with him - I also failed to see his male chauvinistic nature.
Red Card was a very good read and I look forward to the next one: Shut Out.
[ARC received via Netgalley]
BooksChatter
August 24, 2013
Read this review at MIDWEST GALLEY GIRL.
http://midwestgalleygirl.wordpress.com/
*SPOILER-FREE*
Let me make this VERY, VERY clear. RED CARD has a distinct beginning, middle, and end. I kept comparing it to a lot of things after reading it.
1. I LOVE the movie version of THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. It's honestly one of the few movies I prefer to the book. Watching that film is tough, but totally worth it. Once Andy Dufresne's world rights itself, we are so grateful. We can suddenly handle the first 90 minutes where everything was so damned painful. We can get over the fact that that he had to crawl through 500 yards of sewer line to get out of Shawshank. Um, yes. Yes we can.
2. Two years ago I started taking indoor cycling classes. PowerCycle is a 60 minute class where you sweat your ever-loving butt (and thighs and arms and gut and double chin) off. Every time I take this class, there is a distinct timeline.
5 minutes in: "Ugh. This is hard. I want to go home and eat M&M's."
20 minutes in: "Die, Spin Bitch! DIE!"
30 minutes in: "I'm not going to die. I'm not going to die. Oh no...rolling hills sequence!"
40 minutes in: "I am INVINCIBLE. I am a fitness GODDESS! Nobody spins better than I do!"
50 minutes in: "Cool down. I can't believe everyone doesn't love working out. This is awesome."
End of class: "I am a better human being now."
PowerCycle's progression plays a lot like my reading progression of RED CARD.
3. While I was reading RED CARD, I did all of the following at some point (not simultaneously, though):
Nearly threw my Kindle across the room.
Messaged a friend to tell her that this book's antagonist is THE most antagonizing character I've ever read and that I wished she would just die already.
Cried. At least twice.
Laughed through tears. I don't know how many times.
So, in summary, this is NOT an easy book. It's SOOOOOO freaking worth reading, though. Serious props to Liz Crowe, who is one of the few authors I know that can turn truly repellent, frustrating, exhausting characters in to the heroes of the tale. She can turn said characters on a dime and make you almost forget you ever harbored any ill will toward them. I really shouldn't be surprised by this feat anymore. She's done it to me before. She'll probably do it again. And, I'll stand in line for her roller coaster until they turn off the carnival lights.
I'm not telling you any more. Not one iota. I don't want to take anything away from you. This post is a cautionary one. If you're expecting something along the lines of the plot from the first book in this series, MAN ON, please know it's just not. It's tragedy and pain and love and redemption and all the things that make great drama. It's beautiful and brutal. It's BRUTIFUL.
http://midwestgalleygirl.wordpress.com/
*SPOILER-FREE*
Free will makes us human.
Choice makes us individuals.
Love makes us unique.
Metin Sevim has it all. At the pinnacle of international soccer playing success, he has managed to craft a perfect world for himself along the way.
When fate strips him of free will and the ability to choose his own path, he retreats from everyone and everything, destroying his hard-won career in the process.
Dragged back from the brink by his desperate family, Metin reluctantly agrees to coach the Black Jack Gentlemen Detroit soccer team but remains debilitated by memories and loss. When a surprising friendship emerges, it renews his passion for life, providing much needed solace… and extreme complications.
A saga of family dynamics and gender politics that cuts across cultures and circumstance, Red Card illustrates the human capacity for forgiveness through the life of one man as he attempts to rebuild his shattered existence.
Let me make this VERY, VERY clear. RED CARD has a distinct beginning, middle, and end. I kept comparing it to a lot of things after reading it.
1. I LOVE the movie version of THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. It's honestly one of the few movies I prefer to the book. Watching that film is tough, but totally worth it. Once Andy Dufresne's world rights itself, we are so grateful. We can suddenly handle the first 90 minutes where everything was so damned painful. We can get over the fact that that he had to crawl through 500 yards of sewer line to get out of Shawshank. Um, yes. Yes we can.
2. Two years ago I started taking indoor cycling classes. PowerCycle is a 60 minute class where you sweat your ever-loving butt (and thighs and arms and gut and double chin) off. Every time I take this class, there is a distinct timeline.
5 minutes in: "Ugh. This is hard. I want to go home and eat M&M's."
20 minutes in: "Die, Spin Bitch! DIE!"
30 minutes in: "I'm not going to die. I'm not going to die. Oh no...rolling hills sequence!"
40 minutes in: "I am INVINCIBLE. I am a fitness GODDESS! Nobody spins better than I do!"
50 minutes in: "Cool down. I can't believe everyone doesn't love working out. This is awesome."
End of class: "I am a better human being now."
PowerCycle's progression plays a lot like my reading progression of RED CARD.
3. While I was reading RED CARD, I did all of the following at some point (not simultaneously, though):
Nearly threw my Kindle across the room.
Messaged a friend to tell her that this book's antagonist is THE most antagonizing character I've ever read and that I wished she would just die already.
Cried. At least twice.
Laughed through tears. I don't know how many times.
So, in summary, this is NOT an easy book. It's SOOOOOO freaking worth reading, though. Serious props to Liz Crowe, who is one of the few authors I know that can turn truly repellent, frustrating, exhausting characters in to the heroes of the tale. She can turn said characters on a dime and make you almost forget you ever harbored any ill will toward them. I really shouldn't be surprised by this feat anymore. She's done it to me before. She'll probably do it again. And, I'll stand in line for her roller coaster until they turn off the carnival lights.
I'm not telling you any more. Not one iota. I don't want to take anything away from you. This post is a cautionary one. If you're expecting something along the lines of the plot from the first book in this series, MAN ON, please know it's just not. It's tragedy and pain and love and redemption and all the things that make great drama. It's beautiful and brutal. It's BRUTIFUL.
June 21, 2015
Metin is a soccer star. Alicia wants to make it as a female soccer player even though she's been training for it her whole life, it just isn't looking possible. When she meets Metin, it's INSTA-LOVE.
Tragidy strikes and Metin is left trying to find the pieces of his life that he can manage to salvage.
Melanie, Alicia's mean sister, finds that maybe she doesn't have to hate Metin as much as she initially did.
So, after saying that. I have to say I found the first half of the story to be... boring. It was insta-love and everything that came with it. The second half had more action, but I found to be quite predictable.
I must say that I liked they way Melanie turned herself around and I found the relationship between her and Metin semi believable. However, I found myself thinking many times, good sex does not equal love as that seemed to be the only thing that worked for Metin and anyone.
I found the sex scenes lacking and thoughts of 'how'd her hand get there' or 'how is that even possible' because the author let so many details out or didn't want to get too indepth with those scenes. I would have rather them not be there at all then wonder how physically possible they would be doing some of the things.
The time line of this one compared to the first book, totally didn't fit. Not to mention they talk about it being two years only to later be the two year anniversary, which threw me off.
Overall, I'd say the writing was rather good, but I didn't connect well with either character, but the pain that Metin was going through as well as Melanie came through better at times than other so I felt there was a lot of promise there.
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
Tragidy strikes and Metin is left trying to find the pieces of his life that he can manage to salvage.
Melanie, Alicia's mean sister, finds that maybe she doesn't have to hate Metin as much as she initially did.
So, after saying that. I have to say I found the first half of the story to be... boring. It was insta-love and everything that came with it. The second half had more action, but I found to be quite predictable.
I must say that I liked they way Melanie turned herself around and I found the relationship between her and Metin semi believable. However, I found myself thinking many times, good sex does not equal love as that seemed to be the only thing that worked for Metin and anyone.
I found the sex scenes lacking and thoughts of 'how'd her hand get there' or 'how is that even possible' because the author let so many details out or didn't want to get too indepth with those scenes. I would have rather them not be there at all then wonder how physically possible they would be doing some of the things.
The time line of this one compared to the first book, totally didn't fit. Not to mention they talk about it being two years only to later be the two year anniversary, which threw me off.
Overall, I'd say the writing was rather good, but I didn't connect well with either character, but the pain that Metin was going through as well as Melanie came through better at times than other so I felt there was a lot of promise there.
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
June 25, 2015
Favorite Quotes:
“Her sharp voice fit her, as if she had edges he’d injure himself on if he were not careful.”
“When he touched her hand she flinched, her need to make him go away, yet never leave, intense beyond imagining.”
“You won’t be satisfied until we’re both sitting around our parents’ house, old and covered with cats, bitching about how we got screwed over by men.”
“A small corner of her heart seemed to flex, like an atrophied muscle,”
“He might want her for some of the wrong reasons, but so many more of them were right. She represented so much he missed about his life, in an utterly bizarre way, but still…”
“And she disappeared as if someone hit a delete button on a computer screen,”
“I love you but don’t get a big head over it or anything.”
My Review:
Red Card is a heartbreaking story. It contains several love stories, as well as one of devastation and grief. It turned on a dime, stood me on my head, and pulled me inside out. I adored Metin but also frequently wanted to part his butt cheeks with my dainty foot. The story was angsty, high drama, sizzling sensuality, and painfully real. Ms. Crowe’s characters continue to fascinate, antagonize, lure, and bait me. They squeeze my heart, have me grinding my teeth, make me smile, and cause me to gasp and require rehydration and extra laundry. How she can trick me into caring for a bitter, cold, petulant, hostile, and bossy woman whose own father describes her as having a “terrifying personality” is… stupefying and mind-boggling, yet Liz Crowe has that down to an art form, and uses fifty cent words while doing so. I can’t stop now – I see there are currently 2 more books in this series. I fear I have a new addiction…
“Her sharp voice fit her, as if she had edges he’d injure himself on if he were not careful.”
“When he touched her hand she flinched, her need to make him go away, yet never leave, intense beyond imagining.”
“You won’t be satisfied until we’re both sitting around our parents’ house, old and covered with cats, bitching about how we got screwed over by men.”
“A small corner of her heart seemed to flex, like an atrophied muscle,”
“He might want her for some of the wrong reasons, but so many more of them were right. She represented so much he missed about his life, in an utterly bizarre way, but still…”
“And she disappeared as if someone hit a delete button on a computer screen,”
“I love you but don’t get a big head over it or anything.”
My Review:
Red Card is a heartbreaking story. It contains several love stories, as well as one of devastation and grief. It turned on a dime, stood me on my head, and pulled me inside out. I adored Metin but also frequently wanted to part his butt cheeks with my dainty foot. The story was angsty, high drama, sizzling sensuality, and painfully real. Ms. Crowe’s characters continue to fascinate, antagonize, lure, and bait me. They squeeze my heart, have me grinding my teeth, make me smile, and cause me to gasp and require rehydration and extra laundry. How she can trick me into caring for a bitter, cold, petulant, hostile, and bossy woman whose own father describes her as having a “terrifying personality” is… stupefying and mind-boggling, yet Liz Crowe has that down to an art form, and uses fifty cent words while doing so. I can’t stop now – I see there are currently 2 more books in this series. I fear I have a new addiction…
June 25, 2015
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
Alicia is an up and coming soccer star but the odds of her making it are looking slim. When she meets Metin, a huge soccer from Turkey sparks fly instantly. He was living his dreams on and off the field until tragedy strikes and he loses everything. He is given the opportunity to start over as a coach for the Black Jacks. He finds a friendship in the strangest of places.
This is the second book in the Black Jack Gentlemen Series. It can be read as a stand alone with out issue. The first book was m/m and this is m/f.
Some of what happened I saw coming, some things I was surprised. It was meant to be an emotional read but seeing the plot twist happening it took that away for me. I have to say I did enjoy book one, Man On, more than this one. I like the flow of that better. This one seemed to stall out for me.
Alicia is an up and coming soccer star but the odds of her making it are looking slim. When she meets Metin, a huge soccer from Turkey sparks fly instantly. He was living his dreams on and off the field until tragedy strikes and he loses everything. He is given the opportunity to start over as a coach for the Black Jacks. He finds a friendship in the strangest of places.
This is the second book in the Black Jack Gentlemen Series. It can be read as a stand alone with out issue. The first book was m/m and this is m/f.
Some of what happened I saw coming, some things I was surprised. It was meant to be an emotional read but seeing the plot twist happening it took that away for me. I have to say I did enjoy book one, Man On, more than this one. I like the flow of that better. This one seemed to stall out for me.
June 25, 2015
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads
This is the second in the series, but takes us back in time. It is a really intense read which definitely needed a tissue in places. I loved the trips to Turkey and insight into life there, as well as Spain. Seeing couples in such a deep relationship is demanding on the reader, and I was sucked in for sure! I don't want to say more, because the story needs to be read without too much foreknowledge. I promise that it is a great premise for a book, has a different side of the sport than we normally see, and ends well.
Find a quiet corner, make yourself a drink and just enter a different world for a while, it will be worth it!
This is the second in the series, but takes us back in time. It is a really intense read which definitely needed a tissue in places. I loved the trips to Turkey and insight into life there, as well as Spain. Seeing couples in such a deep relationship is demanding on the reader, and I was sucked in for sure! I don't want to say more, because the story needs to be read without too much foreknowledge. I promise that it is a great premise for a book, has a different side of the sport than we normally see, and ends well.
Find a quiet corner, make yourself a drink and just enter a different world for a while, it will be worth it!
July 7, 2015
This book ripped me apart, but I couldn't put it down. My heart broke over and over again, only to be put back together and shown that life can bulldoze us over but with love and support we can mend.
I really don't want to give away too much about this book, but this book was powerful to me. The blows that life threw at Metin's gut over and over again were tear jerking to say the least. But then in an unexpected corner was the light he needed to bring himself back and heal.
This book was epic.
I really don't want to give away too much about this book, but this book was powerful to me. The blows that life threw at Metin's gut over and over again were tear jerking to say the least. But then in an unexpected corner was the light he needed to bring himself back and heal.
This book was epic.
January 27, 2023
This is a unique story about love and loss, grief, anger and despair, but it is also about acceptance, forgiveness, learning to appreciate one's self-worth and opening oneself up to love again.
Be warned - there may be triggers for some people, but the author handles these with sensitivity and compassion.
I felt Melanie's pressure and stress of being a single mother to teenage boys and the grief she feels at the loss of her sister and nephew. The hate and anger she feels towards her ex brother-in-law is palpable. She is also exceedingly stubborn.
Metin is a mess, spiralling into depression and consumed with grief and guilt. He has descended into the depths of despair and has sought solace with women and in the bottom of a bottle.
The author weaves a wonderful story as these two find a path to happiness and a HEA (which nearing the end I was struggling to see how this would come about)!
This is the second book in the series about the Black Jack Gentlemen soccer team and the teaser for the next book looks just as interesting and unique. On my must read list!
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Be warned - there may be triggers for some people, but the author handles these with sensitivity and compassion.
I felt Melanie's pressure and stress of being a single mother to teenage boys and the grief she feels at the loss of her sister and nephew. The hate and anger she feels towards her ex brother-in-law is palpable. She is also exceedingly stubborn.
Metin is a mess, spiralling into depression and consumed with grief and guilt. He has descended into the depths of despair and has sought solace with women and in the bottom of a bottle.
The author weaves a wonderful story as these two find a path to happiness and a HEA (which nearing the end I was struggling to see how this would come about)!
This is the second book in the series about the Black Jack Gentlemen soccer team and the teaser for the next book looks just as interesting and unique. On my must read list!
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review.
July 31, 2023
This book had a lot of potential. The premise was interesting and the characters felt true to life in a lot of ways. However, this book badly needed an editor. The pacing was off and the ending is sucked of any emotional resonance as a result of a time jump. I'm sure its in the romance rules somewhere, but you can't have the emotional moments happen off page! Hopefully the author revisits this one; I know it could be great, but it isn't quite there yet.
January 26, 2023
I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems.
It was okay. It was a little angsty. I would have thought it would have taken Melanie a little more time to get Metin out of his hiding sport. I actually got annoyed with both Melanie and Metin.
It was okay. It was a little angsty. I would have thought it would have taken Melanie a little more time to get Metin out of his hiding sport. I actually got annoyed with both Melanie and Metin.
July 30, 2025
I thought the book was ok. I didn't quite enjoy the sister's widower trope. It just didn't seem believable to me in this case. It just felt heavy on the sex/chemistry when I wanted more connection.
3.5stars
3.5stars
November 2, 2025
I liked red card which was Metin and Alicia’s story. It was an interesting read. I received an early copy via hg. And voluntarily leaving this review.
August 27, 2013
*Book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Originally posted on Adria's Romance Reviews
I've never had to work so hard to write a spoiler free review!
Red Card is just classic Liz Crowe. Emotionally engaging, jealousy, anger, and bitterness war against love, forgiveness and passion and in true Liz fashion, it's anyone's guess as to which emotion will win out at the end of the book. What makes this book so addictive is not so much the characters but their stories. As a reader I relate to them in all their flawed glory and every mistake they make, even when I want to strangle them, makes them more "touchable" as characters.
Metin is a mess throughout most of the book. He's another one of those real life men that just doesn't know how to handle the good things that come his way. Though he can be an epic pain in the ass sometimes, I felt for this man and his demons, they were powerful vices he was battling and like in real life, that battle will continue for the rest of his life. What made him admirable is his unwillingness to give up. Metin isn't the "roll over and die" type. He might sink to untold depths of despair but he's not about to let any one get the best of him.
Mel was a little harder for me to relate to, she was just such a hard ass sometimes that I wanted to shout "Woman, where's your humanity?!" Of course, after I first had that thought I realized that she and I had more in common than I'd like to admit and stopped putting together the "I hate Mel" signs. She shuts herself down and absorbs negativity like a sponge, lashing out at any one with whom she doesn't see eye to eye with. She definitely sabotages her chances at happiness and strikes fear into the heart of her own father with her stubborn attitude and quick temper. She has a big mouth and an even badder attitude that, while I can't claim to love, I did understand.
Liz's stories don't begin, develop and end in a few days, the conflicts sometimes take years to solve and even while the characters are working out their main conflicts, like in life, a few more always pop up along the way. Red Card is takes place over a time period of a few years, to allow the characters to screw up, deny it, throw tantrums over their screw ups, grow up, screw up again and eventually patch things up. I love how Red Card, much like all of Liz's books, doesn't rush through the conflicts or try and sugar coat them. Basically? They're front and center forcing the characters and the reader to acknowledge them and deal with them.
All of Liz Crowe's books are sexually charged, with the characters comfortable and bold in their sexuality and their needs. Red Card's sex scenes are definitely not for the faint of heart. They're hot, sweaty, dirty and oh so erotic.
One thing I had trouble with? The sports lingo. I'm not a sports fan at all so I don't know anything about soccer, much less the terminology used to describe the game. However, it didn't bother me at all because Liz Crowe didn't saturate the entire story with soccer scenes, she put just enough soccer in it to add dimension to her characters' backgrounds, after all both Metin and Mel have deep roots in soccer.
Red Card may technically be a romance novel, as there isn't an official sub-genre for books like Liz's (Yet. But I still have hope there will be), but I can say with all honesty that this is a book that men can enjoy as well.
Originally posted on Adria's Romance Reviews
I've never had to work so hard to write a spoiler free review!
Red Card is just classic Liz Crowe. Emotionally engaging, jealousy, anger, and bitterness war against love, forgiveness and passion and in true Liz fashion, it's anyone's guess as to which emotion will win out at the end of the book. What makes this book so addictive is not so much the characters but their stories. As a reader I relate to them in all their flawed glory and every mistake they make, even when I want to strangle them, makes them more "touchable" as characters.
Metin is a mess throughout most of the book. He's another one of those real life men that just doesn't know how to handle the good things that come his way. Though he can be an epic pain in the ass sometimes, I felt for this man and his demons, they were powerful vices he was battling and like in real life, that battle will continue for the rest of his life. What made him admirable is his unwillingness to give up. Metin isn't the "roll over and die" type. He might sink to untold depths of despair but he's not about to let any one get the best of him.
Mel was a little harder for me to relate to, she was just such a hard ass sometimes that I wanted to shout "Woman, where's your humanity?!" Of course, after I first had that thought I realized that she and I had more in common than I'd like to admit and stopped putting together the "I hate Mel" signs. She shuts herself down and absorbs negativity like a sponge, lashing out at any one with whom she doesn't see eye to eye with. She definitely sabotages her chances at happiness and strikes fear into the heart of her own father with her stubborn attitude and quick temper. She has a big mouth and an even badder attitude that, while I can't claim to love, I did understand.
Liz's stories don't begin, develop and end in a few days, the conflicts sometimes take years to solve and even while the characters are working out their main conflicts, like in life, a few more always pop up along the way. Red Card is takes place over a time period of a few years, to allow the characters to screw up, deny it, throw tantrums over their screw ups, grow up, screw up again and eventually patch things up. I love how Red Card, much like all of Liz's books, doesn't rush through the conflicts or try and sugar coat them. Basically? They're front and center forcing the characters and the reader to acknowledge them and deal with them.
All of Liz Crowe's books are sexually charged, with the characters comfortable and bold in their sexuality and their needs. Red Card's sex scenes are definitely not for the faint of heart. They're hot, sweaty, dirty and oh so erotic.
One thing I had trouble with? The sports lingo. I'm not a sports fan at all so I don't know anything about soccer, much less the terminology used to describe the game. However, it didn't bother me at all because Liz Crowe didn't saturate the entire story with soccer scenes, she put just enough soccer in it to add dimension to her characters' backgrounds, after all both Metin and Mel have deep roots in soccer.
Red Card may technically be a romance novel, as there isn't an official sub-genre for books like Liz's (Yet. But I still have hope there will be), but I can say with all honesty that this is a book that men can enjoy as well.
September 29, 2013
The first thing that I would like to point out is that it will be hard to write a review for this second book in the Black Jack Gentlemen series, RED CARD, without revealing spoilers for the book, but I will do my best to try to avoid revealing too much. I personally hate it when I read spoilers before starting a book, so I will try to walk a fine line here.
Unlike the first book in the series, RED CARD features a male/female pairing unlike the gay relationship featured in book one. I know that will definitely turn off some of my reading buddies, but I don't mind reading male/female romances, so despite some surprise I didn't fault the author on that point.
Alicia dreams of playing professional soccer and seems to harbor resentment towards males, almost a reverse form of typical chauvinism, if you ask me. Strangely, she and her sister are not afraid to call the hero misogynistic or piggish. I didn't really see the behavior he exhibited as women-hating or chauvinistic. Yes, he was a man-slut. Yes, he even referred to the disposable women in his bed in his own words as "bed-filler", but does sleeping around mean you are misogynistic? I don't think so.
Because Alicia is a soccer player and the hero, Metin, is also a soccer superstar, it was a lot of fun to have a scene in the book of them playing soccer together in a flirty way. There's a fun daydream where Alicia dreams of tackling Metin in a crazy aggressive fashion. I love to see women get sex-crazed in the book in the same fashion as the men. Unlike the previous book in the series, there isn't as much focus on the Black Jacks team or soccer playing in general. It's there, but it is more of a backdrop to the main plot of the story. So, that was slightly disappointing. Still, it was fun that the author slipped in some scenes.
There are some sex scenes in the book that involve unsafe practices, so if that kind of thing throws you out of a book, you may want to avoid this one. Also, if you're not someone who can deal with angst in your romance, this might not be your book as well. Finally, there are some rather large twists in this one that might not flow with certain reader's ideas of 'romance'. I could see the big twist coming in this one due to some foreshadowing on the author's part, but I can definitely see how many readers will likely be surprised by the big twist. Again, I don't want to spoil things so I can't really get into it.
On a side note - there wasn't any scalp tingling in this book, much to my shock after the fixation the author had with it in book one of the series. There was at one point, however, a spot where the hero claimed his hair was hurting. I guess she couldn't neglect the hair/scalp region after all.
All in all, RED CARD was an entertaining read. I am still interested enough in the series to read book three by Liz Crowe and look forward to getting the opportunity.
- See more at: http://bookienookiereviews.blogspot.c...
✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews
Unlike the first book in the series, RED CARD features a male/female pairing unlike the gay relationship featured in book one. I know that will definitely turn off some of my reading buddies, but I don't mind reading male/female romances, so despite some surprise I didn't fault the author on that point.
Alicia dreams of playing professional soccer and seems to harbor resentment towards males, almost a reverse form of typical chauvinism, if you ask me. Strangely, she and her sister are not afraid to call the hero misogynistic or piggish. I didn't really see the behavior he exhibited as women-hating or chauvinistic. Yes, he was a man-slut. Yes, he even referred to the disposable women in his bed in his own words as "bed-filler", but does sleeping around mean you are misogynistic? I don't think so.
Because Alicia is a soccer player and the hero, Metin, is also a soccer superstar, it was a lot of fun to have a scene in the book of them playing soccer together in a flirty way. There's a fun daydream where Alicia dreams of tackling Metin in a crazy aggressive fashion. I love to see women get sex-crazed in the book in the same fashion as the men. Unlike the previous book in the series, there isn't as much focus on the Black Jacks team or soccer playing in general. It's there, but it is more of a backdrop to the main plot of the story. So, that was slightly disappointing. Still, it was fun that the author slipped in some scenes.
There are some sex scenes in the book that involve unsafe practices, so if that kind of thing throws you out of a book, you may want to avoid this one. Also, if you're not someone who can deal with angst in your romance, this might not be your book as well. Finally, there are some rather large twists in this one that might not flow with certain reader's ideas of 'romance'. I could see the big twist coming in this one due to some foreshadowing on the author's part, but I can definitely see how many readers will likely be surprised by the big twist. Again, I don't want to spoil things so I can't really get into it.
On a side note - there wasn't any scalp tingling in this book, much to my shock after the fixation the author had with it in book one of the series. There was at one point, however, a spot where the hero claimed his hair was hurting. I guess she couldn't neglect the hair/scalp region after all.
All in all, RED CARD was an entertaining read. I am still interested enough in the series to read book three by Liz Crowe and look forward to getting the opportunity.
- See more at: http://bookienookiereviews.blogspot.c...
✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews
August 24, 2013
As a big fan of sports-themed romances I thought I knew what to expect with Liz Crowe's Red Card but ended up with something unexpectedly intense that kept my emotions on a roller-coaster ride. This book was at times predictable, mostly at the start, but bodly went where I didn't expect a romance book to go late in the story which brought out drastically different sides to the characters. This is an unconventional romance that might very well upset some readers but I applaud Ms. Crowe for her daring.
Metin is the hotshot Turkish soccer player who could have any woman he wants, and has had them. Before now they've always been of the superficial model-like variety which has become boring. His first meeting with the tall, athletic, and sturdy-looking Alicia intrigues him. He admires her spirit and love of soccer which she desperately wants to play in the big leagues. He's sexy, charming, and oozes confidence except in his dealings with her. Though she's not easy to win over, he's immensely attracted and sets out wholeheartedly to woo her in a whirlwind romance that is super steamy but very rocky. Just when things look to be perfect between them fate decides to intervene and changes the meaning of love and family forever.
Alicia was raised by her sister ever since her mother died when she was very young. She's never been girly and devotes her life to soccer to the exclusion of all else. Wanting to play professionally has her angry and jealous of those male players who are making millions. Her initial meeting with Metin therefore is full of aggression which ultimately morphs into attraction and a relationship that's full of sexual tension, steamy interludes, and a lot of verbal warfare that's really HOT. All does not go perfectly though with a sister who's been burned by men in the past and who spars with Metin every step of the way. Alicia is torn by the caring yet judgmental nature of her sister Melanie and her love for Metin which leads to many heart-wrenching moments. Fate soon intervenes in their happiness and puts their wedding vows to the test.
Melanie starts out as a completely bitter woman, one who I found hard to like. She seemed angry at the world but Metin's charming and caring nature finally won her over and they ultimately form a friendship that will come in handy when the going gets tough. Along with adults being put through the emotional wringer, there's also Melanie's teenage boys who are also experiencing hard times in a realistically gut-wrenching manner. From start to finish this is a difficult read with heart-wrenching moments amidst guilt, fear, and anger. Ms. Crowe beautifully balances the steamy interludes with the character's emotional journeys in a richly rewarding way that brings a tear to the eye at times. Characters from previous books make brief appearances which made for a homey feel to the author's book world and provided nice updates to these familiar characters. This is the second installment in the Black Jack Gentlemen series but can be easily read on its own but I'm now left waiting impatiently for the next installment, as will you after reading Red Card.
Metin is the hotshot Turkish soccer player who could have any woman he wants, and has had them. Before now they've always been of the superficial model-like variety which has become boring. His first meeting with the tall, athletic, and sturdy-looking Alicia intrigues him. He admires her spirit and love of soccer which she desperately wants to play in the big leagues. He's sexy, charming, and oozes confidence except in his dealings with her. Though she's not easy to win over, he's immensely attracted and sets out wholeheartedly to woo her in a whirlwind romance that is super steamy but very rocky. Just when things look to be perfect between them fate decides to intervene and changes the meaning of love and family forever.
Alicia was raised by her sister ever since her mother died when she was very young. She's never been girly and devotes her life to soccer to the exclusion of all else. Wanting to play professionally has her angry and jealous of those male players who are making millions. Her initial meeting with Metin therefore is full of aggression which ultimately morphs into attraction and a relationship that's full of sexual tension, steamy interludes, and a lot of verbal warfare that's really HOT. All does not go perfectly though with a sister who's been burned by men in the past and who spars with Metin every step of the way. Alicia is torn by the caring yet judgmental nature of her sister Melanie and her love for Metin which leads to many heart-wrenching moments. Fate soon intervenes in their happiness and puts their wedding vows to the test.
Melanie starts out as a completely bitter woman, one who I found hard to like. She seemed angry at the world but Metin's charming and caring nature finally won her over and they ultimately form a friendship that will come in handy when the going gets tough. Along with adults being put through the emotional wringer, there's also Melanie's teenage boys who are also experiencing hard times in a realistically gut-wrenching manner. From start to finish this is a difficult read with heart-wrenching moments amidst guilt, fear, and anger. Ms. Crowe beautifully balances the steamy interludes with the character's emotional journeys in a richly rewarding way that brings a tear to the eye at times. Characters from previous books make brief appearances which made for a homey feel to the author's book world and provided nice updates to these familiar characters. This is the second installment in the Black Jack Gentlemen series but can be easily read on its own but I'm now left waiting impatiently for the next installment, as will you after reading Red Card.
June 28, 2015
The Black Jack Gentlemen series holds it own with each novel being totally unique from each other. I believe that is why this series is such a hit. You never know what you are going to get. It is a story based upon soccer players. If soccer isn't your sport don't worry you will still love the story line. In Red Card we meet Metin, Alicia, and Mel.
Let's start off with Mel and Alicia. They are sisters, but the role they play in each other's life is much more. Mel has taken on a motherly type to Alicia; making sure she is raised to be independent and happy. Trying to make her own mark in life has brought Mel to the point of pure bitterness. She is a single mother to two children-one being a disgruntled teenager. Caring for her family is what keeps Mel from totally losing it. That is when Metin comes into the picture.
Metin is this turkish soccer player who defines the term player. While he likes to sow his wild oats, he keeps his emotions on his sleeve. Let's just say he is attracted to Alicia, but him and Mel do not hit it off. Their discord for each other is extremely explosive. I do not mean that in the good way. Mel just wanted what was best for Alicia. Unfortunately, Mel was thinking more of what she thought Alicia needed instead of what Alicia thought she needed. This caused some major conflict in this once tight-knit family.
Years pass as well as life changing moments that divide this unique family. For the patriarch of Mel and Alicia it was realization of what he put his oldest daughter through and how tough he made it on the pair. How can you provide balm to a family that is destroyed by loss, by anger, by bitterness.
Red Card represents family. The loyalty and love of those who you hold dear to you. It is also about second chances and maybe third chances as well. As a reader, I wanted to see Mel lose her bitterness. She had the potential to provide so much love but she allowed the errors of those who wronged her stand in her way. It was heartbreaking to read about. When the family dynamic kept changing, Mel held onto to every bit she could to handle these changes. You could tell it was too much for her.
My favorite part was watching Metin's family and Alicia and Mel's father stand up and take a stand. Here was a chance to unite instead of dividing and the family was not going to let that happen.
I will tell you as well that you definitely will need Kleenex at several points of the story. My heart shattered several times watching the events enfold before my eyes. Liz Crowe has created a story that we could relate to as well as fall in love with the characters. The betrayal, the hurt, could be felt into the reader's soul. Than as the story finishes you just are left wanting to weep for such a twist in events. It is an amazing conclusion to a story that will pierce your heart and very soul.
Let's start off with Mel and Alicia. They are sisters, but the role they play in each other's life is much more. Mel has taken on a motherly type to Alicia; making sure she is raised to be independent and happy. Trying to make her own mark in life has brought Mel to the point of pure bitterness. She is a single mother to two children-one being a disgruntled teenager. Caring for her family is what keeps Mel from totally losing it. That is when Metin comes into the picture.
Metin is this turkish soccer player who defines the term player. While he likes to sow his wild oats, he keeps his emotions on his sleeve. Let's just say he is attracted to Alicia, but him and Mel do not hit it off. Their discord for each other is extremely explosive. I do not mean that in the good way. Mel just wanted what was best for Alicia. Unfortunately, Mel was thinking more of what she thought Alicia needed instead of what Alicia thought she needed. This caused some major conflict in this once tight-knit family.
Years pass as well as life changing moments that divide this unique family. For the patriarch of Mel and Alicia it was realization of what he put his oldest daughter through and how tough he made it on the pair. How can you provide balm to a family that is destroyed by loss, by anger, by bitterness.
Red Card represents family. The loyalty and love of those who you hold dear to you. It is also about second chances and maybe third chances as well. As a reader, I wanted to see Mel lose her bitterness. She had the potential to provide so much love but she allowed the errors of those who wronged her stand in her way. It was heartbreaking to read about. When the family dynamic kept changing, Mel held onto to every bit she could to handle these changes. You could tell it was too much for her.
My favorite part was watching Metin's family and Alicia and Mel's father stand up and take a stand. Here was a chance to unite instead of dividing and the family was not going to let that happen.
I will tell you as well that you definitely will need Kleenex at several points of the story. My heart shattered several times watching the events enfold before my eyes. Liz Crowe has created a story that we could relate to as well as fall in love with the characters. The betrayal, the hurt, could be felt into the reader's soul. Than as the story finishes you just are left wanting to weep for such a twist in events. It is an amazing conclusion to a story that will pierce your heart and very soul.
December 2, 2014
This is definitely not a book you will forget anytime soon! The book is divided into 2 parts and there is a major plot twist at the end of part 1. I loved that there was a whole new change of direction for the second half of the book since I have found that books recently have been a bit too predictable!
The whole time I was reading this book I was picturing Cristiano Ronaldo as Metin the male lead character. I know Cristiano is Portuguese and Metin is Turkish, but that small detail doesn't matter! They are both super hot soccer players!
I was invited to be part of the Blog Tour for Red Card (The Black Jack Gentlemen #2) a part of a new series by Liz Crowe which I am very happy I agreed to! This book is an emotional roller coaster that takes you through the highs & lows of life! The story revolves around Metin (a famous soccer player) & Alicia (a woman who just wants to play soccer professionally).
This book is part of a series, but the books in the The Black Jack Gentlemen series are standalone focusing on people associated with a new expansion football (soccer) team in Detroit, USA. If the other books in the series are anything like this one then they are sexy, intense reads that can have you crying, laughing & yelling at your book all within a short time!
I am giving this book 4.5 stars since it kept me hooked enough to read it in one sitting of 6 hours! (I know, when do you get 6 hours to sit down? For me it was 2am - 8am!!!! I was jet-lagged this week from flying back from NYC to Melbourne). I had been to bed around 7pm the night before & just couldn't sleep! I had 4 days off before going back to work, so it just seemed right to read! After I picked up this book there was no way I was going back to bed anytime soon either!
The characters are well developed with life-like sometimes irritating characteristics that make it all the more believable! I highly recommend you pick up and read this book if you like intense romances with a lot of angst! Don't expect it to be an easy read but it's worthwhile in the end!
You can see my full entry at Bec's Book Blog.
The whole time I was reading this book I was picturing Cristiano Ronaldo as Metin the male lead character. I know Cristiano is Portuguese and Metin is Turkish, but that small detail doesn't matter! They are both super hot soccer players!
I was invited to be part of the Blog Tour for Red Card (The Black Jack Gentlemen #2) a part of a new series by Liz Crowe which I am very happy I agreed to! This book is an emotional roller coaster that takes you through the highs & lows of life! The story revolves around Metin (a famous soccer player) & Alicia (a woman who just wants to play soccer professionally).
This book is part of a series, but the books in the The Black Jack Gentlemen series are standalone focusing on people associated with a new expansion football (soccer) team in Detroit, USA. If the other books in the series are anything like this one then they are sexy, intense reads that can have you crying, laughing & yelling at your book all within a short time!
I am giving this book 4.5 stars since it kept me hooked enough to read it in one sitting of 6 hours! (I know, when do you get 6 hours to sit down? For me it was 2am - 8am!!!! I was jet-lagged this week from flying back from NYC to Melbourne). I had been to bed around 7pm the night before & just couldn't sleep! I had 4 days off before going back to work, so it just seemed right to read! After I picked up this book there was no way I was going back to bed anytime soon either!
The characters are well developed with life-like sometimes irritating characteristics that make it all the more believable! I highly recommend you pick up and read this book if you like intense romances with a lot of angst! Don't expect it to be an easy read but it's worthwhile in the end!
You can see my full entry at Bec's Book Blog.
September 12, 2015
Metin is such a sad character. He is a great character but you feel so bad for him. the circumstances of his past will tear at your heart. Poor guy lost everything and what he did to drown the pain and feel numb is just sad. He goes through so much and grows so much in this book. Metin will truly tear at your heartstrings and Alicia with the choices and situations she is making and put in just really really put you in the emotional wringer.
Alicia I am wondering whether soccer was always her dream or her dad’s . You know that she loves soccer but who is she trying to prove more to herself or her family. she is feeling low on the totem pole when she lands on the female team of the black jack soccer teams.
Metin and her have instant attraction but try to ignore it. Metin helps her to get better with her soccer and along the way falls in love. he is persistent and begins to come out of his fog. He sees a future for himself. Alicia struggles to fight off her attraction but when she gives in there are some steamy moments. the talking they do is wonderful. they are friends first and that is what stands out. This isn’t a relationship that began with sex it began with friends. when Alicia goes to another team, Metin is there for her. He supports her doing what is right for her. Than Alicia’s world starts to crumble. Unfortunately Alicia is put in a rock and hard place and with her bitter sister decides on a fate that could change her whole world. Upon making this decision, she causes pain to Metin. Metin though does find out the truth and comes to her.
they love each other and he is determined to be there and be with her. They are such a wonderful and equal footing couple. they believe in each other and want what is best for the other.
A sweet and sad tale of two people trying to prove something and become better people. One trying to shed the guilt and sadness of the past and the other trying to prove they are good at soccer. They find one another and become a wonderful and fun couple. Decisions are made and things are said and they go into that rocky point. What is seen throughout is the love. Love of each other, respect for one another and the love of family. A truly sweet tale of two people meant to be but who go on a journey of self discovery to be able to find their way together once again.
Alicia I am wondering whether soccer was always her dream or her dad’s . You know that she loves soccer but who is she trying to prove more to herself or her family. she is feeling low on the totem pole when she lands on the female team of the black jack soccer teams.
Metin and her have instant attraction but try to ignore it. Metin helps her to get better with her soccer and along the way falls in love. he is persistent and begins to come out of his fog. He sees a future for himself. Alicia struggles to fight off her attraction but when she gives in there are some steamy moments. the talking they do is wonderful. they are friends first and that is what stands out. This isn’t a relationship that began with sex it began with friends. when Alicia goes to another team, Metin is there for her. He supports her doing what is right for her. Than Alicia’s world starts to crumble. Unfortunately Alicia is put in a rock and hard place and with her bitter sister decides on a fate that could change her whole world. Upon making this decision, she causes pain to Metin. Metin though does find out the truth and comes to her.
they love each other and he is determined to be there and be with her. They are such a wonderful and equal footing couple. they believe in each other and want what is best for the other.
A sweet and sad tale of two people trying to prove something and become better people. One trying to shed the guilt and sadness of the past and the other trying to prove they are good at soccer. They find one another and become a wonderful and fun couple. Decisions are made and things are said and they go into that rocky point. What is seen throughout is the love. Love of each other, respect for one another and the love of family. A truly sweet tale of two people meant to be but who go on a journey of self discovery to be able to find their way together once again.
August 23, 2013
3.5/4 Stars
I am a huge fan of Liz Crowe. I love her stories. When I pick up a Liz Crowe book I know exactly what I am going to get and that is a great story with some unexpected surprises
I loved the story of Red Card. I love that this book was about a hot, professional soccer player.
I had a few problems with the lead female characters, Alicia and Mel. I had a hard time connecting with these sisters. Alicia was just mean and appeared so jealous of Metin’s success as a soccer superstar. . I felt he deserved to get paid well. He was a phenomenal soccer player. She had a hard time achieving that success and I felt she put a lot of that anger towards Metin. At times, I could not understand why Metin wanted to be by Alicia. When she finally changed, it was hard for me to accept her. Alicia’s sister, Mel, was the same way. Mel made mistakes herself, but she was just bitter. Just because her ex treated her poorly and left, did not make it right for her to think badly of Metin. Later on, we see a different side of Mel, but it was hard for me to forgive the way she was in the first half of the book.
I gave 3 stars to the characters, but 4.5 stars to the story. I was just hard for me to connect to Alicia and Mel.
I really liked Metin though. He is a hot Turkish soccer player that the women and paparazzi loved. He was a playboy, but women knew where they stood with him. He was upfront. When he loved, he loved you and you knew it.
What I love about Liz Crowe’s books…just when you get comfortable with the story, something unexpected happens as it did in Red Card. There are never dull moments in her stories. And when I start to read, I know I should block out a long period of my day since I can’t stop reading them.
A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
I am a huge fan of Liz Crowe. I love her stories. When I pick up a Liz Crowe book I know exactly what I am going to get and that is a great story with some unexpected surprises
I loved the story of Red Card. I love that this book was about a hot, professional soccer player.
I had a few problems with the lead female characters, Alicia and Mel. I had a hard time connecting with these sisters. Alicia was just mean and appeared so jealous of Metin’s success as a soccer superstar. . I felt he deserved to get paid well. He was a phenomenal soccer player. She had a hard time achieving that success and I felt she put a lot of that anger towards Metin. At times, I could not understand why Metin wanted to be by Alicia. When she finally changed, it was hard for me to accept her. Alicia’s sister, Mel, was the same way. Mel made mistakes herself, but she was just bitter. Just because her ex treated her poorly and left, did not make it right for her to think badly of Metin. Later on, we see a different side of Mel, but it was hard for me to forgive the way she was in the first half of the book.
I gave 3 stars to the characters, but 4.5 stars to the story. I was just hard for me to connect to Alicia and Mel.
I really liked Metin though. He is a hot Turkish soccer player that the women and paparazzi loved. He was a playboy, but women knew where they stood with him. He was upfront. When he loved, he loved you and you knew it.
What I love about Liz Crowe’s books…just when you get comfortable with the story, something unexpected happens as it did in Red Card. There are never dull moments in her stories. And when I start to read, I know I should block out a long period of my day since I can’t stop reading them.
A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2014
5+ Crown Stars
Book 2 in the Black Jack Gentleman series. This series is very much a collection of individual stories centred around characters who play or manage the same football team and can be read as part of the series or very much as a standalones.
This is Metin Sevim's story. A former superstar footballer who played for the massive Real Madrid; Metin is persuaded to head to Detroit to take up the position of Head Coach for the new team Black Jack Gentleman.
It is a real struggle for me to right anymore than this as this story is full of twists, turns, shocks and heartbreak. I knew from book 1 when mentioned briefly, that Metin had overcome a life changing event that ruined his playing career. The synopsis gives nothing away, and for that reason I will stay the same. I loved the fact that I went into this book blind and I believe to get the full impact this story has, all readers must do the same.
I will however say that this is a seriously emotional rollercoaster. Told in 2 parts; Liz has created a story that will have you crying buckets so have the Kleenex on standby.
This is a story of how fate can give as well as take. Of how love has the ability to ruin you and heal you, and how friendship can provide a life line as well as complications.
This is a seriously brilliant and unique story. The characters are very honest and the situations and events also very real. Liz always tells stories that at times are hard to read, this one is no different. You will questions Metin and some of the decisions he makes, but you will also be routing for him. He is a classic Liz character and I enjoyed joining him on his emotional journey. If I could give this more than 5 starts I would.
A very different story to book 1, a highly recommended read!!
Book 2 in the Black Jack Gentleman series. This series is very much a collection of individual stories centred around characters who play or manage the same football team and can be read as part of the series or very much as a standalones.
This is Metin Sevim's story. A former superstar footballer who played for the massive Real Madrid; Metin is persuaded to head to Detroit to take up the position of Head Coach for the new team Black Jack Gentleman.
It is a real struggle for me to right anymore than this as this story is full of twists, turns, shocks and heartbreak. I knew from book 1 when mentioned briefly, that Metin had overcome a life changing event that ruined his playing career. The synopsis gives nothing away, and for that reason I will stay the same. I loved the fact that I went into this book blind and I believe to get the full impact this story has, all readers must do the same.
I will however say that this is a seriously emotional rollercoaster. Told in 2 parts; Liz has created a story that will have you crying buckets so have the Kleenex on standby.
This is a story of how fate can give as well as take. Of how love has the ability to ruin you and heal you, and how friendship can provide a life line as well as complications.
This is a seriously brilliant and unique story. The characters are very honest and the situations and events also very real. Liz always tells stories that at times are hard to read, this one is no different. You will questions Metin and some of the decisions he makes, but you will also be routing for him. He is a classic Liz character and I enjoyed joining him on his emotional journey. If I could give this more than 5 starts I would.
A very different story to book 1, a highly recommended read!!
August 11, 2013
Red Card
By Liz Crowe
Metin is a Turkish hot shot soccer player and paparazzi target. As the baby of a large family, he doesn’t understand the dynamics in the modern American Matthews family. When he comes into contact with them, relationships spark. Mr. Matthews withdrew into his work when he lost his wife to cancer, forcing his daughters to care for each other. Melanie was only 16 when her mom died and stepped into the mom role. Alicia was the tomboy, female soccer star. Her life was centered on making it big time in a sport that wasn’t accommodating to women.
This story really pulled at me. It reminded me a lot of my own family dynamics, growing up with four younger sisters who weren’t afraid to speak their mind. At times I wanted to yell at each of the characters. This only goes to show how much I love them! I forgot for that brief moment that they were only fictional. Metin is a passionate man full of love. He lives his life on fast forward. Who wouldn’t love someone who cherished you as if you hung the moon. I loved his family and the other secondary characters almost as much as the primary ones.
There are so many nuances in this book. Different dynamics and stories. I don’t want to share them and spoil any surprises for you. I couldn’t put it down once I began and kept wondering how it fit into the series with what I knew. You won’t be disappointed in the depth of this story and the emotions it evokes for the reader. Another Liz Crowe read that will leave you thinking about the story long after the book is closed.
I received this book as an ARC for my unbiased review.
By Liz Crowe
Metin is a Turkish hot shot soccer player and paparazzi target. As the baby of a large family, he doesn’t understand the dynamics in the modern American Matthews family. When he comes into contact with them, relationships spark. Mr. Matthews withdrew into his work when he lost his wife to cancer, forcing his daughters to care for each other. Melanie was only 16 when her mom died and stepped into the mom role. Alicia was the tomboy, female soccer star. Her life was centered on making it big time in a sport that wasn’t accommodating to women.
This story really pulled at me. It reminded me a lot of my own family dynamics, growing up with four younger sisters who weren’t afraid to speak their mind. At times I wanted to yell at each of the characters. This only goes to show how much I love them! I forgot for that brief moment that they were only fictional. Metin is a passionate man full of love. He lives his life on fast forward. Who wouldn’t love someone who cherished you as if you hung the moon. I loved his family and the other secondary characters almost as much as the primary ones.
There are so many nuances in this book. Different dynamics and stories. I don’t want to share them and spoil any surprises for you. I couldn’t put it down once I began and kept wondering how it fit into the series with what I knew. You won’t be disappointed in the depth of this story and the emotions it evokes for the reader. Another Liz Crowe read that will leave you thinking about the story long after the book is closed.
I received this book as an ARC for my unbiased review.
August 18, 2013
This story pulled me in right from the start, and i must say i didnt expect it too. Football is not really my thing, but you dont have to be a football fan to enjoy this book there are so many different aspects to this story it appeals to a wide range audience.
Metin is a hot, Turkish football player, who is full of passion and love for life and football, he has the big pay check, football talent and is a paparazzi magnet. He lives his life at full speed and when he loves its forever.
Metin is the baby of a large family full of boys so when he meets the Matthews family he doesnt quite get the whole dis-functional modern American family, but meeting them change his life.
When Metin meets Alicia, the stunning, athletic, female football star player, she changes his world and he falls hard and fast for her. You follow there journey and life for a part of the book, then BAM the book turns and shifts in a different direction, i was so not expecting that to happen. We are pushed to face so much pain and emotion, the whole dynamics change.
This book keeps you wondering, and is part of a fantastic series. It is full of emotions and you feel every one of them, I cried, I got frustrated, I smiled I simply loved this book.
The characters feel real and have such a great depth they could be your friend, people you know and work with. The plot is wonderful, you will not be disappointed by Red card, its a really fantastic book.
Another wicked read from Liz Crowe!
Highly recommended.
Metin is a hot, Turkish football player, who is full of passion and love for life and football, he has the big pay check, football talent and is a paparazzi magnet. He lives his life at full speed and when he loves its forever.
Metin is the baby of a large family full of boys so when he meets the Matthews family he doesnt quite get the whole dis-functional modern American family, but meeting them change his life.
When Metin meets Alicia, the stunning, athletic, female football star player, she changes his world and he falls hard and fast for her. You follow there journey and life for a part of the book, then BAM the book turns and shifts in a different direction, i was so not expecting that to happen. We are pushed to face so much pain and emotion, the whole dynamics change.
This book keeps you wondering, and is part of a fantastic series. It is full of emotions and you feel every one of them, I cried, I got frustrated, I smiled I simply loved this book.
The characters feel real and have such a great depth they could be your friend, people you know and work with. The plot is wonderful, you will not be disappointed by Red card, its a really fantastic book.
Another wicked read from Liz Crowe!
Highly recommended.
June 25, 2015
Red Card is the second book in The Black Jack Gentleman series that is based around a Detroit soccer team. This book can be read as a standalone, you shouldn't have any trouble following the story even if you haven't read the first book. I am finding this an incredibly hard review to write without accidentally giving away spoilers. I've already written and then deleted several sentences, so apologies if this ends up being a short review! The main point that I have to get across though is that I absolutely loved this book! It is a moving story of one man's life, and is about love, loss, mistakes and forgiveness. Red Card covers several years and has many ups and downs. It's a real emotional roller coaster that had me crying buckets at times.
Metin is a Turk soccer player who has the world at his feet. When we first meet him he's at the height of his fame, but in the years that follow he has some incredible highs and some terrible low points. This book wasn't what I was expecting at all - it was so much better! Liz Crowe is a fabulous writer, and with this book she's created a real gem. I really cared about Metin and the other main characters and the storyline kept my attention throughout. Be warned - this a real page turner, you wont be able to put it down. Red Card gets five big stars.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
Metin is a Turk soccer player who has the world at his feet. When we first meet him he's at the height of his fame, but in the years that follow he has some incredible highs and some terrible low points. This book wasn't what I was expecting at all - it was so much better! Liz Crowe is a fabulous writer, and with this book she's created a real gem. I really cared about Metin and the other main characters and the storyline kept my attention throughout. Be warned - this a real page turner, you wont be able to put it down. Red Card gets five big stars.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
January 23, 2023
Melanie is the owner of the family's cafe business and has two sons, Taylor, a pre-teen, while Zach is a year from his high school graduation. Although Zach is a successful soccer player at school, he's a surly, rude kid to his mom and has started pulling away from his brother who adores him.
International soccer star Metin was the husband of her younger sister Alicia until she and their young son Ayden died in an auto accident. Tumbling into a pit of darkness, Metin has withdrawn from soccer and from any resemblance to his former life. Melanie is asked to go to Metin to see if she can pull him out of that deep despair.
From the beginning, Red Card is both evocative and compelling. Liz Crowe writes with such "rawness" in the characters' emotions, grief, language and passion. Melanie and Metin are so filled with grief that, as a reader, I could feel their helplessness and anger. Their need for each other courses through them every time they're in the same room together, but it's most impactful when she finally realizes her hatred has turned into love. In addition, the author skillfully takes us on a journey to their redemption and healing. These are very powerful writing assets.
I'm a new ARC reader for Ms. Crowe, and I eagerly await the next book in the series entitled Shut Out!
International soccer star Metin was the husband of her younger sister Alicia until she and their young son Ayden died in an auto accident. Tumbling into a pit of darkness, Metin has withdrawn from soccer and from any resemblance to his former life. Melanie is asked to go to Metin to see if she can pull him out of that deep despair.
From the beginning, Red Card is both evocative and compelling. Liz Crowe writes with such "rawness" in the characters' emotions, grief, language and passion. Melanie and Metin are so filled with grief that, as a reader, I could feel their helplessness and anger. Their need for each other courses through them every time they're in the same room together, but it's most impactful when she finally realizes her hatred has turned into love. In addition, the author skillfully takes us on a journey to their redemption and healing. These are very powerful writing assets.
I'm a new ARC reader for Ms. Crowe, and I eagerly await the next book in the series entitled Shut Out!
August 23, 2015
Originally posted at SmexyBooks-http://smexybooks.com/2015/08/toris-m...
Rating: D
I picked up Red Card because I enjoy sports romances and I had seen some good reviews for the first book in the series. Red Card starts off interestingly enough. An international male soccer star falls hard for a semi pro women’s soccer player. Insta love prevails and I enjoyed seeing how emotionally vocal the hero was in his feeling for the heroine. However my pleasure soon morphed into horror as I got to know the heroine and her sister. Irrational behavior ahoy, these women are crazy. And not in an amusing way. Manipulative and abusive, the heroine and her sister had to be two of the most unlikable characters I’ve come across. The author offers explanations behind their behavior but I felt the reasons were pale and not good enough. They both treated the hero and other important people in their lives horribly. We see the heroine attack the hero physically twice, causing injury, but it is not addressed nor condemned. The heroine’s sister is just as bad with her verbal abuse of her family and the hero. The author attempts to redeem the heroine’s sister in a second chance romance; using grief to force her to change, only for me it wasn’t even enough to consider.
Rating: D
I picked up Red Card because I enjoy sports romances and I had seen some good reviews for the first book in the series. Red Card starts off interestingly enough. An international male soccer star falls hard for a semi pro women’s soccer player. Insta love prevails and I enjoyed seeing how emotionally vocal the hero was in his feeling for the heroine. However my pleasure soon morphed into horror as I got to know the heroine and her sister. Irrational behavior ahoy, these women are crazy. And not in an amusing way. Manipulative and abusive, the heroine and her sister had to be two of the most unlikable characters I’ve come across. The author offers explanations behind their behavior but I felt the reasons were pale and not good enough. They both treated the hero and other important people in their lives horribly. We see the heroine attack the hero physically twice, causing injury, but it is not addressed nor condemned. The heroine’s sister is just as bad with her verbal abuse of her family and the hero. The author attempts to redeem the heroine’s sister in a second chance romance; using grief to force her to change, only for me it wasn’t even enough to consider.
January 31, 2023
This is the first book in a new series by Liz. This book maybe a little weird for some. Metin lost his wife and son. Then lost himself. Now almost two years later his sister-in-law, Melanie comes to him saying there is a club in Detroit that wants him to coach. Metin has made a mess of his life. He has lost his career and has no purpose or direction. This could save him. But more than anything what he isn’t prepared for is the feelings seeing Melanie brings out in him. Melanie has spent so much time being angry at Metin that she is completely taken by surprise by how to she feels seeing him. This could never happen. He is her dead sister’s husband. Metin takes the job and will now be super close to Melanie. How will they deal with their feelings for each other. This book was a wild ride. I found it super interesting that Metin and Melanie had a connection. I liked that for most it may not be okay for them to have a relationship. It was different. Melanie has a lot of feelings when it comes to her dead sister. She basically raised her and then her sister got the happily ever after. While Melanie always feels like she is second string. This was a fantastic read. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Wonderful job Liz.
June 22, 2015
Someone should have warned me before I read Liz Crowe’s Black Jack Gentlemen series, book two. Metin is a hot playboy soccer star from Turkey. Alicia is soccer player that is looking for a team to continue her dream. When they meet it’s like fireworks but it seems like destiny. Alicia’s older sister, Melanie, is bitter and does not approve, and Metin is destroying her sister’s dreams.
“Before she could protest, he slanted his lips over hers and lost himself in her once again. She clung to him, opening her lips to his. His body burned, skin flamed from the inside out, his ears deafened by a roar of need. He had to have her, now, had to put his mark on her before she escaped again.”
This story was going along and I was perfectly happy but then there was a twist. I had a bad feeling and sure enough, she got me. I was crying and there were feelings everywhere. This story is very emotional, and I loved all of the characters although they frustrated me at times.
If you like stories that aren’t always wrapped up perfect with a little bow, you’ll enjoy reading Red Card by Liz Crowe. Working through their issues made the story worth it all in the end.
“Before she could protest, he slanted his lips over hers and lost himself in her once again. She clung to him, opening her lips to his. His body burned, skin flamed from the inside out, his ears deafened by a roar of need. He had to have her, now, had to put his mark on her before she escaped again.”
This story was going along and I was perfectly happy but then there was a twist. I had a bad feeling and sure enough, she got me. I was crying and there were feelings everywhere. This story is very emotional, and I loved all of the characters although they frustrated me at times.
If you like stories that aren’t always wrapped up perfect with a little bow, you’ll enjoy reading Red Card by Liz Crowe. Working through their issues made the story worth it all in the end.
January 14, 2023
This is a unique story about love and loss, grief, anger and despair, but it is also about acceptance, forgiveness, learning to appreciate one's self-worth and opening oneself up to love again.
Be warned - there may be triggers for some people, but the author handles these with sensitivity and compassion.
I felt Melanie's pressure and stress of being a single mother to teenage boys and the grief she feels at the loss of her sister and nephew. The hate and anger she feels towards her ex brother-in-law is palpable. She is also exceedingly stubborn.
Metin is a mess, spiralling into depression and consumed with grief and guilt. He has descended into the depths of despair and has sought solace with women and in the bottom of a bottle.
The author weaves a wonderful story as these two find a path to happiness and a HEA (which nearing the end I was struggling to see how this would come about)!
This is the first in the series about the Black Jack Gentlemen soccer team and the teaser for the next book looks just as interesting and unique. On my must read list!
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Be warned - there may be triggers for some people, but the author handles these with sensitivity and compassion.
I felt Melanie's pressure and stress of being a single mother to teenage boys and the grief she feels at the loss of her sister and nephew. The hate and anger she feels towards her ex brother-in-law is palpable. She is also exceedingly stubborn.
Metin is a mess, spiralling into depression and consumed with grief and guilt. He has descended into the depths of despair and has sought solace with women and in the bottom of a bottle.
The author weaves a wonderful story as these two find a path to happiness and a HEA (which nearing the end I was struggling to see how this would come about)!
This is the first in the series about the Black Jack Gentlemen soccer team and the teaser for the next book looks just as interesting and unique. On my must read list!
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review.
July 2, 2015
This author is a master at writing the unexpected. This story was exciting, sexy, totally unexpected, heartbreakingly tragic, and did I say and unexpected? Yes, it was all those things and more. It's not overly long but the story is divided into two parts in this book. The women in his life are irrational and irritating but he seems to find the best in every one of them. Metin Sevim has a problem being alone. He's always got a woman in his bed and he falls in love quickly and deeply. This is his story. He'll go through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. You will laugh and cry in happiness and sadness. You will cheer Metin on and you will want to throttle him. And you can't help falling a little in love with the crazy, quirky, Turkish soccer player.
If you are a fan of the Black Jack Gentlemens expansion soccer team, then I highly recommend you read Metin Sevim's story. I Loved it!!!
Received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you are a fan of the Black Jack Gentlemens expansion soccer team, then I highly recommend you read Metin Sevim's story. I Loved it!!!
Received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2023
A Red Card is what you get from the ref when you do something terrible on the soccer pitch, like beat someone up. This put Metin out of professional soccer, where he was a massive star until his wife and child were killed in a car crash. He has become a bum in his hometown of Istanbul, where his parents worry. A sports agent contacts his sister-in-law, Melanie, about a job in Detroit, where she lives. Metin's family begs her to come and get him out of his funk, so she does. They are both utterly grief-stricken, even a couple of years after the accident. They comfort each other despite their anger. He agrees to come back, and they fall into an enemies-with-benefits relationship. It all gets very complicated with Melanie's emotions. Liz Crowe makes us believe her fears and insecurities as she weaves Melanie's family history into the story. She makes us wait until the very last minute to know how things turn out.
I received an ARC from the author and left this review voluntarily.
I received an ARC from the author and left this review voluntarily.
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