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Sidelined #2
The Penalty
Fun, fast-paced, and filled with drama. The Penalty is the second installment of the sizzling Sidelined Series about love, friendships, and half-truths.
Sidelined by the very public news of a surprise engagement, the accomplished event planner Bryn Charles ends her unlikely love affair with her NFL superstar client, Shane Smith, and is determined to have a future without him.
Only, she fears it's impossible.
She's contracted to plan his next big event and inundated with non-stop news coverage of his record-breaking season. To make matters worse, she is struggling with a secret that she won't be able to hide for much longer. But when an awful evening brings the seemingly sincere bad boy to her doorstep, Bryn is unable to turn him away.
Will she reveal her secret and stay true to herself, or will she play her position despite the tactics of a vengeful ex? Either way, she'll have a hefty penalty to pay.
Sidelined by the very public news of a surprise engagement, the accomplished event planner Bryn Charles ends her unlikely love affair with her NFL superstar client, Shane Smith, and is determined to have a future without him.
Only, she fears it's impossible.
She's contracted to plan his next big event and inundated with non-stop news coverage of his record-breaking season. To make matters worse, she is struggling with a secret that she won't be able to hide for much longer. But when an awful evening brings the seemingly sincere bad boy to her doorstep, Bryn is unable to turn him away.
Will she reveal her secret and stay true to herself, or will she play her position despite the tactics of a vengeful ex? Either way, she'll have a hefty penalty to pay.
Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2018
15 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Bianca Williams
3 books67 followersBianca Williams is the award-winning author of the sports romance series Sidelined. Book One, “The Draft”, was released in 2017 and won the USA Best Book Award and was a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards. To the delight of readers everywhere, Book Two, “The Penalty”, was released in 2018. Sidelined is the story of event planner Bryn Charles and her unexpected romance with her client NFL superstar Shane Smith. The contemporary novels are inspired by Williams’ dating adventures in her hometown of Baltimore County, MD.
She discovered her love for creative writing while pursuing a double major in Finance & Management at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. After graduating at the top of her class, achieving a successful career in finance, and co-founding an event planning company, Bianca began penning her debut novel. When she isn’t writing, Bianca uses her platform to empower young women in personal development, business, and relationships.
Her signature slogan — know the plays, or get sidelined — reminds her to have a strategy for success in everything that she pursues.
She discovered her love for creative writing while pursuing a double major in Finance & Management at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia. After graduating at the top of her class, achieving a successful career in finance, and co-founding an event planning company, Bianca began penning her debut novel. When she isn’t writing, Bianca uses her platform to empower young women in personal development, business, and relationships.
Her signature slogan — know the plays, or get sidelined — reminds her to have a strategy for success in everything that she pursues.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 16, 2019
That damn Shane!
Author Bianca has quickly won me over! I thoroughly enjoyed reading part two of the trilogy. Shane is a piece of work and Bryan is naive as heck, but somehow they make it work. A must read!! Can’t wait to read book 3!!!
Author Bianca has quickly won me over! I thoroughly enjoyed reading part two of the trilogy. Shane is a piece of work and Bryan is naive as heck, but somehow they make it work. A must read!! Can’t wait to read book 3!!!
December 16, 2018
Could not connect with story line or characters.
May 26, 2021
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: SIDELINED: The Penalty
Author: Bianca Williams
Star Rating: 3.5 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 5/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 17 readers:
10 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
12 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
17 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
10 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I thought this book was OK. It’s light and fun, and if you happen to be looking for a good beach read, this is perfect. There’s also plenty happening all of the time. I did feel the central character, Bryn, lacked strength and that was a bit annoying. And it's a bit silly in parts and unrealistic. But I still enjoyed it” Female reader, age 37
“This read like a soap opera. It's all about the ups and downs of a relationship with a sport star. Will they end up together? Will they not? I suspect this would go down well with older women although, I must say, Bryn is no role model. I wouldn't stick with a man who treated me that way.” Female reader, age 43
“Why is it us girls always like the bad boys? A compelling, light read packed full of emotional drama. But I wouldn't recommend other women to act like Bryn; hopefully, they have a little more self-respect. Although possibly not.” Female reader, age 61
“This is a well-written novel. The author worked hard to ensure strong pacing and easy to relate to characters. However, it feels a little dated, I'd much rather read a book about a strong female protagonist who turns away from a bad relationship. Bryn is the sort of woman other, stronger women want to shake and shout, ‘Walk away!’. However, in a way, the fact she annoyed me so much, is the novel’s strength. I was never bored reading it.” Female reader, age 50
To Sum It Up:
‘A well-written romantic drama with plenty of pace.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: SIDELINED: The Penalty
Author: Bianca Williams
Star Rating: 3.5 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 5/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 17 readers:
10 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
12 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
17 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
10 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I thought this book was OK. It’s light and fun, and if you happen to be looking for a good beach read, this is perfect. There’s also plenty happening all of the time. I did feel the central character, Bryn, lacked strength and that was a bit annoying. And it's a bit silly in parts and unrealistic. But I still enjoyed it” Female reader, age 37
“This read like a soap opera. It's all about the ups and downs of a relationship with a sport star. Will they end up together? Will they not? I suspect this would go down well with older women although, I must say, Bryn is no role model. I wouldn't stick with a man who treated me that way.” Female reader, age 43
“Why is it us girls always like the bad boys? A compelling, light read packed full of emotional drama. But I wouldn't recommend other women to act like Bryn; hopefully, they have a little more self-respect. Although possibly not.” Female reader, age 61
“This is a well-written novel. The author worked hard to ensure strong pacing and easy to relate to characters. However, it feels a little dated, I'd much rather read a book about a strong female protagonist who turns away from a bad relationship. Bryn is the sort of woman other, stronger women want to shake and shout, ‘Walk away!’. However, in a way, the fact she annoyed me so much, is the novel’s strength. I was never bored reading it.” Female reader, age 50
To Sum It Up:
‘A well-written romantic drama with plenty of pace.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
September 20, 2019
I have to say the book was well written. It kept my attention and was fast paced. However, I will say that I disliked all of the characters in the book and I could not feel sorry for Bryn in the least. She allowed Shane to walk all over her time and time again..... I found it considerably nauseating that all Shane had to do was snap his fingers or buy her an expensive gift, spa day or vacation and she was ready to jump in bed with him.... That's really all this couple does is jump in bed with each other and Bryn does it time and time again even after having proof that he is cheating on her. Or is he cheating? I don't think that he ever said they were exclusive, he only wanted her to be exclusive with him. This is not a book I would recommend to young women to read because this is not the behavior of women who have high self esteem nor is it how a healthy relationship should be.
May 1, 2021
Just finished book 2 and I definitely want someone tell me what happened in book 3. I don’t want to spend any more brain 🧠 cells on this series.
Talk about unhealthy relationships...lack of maturity and I don’t know what else to say! One minute you’re not in love with one another and the next back in bed together. Talk about a emotional wreck...geesh! Bryn lost all her self - respect and Shane got worse and I didn’t like him in the first book. 😖
The language and explicit sex was a WHOLE lot raunchier and totally unnecessary. Just like the first book, there were holes in the plot and corny dialogue and DRAMA...so over the top. Baseball bats, side chicks, etc, etc.
Someone from our book discussion gave me a perfect analogy: it’s a train wreck that you can’t stop looking at. Please someone just tell me about book 3 or send me cliff notes.
Talk about unhealthy relationships...lack of maturity and I don’t know what else to say! One minute you’re not in love with one another and the next back in bed together. Talk about a emotional wreck...geesh! Bryn lost all her self - respect and Shane got worse and I didn’t like him in the first book. 😖
The language and explicit sex was a WHOLE lot raunchier and totally unnecessary. Just like the first book, there were holes in the plot and corny dialogue and DRAMA...so over the top. Baseball bats, side chicks, etc, etc.
Someone from our book discussion gave me a perfect analogy: it’s a train wreck that you can’t stop looking at. Please someone just tell me about book 3 or send me cliff notes.
December 10, 2020
I have book 1 in the series, but just haven't had the chance to read it yet. The author does a great job so that I feel like I didn't miss out, even though I'm planning to read book 1. This book was as good as a tv show, and this is coming from someone that doesn't watch a lot of tv. The characters deal with real issues. And for someone that's not a sports romance fan, I truly enjoyed the story and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. This was a great and exciting read.
May 6, 2021
The drama pulls you in
I honestly wasn’t very happy with book 1 but I had to keep reading because I’m mosey and needed to know what happened. Book 1 was super slow to start and didn’t really get good until halfway through. This book starts out fast and just keeps on rolling. Sooooo much drama! It’s the only thing that kept me interested. I’m only going to finish the series due to my curiosity. I need to know if the drama continues and how the story ends.
I honestly wasn’t very happy with book 1 but I had to keep reading because I’m mosey and needed to know what happened. Book 1 was super slow to start and didn’t really get good until halfway through. This book starts out fast and just keeps on rolling. Sooooo much drama! It’s the only thing that kept me interested. I’m only going to finish the series due to my curiosity. I need to know if the drama continues and how the story ends.
October 29, 2020
I’m telling you I’m hooked!! That damn Shane makes you want to scream and hug him all at the same time. The roller coaster ride in book 2 was even better than the first. It’s a page turner that keeps you engaged the entire read. Can’t wait for the final book in the trilogy and more books to come from this amazing writer!!!
July 23, 2019
OMG!!! This one was just as fast paced as the 1st. Bryn & Shane... the game continues. Between the penalties the re-negotiations.... and the “promise”, I couldn’t finish this one fast enough!!
I CANNOT wait for “The Contract”‼️💕 Hoping for a beautiful ending on the 50 yard line😘
I CANNOT wait for “The Contract”‼️💕 Hoping for a beautiful ending on the 50 yard line😘
December 14, 2018
This book definitely takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. Great sequel for a new author. Can't believe how it ends! Ready for book 3.
February 20, 2019
I quit at 15%. I couldn't connect to anyone in the story. If there was a plot, I couldn't find it.
March 10, 2019
I like this book so much
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews