Short version:
My very first BAD review. First 3 books in set are okay and the rest are awful. Awfully written, awfully worded and awful plotting. Take my word and find something (ANYTHING) else.
#1. Temptation
Marc & Reesa
⭐⭐
Reesa and her Seattle Sounders soccer obsessed friend Kylie are at bar where, of course, Reesa is crazy talking Kylie's celebrity crush Marcus Winters only to find him behind her. Marc has his work cut of for him; Reesa has him pegged as a rich playboy out for a good time. Reesa is timid and wary against getting hurt but when she's able to let her guard down fireworks explode across the room. Marc seems like such a level headed and committed man who sees what he wants and heads for it straight on.
About half way through the story I started hating Reesa; she was whiney, jealous, and had a lot of aggression (especially for someone who swears she wasn't aggressive in her previous relationship). I felt bad for Marc for having to put up with all of her crazy emotions and mood swings especially when he's someone in the public eye and she's making a scene for the tabloids.
Also, Reesa's Kylie was such a great sport about her bestie getting her "dream guy". Even green with envy she was a supportive friend. When she started dating Jordan, I didn't feel like that genuine friendship was reciprocated. I'm hoping Kylie's story is next; she deserves a HEA.
2 stars and a will not read again for this one because I genuinely disliked/borderline hated the heroine.
#2. Addiction
Jordan & Kylie
⭐⭐⭐
I was so hoping for Kylie to get a story next! Kylie is looking for love in all the wrong places and then she stumbles upon Jordan Dennison, player for the Seattle Sounders and her best friend's, boyfriend's, best friend. Their meeting was instant sexual arousal and sparks vibrating. Kylie wants to settle down and she wants it all when she does; the kids and the picket fence. Jordan wants Kylie but he doesn't do commitments. Without ruining too much, he has his reasons!!
I wasn't a fan of Reesa in the first book, but seeing her through her bestie Kylie's eyes was refreshing.
Krys is fabulous! I am kind of hoping for a book with her because I can get behind a low drama girl who rushes to save the day and is all around an awesome person.
3.5 stars but mostly because some of the flow of this one didn't work for me in terms of writing. The storyline worked well and I did feel the passion between characters though!
#3. Passion
Dex & Krys
⭐⭐⭐
Krys dedicates her life to her daughter and doesn't have time for a relationship. Dex sees Krys from across the room and knows what he wants.
I was a little shocked to see the drama of this book didn't come from a cheating scandal or a sick child but instead from some good old fashioned daddy jealousy. I do wish the author would've explained why Jordan hated Dex so much though
3.5 stars as I feel like it had good flow and kept me enthralled in the storyline but there were some holes I wish would've been filled/questions answered.
*there was no indicator as to who's story was next like there was in the previous 2 books
#4. One Kiss to Win
Jett & Laney
⭐
This book starts off differently than the others in that its in a college setting (rather than our previous professional soccer team) and that the story is told from both the hero and heroines POVs. Laney is a new transfer focused on her studies and Jett is your overlyfriendly quarterback. This book also has "another contendor" in Troy, the pushy, hot headed wrestler.
I had a super hard time reading this book because I wanted to DNF so many times. Regardless of how many times her increased intelligence was brought up Laney didn't come off as young and inexperienced but instead as stupid and full of bad decisions. Who goes out with a man they have no attraction to and already view as violent and hot-headed!?! Who stays on a date where the guy disresepexts them, belittles them and orders for them like they're on a Diet AND agrees to follow up dates?! And then how do you wrap it all up with an "I'm sorry" no excuse for WTF was actually happening. Pleaae note that I'm not even getting started on the roommate either because that would make me pull my hair out.
I would give this no stars if I could. Ugh it was college setting but read like middle school. It honestly didn't fit in with the writing style of the first 3 books in this box set at all. Is this even the same author!?
#5. One Chance to Win
Alex & Jasmine
⭐⭐
Already weary when the story started out because the guy is complaining about his steak being a "touch" overdone even though its delicious and he doesn't mind it. He doesn't want all the free perks they're throwing his way after his complaint though... then why complain? Then to say his female waitress can "get over it" because he made her cry is just 🤯💥. What is happening to this freaking boxset!? First 3 books sucked me in, 4th book was a disaster and now I can already tell you the 5th is awful just within the first chapter.
Alright, let's move on and give it a try... we have Alex, soccer player and lust at first sight type of guy and Jasmine, controlling daddy issues galore and stuck in the shadow of a mother who got her degree and jumped ship. 20 or 12? Does anyone know how old the heroine is? Because they say college but she acts elementary school.
2 stars because it was better than book 4 but not by much.
#6. One Cheer to Win
Ryan & Kassie
⭐
We know Ryan from book 5 as he is Alex's cousin and chose to head to LSU on a baseball scholarship. Kassie is new to us and a cheerleader excited to start at her shrimping family's favorite college. The story starts and (if you're a 90s kid like me) we jump right into cheer sex 🤣 smiling and focusing on the hot guy in the crowd while cheering for her team. I was into and high hopes I was going to actually like this one but then we had to go and make Ryan a huge d-bag. "The new girl was gorgeous, but I was Ryan Romero, the star pitcher for the LSU Tigers. I could get any girl I wanted with a snap of my fingers" and "The new girl was a prize that I had every intention of winning. I would not be ignored." Ugh. Douchey. How am I supposed to believe that she's "the one" after arrogant writing like that?
& yet again, isn't this supposed to be a college book? Testing each other to see if you'd cheat if a person of convenience offered Playing? Playing games of ignoring each others existence instead of just communicating.... Feels super immature and high school to me. Not to mention all the comments about woman in general (the hostess he could have any given day) and the "challenge". Kassie starts talking about how shes hiding the relationship from her family and then BAM. Story ends. DNF ALERT! EW.
One star... I finished it, grudgingly, but ugh.
*At this point in the box set I am seriously questioning why I'm still reading this 😭 but for the review... I shall continue!*
#7. Dangerous Play
Nate & Amanda
⭐
Nate is a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and he isn't humble... like at all. The story starts with Nate getting caught with his pants down (literally!) & Amanda working in her family's music shop and discussing just how much she doesn't want a man like Nate (or Nate specifically) but winning tickets to the game of the man himself. When Nate and Amanda finally meet its... awful. I was getting into the banter and then Nate had to bring a look alike Mandy into the picture. What the absolute hell!?
One star because there are so many incorrect wordings, misspelled words and such poor editing.. Who is writing this!? Who edited this!?
#8. Dirty Play
Rey & Lydia
⭐
Cocky NYY baseball player Rey starts us off the book being the cocky sleazy manwhore at a bar talking up a blonde he just KNOWS he's going to bang because, duh, who wouldn't want to bag him? *gag me why am I still trying with this box set!?* Rey is Nate (from book #7s best friend) and he secretly wants to bang Nate's stepsister Reagan. Sadly for him, she's married but he stumbles upon her sister Lydia while double dipping in the chip dip at a fancy event. Cue the dislike, a flat tire, her rejecting his proposal for a date and the heroine publishing an article titled "Why All Men are Rapist" for the New York freaking Times and she all but names him. Then its all "oh how cute she's playing you because she likes you! I swear I almost threw my phone. How freaking old are we people? She made $800 on an article implying that he specifically, a celebrity, was a rapist for the way he treats women and I'm supposed to find this funny, endearing even and understand when the guy buys her drinks at the bar on the next page?!
I'm sorry. Its kind of the hook, line, sinker for me. This is awful. I can't read another page.
Don't buy this book set or, like me, don't receive it for free. Seriously move on.