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Keeping Score #1
False Start
Football is everything, but love is the only game that matters.
Quinn
The guy who’s been my best friend since we were kids is now the star of the football team. He's dating cheerleaders and hanging out at wild parties. He's leaving me behind, and it's breaking my heart.
And then there's Nate . . . my other best friend. I know he's crushing on me. I wish things were different, but for me, it's always been Leo. It's always going to be Leo.
When I finally get my shot with him, I'm not going to waste a single moment. I want to be the girl he can never forget.
Leo
My life is a friggin’ dream right now. Any girl I want is mine for the asking, and everyone treats me like royalty. What else could I need?
Apparently, the answer is . . . the one girl I shouldn’t want. The one who’s been my friend forever. The one who is too good for me. The one I can’t stop desiring, even though I know better.
I’m screwed.
Quinn
The guy who’s been my best friend since we were kids is now the star of the football team. He's dating cheerleaders and hanging out at wild parties. He's leaving me behind, and it's breaking my heart.
And then there's Nate . . . my other best friend. I know he's crushing on me. I wish things were different, but for me, it's always been Leo. It's always going to be Leo.
When I finally get my shot with him, I'm not going to waste a single moment. I want to be the girl he can never forget.
Leo
My life is a friggin’ dream right now. Any girl I want is mine for the asking, and everyone treats me like royalty. What else could I need?
Apparently, the answer is . . . the one girl I shouldn’t want. The one who’s been my friend forever. The one who is too good for me. The one I can’t stop desiring, even though I know better.
I’m screwed.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2020
492 people are currently reading
859 people want to read
About the author
Tawdra Kandle
147 books777 followersTawdra Kandle is the author of over 140 contemporary and paranormal romances. Her engaging characters and realistic worlds lure return readers to devour the steamy love stories she spins.
Tawdra writes stories just like real life . . . only spicier!
Fan favorites include The Anti-Cinderella Chronicles, Love in a Small Town, and The Sexy Soldiers Military Romances.
Tawdra lives in central Florida with her husband, a sweet pup, and a snarky cat. Assorted grown children and two perfect granddaughters live nearby.
You can FOLLOW Tawdra here to receive updates on her releases. You can also visit her website at http://tawdrakandle.com for more information, and subscribe to her newsletter https://tawdrakandle.substack.com/sub... for sales announcements, special exclusive content, and promotions!
Tawdra writes stories just like real life . . . only spicier!
Fan favorites include The Anti-Cinderella Chronicles, Love in a Small Town, and The Sexy Soldiers Military Romances.
Tawdra lives in central Florida with her husband, a sweet pup, and a snarky cat. Assorted grown children and two perfect granddaughters live nearby.
You can FOLLOW Tawdra here to receive updates on her releases. You can also visit her website at http://tawdrakandle.com for more information, and subscribe to her newsletter https://tawdrakandle.substack.com/sub... for sales announcements, special exclusive content, and promotions!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
April 9, 2016
Do you remember high school? How about your first kiss? This story moves through the lives of Nate, Leo and Quinn from when they were born, elementary school, junior high and onward to high school. Now back to that first kiss, it was amazing. Mine not so much, but this one... was grand. It was better.
The author has figured out how to move through these kids lives and it makes it a very fast read. The emotions poured out here are real, potent, and poignant. Memories flow out of the story as fast as your fingers can turn the page, and the tears will follow.
It's been a long time since a story has held me so tightly I couldn't breathe for it. This was one of them. I hesitate to mark it as a favorite (although it's going to end up there) for the simple fact that it's so very in your face, your heart will break, and lovely. Just plain good reading. Nope, this was a great read. The author gives us a look behind the scenes of this new series at the end of this book, and it makes it just much more.
Well done story Tawdra. Well done.
The author has figured out how to move through these kids lives and it makes it a very fast read. The emotions poured out here are real, potent, and poignant. Memories flow out of the story as fast as your fingers can turn the page, and the tears will follow.
It's been a long time since a story has held me so tightly I couldn't breathe for it. This was one of them. I hesitate to mark it as a favorite (although it's going to end up there) for the simple fact that it's so very in your face, your heart will break, and lovely. Just plain good reading. Nope, this was a great read. The author gives us a look behind the scenes of this new series at the end of this book, and it makes it just much more.
Well done story Tawdra. Well done.
March 31, 2016
When We Were Us is book 1 in a new trilogy from Tawdra Kandle. I’m excited for this series as I’m a big fan of Tawdra’s.
I received an ARC of this book that is due to be released April 7.
This book is the beginning story of Nate, Quinn and Leo. They have been friends since day 1. Things were great when they were younger. As they got older and became teenagers it became a bit more strained.
To make matters worse is romantic feelings. They really became a bit of a love triangle. Nate loves Quinn but she doesn’t feel the same. To make matters worse Quinn likes Leo and he likes her. So now Nate not only does not get the girl, he gets to watch his best friend get her.
This is one of those books you just want to consume in one sitting. I tried to read it slowly but that didn’t happen. I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2. This one ended with a large cliffhanger.
I received an ARC of this book that is due to be released April 7.
This book is the beginning story of Nate, Quinn and Leo. They have been friends since day 1. Things were great when they were younger. As they got older and became teenagers it became a bit more strained.
To make matters worse is romantic feelings. They really became a bit of a love triangle. Nate loves Quinn but she doesn’t feel the same. To make matters worse Quinn likes Leo and he likes her. So now Nate not only does not get the girl, he gets to watch his best friend get her.
This is one of those books you just want to consume in one sitting. I tried to read it slowly but that didn’t happen. I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2. This one ended with a large cliffhanger.
July 12, 2016
Damn cliff hangers ugh
Want to read
July 5, 2021FREE on Amazon today (10/16/2017)!
August 1, 2020
I was warned this was gonna be ansty . It is . Lord I knew from the prequel Young that Nate was no good. I felt he was selfish and I was proven right. I dont generally like or read New Adult or Young Adult books. This one was well written and I m excited to read the rest of the series . I m not on board with #Quileo because I dont see Leo as a mature man. I hope the series gets better.
Read
June 16, 2020this was an interesting read, because i know someone with the same name as one of the characters, so about a third of the way through, suddenly everyone has faces of people i know and i am Quinn, bushy hair and all, living out one of my high school fantasies. It helped that character descritions were minimal. and ending on a cliff hanger ensures I'll be reading the next book!
November 20, 2016
Ever wonder if things could of been different growing up? Or wonder how Middle High School life might be.
That's what Quinn, Nate and Leo are going through now. They started as friends in Elementary and became besties after that. But life if rough in middle-high school.
Quinn learns all she needs to know via books and the way people treat her. But she's been harboring big secret that she didn't realize herself until Middle School. She has the chance to ask but she also realizes that someone else has been harboring a secret crush on her as well. What will happen when all is out on the field?
Nate may have health problems and weak muscles but that doesn't mean he's out of the game. Be a brainiac and having no filter on his mouth didn't help him either. He is coping as any other teenage would. And he loves his friends, but he loves the girl more that has been there for him through thick and thin. But does she love him the same way.
Leo is everything that any person wants to be. Have the looks, famous for his football plays and the girls come by the dozen to seek his attention. Only at the back of his mind, is his best friend Quinn. After all they been through he still harbors feelings for her. But he doesn't want her corrupted or even stepping foot into his world. But he loves her with all his heart. Will he commit or will he break her heart.
That's what Quinn, Nate and Leo are going through now. They started as friends in Elementary and became besties after that. But life if rough in middle-high school.
Quinn learns all she needs to know via books and the way people treat her. But she's been harboring big secret that she didn't realize herself until Middle School. She has the chance to ask but she also realizes that someone else has been harboring a secret crush on her as well. What will happen when all is out on the field?
Nate may have health problems and weak muscles but that doesn't mean he's out of the game. Be a brainiac and having no filter on his mouth didn't help him either. He is coping as any other teenage would. And he loves his friends, but he loves the girl more that has been there for him through thick and thin. But does she love him the same way.
Leo is everything that any person wants to be. Have the looks, famous for his football plays and the girls come by the dozen to seek his attention. Only at the back of his mind, is his best friend Quinn. After all they been through he still harbors feelings for her. But he doesn't want her corrupted or even stepping foot into his world. But he loves her with all his heart. Will he commit or will he break her heart.
April 7, 2016
When I finished this book I was lost. I wanted to rip Nate apart piece by little piece. I wanted to beat the hell out of Leo. And Quinn, I wanted to smack her too, but then by the very end of the book, I just wanted to cry and hug her bc I understand all too well what she's going through. By the way, I LOVED THIS BOOK. It's definitely different from other books that Tawdra has written, but in a good way. I'm going to be thinking about this book until the next one releases. Def a 5 star story.
Nate, Leo, and Quinn are the three musketeers! Inseparable. Best friends until the end of time. Then hormones come along, high school comes, and things never stay the same. Nothing ever remains the same. Life is never that simple. This book is so realistic. Maybe more so to me because I was basically in the same spot as Quinn. I relate to Quinn's character in so many ways it's scary. This is a wonderfully written, heartfelt story that will make you cry, scream, wish bodily harm on the characters, and then make you want to just hold them and hug them. Tawdra definitely knows who to emotionally exhaust you with her story. It is well worth the read and I know the next book in this trilogy will be so worth the wait.
Nate, Leo, and Quinn are the three musketeers! Inseparable. Best friends until the end of time. Then hormones come along, high school comes, and things never stay the same. Nothing ever remains the same. Life is never that simple. This book is so realistic. Maybe more so to me because I was basically in the same spot as Quinn. I relate to Quinn's character in so many ways it's scary. This is a wonderfully written, heartfelt story that will make you cry, scream, wish bodily harm on the characters, and then make you want to just hold them and hug them. Tawdra definitely knows who to emotionally exhaust you with her story. It is well worth the read and I know the next book in this trilogy will be so worth the wait.
October 22, 2017
Dammit! Seriously, how the hell did I get suckered into reading another frickin’ YA novel!
Fracking high school love triangle BS! And a cliffhanger to boot.
So ragey right now.
Fracking high school love triangle BS! And a cliffhanger to boot.
So ragey right now.
February 12, 2020
5 stars minus ½ star for the cliffhanger rounded up to 5
I absolutely did not need to find another author to love. But, Tawdra Kandle will be a featured author at Coastal Magic, a book convention I'm attending later this month (February 2020) and I wanted to read one of her books before then.
I've had When We Were Us (now titled False Start) in my Kindle library since 2016. I'm a one-click addict so I'm sure I bought it when it was free or on sale but just never got around to reading it. Now I'm kicking myself for having waited so long to read this while at the same time cursing Ms. Kandle just a bit because this book has a cliffhanger. I'm OK with cliffhangers if I know a book has one before I start reading it but I didn't know until I'd already started this one. The blurb doesn't mention a cliffhanger but I should probably have been clued in once I leaned that it was book one of a trilogy but I didn't find that out either until I'd already started reading the book.
OK, now that I've gotten that out of my system, I have to say how much I loved this story. I'm a few years past 60 but I'm a sucker for a good story about young love. I usually read books that fall more into the college age New Adult range but the characters in False Start are high school age and I loved it just as much as books about college aged kids.
I think one of the reasons I loved this so much, other than the excellent writing, is that it brought back memories of my high school days. All of the angst of peer pressure, young love, etc. that are in this story felt way too familiar even though it's been 50 years ago for me.
The book is about three very close friends who have known each other before they were born. Yes, that's right – their mothers were friends while pregnant and the three were born within months of each other. The blurb for False Start doesn't mention Nate but he is a very integral part of this story. It's been my life experience that things don't always go well when there's a trio of friends. Invariably something happens that ends up pitting two against one and that pretty much happens in this story – although who the two of the three are changes over time.
If you read the newer version of the book titled False Start it will begin at a different point in the characters lives than the older version I read. I highly recommend also picking up a copy of Young (currently free on Amazon). That book lets you know about Leo, Quinn and Nate before they were in high school.
While I'm a bit bummed out that False Start left me hanging it's a fantastic story and I am definitely reading the rest of the trilogy.
I absolutely did not need to find another author to love. But, Tawdra Kandle will be a featured author at Coastal Magic, a book convention I'm attending later this month (February 2020) and I wanted to read one of her books before then.
I've had When We Were Us (now titled False Start) in my Kindle library since 2016. I'm a one-click addict so I'm sure I bought it when it was free or on sale but just never got around to reading it. Now I'm kicking myself for having waited so long to read this while at the same time cursing Ms. Kandle just a bit because this book has a cliffhanger. I'm OK with cliffhangers if I know a book has one before I start reading it but I didn't know until I'd already started this one. The blurb doesn't mention a cliffhanger but I should probably have been clued in once I leaned that it was book one of a trilogy but I didn't find that out either until I'd already started reading the book.
OK, now that I've gotten that out of my system, I have to say how much I loved this story. I'm a few years past 60 but I'm a sucker for a good story about young love. I usually read books that fall more into the college age New Adult range but the characters in False Start are high school age and I loved it just as much as books about college aged kids.
I think one of the reasons I loved this so much, other than the excellent writing, is that it brought back memories of my high school days. All of the angst of peer pressure, young love, etc. that are in this story felt way too familiar even though it's been 50 years ago for me.
The book is about three very close friends who have known each other before they were born. Yes, that's right – their mothers were friends while pregnant and the three were born within months of each other. The blurb for False Start doesn't mention Nate but he is a very integral part of this story. It's been my life experience that things don't always go well when there's a trio of friends. Invariably something happens that ends up pitting two against one and that pretty much happens in this story – although who the two of the three are changes over time.
If you read the newer version of the book titled False Start it will begin at a different point in the characters lives than the older version I read. I highly recommend also picking up a copy of Young (currently free on Amazon). That book lets you know about Leo, Quinn and Nate before they were in high school.
While I'm a bit bummed out that False Start left me hanging it's a fantastic story and I am definitely reading the rest of the trilogy.
June 16, 2020
Had this book on my Kindle, titled “When We Were Us” from November 2019, but it has apparently been retitled since then. That in itself was confusing, and so was the description; I did not get the sense these characters were in high school, so that wasn’t what I was expecting. It felt like High School Musical, with its popular jock who has everything and is still not happy (poor baby…). Except that HS Musical was at least PG and the characters had goals and interests; in this book, the popular characters spend all their time partying and screwing which doesn’t lend itself to much of a storyline. The extremely casual approach to sex was disturbing to me in characters who are 16 years old (I hope my daughter never reads this book). I was more interested in seeing Nate come into his own (I didn’t care for how he was portrayed as a lovesick puppy), or Quinn realizing she deserved better than Leo (how immature can he be?). I almost quit reading. There is no HEA, and a cliffhanger disguised as an “epilogue” presumably to entice you to read book 2 and 3 in the series (which I won’t be doing).
June 5, 2019
I've never read a book by Tawdra, and can honestly say that it won't be my last. And this series isn't over for me. Sometimes I can be happy with reading a book and not continuing the story. This time, I can't. I need to know what happens.
Nate, Leo and Quinn have been friends sine their first memory. As they grow up, their love triangle blossoms which leads to their friendship deteriorating. But sometimes, you just have to do what feels right and when that happens, things go downhill.
Luckily, you get to see it from all three perspectives, and not one. Because of this you can't hate. You understand all their actions. Even if you're wanting to bang their fictional heads together, you get it.
I really loved this book. Even on nights I couldn't keep my eyes open, I read a page... ish.
May have accidentally purchased a new Kindle too. Because I haven't used mine in god knows how long, suddenly want to read all the time and the damn thing shuts off with 92% battery. I can't work under those conditions, you know!
Nate, Leo and Quinn have been friends sine their first memory. As they grow up, their love triangle blossoms which leads to their friendship deteriorating. But sometimes, you just have to do what feels right and when that happens, things go downhill.
Luckily, you get to see it from all three perspectives, and not one. Because of this you can't hate. You understand all their actions. Even if you're wanting to bang their fictional heads together, you get it.
I really loved this book. Even on nights I couldn't keep my eyes open, I read a page... ish.
May have accidentally purchased a new Kindle too. Because I haven't used mine in god knows how long, suddenly want to read all the time and the damn thing shuts off with 92% battery. I can't work under those conditions, you know!
June 25, 2019
Ok Read
I have read other books by this author and this is the first I’ve not really enjoyed. The book description does not relay that this is essentially a high school romance and that, while it wraps up nicely after their high school graduation, there is no conclusion to the love triangle - no hea and with a semi cliffhanger. I now have to read books 2 and 3 if I want to know what happens between Quinn and Leo, or if she will end up with Nate. I really hate it when the blurbs don’t mention that this is only part 1 of a story and will need to be continued in the next book!
I have read other books by this author and this is the first I’ve not really enjoyed. The book description does not relay that this is essentially a high school romance and that, while it wraps up nicely after their high school graduation, there is no conclusion to the love triangle - no hea and with a semi cliffhanger. I now have to read books 2 and 3 if I want to know what happens between Quinn and Leo, or if she will end up with Nate. I really hate it when the blurbs don’t mention that this is only part 1 of a story and will need to be continued in the next book!
October 5, 2017
Going in I had no expectations of this book as I have never heard of this author. The premise of the book sounded interesting, three friends who knew each other from the womb. One friend in love with the other, and the other in love with her. We follow them from grade school through high school and one's unrequited love that leads him to destroy the friendship of all three. I loved Leo and Quinn and at the end hated Nate. What will become of them. I need to read the next book. Very good emotionally gripping and couple of tears shed in the end.
March 3, 2024
FALSE START begins Quinn, Leo, and Nate’s story. It’s filled with teenage drama, hopes and dreams, heartache, and angst. It’s an engaging tale of friendship and how it evolves as friends grow and become more and less to each other as the joys and heartbreak of young love play a pivotal role in their lives. And just as their lives are changing, tragedy strikes leaving our hearts turned inside out and wondering what this means for the next stage of their lives in this emotionally captivating read.
October 30, 2017
I really enjoyed the premise of this story..following our 3 MCs from early childhood through graduation. However none of their relationships are healthy..one in fact is toxic as heck. It was a little cliched but it was an enjoyable read and interested me enough to move on to book 2.. Hoping that toxic "best " friend relationship doesn't continue in the manipulative way it's going..but where would the fun be in that. Glad I found this in my recommendation list.
June 12, 2017
When friendship becomes love between a group of friends that known each other their whole life. It won't end well. Who knew loving someone could hurt so bad. This book brought me back to high school seeing what they had to go thorough. All the ups in down, and rooting for the couple you want to survive. Can't wait to see what will happen in the next book.
October 17, 2017
Cliffhanger
Not a book for adults. This is high school drama, bullies, love triangle. Too high school for me as an adult I didn't enjoy all the high school stuff. I kept waiting for the story line to go into their adult lives ...but it's all high school. I hate cliffhangers so I won't be recommending this. If you are not a high school student, leave this book behind.
Not a book for adults. This is high school drama, bullies, love triangle. Too high school for me as an adult I didn't enjoy all the high school stuff. I kept waiting for the story line to go into their adult lives ...but it's all high school. I hate cliffhangers so I won't be recommending this. If you are not a high school student, leave this book behind.
April 28, 2019
Teens
A interesting story, so I’m thinking I should’ve given it 4 stars. But for me Leo got on my last nerve- I don’t see Nate for Quinn either. I was hoping for some one interesting to come along for her. So I won’t be going on to book 2, happy reading for the ones that do go on.
A interesting story, so I’m thinking I should’ve given it 4 stars. But for me Leo got on my last nerve- I don’t see Nate for Quinn either. I was hoping for some one interesting to come along for her. So I won’t be going on to book 2, happy reading for the ones that do go on.
January 25, 2017
Three friends who have known each other from birth. You just know that there is not going to be a happy ending when both boys love the one girl and she can only give her heart to one.
October 23, 2017
Excellent!
So good i was angry and happy and sad right there with the characters. Great writing, I was completely swallowed whole into the story!
So good i was angry and happy and sad right there with the characters. Great writing, I was completely swallowed whole into the story!
November 16, 2017
When We Were Us
This book was a coming of age, young adult love story that did not end the way I thought it would. I can't wait to read part 2.
This book was a coming of age, young adult love story that did not end the way I thought it would. I can't wait to read part 2.
November 18, 2017
5stars
This book is a great read. Reminds us of our first time falling in love and how it tears us up.
This book is a great read. Reminds us of our first time falling in love and how it tears us up.
December 18, 2017
Awesome
This was great from birth to graduation. I like the first person storytelling from the main characters I can’t wait to read the next one
This was great from birth to graduation. I like the first person storytelling from the main characters I can’t wait to read the next one
January 19, 2018
It is a great book to read
June 18, 2018
Give me a story with sports and love and I’ll love it. Add in a really relatable female MC and it’ll always be 5 stars.
December 26, 2018
Wow!
Talk about a wicked turn of events! Two people madly in love but just can’t seem to get it right! Definitely an emotional roller coaster! On to the next book!
Talk about a wicked turn of events! Two people madly in love but just can’t seem to get it right! Definitely an emotional roller coaster! On to the next book!
April 2, 2019
High school romance, book needs major editing. Probably would have loved it in my mid teens
August 11, 2019
Darn it!!
If I'd realised it was going to end with a whopper of a cliffhanger I wouldn't have read this one, darn it. But saying that, I've enjoyed every word.
If I'd realised it was going to end with a whopper of a cliffhanger I wouldn't have read this one, darn it. But saying that, I've enjoyed every word.
August 30, 2019
I didn’t really like the characters. Plus lots of annoying grammar mistakes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews