Buckman

by Erin Lockwood

Tallan Buckman is the most-talked-about quarterback in college football and is destined for a successful career in the NFL. His whole world revolves around the game. There’s just one problem. He falls in love with April Moxley, the daughter of a famous rock star and the most challenging woman of his life. Football means nothing to April. She’d rather spend her time volunteering at the Red Cross and helping others than go to a game.

April has a broken past, full of pain and betrayal. No good has ever come from her dad’s fame. She wants nothing to do with it … or the fame Tallan is destined for himself.

Their two worlds don’t work together, yet they can’t seem to stay away from each other.

Genres: College, Romance, Sports

318 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2018

Reviews

[Mo ♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was literally a time waster read for me. I wasn't serious when I picked up this book. And I'm glad I wasn't because it was trash. The heroine was the worst h 😫 till date that I've read about. She was selfish, horrible to the H and didn't deserve him. She had massive daddy issues and ex issues which gave her trust issues. That was understandable. However, the way she projected her insecurities onto the H, was NOT okay. Also she was such a "I'm not like other girls" "I don't like football (technically rugby 😂) like other girls" type of girl, that I couldn't stand her. 🙄🙄 The amount of times, she displayed her hatred for Football is laughable. This one 🌟 is literally for the H, who was so cute and clearly deserved someone better then a selfish brat. What annoyed me was the fact that she wanted him to give up his football career, going into the NFL. And because he loved her, he agreed that he would quit the limelight. How selfish can you be and she claimed to love him. She also did a whole bunch of clearly questionable stuff that 🙄 made me hate her so much more.

[Tianna✸loves books✸ · Rating 2 out of 5]

The h does not like football. She only watches or attends the match for her friend. She meets the H in one of the match. He is a famous quarterback.

He is attracted to her. But she doesn’t give in easily, in fact she ignores him. At a frat party (which the H attends only for money) the H and h meet again. H tries to be nice to her but she insults him.
But in the daze of alcohol, h agrees to date the H.

Unfortunately the date doesn’t happen because the h gets a nasty flu. The H takes care of her. He is by her side all night while she is in health centre. But the h insults him again. H have had too much of her insults but still he takes her back to her house. And the next day he brings her soup and movies to watch. Then they go for a date. They enjoy they kiss. Both like it and agree to go out the next day. But later the h texts to cancel the date as she doesn’t want to date him. But the H keeps coming back to her.

The push pull pattern continues.
And I was bored AF.

H is a church going guy. He is old fashioned. He speaks things like making love and does all the gentleman stuff. And I think the h didn’t deserve him. She was NOT likable.

[Maiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only giving 3 stars because I loved Tallan! In my opinion he was too good for April. I'm sorry, but the heroine simply was not that nice and maybe selfish, and that really bothered me.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Non-Football Football Story. This is a romance told from the girl's perspective that happens to involve a star quarterback and the pressures he faces. Definitely a recommended read, particularly during the college football season. Just ignore the implausibility of this particular school doing as well as it does it the book - it is the author's alma mater. :D As a romance, this is one of the better ones I've read this year. As a football story, it actually ranks up there with John Grisham's Bleachers - yes, it is *that* good, and rare in that it *is* told from the non-football fan girlfriend's perspective. Seriously, stop reading this review and go buy this book. :)

[Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story did not disappoint!

[Ashley Kolbus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Once I started it, I couldn't put it down. I just had to know what was going to happen. It is a perfect read for football season and even better if you're a football fan!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re able to, read Buckman in the fall. One of the wonderful things about autumn is that it is paradoxical. It’s simultaneously charged with energy but with an underlying sense of slowing down and settling in. Buckman gives readers a taste of this delightful paradox. On the one hand you have the electric energy of a fresh new school year in a quintessential college setting. There is a palpable communal enthusiasm fueled by school spirit and love of this game. There is the thrill of new love, and the excitement that comes when looking forward to life’s next chapter. Also present are the all too human realities of broken trust, emotional baggage, hard choices, and letting go. I love Tallan Buckman. His steady, humble integrity is endlessly charming. The fact that he is hunky and famous coupled with the fact that he is a gentleman of the highest order is just too much fun. If it were just the tale of his courting April that would be delightful enough, but the story has an added layer that brings realism and depth. Without giving away too much both characters are impacted deeply by their families of origin, questions about the future, and the always challenging work of learning that love means showing up. Buckman is the perfect book to cuddle up with on a chilly fall day. I promise you’ll find yourself wonderfully warmed by it.

[Miss W Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I think my crazy love for football really drew me into this story!


Tallan Buckman is the most-talked-about quarterback in college football and is destined for a successful career in the NFL. His whole world revolves around the sport. There’s just one problem. He falls in love with April Moxley, the daughter of a famous rock star and the most challenging woman of his life. Football means nothing to April. She’d rather spend her time volunteering at the Red Cross and helping others than go to a game.

This is a book about life, love, loss and finding out what really matters.

[Julia | gameofreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love a good football romance story and Erin Lockwood nailed it with this one! I need a Tallan Buckman in my life <3 You can't help but root for him and April - they are such likable characters! I feel like I really missed out by not going to a college that had a big football program, but in Buckman I felt like I was there, rooting for the Ducks (and Tallan) every step of the way! I really hope there is a sequel with Tallan and April in the future (or even Tallan's younger brother)! Fans of Intercepted by Alexa Martin will love this one! Perfect fall read during football season!

Thanks to Erin Lockwood, the publisher, Independent Book Publishers Association, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet, sexy romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

[Rosalind Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome, quick read! College football & romance. If you’ve ever watched college football and seen them zoom in on the star’s girlfriend, this is the live story behind the scenes. Read in a day and a half. Loved it. Hope there’s a sequel!

[Ezhica Denira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for giving me the chance to read this book in advance . I love sport books especially football and hockey romance.. Erin Lockwood will gonna be one of my faves author . This book was a fast paced, fun, sweet, sexy and emotional read. The storyline is well written, I was intrigued by how this story was going to unsolved.

[Amanda P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of heavy books lately. This was really refreshing. I loved how easy the flow felt. It was an easy read. I enjoyed it.

[R-Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another really great fun read by Erin Lockwood.

[Caren · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love romance and college football you're going to love this book!

[Erin Lockwood]

One of the greatest things about being an author is that I can write whatever I want. I can create whatever world I want. The sky is the limit... or rather more literally, my imagination is the limit. Most of my novels have a psychological component to them— but not Buckman. This story is pure fun and guilty pleasure. I'm a huge college football fan and I knew my career wouldn't be complete unless I wrote about my favorite sport— specifically Oregon football. I hope you have as much fun reading this new adult romance as I had writing it.

[Gwen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This wasn't my favorite book. Tallan is the star quarterback for his college football team. April is the daughter of a famous musician. They meet at a party, he falls instantly in love with her, and they go back and forth in a relationship. She doesn't want to be with someone famous and omg he can't live without her.

I get where April was coming from. I don't think I'd want that lifestyle either if I'd had the same bad experiences that she did. However April is a jerk. Plain and simple. She wants to be with him then doesn't. Over and over and over. She refused to go to his games. She didn't want anyone to know they were dating. She wanted to sleep with him but not be in a public relationship. She asked him not to join the NFL draft because, after like 3 months of dating, they were in love and going to be together forever and she didn't want to be in the limelight. What????

Tallan was courteous and put up with more than I would in a relationship. He let April make really big decisions for him and his life. He followed her around like a puppy, cleaning up her messes. To be fair I did not like how he pressured her into a relationship or into going to his away games. But I think he was a genuinely nice guy and deserved a lot better than April.

I ended up skimming most of the book because I couldn't handle the back and forth. The writing is good and engaging plus I liked the descriptors of the football playing itself. I just really didn't like April.

[Kristy Mills · Rating 2 out of 5]

I probably shouldn't rate this since I only made it about 25% through when I gave up. But I had a feeling I knew where this book was going. And after coming to goodreads and reading some of the reviews with spoilers, my suspicions were confirmed. I didn't want to read a whole book like the first 25%. Tallan, the gentleman, good ole southern boy from Texas with a big heart, getting treated poorly by April, because she constantly judged him based off of her past experiences instead of his actions.

I gave this book 2 stars for the story. I loved the premise, and I also really liked Tallan. That earned 2 stars from me. But it was so poorly executed in my opinion. The writing was very juvenile. I felt like I should have been reading this on wattpad or something. Especially the beginning. The interactions between April and her roommate, sounded more like high schoolers showing off for everyone around them, even when they were at home alone. Instead of two Juniors in college. For example who says "nana nana nana" past the age of 6?

So I think I will move on and find something else to read.

[Manda My'Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but....

I loved Tallan partially hated everything else about the book. I was looking for something more along the lines of Hustle but I just got a book with a girl full of excuses and a guy fighting to get past those excuses and get her to love him. Everything was I Love You BUT... I personally hated the but.

[Meabpa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing.

[Shawna (what.shawna.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! April and Tallan's romance is dramatic and steamy. The ending is satisfying and didn't necessarily leave me wanting more or disappointed with where they ended up. As someone who can stand to watch a game or two of football, but doesn't obsess over it, I appreciated the football deatils without feeling like they took over the story.

I'd read reviews before I started it where people would say I can't believe this or I didn't like this about their relationship. I'm sure it's not the most thought-provoking book in the world and if I wanted to analyze it I could find problems with how April and Tallan acted, but it definitely was a quick, enjoyable read for me. That's what I keep coming back to, I really loved reading this.

I'd highly recommend for a quick, romantic fall read.

Thanks to the author for the advance copy through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

April didn’t care about football. But April’s best friend Mayra does especially the football played by their college team- The Ducks.- like everyone else on campus and around but April. Then Mayra got April to go to the last home game. When the Ducks won Mayra pulled April on the field to get closer to the team players. April runs to the side of the field hoping it would be quieter there. She almost gets there when someone slams into her. Her body goes forward and her arms go out to protect herself from falling . Before April hits the fake grass shove into the firm padded of a tight butt in a green uniform. Then she fell the rest of the way. The camera that had been on Buckman’s face was now pointed down at April. April leans back and is about to stand when the football player asked if she was alright with a texas drawl. It was Tallan Buckman- the quarterback and he yelled to April to wait as she walked away. Tallan caught up and helped April find Mayra. But April hated athletes because they’re just people searching for fame and now April hated herself for finding Tallan so attractive. Then April pulls Mayra away as Tallan says “Do you wanna” and April said all she wanted to do was get off the field and she wished him good luck. Just as Tallan is to say something more and Mayra is about to protest the woman with the microphone stepped in front of Tallan focusing Tallan’s attention on her. Mayra asked April if she was nuts to walk away form Tallan but April said she just didn’t like football players. April dragged Mayra to volunteer for the Red Cross. The Merrick walks in who works for the Red Cross. He had boring and perfect written all over him as far as April was concerned - what she had been holding out for. Merritt oversees the volunteer programs. April was the daughter of a rockstar who was in the band Libra. April went to see her father during Christmas break as his band would be in Portland. When April got hter her father had already done some coke and two prostitutes had come up and were waiting for him. April was done he wasn’t really a dad anyway just the man who impregnated her mother who he had treated badly. Her man had been a backup dancer for the band until she got pregnant. April had adored her mother who had passed away. As far as April was concerned Mayra was her family- her sister. They were Juniors at college. April’s last boyfriend- Lennon had been on the tour with Libra. Lennon had treated her bad and cheated on her. April hoped she never seen Lennon again. Mayra talked April into going to a Delts party and April gave in and went. April loved to dance, after she decided she needed a break she went to get another drink and Tallan stops her and ends up making her a drink. Tallan is determined to go pro so he can support his mom and kid brother Colton. April notices Tallan is watching her as she dances then a guy won’t leave April alone or keep his hands off her. Tallan comes over and make sure the guy knows April didn’t want to dance with him and to leave her alone. She takes Tallan’s hand and walks off the floor. Tallan told April she didn't know him well enough to hate him. Tallan was determined to to win April over to him. April eventually agrees to date Tallan.
I loved this story. It had a good plot and pace to it. I loved how Tallan was determined to take care of his mom and Colton. I also loved how old fashion and true to himself Tallan was. Also when Tallan was in a relationship he went all in or didn’t bother. I also loved how protective he was of April. I loved seeing Tallan and Aprils relationship grow. I loved April and Tallan together and how they interacted with each other. Happily I found nothing to criticize in this book. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this story and I highly recommend.

[Kaitlyn Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced reviewer copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have read one of Erin Lockwood’s book All the Rogers which addressed issues of mental health and first love.

What It’s About: April Moxley has a bad experience with the limelight, her father is in a band and essentially personifies the worst parts of rock n’ roll culture, he chooses sex and drugs over her all the time. Her ex-boyfriend is not much different. She’s decided she’s done and ready to live an anonymous life helping others, too bad she falls in love with Tallan Buckman, the star quarterback at her college. This book is about the two characters journey in love and April’s struggle to deal with Buckman’s fame and future career.

What I loved: I liked the story of a sweet romance where two characters are pulled together despite the circumstances. I cheered for the characters to make it work often even though there were a lot of mistakes and the characters were imperfect. I loved the secondary characters like Mayra. I liked that the book was set at a real University and I could picture it perfectly.

What I didn’t like so much: I felt at times that the Buckman was needy and sometimes had character traits I would associate with an abusive boyfriend (he never hits or anything, but sometimes his explosive anger is troubling) and the main character will blame herself for his behavior when in fact it is over reaction. I didn’t find him to be so much of a Prince Charming as the book made him out to be. I felt he had anger issues that weren’t addressed and made me less invested in a happy ending.

Who Should Read It: People who love a good football centered romance novel. People who love campus novels. People who have previously loved Erin Lockwood novels.

General Summary: A romance story with fame and football at its center.