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Scoring is the best part of the game.
Family lore about falling in forever love made for fun fireside fairy tales, but Kirsty Durnin isn’t interested. After spending her high school years washing baby vomit out of her hair and rerouting her college plans after her mother’s surprise pregnancy, she’s finally ready to finish her undergrad degree before pursuing her master’s. No more distractions…until she indulges in an impulsive, mind-melting New Year’s kiss with Gladiators offensive lineman, Everest.
Everest McBride oozes chiseled, mountain-sized masculine perfection and dominates on and off the field. Everest thought he had his life plan lined up like hash marks on a football field before he met Kirsty. Suddenly, he can’t get the pint-sized pixie out of his head. Everest’s go-to game plan to win Kirsty’s heart involves charm, but getting ghosted isn’t in his playbook.
Kirsty refuses to let a single smooch, no matter how hot, detour her path. By ignoring Everest, she’ll forever fracture her family’s “love at first kiss” fairy tale, but Everest plays to win, and, besides, he gives really good text.
Family lore about falling in forever love made for fun fireside fairy tales, but Kirsty Durnin isn’t interested. After spending her high school years washing baby vomit out of her hair and rerouting her college plans after her mother’s surprise pregnancy, she’s finally ready to finish her undergrad degree before pursuing her master’s. No more distractions…until she indulges in an impulsive, mind-melting New Year’s kiss with Gladiators offensive lineman, Everest.
Everest McBride oozes chiseled, mountain-sized masculine perfection and dominates on and off the field. Everest thought he had his life plan lined up like hash marks on a football field before he met Kirsty. Suddenly, he can’t get the pint-sized pixie out of his head. Everest’s go-to game plan to win Kirsty’s heart involves charm, but getting ghosted isn’t in his playbook.
Kirsty refuses to let a single smooch, no matter how hot, detour her path. By ignoring Everest, she’ll forever fracture her family’s “love at first kiss” fairy tale, but Everest plays to win, and, besides, he gives really good text.
- GenresContemporary
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2021
71 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 21, 2021
Amazing read. Book three in the series. Think young love, family secrets and the preconceived notion of “why you cannot” that was planted in your head to deceive you.
August 18, 2021
I voluntarily read a advanced reader's copy of this book for a honest opinion.
Handful by Grissom a great addition to the Gladiators of the Gridiron series. This is the third book in the series. I enjoyed everything in this series so far. Great character development, storyline and dialogue. I look forward to reading more books in this series and by this author.
Handful by Grissom a great addition to the Gladiators of the Gridiron series. This is the third book in the series. I enjoyed everything in this series so far. Great character development, storyline and dialogue. I look forward to reading more books in this series and by this author.
August 29, 2021
What a great new book to add to this series. I have loved them all, but I think this one might be my favorite one. Both Kristy and Everest have their lives planed out and they for sure had not planned on that kiss. They both cannot stop thinking about it or about each other. What are they to do when they know what they want in life, but life has other plans for them? I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2021
I've been waiting for this book since I first read Mouthful. Everest bursts off the page in all his Highland-warrior-in-a-football-uniform glory! The wonderful part is we've really gotten to know him over the last two books so when he takes center stage in this one, I was ready for him to finally get his own HEA.
Kirsty is Faith's best friend. We love her in Mouthful, but she's back home in MA while the story is out in CA at Fortis U. In this book, Kirsty finally gets to join her friend at Fortis, placing Everest directly in her path.
Both Everest and Kirsty are dealing with some big family issues in this book, but I absolutely love how they challenge and support one another. It's like a dance. This is going to sound silly and minor, but it's the little details that get to me. The story opens with Kirsty traveling across country and right into helping with a move (Phoebe's). Everest is concerned. It's a line. Not important at all, but a few pages later Everest shows up with a cold drink for Kirsty. No big deal, not a plot point, doesn't make a big deal about it. Just shows up and hands her a drink. It's the little kindnesses that always win me over <3
I've loved this whole series! Can't wait for more :)
Kirsty is Faith's best friend. We love her in Mouthful, but she's back home in MA while the story is out in CA at Fortis U. In this book, Kirsty finally gets to join her friend at Fortis, placing Everest directly in her path.
Both Everest and Kirsty are dealing with some big family issues in this book, but I absolutely love how they challenge and support one another. It's like a dance. This is going to sound silly and minor, but it's the little details that get to me. The story opens with Kirsty traveling across country and right into helping with a move (Phoebe's). Everest is concerned. It's a line. Not important at all, but a few pages later Everest shows up with a cold drink for Kirsty. No big deal, not a plot point, doesn't make a big deal about it. Just shows up and hands her a drink. It's the little kindnesses that always win me over <3
I've loved this whole series! Can't wait for more :)
August 29, 2021
Handful (Gladiators of the Gridiron #3) by C.R. Grissom is an addition to this young adult series that is of the college football players lives and their loves. Family has been a big issue in this series, playing just as much a part in Kirsty Durnin and Everest McBride’s story too.
Everest McBride is tough on the field and is learning that winning at love can be tough too. Being ignored isn’t something he has had to experience until he meets and falls for Kirsty Durnin. The normal amount of angst, drama, doubt, and persistence that you expect in this series. Go get’er, Everest!
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Everest McBride is tough on the field and is learning that winning at love can be tough too. Being ignored isn’t something he has had to experience until he meets and falls for Kirsty Durnin. The normal amount of angst, drama, doubt, and persistence that you expect in this series. Go get’er, Everest!
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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August 10, 20258% dnf the setting and the descriptions are not coming to life
August 24, 2021
Juicy scenes abound for a college football player and the new girl to his circle of friends. Agreeing to be friends with benefits gets very complicates and he finds himself wondering if he is in it for the long haul and if she is, too.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 6, 2021
I received this arc from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Eyeful was the third book in the Gladiators of the Gridiron Series by C.R. Grissom. I’ve read all 3 books and just loved the stories. This was Kirsty and Eric, aka Everest aka the Mountain’s story. Both characters were introduced in the first two books and I was happy when they got their own story. Eric and Kirsty each had quite a bit of drama follow them in this book. Kirsty and her friend Faith are originally from the East Coast but have moved to California to go to college. Kirsty had to wait until junior year to come as she was helping her parents with her little brother. On a visit over the Christmas holidays before she starts in August, Kirsty meets Eric and shares a kiss on New Years Eve that is full of lots of chemistry.
Eric’s dad left his family when he was young. He has always acted as the caretaker or protected of his mother and sisters as well as friends and girlfriends. He is the leader of the college football team and everyone on campus looks up to him. He and Kirsty talk about wanting to remain friends but want to act on the chemistry both have felt since the initial kiss. Kirsty’s grandmother always made her believe her parents had to get married when her mom found out she was pregnant with her. She told her she ruined her mother’s life and she should never let that happen to her. As a result she was leery of committed relationships, she’d prefer to be friends or keep it casual.
As the school term progresses, both Eric and Kirsty are confronted with very dramatic events in each of their lives: Eric is injured at a game with an uncertain outcome; new revelations come to light about his father; Kirsty’s family has a crisis and she and Eric have their own surprising news. The author did an amazing job sharing with the readers all the events causing much angst to the characters. I enjoyed Ms. Grissom’s writing style. I like it that the core 6 characters appear in all 3 of the books. All the books flow very well. It is also entertaining to include the 6 main senior citizens in the books too. I’ve given this book, like the first two, 5 stars. I highly recommend this book and the series.
Eric’s dad left his family when he was young. He has always acted as the caretaker or protected of his mother and sisters as well as friends and girlfriends. He is the leader of the college football team and everyone on campus looks up to him. He and Kirsty talk about wanting to remain friends but want to act on the chemistry both have felt since the initial kiss. Kirsty’s grandmother always made her believe her parents had to get married when her mom found out she was pregnant with her. She told her she ruined her mother’s life and she should never let that happen to her. As a result she was leery of committed relationships, she’d prefer to be friends or keep it casual.
As the school term progresses, both Eric and Kirsty are confronted with very dramatic events in each of their lives: Eric is injured at a game with an uncertain outcome; new revelations come to light about his father; Kirsty’s family has a crisis and she and Eric have their own surprising news. The author did an amazing job sharing with the readers all the events causing much angst to the characters. I enjoyed Ms. Grissom’s writing style. I like it that the core 6 characters appear in all 3 of the books. All the books flow very well. It is also entertaining to include the 6 main senior citizens in the books too. I’ve given this book, like the first two, 5 stars. I highly recommend this book and the series.
October 17, 2021
Really late in reading and reviewing this book, as I missed loading it onto my reader after downloading it to the computer. So the review. I liked the story and the characters. There were a few backstory things that confused me, that may have been a non issue if I'd read the previous books. I was also a little skeptical about everyone being invited to this wedding. I also thought some of the scenes were totally unnecessary. Overall, a pretty good book. *I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntary, honest, and late review.
September 3, 2021
3.5 stars
I have really been enjoying this series. All of the characters are just so likable and they form such a wonderful made-family. I love the support and care they have for one another. Through it all Everest has been the rock that holds them all together. I guess that’s why his nickname is the name of a mountain.
Everest cares for everyone and is especially protective and supportive of the women in his life. When he meets Kirsty in person for the first time, there are fireworks for them both. But they both know that if they let things go to far it could really screw with the dynamic of their friend group. All of the steps leading up to that first kiss kept the butterflies flying in my belly. They really have great chemistry. I especially like, when Kirsty finally moves to California, how honest and frank the couple is with each other. Instead of letting emotions carry them away, they both talk it out and take a break from the hormones in order to make sure they are both on the same page. This in no way lessens that fire that is burning between them. In fact, it makes it hotter for me to see the care Everest gives to Kirsty’s feelings on the situation.
There are so many things I love about this story, but there were some definite issues in this book that I didn’t notice in the first two books in the series. One is a continuity issue that most won’t notice. But there is also a wordiness that jumped out at me. There was often a step-by-step rundown on what a character was doing that I found to be overkill and it would take me out of the story a bit.
That being said, I’m still all-in on this series and hope the author will give us more. There are still plenty of single football players at Fortis University.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
I have really been enjoying this series. All of the characters are just so likable and they form such a wonderful made-family. I love the support and care they have for one another. Through it all Everest has been the rock that holds them all together. I guess that’s why his nickname is the name of a mountain.
Everest cares for everyone and is especially protective and supportive of the women in his life. When he meets Kirsty in person for the first time, there are fireworks for them both. But they both know that if they let things go to far it could really screw with the dynamic of their friend group. All of the steps leading up to that first kiss kept the butterflies flying in my belly. They really have great chemistry. I especially like, when Kirsty finally moves to California, how honest and frank the couple is with each other. Instead of letting emotions carry them away, they both talk it out and take a break from the hormones in order to make sure they are both on the same page. This in no way lessens that fire that is burning between them. In fact, it makes it hotter for me to see the care Everest gives to Kirsty’s feelings on the situation.
There are so many things I love about this story, but there were some definite issues in this book that I didn’t notice in the first two books in the series. One is a continuity issue that most won’t notice. But there is also a wordiness that jumped out at me. There was often a step-by-step rundown on what a character was doing that I found to be overkill and it would take me out of the story a bit.
That being said, I’m still all-in on this series and hope the author will give us more. There are still plenty of single football players at Fortis University.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
September 14, 2021
Handful by CR Grissom, book three in the Gladiators of Gridiron series, is a young adult series that features the lives of college football players and their loves. Family has been a big issue in this series, also playing a large a part in Kirsty Durnin and Everest McBride’s story. Everest McBride is tough on the field and is learning that winning at love can be tough too. Being ignored isn’t something he has had to experience until he meets and falls for Kirsty Durnin. Everest thought he had his life plan lined up like hash marks on a football field before he met Kirsty. Suddenly, he can’t get the pint-sized pixie out of his head. Everest’s go-to game plan to win Kirsty’s heart involves charm, but getting ghosted isn’t in his playbook. Kirsty refuses to let a single smooch, no matter how hot, detour her path. By ignoring Everest, she believes she will break her family’s “love at first kiss” fairy tale, but Everest plays to win.
Ms. Grissom wrote a wonderful, emotional story filled with strong magnetism, sizzling chemistry, wonderful dialogue, and charming characters. I highly recommend Handful to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Ms. Grissom wrote a wonderful, emotional story filled with strong magnetism, sizzling chemistry, wonderful dialogue, and charming characters. I highly recommend Handful to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
September 1, 2021
After putting her future on hold for her mother's late in life pregnancy, nothing can keep Kirsty from her college dreams. Everest has his life planned out around his college football career and beyond. Neither wants a relationship. After one kiss on New Year's Eve both are hooked. Then she ghosts him for a whole year. Now she is back to stay attending college where he goes. After the awkward re-meet they agree to friends with benefits. What could go wrong? Sometimes love finds you when you least expect it and when you aren't looking for it. Good read.
August 31, 2021
Handful by C.R. Grissom
Scoring is the best part of the game.
Family lore about falling in forever love made for fun fireside fairy tales, but Kirsty Durnin isn’t interested. After spending her high school years washing baby vomit out of her hair and rerouting her college plans after her mother’s surprise pregnancy, she’s finally ready to finish her undergrad degree before pursuing her master’s. No more distractions…until she indulges in an impulsive, mind-melting New Year’s kiss with Gladiators offensive lineman, Everest.
Everest McBride oozes chiseled, mountain-sized masculine perfection and dominates on and off the field. Everest thought he had his life plan lined up like hash marks on a football field before he met Kirsty. Suddenly, he can’t get the pint-sized pixie out of his head. Everest’s go-to game plan to win Kirsty’s heart involves charm, but getting ghosted isn’t in his playbook.
Kirsty refuses to let a single smooch, no matter how hot, detour her path. By ignoring Everest, she’ll forever fracture her family’s “love at first kiss” fairy tale, but Everest plays to win, and, besides, he gives really good text.
This is Kirsty Durnin And Everest McBride's story.
Cross-country travel during the week between the holidays requires stamina, patience, and an emergency pair of underwear tucked in your carry-on.
I have zero patience, but according to my dead granny Kay, I’m as full as a tick when it comes to stamina.
The two-story wall of glass allows sunlight to illuminate the area inside the Arrivals Terminal at San Jose International Airport.
Everest has managed to stuff himself into the back seat.
His knees are up around his ears, but he shoots me a wink.
“Okay, ladies. “You do a great impression of a cinnamon roll.”
Everest has managed to stuff himself into the back seat. His knees are up around his ears, but he shoots me a wink. “Okay, ladies. I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to hold this position without splitting my pants.”
Handful by C.R. Grissom is a 3 star book.
I received a complimentary copy of the book and was under no obligation to post a review.
Scoring is the best part of the game.
Family lore about falling in forever love made for fun fireside fairy tales, but Kirsty Durnin isn’t interested. After spending her high school years washing baby vomit out of her hair and rerouting her college plans after her mother’s surprise pregnancy, she’s finally ready to finish her undergrad degree before pursuing her master’s. No more distractions…until she indulges in an impulsive, mind-melting New Year’s kiss with Gladiators offensive lineman, Everest.
Everest McBride oozes chiseled, mountain-sized masculine perfection and dominates on and off the field. Everest thought he had his life plan lined up like hash marks on a football field before he met Kirsty. Suddenly, he can’t get the pint-sized pixie out of his head. Everest’s go-to game plan to win Kirsty’s heart involves charm, but getting ghosted isn’t in his playbook.
Kirsty refuses to let a single smooch, no matter how hot, detour her path. By ignoring Everest, she’ll forever fracture her family’s “love at first kiss” fairy tale, but Everest plays to win, and, besides, he gives really good text.
This is Kirsty Durnin And Everest McBride's story.
Cross-country travel during the week between the holidays requires stamina, patience, and an emergency pair of underwear tucked in your carry-on.
I have zero patience, but according to my dead granny Kay, I’m as full as a tick when it comes to stamina.
The two-story wall of glass allows sunlight to illuminate the area inside the Arrivals Terminal at San Jose International Airport.
Everest has managed to stuff himself into the back seat.
His knees are up around his ears, but he shoots me a wink.
“Okay, ladies. “You do a great impression of a cinnamon roll.”
Everest has managed to stuff himself into the back seat. His knees are up around his ears, but he shoots me a wink. “Okay, ladies. I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to hold this position without splitting my pants.”
Handful by C.R. Grissom is a 3 star book.
I received a complimentary copy of the book and was under no obligation to post a review.
October 27, 2024
Kirsty meets Everest at the airport, where he's come to take her to see her best friend, Faith (see Mouthful). She's there for a wedding and to see where she's going to move to in August, miles across the country from her family, giving her a break from helping look after her little brother.
She's immediately attracted to Everest but is determined to concentrate on her studies. They all have great fun at the wedding, she and Everest get closer, and she travels home.
August arrives and she's anxious to see who's going to meet her at the airport, she hasn't actually ghosted Everest but she hasn't really kept in touch!
They have a really good discussion about their feelings, leaving out how much they really like each other! And settle down to getting to know each other, then trouble happens. Will they be able to get over it? Will it bring them together or push them apart?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another great read in the series from CR
She's immediately attracted to Everest but is determined to concentrate on her studies. They all have great fun at the wedding, she and Everest get closer, and she travels home.
August arrives and she's anxious to see who's going to meet her at the airport, she hasn't actually ghosted Everest but she hasn't really kept in touch!
They have a really good discussion about their feelings, leaving out how much they really like each other! And settle down to getting to know each other, then trouble happens. Will they be able to get over it? Will it bring them together or push them apart?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another great read in the series from CR
August 31, 2021
This is the 3rd book in this intriguing series and is Everest and Kristy’s story. Kristy is totally focused on finishing her undergrad degree before pursuing her masters, and she is adamant there will be no distractions in her path. Everest is the Gladiators offensive lineman, and from the moment he meets Kristy he is enamoured with her. One hot New Year kiss, and a friends-with-benefits arrangement later, and things become complicated. Everest is charming and determined to convince Kristy to give them a chance of being together. This is a well written story which is entertaining, and with secrets, family dynamics, emotions, and love, which all leads to an all-consuming and addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
October 27, 2024
I love the characters in Handful by C.R. Grissom, book 3 in the Gladiators of the Gridiron series.
The MMC, Eric “Everest” McBride, is popular, athletic, smart, and huge. He’s the sweet, thoughtful, friendly, protective, only single man among his group of tight friends. The MFC, Kirsty, is the tiny, best friend from “back home” of Faith, the girlfriend of Everest’s good friend, CW from book 1, Mouthful. Transferring to the college Faith attends, Kirsty is instantly fiercely attracted to Everest, and he, to her but both have a plan, and a significant other isn’t part of that plan.
Unable to resist their chemistry, Kirsty proposes a friends-with-benefits arrangement. What follows is a fun, sweet, spicy novel filled with camaraderie, humor, and lots of feelings.
The MMC, Eric “Everest” McBride, is popular, athletic, smart, and huge. He’s the sweet, thoughtful, friendly, protective, only single man among his group of tight friends. The MFC, Kirsty, is the tiny, best friend from “back home” of Faith, the girlfriend of Everest’s good friend, CW from book 1, Mouthful. Transferring to the college Faith attends, Kirsty is instantly fiercely attracted to Everest, and he, to her but both have a plan, and a significant other isn’t part of that plan.
Unable to resist their chemistry, Kirsty proposes a friends-with-benefits arrangement. What follows is a fun, sweet, spicy novel filled with camaraderie, humor, and lots of feelings.
October 31, 2024
Handful ~ Gladiators of the Gridiron #3 by C.R. Grissom
This is a wonderful addition to this well-written series from C.R. Grissom. Brilliant characters that we met in the previous books surface here, the storyline is believable and I could picture myself there too.
I have read all three books now and they are certainly a series worth reading.
I do recommend this book to all.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Happily Ever After, Page-turner, Romantic, Realistic, Steamy, and Wonderful characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a wonderful addition to this well-written series from C.R. Grissom. Brilliant characters that we met in the previous books surface here, the storyline is believable and I could picture myself there too.
I have read all three books now and they are certainly a series worth reading.
I do recommend this book to all.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Happily Ever After, Page-turner, Romantic, Realistic, Steamy, and Wonderful characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 30, 2024
Kristy just broke up with an awful boyfriend and had a drink spilled on her during a long fight where her luggage is late when she meets Eric. There’s an instant attraction but it’s like she doesn’t trust good guys. He does distract her from her schoolwork and is dealing with his own issues. But when her little brother is in an accident she realizes what’s really important. This was a steamy college romance.
November 6, 2024
Kristy & Everest: Book 3 of Gladiators of the Gridiron: College football romance/ friends to lovers/ friend group: I love this series! I finally got Everest’s story, and it was amazing. Loved these two together. It is an interconnected standalone that is better if read in order. This series has amazing main and side characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 24, 2021
Loved this book! If you are a fan of college and sports romances the Gladiators of the Gridiron series by C.R. Grissom is a must read! I highly recommend this book and as this was my first series by this author I am a new fan and look forward to reading more of her books!
November 6, 2024
This is an entertaining college romance book that holds your attention. The storyline is intriguing as the elements unfold. The characters are well written with strong chemistry together. I enjoyed this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 25, 2023
Narrators Anastasia Whatley and Nelson Hobbs
Audio Book May 2023
Audio Book May 2023
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews