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LA Wolves #1

In the Grasp

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Newly Revised Edition as of December 2021

Jack
I’m at the top of my game, and the most notoriously private player in the league, but my personal life leaves something to be desired. I thought I’d have more accomplished by now - like a wife and family - but for nine years I’ve held onto the memory of the girl who got away. Now she’s back and I’m more determined than ever to make her mine. For good this time.

Paige
After years of working tirelessly, I just landed my dream job at the largest newspaper on the west coast. Unfortunately, that lands me in the same city as the man who broke my heart nearly a decade ago - the same one I’ve never really been able to let go of. When my editor assigns me to write an exposé on Jack, I’m forced to decide where my loyalties lie - with the career of a lifetime, or the love of my life.

In the Grasp is the first steamy standalone contemporary sports romance in the LA Wolves series.

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 3, 2020

879 people are currently reading
1666 people want to read

About the author

Cadence Keys

23 books215 followers
Cadence Keys writes steamy contemporary sports romances about complex alpha males and the women who love them. She loves football, coffee, and watching Gilmore Girl marathons. She has been writing for almost a decade, but only recently got the gumption to really do something with her work. She looks forward to publishing many more novels, specifically her LA Wolves series.

You can also find more information about all future releases at www.cadencekeysauthor.com/

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5 stars
557 (34%)
4 stars
530 (32%)
3 stars
380 (23%)
2 stars
116 (7%)
1 star
37 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
Profile Image for Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️.
2,090 reviews36.1k followers
December 11, 2024
All I can say is "meh."

It hasn't been that long since I read this...and as I sat down to write a review, I could remember nothing whatsoever about this book. And that pretty much says it all, no?
Profile Image for Caitlin.
400 reviews2,935 followers
January 11, 2022
Nothing better than a sports romance to cheer myself up
Profile Image for Vilma.
381 reviews50 followers
January 5, 2021
I thought it was a sweet and steamy second chance romance, but as usual the damn miscommunication drags the whole story down. Ugh, I wanted to shout at Paige so many times to just go talk to Jack but nope, she did not. I am so tired of the miscommunication trope, why can't there be anything else than that??

Jack was really sweet and it was refreshing that the guy for once had no doubts whatsoever about what he wanted. And I loved his friends, Max and Will, and can't wait to read their books!
Profile Image for Agne.
452 reviews16 followers
April 5, 2023
The one thing I hate the most in romance books - damn miscommunication. Especially then it's so unreasonable or just plain silly. Please, can we have some trust between people who suppose to be with 'The One'? If Paige talked to jack from the first day she got the 'assignment'... I mean, we didn't have to have extra 100 pages of book... because we would have had the HEA right then...
Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.7k reviews188 followers
December 11, 2020
To know me is to know that I'm obsessed with football and I mean OBSESSED with it so weekends are my happy place. In the Grasp was about Jack, who fell in love with Paige when they were in high school, but broke it off by text. Yeah there were some circumstances where I could see why he did it, but I'll NEVER get past the text breakup because it's cowardly. I'm so glad that I grew up before cell phones because I would be in jail if some dude did that to me LOL. Nine years later, Jack is a professional football player (QB), and now Paige is in LA for a new job so you already know things are going to happen. The article she's been tasked with writing about Jack could prove to be impossible since as they finally start getting to know each other again, things get very complicated since they still have that connection. So, how is she going to play this?! You know what to do to find out! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! 
55 reviews
December 3, 2020
I enjoy sports romance books and this one did not disappoint. I liked both Jack and Paige, but I had a small issue with how Jack broke up with Paige 9 years ago. This issue was not even discussed by the characters until later in the book and even then it was glossed over. It didn’t seem realistic that Paige would start up a relationship again until resolving that issue first. Other than that, I really enjoyed the book and plan on reading more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lenna  Wright.
3,399 reviews35 followers
December 4, 2020
Great story, no other woman/man drama, no cheating. Neither one is in a relationship prior of them seeing each other for the first time. Both secondary characters help bring in more fun and in times the voice of reason. Max is Jacks assistant and best friend since college. Gina is Paige’s Betsy since college, and their friends both know the person’s history of the one that got away. Even Jacks teammate Will will have a voice of reason for Jack. This is here book 2 will also be in the making since it’s Will & Gina story and his past is painful for the big guy and that why his experience helps Jack.

They were best friends since they were 5. Fell in love at 16. He dumped her via text in her senior year of high school because he couldn’t see himself fighting to keep her through long distance relationship. Now 9 years later Paige in is LA where Jack is the quarterback. They both know they still pine for the other but are too cowardly to reach out to the other. Take her new boss to show her the reason reason why he hired her and he wants the dirt on Jack ASAP. Will she turn this new beginning as a fate for them to be together or is her career her only love and do what needs to be done to get the article finished? Or will their history keep being in question each day they are together?
Profile Image for Nerdy Dirty & Flirty.
3,985 reviews363 followers
November 2, 2020
-Marie, ☆☆☆☆

Paige finally succeeded on landing her dream job as a reporter for a major newspaper. After relocating from Chicago to California things were falling into place for her. But there was always something missing.

Jack made it to the NFL and was the secretive player and every journalist wanted a piece of his secret personal life. He held on to that for as long as he could. Until he thought one very special reporter broke that trust and record.

Paige’s very first assignment was to uncover Jack’s personal life. Did she want to see him? Could she do this? You see Paige and Jack were high school sweethearts until he dumped her via text. It’s been a long time but the heart ache was still there.

When the two finally saw each other it was like no time passed at all. They both still had issues though. Jack had to trust that she wanted him and not an article. Paige needed that article but didn’t want to betray him. Their love was off the charts until a ghostwriter almost ruined it all. Thankfully their love and desire saw them through the fiasco. Their love was a perfect story!
Profile Image for Trish.
1,618 reviews7 followers
December 1, 2020
This is first book in the LA Wolves series. This is a new to me author. I enjoyed this story and I can’t wait for book two to come out. I liked Jake and Paige’s story. It was steamy and entertaining. I really looking forward to Will and Gina are the story. I’d love to see Max get a story too oh and maybe Matt. Yep I’m only one book in and I’m already invested in the series.

Paige and Jack were best friend and feel in love with each other in high school. Unfortunately, Paige’s dad was transferred to a different state and Jack broke up with Paige. It’s something that he’s regretted throughout the years. Neither of them has been able to move on and have a successful relationship. Now Paige is in LA and her boss has sent her to get a story on Jake who is known for never giving a personal interview. Will Paige decide that the article and her job more important than their rekindled relationship? Will Jake open up to Paige and will Paige let down her walls to let Jake in?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,708 reviews40 followers
November 26, 2020
This is book one in The L.A. Wolves Series and it is Paige and Jack's story. Paige and Jack have history as they were high school sweethearts and when Jack broke up with her via a text message she was really devastated and hurt and now years later Paige has moved from Chicago to California to do her dream job as a reporter but when she is asked to get a story from Jack she has a decision to make. Jack is an NFL player and.has kept his private life a secret but then his trust is broken when the unthinkable happens. Jack and Paige meet again years later and still have chemistry between them but they also have trust issues, will they be able to get past everything that has happened to get a second chance of being together. This is the first book that I have read by Cadence Keys but it was so well written that I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
Profile Image for Teresa.
2,360 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2023
This is a tough one for me to review. The characters were really engaging and the story was really interesting. The writing was fine, but I still struggled with the book. One issue I had was I thought the beginning part told from the past was too long. So that made the story lag for me. Then the second part started out fine but I think something with how I knew the story was going to go and seeing some repetition of what had happened before, I just struggled to stay engaged with it. I ended up skipping to the end after chapter 23 and sort of working my way back.
Profile Image for Red Panda.
168 reviews2 followers
February 14, 2023
Long start, miscommunication plot

I'm not really a fan of second chance romances but I gave this book a try. First of all I think there's too much time was given to their teenage past. And their relationship wasn't that interesting. They just one day decided "oh she/he so hot, I'm in love." And then there one year of their relationship when they were 16.

They had bad breakup, because long-distance relationship was to hard for the hero (apparently less hard than not have any relationships at all. But he was kid so I let it go and wasn't that judgy when he broke up with her over message.)

Then we have 9years later, aka Now. He now famous, she journalist. She had to write a article about his personal life or she would be jobless.

And that where I was so disappointed, they never contacted over 9 years, and that all with constant "the love of my life" thoughts. Seriously, exes contact each other every time if it's really important for someone. What was the big deal about it. Also he had a girlfriend in college so apparently he successful moved on. And a lot more women. When people madly in love and heartbroken they didn't start a new relationships. I was so annoyed by their both inner monologues it sounded ridiculous. When you 16 you completely different person unlike when you 25yo. So when they met again and was again/still in love it was unbelievable. If you are in love why you waited 9years?? What for?

And let me say about heroine lying about her article and work.

"At least if I write it, I can control the narrative." ??

I was a journalist when I was in my 20, if she needed to write a article on him it was ok, she probably could have. She just have to be honest and tell him truth and not doing it behind his back. And of course without using personal information, because off the record is the thing. Because he wasn't some stranger for her, he was her boyfriend. It was stupid.

I dnf this book at 60% because I just couldn't read anymore about how they love each other and their dilemmas, about work and trust. I hate miscommunication trope.

And of course hero didn't disappoint me, he did it again in their second time relationship. I hoped he would be more careful, but nope.

Profile Image for Frédérique.
340 reviews33 followers
May 16, 2023
I’m sorry, but this book was so disappointing.

TROPES:
• Best friends to lovers
• Childhood friends
• Second Chance
• Sport Romance

Gosh… Who loves a second chance romance without any amount of grovelling? Said no one ever.
Here’s a recap of what happened.

"I broke up with you because it was too hard being in a LDR." : What’s that logic? You still spent 9 years without seeing her? Wasn’t that hard??

"I spent the last 9 years loving you. Please give me another chance"
"Okay." : THAT’S LITERALLY WHAT HAPPENED. He broke her heart. He came back telling her he fucked up and barely lived the last nine years. She lived through hell and her answer was "OKAY". Well alright no self-respecting queen.

And the worst thing?
He fucked up twice and she STILL took him back without him grovelling. Well, if you count gifting cups with pictures and a ticket to his game as grovelling? Yeah, me either.
One second she says she’s giving up because he hurt her too much and then the next he shows up at her door, apologize and she forgives him. I don’t think I could ever fully trust him with my heart ever again. I would always be scared that he would shut down the second things get hard.

Maybe she forgives easy, but gosh, she really let him walk all over her. I wonder how many fucks up it would take from him for it to FINALLY break it off?

So this book, it the exact definition of a bad second chance romance. Second chance romance NEEDS grovelling when an MC fucks up. In this case, it needed a lot more since he fucked up TWICE.
Profile Image for Naomi (aplace_inthesun).
1,171 reviews35 followers
December 12, 2021
Second chance romance
NFL star who relishes his privacy
Independent newly employed sports journo forced with the predicament of writing a story about said NFL star
Open door romance

Paige and Jack were high school sweethearts before Paige moved away and Jack got caught up in the football juggernaut and became a household name. Now Paige is in LA and Jack just happens to play for the LA Wolves. She has a new job and her boss has done his research and knowing Jack is fiercely private, demands Page write an expose on Jack.

Paige has never really gotten over Jack’s betrayal - he let her down baldly, and she wonders how she’s going to be able to write this story and ignore her feelings at the same time. For Jack, Paige is the one that got away - well, he let her by being avoidant and cowardly which is the crux of the ‘misunderstanding’ in this book.

The characters are great and the secondary characters lend good support with lots of potential for future books in the series. The struggle is real re the miscommunication - seriously the guy’s in the NFL and she’s a journo but they don’t communicate to resolve this issue for NINE YEARS FFS. granted there’s no third person and both are single when they meet again (unusual in some romance stories) but it’s a big stretch and made them seem a little juvenile given the intensity of their supposed connection. Inconsistent much?

3.5 stars
Profile Image for Sarah (Inkmates Read).
817 reviews2 followers
July 19, 2022
3.5

I liked this! It was cute and fluffy and focussed on Paige and Jack without too much extra plot/story. I mean, there’s a plot, but it wasn’t super stressful or high stakes and I always felt safe about the ending.

I’m not very familiar with sports romances so I won’t pass judgement on that aspect!

I liked both MCs, it’s a dual POV, and I loved getting Jack’s side. I do wish we had a little more emotional depth to them both. The philanthropic side of Jack is flirted with but mostly he’s at the stadium or with Paige, so we miss some of his character dynamic there I think. Similarly, Paige says she’s always put her career first and it would’ve been nice to have just a bit of background how she’s done that and sacrifices she’s made to be where she is.

Smut is good! Not overwhelming but a nice quantity for those looking for that. The scene with them as teenagers gave me a bit of ick bc I don’t really want to read explicitly about 16 year olds having sex, but that’s a personal preference!

Fun!
Profile Image for Bewaji.
1,597 reviews5 followers
January 13, 2023
What a Balm..

This book is a balm to my soul when I needed it. It is romantic, sweet, emotional and clean. What do I mean by clean? Even though the hero is a first class quarterback, he is not a serial dater, or womaniser. He avoids ‘Jersey chasers’ as he calls them. This is also a second chance romance (my favorite trope). Even though Paige and Jack were in love in high school, their love couldn’t stand the test of separation. Nine years later when they met again, it wouldn’t be easy either. Paige is now a journalist and Jack is a very private quarterback. Throw in a scum back opportunist boss, Paige was at a loss what the right thing is.

This was an enjoyable read for me (there were some arrangement wonkys), this did not detract from the story for me.
Profile Image for Noël.
102 reviews2 followers
January 31, 2022
Meh. A second chance romance with childhood sweethearts and some football thrown in... Better in theory than execution.

I thought the author spent too long on the back story (almost a third of the book with some cringe inducing teen sex scenes) and not enough on the tension when they reunited.

They almost immediately got back together after meeting up as adults, proclaiming their long held (mutual) love for one another. There's sort of a side plot about her not wanting to have to write an article about him, but the stakes just aren't there. You know they'll get together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Catherine Winchester.
115 reviews1 follower
December 18, 2021
A Definite 5 Star!

They've known each other since they were five years old. Best friends to lovers and then she moved away. Can they do a long distance relationship? Jack is an all-star quarterback of the LA Wolves who won't let anyone get any personal info to write a story and Paige is a journalist who never writes about herself in her articles. An article comes out that threatens their love. Can they make it?
Profile Image for VoraciousReader.
2,009 reviews
October 3, 2024
This book was a disappointment. When it started out, it appeared that Paige was going to be kickass and make Jack work for her forgiveness. Unfortunately, all he had to do was look at her and she agreed to start seeing him again without an apology or even any discussion about how badly he had treated her in the past. From there, it was obvious where the book was going so I just skimmed the rest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Heather Rosman.
113 reviews2 followers
February 6, 2022
Jack & Paige

I really like the idea of the story. But Jack seemed like a pansy. He just kept messing up and it felt like she just let it go so easily. I think it would have been more balanced if she had done something wrong too. And maybe she did by not telling him about the article she was supposed to write. Anyway, they were really sweet together but the conflict was just not satisfying..
599 reviews1 follower
August 25, 2021
A light read

This story didn't work for me. If a newspaper needs a new employee to write a story to save the paper, it's time to look for another job. The conflict was too ridiculous for me.
6 reviews1 follower
February 14, 2022
Great Feel Good Romance

I love this book. It is like a comforting hug. You cannot go wrong with a friend to lover romance book. Besides that you throw in an amazing best friend and hot sports players. Even better. Can’t wait to continue this series.
Profile Image for Andrea Fernandez .
4,797 reviews22 followers
December 5, 2022
Jack and Paige

A heartbreaking, emotional and heartfelt journey to go on with Jack and Paige. I adored how these two met and stayed best friends for so long. This is a beautiful second chance romance that will stay on my mind for a long time. I enjoyed every single moment of it.
Profile Image for Linda Fausnet.
Author 23 books32 followers
February 7, 2023
This is a very touching second chance romance with high school sweethearts who reconnected later. The relationship between Paige and Jack is sexy and intense, and they are terrific characters that you can't help but root for! Really enjoyed this steamy sports romance.
Profile Image for Gina.
160 reviews
February 22, 2023
Jack and the Journalist

I enjoyed reading this second chance sports romance. I liked the plot and especially liked that it didn’t go exactly in the direction I was predicting. My favorite part was the special presents the heroine received from the hero.
Profile Image for kel.
41 reviews
May 31, 2023
I felt like the theme started off good, but because she just keeps going back to him without any really good explanation is killing me. Should’ve had more dynamics of emotion rather than one talk and they act like they were never separated. Love sports romances so this was kind of a let down.
Profile Image for Sheryl Rosenfeld.
17 reviews
May 29, 2021
Could have been so much more robust

Weak male (football player) weak women.. just no depth to characters or story. Not sure why the depth was not there.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews

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