Tailgates & Twist of Fates

The Locals #4

by Haley Rhoades

PG13 Version--Madison’s life is not as she planned. She loves teaching and the little family she’s created while in Columbia. But everything is about to change. A misstep shakes the home she’s come to cherish with Alma. Scrambling to find a place to live is overwhelming. Then the pull of her former small-town, Athens strikes again. Madison’s relationship with her mother since high school has been one-sided. With her mother’s murder, Madison is dropped into life in Athens for weeks to come. How will she keep her secret while surrounded by her friends every day? How will she cope with the guilt of losing her mother? Madison’s life will forever change. Will that life include the support of her high school friends? And how will she ever face Hamilton?

Genres: Romance

Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2019

About the author

Be sure to follow Haley on BookBub for the latest on sales https://buff.ly/3wdDaKH

Haley Rhoades’s writing is another bucket-list item coming to fruition, just like meeting Stephen Tyler and skydiving. As she continues to write romance and young adult books, she plans to complete her remaining bucket-list items, including ghost-hunting, storm-chasing, and bungee jumping. She is a Netflix-binging, Converse-wearing, avidly-reading, traveling geek.
A team player, Haley thrived as her spouse’s career moved the family of four eight times to three states. One move occurred eleven days after a C-section. Now with two adult sons, Haley copes with her newly emptied nest by writing and spoiling Nala, her Pomsky. A fly on the wall might laugh as she talks aloud to her fur-baby all day long.
Haley’s under five-foot, fun-size stature houses a full-size attitude. Her uber-competitiveness in all things entertains, frustrates, and challenges family and friends. Not one to shy away from a dare, she faces the consequences of a lost bet no matter the humiliation. Her fierce loyalty extends from family, to friends, to sports teams.
Haley’s guilty pleasures are Lifetime and Hallmark movies. Her other loves include all things peanut butter, Star Wars, mathematics, and travel. Past day jobs vary tremendously from an elementary special-education para-professional, to a YMCA sports director, to a retail store accounting department, and finally a high school mathematics teacher.
Haley resides with her husband and fur-baby in the Des Moines area. This Missouri-born girl enjoys the diversity the Midwest offers.
Reach out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or her website…she would love to connect with her readers.

Reviews

[Haley Rhoades]

Quick Read. Small town vs big city life.
Final book in the Locals Series

I'm offering 3 giveaways on Goodreads to celebrate the approaching release of my next book. Check 2 of them out on the Goodreads Giveaway tab and one listed below.



This stand-alone is the second in the 7 Deadly Sins Series.
The first book, Bend Don't Break, 7 Deadly Sins: Envy is currently in a Goodreads Giveaway. Enter today.

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[Audio book lover · Rating 2 out of 5]

Haley Rhoades wraps up her beloved series with Tailgates & Twists of Fate, a heartfelt romance that revisits Madison and Hamilton’s journey as they navigate love, family, and life’s unexpected challenges. While fans of the series will enjoy reconnecting with familiar characters, this installment feels more like an extended epilogue than a necessary continuation.

💘 The Plot:
Madison and Hamilton’s life in Chicago is full of love and anticipation as they try to expand their family before Hamilton heads off to spring training. Balancing career demands, small-town ties, and a health scare within their circle, the couple faces tough decisions that could alter the course of their happiness. With Valentine’s Day and a new Cubs season approaching, the story explores whether love and family can weather the curveballs life throws their way.

🔥 Why You’ll Love It:

A Familiar Comfort: Fans of the previous books will enjoy revisiting Madison, Hamilton, and the charming world of Athens.
Real-Life Challenges: The story explores relatable themes of balancing family and career while facing unexpected health and personal hurdles.
Romantic and Heartfelt Moments: Madison and Hamilton’s relationship remains the emotional anchor, delivering sweet, tender moments.
⏳ What’s Missing:
While the book offers closure, the storyline feels stretched, with developments that might have been better suited for an extended epilogue. Some readers may feel that the pacing lacks the spark and purpose of the earlier books, leaving untapped potential for deeper conflict or resolution.

📖 Final Thoughts:
Tailgates & Twists of Fate is a nostalgic return for fans of the series but doesn’t quite reach the emotional heights of its predecessors. While it’s a satisfying wrap-up for Madison and Hamilton’s story, it might leave you wishing for a more dynamic conclusion. If you’ve loved the series so far, it’s worth the read—but keep your expectations tempered. ⚾💘

Thank you to High Gravity Productions for the ALC access that made this review possible!

[Bette Stanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final episode! Hamilton and Madison come full circle in the rollercoaster that is their life. I related to these two characters more than I thought I would. Like them, I grew up in a small, rural Midwestern town. Not too far away from this fictional setting near St. Louis. I’m a lifelong Cardinals fan. I’m trying to decide how upset I am with the author drafting Hamilton to the Cubs. ;-) The rivalry and struggles are real!!! I also, couldn’t wait to explore life outside my small town. I moved to Chicago for a time and that was what made me realize small-town life has many advantages. A piece of me will always remain in the small town I grew up in. So, you can see why I relate to these characters so well.

Now, back to Hamilton and Madison, this is the conclusion to their story. It is sweet but still has some drama and heartache, all of that leads to them truly getting their HEA and bringing them back to their roots. I loved this series for its realistic characters, real-life situations, and normalcy. I will be checking out other Haley Rhoades books!

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tailgates & Twists of Fates
The Locals, Book 4
By: Haley Rhoades
Narrated by: Allie Martina, Gideon Frost

The final chapter in Madison and Hamilton's story and it's packed with emotions and life changing decisions! From friends in need to family health, these two face life head on. Winning the World Series, to Liberty's adorable antics, to deciding where to live, Haley Rhoades took me on wonderful trip with this couple. I felt like they were friends of mine and I was experiencing everything with them. Enjoying their friends in Athens, the problems they dealt with and the happiness they found made this a fantastic listen.

Allie Martina and Gideon Frost finish out the series with a wonderful performance. These two are the series and together they created an ensemble of characters that are easy to identify with and enjoy to get to know. Their voices work well together and I enjoyed the consistency of the voices from book to book as well as the emotional buildup. They made this series a joy to listen to.

[Erin Stapel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio Review:

Absolutely beautiful conclusion to this series. I cannot imagine anyone better than Allie Martina and Gideon Frost to have narrated this series. Madison and Hamilton's love story was true love at its finest and in this specific book it was amazing to see them as a family. This book was perfect bringing us the lives of Madison and Hamilton as they navigate their lives in Chicago, her writing, his baseball, the struggles that come with life in general. Watching how Hamilton cares for Madison gives me swoon worthy vibes and makes me love this couple the entire time. Both Allie and Gideon did a fantastic job with the narration. I have always enjoyed their work and this is no different. They had the perfect voices for this series.

[Anne OK · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the fourth and final book, the Locals are still enjoying sharing their friendships and watching their lives change. Lots of love and romance -- marriages and babies, too.

Expect the normal from a new adult, sports-related romance series set in a small town (except when you're taken on the road with Hamilton as he plays baseball and a World Series). A little steamier with the gang aging and a few surprises thrown into the mix.

And, thankfully, a homerun into the happily-ever-after!

[Roxie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book in The Locals series. This book brought much needed closure to the whole series. Hamilton and Madison have a special kind of love that people often strive to have. The constant attraction between the two is thrilling to read. Their struggles feel like your struggles. Love! Love! Love this whole series. Strongly recommend.

[Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great ending to a wonderful romance. Haley Rhodes locked me in from the first book in the series and tugged at my heartstrings to the very end. We all need a romance like Madison and Hamilton. I will read and re-read this series again and again.

[thespicybooknerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madison and Hamilton are coming full circle in this fourth and final book in the sweet The Locals series. I enjoyed seeing where Madison, Hamilton, and their little family end up, but also checking in with their group of friends. As with the rest of the series, Allie Martina and Gideon Frost narrate the audiobook and do a fantastic job of bringing this cast of characters to life.

[Linda Rea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series and Madison and Hamilton are the perfect couple!

[Nancy Janysek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not tell you how long I wait to buy this set and I was NOT disappointed....I loved this series!