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Santa Fe Bobcats #5

Completing the Pass

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From the author of Romancing the Running Back and the First to Fight series comes the latest in the Santa Fe Bobcats series!   Teamwork improves the chances of scoring . . .   When the Bobcats’ fate on the field is sealed, and they would rather give their starting quarterback, Trey Owens, a break, they call in Josh “The Backup.” But after Trey is placed on the disabled list for the season, all eyes are on Josh to lead the team. Josh’s sudden superstar status thrusts him into the spotlight, and garners plenty of attention from the ladies—except for one.   Carrington Gray is delighted to see her father released from the hospital—but not so much to see Josh at the celebration. Their mothers have long tried to set them up, although it’s had the opposite effect. But under the circumstances, Carri and Josh would rather go on fake dates to appease their mothers than rock the boat. Yet the more time these two work together on their little lie, the more they see the surprising truth . . .   Praise for the Santa Fe Bobcats series   “Engaging . . . A believable story that drew me in from the first page.”—Cocktails and Books   “Everything that I hoped for.”—The Reader’s Den   “The heat between them is hot.”—Stuck in Books   “A real hit . . . It was a fresh idea with a tried and true genre, and I loved that.”—The Book Pushers

229 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 19, 2016

21 people are currently reading
314 people want to read

About the author

Jeanette Murray

18 books406 followers
Facebook.com/JeanetteMurrayBooks

@KJMurrayBooks

Jeanette lives just outside St. Louis with her husband, daughter and their lovable-but-stupid Goldendoodle. When she's not writing her next romance, she's found hanging out with the new friends she's made here, catching up with old friends from past duty stations on Facebook, or surfing Pinterest pretending she can cook. Catch up with her on Facebook or Twitter for contests, sneak peeks of what she's working on, and updates about her life in general.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews869 followers
May 17, 2016
Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

4.5 stars

Reviewer's Note: Just a couple of chapters into Completing the Pass by Jeanette Murray I knew this was going to be a hard book for me and I debated if I should keep going and while it was difficult, I finished it and I'm glad I did because I would have wondered about this couple if I hadn't. You see the heroine in this story comes home and finds that her father is suffering from rapid onset dementia and being that she hadn't been home in awhile she wasn't prepared for the changes and she was angry with her mother for keeping it from her. While my mother didn't keep my father's rapid onset dementia from me, I can relate to so much of how the heroine feels every time I go back to visit my parents. This is a devastating disease and watching anyone deteriorate from it is grueling. So to say that the heroine's feelings on this part of the story hit home is putting it mildly, but like the heroine I have someone strong to help me through the angry times, the sad times and the times I feel helpless. So with all of that being said, Ms. Murray I applaud you for adding this element into your love story, because showing that sharing the load with someone who doesn't judge, who lets you be angry and sad and who is there to hold you when you need it makes all the difference in the world.

Josh Leeman and Carrington (Carri) Gray have known each other since they were in diapers, literally. Their mother's are best friends, they played together as children, they tolerated each other as teens and their animosity grew towards one another the more their mother's tried to push them together. Carri left Santa Fe after high school to go to college and settled in Utah, so that was the end of "the Moms" plan for Josh and Carri, but now Carri is home to help her Mom and while it seems she and Josh have picked up right where they left off bickering at each other there's a new element when they are together; one neither of them wants to admit but one both are finding hard to ignore--attraction.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and their verbal sparring and I appreciate that it was just their way, they lived to give each other sh*t. With Josh going from back-up quarterback for the Santa Fe Bobcats and Carri's life turned upside down they begin to realize they need one another to vent, share the things they can't share with anyone else in their lives and eventually their animosity turns to friendship and more. Oh they tried to deny it and Carri really didn't want to admit she wanted Josh because she felt she was playing into her mother's overbearing ways, but it was there and they really were perfect for one another.

As far as the relationship went, this book was pretty low on drama something I greatly appreciated because with both Josh and Carri having family and work drama adding anything else to their plates may have sent them over the edge and more than likely turned this book into an angst fest. Instead we got a pretty great adult romance with people who actually were decent at communicating and a man who was determined to give the woman he loved what she needed even if she didn't know it.

A whole lot of emotion, a lot of sassy sparring and some sexy loving made Completing the Pass an entertaining and very enjoyable romance.

Review copy provided for an honest review.
Profile Image for 1-Click Addict Support Group.
3,749 reviews489 followers
May 15, 2016
Frenemies to lovers...

Josh Leeman and Carrington Gray grew up together but friends is definitely not how I’d describe their relationship. As they look back and reminisce, with sarcasm-laced humor and outright hostility, it is not hard to see how, to this day, they straddle that fine line between love and hate…

“Sleek and sexy? Dangerous? Wrong words for Carrington. More like annoying, picky… wrong.”

They’re adults now, and firmly set on their chosen paths. Paths that are now plagued with rough challenges and, thanks to interfering mothers, they are walking them… together.

I love any chance I get to revisit the Bobcats locker room. Football players with brains, brawn, talent and a wicked way with the ladies. And Josh is no exception. Actually, he is more of the rule as he steps up on the football field, and in the friend department. He’s a strong man in so many ways but the vulnerability he showed—in his fears about his career and his own strengths—had me completely on #TeamJosh. Sweet, funny and insightful, that had his man card full to bursting.

At first, I wasn’t feeling that same connection to Carri. Don’t get me wrong. I ached for the struggles that she was going through. Family is complicated at the best of times, but this was the worst of times. Her crusty façade had me doubting what really was in her heart but, chapter by chapter, the supportive and truly loving person she was started to shine through.

A bittersweet but satisfying visit to Sante Fe—I hope there will be more! ~ Diane, 4 stars

~~~

Completing the Pass is the fifth book in the Santa Fe Bobcats series. I enjoyed reading the first four books, so I was hoping this would be another good addition to the series. And it was. Jeanette Murray was able to make me go back into this world and enjoy reading about yet another football player. I can’t get enough of this series.

I really liked reading this book. When the two main characters have known each other their whole lives, like Josh and Carrington, it just brings a different element to the book. They both know a lot about the other, yet they’ve never given each other a chance romantically. I loved seeing these two—who for so long annoyed each other—become something more and begin to have good feelings about each other.

I also thought this was an interesting take on a football book, as it was about a back-up quarterback. He wasn’t in the limelight until he had to step up. With the circumstances, I think that Josh handled the changes very well, and he ended up pushing himself to be better.

Josh and Carrington go through a lot—both with their feelings for each other and with the things that are going on in each of their lives. I really enjoyed reading about how they handled the things life threw at them and seeing that they made it out on the other side stronger people.

The epilogue was super cute and a good little view into their future. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series. Keep them coming, Ms. Murray! ~ Leah, 4 stars
Profile Image for Anna's Herding Cats.
1,274 reviews318 followers
July 5, 2016


Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1s8VXEj

Oh my gosh. Yall! These two were so much fun! Childhood frenemies. Meddling mamas. Sass, snark, squirm-worthy heat. Gah, yes! Completing the Pass was a total win.

The quick of it is that sometimes life is a bitch and the person you least want to help you weather the storms turns out to be the one person that's exactly what you need. So's the case for Carri and Josh. She's dealing with an ill father and having to uproot her life in another state to come home and help with him. And Josh is dealing with huge changes at work as he's suddenly pulled from second string quarterback to leading the team in the coming season. Stress galore and a desperate need for an escape kinda have them reconsidering all their past gripes with each other. Maybe.

Seriously. I loved these two together. They revel in giving each other hell and throwing a good zing. They're fun and just made me laugh as they drove each other nutty and then had the horror of suddenly starting to feel something...nice about the other. lol There were some hilarious moments, some really sweet and whew the heat was delicious! They definitely have chemistry and all that snarky sassiness flying between them so translated to yummy things once they hit the sheets.


I liked them as people too and getting to see them on their jobs and dealing with real life. Time on the field with the other footballers and learning how to deal with the media and fans suddenly turning all eyes on Josh. And with Carri struggling between needing/wanting to be home to help with her dad but also needing to be home and dealing with the life she'd created in another state--I totally related to that since I've had that battle before. It all really brought their characters to life and gave them a well rounded feel.

I really loved that they were there for each other when life really got hard. There's a lot of light hearted fun in this one but there's also some pretty serious stuff on the home front and I just loved them as they fought to survive it all.

All in all...yes! Murray did it again. Hilarious, heart warming and make-you-fan-yourself hot! Bring on the next!
Profile Image for Danielle.
1,339 reviews51 followers
May 19, 2016
I thought this story was cute and liked how different it was from the previous books in this series. Josh and Carrington grew up together but friends they were not. When Carrington returns home to help take care of her father the last thing she wants to do is hang out with Josh. But soon Carrington finds herself needing to escape her family sometimes and is thrown together with Josh.

Josh has his own issues going on, with the quarterback out its time for him to step up on and off the field. It doesn't want to have this go to his head so who better to knock him down then the one and only Carrington.

Murray not only brought a good amount of humor to their story but sarcasm. These two acted liked they hated one another but in reality it was foreplay of what was about to come. I loved learning that at one point they each had a crush on the other but never did anything about it and I loved how shocked they both were to learn about it.

When these two finally get together it's steamy and funny but yet what captured my attention is that they really didn't act any different. They still picked at one another and still used heavy laced sarcasm through their entire relationship.

Josh and Carri didn't have the drama in their relationship which I was thankful for. Instead the drama was focused on their families and Josh stepping up in his career. The more I read of their story the more I enjoyed it.

I was glad Murray put an epilogue at the end because I loved getting a little look into what their future would hold. While football might not be my favorite sport I loved reading about and the romance was very believable. I can't wait to see whose story will be next!
Profile Image for Lauren at Live Read and Breathe Reviews.
2,374 reviews179 followers
May 24, 2016

Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Intermix | Penguin Group
Normally I adore this series but this one took me awhile to get through. And the reason for that was Carri. I just didn't jive with her reasoning of why she couldn't be with Josh.

There was the crux of it. Carri was independent, and determined to live her own life.

"You're so much more than I thought you were. So much more than I expected. And you deserve better."

Argh!! WHY? Oh, Why must we have so many martyrs within the romance genre. Why?

"You'll never be sure if this right here is because of the moms, or because we were finally ready for each other on our own. Two adults making adult choices and finding out what works for us. Finding out who we love. Because I love you. God, Carri, I love you. And it breaks my fucking heart to hear you don't know if it's real. That you doubt me."

It breaks my heart to that the ONLY reason she doesn't want to be with him is because she doesn't want her mom to be right. I wanted more that this, because after awhile this reasoning got annoying for me.

Did I like it? Yes, I just didn't love it. Will I read more from this series and this author ? Yes, in a heartbeat. We can't love every character written.

All quotes taken from pre-published ARC & may be altered or omitted in final copy.



Profile Image for Lara.
Author 8 books9 followers
August 14, 2018
I think Carrington focussed too much on her mother's machinations. And, really, the two mothers were a little too involved in the lives of their children for it to be comfortable.

I think Josh acted a bit like a baby when Carri left to return to Utah, as had been planned for a while. (Dude, she's got a business back there!)

Overall, another enjoyable Murray read.
3 reviews
June 14, 2017
I love Jeanette Murray's books. She writes characters with heart and humor. I often set aside a few hours to read her books because once I start reading them, I can't put them down. They are the books I pick up and reread often.
Profile Image for Amandajane.
603 reviews7 followers
June 27, 2017
This is a great sports romance series with well developed characters and good stories. I really enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Shari.
871 reviews76 followers
May 17, 2016

This review was originally posted on Delighted Reader

Give me some football! The Santa Fe Bobcats are my fictional favorite football team. Highlight fictional since I am a die hard Indianapolis Colts fan and I don't see that changing (and even if the Bobcats play the Colts, I go Colts)! I have a great love for this series, but the last book left me with a bad feeling and I didn't know what was going to happen with this book.

I immediately jumped in Josh Leeman being called into the Bobcat head coach's office to be told he's up as quarterback after their start quarterback, Trey Owens (book #1) comes home from his honeymoon with a sprained ankle. His in head mantra's get old fast and I was afraid I was going to dump this book before it got going. Josh was raised by his single mother after his father abandon's the family.

Carrington Gray is back in Santa Fe after her father is admitted to the hospital. She learns he has dementia and her mother is having a hard time taking care of him. Carri has a business back in Salt Lake City running rental properties and flipping houses. Staying in Santa Fe isn't in the cards, but what else is she to do when her mother needs help? She couldn't wait to get away from her controlling mother, but her father's downslide in health has her staying in Santa Fe.

Maeve, Carri's mom, is best friends with Gayle, Josh's mom. The two have know each other since they were in diapers. See where I am going? These are "The Moms" and they have been matchmaking as long as they have known each other. Carri feels like she has no control over her life any more and her mother isn't telling her the entire story, which she suspects. Carri's dad was like a surrogate dad to Josh, so he is there support as much as he can. So the "Moms" start throwing these two enemies together.

When it all started, I wanted to smack these two for seeming so juvenile. The intentionally try to antagonize each other to the point I was ready to put the book down. I am glad I didn't. Josh feels an attraction to Carri and starts to be the the guy who gets her out of the house. Carri keeps Josh grounded as he struggles taking on the lead quarterback role. While they are realistic to each other, they aren't hurtful and slowly start a relationship. For Josh it is something he believes could be long term, while Carri is feeling trapped in a situation she is not enjoying.

I loved the dynamics of these two once I got past my irritation. Josh was a quiet supporter of Carri's. He did very unselfish things to relieve some of her stress and give her choices she didn't feel her mother was giving her. I can say I didn't hate Maeve, but she is one piece of work I would have had a hard time dealing with. I didn't get know Gayle as much, she you can see how much she loves her son, which is not what I felt from Maeve for Carri.

I especially enjoy and didn't enjoy reading the parts where Carri is dealing with her father. I liked that the elephant in the book wasn't hidden. He has dementia. It's not pretty and it isn't easy, but you see Carri working with her father through the good and the bad. It broke my heart at times, and made me laugh at other. My grandmother had dementia, so I knew what the struggles for Carri were going to be and just how they will say things they don't really mean, but still hurt. Never once did Carri blame her father for what was happening, but she also had very human emotions about what it was doing to her.

We get some hot football time. Not much mind you, but an opening play or two. There is training camp, pre-season and some seasonal games which made me a happy fan.

Josh knows his way around a woman's body, but I wouldn't say he is a man whore or womanizer. He just likes pleasing a woman. Carri gives back as good as she gets. Unfortunately are a few bedroom scenes, the later ones seem to be fade to black.

I was quite happy with the way this book ended and happy to see a bit of the future. Josh is a wonderful guy once you get past his insecurity in his own abilities. Carri was a little rougher to get along with. Mostly I sympathized with her on having her life taken over from her without any say, but I also didn't like how she handled Josh a few times. It all ends good for me, so I won't let any of that take away from my enjoyment of this book!

Challenge Info:

Literary Pickers: Tool Belt/Box
Book 'N Tunes: Not Alone by Harry Gardner - for Carri and her dad.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeVs6...

 

This review was originally posted on Delighted Reader

Profile Image for Vfc.
1,543 reviews
May 14, 2020
Carrington and Josh’s meddlesome mothers are intent on orchestrating their children’s lives, most especially Carrington’s mother, through circumstances.
Profile Image for Michelle .
2,128 reviews302 followers
May 26, 2016
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**
Completing the Pass is the fifth book in the Santa Fe Bobcats series. The Santa Fe Bobcats series is an adult sports romance series about a professional football team. I have not read the first three books in the series, but I did read the fourth book, Romancing the Running Back, and I really enjoyed it. In fact, I liked Josiah from that book so much that one of the only things I disliked about Completing The Pass was that I hardly got to see him at all in this one. It mostly features Trey, from book one, and because I have not (yet) read his story, I didn't have as much of a connection with him. Although, I have to say he seems like a great guy and after seeing how crazy in love him and Cassie are, I can't wait to read his story.

After reading two of the books in the middle of the series, I can now confidently say three things. 1) These books really can be read as standalones. You will have no problem whatsoever picking up on the story and following along. There is not much story line overlap at all. 2) I can pretty easily tell that all of the books in this series are going to be good. Jeanette Murray is a very solid writer, the romances are all wonderful, and I enjoyed this one more than Romancing the Running Back! If you like one of them, you will probably like all of them. and 3) I need to read the first three books in the series. I must read where trey and Cassie's story started, since they are the couple I have seen the most of in the two books I have read. (I don't even know who books 2 and 3 are about. That is how little they are in books 4 and 5.) This is a series that is right up my alley.

Josh and Carington are great. I loved that they have known each other their wholes lives and that their mom's have been constantly plotting to get them together. They have a really great bickering back and forth thing, and even though they both say they dislike each other, I never felt true hate or contempt in their words. They know each other better than anyone else, and I think they always cared about one another on some level. What I loved most of all was how Josh wanted someone to keep him grounded. He thought that when he stepped up to be a starting QB that all of the attention would go to his head, so he wanted Cari around to knock him back down a few pegs, which is really her specialty. I don't think Josh would have really needed that because he is such a supportive and grounded guy himself. He was always there for Cari. She was the meaner one, in my opinion. I really loved both of them, but she got on my nerves the way she was consonantly fighting Josh just because it was what her mother wanted. I mean, as far as excuses go, that is a pretty lame one! But overall, I loved the lifelong bond the two of them had, and watching them together was always sweet and fun.

Bottom line: Completing the Pass, while being the fifth book in the Santa Fe Bobcats series, it is easy for a new reader to the series to pick up with their story first. It was bantering, bickering fun, and a really great story. Whether you start with book 1 or book 5, check out this series if you love sports romances.

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
Profile Image for Sandy S.
8,200 reviews205 followers
May 19, 2016
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 17, 2016

Teamwork improves the chances of scoring . . .

When the Bobcats’ fate on the field is sealed, and they would rather give their starting quarterback, Trey Owens, a break, they call in Josh Leeman: “The Backup.” But after Trey is placed on the disabled list for the season, all eyes are on Josh to lead the team. Josh’s sudden superstar status thrusts him into the spotlight, and garners plenty of attention from the ladies—except for one.

Carrington Gray is delighted to see her father released from the hospital—but not so much to see Josh at the celebration. Their mothers have long tried to set them up, although it’s had the opposite effect. But under the circumstances, Carri and Josh would rather go on fake dates to appease their mothers than rock the boat. Yet the more time these two work together on their little lie, the more they see the surprising truth.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: COMPLETING THE PASS is the fifth installment in Jeanette Murray’s contemporary, adult SANTA FE BOBCATS erotic, sports romance series focusing on the members of the professional football team of the same name. This is second string quarterback Josh Leeman, and real estate investor Carrington Gray’s frenemies to lovers story line. COMPLETING THE PASS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Carri and Josh) COMPLETING THE PASS follows Carri as she returns to Santa Fe to help her mother look after her ailing father. Carri and Josh’s families have known one another all of their lives, and with Carri’s return their meddling mothers plan to push the couple together unaware that Carri and Josh’s relationship has been antagonist for many years. What ensues is the building relationship between Carri and Josh that slowly melts the ice around our heroine’s heart.

The long running love –hate relationship between Carri and Josh is a perpetual theme throughout the book but more so for our heroine who is unable to forget about the past. There is never a reasonable explanation as to why our couple has been frenemies for most of their lives but in the end, Josh needs someone to ground him as he takes over the Bobcats quarterback duties, and Carri is the only one to keep him in line. The $ex scenes are provocative and seductive.

The world building continues to focus on the Santa Fe Bobcats-the team, the friendships, the relationships and their loves. The epilogue fast forwards the story line four years, so I am not sure where that leaves the remaining players or the updates of the couples we have already met.

COMPLETING THE PASS is an entertaining and enjoyable read. At times Carri’s attitude and dislike of Josh ran a little too close to childish and immature-she was a difficult heroine to like in the early stages of the story as she continued to push too many buttons. The premise is heartwarming; the characters are engaging and colorful; the romance is a cat fight to a happily ever after.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley


www.thereadingcafe.com
Profile Image for Janell Sutherland.
200 reviews13 followers
June 10, 2016
I wouldn’t call myself a fan of sports-themed romance, but boy did I enjoy this story about a backup quarterback and the girl he’s known since he was in diapers.

Carri’s mom met Josh’s mom in a prenatal class, and they became best friends. Carri and Josh grew up together, first as indifferent toddlers, then forced playmates, always with their moms in the background hoping for a marriage. Can you imagine? That led to rebellious loathing and antagonism throughout high school. Carri moved out of state as soon as she could to escape her mother’s overbearing presence.

Josh has been the backup quarterback for the Santa Fe Bobcats for a few years, and he’s fine with it. He gets to live near his mom, he enjoys the team, and he doesn’t have a lot of job stress. Except, when the book opens, he learns that the regular quarterback has an ankle injury. Josh has to prepare to lead the team in the preseason, and possibly regular season. This means media attention, more fans, and interviews.

Carri is a house flipper in Utah, but her mother calls her home when her father is in the hospital. It turns out that Carri’s father has dementia and can’t be left alone. Her mother still has to work, so Carri fills in until they can find a full-time nurse.

When Carri and Josh meet up again, that same old, “ugh, it’s you” feeling crops up. But deep down, they’re friends, and they can tease each other like no one else. When Josh realizes that he needs someone to stomp on his ego, he calls on Carri. She needs a break from caregiving, and if she’s out with Josh, the moms will encourage it.

Josh is pretty mellow for an athlete (meaning he’s no alpha), but he does get things done. He forces Carri to admit that she doesn’t hate him. Then he says he wants her body, because it’s smokin’, and Carri doesn’t find him repellant, so they get it on.

This was an interesting relationship dynamic, kind of a frenemies-to-lovers trope. And it carefully asks the question, “What would you do if you suddenly liked the guy your mom has always wanted you to like?” Any woman who’s ever disagreed with her mother can see how traumatic this could be. Carri totally fights it — “I hate this whole life being decided for you crap. It’s the moms and their destiny talk all over again. Matchmaking from the cradle. How pathetic is this that I even care?”

Meanwhile, Josh is supportive, but also open about his need for Carri: “You could sit in the skybox and call me… Kick me back down when I’m getting too greedy, pull me back up when someone’s making me feel like shit.” Her response? “Nobody gets to make you feel like shit except me.”

I really enjoyed watching their relationship evolve. Their main conflict is fighting destiny, and the author manages to make it heartbreaking. Plus, these characters were just fun to be around.

Rating: A-

ARC provided by the publisher. This review originally posted on Red Hot Books
Profile Image for Morilyn.
1,056 reviews30 followers
May 30, 2016
Completing the Pass by Jeanette Murray is the fifth book in the Santa Fe Bobcats series. It's my first time reading anything by Jeanette Murray, so obviously I haven't read any of the earlier books in the series, which did not detract from my enjoyment of this book. Carrington Gray is called back home to help her mother with her fathers sudden onset of dementia. She's not at all happy about being at home, because it's obvious that she hasn't been told the whole story and she's expected to put her life on hold, while her mother continues working, to keep herself and her husband in a financially viable position. She's worried about her father, obviously, but finds herself expected to do the right thing, not given the option and also that at this point, there doesn't seem to be any plan about coping as he becomes worse. Having faced something very similar, I could easily relate to this family in crisis, with no idea of what comes next. Josh Leeman grew up with Carri - their mothers are best friends- and they relished their almost frenemy status! It was their mother's' fondest wish that the two of them would end up together. They had years of this manipulation growing up, but since Carri didn't come back to her hometown after college, they hadn't seen each other for a long time. Josh is a "backup" quarterback with the Bobcats; he's quite happy with this role, he's publicity shy and pretty happy that he doesn't have to cope with the fandom that Trey Owens, the star quarterback deals with every day. That is until Trey injures himself badly and is out for the pre-season and possibly the start of season as well. Josh has to step-up and take command of the team, like quarterbacks do.

With both Carri and josh facing new challenges as well as old ones from their mothers about getting together, they decide to bow to family pressure and spend time together and along the way they discover how good it feels to be around someone who knows you so well that you don't have to put in effort to keep them interested; there is no pressure to be anybody except yourself; that maybe, just possibly their mothers might have been on to something!

This book was heartbreaking at times, as Carri's father dealt with his own decline and how his wife and daughter reacted. Seeing your loved one fade away in front of you is devastating and Jeanette Murray dealt with this crisis with great empathy and as more parents and grandparents are diagnosed with this devastating outcome it is wonderful to read a contemporary writer introduce dementia as subject matter, along with changing family dynamics and romance. This book was a moving, emotional introduction to a new author. I will be looking up the earlier books in the series, now that I've been introduced to Jeanette Murray. I think we may well become book friends.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed for Once Upon an Alpha.

97 reviews2 followers
May 18, 2016
Usually, I write what I liked about a book before I write what I didn't like, but since it's just a small issue, this time, I do it the other way around:

I just read the blurb for the first time and don't really think it suits the book.
It creates the impression that the book is about Josh who has problems with sudden fame and girls who throw themselves at him and who tries to win Carrie's heart, when actually, the book is much more complex.
(For starters, there are no other women mentioned and only little problems with journalists.)

I liked the problems the characters had to deal with and their resolutions:

Carrie comes home to Santa Fe, because her father had to go to the hospital. There, she learns that he has increasingly severe dementia and her mother convinces her to stay until they manage to find a way to pay for daycare, since their insurance doesn't cover it.
Meanwhile Josh, who is the back-up quarterback, suddenly has to play for the starting one, when he hurt his ankle. This brings along a whole lot of issues, for example sudden press conferences or pressure not to let the team down.
To spent time away from the especially emotional hard duties at home (Carrie) and to have someone to ground him (Josh) they spent time together, something they never voluntarily did, because the tries at matchmaking by they mothers made them dislike each other.

I liked that the hero wasn't someone who normally stood in the spotlight, but just did his job and wasn't completely comfortable to step into it.
Another point is that this isn't neither the typical enemies-to-lovers nor the secret-crush-which-is-finally-reciprocated trope. No, they are just two people who were told from an early age that they would end up together and were annoyed by this, since they were never interested in each other, which (together with too much familiarity) led to them not being able to stand the each other.

And finally, I liked that the book dealt with (and made me think about) the topic of dementia in parents and how to react. Who takes the time off to take care of her/him when there is no possibility for somebody to come in? And how does it make you feel to see the person you once knew disappear?
That's a topic that is very acute because of people living longer, living long enough to develop such diseases.
Profile Image for Shayna.
1,812 reviews615 followers
May 16, 2016
WOW! I can’t believe COMPLETING THE PASS is by first book by Jeanette Murray because this is right up my alley! This was an absolutely hilarious and lovely enemies-to-lovers romance, that you will have no problem sinking your teeth into. This story is about finding that someone who grounds you when you need it the most. No matter what happens…how cocky you get, how much success you achieve, there needs to be that someone who will call you on your shit. Who better for Josh Leeman, than his childhood, pain in the ass, girl from next door, Carrington Gray. These frenemies haven’t seen each other in a while and when a family tragedy brings Carri back to her hometown, the annoyance and dislike for Josh is still there. When things take a turn for the worst, Carri’s stay is extended and because of their mother’s meddling, her interactions with Josh become more frequent. A love eventually blossoms from truth and respect, and the journey to get there is a beautiful and engaging one.

Josh is thrust into the spotlight and he needs someone on solid ground who can pull him back when things get crazy. Carri has no problem with this job because nothing brings her more pleasure than to put Josh in his place. In doing so, Carri learns more and more about Josh’s character and the respect and love grows from there. It was unexpected, but when you look back, it was always meant to be. Scared she didn’t have full control over her feelings with Josh, Carri needs to take a step back and re-evaluate. But in the end, there is no dispute. The love and respect they share is all THEM and THEM only.

This book just made me feel all warm inside. With hilarious banter and tons of swoony moments, COMPLETING THE PASS was a fantastic romance to lose myself in. Needless to say, I’ll be reading more of Murray’s Santa Fe Bobcats series in the near future.

Woman and man kissing

*Gifted copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for JoAnne.
3,139 reviews32 followers
October 16, 2020
Read my review on RomanceJunkies.com by clicking on the link below. It is also shown in full below.

http://www.romancejunkiesreviews.com/...

COMPLETING THE PASS (SANTA FE BOBCATS #5) has football at its core and hot players to go with it. We are on and off the field with the Bobcats and get to know their game and their spirit.

Murray's COMPLETING THE PASS kept my interest from the first page to the last. It was a quick read even with all the football references and flowed smoothly, considering this is the first book in the series that I've read. The main characters of Josh and Carri were multifaceted and had a depth to them, surprising each other as well, even though they'd known each other all their lives.

Josh and Carri prove there is a fine line between love and hate. She calls them frenemies! It was heartwarming to see them get closer, and who else but the matchmaker moms were rooting for them from the sidelines. Josh had a tenderness about him that surprised Carri, and she was more attractive both inside and out than Josh thought possible. They reminisced about growing up together but also had "a-ha" type moments when they realized they each had different memories of some of those times.

Josh's mom and Carri's parents were woven throughout the story. It was sometimes touching and other times heartbreaking to see their interactions. Carri had a life back in Utah, flipping houses and owning rental properties, but didn't know if she'd go back to that life or stay in Santa Fe where she grew up.

There are family and friends, football players, tears and arguments, laughter, get-togethers, loving and love. The epilogue gave a nice glimpse into the future but also tied up the loose ends nicely.

Murray is a new-to-me author, and I look forward to not only reading the first four books in the SANTA FE BOBCATS SERIES--ONE NIGHT WITH THE QUARTERBACK, LOVING HIM OFF THE FIELD, TAKES TWO TO TACKLE and ROMANCING THE RUNNING BACK--but her other contemporary romances as well!
Profile Image for Becky Rendon.
3,851 reviews81 followers
May 16, 2016
Josh Leeman's job just got real. As back up QB, he gets some play time but with THE TREY OWENS on the injured list- life is going to change. The media, fans, and regular people will respond differently to him. Not something he has ever considered or wanted previously, Josh is a bit wary about how this will work.

What he doesn't expect is his frenemy Carri to come home. Years since they really had to interact because their moms are best friends. They try to irritate each other to argument or frustration. (It happens with regularity.)

The problem with Carri's reappearance is Josh's new feelings. All of a sudden the girl that drove him mentally crazy is now driving his body crazy.

Carri is tired of her controlling mother telling her how to live her life. When her father is injured, she goes home to visit. Carri's visit turns into an open ended stay. Caught between the life she was living and helping her parents, Carri must decide what she wants. Its hard to decide when your head, your heart, and your mother's annoying voice all have different things to say- talking over each other.

Deciding to follow her heart despite the conflict of her head, Carri sees what she truly wants. But will Josh be a part of that?


Book received in exchange of an honest review. Reviewed on behalf of Once Upon An Alpha
Profile Image for Dee.
234 reviews
June 21, 2016
A sweet story about childhood frenemies who are given a chance to be around each other as adults. They come to realize that they really don't hate each other as much as they thought (although, we are never given the defining moment that caused them to become enemies other than it was their mothers manipulating their feelings). Anyway, I really liked Josh and felt for him as he was thrust into the spotlight, where he hadn't ever been, and really didn't want to be. I liked how Carri kept him grounded and didn't let all the attention go to his head. Josh and Carri were a good fit for each other and I enjoyed their story.
Profile Image for Taz.
1,570 reviews55 followers
May 11, 2016
Jeanette Murray gave an amazing inside peak into the life of back up QB Josh Leeman. What happens when you go from the background to pushed to the front? Josh needs to find someone to help ground him, you need your childhood friend since diapers Carrington Gray. Carri and Josh had a hate-love-hate relationship since middle school, pick on each other when the parents aren't looking. Josh and Carri have to learn to lean on each other as they are both facing life altering situations. Murray writes a touching look into the life of dealing with a parent with dementia, which is something that personal touched my life.
59 reviews5 followers
May 21, 2016
I think so far this is my favorite of the bobcats books... I love Josh... he is just a good guy, and the frenemies aspect is different and believable... really well done. Carri toward the end, got on my nerves a bit but it all worked out..

this book had humility and imperfection... it's just REALLY good.. her relationship with her parents, her father's dementia.. all written in a way that is believable.

5 ⭐
Profile Image for Heather andrews.
9,520 reviews161 followers
May 3, 2016

Josh is a strange man at times, "he shrugged. “I like that this wasn’t planned. That you wear ratty bras. That you didn’t just dress to seduce me.” Josh sure could surprise his girl at times, "he came over and wrapped is arms around her stomach and hugged her back against him. “What—” she began, but he cut her off with a quick kiss on the mouth. “Okay, then?” I liked this book, I loved Josh.
Profile Image for Lori N.
8 reviews
August 23, 2025
Literally the worst book by possibly the worst kind of woman. This author had a five year affair with my husband. She was in our home, she slept in my bed. She knew he was married and had a family and she continued the affair. While she is not solely responsible she is culpable and everyone should know what kind of human they are supporting when purchasing one of her books.
1,392 reviews
May 18, 2016
3.5 stars

I liked Josh. It was a good story with Carrie and their journey from frenemies to lovers.

I just wanted a bit more character from both of them and a bit more story.
But a good addition to the series
Profile Image for M.K..
Author 13 books35 followers
May 21, 2016
Another 5 star for Murray! I loved the characters. Real family issues, very little drama and mature problem solving. Sexy but not unrealistic. Murray's writing is refreshing and never disappointing!
143 reviews1 follower
June 3, 2016
3.5 stars
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