What do you think?
Rate this book
ESC Mavericks #2
Unnecessary Roughness
Owen
Three years ago, the high school rivalry I had with Nate Vincent kept me at the top of my game. But then I made one stupid mistake, and both of our promising careers took a nosedive because of it. Now the only school that will let me play is the same one Nate landed at: the ESC Mavericks.
I want to make amends, but the second Nate sees me, that old rivalry flares to life. Only this time, it burns off the field, too. All of the confused teenage feelings I had for Nate come back with a vengeance, and the tension crackles between us until we inevitably take our competition to the next level: the bedroom.
At first, it's just about screwing each other senseless and gaining the upper hand. But as the walls come down, I start to see who Nate really is--and how my actions changed him. I know I'm falling for him, but can he ever love the guy who ruined his life?
Nate
Back in high school, I was on a fast track to an NFL career. Until that assh*le Owen Collins ruined everything by spreading my business all over town. Now that he's on the Mavericks, I have to make nice or I'll be riding the bench for the rest of the season.
I'd like to say I can be the bigger man and ignore him, but Owen gets under my skin like nobody else. He turns me on like nobody else, too, and every time we clash all I can think about is making his toes curl and his eyes roll back in his head as I torment him in the best possible way.
It'd be one thing if it was just physical, but the more I learn about Owen's life, the more I find myself understanding what he did to me--to us--in high school. I'm starting to feel things I've never let myself feel before, but can I really give my heart to a guy who's already betrayed me once?
Unnecessary Roughness is an extra-steamy story of enemies turned lovers. It is the second book in the ESC Mavericks series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Three years ago, the high school rivalry I had with Nate Vincent kept me at the top of my game. But then I made one stupid mistake, and both of our promising careers took a nosedive because of it. Now the only school that will let me play is the same one Nate landed at: the ESC Mavericks.
I want to make amends, but the second Nate sees me, that old rivalry flares to life. Only this time, it burns off the field, too. All of the confused teenage feelings I had for Nate come back with a vengeance, and the tension crackles between us until we inevitably take our competition to the next level: the bedroom.
At first, it's just about screwing each other senseless and gaining the upper hand. But as the walls come down, I start to see who Nate really is--and how my actions changed him. I know I'm falling for him, but can he ever love the guy who ruined his life?
Nate
Back in high school, I was on a fast track to an NFL career. Until that assh*le Owen Collins ruined everything by spreading my business all over town. Now that he's on the Mavericks, I have to make nice or I'll be riding the bench for the rest of the season.
I'd like to say I can be the bigger man and ignore him, but Owen gets under my skin like nobody else. He turns me on like nobody else, too, and every time we clash all I can think about is making his toes curl and his eyes roll back in his head as I torment him in the best possible way.
It'd be one thing if it was just physical, but the more I learn about Owen's life, the more I find myself understanding what he did to me--to us--in high school. I'm starting to feel things I've never let myself feel before, but can I really give my heart to a guy who's already betrayed me once?
Unnecessary Roughness is an extra-steamy story of enemies turned lovers. It is the second book in the ESC Mavericks series, but it can be read as a standalone.
170 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 22, 2018
47 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
dnf
February 25, 2018DNF.
I enjoyed Hendricks' Eastshore Tigers series, and I would recommend it if you’re in the mood for sexy yet sweet NA sports romance.
This...was not like the Eastshore Tigers series. At all.
ETA: I wasn’t going to address this because I’m not a health care professional and my knowledge on the subject is limited to publicly available information. I didn't want to get anything wrong. But then I saw a 1-star Amazon review from an actual health care professional, and it validated my concerns. So I’m addressing it.
One of our MCs, Nate, is known as the “go-to” guy, so to speak, for “straight” jocks who want to have sex with other men. It’s hammered home, hard and often, that he is very promiscuous. And we infer that Nate's appeal is due to the widespread knowledge that he is on PrEP and willing to have unprotected sex. An actual line about a hook-up: “He’s been a regular “customer” since I started on PrEP.”
It comes up again when he and Owen, the other MC, eventually have sex. Owen brings up condoms, and Nate says that they don’t need to use them because he’s on PrEP.
I didn’t realize that PrEP protects against other STIs. Oh wait - it doesn’t? I also didn’t realize that PrEP was 100% effective against preventing HIV. Oh wait - like any medication, it can be used incorrectly and, as such, is not 100% effective? So when you had countless (and I’m not slut-shaming, it’s described that way) hook-ups with people who you didn’t discuss status with and didn’t use condoms with and sometimes didn’t even know the names of, there was no possibility that you might have contracted an STI?
People are not perfect. We make mistakes, especially when it comes to sex. And a good author can make these types of mistakes into teachable moments. But this? This was beyond irresponsible and infuriating because it never once, not for one second, portrayed this behavior as unsafe.
I recently abandoned a m/f story where the characters similarly ignored condoms because the girl was on birth control. The guy in that book (just like Nate) was very promiscuous. But the only concern there was unwanted pregnancy. Never mind the unwanted gonorrhea!
Safe sex is pretty important to me in a contemporary romance. In fiction, I can and will let certain things slide, but I'm not down with promoting inaccurate information and unsafe sexual practices.
I enjoyed Hendricks' Eastshore Tigers series, and I would recommend it if you’re in the mood for sexy yet sweet NA sports romance.
This...was not like the Eastshore Tigers series. At all.
ETA: I wasn’t going to address this because I’m not a health care professional and my knowledge on the subject is limited to publicly available information. I didn't want to get anything wrong. But then I saw a 1-star Amazon review from an actual health care professional, and it validated my concerns. So I’m addressing it.
One of our MCs, Nate, is known as the “go-to” guy, so to speak, for “straight” jocks who want to have sex with other men. It’s hammered home, hard and often, that he is very promiscuous. And we infer that Nate's appeal is due to the widespread knowledge that he is on PrEP and willing to have unprotected sex. An actual line about a hook-up: “He’s been a regular “customer” since I started on PrEP.”
It comes up again when he and Owen, the other MC, eventually have sex. Owen brings up condoms, and Nate says that they don’t need to use them because he’s on PrEP.
I didn’t realize that PrEP protects against other STIs. Oh wait - it doesn’t? I also didn’t realize that PrEP was 100% effective against preventing HIV. Oh wait - like any medication, it can be used incorrectly and, as such, is not 100% effective? So when you had countless (and I’m not slut-shaming, it’s described that way) hook-ups with people who you didn’t discuss status with and didn’t use condoms with and sometimes didn’t even know the names of, there was no possibility that you might have contracted an STI?
People are not perfect. We make mistakes, especially when it comes to sex. And a good author can make these types of mistakes into teachable moments. But this? This was beyond irresponsible and infuriating because it never once, not for one second, portrayed this behavior as unsafe.
I recently abandoned a m/f story where the characters similarly ignored condoms because the girl was on birth control. The guy in that book (just like Nate) was very promiscuous. But the only concern there was unwanted pregnancy. Never mind the unwanted gonorrhea!
Safe sex is pretty important to me in a contemporary romance. In fiction, I can and will let certain things slide, but I'm not down with promoting inaccurate information and unsafe sexual practices.
March 16, 2022
** 2.5 stars **
Another casualty of THHTS: Too Happy Halfway-Through Syndrome. I see this plot structure occasionally in m/m romance (maybe it shows up in all types of romance, but I only read m/m), and it simply does not work for me. Around the halfway mark (60% for this book), the MCs have reached their HEA. Except — there's still a huge chunk of book remaining. Gee, what could possibly be awaiting the reader in that chunk?
You know what. Drama, misunderstanding, misery, separation, angst, lots of homophobia from family members &/or work environment — and then they'll get their HEA again — So why not just stop at the first HEA, and save myself (and them) a whole lot of gratuitous, manufactured suffering?
I did, and skipped ahead to the epilogue.
This plot structure is a guaranteed fail for me, but the book isn't terrible, and I can see how other people might enjoy it. It's a genuine enemies-to-lovers story. Although it takes a while, the guy who's responsible for the bad blood between them finally does apologize (although I wouldn't have been averse to more groveling, just sayin'). Those who like American football, or have liked the author's other books, might enjoy this more than I did.
Another casualty of THHTS: Too Happy Halfway-Through Syndrome. I see this plot structure occasionally in m/m romance (maybe it shows up in all types of romance, but I only read m/m), and it simply does not work for me. Around the halfway mark (60% for this book), the MCs have reached their HEA. Except — there's still a huge chunk of book remaining. Gee, what could possibly be awaiting the reader in that chunk?
You know what. Drama, misunderstanding, misery, separation, angst, lots of homophobia from family members &/or work environment — and then they'll get their HEA again — So why not just stop at the first HEA, and save myself (and them) a whole lot of gratuitous, manufactured suffering?
I did, and skipped ahead to the epilogue.
This plot structure is a guaranteed fail for me, but the book isn't terrible, and I can see how other people might enjoy it. It's a genuine enemies-to-lovers story. Although it takes a while, the guy who's responsible for the bad blood between them finally does apologize (although I wouldn't have been averse to more groveling, just sayin'). Those who like American football, or have liked the author's other books, might enjoy this more than I did.
July 9, 2018
Alison Hendricks is my go-to author when I want a book to put a smile on my face and this didn’t disappoint .
Admittedly, the story wasn’t perfect and there were a few things it could’ve done without, but in their own way they added to my reading experience so I can’t really complain too much. It also really came down to the fact that both MCs made me care about them and sometimes , that’s all it takes.
I suspect Eli’s book is next and I’m very interested in how it turns out
Admittedly, the story wasn’t perfect and there were a few things it could’ve done without, but in their own way they added to my reading experience so I can’t really complain too much. It also really came down to the fact that both MCs made me care about them and sometimes , that’s all it takes.
I suspect Eli’s book is next and I’m very interested in how it turns out
July 2, 2018
Another winner from Hendricks
This is another superb sports romance from Alison Hendricks and even better than the first in the series.
A true enemies to lovers romance, it's full of high school rivalries carried on into young adulthood and is full of sexual tensions and drama.
I liked both characters, each had flaws which meant they both acted like complete idiots at times but there wasn't any dramady in this one. The conflicts were born out of real fears and pent-up emotions.
More please!
This is another superb sports romance from Alison Hendricks and even better than the first in the series.
A true enemies to lovers romance, it's full of high school rivalries carried on into young adulthood and is full of sexual tensions and drama.
I liked both characters, each had flaws which meant they both acted like complete idiots at times but there wasn't any dramady in this one. The conflicts were born out of real fears and pent-up emotions.
More please!
February 24, 2018
Not for me, insta-lust after being enemies at the high school. Zero relationship building, they hate each other and they end fooling around so quickly! Also Nate´s character get on my nerves in several occasions.
April 24, 2018
I know I'm repeating myself, but I really, really like Alison Hendricks' football themed MM Romance novels.
This series, as well as the Eastshore Tigers series, focus on New Adult romance featuring college football players. Each is a stand alone novel even though previous characters make an occasional appearance.
These books always put a smile on my face as I watch two talented young men overcome obstacles and start their new lives with a true love.
A big thank to the author for this wonderful ARC
This series, as well as the Eastshore Tigers series, focus on New Adult romance featuring college football players. Each is a stand alone novel even though previous characters make an occasional appearance.
These books always put a smile on my face as I watch two talented young men overcome obstacles and start their new lives with a true love.
A big thank to the author for this wonderful ARC
February 25, 2018
First person POV. Clunky and partial character development. A lot of it was “told”, even after the fact, instead of it coming out through the MCs behaviors and internal thoughts. Some of it was never fully explained. For examle, Nate’s promiscuity, Owen’s sexuality, Owen’s attraction to Nate, Owen’s controlling father. The relationship development never got off the ground before the separaton plot device. Also, the relationship sex never matched the heat level of the hate sex.
March 28, 2018
4.5 'I seem to be going against the majority here but I really enjoyed this it was just what I needed. I love a good enemies to lovers book with lots of cant stand you and I wanna smash you in the fucking face but cant keep my dick outta you fucking. When they happen to be two hot as hell American Football players ... BONUS. I liked Nate and Owens story and the progression of their relationship. Only thing I would have liked was seeing Garrett or Diego from the first book but that's just me. All the other things people have mentioned not an issue for me. There is so much shit in books I read that wouldnt cut it in real life that I let slide cos its my book world, so yeah. Really enjoyed it' stars.
March 29, 2018
somewhere between 3 and 3.5 stars
There were things I really liked and things that didn't work so well for me
There were things I really liked and things that didn't work so well for me
March 29, 2019
I'm so happy that M/M sports romances exist!
This was a great read. I wish it was longer! I liked seeing Nate and Owen as rivals and the tension between them. Owen struggled with his feelings for a while, but with a dad like his, no wonder. The only thing I missed was there was no mention of the boys from the previous book. I would've liked to see them again.
This was a great read. I wish it was longer! I liked seeing Nate and Owen as rivals and the tension between them. Owen struggled with his feelings for a while, but with a dad like his, no wonder. The only thing I missed was there was no mention of the boys from the previous book. I would've liked to see them again.
March 14, 2018
this is a enemies to lovers college romance.
not the best I've read from Alison, but it still kept my interest to the end.
not the best I've read from Alison, but it still kept my interest to the end.
May 28, 2018
Good story. I like the rivalry between Nate & Owen and how they had to live together to understand how something that happens in high school can care over in life further if you don't deal with it.
September 30, 2022
This was my first ETL book and I enjoyed it a lot. It was easy to connect with both guys and understand their respective points of view. The football theme was woven in well and being from Florida I knew the areas.
June 6, 2018
I would have given this five stars if the plot was more original..
As it was, it reminded me too much of Down by Contact by Santino Hassell. Not verbatim, mind you because that would be plagiarism. A football romance where the MCs have a history of antagonism, a nasty rivalry. One is basically a hole with legs and the other was so deeply in the closet that Google probably couldn't find him. The verbal sparring is a form of foreplay between them until neither can take it any longer and basically one dares the other into sex. Unprotected first time sex and the excuse given is that they had physicals at the beginning of the year and they are both clean.
I don't have reread Down by Contact because Ms. Hendricks just gave me another version of it.
Nate sleeps around, glorifies his freedom of being able to sleep with any man of any orientation. At times he comes off as a borderline sex addict. There comes a point where he is having feelings for Owen or just wanting him in general but he still goes out to suck and fuck other men. Hmmm.. That's a turn off for me... I can't really wrap my head around the concept of using others that way or allowing yourself to be used.
Owen is big messy bag of confused things that doesn't get straightened until he sees Nate getting fucked by some random dude. He sets out to white knight Nate out of his sex spiral or at least, set a standard for himself and not just be an available hole. Good thought right? But poor Owen is too tied to his Daddy and used to being manipulated to own up to liking dick.
Seriously.. I liked the book , just wish I liked it for its own sake rather than what it ripes off.
As it was, it reminded me too much of Down by Contact by Santino Hassell. Not verbatim, mind you because that would be plagiarism. A football romance where the MCs have a history of antagonism, a nasty rivalry. One is basically a hole with legs and the other was so deeply in the closet that Google probably couldn't find him. The verbal sparring is a form of foreplay between them until neither can take it any longer and basically one dares the other into sex. Unprotected first time sex and the excuse given is that they had physicals at the beginning of the year and they are both clean.
I don't have reread Down by Contact because Ms. Hendricks just gave me another version of it.
Nate sleeps around, glorifies his freedom of being able to sleep with any man of any orientation. At times he comes off as a borderline sex addict. There comes a point where he is having feelings for Owen or just wanting him in general but he still goes out to suck and fuck other men. Hmmm.. That's a turn off for me... I can't really wrap my head around the concept of using others that way or allowing yourself to be used.
Owen is big messy bag of confused things that doesn't get straightened until he sees Nate getting fucked by some random dude. He sets out to white knight Nate out of his sex spiral or at least, set a standard for himself and not just be an available hole. Good thought right? But poor Owen is too tied to his Daddy and used to being manipulated to own up to liking dick.
Seriously.. I liked the book , just wish I liked it for its own sake rather than what it ripes off.
February 26, 2018
3.75 stars rounded up
So three years previously, being rivals on their school, Owen did something that pretty much destroyed any potential of him and Nate ever being friends. Now, going to the same team with Nate, Owen wanted to make amends. Of course for Nate, that was OUT of the question...
I thought this was a quite entertaining rivals-to-lovers story. Yes, their rivalry seems to be rather juvenile for me, but HEY, they are college kids. PLUS what Owen did back in high school was pretty shitty () so I got why Nate was angry.
But what is important for me -- to enjoy ANY enemies-to-lovers story -- is whether or not I can believe the process of them being lovers. I don't particularly can enjoy hate sex; heck, I tend to skip sex scenes altogether, remember? In here, I thought Nate being vulnerable with Owen's questioning his sex life, and then end up being boyfriends, was convincing.
Sure, I was hoping that Owen did a grand gesture when he messed up again for the final time, but his LOVE confession to Nate made up for it ^^
So three years previously, being rivals on their school, Owen did something that pretty much destroyed any potential of him and Nate ever being friends. Now, going to the same team with Nate, Owen wanted to make amends. Of course for Nate, that was OUT of the question...
I thought this was a quite entertaining rivals-to-lovers story. Yes, their rivalry seems to be rather juvenile for me, but HEY, they are college kids. PLUS what Owen did back in high school was pretty shitty () so I got why Nate was angry.
But what is important for me -- to enjoy ANY enemies-to-lovers story -- is whether or not I can believe the process of them being lovers. I don't particularly can enjoy hate sex; heck, I tend to skip sex scenes altogether, remember? In here, I thought Nate being vulnerable with Owen's questioning his sex life, and then end up being boyfriends, was convincing.
Sure, I was hoping that Owen did a grand gesture when he messed up again for the final time, but his LOVE confession to Nate made up for it ^^
March 9, 2018
3,5 estrelas!
Bom, eu estou empacada na leitura de "Ready Player One" há um tempo, então fui procurar algo para ler que estivesse disponível no Kindle Unlimited e surgiu esse livro. A premissa é interessante, achei que seria uma boa distração... e foi.
O livro é curtinho, o que é bom porque a leitura é rápida, mas ao mesmo tempo acho que umas 30 páginas a mais teriam ajudado um pouco a história a fluir melhor, porque pareceu que os personagens se odiavam e daí do nada um gostava do outro desde o ensino médio e lidou com isso da forma errada, mas agora percebe que não tem como fugir dos seus sentimentos e etc. Só que fica a sensação de que nem todo esse desenvolvimento dos personagens e o relacionamento entre eles é descrito no livro - parte dessa informação fica meio que subentendida, eles só falam que é isso, mas não é mostrado.
Enfim, serviu pro propósito, que era me entreter e ser uma leitura rápida, e eu já imaginava que seria meio clichê e não necessariamente bem desenvolvido - até porque o livro só tem 170 páginas. Fiquei até a fim de ler o 1º livro da série, só para não deixá-la "em aberto".
Bom, eu estou empacada na leitura de "Ready Player One" há um tempo, então fui procurar algo para ler que estivesse disponível no Kindle Unlimited e surgiu esse livro. A premissa é interessante, achei que seria uma boa distração... e foi.
O livro é curtinho, o que é bom porque a leitura é rápida, mas ao mesmo tempo acho que umas 30 páginas a mais teriam ajudado um pouco a história a fluir melhor, porque pareceu que os personagens se odiavam e daí do nada um gostava do outro desde o ensino médio e lidou com isso da forma errada, mas agora percebe que não tem como fugir dos seus sentimentos e etc. Só que fica a sensação de que nem todo esse desenvolvimento dos personagens e o relacionamento entre eles é descrito no livro - parte dessa informação fica meio que subentendida, eles só falam que é isso, mas não é mostrado.
Enfim, serviu pro propósito, que era me entreter e ser uma leitura rápida, e eu já imaginava que seria meio clichê e não necessariamente bem desenvolvido - até porque o livro só tem 170 páginas. Fiquei até a fim de ler o 1º livro da série, só para não deixá-la "em aberto".
January 27, 2021
This is a short book, more of a novella than a novel. This is a "romance novel" with cheesy sex scenes, etc. However, it is more than that. This is a romance between two men, one of whom was outed in high school, and the other of whom is in the closet. The author has unusual empathy for these characters, especially for the closeted character. Living in the closet does crazy things to your head and it can make you act real crazy. This book does not judge these characters. When you are done reading the book, you understand these men and where they are coming from. The book also does a very nice job of depicting what it is like to be loved. Neither of these characters has really experience that before, and it is a revelation to both of them, but in different ways.
I did not get emotional over this, but I appreciate the sensitivity of this author and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Every time I read a book by this author, I say to myself, this woman has got to be a gay man on the inside, lol. She really gets it.
I did not get emotional over this, but I appreciate the sensitivity of this author and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Every time I read a book by this author, I say to myself, this woman has got to be a gay man on the inside, lol. She really gets it.
February 23, 2018
Ahh football!!
I loved this book and these characters. This is an enemies to lovers romance with football on top so really what's not to love. These two are easy beyond hot and once they finally get past their drama...well as past it as they do...these two are magic!! Neither had the easiest path in growing up and so poor choices that were made from confusion and jealously destroyed them when they were young and when they meet again as adults things explode and not in that hotsexy way..at least at first. When they do move past the past though these two are unstoppable on the field but off there are still a couple of hurdles to cross. This is a story of letting go of the past and accepting who you truly are no matter the cost. This story is filled with those enemy battles then those hot as sin moments after the battle is over!! Loved this book and can't wait for more from this author!!
I loved this book and these characters. This is an enemies to lovers romance with football on top so really what's not to love. These two are easy beyond hot and once they finally get past their drama...well as past it as they do...these two are magic!! Neither had the easiest path in growing up and so poor choices that were made from confusion and jealously destroyed them when they were young and when they meet again as adults things explode and not in that hotsexy way..at least at first. When they do move past the past though these two are unstoppable on the field but off there are still a couple of hurdles to cross. This is a story of letting go of the past and accepting who you truly are no matter the cost. This story is filled with those enemy battles then those hot as sin moments after the battle is over!! Loved this book and can't wait for more from this author!!
March 8, 2018
Ahhh....Owen and Nate....a enemies to friends to lover's kinda tale set in the world of the Mavericks.
Another good story about two men who, maybe they want to kill each other, maybe they love each other....let's see how this plays out.
You have one guy, Owen, playing ball and having sex, that's what his life is all about. He really has no other worries it would appear. That is, until is high school rival and worst enemy who outed him comes to play on the same team-literally ;)
The two have so much pain and animosity against each other, you honestly think there is no way they can find the right way to just BE around each other, but, in the end, after some hard fought battles internally, the two men come to a mutually agreed upon relationship that...unfortunately, they can't keep the feeling's at bay.
All in all, another decent installment in this series:)
Another good story about two men who, maybe they want to kill each other, maybe they love each other....let's see how this plays out.
You have one guy, Owen, playing ball and having sex, that's what his life is all about. He really has no other worries it would appear. That is, until is high school rival and worst enemy who outed him comes to play on the same team-literally ;)
The two have so much pain and animosity against each other, you honestly think there is no way they can find the right way to just BE around each other, but, in the end, after some hard fought battles internally, the two men come to a mutually agreed upon relationship that...unfortunately, they can't keep the feeling's at bay.
All in all, another decent installment in this series:)
February 23, 2018
As always, Hendricks has an amazing ability build up heart-pounding sexual tension between two extremely hot characters. This story follows two up and coming college football players who have been at each other's throats since high school. Nate, a loud and proud man whore who loves his smutty reputation and cocky attitude, and Owen who is living under his successful father's shadow and thumb, clash together unexpectedly on the same team. Unnecessary Roughness is a sizzling enemy to lovers story full of pent-up sexual heat, and heart-melting sweetness.
Even if you're not a big sports person, the characters are so much fun and the story is a blast. Great recommendation for anyone who loves a good high heat romance.
Even if you're not a big sports person, the characters are so much fun and the story is a blast. Great recommendation for anyone who loves a good high heat romance.
March 4, 2018
I love M/M books & Alison has not disappointed Me yet with any of Her Books.
I love how Alison is always including characters from Her previous books in the current one. The only thing I did not love about this book was the plot seemed to be rushed in a couple of spots. Besides those few parts this book wasn’t amazing.
There is nothing I love more then a book about frenemies/ rivals that ended with a happy ending!
Owen is a loveable young man trying to impress His father and love His own life.
Nate is a cocky, hard to like to player.
What happens when these 2 mortal enemies ended up at the AMA university, on the same team & roommates?? Explosive fireworks!!
Nate and Owen learn to comprise, come together as team both on and off of the field.
I love how Alison is always including characters from Her previous books in the current one. The only thing I did not love about this book was the plot seemed to be rushed in a couple of spots. Besides those few parts this book wasn’t amazing.
There is nothing I love more then a book about frenemies/ rivals that ended with a happy ending!
Owen is a loveable young man trying to impress His father and love His own life.
Nate is a cocky, hard to like to player.
What happens when these 2 mortal enemies ended up at the AMA university, on the same team & roommates?? Explosive fireworks!!
Nate and Owen learn to comprise, come together as team both on and off of the field.
April 13, 2018
I love how the Eastshore Tigers and ESC Mavericks books aren't just about players, but the sport itself is actually a huge facet of their lives. Too many times in sports romances, you have athletes that don't ever seem to actually engage in sport - which makes Ms. Hendricks' books so delightful.
I had a bit of trouble sympathizing with Nate throughout most of this book. I just didn't like his refusal to accept that Owen might have changed in the last three years - at least until I understood why. But once I did understand him, I came to really enjoy both Owen and Nate. I was happy that they were able to find their HEA and that it didn't look at all what I expected to see from them in the beginning of the story.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I had a bit of trouble sympathizing with Nate throughout most of this book. I just didn't like his refusal to accept that Owen might have changed in the last three years - at least until I understood why. But once I did understand him, I came to really enjoy both Owen and Nate. I was happy that they were able to find their HEA and that it didn't look at all what I expected to see from them in the beginning of the story.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
April 22, 2018
Another great book by Alison Hendricks!! I absolutely love enemies-to-lovers, especially when it has to do with sports rivals. All that testosterone flying on the football field, you know it's going to be explosive! Nate and Owen were high school rivals and end up at the same school. Sparks still fly every time they are near each other. Yummy, delicious sparks . . . . But oh how I wanted to find the nearest gator and feed Owen's father to it. Typical overbearing former football star trying to relive his glory through his son. Jackass . . . Alison Hendricks hasn't disappointed me once with her books and I'm glad the streak continues!
January 28, 2019
I'm a fan Alison Hendricks's football themed books. I barely know anything about actual football but I gobble up these books like water. I really enjoyed reading enemies to lovers story. So I really had no really self control but to read this book as I had time.
For the most part I enjoyed myself. I read this story in one sitting and definitely earn a re read in the future. Owen and Nate were explosive together. The one issue I did have was the whole PrEP thing. Nate was too promiscuous and reliant on it effectiveness to be believed by me. In my head, I was like this is fictional story but that narrative just didn't sit well with me.
*This book was provided for free by the author in exchange for an honest review. *
For the most part I enjoyed myself. I read this story in one sitting and definitely earn a re read in the future. Owen and Nate were explosive together. The one issue I did have was the whole PrEP thing. Nate was too promiscuous and reliant on it effectiveness to be believed by me. In my head, I was like this is fictional story but that narrative just didn't sit well with me.
*This book was provided for free by the author in exchange for an honest review. *
October 26, 2019
4.5*
One of my go-to authors in the enemies-to-lovers genre, Alison Hendricks manages to bring all the tension of the gridiron to the dorm bed in this lusty, rival-driven romance between two high school players who carry their beef to college. But their 'beef', it turns out, is best worked out in bed, and as roommates forced to share a confined space, the endzone is always in full view.
If athletic rivalries and/or enemies-to-lovers is what drives your mojo, both books in this series by Kendricks are runaway scores. Go Mavs!
One of my go-to authors in the enemies-to-lovers genre, Alison Hendricks manages to bring all the tension of the gridiron to the dorm bed in this lusty, rival-driven romance between two high school players who carry their beef to college. But their 'beef', it turns out, is best worked out in bed, and as roommates forced to share a confined space, the endzone is always in full view.
If athletic rivalries and/or enemies-to-lovers is what drives your mojo, both books in this series by Kendricks are runaway scores. Go Mavs!
March 22, 2018
Nate and Owen. Enemies to lovers football romance. Quick, easy read. Solid chemistry. I'm a sucker for any hate-to-love story, so this worked for me despite the stereotypical plot. I agree with others that a quick google search about PrEP would have been worthwhile for the author to properly reference its use in her writing. Basic research is just one of the little things that set a great author apart from a good one.
B-, maybe reread
B-, maybe reread
February 25, 2018
Loved it!
Few things are as good as this author’s football romances. This is another winner. Absolutely loved Owen and Nate. Their individual strength and resilience really makes them sneak into your heart. Their smoking heart chemistry is just the icing on the cake. Hope that Eli gets his own story!
Few things are as good as this author’s football romances. This is another winner. Absolutely loved Owen and Nate. Their individual strength and resilience really makes them sneak into your heart. Their smoking heart chemistry is just the icing on the cake. Hope that Eli gets his own story!
February 25, 2018
Okay
This is not a true continuation from the first book. Some details names and teams and so forth are different. So this book can be read as a standalone. Gosh I must say Nate makes it hard to like him because of all his walls and his explosive attitude. Owen struggled to fund himself and what made him happy. It was an entertaining read.
This is not a true continuation from the first book. Some details names and teams and so forth are different. So this book can be read as a standalone. Gosh I must say Nate makes it hard to like him because of all his walls and his explosive attitude. Owen struggled to fund himself and what made him happy. It was an entertaining read.
July 3, 2018
I had a lot of fun with this book. The cheeky banter, while a little corny at times, kept me grinning throughout and I've always been a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope, of which this was a lovely example. I admit, first person POVs are not usually my thing, but it definitely worked here and was even better for it so don't let it stop you! Alison Hendricks does it again!
February 26, 2018
*2.5 stars*
Not bad, just a bit rushed and predictable. I probably would have given it another half a star if not for Nate's "I'm on PrEP, so it's ok if I bareback the entire male population of this school" attitude.
Not bad, just a bit rushed and predictable. I probably would have given it another half a star if not for Nate's "I'm on PrEP, so it's ok if I bareback the entire male population of this school" attitude.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews