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Rough & Tumble

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#WhoIsBoBriggs
That’s all I saw all over social media a few years after he dumped me for a super model and was the first round draft pick for the North Carolina Hogs.
I thought I loved Bo, way back when, but it was all too cliché. He was the star quarterback and I was the head cheerleader. High school sweethearts turned college romance that crumbled when our careers twisted into different paths, or so we thought.
Oh and did I mention, I am about to start photographing his team?!
FML…This is going to be interesting to say the least.

133 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2016

23 people are currently reading
186 people want to read

About the author

Kristen Hope Mazzola

61 books1,101 followers
Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Hope Mazzola is a Florida native now happily rooted in North Carolina with her loving husband and two lazy basset hounds. After several years away from publishing, she has returned to the romance world with a renewed passion for storytelling and a bold, reimagined vision for her Shots on Goal universe. She writes every flavor of contemporary romance— from steamy rom-coms to gritty biker tales to emotional, heart-thumping sports love stories.


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5 stars
54 (22%)
4 stars
62 (26%)
3 stars
65 (27%)
2 stars
35 (14%)
1 star
21 (8%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Profile Image for Michelle.
2,103 reviews1,418 followers
February 4, 2016
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review

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 photo 1a20850d887c80ae011449ccd6903c_zpstl9bslnv.gif Short and sweet!!!!! So if you are a romance fan who loves second chances and happily ever afters, then Rough & Tumble by Kristen Hope Mazzola might be the book for you!!!!! Well there is nothing rough about this story at all unless you consider all the rough tumbling the hero and heroine does in the bedroom!!!! (LOL) Okay back to my review, this story is very short!!! I mean it's so short and I wished the author made it a tad bit longer since I really enjoyed getting to know Bo and Peyton. As a fan of second chance romance, Ms. Mazzola didn't waste anytime as she got her hero and heroine back on the field as they rediscover that spark and connection. As much as I love that Bo and Peyton are reunited, I wished the author did focus on their past. I think what makes a second chance romance memorable is what made these characters drift apart and why their love for each other didn't fizzle away. But other than that, if you are looking for a sweet, charming, and quick HEA read then I would suggest you give Rough & Tumble a try!!! And who knows, maybe this book might be a touchdown victory dance for all you HEA lovers!!!

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Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Kristen Hope Mazzola
Profile Image for Bookloverme.
620 reviews615 followers
February 24, 2016
A very short read about Bo and Peyton.

Peyton just graduated from college. She got her dream job right away: to be one of the photographers for North Carolina Hogs and her ex-boyfriend, Bo was their rookie quarterback.

She and her best friend, Brit went out to celebrate but she was drugged. Someone spiked her drink but Bo was there to rescue her and took her home. When she woke up and found out it was Bo who saved her, she wanted to go already because she thought he was still engaged to a model, Zara. But he made it clear that it's over months ago.

There was a light conflict but it was easily solved.

One thing I didn't like here was that when they broke up, she thought Zara was the reason for it. Yes, they wanted different paths but she thought he broke up with her because he wanted Zara who was also his ex-fiancé. I would have given this a 3-star rating but I liked the last chapter so I made it 4 stars.


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Profile Image for ✿kawehi.reviews.
1,453 reviews428 followers
February 4, 2016
☆ I received an ARC via Southern Belle PR in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! ☆

Teaser 2

A short, cute read about two estranged lovers meeting again in their adult lives after they already broken up-- Bo and Peyton's story was one that got me giggling to myself and thinking to myself on how you meet certain people in your life and how sometimes, even though things may not work out, that spark or twinge about them leaves an imprint on you and sometimes never goes away.

For Peyton (and even Bo), it was Bo and for Bo it was Peyton.

I really enjoyed seeing their dynamics, even though we don't get to witness the growth or compare the present which is now in contrast to the past, but over all I did feel that the two did come a long way to get to have a second chance many years later, to make right was wrong and start again or finally leave everything behind them once and for all.

I would have loved more to this novel, as it was more shorter than I had expected, but beggars cannot be choosers.

Kawehi
Profile Image for Michelle .
346 reviews26 followers
March 17, 2017
"With tears in both of our eyes, we stayed there in silence for what felt like forever, but it was only a few seconds. Finally, I broke out of my love soaked daze and wrapped my arms around Bo's neck. " I have been waiting to hear those words come out of your mouth since I was fifteen!"..... Peyton "Rough and Tumble"

Peyton is just starting out in life, fresh out of college and into a new home she lands a dream job as a photographer for the North Carolina Hogs, pro football team. Extremely excited to the new adventure coming her way except for the part that her ex Bo is on that football team. Knowing she's going to have to face him again kind of puts a damper on the excitement of the new job.

A chance encounter with Bo changes everything they thought about each other. Is this a chance to perhaps start over? Or is this going to be a problem now that they're technically working together?

Since Bo is a famous pro football player and Peyton was his former high school sweetheart things may or may not go the way they'd like. You'll have to read it for yourself though to see how this turns out!

What a fun story! Definitely characters you'll want to read more about!


Merged review:

"With tears in both of our eyes, we stayed there in silence for what felt like forever, but it was only a few seconds. Finally , I broke out of my love soaked daze and wrapped my arms around Bo's neck. " I have been waiting to hear those words come out of your mouth since I was fifteen!".....


Peyton is just starting out in life, fresh out of college and into a new home she lands a dream job as a photographer for the North Carolina Hogs, pro football team. Extremely excited to the new adventure coming her way except for the part that her ex, Bo, is on that football team. Knowing she's going to have to face him again kind of puts a damper on the excitement of the new job.

A chance encounter with Bo changes everything they thought about each other. Is this a chance to perhaps start over? Or is this going to be a problem now that they're technically working together?

Since Bo is a famous pro football player and Peyton was his former high school sweetheart things may or may not go the way they'd like. You'll have to read it for yourself though to see how this turns out.
Profile Image for Itsy Bitsy Book Bits.
699 reviews50 followers
February 9, 2016
If you love a quick read Rough and Tumble is for you. Kristen Hope does an amazing job of sucking you into the story right away. First there is Peyton. She just landed her dream job of being a photographer to an NFL time right after graduating college. What can go wrong you ask? Well for starters she decided to go out to celebrate with her best friend and old college roommate Brittainy. The place Brittainy chooses...what better place for 2 single attractive women to celebrate than a nice classy strip club... While Brittainy is distracted with the current stripper Roxy who has now finished her set and is sitting down speaking with Brittainy, Peyton starts to feel drunk. With Roxy and Brittainy nowhere in sight and Peyton somehow feeling intoxicated even though she only had 2 drinks starts to pass out in someone's arms. Who is this man that is carrying a passed out Peyton you ask...? none other than her ex-boyfriend 6 years and rookie football star to the team Peyton recently got hired to photograph. Peyton wakes up in a strange bed, dressed in different clothing from the previous night and starts to freak out, where is she?! Then, Bo walks in and offers her some aspirin and a water. After informing Peyton that a guy at the club drugged her so Bo decided to bring her home they hang out and catch up on missed time since they had broken up. While catching up on things, in a very compromising position, Zara, Bo's cheating ex-fiancé walks in and starts to cry trying to talk Bo into letting her come back. Will Bo accept Zara's apology and take her back?? Or will he and Peyton continue to work things out and go back to the way things were before their mutual break up...and what does all this mean for Peyton’s new job photographing Bo's football team...
Profile Image for Chrissy.
1,305 reviews104 followers
February 6, 2016
3.5 Stars

Rough & Tumble is a short and sweet second-chance romance.

Peyton just got the best news ever, she landed an amazing job as the team photographer for the Carolina Hogs, so when her friend suggests going out to celebrate, she’s all for it. She never expected to wake up the next morning in her ex’s bed. Bo was the love of Peyton’s life and the one that got away. When he saw someone slip something into Peyton’s drink, he brought her home to take care of her, and hopefully getting the second chance they both want.

Seeing how quickly these two fell back together was a bit unbelievable for me. In three days they go from living separate lives, to being madly in love again. I would have loved to see these two find out more about who they are now, instead of just picking up where they left off.

I did love that Bo wasn’t an egotistical NFL player, but a good guy who truly loved Peyton, and that Peyton didn’t let Bo’s fame get to her, but rather continued to see him as her high school and college sweetheart. Their chemistry is amazing, and their banter is funny and endearing all at once.

I love second chance romances, so I was excited to get my hands on this book. Peyton and Bo’s story is a quick read, but I couldn’t help enjoying their story. I really wish this would have been a longer book, so we could have had more depth into the story rather than a really quick read. Overall it was a great story, but just a bit too short for me and not enough depth.
Profile Image for Anna.
580 reviews20 followers
February 6, 2016
Bo and Peyton were high school and early college sweethearts. Their lives took separate paths and they broke up. Now, Peyton is a photographer who has just landed her dream job with the NFL. Bo has been drafted by this same team, and Peyton is unsure how working with someone she loves is going to work out.

My main complaint about this book is that it isn't longer. These were characters that I liked right away, and I would have enjoyed spending more time with them. That said, the author does pack a lot of steam into this short book. It is clear that Bo and Peyton are a fantastic match for one another, and have some serious sexual chemistry. Their compatibility is only made more clear as together they get through some tough obstacles with relative ease. Basically, I just want a longer book with these characters and these story lines expanded. I would read more by this author in the future. 3.5 stars

*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Jodie D..
577 reviews13 followers
February 6, 2016

I really enjoyed this quick read. For all the longer it is, it packed quite a punch. I was drawn in by the characters and the story line. I really hope we get more Peyton and Bo in the future. I'd really love to read the prequel to find out what happened before this story.

I love relationships that get a second chance. Peyton and Bo both realize that ending their relationship was a mistake. Even though I haven't experienced their love in the beginning, there is no doubt in my mind their love is true and will survive the test of time. They fell back together so quickly, just proving to me how strong their feelings are.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys short, hot reads. This book will not disappoint.
Profile Image for Sarah Queen.
226 reviews9 followers
February 3, 2016
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this novella we meet Bo and Peyton. Bo is the new rookie quarterback for the North Carolina Hogs. Peyton is the new photographer for team, but Bo and Peyton used to be high school sweethearts between high school and into college.

I loved this! both Peyton and Bo are lovable characters and its exactly what it says...steamy! This is well worth a read, it's a quick morning read with a cup of coffee, cant beat it. you're really going to want to meet Bo Briggs. Read it.

Kristen is a new author to me but i'm going to go back and read all her books now...she's awesome!
Profile Image for She Hearts Books.
2,113 reviews74 followers
February 4, 2016
Rough & Tumble is a sweet and sexy story about a second chance at love. Peyton and Bo were once together and in love. Then Bo went and threw it away. Now they are thrown back together and the sparks are definitely flying as they ease back into that love they shared. I totally loved Peyton as she made me laugh. Sassy she is. Now the only complication is that she is going to be working with his as the team photographer. Or maybe that's not a problem at all. I loved that Bo was all in and I mean all in. I enjoyed their story.

I give Rough & Tumble 4 hearts!
Profile Image for Courtney.
1,990 reviews210 followers
February 19, 2016
Short, sweet and full of love.

Rough & Tumble is very short love story about a second chance at love.

Don’t expect anything to be descriptive or drawn out. This story is cute and gets straight to the point. Small dab of drama with the rest full of love and happy times.

If you are looking for a very quick read that will put a smile on your face and leave you feeling very good – this is the book for you.
Profile Image for Linda Rea.
2,191 reviews15 followers
February 8, 2016
What a great but short story, and I love all of Kristens books so this was no exception. Peyton gets her dream job to become a paid photographer and where does she get it? With her old boyfriend Bo's team the Hogs that's who but she isn't concerned because he is engaged to a model. She and her friend go to a strip club where someone spikes her drink but someone sees it happen and is quick to react. If you want to find out what happened you gotta buy this book.
Profile Image for Kimber Hellmers.
493 reviews9 followers
July 26, 2017
What didn't I love about this read? Nothing. Just nothing. This is one of those unicorn shorts. A perfect speed, a perfect plot, perfect characters....all perfectly crafted. It has a little bit of everything without lacking anything. Seriously. This is a SHORT people, you have to roll with it. Insta - everything! Peyton and Bo were funny and honest without being silly or superficial. And she has a dog! Bonus points. I've already one-clicked both of the other books mentioned at the end, so I gotta run. But this one is a sure thing! Short, fun, sexy and solid!
Profile Image for Amanda Anderson (Beauty.and.the.bookies).
1,470 reviews71 followers
September 26, 2018
eh... I mean it wasnt horrible. I just expected more. The story was way too short even for a novella and EVERYTHING was rushed. and even inside the paperback that I have there were two more short previews of books. all inside a book no more than 130 pages. literally the day she sees her ex, they have sex and the next day he asked her to marry him (he already had the ring??) then that same day she decides to move in with him? Not my fav book but I do like Kristens other books so this was just a bummer for me.
Profile Image for Catherine Coffman.
751 reviews6 followers
October 1, 2017
Peyton get her dream job to be the photographer for the Hog's but there's one problem he ex boyfriend is on the team. She goes out to celebrate but some strange man puts something in her drink. Lucky for her Bo, her ex, is in the club and comes to her rescue.

Bo has never stopped loving Peyton. Can they get over the past and move forward? Is Bo really still engaged.

Great short story that was hot and a page turner.
1,591 reviews14 followers
December 2, 2025
They had been sweetheart’s since he was 14. Now he is all grown up. They split up for a few years. He depended too much on her. She needed to study her photograph while he kept pursuing his football career. The hadn’t stayed in touch, but still loved each other deeply. Now they had to love each other, grown up style
Profile Image for Chianti Summers.
Author 11 books42 followers
November 20, 2016
Voluntarily leaving a review. This is a really quick read. Rough and Tumble is sweet, sexy and gives you the warm fuzzies. It will also leave you with a smile on your face.

YaYa from Sinful Swag and Sass
Profile Image for Megan.
546 reviews2 followers
April 29, 2018
Short & amazing!

Kristen Hope Mazzola knows how to write amazing short romances. Rough & Tumble is no exception. I found myself wanting it to be longer. It’s short, sweet, and has the perfect amount of heat.
Profile Image for Lynne Fredo.
569 reviews1 follower
May 9, 2017
Rough & Tumble

This book was such a good quick read. I love the story about second chance love for Bo and his high school sweetheart.
764 reviews8 followers
April 21, 2018
Wow!

What a truly packed full short novella! Every page was a whirl wind of goodness! Funny, sweet, heat, second chances! This story had it all!
Profile Image for Kim Gauger.
3,315 reviews6 followers
April 30, 2018
here's to second chances

I love a good second chance romance and this short and quick one gives you that fix in just a short amount of time. Loved every word! Great read
Profile Image for Alice Wiki.
55 reviews
April 29, 2020
Lovely

Lovely short story.
Three and a half stars for this one, would've been a 4 if it had an epilogue.
22 reviews
May 26, 2020
Great read

I loved the story. It got right to the point. A no doubt story. It is a short and sweet read that I could read alot more of.
Profile Image for Andrea Fernandez .
4,839 reviews22 followers
September 8, 2024
A short, sweet and deliciously sinful second chance romance. I enjoyed this cute story.
Profile Image for K.
184 reviews
December 14, 2025
This one wasn’t for me. It had potential, but there were quite a few plot holes and important scenes that were missed.
Profile Image for Becca.
687 reviews55 followers
February 2, 2016
Rough & Tumble is a cute, quick, second chance romance. This short story felt like such a tease. When it was over all I wanted was more. I really enjoyed Bo and Peyton and the connection Kristen Hope Mazzola built between them. I’m a sucker for young love that gets rekindled as adults and this story definitely brought Bo and Peyton’s chemistry to life. I thought it was so clever the way in which they crossed paths again. It was different and memorable, allowing Bo to be Peyton’s knight in shining armor for the night. While I would have loved to see what their relationship was like in the past, the length of this story required Rough & Tumble to be incredibly focused on the here and now. Despite not being able to experience their shared history, Kristen Hope Mazzola relayed their familiarity and easy relationship in a way the reader could still appreciate. Aside from the emotional connection between Bo and Peyton, this story delivers some deliciously steamy moments, and a dose of just enough drama to keep me on my toes. Kristen Hope Mazzola definitely did a great job with this couple and I was surprised at my level of investment in so short a time. Rough & Tumble was a fun, light-hearted read that left me craving more from Bo and Peyton.
Profile Image for Tina.
612 reviews18 followers
February 9, 2016
When they say this story is a short story, they are not kidding. It has every element you expect to find in a book played out in fast forward and then suddenly it is done. Despite the fact it felt a bit rushed, Kristen took everything you expect in a New Adult story and fused it together in a whirlwind, keeping you engaged and curious. Rough & Tumble is a second chance romance for Bo and Peyton. Life's circumstances and misunderstandings tore them apart and when a second chance comes along, Bo will do whatever it takes to get her back. Their chance meeting sparks something new for these two but allows them to pick up where they left off in the past, diving right into the relationship and passion they always had before. I bet this story would be really great expanded into a full length novel, allowing the story to grow and connect. Yet as it is written now, you have a feeling of "wham, bam, thank you ma'am" that is a very short story. It is quick, precise, and all encompassing. Despite the rushed parts, it is a well written story that touches on many themes and emotions, which gives the reader a little bit of something to hold onto. If you are looking for a quick read, check this story out!
Profile Image for Kathy.
2,613 reviews43 followers
February 1, 2016
This is a quick, fun, romantic read; it is very fast paced. Peyton and Bo dated in high school and in college but like most young romances their dreams took them in different directions. Now years later they are being brought back into each other’s lives again. Peyton got her dream job right out of college; she is going to be photographing a NFL football team. That just happens to be the team Bo is on. She has no idea how it is going to feel seeing him again after all this time. Then while celebrating her new job with a night out she is finds herself reuniting with Bo sooner than she thought she would. How will things go? Bo is supposed to be engaged to a model. Will Bo and Peyton get a second chance together or can they only be friends? This book is very fast paced. Bo and Peyton seem to fall right back together as if no time had ever passed. I would love to read a full length book about them. Peyton’s friend Brittainy is a great character and I would love to read more about her as well. I love the shorts Kristen writes but I am itching for another full length one from her. Another great job Kristen.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews

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