If I Ever Doubt You

by Jan Brigden

She might have scored a celebrity footballer, but the game isn’t over yet …

Rebecca Dunning should be blissfully happy – after a whirlwind weekend, she and top footballer Alex Heath are still going strong. But as the murkier side of the celebrity lifestyle reveals itself, so does the creeping doubt.

Rebecca finds herself isolated in the fake, flashy world of toxic WAG cliques and ruthless reporters, and when a mysterious online admirer follows Alex’s every move, she struggles to cope. Can she keep playing the media game for the man she loves, or will she have to admit defeat?

Sequel to As Weekends Go.

410 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 28, 2020

About the author

Jan lives in South East London with her husband and motley crew of cuddly toys. Jan's written for pleasure from a young age; short stories for classmates, odes for workmates, fun quizzes for family and friends, progressing to the contemporary uplifting dramas she writes today.

The idea for her debut novel, As Weekends Go, sprang from a script she composed as part of a creative writing course assignment via The Writers Bureau. The novel went on to be published by award winning UK independent publishers Choc-lit after winning their Search for a Star competition.

Jan’s latest novel, If I Ever Doubt You, also published by Choc Lit, is the sequel to her debut.

An avid reader, reviewer and all round book devotee, Jan is also one eighth of online writing group The Romaniacs who successfully self-published an anthology of short stories and flash fiction entitled ‘Romaniac Shorts: Fashionably Brief’. The Romaniacs also proudly received the RNA Industry Media Star Award and even got a mention in The Bookseller.

Reviews

[Lizzie Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written sequel to ‘As Weekends Go’ (although can be read as a stand alone). The author quite took my breath away with the manner in which she presented the sometimes seamy world of celebrity football. I was hooked from the get-go as I followed the trials and tribulations of Becky and Alex’s love affair as Becky - after leaving behind a loathsome ex-husband and everything she is familiar with, moves in with gorgeous footballer Alex Heath and has to adjust to a world where money (seemingly) is no object, bitchy WAGS, fans/stalkers/ paparazzi and everyone who wants to see their romance crash and burn. The author handles this world with assuredness, contrasting it with the warmth and sincerity of Becky and Alex’s family lives, Christmas celebrations and Becky’s growing friendship with Shelby. There are many twists and turns and one big surprise - which I didn’t see coming- which drives the narrative forward and kept me turning the pages to see Alex and Bex’s love affair can survive. Rebecca never loses faith in Alex, as the title suggests, although at times she is sorely tried. Now I’m re-reading AS WEEKENDS GO to remind myself of the world Rebecca inhabited before she met Alex Heath. PS - really missed the friendship between Abi and Bex which has to survive the latter’s move to York.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Jan Brigden's debut As Weekends Go and the long-awaited sequel, If I Ever Doubt You, does not disappoint, in fact like Rebecca - the delightful heroine - I too grew to care more and more about Alex, her gorgeous love interest - also a famous footballer - even more!

A page-turning, nail-biting, heart-tugging contemporary romance, I was soon right beside Bex, feeling the passion and the anxiety as their relationship grew and she became wise to the WAGS and their toxic ways and the relentless media spotlight. Add the murky shadow of her two-timing ex-husband and the 'will this relationship survive' tension really ramps up.

A super read, with razor-sharp dialogue, real-life characters and wonderful romance. Highly recommended.

[Reconciliation · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relationships must be built on trust, without it they are doomed. When you both have trust issues from your previous relationships, it can be hard to trust anyone, let alone your other half. Couple that with, the un-glamorous side of celebrity, with its fake news, hearsay, and gossip, just about anyone would lose their mind to doubt.

I loved this book, I couldn’t put it down until I had finished it. It drew me in as I was carried along on the emotional rollercoaster of Rebecca and Alex Heaths continuing relationship, will they or won’t they make it?

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read part 1 quite some time ago and although I can’t remember every detail anymore, there is 1 thing I do recall and that is that I loved the story.

Now the author is back with the sequel and I hope there are more parts to follow.

I love the setting of this book. I was a huge fan of the ‘The Footballers’ wives’ series in English as well as in Dutch. I love the world of glamour and glitter with the love and the romance but with a lot of lies and deceit as well.

It was fun having a peek behind the scenes. It’s true that footballers earn a lot of money, but there is more to it than just playing a match. I know it’s fiction, but I do believe there is truth in it as well.

I liked how Rebecca developped, fitting better in her new world little by little. And than there is Alex… Big, strong, handsome captain of the team, but inside as soft as a cuddly teddy bear.

Old friends, new friends… always there to have your back or is it rather to stab you in the back…?

I flew through the story and loved it. 5 stars

Thank you, Jan Brigden and Choc Lit.

https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

If I Ever Doubt You is the sequel to As Weekends Go and brings us further along in Rebecca’s and Alex’s whirlwind romance. Rebecca has made her choice, and she chooses her own happiness with Alex without really understanding what she’s letting herself in for. Her feelings for Alex don’t change, in fact, they deepen throughout the next chapter of their lives – but she hadn’t really considered the life she’d be living with a famous footballer or the environment she’d be stepping into sight unseen. She’s in for some surprises with this move, both stunning and distressing as she takes a stand against being the outsider in a tight-knit group of mostly fake people, has to fight for time with Alex due to his schedule, deals with a vindictive ex-husband and worries about a stalker after Alex. No one ever said that staying in love was going to be easy, now Rebecca has to make another choice – hunker down and fight for what she and Alex share together – or walk away, which is something she will not do, so tough it out, learn to navigate this world, and get on with building that life with the man she loves.

Since As Weekends Go came out several years ago, I don’t think it’s completely essential to have read where and how this couple met — Oh, I’d recommend it for it’s a tantalizing tale, but you could step into If I Ever Doubt You rather easily if that is your choice.

I was easily drawn back into this world and celebrated (and cringed) right along with Rebecca as the reality of the life she would live with Alex is becoming clear … and not always a pleasant experience. There’s back-stabbing, jealousy (from several directions), possible danger in a stalker, and one man who just won’t let go. But there is also laughter, settling in together, deepening the commitment they both made to each other – so, yeah, there are emotions galore in If I Ever Doubt You. I had such fun with this couple, learned a few things, and got a backstage look at being famous (it doesn’t seem all that glamorous to me), and watched their love deepen in spite of the tests put to this couple throughout their story. If you love a good romance that goes beyond that initial ‘happy ever after’ on to the real living with a new love, then you’ll want to pick this one up as soon as possible.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from Choc Lit & Ruby Fiction. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[Claire Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t sing praises loud enough for Jan Brigden and both her books “As Weekends Go” and “If I Ever Doubted You” being a crime fiction junkie the only other “romance” “Women’s ficition” novel I had read was my mentor Rachel Burton’s second book “The Things We Need to Say.” Though Jan and I share publisher I felt drawn to Jan’s books and I am not disappointed!

The story centre’s around Alex Heath (famous footballer) and Rebecca who by the end of “As Weekends Go” is in a relationship with Alex. Rebecca isn’t sure whether she is going to be able to handle the WAG lifestyle and the story pretty much centres on everything that happens and more. Alex comes across as such a nice “famous” person and god do I wish that this type of footballer exists but this is fiction….

Some of my favourites also return Abi, Rebecca’s best friend who I wish could have featured more but with them both living opposite ends of the country it wouldn’t have worked. Kenny Mills is back or Millsy as he is known in the book and he has a new girlfriend who is amazing and gets on well with Rebecca and Alex which is an added bonus. But it she really all that she seems? Oh and Rebecca’s ex husband Greg.

The story contains on the pitch football action and off the pitch real life and I think that is what kept me glued to the second novel. A bit like when I used to watch Dream Team on Sky (Random bit of knowledge which stared Carla from Coronation Street) never got into footballers wives.

I can not sing praises loud enough for Jan and though this book ended nicely (I cried) I really hope that there is more to come from this series!

[Coco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absorbing and well written

Although this is book two it's not essential to read book one, As Weekends Go, to fully understand and enjoy this book. But it would be a shame to miss when Rebecca and Alex first meet.

After Rebecca's divorce from her controlling husband, she is finally free to start a relationship with Alex, a celebrated footballer. When Rebecca moves from London to York to live with Alex, she finds life difficult adapting to her new lifestyle being one half of a famous couple. The media are constantly watching and criticising. Some of the WAGs are so jealous and insecure that they invent malicious lies about her and Alex and post them on social media.

With Alex's love she begins to regain her confidence, only to have her ex-husband appear attempting to sabotage her new relationship.

An insight into a celebrity's life, showing the downside of fame with jealousy, envy and intrigue plus unsavoury types who claim friendship for personal gain.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This follow up book I was pleased to realise stands alone well but you will enjoy it a bit more if you have read As Weekends Go. In this Rebecca has moved in with boyfriend Alex and is trying to adapt to life as a WAG! The story is one which will make you feel deeply for Rebecca and her troubles, from ex husband, other WAGs, so called friends and hardly seeing Alex due to his full on footballing career. I felt great sympathy with her, and impressed with how she dealt with the problems. Jan Brigden shows a gentle touch in how she writes this story, involving you the reader fully in Rebecca's life. I found I was turning the pages to find out what happened next, really wanting to see where she went next. The ending was a real surprise, exceptionally well drawn together. Break out the chocolate and enjoy.

[Yvonne Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novel about Rebecca and Alex trying to keep their relationship together whilst dealing with the media spotlight from Alex being a top footballer. You really get to know about these two characters, their personalities and weaknesses, as well as their closet friends and family. I really enjoyed being drawn into their world, which seems so different to other people’s world, yet they still have to deal with our issues of trust, ex partners and “true” friends. This is a sequel - I hadn’t read the first novel (but want to now!) which really didn’t matter as you grasp what had previously happened very quickly. A lovely relaxing read which I really enjoyed and recommend. Love of football optional!

[Rose McClelland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning sequel from Jan Brigden.

This novel follows Rebecca and Alex. Now they are established as a couple but will they make it in the long-term? With him as a famous footballer and her circling with footballers' wives, there's a lot of obstacles against them.

There's the back-stabbing and jealousy within the social circle. There's the glare of the media spotlight and being hounded by press. There's also major uncertainty about who her real friends are and who she can actually trust. We are reminded that fame is not as desirable as it seems and we see the dark side of celebrity. Will Rebecca and Alex withstand these pressures?

Another great novel from Jan Brigden - her writing is fresh, light and moves along effortlessly. Those pages will just keep turning quickly!

[Carol Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been waiting for this sequel since reading As Weekends Go, and it was great to catch up with Alex and Rebecca.

I like stories that focus on what happens after the happy ever after moment and this was definitely one of those; as the story follows the couple settling into their new life together. Rebecca, particularly, has to learn to cope with the new pressures the relationship brings.

The characters were well-drawn and I really liked Rebecca and Alex’s best friends. I found the insight into the life of a professional footballer and those in the eye of the media interesting. Overall, It was a fab sequel making an enjoyable read with plenty of intrigue.

I can wait to see what this lovely author brings next.

[Isobel · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "As Weekends Go" which is the first part of Alex and Rebecca's story there is a stark contrast between what Rebecca wants to do and what she knows is the right thing to do. The story continues when having done the right thing Rebecca finally gets to do what she wants to do - be with Alex.
However today's world of celebrity can swallow you whole and spit you back out very easily. Navigating the pitfalls her new life is something Rebecca has to learn to do- and failure is not an option, however tough it gets.
This is a great follow on to one of my favourite re-reads.

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't read the previous book in this series 'As Weekends Go' but still enjoyed this one and feel it is good as a standalone novel. I enjoyed the insight into the world of professional footballers and their wives/girlfriends. This is a story of new starts, romance, deceit and friendship. Plenty of twists and turns keep the story moving at a good pace, with one big surprise which I didn't see coming. I liked the main characters and empathised with them.

A perfect book for a wintery afternoon on the sofa with a cuppa. Excellent escapism.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca and Alex are settling into their new life together. But for Rebecca, it is a life unlike anything she has ever experienced before. Football wives, new friends, family far away, and paparazzi. She and Alex will have to pull together if they want to make it through the chaos.

This was a great follow-up to As Weekends Go. The characters of Rebecca and Alex are endearing and I really enjoyed reading a continuation of their story.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been eagerly waiting for the sequel to As Weekends Go since the moment I finished it and I bought if I Ever Doubt You the moment it was out. I was so happy to be again in York following the life of now WAG Rebecca and her handsome footballer boyfriend Alex. Plenty of action and suspense, an entertaining insight into the backstage of the life of VIPs, much love and loyalty, duplicitous characters, you have it all.
A very pleasant read.

[Joanna Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading As Weekends Go, I was keen to catch up with Rebecca and Alex. She's newly divorced and has just moved in with him. But is she prepared for this new life? One of celebrity parties, getting to know the other WAGs and being under close scrutiny from the press. Rebecca is tough and copes well. But she has entered a world where it's difficult to separate friends from enemies and the press have a habit of twisting the most innocent of pictures in an effort to gain sensational headlines. Her love for Alex is about to be tested to the limit. Can they survive?

I loved this story. Well written the romance and suspense is wrapped around a very authentic feel of life in the football fast line. Definitely one for your TBR piles.

[Isabelle D · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this sequel to As Weekends Go (that you might want to read first even if it's not absolutely necessary), Rebecca has to deal with "the ups and downs of living with a famous footballer"... but, I hasten to add for those who don't usually like sequels centered on the same couple because it means the first book's happy ending is "cancelled", she and Alex have mostly happy moments together (I really liked that). The troubles (and, as the title indicates, some doubt) come from other people (such as other players' partners, or a photograph) so there's no reason to worry.
I also enjoyed learning more about the "behind the scenes" aspect of professional football - and that's from someone who's never been interested in watching a game.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.