Risky Game
So I bought this title back when it was on sale for $1.99, and those $2 were worth it (alas it’s no longer on sale). When I sat down to write this lightning review, I realize the plot sounded very similar to that of Takes Two to Tackle. There’s an athlete hero with health concerns and a heroine who helps take care of him, while posing as his girlfriend. But how do these two young scamps get themselves into this situation?
Shay is struggling financially. She’s trying to finish up her PhD program in nutrition, so she’s doing an internship with the Baltimore Blaze football team. On top of that, she’s working at a local bar, teaching water aerobics, babysitting, etc. I know those feels. When a mysterious blogger offers her money in exchange for some sort of scoop on any of the Blaze team members, she camps out in the locker room, hoping to get some dirt. There, she overhears our hero, Brody telling his trainer about his diabetes. He wants to keep it quiet for the rest of the season, until he’s positive his contract will get renewed.
Shay, being the kind woman that she is can’t go through with it. So that’s part one. Part two, the fake relationship part, involves a bunch of leering jerkholes in a supermarket and Brody pulling the old “kiss the girl to deter other dudes” trick. Minor, personal rant: why does another guy have to “stake his claim” for men to get the point that a woman isn’t available or interested?
I digress. But with Brody being a noticeable figure in the community, their little kiss makes the news circuit.
In the end, the two work out a deal. Shay keeps his secret and helps him with his nutrition, and she gets some research out of it for her PhD. Brody thinks that Shay is still somehow working with the blogger who’s saying some really personal things about players, which is the crux of their relationship. They both grow to actually like each other, but since Brody doesn’t really trust Shay, she refuses to sleep with him. Good for her. (And she remains steadfast on that for a majority of the book.)
The book had some pacing issues, with things happening at breakneck speed toward the end of the book. Big fights, Shay’s virginity is revealed, family issues that have existed for years miraculously get resolved. Plus, Shay has a thing for storming off when Brody sticks his damn foot in his mouth without letting him explain.
Overall, though, it’s a sweet and cute romance. I haven’t read the previous books and I got by fine, but I might recommend reading them to make it easier to keep the cast straight. I’d love to go back and read the book before this, Foolish Games, because it has a secret baby plot!
– Amanda
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…
This book is available from:
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!
