Sean Decker takes pride in his reputation as the best kicker in the league. His other reputation—for falling in love with every girl he meets—is more of an urban legend. Sure, he likes women, but he just wants to meet a nice one and settle down, especially since his latest hookup has gone all kinds of wrong. If he can just extricate himself from that suffocating mess, he swears to learn from it. And when he meets the blend of fresh air and independence that is Tess Colby, he knows she’s the one to help him.
Tess has no interest in being Sean’s latest conquest. Not only has she heard the rumors, but she’s focused on making the jump from bartender to sportswriter. In exchange for an interview, she’s willing to give him the same in-depth advice she always gives brokenhearted guys across the bar. But date him? No way.
Sean claims he doesn’t want to date. Just hang out. Although for some reason, his definition of hanging out includes kissing. It’s fun, but Tess knows she needs to stay strong. Not just for her own sake, but maybe for the kicker’s, too.
About the
Kate Donovan is a Niners fan, a wife, a mother, a lawyer, and an author. She has more than thirty books and novels to her credit, publishing in genres including fantasy, historical romance, legal thriller, romantic suspense, and young adult science fiction. Playing for Kicks is the fifth book in her Play Makers series, following Play by Play, Playing for Keeps, Play Date, and Power Play.
Media Type: eBook Source: Netgalley Dates Read: 1/7/25 - 1/9/25 Stars: DNF - No rating Narrator(s):
The Characters:
Tess Colby/Colbee: Sean Decker: Johnny Spurling, Emma Spurling
The Story: I have no feelings for these characters. Their chemistry is strange and it seems the married couple is more into Tess than Sean is. Tess is into Sean but it’s very instalovey. I keep thinking I’m ready for this to be over even though I’m not even 50 pages in. I was trying my best to give it a chance but #HailTheBail I’m done.
Tess Colby is a breath of fresh air to everyone she meets. She’s no slacker either. This lady went to the University of Hawaii where she majored in Philosophy yet she doesn’t see it as any big deal. Now she is not only considered one of the best bartenders around just ask anyone at the sports bar where she’s worked for the last three years. Her personality helped it grow from a modest little bar to a thriving hot spot where the local guy-and celebrities can rub elbows together and hang out. While working there she turned her journalism skills into some good use by writing bartending books. As she says they are meant mostly for other bartenders very tongue-in-cheek. She says she got lucky some big bartending schools have included them on their reading lists. She’s mow going to soon be moving on to hopefully be writing as a sports journalist. She just needed a meaty enough story that got a good amount of people reading it. Then she could write full time. So when she mentioned her idea of sports celebrities and product endorsements this is what the angle would be… “Does the celebrity who endorses actually use that product?” Once her editor heard it he contacted his friend a sports agent for help. Mr. Murphy put her in contact with Johnny Spurling, Mr. Quarterback himself and his wife actually new bride Erica McCall. The Holy Grail or interviews. Score! He is also the rep for Alexi Romanov who she will interview in a few weeks. During the first interview which is with Erica who she hits it off with, she gets another lead and possible connection to Sean Decker, the team’s kicker and both Johnny and Erica’s best friend. While she is there Tess helps Erica out with a catch phrase for an ad in turn Erica gives her a second idea for a future article to write about. The ladies are getting along so well Erica invites Tess over for dinner to meet and interview not only her but Johnny and Sean. At first Tess’s hairs on the back of her neck go up because Erica seems to be over selling Sean. But Erica reassures her that Sean is dating to someone already. So Tess accepts. Once Tess leaves and Erica has collected her messages she sits and plots how to not get tripped up on her plan on Friday night. For a fact she is trying to get Sean to notice Tess. To yes for sure to break up with his fiancée. Not that she doesn’t like her because she does, just not for Sean. Too much drama. She is sucking the life out of him. If he figures out the fix up he will dig in his hills with his intended and then there would be no turning back. I really enjoyed this book a lot. I totally enjoyed this author’s flair for writing. She has a way of totally investing you into each one of the character’s lives. Tess is any guy’s total dream. Totally into watching sports, going to sporting events, and is a bartender. Yet, so much more. She’s a free spirit, with a family of overachievers. Who she chooses not to be. She’s not looking for a guy just falls into friends due to her humor and her outwardly personality. You will find yourself wanting to know more about the other characters. This was not the first book I’ve read from this author and it won’t be the last. I give this 5++++ stars. Provided by netgalley.com. Follow us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com.
Tess Colby prides herself on being an a free spirit, she doesn't believe in letting the constraints of life hold you down, and she is bound and determined to live her life on her own terms. She spends her days writing and her nights slinging drinks in a sports bar, but she'd love nothing more than to retire from her bar gig and solely focus on her dream of being a sportswriter. Now she just has to muster the courage to leave her bar friends behind and tackle her dream head on, which may have just gotten a whole lot easier now that her editor has lined up interviews for her with some of the elite players from the Lancers football team. Having the opportunity to tell their stories may just put her writing on the map, and get her one step closer to accomplishing her dream. Meeting all of them is a dream come true, and the idea of being in close proximity to some of her favorite players is beyond thrilling, but she has to keep all her excitement under wraps, and maintain her cool as cucumber composure. Which seems easy enough... that is until she meets the team's famed kicker, his charming personality, and movie star good looks totally take her by surprise and knock her carefree life off of it's axis.
Sean Decker has a problem, he tends to fall hard for every woman he meets, and as of now they have all been the wrong women for him. He would love nothing more than to meet the right girl and settle down and have the same kind of relationships his teammates have, but as of yet his Miss Right just hasn't come along. His current relationship is totally dragging him down, and has him miserable beyond belief, he knows he just needs to cut the cord on the relationship and move on, but the idea of sending her back into the arms of her jerk of an ex has him feeling a little guilty. His relationship with her is costing him time with his friends, has him considering leaving his job, and feeling like he is being suffocated. After a chance meeting with a beautiful and alluring sportswriter he finally decides it's time to let his messy relationship go, and move on to better things. Better things being, a relationship with a sexy sportswriter ... only problem is she isn't interested in being the next woman in line for his bed...or his heart.
This was my first experience with Ms. Donovan's work and I have to say if left a pretty memorable first impression, those handsome football players really lured me in, and have me really looking forward to a return visit to the Play Makers series. Sean and Tess's story pulled me in right from the start and had me flying through the pages in search of what I hoped to be a very steamy happily ever after... and I am happy to report I found that...and so much more!! Definitely a very enjoyable and highly entertaining first read for me, and I look forward to reading more from this author. I highly recommend you give this read a try, Sean and his teammates are sure to steal your heart and leave you smiling like a fool!!
ARC requested through NetGalley, and kindly provided by Beyond the Page Publishing in exchange for a honest and unbiased review.
I recently re-read this book and my opinion of this book completely changed.
This is Sean's story. For a man who falls in and out of love at the drop of a hat, he has his hands full. Sean meets his newest "Love" when he drops by Johnny's house to meet the new journalist who's interviewing Jon, Tess. Shocked that she's independent, strong, and can stand on her own, Sean takes more than an interest. Even though he's engaged to Kerrie and hasn't broken it off yet, Tess doesn't put up with his "harem" of women. She wants nothing to do with his craziness and his "women." Sean has never had a woman turn him down before, that intrigues him. Now that he's engaged, he's getting to know the real Kerrie and he doesn't really like what he's seeing. She uses sex as a weapon and as a distraction to avoid talking about important things, knowing that Sean falls for it every time. This makes getting to know Tess even as a friend much more appealing.
Tess Colby is a bartender and an aspiring journalist with a laid back wit--who can give Bam a run for his money. She's trying to transition from bartending to writing. So she's cutting her shifts down at the bar to write some articles on sports, centering on Johnny and his football career. While doing the interview at his house, Sean comes by which Erica had done intentionally. Even though Tess had asked her not to. Tess tells her nicely she's not interested. Tess tells her cutely she not interested. Tess FINALLY gets fed up and leaves Erica's house in the middle of dinner. That's when Erica takes the BIG hint that MAYBE Tess doesn't want to be set up??
Sean is engaged to the Coach's wife. Kerrie seduced him, crying to him that her husband doesn't love her. Sean believed her and that was that. The gang does not approve, but they keep it to themselves otherwise they'll lose Sean. So Erica's meddling, trying to set him up with Tess is her attempt for Sean to find real love for the first time in his life.
There's a lot of chemistry between Sean and Tess that leads to something big. Will Sean screw things up per usual?
A must read!
** I was given an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley for an honest review. This book was really good. I just wish I would've read the 2nd & 3rd & 4th books before I found this one. I've read book 1 & wasn't too sure about it. This book was fabulous, the humour was great & I found myself laughing out loud many times throughout the book, Tess & Bam especially are hilarious. I loved how the character of Tess just fit in wonderfully with the other characters. I felt for Sean as he kept looking for love & never finding it, thinking he'd been in love for a while with his coaches supposedly soon-to-be-ex-wife he finds out that he's miserable when he meets Tess & experiences the freeing life that she lives. Tess is starting a new chapter in her career leaving the bar where she's bartended for the last 3 yrs to write a special article about football & advertising. That's how she meets Erica, Johnny, Bam & Sean. Erica's looking for a new bf & Tess fits the bill, plus she thinks that Tess & Sean would be great for each other if Sean could finally dump his coaches wife. The hilarity surrounding Kerrie(the soon to be ex-girlfriend) is shockingly funny. I don't know where Kate Donovan came up with reinventing virginity with surgery but wow.....The story was a little long but it was okay because you got that many more laughs & the enjoyment of the Triple Threat & their spouses. The coming together of Tess & Sean was a slow process even though it only took 2 months but it was sweet & funny. Sean the romantic had to hold back so much & Tess the pessimist kept thinking that the relationship would eventually end because Sean would find someone new. I definitely enjoyed watching the events unfold in the slow moving friendship/buffer-dating relationship of Tess & Sean. I will be going back to read the other books in the series to catch up. Definite recommend.
Big picture, I enjoyed this story. Yet I vacillated, which was a unique way to keep me interested.
Sean Decker, NFL Super Bowl Champion Kicker and 1/3 of the Triple Threat trio, is stuck in a toxic relationship that he's in the process of ending. Tess Colby, free-spirited bartender and aspiring sports journalist, interviews Decker and a friendship begins.
I was hoping for something better for Sean than I had seen in previous books. I liked him but I disliked the storyline with his previous girlfriend and I hated their break up scene. It was unrealistic and cheesy.
But once I got passed the break up, I was beginning to like Sean again. He reminded me of a softer Bannerman (Play Date, book 3), yet tactful and unique. It took awhile to see Sean's depth. At the first quarter of the book, I was still wanting to see more into Sean's head, he appeared a little shallow. Then as the book progressed, his sensitive strength began to surface again showing that he was indeed a man with his own unique opinion; albeit a sensual, gentle and sensitive man when appropriate, but strong and alpha to his core.
Tess was also a mystery. The supporting cast focus was primarily on Sean; therefore, Tess's complexity was being overlooked by everyone except Sean. Her unraveling by Sean is what held my interest and demonstrated his character depth.
Tess's humor was off the charts and was indeed the female version of Bannerman. The bantering amongst the supporting characters was amusing and charming. Donovan brought in most characters from the previous books in the series; which provided additional substance to the storyline.
I look forward to reading more from Donovan and I hope to see books for Alexi Romanov, Noah Cunningham, and Daniel Riga as a start.
I love this series and this is a great addition to it! I was telling my husband as I was reading this book that pretty much all the characters in this book are certifiable but they are SO fun, I love every one of them. This book could be read as a stand alone but because some of the backstory for Sean is told in earlier books and because of the deeply entwined relationships I highly recommend reading the whole series in order starting with Play by Play. This book finally tells Sean Decker’s story. Member of the Triple Threat, excellent kicker, forever falling in love, trapped in relationship hell Sean. I loved Sean, I have since the beginning and it was tearing me apart watching him with Kerrie (just like his friends) I was so glad he met Tess. Tess is an amazing free spirit with such capacity to love and she and Sean are perfect together. I loved watching them take it slow (unusual for Sean) come together, reach for what they want together…it was a really beautiful love story about acceptance of who a person is without trying to change them but with a heavy amount of crazy fun. Like I said I love all these characters and I was so glad to see them all again, in fact I see a full series re-read in my near future. I was also glad to see some new characters introduced so I have great hope that even though the Triple Threat is all happily paired off now that there will be more to come in this series….pretty please. I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not required and all views expressed here are my own.
There are times when we think we're in love and fall for the wrong person at a very wrong time and end up continuing the charade for different reasons .... This book deals with one such scenarios ... Sean Decker is stuck with a girlfriend who is totally wrong for him but is not able to get rid of her... He's strong but sweet and romantic at heart ... Enter Tess, a lively and charming girl who makes Sean realize what he's been missing but they don't plunge into the relationship right away and take their time knowing each other ... This is a sweet and romantic journey with a great mix of humor that will ensure you thoroughly enjoy the read. Plus, when the story involves hunky sports icons, what's not to like about it?
**Was provided an ARC in exchange for honest review by Net Galley.
I really like Kate Donovan's writing style and enjoyed this one. It was well written story with humor, romance, sports and drama (sometimes a little unnecessary). This is not a standalone and you should read the previous books to understand Sean, Johnny, Erica, Bam and Rachel and their friendships. I loved Sean since Playing for Keeps and it was great seeing him get a real chance on love. I felt like some things were left unresolved (like Tess relationship with her family), but it was a great story after all.
I have read and loved all the books in this series and I was excited to read more about the triple threat and to see Sean get his HEA. My only problem with this story was Tess. She was so wishy washy-she could never make up her mind. Even though Sean has a reputation for falling in love easily, he treats Tess wonderfully and gives her whatever she needs. I liked Sean and Tess together and thought they had a lot of chemistry. What really made the story was the secondary characters and I can't wait to read the next story in this series.
Kate Donovan wrote a cute novel about a girl bartender and an NFL kicker. Tess is spontaneous and crazy, just the things that falls in love with every girl he meets Sean needs. I loved all the secondary characters who brought out the craziness of everyone. Bam was my favorite!
I love the world Kate is building in this series. I'm also so glad that Kerrie was not Sean's soulmate. I wasn't a fan of their relationship at all. Tess is such a funny girl and great addition to the Lancer's family. Unlike in play date I like how the other characters make their appearances and get their POV's.
12 percent in and I am giving up. This book has a whole lot of weird stuff going on. I feel like I showed up for the party late and missed a whole such of drama.
Too many clothes on the model on the cover. Great book with lots of action, discussion, character development, and fun banter. I loved Bammie and Sean.
I could not get into this book for some reason or another. I found the storyline dry and dull. Tess was funny in parts but I generally found that this book was not interesting.