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Miami Piranhas #3
Playing by the Rules
Ex-quarterback Davis Abernathy knows he’s on his last chance.
If he strikes out as Paxton Kelly’s coach, nobody else is going to call him. Not to get back on the field, and not to stand on the sidelines.
He’s got a lot to teach Pax, and as a second-year quarterback, Pax has a lot to learn. But Davis doesn’t anticipate the irresistible way they’ll be drawn together from their first meeting. He never could have predicted such a fierce and uncontrollable yearning—or that Pax would feel the same.
It should be easy to remember rules aren’t meant to be broken, and certain lines aren’t meant to be crossed, but the only thing that’s easy is falling totally, completely in love with Pax.
As Davis falls harder, Pax succeeding becomes just as important—and maybe more so—than resurrecting his own career. If he messes this up, his last chance isn’t all he’ll be sacrificing.
What he should be is focused on being the perfect mentor. But what he wants Pax is in his bed, Pax in his life, and more impossibly, to win Pax’s heart forever.
If he strikes out as Paxton Kelly’s coach, nobody else is going to call him. Not to get back on the field, and not to stand on the sidelines.
He’s got a lot to teach Pax, and as a second-year quarterback, Pax has a lot to learn. But Davis doesn’t anticipate the irresistible way they’ll be drawn together from their first meeting. He never could have predicted such a fierce and uncontrollable yearning—or that Pax would feel the same.
It should be easy to remember rules aren’t meant to be broken, and certain lines aren’t meant to be crossed, but the only thing that’s easy is falling totally, completely in love with Pax.
As Davis falls harder, Pax succeeding becomes just as important—and maybe more so—than resurrecting his own career. If he messes this up, his last chance isn’t all he’ll be sacrificing.
What he should be is focused on being the perfect mentor. But what he wants Pax is in his bed, Pax in his life, and more impossibly, to win Pax’s heart forever.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2022
167 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Beth Bolden
77 books660 followersA lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published fourteen novels and five short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
September 28, 2023
i dunno if this one slapped harder than all the others because it was QB powered, but when Pax lifted 4 fingers for #4 (Davis' condors jersey#) 🫵🏼pointing to Davis after every td 🥹well i damn near cried like i was watching Denzel and his boys win a championship.🐐🏈 also i'm soft for Davis because he uses granny's recipes to feed adorable Pax and the rest of his team🦃🍗 THERE'S JUST SO MUCH TO LOVE HERE💓 i absolutely adore this series and i'm very excited for coach asa's story next🐟🧡🤍💙🐬
October 7, 2022
PINING FOR DAYS AND UST OFF THE CHARTS MAKE THIS SPORTS ROMANCE
If there’s one thing Beth Bolden knows, it’s how to write a great sports romance and with Playing By The Rules she’s excelled her own incredibly high quality output.
Pining, there’s pining for days, weeks, months as the instant connect Paxton Kelly has with his new quarterback coach Davis Abernathy sparks from the pages and they fight with a forbidden attraction that slowly develops into a deep and abiding love.
Davis has been treated appallingly by his old team, so much so he’s had panic attacks and has retreated to his beach front home in South Carolina when he gets a call from the Piranhas unconventional Head Coach Asa Dawson (he’s up next and OMG I cannot wait for that romance!).
Pax has been bigged up as one of the game’s potential quarterback giants, but his first season with the Miami side was an absolute disaster, his confidence is shot and he’s struggling when Coach tells him to go pick up Davis from the airport.
Their first meeting is chemistry-laden and the attraction is instantaneous. But, as Pax discovers, there’s so much more to Davis than just his looks.
He’s a quiet man, he’s been badly hurt by being dumped by his team, replaced with a serial sexual assaulter, and blamed for locker room disquiet.
But he still has a footballer’s brain, he’s insightful and, most importantly of all, he’s kind and he knows how to get the best from Pax.
There’s UST off the charts, they get as close as two people can be without ever crossing the line that separates them because of Davis’ position as a coach until things come to a head in a surprising way, which I won’t spoil.
With her usual humour and gentle touch, Beth takes the two men on an emotional journey with turbulent highs and lows which eventually results in one of the sweetest first dates and then, inevitably, into glorious passion.
These two have a soul deep connection which is evident in everything they do, including potentially giving each other up when a chance comes for Davis to prove his former club were wrong in dumping him.
Guest appearances from the other wonderful quarterback/coach pairing Heath Harris and Sam Crawford from Beth’s adjacent Riptide book (The Rivalry) gives another layer to the story which the reader has seen from the outside in the first three books in this series.
The difficulties of the position Davis and Pax are in is handled with skill and the outcome is everything I was hoping for.
Until Asa gets his happy ending, this one’s my favourite so far in what’s been another outstanding collection of American Football romances from Beth.
If there’s one thing Beth Bolden knows, it’s how to write a great sports romance and with Playing By The Rules she’s excelled her own incredibly high quality output.
Pining, there’s pining for days, weeks, months as the instant connect Paxton Kelly has with his new quarterback coach Davis Abernathy sparks from the pages and they fight with a forbidden attraction that slowly develops into a deep and abiding love.
Davis has been treated appallingly by his old team, so much so he’s had panic attacks and has retreated to his beach front home in South Carolina when he gets a call from the Piranhas unconventional Head Coach Asa Dawson (he’s up next and OMG I cannot wait for that romance!).
Pax has been bigged up as one of the game’s potential quarterback giants, but his first season with the Miami side was an absolute disaster, his confidence is shot and he’s struggling when Coach tells him to go pick up Davis from the airport.
Their first meeting is chemistry-laden and the attraction is instantaneous. But, as Pax discovers, there’s so much more to Davis than just his looks.
He’s a quiet man, he’s been badly hurt by being dumped by his team, replaced with a serial sexual assaulter, and blamed for locker room disquiet.
But he still has a footballer’s brain, he’s insightful and, most importantly of all, he’s kind and he knows how to get the best from Pax.
There’s UST off the charts, they get as close as two people can be without ever crossing the line that separates them because of Davis’ position as a coach until things come to a head in a surprising way, which I won’t spoil.
With her usual humour and gentle touch, Beth takes the two men on an emotional journey with turbulent highs and lows which eventually results in one of the sweetest first dates and then, inevitably, into glorious passion.
These two have a soul deep connection which is evident in everything they do, including potentially giving each other up when a chance comes for Davis to prove his former club were wrong in dumping him.
Guest appearances from the other wonderful quarterback/coach pairing Heath Harris and Sam Crawford from Beth’s adjacent Riptide book (The Rivalry) gives another layer to the story which the reader has seen from the outside in the first three books in this series.
The difficulties of the position Davis and Pax are in is handled with skill and the outcome is everything I was hoping for.
Until Asa gets his happy ending, this one’s my favourite so far in what’s been another outstanding collection of American Football romances from Beth.
January 24, 2024
I really, really hate to DNF a book. I feel it's just wasted time and effort, particularly with a series I was enjoying and looking forward to finishing. This book, however, is just too boring and excessively long. The first 20% is the lead up to the finishing part of the previous book, but there's very little that happens. Two grown men who can't communicate their feelings for each other is such tedious reading.
At 35% or so, we get the first big break up/fight/misunderstanding, and for the life of me, I don't want to keep reading this push and pull, back and forth between a quarterback coach and his quarterback. I think the premise of this book is good; it's a definite difficult situation that's interesting from a broad view. I'm just not invested enough to read through to 379 pages of these guys talking past each other and hiding. Also, as in the previous book, there too much technical football analysis, and it's just a snoozefest.
I know some folks don't rate based on DNF, but to me, if a book leads you not to finish it, there's something definitely wrong and deserves a rating.
I might read the next book because Coach Asa is interesting, but I hope it's a lot more readable than this one was.
At 35% or so, we get the first big break up/fight/misunderstanding, and for the life of me, I don't want to keep reading this push and pull, back and forth between a quarterback coach and his quarterback. I think the premise of this book is good; it's a definite difficult situation that's interesting from a broad view. I'm just not invested enough to read through to 379 pages of these guys talking past each other and hiding. Also, as in the previous book, there too much technical football analysis, and it's just a snoozefest.
I know some folks don't rate based on DNF, but to me, if a book leads you not to finish it, there's something definitely wrong and deserves a rating.
I might read the next book because Coach Asa is interesting, but I hope it's a lot more readable than this one was.
January 12, 2024
Finally!! Pax and Davis belong together.
That said, I had hoped for a bit more angst, considering this relationship has been being built up since the start of the series. I didn't feel as strongly as I thought I would. Definitely would have rated higher if there had been more emotion.
That said, I had hoped for a bit more angst, considering this relationship has been being built up since the start of the series. I didn't feel as strongly as I thought I would. Definitely would have rated higher if there had been more emotion.
October 2, 2022
The first half of this is so ANGSTY! And I looove it. Davis and Pax peaked my interest in previous books, but the author blew it out of the water with them. I couldn't have anticipated how much I would love these two.
Davis was screwed over by his old team, but Pax's awesome, unconventional main coach saw something in Davis and asked him to come as a qb coach. These two can't be together, they could lose everything. And I love how right from the beginning, all the longing wasn't just for the physical stuff. Pax and Davis fell fast and hard, like they were meant to be. And I fell fast and hard for them as well.
Davis was screwed over by his old team, but Pax's awesome, unconventional main coach saw something in Davis and asked him to come as a qb coach. These two can't be together, they could lose everything. And I love how right from the beginning, all the longing wasn't just for the physical stuff. Pax and Davis fell fast and hard, like they were meant to be. And I fell fast and hard for them as well.
November 21, 2024
DNF @ 54%
Here's the thing...
Too many words that I don't care about. I love me a long book as long as there is substance. I don't care that they go to dance class, I don't need every detail. I was happy once they finally admitted to loving each other and having each other. A strong bond issued and great words said. But this is at half the book and you know things are going to get weird now, and I just don't care any more. I'm already skimming pages and I hate that.
I've lost my interest.
I consider it a flaw that the basis of Davis' career end was so messy. I don't understand how a team would pay so much to get rid of a player. It's not explained enough. Unless more is revealed later but as I stated above, I've lost interest.
It's obviously a great story but I feel the formula of the book is off.
Here's the thing...
Too many words that I don't care about. I love me a long book as long as there is substance. I don't care that they go to dance class, I don't need every detail. I was happy once they finally admitted to loving each other and having each other. A strong bond issued and great words said. But this is at half the book and you know things are going to get weird now, and I just don't care any more. I'm already skimming pages and I hate that.
I've lost my interest.
I consider it a flaw that the basis of Davis' career end was so messy. I don't understand how a team would pay so much to get rid of a player. It's not explained enough. Unless more is revealed later but as I stated above, I've lost interest.
It's obviously a great story but I feel the formula of the book is off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2023
Beth Bolden has been building up a relationship between Davis and Pax since the beginning with all the other MCs very closely watching their interactions which led to me really looking forward to this story. And thankfully she does not disappoint! All the UST is well worth it and has been building since the prequel novella. If there’s ever a couple who were “meant to be” it’s Pax and Davis. They just get each other. Sparks flew from the moment they met and oh how they tried to fight it but when it’s meant to be, it’s simply meant to be. Such an awesome read. Super excited for the Christmas novella where it’ll be Coach’s turn to find his HEA. Beth Bolden did this couple proud. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
**Nov 3, 2023**
I was also given the opportunity to review a copy of the audiobook in which I can add that Darcy Stark provides a strong performance with his accent work and it was always easy to know who was speaking. He also did a great job showing the emotions that Pax and Davis were feeling, as well as Davis' despair over the Tom Taylor situation.
**Nov 3, 2023**
I was also given the opportunity to review a copy of the audiobook in which I can add that Darcy Stark provides a strong performance with his accent work and it was always easy to know who was speaking. He also did a great job showing the emotions that Pax and Davis were feeling, as well as Davis' despair over the Tom Taylor situation.
June 13, 2023
4.25 stars
Davis Abernathy is certain that he'll never be involved with the NFL again, not after his ex-NFL team screws him over and makes him look like the bad guy. But when Asa Dawson calls him and asks him to be the new quarterback coach of the Miami Piranhas, Davis thinks this might be his segue to getting back on the field.
Pax was considered to be the next star quarterback of the NFL, but a disastrous first season puts a lot of his future in jeopardy. Pax is eager to be the star that he was in college, but it's going to be a lot harder than he thinks. Throw in an unexpected and strong attraction to your QB coach, and you've got a recipe for disaster. But Pax is determined to make it work and help Davis resurrect his career, even if it hurts him in the long run.
Someone recommended this to me a while back, and this book is what officially put this series back on the map for me. I wanted to dive into this one immediately, but I decided to start from the beginning and get the whole story, and I'm so glad I did that. Pax and Davis made several appearances in the first two books that had me wanting to know more about them and their relationship, so with the way the second book ended, I was eager to start this one. There were a couple of spots where I felt like this one dragged, but it was just as good as the rest of the book so far.
I loved Davis and Pax, and their tension and romance are so palpable. Hurt/comfort has always been a trope I liked but never delved too far into, but this one has the perfect amount, and it shows up in several ways. I'm excited to see what their relationship looks like in the last two books of the series.
Davis Abernathy is certain that he'll never be involved with the NFL again, not after his ex-NFL team screws him over and makes him look like the bad guy. But when Asa Dawson calls him and asks him to be the new quarterback coach of the Miami Piranhas, Davis thinks this might be his segue to getting back on the field.
Pax was considered to be the next star quarterback of the NFL, but a disastrous first season puts a lot of his future in jeopardy. Pax is eager to be the star that he was in college, but it's going to be a lot harder than he thinks. Throw in an unexpected and strong attraction to your QB coach, and you've got a recipe for disaster. But Pax is determined to make it work and help Davis resurrect his career, even if it hurts him in the long run.
Someone recommended this to me a while back, and this book is what officially put this series back on the map for me. I wanted to dive into this one immediately, but I decided to start from the beginning and get the whole story, and I'm so glad I did that. Pax and Davis made several appearances in the first two books that had me wanting to know more about them and their relationship, so with the way the second book ended, I was eager to start this one. There were a couple of spots where I felt like this one dragged, but it was just as good as the rest of the book so far.
I loved Davis and Pax, and their tension and romance are so palpable. Hurt/comfort has always been a trope I liked but never delved too far into, but this one has the perfect amount, and it shows up in several ways. I'm excited to see what their relationship looks like in the last two books of the series.
December 10, 2022
(2,5 stars) I have a confession to make, despite following this series from the beginning, I wasn't all that intrigued by the buildup towards Pax and Davis' forbidden romance. Their will they or won't they throughout the last two books wasn't really something that kept me at the edge of my seat waiting for their story's turn in the series. Still, I am a bit of a completionist, so reading their story once it was published was a no brainer.
Davis Abernathy is the former starting quarterback for the Charleston Condors, who replaced him in such a fashion that no other team considered offering him a job after that. After a year of living in seclusion, nursing his wounds, Davis gets an offer from Asa Dawson, Miami Piranhas new head coach, to join the team as the new quarterback coach for Paxton Kelly, their inexperienced starting quarterback, whose rookie year in the NFL didn't exactly go according to everybody's expectations.
Right from their first meeting, Pax picking up Davis at the airport, there is an instant attraction between the two. Both of them are trying to hide it and resist it at the same time, Davis being a little bit older and more experienced having more success in containing his emotions than the younger inexperienced Pax. After a heated argument during the game between the two, their friends (read: the rest of the gay players on the team from previous books in the series) stage an intervention to get the two of them to admit their feelings for each other. The two of them start a relationship in secret except their newfound happiness might come under threat from an unexpected direction,
While I'm really enjoying following the Miami Piranhas series, it's characters in general and the overarching storyline of getting the underdog NFL team to the playoffs in particular, I am a bit disappointed to find that romance aspect in the last two books in the series did not exactly work for me.
When it came to Pax and Davis' story I wasn't a fan of the instant attraction between the two right from the start. As much as I enjoyed seeing the two of them trying to resist said attraction I can't help wondering would I have found it more enjoyable if we had the chance to witness Pax and Davis falling for each other gradually as they started to get to know each other better instead. Another reason why their romance did not work for me, that closely ties into the first one, was how quickly they gave into the attraction between them. I am well aware that halfway through the story is the usual timeline for a couple to "get together" but in this particular case I found it to be too soon as it removed the main source of the tension that the majority of the plot relied on quite heavily.
The whole forbidden romance aspect is kind of a bread and butter of this particular series, as almost every relationship (except Logan and Dylan's one) started off in secret and not exactly sanctioned by the head coach/management. Pax and Davis' relationship was presented as even more forbidden than the other relationships, between two players and a coach and a player, due to their quarterback coach/starting quarterback dynamic. Except I can't say I ever really bought into this idea.
Yes, the forbidden aspect was a source of great angst for the characters, except it wasn't a particular source of angst for me as a reader as the previous experience with the series has taught me over and over again that Asa Dawson is a romantic at heart and that anything goes in case of the management. Then near the end we discover that, while unusual, the quarterback coach/starting quarterback relationship isn't even something unheard of as both the public and the NFL are more than familiar with one such relationship on another team. After which I had to ask myself what was even the point of building up the forbidden romance aspect between Pax and Davis so much when it was obvious it would turn out to be more or less a non issue. This felt as a bit of a let down which did not add to my shaky enjoyment of the story until that point.
While Pax and Davis' story wasn't the one I was looking forward to in the long run, the next story in the series between Asa and Scott is something that I really can't wait to get my hands on. I admit that I am somewhat fearful about ending up disappointed as my expectations of their story are quite high as the author did such a great job of slowly but surely building up the anticipation with every little bonus scene from coach's point of view through out this series. That said I'll be there with bells on.
Themes: dual POV, instant attraction, forbidden romance, quarterback/quarterback coach, panic attacks, closeted characters, secret relationship, NFL
Davis Abernathy is the former starting quarterback for the Charleston Condors, who replaced him in such a fashion that no other team considered offering him a job after that. After a year of living in seclusion, nursing his wounds, Davis gets an offer from Asa Dawson, Miami Piranhas new head coach, to join the team as the new quarterback coach for Paxton Kelly, their inexperienced starting quarterback, whose rookie year in the NFL didn't exactly go according to everybody's expectations.
Right from their first meeting, Pax picking up Davis at the airport, there is an instant attraction between the two. Both of them are trying to hide it and resist it at the same time, Davis being a little bit older and more experienced having more success in containing his emotions than the younger inexperienced Pax. After a heated argument during the game between the two, their friends (read: the rest of the gay players on the team from previous books in the series) stage an intervention to get the two of them to admit their feelings for each other. The two of them start a relationship in secret except their newfound happiness might come under threat from an unexpected direction,
While I'm really enjoying following the Miami Piranhas series, it's characters in general and the overarching storyline of getting the underdog NFL team to the playoffs in particular, I am a bit disappointed to find that romance aspect in the last two books in the series did not exactly work for me.
When it came to Pax and Davis' story I wasn't a fan of the instant attraction between the two right from the start. As much as I enjoyed seeing the two of them trying to resist said attraction I can't help wondering would I have found it more enjoyable if we had the chance to witness Pax and Davis falling for each other gradually as they started to get to know each other better instead. Another reason why their romance did not work for me, that closely ties into the first one, was how quickly they gave into the attraction between them. I am well aware that halfway through the story is the usual timeline for a couple to "get together" but in this particular case I found it to be too soon as it removed the main source of the tension that the majority of the plot relied on quite heavily.
The whole forbidden romance aspect is kind of a bread and butter of this particular series, as almost every relationship (except Logan and Dylan's one) started off in secret and not exactly sanctioned by the head coach/management. Pax and Davis' relationship was presented as even more forbidden than the other relationships, between two players and a coach and a player, due to their quarterback coach/starting quarterback dynamic. Except I can't say I ever really bought into this idea.
Yes, the forbidden aspect was a source of great angst for the characters, except it wasn't a particular source of angst for me as a reader as the previous experience with the series has taught me over and over again that Asa Dawson is a romantic at heart and that anything goes in case of the management. Then near the end we discover that, while unusual, the quarterback coach/starting quarterback relationship isn't even something unheard of as both the public and the NFL are more than familiar with one such relationship on another team. After which I had to ask myself what was even the point of building up the forbidden romance aspect between Pax and Davis so much when it was obvious it would turn out to be more or less a non issue. This felt as a bit of a let down which did not add to my shaky enjoyment of the story until that point.
While Pax and Davis' story wasn't the one I was looking forward to in the long run, the next story in the series between Asa and Scott is something that I really can't wait to get my hands on. I admit that I am somewhat fearful about ending up disappointed as my expectations of their story are quite high as the author did such a great job of slowly but surely building up the anticipation with every little bonus scene from coach's point of view through out this series. That said I'll be there with bells on.
Themes: dual POV, instant attraction, forbidden romance, quarterback/quarterback coach, panic attacks, closeted characters, secret relationship, NFL
October 13, 2022
**I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.**
PLAYING BY THE RULES is book 3 in the Miami Piranhas series. It can be read as a stand alone but I don't recommend it since reading in order will give you little glimpses of these two characters from others prospective that I think helps this story along.
Davis Abernathy was once a starting QB but his team used him as the excuse as to why his team wasn't doing better. When he was let go he was embarrassed and angry for the situation they put him in. Thinking no one would want him he stayed to himself until he gets a call from Asa, the head coach of the Piranhas. Asa didn't want him as a QB but has a QB coach to make the second year QB, Paxton Kelly, a better QB. Davis knew this was his last shot to remain in the NFL so he took it. What he wasn't expecting was Pax. The charming sexy man was his player and he needed to remember there was a line they could never cross. Can Davis keep his thoughts and hands to himself?
"But the sudden flare of attraction the moment their hands touched, despite the brisk professionalism of the handshake, that was entirely unexpected."
Paxton Kelly was basically left floundering his first year in the NFL. The coaches didn't do what they could with him so when Asa hires ex-QB to be his coach Davis isn't anything like Pax expected. He can't stop himself from falling for the man little by little. He knows that the relationship as QB and QB coach is where they need to focus their energy until everything they've been fighting for each other explodes on the sidelines of a game. When his teammates and friends set up an intervention for the two of them is this the green light they need to cross that line? Once it's crossed is there any going back?
I loved Paxton and Davis and the touch of angst between them. They fought so hard to make the relationship work on and off the field until their love couldn't be contained any longer.
I cannot wait for Asa and Scott's book!
PLAYING BY THE RULES is book 3 in the Miami Piranhas series. It can be read as a stand alone but I don't recommend it since reading in order will give you little glimpses of these two characters from others prospective that I think helps this story along.
Davis Abernathy was once a starting QB but his team used him as the excuse as to why his team wasn't doing better. When he was let go he was embarrassed and angry for the situation they put him in. Thinking no one would want him he stayed to himself until he gets a call from Asa, the head coach of the Piranhas. Asa didn't want him as a QB but has a QB coach to make the second year QB, Paxton Kelly, a better QB. Davis knew this was his last shot to remain in the NFL so he took it. What he wasn't expecting was Pax. The charming sexy man was his player and he needed to remember there was a line they could never cross. Can Davis keep his thoughts and hands to himself?
"But the sudden flare of attraction the moment their hands touched, despite the brisk professionalism of the handshake, that was entirely unexpected."
Paxton Kelly was basically left floundering his first year in the NFL. The coaches didn't do what they could with him so when Asa hires ex-QB to be his coach Davis isn't anything like Pax expected. He can't stop himself from falling for the man little by little. He knows that the relationship as QB and QB coach is where they need to focus their energy until everything they've been fighting for each other explodes on the sidelines of a game. When his teammates and friends set up an intervention for the two of them is this the green light they need to cross that line? Once it's crossed is there any going back?
I loved Paxton and Davis and the touch of angst between them. They fought so hard to make the relationship work on and off the field until their love couldn't be contained any longer.
I cannot wait for Asa and Scott's book!
October 14, 2022
“I love you because you’re my person, goddamnit, even if you don’t want to be, and that’s not going to change. Doesn’t matter if we never do anything about it, doesn’t matter if a year down the road we don’t even talk. Doesn’t matter if you’re my coach, or not my coach. It doesn’t matter if you want to hear it or you don’t. I love you anyway, and I always will.
Oh my GOD. This book was amazing!! We have been waiting for Pax & Davis’ romance since book one and they DID NOT DISAPPOINT.
I absolutely loved this book, I couldn’t get enough! There’s nothing about it that I would change.
A romance between a quarterback and his coach?
A slow burn for the ages?
I LOVE books that feature no magical aspects, and yet it still seems as though the two main characters are soulmates. Fated mates. However you want to word it. Because these two were made for each other and no one can tell me otherwise.
I can’t wait to see what else this series can bring!
Oh my GOD. This book was amazing!! We have been waiting for Pax & Davis’ romance since book one and they DID NOT DISAPPOINT.
I absolutely loved this book, I couldn’t get enough! There’s nothing about it that I would change.
A romance between a quarterback and his coach?
A slow burn for the ages?
I LOVE books that feature no magical aspects, and yet it still seems as though the two main characters are soulmates. Fated mates. However you want to word it. Because these two were made for each other and no one can tell me otherwise.
I can’t wait to see what else this series can bring!
October 7, 2022
Pax and Davis have strong chemistry, both physical and emotional. There’s a coach/player dynamic that adds the flavor of the forbidden and sets the stage for *so* *much* *pining.* (This is not a complaint, I’m all about the pining). These characters are super likable, both separately and together. My heart broke for Davis, who’s been through way too much at the hands of his former team, but I loved watching him come into his own as the story went on. Additionally, I admire this author’s ability to write sports romance in a way that can appeal to a wide audience, including those usually not super invested in sports (like me). It’s clear how much football is a part of these characters’ lives, and it’s part of the world building in ways that feel immersive but not overwhelming. Well worth a read.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
October 15, 2022
You know if push and pull was a thing it would be this book!
The forbidden romance part of it sold me! Like hello Davis is his coach but this attraction has been building up in multiple books.
The instant attraction the fighting, the way davis tries to push him away augh every single moment was totally worth it. I feel like it can be read as a standalone but if you want the full effect then read the first couple of books in the series
The forbidden romance part of it sold me! Like hello Davis is his coach but this attraction has been building up in multiple books.
The instant attraction the fighting, the way davis tries to push him away augh every single moment was totally worth it. I feel like it can be read as a standalone but if you want the full effect then read the first couple of books in the series
October 11, 2022
Playing By The Rules is the third book in the Miami Piranhas series. We finally got Davis and Pax’s story! Davis is Pax’s coach, kind of a no-no. These two have insane chemistry and there’s so much angst in this story! I seriously adored Davis and Pax; they were so perfect together! Overall, another fantastic book in the Miami Piranhas series. Well written with nice pacing.
October 7, 2022
Playing by the Rules is the third book in the Miami Piranhas series by Beth Bolden. This book is about Davis and Paxton. Davis is Paxton's coach. What he didn't expect was how he would feel about Paxton.... or that the feeling would become mutual. Certain lines shouldn't be crossed though.... or should they.....
I loved their story. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels and very well written.
I loved their story. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels and very well written.
October 18, 2022
(I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review)
Where do I even begin?
Beth Bolden is the queen of friends to lovers romances. The way she builds their friendships, gives them such solid foundations and weaves their attraction into it is something like perfection. She doesn't have to tell you the stages of them falling in love because it's right there in front of you.
I've been waiting for Davis and Pax since book 1, and it was well worth the wait.
Davis has been given a shit hand, losing his quarterback position to another player who's facing charges for domestic violence. You'd think that would look bad on the team, but no, it only made everyone look at Davis like he must be a serious problem to be replaced by something that vile.
I wanted to tear apart every person who had anything to do with hurting Davis; he didn't deserve any of that. But without that, he wouldn't have met Pax. Wouldn't have become his Quarterback Coach.
God, these two love each other so much. And they fight it so hard, but there's nothing more right than the two of them being together. I could read about them for an eternity. All of the domestic shit; they just fit so flawlessly into each other.
You all know my favorite topic is mental health, and Beth tackles Davis' panic attacks beautifully. The way he and every one else talks about them, that they exist but he isn't defined by them, is exactly right. Each one is handled with care by the author and the characters.
And Pax helping Davis through one? My heart just couldn't take it. I'm a hurt/comfort person, and this book, these characters, push every single button.
I loved this book so hard.
Where do I even begin?
Beth Bolden is the queen of friends to lovers romances. The way she builds their friendships, gives them such solid foundations and weaves their attraction into it is something like perfection. She doesn't have to tell you the stages of them falling in love because it's right there in front of you.
I've been waiting for Davis and Pax since book 1, and it was well worth the wait.
Davis has been given a shit hand, losing his quarterback position to another player who's facing charges for domestic violence. You'd think that would look bad on the team, but no, it only made everyone look at Davis like he must be a serious problem to be replaced by something that vile.
I wanted to tear apart every person who had anything to do with hurting Davis; he didn't deserve any of that. But without that, he wouldn't have met Pax. Wouldn't have become his Quarterback Coach.
God, these two love each other so much. And they fight it so hard, but there's nothing more right than the two of them being together. I could read about them for an eternity. All of the domestic shit; they just fit so flawlessly into each other.
You all know my favorite topic is mental health, and Beth tackles Davis' panic attacks beautifully. The way he and every one else talks about them, that they exist but he isn't defined by them, is exactly right. Each one is handled with care by the author and the characters.
And Pax helping Davis through one? My heart just couldn't take it. I'm a hurt/comfort person, and this book, these characters, push every single button.
I loved this book so hard.
October 8, 2022
Mildly forbidden sports romance
Honestly thought Pax and Davis would have a higher amount of angst than they actually did. Not sure if that’s something to be mildly disappointed about or not. Lol. They worked out their initial reluctance about being together surprisingly quickly so instead football is the angsty part of their relationship. And still can’t wait for Coach’s book.
Honestly thought Pax and Davis would have a higher amount of angst than they actually did. Not sure if that’s something to be mildly disappointed about or not. Lol. They worked out their initial reluctance about being together surprisingly quickly so instead football is the angsty part of their relationship. And still can’t wait for Coach’s book.
November 6, 2023
Another Winner from Beth Holden.
This is the yearniest book I think I've ever read! The tension and longing between Davis and Pax is so intense. I absolutely loved the pair of them. I could feel the chemistry oozing from the pages, and I was on edge waiting for them to give in. It’s a slow burn story, which is one of my favourite tropes, it's all about the build up, baby! Ms Bolden has once again woven together a lovely, sweet and angsty story, it was ouchingly emotional. So romantically perfect. I've just listened to the Audible version of the book, and it's still a compelling story. However I did feel that Darcy Starks sounded a little young when voicing Davis❤🔥
This is the yearniest book I think I've ever read! The tension and longing between Davis and Pax is so intense. I absolutely loved the pair of them. I could feel the chemistry oozing from the pages, and I was on edge waiting for them to give in. It’s a slow burn story, which is one of my favourite tropes, it's all about the build up, baby! Ms Bolden has once again woven together a lovely, sweet and angsty story, it was ouchingly emotional. So romantically perfect. I've just listened to the Audible version of the book, and it's still a compelling story. However I did feel that Darcy Starks sounded a little young when voicing Davis❤🔥
November 6, 2022
2.5 ⭐️
I have the same feelings I did with the previous 2 books. I finished it because I was already committed but got very bored at times. The story had potential but just doesn’t work for me. Considering how they cared so much for each other but the relationship only progresses with an intervention from their teammates to hook up already. Ok…
I have the same feelings I did with the previous 2 books. I finished it because I was already committed but got very bored at times. The story had potential but just doesn’t work for me. Considering how they cared so much for each other but the relationship only progresses with an intervention from their teammates to hook up already. Ok…
October 17, 2022
DNF. Unusual plot twist with the “dating intervention”, however I was so over the interminable inner dialogues and angst by then that I wasn’t interested in reading any more
July 16, 2023
Too much football talk and just like no desire for them to get together it was just like ok whatever like … no angst
October 14, 2022
Check out our full post for PLAYING BY THE RULES on Wicked Reads, which includes an excerpt.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Shannan – ☆☆☆☆☆
PLAYING BY THE RULES is book three in the Miami Piranhas series. It can be read as a standalone, but I don't recommend it since reading in order will give you little glimpses of these two characters from others’ perspectives that I think helps this story along.
Davis Abernathy was once a starting quarterback, but his team used him as the excuse as to why his team wasn't doing better. When he was let go, he was embarrassed and angry for the situation they put him in. Thinking no one would want him, he stayed to himself until he gets a call from Asa, the head coach of the Piranhas. Asa didn't want him as a quarterback but as a quarterback coach to make the second-year quarterback, Paxton Kelly, a better quarterback. Davis knew this was his last shot to remain in the NFL, so he took it. What he wasn't expecting was Pax. The charming, sexy man was his player and he needed to remember there was a line they could never cross. Can Davis keep his thoughts and hands to himself?
“But the sudden flare of attraction the moment their hands touched, despite the brisk professionalism of the handshake, that was entirely unexpected.”
Paxton Kelly was basically left floundering his first year in the NFL. The coaches didn't do what they could with him, so when Asa hires an ex-quarterback to be his coach, Davis isn't anything like Pax expected. He can't stop himself from falling for the man little by little. He knows that the relationship as quarterback and quarterback coach is where they need to focus their energy, until everything they've been fighting for each other explodes on the sidelines of a game. When his teammates and friends set up an intervention for the two of them, is this the green light they need to cross that line? Once it's crossed, is there any going back?
I loved Paxton and Davis and the touch of angst between them. They fought so hard to make the relationship work, on and off the field, until their love couldn't be contained any longer.
I cannot wait for Asa and Scott's book!
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
October 11, 2022
Ever since I read and reviewed Riptide: the Complete Series, I have been following Beth Bolden and reading everything I could find from her, so her latest book, Playing by the Rules was no exception. And I have to say that she did not disappoint.
Pax and Davis have appeared in the previous books in this series, but apart from learning that one was his quarterback and the other his coach, not much else was known about their backstory.
We now know for sure that Pax was the football's golden boy in college, and that he came with high expectations, something that already playing his first few seasons with the Piranhas was proving to be uphill. And that's when Asa decides to call Davis to teach him everything he knows.
Davis was the Condors' quarterback, with a promising career but with a team that failed to take advantage of his potential, and to complete that picture, a team managment (and team owners) that decides to do without him in the worst way, burying him under horrible rumors and lies about of his inability to work as a team player etc., making no team want to hire him, which leads Davis to fall into depression, suffer panic attacks and isolate himself. Until that call from Asa.
Pax and Davis meet and the attraction is instant. But it is also prohibited. The rules say that a player and his coach cannot get involved. As their professional relationship progresses, and the positive results begin to show, an increasingly tense personal situation also begins to develop, until it blows up in their faces.
Both characters suffer from their own insecurities, especially Davis, who thinks he needs to prove himself, but their support for each other is the foundation of their entire relationship, and it's an amazing thing to read.
I don't know much about soccer. Rather, I don't understand anything, but thanks to the way this author writes, that's not an impediment to enjoying these books. Many will say that they may not be original in their story, but the characters and the situations they go through are so well written that everything else takes a backseat.
I look forward to the next book!!!
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
Pax and Davis have appeared in the previous books in this series, but apart from learning that one was his quarterback and the other his coach, not much else was known about their backstory.
We now know for sure that Pax was the football's golden boy in college, and that he came with high expectations, something that already playing his first few seasons with the Piranhas was proving to be uphill. And that's when Asa decides to call Davis to teach him everything he knows.
Davis was the Condors' quarterback, with a promising career but with a team that failed to take advantage of his potential, and to complete that picture, a team managment (and team owners) that decides to do without him in the worst way, burying him under horrible rumors and lies about of his inability to work as a team player etc., making no team want to hire him, which leads Davis to fall into depression, suffer panic attacks and isolate himself. Until that call from Asa.
Pax and Davis meet and the attraction is instant. But it is also prohibited. The rules say that a player and his coach cannot get involved. As their professional relationship progresses, and the positive results begin to show, an increasingly tense personal situation also begins to develop, until it blows up in their faces.
Both characters suffer from their own insecurities, especially Davis, who thinks he needs to prove himself, but their support for each other is the foundation of their entire relationship, and it's an amazing thing to read.
I don't know much about soccer. Rather, I don't understand anything, but thanks to the way this author writes, that's not an impediment to enjoying these books. Many will say that they may not be original in their story, but the characters and the situations they go through are so well written that everything else takes a backseat.
I look forward to the next book!!!
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
October 2, 2022
Playing by the Rules by Beth Bolden is the 4th book in her The Miami Piranhas series. I recommend that you read the other books in this series first because of reoccurring characters. This is the story of Davis and Paxton. Davis Abernathy was the quarterback for the Carolina Condors NFL team until he wasn’t. The team had traded for another QB and blamed him as the reason why they did it, even though their reasons weren’t true. He was let go and no one else picked him up so he stayed at his home in South Carolina, miserable and afraid that he would never play again. That is until the Miami Piranhas coach called and asked him to become the quarterback coach for their team. Since this might be his only chance to prove his worth he took him up on it. Paxton Kelly was the QB for the Piranhas. He was a hot shot from USC and many had high hopes for him but his first year had been bad as the QB coach hadn’t coached him at all and it had not been a good year for him or the team. Because of this he had lost his confidence which also didn’t help him when he played. From their first meeting both Davis and Pax felt an attraction to each other but there was no way they could act on it since they were coach and player. But as they worked together, trust grew and so did the attraction to the point that they had several verbal fights that caused misunderstandings and finally affected their relationship on the field. There were many out couples on the team and even though they tried to give them advice they finally staged an intervention that led them to decide to be together in all ways, even though they couldn’t do this out in public. The story continues as their relationship grows, they fall in love, and finally have to tell the head coach about this. I have really enjoyed all the stories in this series. The characters and what they are going through are very realistic and their love scenes are hot. I also liked the side characters, most from previous stories, who add some levity and also give some valuable advice, as well as just being good people. I have learned a lot about professional football players, how they train, and what goes on during a game from these books. I never realized how much preparation they have to do each week as they face new opponents. There was also a lot of angst involved as Davis and Pax tried to figure out a way to be together, even though it didn’t look like it would happen. All in all this was a wonderful story and I highly recommend it. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
October 8, 2022
I've yet to find a Beth Bolden football romance that I don't love, and she's delivered a spectacular, swoony story for Davis and Pax. There were so many elements that made this story great--the slow-burn romance, the themes of acceptance and redemption, and the exciting football growth of the Piranhas--but what really made this story a stand-out were the characters. I connected with Davis and Pax early on, and it was such a delight to watch their relationship unfold from the very beginning. They put up a valiant fight to resist the pull they had towards each other, but it became obvious over time that their attraction had grown into deep, unconditional love. I was blown away by how deep and emotionally moving their journey was, and their story certainly put me through the wringer at times as the two of them tried to figure out how to navigate their professional relationship when they craved something personal and intimate as well. I definitely had moments where I didn't see a romantic path forward for the two of them, and I felt their growing tension from having to hold back in every interaction they shared. The dating intervention and swoony love confession midway through the story were a big emotional turning point, and from then on I was much less worried about will-they-won't-they and simply enjoying the progression of Pax and Davis's romance. In addition to their love journey, both Pax and Davis had moving character arcs that intertwined with the other events of the story. Davis alone went through such a transformation, and I was very satisfied with how he healed and moved on from the awful situation with the Condors. Pax also matured a lot throughout the course of the story, and it was very uplifting to see him become a strong leader for the team. All in all, I can't think of a single thing I would change about this story, except for getting more and more and more of their happy lives together.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
October 27, 2023
Playing by the Rules is the third book in the Miami Piranhas series and can be read as a standalone.
This is my second time reading this book; I don’t really remember the first time I read it which was a year ago now.
Pax and Davis … where do I start? Even though they are not supposed to fall in love with each other, there is no other couple that is more perfect than them. Both are struggling with a lack of self esteem but together they build each other up.
Not to mention they are smoking hot. Their chemistry is kindle melting and I could not read this book fast enough. Super sexy, definitely forbidden, but still with the heart that I love about Beth Bolden’s books.
I love this wonderful group, the intervention in Chapter 9 just showed how supportive and caring the Piranhas team are. Instead of giving Pax and Davis a hard time, they rally around them and lovingly act as the best family you could possibly have.
And THAT moment in Chapter 17 was amazing and timeless. Addicting … I didn't want this book to end.
The audiobook is narrated by Darcy Stark. Before this I just listened to Playing the Player and didn’t enjoy the audiobook so I was very pleased this one was so much better! Darcy Stark does a great job at creating a different voice for each character, I enjoyed listening to how he interpreted each character. There was a softness and emotion you could hear when it was needed. I was engrossed listening to this audiobook, if I stopped I immediately started it again saying “just one more chapter”.
Playing by the Rules is sugary sweet yet still had plenty of angst. This book has so many steamy, swoon worthy, heart warming, fun moments that will make you so happy!
🎁 The return of the dating boxes
❤️🔥 Forbidden (coach/ player)
✨ Forced proximity
🏈 MM Sports romance (Football)
🌷 Age gap
🥰 Friends to lovers
🎉 Dancing lessons
🧡 A team that is a family
This book contains sensitive content such as panic attacks and a heart attack.
Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Character rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Feels: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Writing style: 🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊
Narration by Darcy Stark: 🌕🌕🌕🌕
This is my second time reading this book; I don’t really remember the first time I read it which was a year ago now.
Pax and Davis … where do I start? Even though they are not supposed to fall in love with each other, there is no other couple that is more perfect than them. Both are struggling with a lack of self esteem but together they build each other up.
Not to mention they are smoking hot. Their chemistry is kindle melting and I could not read this book fast enough. Super sexy, definitely forbidden, but still with the heart that I love about Beth Bolden’s books.
I love this wonderful group, the intervention in Chapter 9 just showed how supportive and caring the Piranhas team are. Instead of giving Pax and Davis a hard time, they rally around them and lovingly act as the best family you could possibly have.
And THAT moment in Chapter 17 was amazing and timeless. Addicting … I didn't want this book to end.
The audiobook is narrated by Darcy Stark. Before this I just listened to Playing the Player and didn’t enjoy the audiobook so I was very pleased this one was so much better! Darcy Stark does a great job at creating a different voice for each character, I enjoyed listening to how he interpreted each character. There was a softness and emotion you could hear when it was needed. I was engrossed listening to this audiobook, if I stopped I immediately started it again saying “just one more chapter”.
Playing by the Rules is sugary sweet yet still had plenty of angst. This book has so many steamy, swoon worthy, heart warming, fun moments that will make you so happy!
🎁 The return of the dating boxes
❤️🔥 Forbidden (coach/ player)
✨ Forced proximity
🏈 MM Sports romance (Football)
🌷 Age gap
🥰 Friends to lovers
🎉 Dancing lessons
🧡 A team that is a family
This book contains sensitive content such as panic attacks and a heart attack.
Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Character rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Feels: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Writing style: 🖊🖊🖊🖊🖊
Narration by Darcy Stark: 🌕🌕🌕🌕
October 2, 2022
I've been looking forward to reading Davis and Pax's story ever since they first appeared. And oh my, was it good!! My favorite so far!!
Davis was a quarterback for the Condors when he was cast out for exposing one of the team for being abusive. Nobody believed him and he got chunned by the team as well as the fans. He's withdrawn himself from life to a reclused place when he gets a phone call from Asa, coach of the Miami Piranhas to come and help get their quarterback Pax back on track. He reluctantly accepts with the option of quitting when he wants. Then he meets Pax....
Pax is struggling as a quarterback with the MP because of not having proper guidance from a decent coach. He's determined to make the best of it when he hears that Davis is going to be his new coach.
When they meet, there's an immediate attraction which they both fight tooth and nail, but to no avail. They become friends but the tension between them gets to be so high that it starts to interfere with the games and practices.
After an intervention, set up by their teammates they finally talk things over and give in to their attraction. It's immediately clear that their feelings are very serious and that they are in for the long haul.
Bit by bit they come into their best selves and Pax is becoming a great quarterback. When Pax and the team play against the team that spewed out Davis', he brings him the best tribute anyone can think of.
I really loved this book, it's my favorite so far. There was just enough angst to keep you on your toes as well as sweet and tender moments between the characters.
We got a glimpse into the other characters that will be getting their own story and to say I'm madly looking forward to reading Asa's book is putting it mildly!!
*I kindly received a copy of this book from the author via Bookfunnel. This is my honest review.*
Davis was a quarterback for the Condors when he was cast out for exposing one of the team for being abusive. Nobody believed him and he got chunned by the team as well as the fans. He's withdrawn himself from life to a reclused place when he gets a phone call from Asa, coach of the Miami Piranhas to come and help get their quarterback Pax back on track. He reluctantly accepts with the option of quitting when he wants. Then he meets Pax....
Pax is struggling as a quarterback with the MP because of not having proper guidance from a decent coach. He's determined to make the best of it when he hears that Davis is going to be his new coach.
When they meet, there's an immediate attraction which they both fight tooth and nail, but to no avail. They become friends but the tension between them gets to be so high that it starts to interfere with the games and practices.
After an intervention, set up by their teammates they finally talk things over and give in to their attraction. It's immediately clear that their feelings are very serious and that they are in for the long haul.
Bit by bit they come into their best selves and Pax is becoming a great quarterback. When Pax and the team play against the team that spewed out Davis', he brings him the best tribute anyone can think of.
I really loved this book, it's my favorite so far. There was just enough angst to keep you on your toes as well as sweet and tender moments between the characters.
We got a glimpse into the other characters that will be getting their own story and to say I'm madly looking forward to reading Asa's book is putting it mildly!!
*I kindly received a copy of this book from the author via Bookfunnel. This is my honest review.*
October 7, 2022
Beth does it again! She scored yet another touchdown with this book.
In this book we finally got Davis and Pax's story, after feeling their chemistry in the previous book we finally got to see them get together.
Davis is Pax's coach which means they shouldn't have a relationship, it could get Davis and Pax fired. They can't stop their hearts from wanting what they want though.
Oh man the angst in this book! If you thought that they would finally realize their feelings for each other and get together you would be wrong. I didn't think it would be easy but I also didn't expect them to be the most angsty of all the couples either.
I really enjoyed seeing these two guys finally letting themselves be together instead of fighting so hard to ignore what they felt. It made me sad for them that they had to pretend they didn't have feelings for each other. And when Pax just shut everything and everyone out? That cause me to tear up a bit. So while they didn't have the easiest or the most straightforward path together they eventually got there in the end.
Beth knows how to write football romances, there is no two ways about it. I am absolutely clueless when it comes to football and I could understand what was going on. On that note I do want to say that there is A Lot of football talk in this book, but that's to be expected. The characters are really well written, I loved getting to see all the characters being their goofy and match making selves. My favorite part was when the team had their intervention to get Davis and Pax together, best part hands down. I also really enjoyed the Thanksgiving part as well, it made me smile.
Overall a really excellent addition to this great series, I'm so excited to get Coach's story! I'm looking forward to his book.
*I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest review.*
In this book we finally got Davis and Pax's story, after feeling their chemistry in the previous book we finally got to see them get together.
Davis is Pax's coach which means they shouldn't have a relationship, it could get Davis and Pax fired. They can't stop their hearts from wanting what they want though.
Oh man the angst in this book! If you thought that they would finally realize their feelings for each other and get together you would be wrong. I didn't think it would be easy but I also didn't expect them to be the most angsty of all the couples either.
I really enjoyed seeing these two guys finally letting themselves be together instead of fighting so hard to ignore what they felt. It made me sad for them that they had to pretend they didn't have feelings for each other. And when Pax just shut everything and everyone out? That cause me to tear up a bit. So while they didn't have the easiest or the most straightforward path together they eventually got there in the end.
Beth knows how to write football romances, there is no two ways about it. I am absolutely clueless when it comes to football and I could understand what was going on. On that note I do want to say that there is A Lot of football talk in this book, but that's to be expected. The characters are really well written, I loved getting to see all the characters being their goofy and match making selves. My favorite part was when the team had their intervention to get Davis and Pax together, best part hands down. I also really enjoyed the Thanksgiving part as well, it made me smile.
Overall a really excellent addition to this great series, I'm so excited to get Coach's story! I'm looking forward to his book.
*I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest review.*
October 10, 2022
I’m not a football fan but have to say if the Miami Piranhas was a real team, I’d become one. There is something inherently good about this series and while in my brain I know this sort of acceptance in pro sports would never happen, I prefer to live in this fictional world where it does. Readers who have followed this series has seen the team’s young quarterback, Paxton Kelly work hard to erase is horrible first season with the new quarterback coach (and former quarterback who got a really raw deal from his last team), Davis Abernathy, but they’ve also seen the closeness between them despite them both insisting they are just quarterback and coach. And they are…until they aren’t. There was so much emotion in this book, so much longing especially for the first half of it, but when it boils over during a game, both Davis and Pax know they need to address it and figure out how to move forward.
I loved both of these characters and their road to happiness; it wasn’t always easy, there were doubts and complications, but between the support of some of their teammates who realized these two needed an intervention to be happy, and some soul searching they realize that together they are better both on and off the field.
I loved watching both these characters grow during this story. Paxton matured and became more confident as a leader on the field and Davis not only found acceptance but realize that change can not only be good but can bring you a happiness you never thought you’d find again.
Playing by the Rules was simply a wonderful love story and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Via Kindle Unlimited
I loved both of these characters and their road to happiness; it wasn’t always easy, there were doubts and complications, but between the support of some of their teammates who realized these two needed an intervention to be happy, and some soul searching they realize that together they are better both on and off the field.
I loved watching both these characters grow during this story. Paxton matured and became more confident as a leader on the field and Davis not only found acceptance but realize that change can not only be good but can bring you a happiness you never thought you’d find again.
Playing by the Rules was simply a wonderful love story and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Via Kindle Unlimited
October 17, 2022
This is book 3 of the Miami Piranhas Series. I think you can enjoy it as a standalone but you will definately pick up on all the nuances and enjoy it more if you read it in order. This is the story of Paxton Kelly and Davis Abernathy. Paxton is the quarterback for the Piranhas. He was on the team last year when it imploded and they had a terrible year. This year the team's success is riding on his shoulders. He will be the leader to help them win games. All he has to do is be perfect and do everything perfectly. So no stress. He never had anyone help him be the starting quarterback or give him support. Enter Davis. He is an ex-quarterback. He has been hired to be a coach for Paxton. Davis's reputation was trashed by the last team that he played for. Rumour and innuendo ran rampant. Davis was crushed and left football all together. He has been brought back by Coach Asa Dawson. Asa has total confidence in Davis and his ability to help Paxton. Davis has never coached but he knows it is his last chance at redemption. This is their story. When they first meet, there is an instant attraction between Pax and Davis. Davis suppresses it because coach/player relationships are shaky enough; let alone when they are both trying to rebuild their careers. They both keep it strictly professional until they don't. This is their story. I really enjoyed this book. It is well written and easy to read. While I enjoyed all the books in the series, this book has taken over as my favourite so far. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I received an ARC from the author and am leaving my honest opinion.
I received an ARC from the author and am leaving my honest opinion.
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