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Out of Bounds #3
Risky Game
Just when he was at the top of his game…
She changed the rules.
Baltimore Blaze tight-end Brody Janik is a natural born football star. At twenty-seven, his record-breaking athletic performance and his cover-boy good looks have turned him in to a household name. But Brody’s hiding a major secret behind his charming, public persona: a health condition that may cut his career short.
PhD candidate Shannon ‘Shay’ Everett works multiple jobs to put herself through school—including an unpaid internship with the Blaze training department. Strapped for cash, Shay answers the call of a NFL gossip blogger to uncover personal details about the Blaze players. Sneaking in to the locker room one night, she gets entangled in Brody’s secret… and swept up by his charm.
Brody isn’t sure what to make of the gawky girl with the whiskey eyes, especially when he discovers she was snooping. His first instinct is to turn her in as a snitch, but she could destroy him by sharing his secret. Instead, he decides to keep her close… perhaps closer than either of them originally intended.
This title was previously released with a different cover.
She changed the rules.
Baltimore Blaze tight-end Brody Janik is a natural born football star. At twenty-seven, his record-breaking athletic performance and his cover-boy good looks have turned him in to a household name. But Brody’s hiding a major secret behind his charming, public persona: a health condition that may cut his career short.
PhD candidate Shannon ‘Shay’ Everett works multiple jobs to put herself through school—including an unpaid internship with the Blaze training department. Strapped for cash, Shay answers the call of a NFL gossip blogger to uncover personal details about the Blaze players. Sneaking in to the locker room one night, she gets entangled in Brody’s secret… and swept up by his charm.
Brody isn’t sure what to make of the gawky girl with the whiskey eyes, especially when he discovers she was snooping. His first instinct is to turn her in as a snitch, but she could destroy him by sharing his secret. Instead, he decides to keep her close… perhaps closer than either of them originally intended.
This title was previously released with a different cover.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2014
135 people are currently reading
1536 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Solheim
21 books1,123 followersTracy Solheim writes books with shirtless men on the cover. Some of them are actually best-sellers. The books, not the men. When she's not writing, she's practicing her curling. . . bottles of wine, that is. She's been known to cook dinner but no more than two nights in a row. Most days, she'd rather be reading, which to her is just necessary research. She lives in the suburbs of Atlanta with her husband and a neurotic Labrador retriever. Her two adult children visit but not often enough. (See the note above about cooking.) Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.tracysolheim.com/ to see what she’s up to. She'll send you a free cookbook from her Chances Inlet series as a thank you!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
July 28, 2024
Risky Game by Tracy Solheim
Out of Bounds series #3. Sports related contemporary romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Baltimore Blaze tight-end Brody Janik is a natural born football player. At twenty-seven, he’s at the top of his game but he’s also hiding a secret tnat he can’t afford to expose.
PhD candidate Shay Everett works as an unpaid intern with the Blaze training department. She accidentally finds out that his blood sugar levels have been fluctuating and when he realizes she knows, he makes a deal for her to cook for him. As Shay cooks and plans his meals while working to finish her degree, Brody goes back to practice hoping everything will be fine now.
Brody doesn’t want to grow up. He doesn’t like doing things that take work. Shay thinks he might be ready if someone shows him the way. Brody knows why Shay is working a number of different jobs, but thinks she needs relax once in awhile. The two teach each other as their relationship becomes closer. But someone else knows his secret and both their careers may be on the line.
Shay is driven and determined. She works multiple jobs and would help anyone that needs a hand. But she also has a high profile sister with over the top sex appeal and Shay was told she could never be as good as her sister. This is secondary to the main romance but it’s why she is almost frantic in her goals. Then again, she is so close to success that a pebble could cause a flood of problems. Learning to love and trust Brody is out of her comfort zone.
I liked this story once the two started to trust each other. That took a bit. There is some fun banter and a few laugh out loud moments. An enjoyable romance that makes me want to read the rest of the series.
Out of Bounds series #3. Sports related contemporary romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Baltimore Blaze tight-end Brody Janik is a natural born football player. At twenty-seven, he’s at the top of his game but he’s also hiding a secret tnat he can’t afford to expose.
PhD candidate Shay Everett works as an unpaid intern with the Blaze training department. She accidentally finds out that his blood sugar levels have been fluctuating and when he realizes she knows, he makes a deal for her to cook for him. As Shay cooks and plans his meals while working to finish her degree, Brody goes back to practice hoping everything will be fine now.
Brody doesn’t want to grow up. He doesn’t like doing things that take work. Shay thinks he might be ready if someone shows him the way. Brody knows why Shay is working a number of different jobs, but thinks she needs relax once in awhile. The two teach each other as their relationship becomes closer. But someone else knows his secret and both their careers may be on the line.
Shay is driven and determined. She works multiple jobs and would help anyone that needs a hand. But she also has a high profile sister with over the top sex appeal and Shay was told she could never be as good as her sister. This is secondary to the main romance but it’s why she is almost frantic in her goals. Then again, she is so close to success that a pebble could cause a flood of problems. Learning to love and trust Brody is out of her comfort zone.
I liked this story once the two started to trust each other. That took a bit. There is some fun banter and a few laugh out loud moments. An enjoyable romance that makes me want to read the rest of the series.
March 29, 2016
“It’s going to be hard to keep this under wraps,”
Shay stuffed herself into a cubby inside the Blaze’s locker room, hoping she will overhear a juicy secret she can sell to the blogger who runs the site “The Girlfriend’s Guide to the NFL”. And she does discover a juicy secret, one that belongs to a certain Mr. Brody Janik. She can definitely use the money, it’s just that her action puts her possible future career and her internship at risk. Not that the internship is one that she wanted but she does need it. That and that she begins to feel guilty, made her come to the decision to forget everything she heard. Unfortunately for Shay, her mouth sometimes works faster than her brain….
Brody is a true superstar, rich, handsome..spoiled but not at all arrogant. He’s lazy though, everything is done for him. With his health condition, which he wants to keep secret from everyone, he doesn’t trust easily but he’s opening up to Shay. They were having a nice, intimate moment when Shay opened her mouth and before her brain could comprehend what she was saying, something about knowing about his health condition escaped.
Brody connects the dots and comes to the conclusion that Shay is the snitch who has been leaking information to the blogger. He’s on his way to out her as the snitch when she pulls a fast one on him and blackmails him into silence. In return he blackmails her…
The blogger is relentless and has posted an article about Shay being Brody’s girlfriend. It gives the two of them the perfect cover for their blackmail game.
“I didn’t even see you there.”
“I was hiding in the back.”
“You must have had a pretty good view.”
“Not really. I didn’t see anything.” Her feverish skin undoubtedly gave her away.
Brody leaned in close to her flushed cheek. “Liar.”
I think I spent the majority of my “reading time” staring at the cover..
Well obviously I wasn’t staring at his face…I mean there is only a half one to stare at..
“Risky Game” can be read as a stand alone (I did) but I feel like I could have understood the secondary characters more had I read the previous books in this series first. I’ll definitely be picking those up soon though. And despite what the cover suggests it’s pretty clean, no explicit stuff going on here. It’s a clean kind of sexy contemporary. And I really liked Shay and Brody, these main characters are each other’s opposite in every way but they fit well together.
Shay the awkward, brainiac who is juggling multiple jobs… really Shay is there anything you can’t do? She’s so strong, no matter what is thrown at her she just keeps on going. She has developed a thick skin so crass words thrown her way without care, don’t make her flinch visibly anymore. But it’s really no surprise that she has a low self-esteem.
Brody is sick of everyone seeing him as just a celebrity jock, he wants people to acknowledge that there’s more to him. Mainly because he’s afraid that after his game days he won’t know who he is either, that he will see himself as just a celebrity jock. Brody I’m not sure what to think of you. First I thought you to be attentive, charming and then I was introduced to your spoiled, distrustful side. For a distrustful guy it doesn’t make sense to me that he would rely on other people to do stuff for him. Yes they are all under contract but when did that ever stop a desperate person from earning a quick buck.
“You go enjoy yourself. I need a shower and to study.”
His nostrils flared at the mention of the shower. Shay sucked in a breath when he gently traced a finger beneath one of her eyes. “You’re exhausted. But you need to eat. Take your shower and I’ll bring the pizza back here. I promise I’ll have them out of here in an hour so you can study.”
This is one of those moments where Brody won me over, sweet, caring words. But when his distrust rises to the surface, he just keeps saying the wrong things especially around Shay….. I think he has the same “mouth working before the brain problem” she has.
Then we have the secondary characters, I feel like every single one of them contributes to this story. Some are cute (Maddox), some are quirky (almost everyone on the team), some were downright jerks (*cough*Nate*cough* ) but in their own way I enjoyed them all. I hope Bridgett gets her own story too, I really want to know what’s going on with her. She’s such a strong, ambitious, no-nonsense woman and in so, incredibly funny. I have lingering questions about Shay’s family though and about that damn blogger which we will probably see again.
So yes there are some small things that left me hanging. But the author’s writing style had me entertained all throughout the book, I liked the story and how it flowed, I could connect with the characters and again I love that cover. So for me it was definitely worth the read. At the end of the book there is a little sneak peek to her new series. Am definitively going to keep my eyes open for it.
“I’ve told you before, Shannon. You’re a conundrum. And I like conundrums.”
Shay stuffed herself into a cubby inside the Blaze’s locker room, hoping she will overhear a juicy secret she can sell to the blogger who runs the site “The Girlfriend’s Guide to the NFL”. And she does discover a juicy secret, one that belongs to a certain Mr. Brody Janik. She can definitely use the money, it’s just that her action puts her possible future career and her internship at risk. Not that the internship is one that she wanted but she does need it. That and that she begins to feel guilty, made her come to the decision to forget everything she heard. Unfortunately for Shay, her mouth sometimes works faster than her brain….
Brody is a true superstar, rich, handsome..spoiled but not at all arrogant. He’s lazy though, everything is done for him. With his health condition, which he wants to keep secret from everyone, he doesn’t trust easily but he’s opening up to Shay. They were having a nice, intimate moment when Shay opened her mouth and before her brain could comprehend what she was saying, something about knowing about his health condition escaped.
Brody connects the dots and comes to the conclusion that Shay is the snitch who has been leaking information to the blogger. He’s on his way to out her as the snitch when she pulls a fast one on him and blackmails him into silence. In return he blackmails her…
The blogger is relentless and has posted an article about Shay being Brody’s girlfriend. It gives the two of them the perfect cover for their blackmail game.
“I didn’t even see you there.”
“I was hiding in the back.”
“You must have had a pretty good view.”
“Not really. I didn’t see anything.” Her feverish skin undoubtedly gave her away.
Brody leaned in close to her flushed cheek. “Liar.”
I think I spent the majority of my “reading time” staring at the cover..
Well obviously I wasn’t staring at his face…I mean there is only a half one to stare at..
“Risky Game” can be read as a stand alone (I did) but I feel like I could have understood the secondary characters more had I read the previous books in this series first. I’ll definitely be picking those up soon though. And despite what the cover suggests it’s pretty clean, no explicit stuff going on here. It’s a clean kind of sexy contemporary. And I really liked Shay and Brody, these main characters are each other’s opposite in every way but they fit well together.
Shay the awkward, brainiac who is juggling multiple jobs… really Shay is there anything you can’t do? She’s so strong, no matter what is thrown at her she just keeps on going. She has developed a thick skin so crass words thrown her way without care, don’t make her flinch visibly anymore. But it’s really no surprise that she has a low self-esteem.
Brody is sick of everyone seeing him as just a celebrity jock, he wants people to acknowledge that there’s more to him. Mainly because he’s afraid that after his game days he won’t know who he is either, that he will see himself as just a celebrity jock. Brody I’m not sure what to think of you. First I thought you to be attentive, charming and then I was introduced to your spoiled, distrustful side. For a distrustful guy it doesn’t make sense to me that he would rely on other people to do stuff for him. Yes they are all under contract but when did that ever stop a desperate person from earning a quick buck.
“You go enjoy yourself. I need a shower and to study.”
His nostrils flared at the mention of the shower. Shay sucked in a breath when he gently traced a finger beneath one of her eyes. “You’re exhausted. But you need to eat. Take your shower and I’ll bring the pizza back here. I promise I’ll have them out of here in an hour so you can study.”
This is one of those moments where Brody won me over, sweet, caring words. But when his distrust rises to the surface, he just keeps saying the wrong things especially around Shay….. I think he has the same “mouth working before the brain problem” she has.
Then we have the secondary characters, I feel like every single one of them contributes to this story. Some are cute (Maddox), some are quirky (almost everyone on the team), some were downright jerks (*cough*Nate*cough* ) but in their own way I enjoyed them all. I hope Bridgett gets her own story too, I really want to know what’s going on with her. She’s such a strong, ambitious, no-nonsense woman and in so, incredibly funny. I have lingering questions about Shay’s family though and about that damn blogger which we will probably see again.
So yes there are some small things that left me hanging. But the author’s writing style had me entertained all throughout the book, I liked the story and how it flowed, I could connect with the characters and again I love that cover. So for me it was definitely worth the read. At the end of the book there is a little sneak peek to her new series. Am definitively going to keep my eyes open for it.
“I’ve told you before, Shannon. You’re a conundrum. And I like conundrums.”
June 6, 2014
My favorite of the series so far, and I'll tell you why: Through 90% of the book, the hero, Baltimore Blaze football star Brody Janik, was a decent guy. No asshat behavior until near the end of the book...which is the opposite of the heroes in the previous 2 books. In the first 2 books of the series, I had problems liking the heroes because they were jerks until near the end of the book. So Brody was a welcome change.
Brody...
The book blurb explains the plot pretty thoroughly. Brody's got a medical secret that doctoral candidate (Ph D in nutrition) Shay/Shannon stumbles upon while spying (hoping to sell a bit of gossip to a national blogger) in the locker room. Brody worries that she'll sell him out before he can get a new contract signed so decides to keep her close. Each is sort of blackmailing the other, which sounds worse than it really was, because I never thought Brody or Shay would squeal on the other. Shay, who has an unpaid internship with the team, works as Brody's nutritionist so Brody won't tell about catching Shay in the locker room. Shay is tall and gawky and brainy, Brody is drop dead gorgeous and charming. They start out as a "pretend couple" so people won't wonder why she's hanging around Brody, but then they develop into a real life couple...or do they?
This book had plenty of heat. I really liked Brody and Shay together. Brody was tired of women using him for what they could get and then selling him out, and although Shay did have a crush on Brody, she didn't fall all over him. They were fun together and compatible in a sort of "opposites attract" way. I thought Shay really "got" Brody and Brody "got" Shay. It's just that Brody had some serious trust issues involving women, and unfortunately his lack of trust became an issue in the relationship, hence the asshat behavior...
All in all an enjoyable read, and I'm interested enough to keep reading this series. The author hints that Brody's lawyer sister Bridget has some big secrets as well, so I sure hope she gets her own book. A solid 4 stars.
Brody...
The book blurb explains the plot pretty thoroughly. Brody's got a medical secret that doctoral candidate (Ph D in nutrition) Shay/Shannon stumbles upon while spying (hoping to sell a bit of gossip to a national blogger) in the locker room. Brody worries that she'll sell him out before he can get a new contract signed so decides to keep her close. Each is sort of blackmailing the other, which sounds worse than it really was, because I never thought Brody or Shay would squeal on the other. Shay, who has an unpaid internship with the team, works as Brody's nutritionist so Brody won't tell about catching Shay in the locker room. Shay is tall and gawky and brainy, Brody is drop dead gorgeous and charming. They start out as a "pretend couple" so people won't wonder why she's hanging around Brody, but then they develop into a real life couple...or do they?
This book had plenty of heat. I really liked Brody and Shay together. Brody was tired of women using him for what they could get and then selling him out, and although Shay did have a crush on Brody, she didn't fall all over him. They were fun together and compatible in a sort of "opposites attract" way. I thought Shay really "got" Brody and Brody "got" Shay. It's just that Brody had some serious trust issues involving women, and unfortunately his lack of trust became an issue in the relationship, hence the asshat behavior...
All in all an enjoyable read, and I'm interested enough to keep reading this series. The author hints that Brody's lawyer sister Bridget has some big secrets as well, so I sure hope she gets her own book. A solid 4 stars.
October 18, 2014
I love when the “not-so-perfect- girl” steam rolls the “perfect guy”! And my-oh-my does Shannon Everett play the game well. She’s such a great character all the way around. She could be the Energizer Bunny's twin. That girl has so much spunk and vitality – she makes me admire the heck out of her! And she’s smart and strong when it would be so easy for her to throw up her hands and run screaming into the hills. She’s just delightful and makes this story a real charmer. And she’s keeping a very important something secret.
Sports-themed romances rate among my top favorite “comfort and happy” reads. And a football hero tops that list. Brody Janik might be one of my all-time favorites. Yeah he’s got the swagger and he’s full of cockiness – and a gorgeous hunk of male species, too. But I’ll give points to Tracy Solheim for also giving him some depth as well. Beneath the GQ cover looks and the star NFL football star player, he’s much more – he’s got a heart of gold. Family is important to him and Brody’s family helps make up part of a great secondary cast. His work with children’s charities adds another plus. But he’s hiding a secret that could change everything, too.
It’s nothing we haven’t seen before – heck by now there’s not too much that is new and untouched. It’s how the author chooses to write the story her way by adding the special extras, making the characters just a little different, giving breath to the story and bringing it alive on the pages. And for all the sports-themed football stories I’ve read, this one seems to have squeezed a place in my heart and I’m happy to proclaim, it’s a winner for me.
Sports-themed romances rate among my top favorite “comfort and happy” reads. And a football hero tops that list. Brody Janik might be one of my all-time favorites. Yeah he’s got the swagger and he’s full of cockiness – and a gorgeous hunk of male species, too. But I’ll give points to Tracy Solheim for also giving him some depth as well. Beneath the GQ cover looks and the star NFL football star player, he’s much more – he’s got a heart of gold. Family is important to him and Brody’s family helps make up part of a great secondary cast. His work with children’s charities adds another plus. But he’s hiding a secret that could change everything, too.
It’s nothing we haven’t seen before – heck by now there’s not too much that is new and untouched. It’s how the author chooses to write the story her way by adding the special extras, making the characters just a little different, giving breath to the story and bringing it alive on the pages. And for all the sports-themed football stories I’ve read, this one seems to have squeezed a place in my heart and I’m happy to proclaim, it’s a winner for me.
June 30, 2014
Risky Game was all kinds of sports romance perfection! Yall know I love my sports romance and, damn me, this was just an awesome combo of the two. I was in a total reader girl *swoon* over Brody and Shay as desperation, survival and a risky secret bring the two together and romance begins to bloom. I mean. Loved it.
The quick of it is that Brody is hiding a medical issue from his football team and in a twist of fate a snooping Shay overhears and a slight case of blackmail ensues as Shay--who is in school for nutrition, stretched financially and is momentarily tempted by selling scoop to tabloids--is coerced by Brody to work for him balancing his dietary needs in exchange for not turning her in for snooping on the team. *cue the dum-dum-dum music!* lol
I really liked both Shannon and Brody. They're different but worked. Oh yeah. They worked...nicely together.
Shay's on the nerdy side and rather gawky. Has some insecurities with her appearance but is a total brain and brilliant. She also hella determined and dedicated to helping her family and becoming financially secure. She's got a backbone of steel and embraces who she is. I liked that she was just...herself. I didn't always love her thought process and occasional flaily girl moments but I enjoyed her quite a bit.
And Brody's a sexy footballer that's at the top of his game and by all appearances has the perfect life but he's struggling with inner worries and with who he really is outside of the game. His fears and worries were so relateable and I just enjoyed him as a character. He can be a bit of an alpha male (in an oh-so-delicious way) and a little cocky (again in a damn I so want to lick you way) and very sweet as well (and poof! panties are gone). He's one of those guys who can totally be a guy but can also go to Mass and hang out with an elderly nun and be just fine. I mean. Loved him. Even if he does manage a major flub up and needed a smack down now and again. Thankfully bub got his shit together quickly and totally had me swooning again. :)
The two were really great together and I enjoyed watching them get to know each other, the more professional side of her keeping track of his medical issues and seeing the two try to track down the culprit behind the selling of team secrets. It was fun, exciting and just a good time. And whew when things finally get steamy they're just...excellent.
My only complaint--other than Brody having a total asshole move there near the end and wanting to bop him--was that I would have liked him to have seen a little showdown with everyone around him. They all go on about how easy his life is and everything just comes to him but really to be at the top of your field like he was that takes serious dedication and hard work and it would have been nice to see that acknowledged just a little by those who cared about him. Minor complaint but damn it had me a little riled. lol
The sports aspect was perfect done. Enough to keep you in the game but not overpower the romance or become overwhelming for the non-sporty type. I loved getting to meet some of the team and their families and very much want to read their stories next. There was some nice humor there, some great friendships and yes some frustrations too. While I wanted to shake people every once in a while what I loved was that it felt real. The emotions and fears and insecurities were believable on so many parts. I could see getting caught up in some of the thoughts and them taking over even if they were irrational.
Risky Game was an easy read. I found myself smiling thinking about getting back to it and grabbed it up every chance I could find... even if it was just for a few pages at a time. Solheim created a comfortable world and one that was nice to be a part of even for just a little while. It was just a delightful sports romance.
Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.
The quick of it is that Brody is hiding a medical issue from his football team and in a twist of fate a snooping Shay overhears and a slight case of blackmail ensues as Shay--who is in school for nutrition, stretched financially and is momentarily tempted by selling scoop to tabloids--is coerced by Brody to work for him balancing his dietary needs in exchange for not turning her in for snooping on the team. *cue the dum-dum-dum music!* lol
I really liked both Shannon and Brody. They're different but worked. Oh yeah. They worked...nicely together.
"I'm sorry I'm such a conundrum, Brody," she whispered.
Brody kissed the tip of her nose. "I already told you, Shannon, I like conundrums."
Shay's on the nerdy side and rather gawky. Has some insecurities with her appearance but is a total brain and brilliant. She also hella determined and dedicated to helping her family and becoming financially secure. She's got a backbone of steel and embraces who she is. I liked that she was just...herself. I didn't always love her thought process and occasional flaily girl moments but I enjoyed her quite a bit.
And Brody's a sexy footballer that's at the top of his game and by all appearances has the perfect life but he's struggling with inner worries and with who he really is outside of the game. His fears and worries were so relateable and I just enjoyed him as a character. He can be a bit of an alpha male (in an oh-so-delicious way) and a little cocky (again in a damn I so want to lick you way) and very sweet as well (and poof! panties are gone). He's one of those guys who can totally be a guy but can also go to Mass and hang out with an elderly nun and be just fine. I mean. Loved him. Even if he does manage a major flub up and needed a smack down now and again. Thankfully bub got his shit together quickly and totally had me swooning again. :)
The two were really great together and I enjoyed watching them get to know each other, the more professional side of her keeping track of his medical issues and seeing the two try to track down the culprit behind the selling of team secrets. It was fun, exciting and just a good time. And whew when things finally get steamy they're just...excellent.
My only complaint--other than Brody having a total asshole move there near the end and wanting to bop him--was that I would have liked him to have seen a little showdown with everyone around him. They all go on about how easy his life is and everything just comes to him but really to be at the top of your field like he was that takes serious dedication and hard work and it would have been nice to see that acknowledged just a little by those who cared about him. Minor complaint but damn it had me a little riled. lol
The sports aspect was perfect done. Enough to keep you in the game but not overpower the romance or become overwhelming for the non-sporty type. I loved getting to meet some of the team and their families and very much want to read their stories next. There was some nice humor there, some great friendships and yes some frustrations too. While I wanted to shake people every once in a while what I loved was that it felt real. The emotions and fears and insecurities were believable on so many parts. I could see getting caught up in some of the thoughts and them taking over even if they were irrational.
Risky Game was an easy read. I found myself smiling thinking about getting back to it and grabbed it up every chance I could find... even if it was just for a few pages at a time. Solheim created a comfortable world and one that was nice to be a part of even for just a little while. It was just a delightful sports romance.
Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.
December 9, 2023
3 stars
Don’t remember much of this (read it back in January)
Don’t remember much of this (read it back in January)
June 22, 2014
My Review:
Definitely the best book of the series! I loved this story and the emotions between Shay and Brody. I love how unlikely of a couple they are and my heart just hurt for Shay as that was repeatedly pointed out during the book.
Shay and Brody are brought together by an anonymous evil blogger who likes to stir things up by sharing the latest in rumors and gossip among the NFL members. Shay interns with the Blaze as she's earning her PhD in nutrition. It's an intern job so it doesn't pay, but she's working about 4 other jobs just to get by. This is a girl who never sleeps and never has enough money to get by. So when she receives an anonymous note from the blogger offering money for dirt, Shay is tempted. But that's all she is...tempted. She decides she can't do it, but that is only after she finds out about Brody's secret health issues.
Brody is the sexy tight end who everyone wants. He's gorgeous, charming, and sexy as all get out...and has been burned by pretty much everyone who eventually uses his fame for their gain. He's learned not to trust anyone, so when Shay says he can trust her, he scoffs and begins his own blackmail scheme against her. She cooperates with him or he will make sure that her mother's business is shut down.
Shay has so many self-esteem issues stemming from being a twin. Her twin sister just happens to be a former beauty queen and a current Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Her sister was always the beautiful one; Shay was always the smart one. For the most part, she's learned to accept that over the years but with the blogger making constant digs at her and how she doesn't fit with the beautiful Brody, those old insecurities keep rising. Oh, how my heart hurt for her. I do love Brody though in that regardless of what was going on, he was always right up front reassuring her in how much he did truly want her. He screwed up in every other aspect, but not there. I loved how much he wanted and needed her to feel better about that issue.
Then there's Brody...the guy who never had to grow up. Brody's naturally talented, naturally beautiful and surrounded by sisters who take care of every little thing for him. He's never really had to work at too much and no one tells him no. But he's aware of that too and is really hard on himself about not having to work for things. That's affected his self-esteem negatively, too. Combined with his trust issues, he doesn't think that he will ever be able to maintain a real relationship.
This book is hard emotionally because neither of these characters truly feel like they ever have or will have anything more. That's a natural story line in a lot of romances, but in most of those there comes a point where they begin to have hope in a future. In this book, with these characters' mental blocks, neither of them ever truly even consider the possibility. That made the ending for me that much sweeter because I did love the two of them together.
There was a lot of emotion in this book and because of that this was definitely the best in the series for me. There was one story line left hanging though...the blogger was never caught or revealed although her source was. Will we eventually find out who's behind the blog? I hope so.
Definitely the best book of the series! I loved this story and the emotions between Shay and Brody. I love how unlikely of a couple they are and my heart just hurt for Shay as that was repeatedly pointed out during the book.
Shay and Brody are brought together by an anonymous evil blogger who likes to stir things up by sharing the latest in rumors and gossip among the NFL members. Shay interns with the Blaze as she's earning her PhD in nutrition. It's an intern job so it doesn't pay, but she's working about 4 other jobs just to get by. This is a girl who never sleeps and never has enough money to get by. So when she receives an anonymous note from the blogger offering money for dirt, Shay is tempted. But that's all she is...tempted. She decides she can't do it, but that is only after she finds out about Brody's secret health issues.
Brody is the sexy tight end who everyone wants. He's gorgeous, charming, and sexy as all get out...and has been burned by pretty much everyone who eventually uses his fame for their gain. He's learned not to trust anyone, so when Shay says he can trust her, he scoffs and begins his own blackmail scheme against her. She cooperates with him or he will make sure that her mother's business is shut down.
Shay has so many self-esteem issues stemming from being a twin. Her twin sister just happens to be a former beauty queen and a current Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Her sister was always the beautiful one; Shay was always the smart one. For the most part, she's learned to accept that over the years but with the blogger making constant digs at her and how she doesn't fit with the beautiful Brody, those old insecurities keep rising. Oh, how my heart hurt for her. I do love Brody though in that regardless of what was going on, he was always right up front reassuring her in how much he did truly want her. He screwed up in every other aspect, but not there. I loved how much he wanted and needed her to feel better about that issue.
Then there's Brody...the guy who never had to grow up. Brody's naturally talented, naturally beautiful and surrounded by sisters who take care of every little thing for him. He's never really had to work at too much and no one tells him no. But he's aware of that too and is really hard on himself about not having to work for things. That's affected his self-esteem negatively, too. Combined with his trust issues, he doesn't think that he will ever be able to maintain a real relationship.
This book is hard emotionally because neither of these characters truly feel like they ever have or will have anything more. That's a natural story line in a lot of romances, but in most of those there comes a point where they begin to have hope in a future. In this book, with these characters' mental blocks, neither of them ever truly even consider the possibility. That made the ending for me that much sweeter because I did love the two of them together.
There was a lot of emotion in this book and because of that this was definitely the best in the series for me. There was one story line left hanging though...the blogger was never caught or revealed although her source was. Will we eventually find out who's behind the blog? I hope so.
May 9, 2014
See the full review, complete with memorable quotes, at GraveTells: http://gravetells.com/contemporary-ro...
*** This review is SPOILER-FREE! Read on with confidence! ***
Even though this is book three in the series, you can easily pick it up and dive in without being too confused. There are a fairly large amount of characters contributing to the story who were introduced in the past two books but Risky Game mainly focuses on Brody and Shay.
Something that I really liked in this book, which is a nice change from the last one (Foolish Games), is that the story arc feels well-paced and the hero keeps his caveman moments to an attractive minimum ('William the Conquerer' was decidedly less level headed!). Shay is also a refreshing heroine, a woman who is intelligent, confident, brave, driven, and has a remarkably thick skin. She's a perfect match for the famous Blaze tight end playboy, with his millions and charm and magazine good looks.
The book doesn't really have any surprises and reads more like a traditional or Regency romance in that respect - you can pretty much tell from the start where it's headed - but the story is well-crafted and entertaining throughout. The relationship chemistry (and not just sexually) between the protagonists is excellent and, while their love story is open-door, Ms. Solheim doesn't abuse that balance by adding in unnecessary sex scenes or giving lascivious detail where it doesn't enhance the reading experience. Risky Game is a true, classic contemporary romance.
Want to start from the beginning of the Out of Bounds series? Check out Game On. Risky Game is a fun, engaging read with likeable, relatable characters who practicality feel like family. All the critical plot strings are tied up nicely, leaving only a few tantalizing lead-ins for the upcoming books. If you haven't read this series and you're a fan of football and contemporary romance, definitely add this one to your list!
*** This review is SPOILER-FREE! Read on with confidence! ***
Even though this is book three in the series, you can easily pick it up and dive in without being too confused. There are a fairly large amount of characters contributing to the story who were introduced in the past two books but Risky Game mainly focuses on Brody and Shay.
Something that I really liked in this book, which is a nice change from the last one (Foolish Games), is that the story arc feels well-paced and the hero keeps his caveman moments to an attractive minimum ('William the Conquerer' was decidedly less level headed!). Shay is also a refreshing heroine, a woman who is intelligent, confident, brave, driven, and has a remarkably thick skin. She's a perfect match for the famous Blaze tight end playboy, with his millions and charm and magazine good looks.
The book doesn't really have any surprises and reads more like a traditional or Regency romance in that respect - you can pretty much tell from the start where it's headed - but the story is well-crafted and entertaining throughout. The relationship chemistry (and not just sexually) between the protagonists is excellent and, while their love story is open-door, Ms. Solheim doesn't abuse that balance by adding in unnecessary sex scenes or giving lascivious detail where it doesn't enhance the reading experience. Risky Game is a true, classic contemporary romance.
Want to start from the beginning of the Out of Bounds series? Check out Game On. Risky Game is a fun, engaging read with likeable, relatable characters who practicality feel like family. All the critical plot strings are tied up nicely, leaving only a few tantalizing lead-ins for the upcoming books. If you haven't read this series and you're a fan of football and contemporary romance, definitely add this one to your list!
May 6, 2014
4.5 stars! I'm a huge fan of Tracy K. Solheim's Out of Bounds series. I love the game of football and love reading about the fictional lives of the players. I especially enjoy how Tracy pairs each player with real women. They aren't cookie-cutter gorgeous and perfect, each has pasts and issues they have to face. Every one of Tracy's books has been wonderful and I've looked forward to each with barely controlled eagerness. When I found out book 3 would be the infamous Brody's book, I couldn't help but wonder what the woman who won Brody's heart would be like. I had hoped for a strong woman and that's exactly what Shay is.
I've loved Brody for a while, but It was so easy to fall for Shay too. She's smart, hard working, beautiful and sexy but doesn't know it. I like how she made Brody work hard to earn her trust especially after how he treated her in the beginning; She made him work hard to be worthy of her. If a woman doesn't respect herself, how can she expect someone else to?
I love the family dynamics shown in this book. It was so much more than Brody and his sisters or Shay and her family, but also the Blaze football family. I loved seeing some of my favorite people from previous books and am looking forward to hopefully reading more about the Baltimore Blaze. I thought I saw the possibility of a story with the one of Brody's sisters and the new owner of the Baltimore Blaze. (Hint, hint.)
Lastly, I'd like to thank Tracy for another fantastic book I couldn't put down and GoodReads for allowing me to win a copy in its first reads giveaways. The above in no way influenced my honest opinion. (Tracy's books are rated on a whole as 4 stars. You can verify that here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...
I've loved Brody for a while, but It was so easy to fall for Shay too. She's smart, hard working, beautiful and sexy but doesn't know it. I like how she made Brody work hard to earn her trust especially after how he treated her in the beginning; She made him work hard to be worthy of her. If a woman doesn't respect herself, how can she expect someone else to?
I love the family dynamics shown in this book. It was so much more than Brody and his sisters or Shay and her family, but also the Blaze football family. I loved seeing some of my favorite people from previous books and am looking forward to hopefully reading more about the Baltimore Blaze. I thought I saw the possibility of a story with the one of Brody's sisters and the new owner of the Baltimore Blaze. (Hint, hint.)
Lastly, I'd like to thank Tracy for another fantastic book I couldn't put down and GoodReads for allowing me to win a copy in its first reads giveaways. The above in no way influenced my honest opinion. (Tracy's books are rated on a whole as 4 stars. You can verify that here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...
May 6, 2014
Risky Game (Out Of Bounds #3)
Tracy Solheim
I won this book through a contest at Goodreads and in return I promised my honest review.
This book was great! I can't wait to go back and read the other 2 in this series. It is a part of a series and yes, in some instances it would have helped if I read those first but this still can be a stand alone book. What's not to love about football and those hunky athletes?!
The book was well written, with great characters, a mighty fine plot, and lots of steamy, sexual attraction. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a great sports-romance. And OMG, I so want to read Bridgett's story!!! So Please, Tell Me There Is One...
Brody Janik is a NFL Wide Receiver and at the top of his game. He has only one year left on his contract when he finds out that he has a problem with his blood sugar and if it the news of his condition is slipped then that may cost him his career.
Shannon "everyone calls me Shay" Everett is a PhD student doing a free internship at the commissary at the training facility. She works multiple jobs and is short on cash. Shay decides to make some extra money from a NFL blogger to dig up personal details about the players. She hides in the locker room and overhears Brody's health condition.
Meanwhile, she lets slips to Brody that she knows of his condition and he starts to blackmail her into a fake relationship. She uses him as a subject for her dissertation paper but she can't help but be charmed by him. These two fight the chemistry between them and at the same time have to decide if they can trust one another.
They are drawn closer together while hunting down the real snitch. But, can the fake relationship they are portraying to world turn into a real one as they close in on their target?
Tracy Solheim
I won this book through a contest at Goodreads and in return I promised my honest review.
This book was great! I can't wait to go back and read the other 2 in this series. It is a part of a series and yes, in some instances it would have helped if I read those first but this still can be a stand alone book. What's not to love about football and those hunky athletes?!
The book was well written, with great characters, a mighty fine plot, and lots of steamy, sexual attraction. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a great sports-romance. And OMG, I so want to read Bridgett's story!!! So Please, Tell Me There Is One...
Brody Janik is a NFL Wide Receiver and at the top of his game. He has only one year left on his contract when he finds out that he has a problem with his blood sugar and if it the news of his condition is slipped then that may cost him his career.
Shannon "everyone calls me Shay" Everett is a PhD student doing a free internship at the commissary at the training facility. She works multiple jobs and is short on cash. Shay decides to make some extra money from a NFL blogger to dig up personal details about the players. She hides in the locker room and overhears Brody's health condition.
Meanwhile, she lets slips to Brody that she knows of his condition and he starts to blackmail her into a fake relationship. She uses him as a subject for her dissertation paper but she can't help but be charmed by him. These two fight the chemistry between them and at the same time have to decide if they can trust one another.
They are drawn closer together while hunting down the real snitch. But, can the fake relationship they are portraying to world turn into a real one as they close in on their target?
March 31, 2014
Risky Game is the third story in the Out of Bounds series by Tracy Solheim, and tells the story of golden boy wide received Brody Janik and awkward Shannon “Shay” Everett. Shay is currently working on her PhD, with an unpaid internship with the Blaze, and her willingness to spy on the Blaze players for a gossip blogger leads her right into Brody’s hands when he discovers her snooping in the locker room. Her discovery of his potential career ending health condition will lead to an uneasy alliance as she agrees to help keep his secret and assist him to monitor his condition.
The relationship between Brody and Shay was not an easy one, as both come into the situation not trusting the other, but I liked the way that it grew from nothing to really become something. The banter between the two kept me laughing, and they were able to let their personalities show when they were with each other, something they were not able to do around other people. Brody was too busy trying to be the golden boy while Shay was often trying to live up to her name as the smart twin, and both were able to come out a little stronger and more authentic at the end of the experience with each other. Overall a great book which brought together a sexy football player and an intelligent strong woman who ended up being amazing for each other.
Reviewed by Lucy for Cocktails and Books
The relationship between Brody and Shay was not an easy one, as both come into the situation not trusting the other, but I liked the way that it grew from nothing to really become something. The banter between the two kept me laughing, and they were able to let their personalities show when they were with each other, something they were not able to do around other people. Brody was too busy trying to be the golden boy while Shay was often trying to live up to her name as the smart twin, and both were able to come out a little stronger and more authentic at the end of the experience with each other. Overall a great book which brought together a sexy football player and an intelligent strong woman who ended up being amazing for each other.
Reviewed by Lucy for Cocktails and Books
May 5, 2014
A family is a risky venture, because the greater the love, the greater the loss... That's the trade-off. But I'll take it all. – Brad Pitt
Football star Brody Janik shares many attributes with Brad Pitt – he is sexy, he is driven, and and he has a big family. Instead of Brady’s six children, Brody has three sisters whom he adores. He is at the height of his athletic career and yet he hides a secret … a secret Shannon “Shay” Everett overhears in the locker room. She could use the cash that this secret would generate from the tabloids. Instead, Shay offers to help Brody overcome it while opening her heart to him.
Solheim delivers an emotional yet romantic romp into today’s modern sports machine. I laughed along with Shay’s antics, Brody’s charm, and his sisters’ interference as the Golden Boy comes to terms with his own limitations while the independent intern realizes that it is okay to accept help, even love, from someone else.
RISKY GAME is Book Three in Solheim’s OUT OF BOUNDS series. Characters from the previous books appear as the supporting cast but allow Brody and Shay to shine on their own. I have not read the previous books (something that I will correct) yet I was able to follow along the storyline.
Recommended read for fans of contemporary settings, sports themes, and Baltimore!
I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.
Football star Brody Janik shares many attributes with Brad Pitt – he is sexy, he is driven, and and he has a big family. Instead of Brady’s six children, Brody has three sisters whom he adores. He is at the height of his athletic career and yet he hides a secret … a secret Shannon “Shay” Everett overhears in the locker room. She could use the cash that this secret would generate from the tabloids. Instead, Shay offers to help Brody overcome it while opening her heart to him.
Solheim delivers an emotional yet romantic romp into today’s modern sports machine. I laughed along with Shay’s antics, Brody’s charm, and his sisters’ interference as the Golden Boy comes to terms with his own limitations while the independent intern realizes that it is okay to accept help, even love, from someone else.
RISKY GAME is Book Three in Solheim’s OUT OF BOUNDS series. Characters from the previous books appear as the supporting cast but allow Brody and Shay to shine on their own. I have not read the previous books (something that I will correct) yet I was able to follow along the storyline.
Recommended read for fans of contemporary settings, sports themes, and Baltimore!
I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.
May 22, 2014
“I don’t know who convinced you that you’re not beautiful, but they were wrong, Shannon. You are an incredibly desirable woman.”
Risky Game, book three in the Out of Bounds series, is a sports romance that had me laughing, frustrated, and then (finally!) satisfied by the HEA ending.
I really enjoyed Tracy Solheim’s writing style. The story flowed smoothly from scene to scene, the dialogue was interesting and snappy, and the characters were very well thought out. The bit of mystery to the plot was a nice touch as well and kept stringing me along to find out who was blabbing to the tabloids. I found it relatively easy to follow along with all of the characters even though I haven’t read the first two books in this series, which was definitely a plus. And although I’m not a huge sports fan, there was enough information about the game to explain the scenes, but not so much as to put my brain into overload.
See my full review here:
http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-ris...
Risky Game, book three in the Out of Bounds series, is a sports romance that had me laughing, frustrated, and then (finally!) satisfied by the HEA ending.
I really enjoyed Tracy Solheim’s writing style. The story flowed smoothly from scene to scene, the dialogue was interesting and snappy, and the characters were very well thought out. The bit of mystery to the plot was a nice touch as well and kept stringing me along to find out who was blabbing to the tabloids. I found it relatively easy to follow along with all of the characters even though I haven’t read the first two books in this series, which was definitely a plus. And although I’m not a huge sports fan, there was enough information about the game to explain the scenes, but not so much as to put my brain into overload.
See my full review here:
http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-ris...
December 7, 2014
I love me a good jock romance. Football players, hockey players and fighters are my favorites. This is the third book in this series, each book centers around different characters so it's not necessary to read the first two to understand what's going on in this book.
I loved this opposites attract story. Hotshot tight-end Brody Janik has a problem and Shay Everet,brainy PhD candidate, knows about a big secret that could ruin his career. When information starts leaking from the locker room to a mysterious blogger, Brody believes Shay is the source the blogger is getting the info from. Begin the blackmail fun and games.
I really enjoyed this book and read it cover to cover in just a few hours. A nice, light, fun and sexy romance that I really needed at the time, I've been reading some emotionally heavy books lately. It's definitely a good story with great characters. One-Click this one, football lovers!
~ Erin, 4 stars
I loved this opposites attract story. Hotshot tight-end Brody Janik has a problem and Shay Everet,brainy PhD candidate, knows about a big secret that could ruin his career. When information starts leaking from the locker room to a mysterious blogger, Brody believes Shay is the source the blogger is getting the info from. Begin the blackmail fun and games.
I really enjoyed this book and read it cover to cover in just a few hours. A nice, light, fun and sexy romance that I really needed at the time, I've been reading some emotionally heavy books lately. It's definitely a good story with great characters. One-Click this one, football lovers!
~ Erin, 4 stars
January 3, 2014
I've been eagerly anticipating Brody Janik's story, and it was worth the wait! As a beta reader for Tracy Solheim, I indulged myself with an advanced copy over the holidays. Brody Janik is lovable and hunky...and a good guy, to boot. He has enough of a temper and edge to make him interesting though. And Shannon "Shay" Everett is a great heroine. She's smart, clever, hard-working, and not known for her beauty, though you know she is easy on the eyes! Fun to read a romance that is a bit unlikely. Another page turner from Tracy and a perfect hunker down in cold weather and read until you finish!
September 11, 2014
My original post Sept. 11, 2014
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
Includes a Three Audiobook giveaway ending 0:00 hours EDT 9/17/14
Audiobook provided by Tantor Audio for review purposes. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinion presented herein is my own except as noted.
WHAT DO YOU HIDE?
There are some people who it seems can skirt the rules and never get caught, and then there are others who get in trouble even for thinking about coloring outside the lines. Shay is one of those people. I really identify with that. As the child of a Type 1 diabetic, I also identify with the blood sugar issues in this book.
Tracy’s characters in this story are complex personalities who occasionally exhibit paradoxical behavior, like real people. Other times, their personality traits don’t seem to be consistent. Brody is from Boston and apparently a practitioner of the Catholic faith. He goes to mass before the game on Sunday. But that is never mentioned outside the church, nor when his family is all together. He wouldn’t be the first religious person whose religion didn’t seem to appear except in church. For example, he is religious but has spent much of his career taking advantage of the easy access to sex handsome football heroes enjoy? He has begun to feel as if he is missing some important element in his life though and his current health issues have him worrying about life after football.
Shay, on the other hand is pretty consistent; except for the first chapter when she is starting to do something really out of character and stops herself because it doesn’t work with her personal standards. She’s one of those people who do not break rules and who are innately moral without being obnoxious about it.
Maybe that’s what attracts Brody to Shay. They seem to be inexplicably attracted to each other. She is totally different from the women he usually dates and, seeing he is dissatisfied with the empty ‘relationships’ he’s been in, maybe that’s a big part of her appeal. But he just doesn’t seem to trust anyone outside of his family, team and the nun he sits with in church.
And, he reacts with a smouldering anger that most of Tracy’s heroes seem to share, although he honestly doesn’t seem to be able to put two and two together to see that what he suspects is unlikely.
I really didn’t get the right answer on the mystery until Shay begins to suspect the right perp. But, once stated it made sense.
The relationship develops under very strange circumstances; while those circumstances are improbable, the closeness that comes from her being at his house a lot, which is a little like playing house, makes it feels natural, or at least natural-ish. Also, while it might sound like he is keeping his enemies closer, I think the way he pursues her is more like an excuse.
When it falls apart, when, despite evidence to the contrary, he feels truly betrayed, he just goes hard — and not in a good way. Why can’t they talk about it? Why is he so willing to believe the worst about her?
Shay’s issue is self-esteem, and self-sacrifice. Shay has a beautiful mother and a gorgeous twin sister, as well as nasty, bitter witch of a grandmother who told her she was ugly all the time. This drove her to make the most of her smarts and she was an excellent student but it also made her think she was unattractive. I am never sure if she is truly unattractive, or just too cerebral to pay much attention to what she looks like. I had an aunt who did this to one of my sisters and it really affected her. It’s a shame when this comes from an aunt, parent or grandparent — usually someone we cannot speak up against. It’s a form of bullying at best and to the degree Shay experienced it, qualifies as abuse.
I have enjoyed listening to the three books in this series, even though I have not always like Charles Constant’s voicing of female characters, they have been consistent throughout the series. Shay’s character is the best female character I have heard from him. I like Tracy’s writing style, she doesn’t resort to using the first person to fill in for character development and immediacy. We aren’t hearing the familiar I, I, I all through the book. I prefer third-person omniscient narrators because I feel they are more objective.
The whole book makes me think about what we hide from others and why. It usually isn’t helpful, but at times it could be a big problem. Brody would have been better off coming clean about his issues up front.
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
Includes a Three Audiobook giveaway ending 0:00 hours EDT 9/17/14
Audiobook provided by Tantor Audio for review purposes. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinion presented herein is my own except as noted.
WHAT DO YOU HIDE?
There are some people who it seems can skirt the rules and never get caught, and then there are others who get in trouble even for thinking about coloring outside the lines. Shay is one of those people. I really identify with that. As the child of a Type 1 diabetic, I also identify with the blood sugar issues in this book.
Tracy’s characters in this story are complex personalities who occasionally exhibit paradoxical behavior, like real people. Other times, their personality traits don’t seem to be consistent. Brody is from Boston and apparently a practitioner of the Catholic faith. He goes to mass before the game on Sunday. But that is never mentioned outside the church, nor when his family is all together. He wouldn’t be the first religious person whose religion didn’t seem to appear except in church. For example, he is religious but has spent much of his career taking advantage of the easy access to sex handsome football heroes enjoy? He has begun to feel as if he is missing some important element in his life though and his current health issues have him worrying about life after football.
Shay, on the other hand is pretty consistent; except for the first chapter when she is starting to do something really out of character and stops herself because it doesn’t work with her personal standards. She’s one of those people who do not break rules and who are innately moral without being obnoxious about it.
Maybe that’s what attracts Brody to Shay. They seem to be inexplicably attracted to each other. She is totally different from the women he usually dates and, seeing he is dissatisfied with the empty ‘relationships’ he’s been in, maybe that’s a big part of her appeal. But he just doesn’t seem to trust anyone outside of his family, team and the nun he sits with in church.
And, he reacts with a smouldering anger that most of Tracy’s heroes seem to share, although he honestly doesn’t seem to be able to put two and two together to see that what he suspects is unlikely.
I really didn’t get the right answer on the mystery until Shay begins to suspect the right perp. But, once stated it made sense.
The relationship develops under very strange circumstances; while those circumstances are improbable, the closeness that comes from her being at his house a lot, which is a little like playing house, makes it feels natural, or at least natural-ish. Also, while it might sound like he is keeping his enemies closer, I think the way he pursues her is more like an excuse.
When it falls apart, when, despite evidence to the contrary, he feels truly betrayed, he just goes hard — and not in a good way. Why can’t they talk about it? Why is he so willing to believe the worst about her?
Shay’s issue is self-esteem, and self-sacrifice. Shay has a beautiful mother and a gorgeous twin sister, as well as nasty, bitter witch of a grandmother who told her she was ugly all the time. This drove her to make the most of her smarts and she was an excellent student but it also made her think she was unattractive. I am never sure if she is truly unattractive, or just too cerebral to pay much attention to what she looks like. I had an aunt who did this to one of my sisters and it really affected her. It’s a shame when this comes from an aunt, parent or grandparent — usually someone we cannot speak up against. It’s a form of bullying at best and to the degree Shay experienced it, qualifies as abuse.
I have enjoyed listening to the three books in this series, even though I have not always like Charles Constant’s voicing of female characters, they have been consistent throughout the series. Shay’s character is the best female character I have heard from him. I like Tracy’s writing style, she doesn’t resort to using the first person to fill in for character development and immediacy. We aren’t hearing the familiar I, I, I all through the book. I prefer third-person omniscient narrators because I feel they are more objective.
The whole book makes me think about what we hide from others and why. It usually isn’t helpful, but at times it could be a big problem. Brody would have been better off coming clean about his issues up front.
June 26, 2014
Title: Risky Game
Series: Out of Bounds #3
Author: Tracy Solheim
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Sports Romance
Blurb: In the next sizzling sports romance from the author of Foolish Games, Brody is at the top of his game… until Shannon changes the rules.
Baltimore Blaze tight end Brody Janik is a natural-born football star. At twenty-seven, his record-breaking athletic performance and his cover-boy good looks have turned him into a household name. But Brody’s hiding a major secret behind his charming public persona: a health condition that may cut his career short.
PhD candidate Shannon "Shay” Everett works multiple jobs to put herself through school—including an unpaid internship with the Blaze training department. Strapped for cash, Shay answers the call of an NFL gossip blogger to uncover personal details about the Blaze players. Sneaking into the locker room one night, she gets entangled in Brody’s secret…and swept up by his charm.
Brody isn’t sure what to make of the gawky girl with the whiskey eyes, especially when he discovers she was snooping. His first instinct is to turn her in as a snitch, but she could destroy him by sharing his secret. Instead, he decides to keep her close…perhaps closer than either of them originally intended…
Thoughts: There's a gossip blogger looking for dirt on the boys from the NFL. The dirtier the better.
Shannon, everybody calls me 'Shay', Everett is a PhD student currently working (one of her many jobs) as an unpaid intern for the Baltimore Blaze. She was supposed to be working with the training staff on nutritional coaching for team, but ended up spending most of her time in food service. When she gets an offer to get paid by the blogger for dirt on the team, she sneaks into the locker room and overhears Brody talking to his trainer about blood sugar problems. Shay realizes that she can't expose Brody and decides to wait it out until she can sneak out.
Brody Janik is a wide receiver for the Blaze. He's the best and has become a household name. While Brody has watched his friends settle down into marriage or parenthood, he realizes he wants something more, but he doesn't trust people. In Brody's experience, everybody has a price and people will sell out eventually and he needs to make sure nobody finds out about his blood sugar problems or he could lose out on his contract extension with the Blaze.
When Brody sees Shay working as a bartender at a club, he gets to see a side of the awkward, whiskey-eyed hairnet lady than he normally sees when she is working food service. He's always been intrigued by those whiskey eyes, which is why he normally avoids looking at or talking to Shay. Maybe he was wrong, though....
Brody gets an opportunity to save Shay at a grocery store when some guys are bothering her by pretending to be her boyfriend. When he takes her home later, he ends up discovery that she snooped and found out his secret. Even though she says that she isn't the one snitching to the blogger, Brody doesn't believe her. After that the blogger ended up posting about their relationship. Brody decides that his best bet is to keep her close, so he strikes up a deal. They will continue to pretend to be in a relationship, he won't tell on her for being the snitch and she will help him regulate his blood sugar by planning and cooking all of his meals and snacks. Shay agrees, because she won't graduate if she loses the internship, but she can also use this plan for her thesis.
As they spend more time together and get to know each other better, their feelings grow into friendship and more. How can they trust each other, though, when the whole basis of their relationship is a lie.
I loved the relationship between Brody and Shay. Shay held her own, but she was sweet and innocent the whole time. She didn't come from money like Brody did, but she was one of those people that took care of everybody. She had some issues with her family that really affected her self-esteem, but Brody was able to bring her past that. Brody was the golden boy who got handed a lot, but wanted to be seen as more than just the easygoing football player. They blossomed together in a way they weren't doing separately.
I love these sports themed romance books with the sexy hero and smart and pretty, but overlooked heroine.
Grade: B+/A-
Review by: Holly
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
Series: Out of Bounds #3
Author: Tracy Solheim
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Sports Romance
Blurb: In the next sizzling sports romance from the author of Foolish Games, Brody is at the top of his game… until Shannon changes the rules.
Baltimore Blaze tight end Brody Janik is a natural-born football star. At twenty-seven, his record-breaking athletic performance and his cover-boy good looks have turned him into a household name. But Brody’s hiding a major secret behind his charming public persona: a health condition that may cut his career short.
PhD candidate Shannon "Shay” Everett works multiple jobs to put herself through school—including an unpaid internship with the Blaze training department. Strapped for cash, Shay answers the call of an NFL gossip blogger to uncover personal details about the Blaze players. Sneaking into the locker room one night, she gets entangled in Brody’s secret…and swept up by his charm.
Brody isn’t sure what to make of the gawky girl with the whiskey eyes, especially when he discovers she was snooping. His first instinct is to turn her in as a snitch, but she could destroy him by sharing his secret. Instead, he decides to keep her close…perhaps closer than either of them originally intended…
Thoughts: There's a gossip blogger looking for dirt on the boys from the NFL. The dirtier the better.
Shannon, everybody calls me 'Shay', Everett is a PhD student currently working (one of her many jobs) as an unpaid intern for the Baltimore Blaze. She was supposed to be working with the training staff on nutritional coaching for team, but ended up spending most of her time in food service. When she gets an offer to get paid by the blogger for dirt on the team, she sneaks into the locker room and overhears Brody talking to his trainer about blood sugar problems. Shay realizes that she can't expose Brody and decides to wait it out until she can sneak out.
Brody Janik is a wide receiver for the Blaze. He's the best and has become a household name. While Brody has watched his friends settle down into marriage or parenthood, he realizes he wants something more, but he doesn't trust people. In Brody's experience, everybody has a price and people will sell out eventually and he needs to make sure nobody finds out about his blood sugar problems or he could lose out on his contract extension with the Blaze.
When Brody sees Shay working as a bartender at a club, he gets to see a side of the awkward, whiskey-eyed hairnet lady than he normally sees when she is working food service. He's always been intrigued by those whiskey eyes, which is why he normally avoids looking at or talking to Shay. Maybe he was wrong, though....
Brody gets an opportunity to save Shay at a grocery store when some guys are bothering her by pretending to be her boyfriend. When he takes her home later, he ends up discovery that she snooped and found out his secret. Even though she says that she isn't the one snitching to the blogger, Brody doesn't believe her. After that the blogger ended up posting about their relationship. Brody decides that his best bet is to keep her close, so he strikes up a deal. They will continue to pretend to be in a relationship, he won't tell on her for being the snitch and she will help him regulate his blood sugar by planning and cooking all of his meals and snacks. Shay agrees, because she won't graduate if she loses the internship, but she can also use this plan for her thesis.
As they spend more time together and get to know each other better, their feelings grow into friendship and more. How can they trust each other, though, when the whole basis of their relationship is a lie.
I loved the relationship between Brody and Shay. Shay held her own, but she was sweet and innocent the whole time. She didn't come from money like Brody did, but she was one of those people that took care of everybody. She had some issues with her family that really affected her self-esteem, but Brody was able to bring her past that. Brody was the golden boy who got handed a lot, but wanted to be seen as more than just the easygoing football player. They blossomed together in a way they weren't doing separately.
I love these sports themed romance books with the sexy hero and smart and pretty, but overlooked heroine.
Grade: B+/A-
Review by: Holly
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
April 25, 2014
There's a gossip blogger looking for dirt on the boys from the NFL. The dirtier the better.
Shannon, everybody calls me 'Shay', Everett is a PhD student currently working (one of her many jobs) as an unpaid intern for the Baltimore Blaze. She was supposed to be working with the training staff on nutritional coaching for team, but ended up spending most of her time in food service. When she gets an offer to get paid by the blogger for dirt on the team, she sneaks into the locker room and overhears Brody talking to his trainer about blood sugar problems. Shay realizes that she can't expose Brody and decides to wait it out until she can sneak out.
Brody Janik is a wide receiver for the Blaze. He's the best and has become a household name. While Brody has watched his friends settle down into marriage or parenthood, he realizes he wants something more, but he doesn't trust people. In Brody's experience, everybody has a price and people will sell him him out eventually and he needs to make sure nobody finds out about his blood sugar problems or he could lose out on his contract extension with the Blaze.
When Brody sees Shay working as a bartender at a club, he gets to see a side of the awkward, whiskey-eyed hairnet lady than he normally sees when she is working food service. He's always been intrigued by those whiskey eyes, which is why he normally avoids looking at or talking to Shay. Maybe he was wrong, though....
Brody gets an opportunity to save Shay at a grocery store when some guys are bothering her by pretending to be her boyfriend. When he takes her home later, he ends up discovery that she snooped and found out his secret. Even though she says that she isn't the one snitching to the blogger, Brody doesn't believe her. After that the blogger ended up posting about their relationship. Brody decides that his best bet is to keep her close, so he strikes up a deal. They will continue to pretend to be in a relationship, he won't tell on her for being the snitch and she will help him regulate his blood sugar by planning and cooking all of his meals and snacks. Shay agrees, because she won't graduate if she loses the internship, but she can also use this plan for her thesis.
As they spend more time together and get to know each other better, their feelings grow into friendship and more. How can they trust each other, though, when the whole basis of their relationship is a lie.
I loved the relationship between Brody and Shay. Shay held her own, but she was sweet and innocent the whole time. She didn't come from money like Brody did, but she was one of those people that that took care of everybody. She had some issues with her family that really affected her self-esteem, but Brody was able to bring her past that. Brody was the golden boy that got handed a lot, but wanted to be seen as more than just the easygoing football player. They blossomed together in a way they weren't doing separately.
I love these sports themed romance books with the sexy hero and smart and pretty, but overlooked heroine.
ARC copy provided by the publisher for an honest review.
Shannon, everybody calls me 'Shay', Everett is a PhD student currently working (one of her many jobs) as an unpaid intern for the Baltimore Blaze. She was supposed to be working with the training staff on nutritional coaching for team, but ended up spending most of her time in food service. When she gets an offer to get paid by the blogger for dirt on the team, she sneaks into the locker room and overhears Brody talking to his trainer about blood sugar problems. Shay realizes that she can't expose Brody and decides to wait it out until she can sneak out.
Brody Janik is a wide receiver for the Blaze. He's the best and has become a household name. While Brody has watched his friends settle down into marriage or parenthood, he realizes he wants something more, but he doesn't trust people. In Brody's experience, everybody has a price and people will sell him him out eventually and he needs to make sure nobody finds out about his blood sugar problems or he could lose out on his contract extension with the Blaze.
When Brody sees Shay working as a bartender at a club, he gets to see a side of the awkward, whiskey-eyed hairnet lady than he normally sees when she is working food service. He's always been intrigued by those whiskey eyes, which is why he normally avoids looking at or talking to Shay. Maybe he was wrong, though....
Brody gets an opportunity to save Shay at a grocery store when some guys are bothering her by pretending to be her boyfriend. When he takes her home later, he ends up discovery that she snooped and found out his secret. Even though she says that she isn't the one snitching to the blogger, Brody doesn't believe her. After that the blogger ended up posting about their relationship. Brody decides that his best bet is to keep her close, so he strikes up a deal. They will continue to pretend to be in a relationship, he won't tell on her for being the snitch and she will help him regulate his blood sugar by planning and cooking all of his meals and snacks. Shay agrees, because she won't graduate if she loses the internship, but she can also use this plan for her thesis.
As they spend more time together and get to know each other better, their feelings grow into friendship and more. How can they trust each other, though, when the whole basis of their relationship is a lie.
I loved the relationship between Brody and Shay. Shay held her own, but she was sweet and innocent the whole time. She didn't come from money like Brody did, but she was one of those people that that took care of everybody. She had some issues with her family that really affected her self-esteem, but Brody was able to bring her past that. Brody was the golden boy that got handed a lot, but wanted to be seen as more than just the easygoing football player. They blossomed together in a way they weren't doing separately.
I love these sports themed romance books with the sexy hero and smart and pretty, but overlooked heroine.
ARC copy provided by the publisher for an honest review.
December 2, 2024
"Risky Game is book three in the "Out of Bounds" series by Tracy Solheim. It was an excellent read and great addition to this series. Brody is a football player and has a health secret that he doesn't want anyone to know about. Shay is trying to make a little extra cash to help pay her way through medical school and stumbles across Brody's secret when she is hiding in the locker room. She got a little more than what she originally planned on getting. I love sports books, and Tracy did not disappoint with this book. I can't wait to continue on in this series.
July 9, 2023
3.5
Brody Janik has a secret. A secret that could possibly prevent him from continuing his career of a professional football player. The only person who knows this secret besides his trainer is the one of the teams interns, Shay Everett. Shay makes a deal with Brody to keep his secret if he lets her use him and his illness for her thesis paper. A deal is struck and I’m sure you can guess where this is going.
Both Brody and Shay don’t believe in love. Sure, Shay finds the star football player beautiful and charming, but she never would expect him to even glance her way. Having been overlooked all her life, Shay is more than happy to just melt away. However, once Brody gets more than a glance and actually begins to get to know Shay, he won’t let her just melt away.
I really enjoyed Brody and Shay as characters. I have a weakness for sports books, and even though I’m not a fan of football, I still enjoyed this book. There was just enough sports talk so that it didn't feel weighted down and also easy enough for someone who's never followed football to understand. Brody wasn’t your typical jock meathead. He came from a big family and pushed himself to the limit, always wanting to be the best. His relationship with his sisters and also with Shay’s neighbor were the highlights for me. Shay was feisty and when she finally lets her personality show, she becomes a very determined woman. I also felt the chemistry between him and Shay – even if they themselves didn’t see it.
This is a steadily good adult series – and just look at those covers *drools*. I don’t know if this is the last one or if the writer is going to continue, but either way, I will check out what comes next from Solheim.
I received an copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Brody Janik has a secret. A secret that could possibly prevent him from continuing his career of a professional football player. The only person who knows this secret besides his trainer is the one of the teams interns, Shay Everett. Shay makes a deal with Brody to keep his secret if he lets her use him and his illness for her thesis paper. A deal is struck and I’m sure you can guess where this is going.
Both Brody and Shay don’t believe in love. Sure, Shay finds the star football player beautiful and charming, but she never would expect him to even glance her way. Having been overlooked all her life, Shay is more than happy to just melt away. However, once Brody gets more than a glance and actually begins to get to know Shay, he won’t let her just melt away.
I really enjoyed Brody and Shay as characters. I have a weakness for sports books, and even though I’m not a fan of football, I still enjoyed this book. There was just enough sports talk so that it didn't feel weighted down and also easy enough for someone who's never followed football to understand. Brody wasn’t your typical jock meathead. He came from a big family and pushed himself to the limit, always wanting to be the best. His relationship with his sisters and also with Shay’s neighbor were the highlights for me. Shay was feisty and when she finally lets her personality show, she becomes a very determined woman. I also felt the chemistry between him and Shay – even if they themselves didn’t see it.
This is a steadily good adult series – and just look at those covers *drools*. I don’t know if this is the last one or if the writer is going to continue, but either way, I will check out what comes next from Solheim.
I received an copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2014
I really enjoyed RISKY GAME. I liked that the characters were so well drawn that I felt like I could meet them around any corner. It also helped my enjoyment that this was a sports romances. I love romances between professional athletes and the women who are just right for them.
It doesn't seem the NFL star Brody Janik and PHD candidate Shay Everett would have much in common. He's a golden boy from a privileged background leading what seems to be a charmed life. Shay is from a much more difficult background filled with financial worries, a father with a traumatic brain injury, and a grandmother who didn't waste one chance to put her down.
But Shay is very bright. At age twenty-four, she is going for her doctorate in nutrition and interning with Brody's football team. She overhears a conversation between Brody and his trainer that tells her that Brody is having blood sugar problems and that he is keeping them from the team. An accidental comment from Shay lets Brody know that she overheard the conversation prompting Brody to blackmail her to make her keep his secret.
Since there is a blogger exposing all sorts of secrets of NFL players, Brody is certain that Shay will pass the information on despite Shay's assurances that she will not. The lack of trust between them doesn't bode well for a romance. However, they get to know each other better as Brody has Shay preparing his meals to help keep his blood sugar in balance. Shay is okay with this because she can use the data for her PHD thesis. They are mutually using each other and pretending to have a relationship.
Watching the relationship go from pretend to love made for a very engaging story. Fans of sports romances won't want to miss this one.
It doesn't seem the NFL star Brody Janik and PHD candidate Shay Everett would have much in common. He's a golden boy from a privileged background leading what seems to be a charmed life. Shay is from a much more difficult background filled with financial worries, a father with a traumatic brain injury, and a grandmother who didn't waste one chance to put her down.
But Shay is very bright. At age twenty-four, she is going for her doctorate in nutrition and interning with Brody's football team. She overhears a conversation between Brody and his trainer that tells her that Brody is having blood sugar problems and that he is keeping them from the team. An accidental comment from Shay lets Brody know that she overheard the conversation prompting Brody to blackmail her to make her keep his secret.
Since there is a blogger exposing all sorts of secrets of NFL players, Brody is certain that Shay will pass the information on despite Shay's assurances that she will not. The lack of trust between them doesn't bode well for a romance. However, they get to know each other better as Brody has Shay preparing his meals to help keep his blood sugar in balance. Shay is okay with this because she can use the data for her PHD thesis. They are mutually using each other and pretending to have a relationship.
Watching the relationship go from pretend to love made for a very engaging story. Fans of sports romances won't want to miss this one.
November 3, 2016
A bit of suspense and conspiracy in the football world, a strong, no nonsense nutritionist intern in financial trouble and a happy go lucky football star all make for a sizzling sports romance in Risky Game.
Risky Game is the third book in the Out of Bounds series. This one would work out of order or standalone thought it will be noticeable that it is connected to a series.
Brody Janik, football star, is at the top of his game on and off the field. Or so everyone thinks. Due to a health issue just before his next contract negotiation, he is forced to consider who he is and what he will do if he doesn't have football. Issues with his diet are causing him to have energy losses and dizziness during games and practices. He needs a nutritionist and it all needs to be kept secret from the team doctors and trainers so it won't affect the team wondering if he is good to play. An opportunity drops straight into Brody's lap to have his nutritionist and keep her silence when he learns her secrets. Only as much as he tells himself that it's strictly a business arrangement, Shannon, makes him want more.
Shannon Everett is working on her PhD and interning as a nutritionist for the Baltimore Blaze. Money is tight because she is helping her mom pay down the family debt and trying to live while working on student loans. She is tempted by an offer to earn money for a mystery sports gossip blogger by getting a locker room secret, but just when she decides not to stoop that low for money, she overhears Brody's secret. He soon learns this and strikes back ruthlessly by making it clear he thinks she is the blogger's snitch and will use that and her financial issues if she doesn't help him. Shay has body issues and struggles to believe the spark of interest she sees between Brody and herself besides she has her life mapped out and a light-hearted football stud doesn't fit into her plans.
So, this one had a little mystery going on with the vicious anonymous blogger and the snitch that was paired with the passionate and sometimes playful sparing of Brody and Shay. The author writes well-layered characters with strengths and flaws and offers an interesting facet to the pro-athlete's life namely nutrition and health issues. Brody is a smoking hot, top of his game athlete without a seeming care in the world other than this glitch with his body's sugar and Shay is a smart, brilliant woman with a lot of Texas sass. It was fun at times to see the way they wrangled.
At this point, I struggle to put into words what I thought of this story. I've actually begun this part four times with the last three ending up variations of the same rant. I don't want to do rants, but I also don't know how to succinctly word what didn't make this an altogether enjoyable story for me.
But I shall endeavor to try- without much ranting.
The easiest issue is the ending. I felt there was need of more. I can think of three elements brought out in the story that were left vague or unresolved at the end . A fourth element, and part of the mystery, is left unresolved, but I'm pretty sure it is meant to carry into the next installment of the book. The overall story was resolved with a happily ever after, but it was some of the details that needed coloring in.
Another issue was on two occasions I was left scratching my head about what just went down to cause such a fuss. For instance, Brody and Shay are getting ready to spend their first time together having sex. He discovers she is a virgin. He already knows she has sticking points caused by her past and her frequent withdrawals from him when they got passionate before so he wants her to be good and sure that she wants this. All of a sudden, she's locked in the bathroom sobbing and he is so worried about her that he breaks the door down to make sure she's alright. Suddenly, Shay is blaming him, his family and friends are blaming him, and he's the bad guy for brutalizing Shay. Ummm, what?
But my biggest sore spot was that this book was unbalanced. I expect the characters to have flaws and I expect to see them grow. I expect the romance to be a partnership of equals with both bringing strengths and weaknesses to the table. But this one didn't.
Brody is always in the wrong (and he does screw up his fair share of the time) and always taking the blame when, seriously, more than half the time, Shay is responsible for the problem because her low self-esteem and body issues and nobody including Shay sees it. His family, friends, and the team descend on him like a Greek Chorus each and every time little Shay Shay pops out a tear or a sad face. I suppose it is meant to be funny, but it didn't hit me that way.
I got pretty tired of her entitlement grandstanding, too. Girlfriend acts like being poor, working hard jobs, and working on her doctorate gives her the right to call him a dumb jock and accuse him of not understanding the value of working hard for something (um, a pro-athlete who climbs to that level and maintains it is working hard not to mention living life in a fishbowl isn't easy). Brody respected her and I wasn't impressed that she couldn't respect him back. Doesn't make for a good romance in my book.
It might seem I hated the story, but actually I liked large portions of it. I could definitely see them doing well together and I was rooting for them to get past their differences. I enjoyed the mystery side and seeing the whole cast of characters from previous books. I'll also go so far as to say that other people probably won't get set off by what frustrated me.
So, in the end, I liked it. I have read two books in the series and plan to keep going. I'm going to recommend it to lovers of Sports Romance.
My thanks to Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Risky Game is the third book in the Out of Bounds series. This one would work out of order or standalone thought it will be noticeable that it is connected to a series.
Brody Janik, football star, is at the top of his game on and off the field. Or so everyone thinks. Due to a health issue just before his next contract negotiation, he is forced to consider who he is and what he will do if he doesn't have football. Issues with his diet are causing him to have energy losses and dizziness during games and practices. He needs a nutritionist and it all needs to be kept secret from the team doctors and trainers so it won't affect the team wondering if he is good to play. An opportunity drops straight into Brody's lap to have his nutritionist and keep her silence when he learns her secrets. Only as much as he tells himself that it's strictly a business arrangement, Shannon, makes him want more.
Shannon Everett is working on her PhD and interning as a nutritionist for the Baltimore Blaze. Money is tight because she is helping her mom pay down the family debt and trying to live while working on student loans. She is tempted by an offer to earn money for a mystery sports gossip blogger by getting a locker room secret, but just when she decides not to stoop that low for money, she overhears Brody's secret. He soon learns this and strikes back ruthlessly by making it clear he thinks she is the blogger's snitch and will use that and her financial issues if she doesn't help him. Shay has body issues and struggles to believe the spark of interest she sees between Brody and herself besides she has her life mapped out and a light-hearted football stud doesn't fit into her plans.
So, this one had a little mystery going on with the vicious anonymous blogger and the snitch that was paired with the passionate and sometimes playful sparing of Brody and Shay. The author writes well-layered characters with strengths and flaws and offers an interesting facet to the pro-athlete's life namely nutrition and health issues. Brody is a smoking hot, top of his game athlete without a seeming care in the world other than this glitch with his body's sugar and Shay is a smart, brilliant woman with a lot of Texas sass. It was fun at times to see the way they wrangled.
At this point, I struggle to put into words what I thought of this story. I've actually begun this part four times with the last three ending up variations of the same rant. I don't want to do rants, but I also don't know how to succinctly word what didn't make this an altogether enjoyable story for me.
But I shall endeavor to try- without much ranting.
The easiest issue is the ending. I felt there was need of more. I can think of three elements brought out in the story that were left vague or unresolved at the end . A fourth element, and part of the mystery, is left unresolved, but I'm pretty sure it is meant to carry into the next installment of the book. The overall story was resolved with a happily ever after, but it was some of the details that needed coloring in.
Another issue was on two occasions I was left scratching my head about what just went down to cause such a fuss. For instance, Brody and Shay are getting ready to spend their first time together having sex. He discovers she is a virgin. He already knows she has sticking points caused by her past and her frequent withdrawals from him when they got passionate before so he wants her to be good and sure that she wants this. All of a sudden, she's locked in the bathroom sobbing and he is so worried about her that he breaks the door down to make sure she's alright. Suddenly, Shay is blaming him, his family and friends are blaming him, and he's the bad guy for brutalizing Shay. Ummm, what?
But my biggest sore spot was that this book was unbalanced. I expect the characters to have flaws and I expect to see them grow. I expect the romance to be a partnership of equals with both bringing strengths and weaknesses to the table. But this one didn't.
Brody is always in the wrong (and he does screw up his fair share of the time) and always taking the blame when, seriously, more than half the time, Shay is responsible for the problem because her low self-esteem and body issues and nobody including Shay sees it. His family, friends, and the team descend on him like a Greek Chorus each and every time little Shay Shay pops out a tear or a sad face. I suppose it is meant to be funny, but it didn't hit me that way.
I got pretty tired of her entitlement grandstanding, too. Girlfriend acts like being poor, working hard jobs, and working on her doctorate gives her the right to call him a dumb jock and accuse him of not understanding the value of working hard for something (um, a pro-athlete who climbs to that level and maintains it is working hard not to mention living life in a fishbowl isn't easy). Brody respected her and I wasn't impressed that she couldn't respect him back. Doesn't make for a good romance in my book.
It might seem I hated the story, but actually I liked large portions of it. I could definitely see them doing well together and I was rooting for them to get past their differences. I enjoyed the mystery side and seeing the whole cast of characters from previous books. I'll also go so far as to say that other people probably won't get set off by what frustrated me.
So, in the end, I liked it. I have read two books in the series and plan to keep going. I'm going to recommend it to lovers of Sports Romance.
My thanks to Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 26, 2014
I received a copy of this book through Goodreads Firstreads.
I had already read the first two books in the Out of Bounds series and liked them, when I got lucky and won Risky Game.
I think that this third installment of the series has been my favorite so far (hint, hint, I'm hoping this isn't the last in the series!). I remembered the introduction of Brody in the prior book and was looking forward to seeing what was in store for him. I loved the storyline that the author developed. While I never bought into the fact that Shannon was unattractive (no matter how many times the blogger said it, these books just don't work that way), I did get that she wasn't Brody's "usual type".
I liked the way the story of the blogger and the story of Brody's health wove together to come up with a great plotline to bring Shannon and Brody together. It was something I had not read before in other books. I appreciate nothing more than a unique storyline.
I thought this was a great book and I'm hoping that all the hints regarding Bridgette mean that there will be a 4th installment to this series!!
I had already read the first two books in the Out of Bounds series and liked them, when I got lucky and won Risky Game.
I think that this third installment of the series has been my favorite so far (hint, hint, I'm hoping this isn't the last in the series!). I remembered the introduction of Brody in the prior book and was looking forward to seeing what was in store for him. I loved the storyline that the author developed. While I never bought into the fact that Shannon was unattractive (no matter how many times the blogger said it, these books just don't work that way), I did get that she wasn't Brody's "usual type".
I liked the way the story of the blogger and the story of Brody's health wove together to come up with a great plotline to bring Shannon and Brody together. It was something I had not read before in other books. I appreciate nothing more than a unique storyline.
I thought this was a great book and I'm hoping that all the hints regarding Bridgette mean that there will be a 4th installment to this series!!
December 29, 2013
I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy and, Brody's story was worth the wait!!!! Another great story!! I loved Shay and I loved her and Brody's story. It was sweet, funny and a wild ride, every twist and turn was a great read. The characters were lovable and flawed, which makes them real. It was so easy to get invested in them and sooooo hard to put down. I didn't want to stop until I had finished the whole book. If you met Brody in the previous book you already love him and if you didn't you will fall in love with him in his book. You also get to catch up with some previous characters, but it is not necessary to have read the previous books if you haven't yet. Another must read. I LOVED it!!!
May 21, 2014
There's not many books that keep me up to midnight but Risky Game did.
Brody and Shay had just the right chemistry.....even though Shay was the opposite of Brody's type. Although I thought Brody was heavy handed in the way he blackmailed Shay into keeping his secret and helping him.
I do have to admit that Brody had trust issues and you really couldn't blame him. Shay was super woman....she tired me out with her schedule. It was fun to see two opposites fall in love.
It was fun to catch up with the past characters in this series and I have to admit that I fell in love with Shane and Will a little more.
Looking forward to more books in this series. And hopefully we will finally fine out who the mystery blogger is!
Brody and Shay had just the right chemistry.....even though Shay was the opposite of Brody's type. Although I thought Brody was heavy handed in the way he blackmailed Shay into keeping his secret and helping him.
I do have to admit that Brody had trust issues and you really couldn't blame him. Shay was super woman....she tired me out with her schedule. It was fun to see two opposites fall in love.
It was fun to catch up with the past characters in this series and I have to admit that I fell in love with Shane and Will a little more.
Looking forward to more books in this series. And hopefully we will finally fine out who the mystery blogger is!
April 5, 2014
I received an advance copy of Risky Game and loved it! The book is more than the relationship story of Brody and Shannon, there's a situation that's thread throughout the book and although I'm usually good at guessing "who done it", I was surprised this time! Ms. Solheim does a beautiful job of developing all of her characters (whether they are main or minor)and yikes, how she can describe the heat! I highly recommend this book following another player of the Baltimore Blaze and his unexpected relationship within his football organization. Kudos to Ms. Solheim for yet another winning novel.
February 21, 2014
Loved the first two books in the series and feel so lucky to have gotten an advance copy of Brody's story as a beta reader for Tracy Solheim. I LOVED IT! Even more enticing than the first two books of the series because I already know and care about the characters from those stories. The chemistry between Shay and Brody (as well as the other couples) was HOT HOT HOT! Couldn't put it down and then again didn't want it to end. Once again great writing and intriguing characters and plot(s). Such a fun read! I can't wait for the next book!
May 20, 2014
A book that wraps up in the last two pages drives me crazy. I felt Shay was stronger than portrayed as she accepted Brody's apology and just took him back. That all being said, I really liked both characters. Their flaws were believable and 'issues' understandable. I didn't love book one in this series but after reading this one, I'm going to go back and read book two. I would recommend this to those that love those sports romances.
**I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
**I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
December 21, 2014
Right off the bat, I fell in love with Brody and Shay. He is a complicated football player with trust issues. She is the poor girl in the final stages of getting her Ph.D. and has worked for everything she has. They eventually fall in love with each other and everyone knows it but them. Takes him a long time to figure it out. They do get their HEA. I think this has been my favorite in this series as they are so vivid you feel you right there with them. I sure hope Tracy will add another great book to this series. They are real page turners.
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