Jen Frederick

College junior Lucy Washington abides by one rule-avoid risk at all costs. But when a brash, gorgeous jock walks into the campus coffeeshop and turns his flirt on, Lucy is stunned by the force of attraction. For the first time ever, she's willing to step out of her comfort zone, but can she really trust the guy who's determined to sweep her off her feet? Entering his last year of college eligibility, linebacker Matthew "Matty" Iverson has the team captaincy in his sights. But first, he has to convince his quarterback Ace Anderson to give up the starting position. Getting Lucy, Ace's childhood best friend on his side, shouldn't be a problem. Matty is more than confident he can have both, but when he falls hard for Lucy, it's time for a new game plan: convince the woman of his dreams that she's not sleeping with the enemy.

Jockblocked

Ms. Mint

4.5 risky stars!!!

***CONTAINS MILD SPOILERS***

This was a wonderful read. Sacked was my first book by JF, and although I didn't dislike it, it was still a bit too cheesy for my taste. So, I was a bit worried about JF's writing style going into this one. Whether or not I will like it. But I was pleasantly surprised. Jockblocked is everything I missed in Sacked and then some. 

First, I love the main characters here more than Sacked. Hammers and Ellie were a lovely couple, but they didn't give me butterflies in my stomach like Matthew and Lucy.

Matty... what not to love about this guy? He's sweet, but not too much. Confident, but not cocky. Alpha, but also sensitive and caring. He may have slept with a lot of women, but he was able to explain it to Lucy properly. And when he falls for his girl, Luce, he falls hard. 

Lucy... as a diabetic myself, I can relate to her so much. I understand her tendency to playing it safe and her needs for everything to be under her control. Despite her many insecurities, unlike Ellie in Sacked, Lucy is not a noble idiot. She and Ace may have been friends since forever, which makes Ace an influential figure in her life, but she refuses to take his shit. She stands up to him. And I love her for that.

She and Matthew are really perfect together. 

I also love all the side characters. Hammer, Sutton, Charity, Heather (this girl seriously cracks me up. Someone mentioned her similarity to Paris Geller, and I agree wholeheartedly), and even Ace. Yes, Ace. Sure he acts like a jerk almost the whole book. I don't agree with his actions, but I can totally see where he's coming from. I understand a lot of people's frustration with Ace, but I don't hate him as much as many other readers here. I think he deserves a redemption, and I'm glad the next book is about him because I'll certainly be reading it.

The only character I really loathed in this book is Coach Lowe. Now that guy is the real prick here. He is one vindictive, sly mothertrucker. He has personal beef with Ace because Ace slept with his daughter, but instead of confronting Ace himself, what does he do? He blackmails Matthew into doing his dirty work for him, creating a riff between his offensive and defensive players. He's the sole reason the clusterfuck happens to his team, but instead of taking the responsibility as the coach, and as any grown man should, he puts the blame on Matthew. 

Anyway, I really enjoyed reading this one. I just wished for a long epilogue. I want more of Matty and Luce!

J Ashlie

Good book, lots of detail

So much detail into every character, which I like. I loved the ending, and the closing at her law debate. The bench, ahhhh.

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads.


I love my sports romances – especially when the sport in question is football – and Jen Frederick's Gridiron is quickly becoming one of my favorite series in the genre. Not only do I love the sports aspect, I have mad respect for the amount of stats and trivia that are worked seamlessly into the story. The feel and passion for football is so strong in these books. Since I'm a passionate football fan, that's one of my favorite things about it. But, these books are so much more than sports. They're great coming of age stories with characters you can't help but fall in love with. And, even more importantly, they're unique. The way common new adult "issues" are handled is often different in this series than in others I've read. (You know, like the characters TALK when there's a problem.)

I adored Matt and Lucy together. Yes, he'd slept with a lot of girls in the past and it did make me cringe a little. But that all flew out the window when he met Lucy. The connection he felt with her was strong from the start and he treated her like gold. Matt totally hit my favorite book boyfriends list. He was sweet and sexy and had a bit of a dirty mouth (rawr!). He was passionate and driven when it came to football AND Lucy. It took me a little more time to warm up to Lucy. I mean, I got her. She was cautious and weighed the pros and cons. And, with her health problem, she had reason to. It even made sense that she was wary of Matt. His past wasn't a secret. There are photos all over the internet. She might've been quicker to believe he was the real deal if it hadn't been for her best friend, Ace. (I can't even get into this guy except to say he is one of the most loathsome characters I've had the displeasure of reading recently. I truly hope he never gets a book. I don't think I could/would read it. There are so many other amazing secondary characters who are more deserving, IMHO.) But, I digress. This is all about Matt and Lucy and how they really had it all together – feels, heat and even communication (*gasp*!). I fell so hard for these two and thoroughly enjoyed their story. 

If you're a fan of sporty, sweet and sexy new adult romances, the Gridiron series should absolutely be on your TBR. As I said above, it's quickly become one of my favorites in the genre. I can't wait for the next book! I'm ready for Jack's story and another look at some of these wonderful characters. 

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

  Most of the single guys, Ace included, freely partake of what their elevated social status provides—a never-ending line of college girls wanting to know what it’s like to sleep with a star. It’s one reason I’d never date a football player. They don’t know how to hit the “off” button once they’re not on the field anymore. Life’s a big fat game to them and girls are just objects they move around on the board.


  "I’m a nice guy, and I love a little dirty talk. If you sat on my lap right now, I might say something like 'I’ve been waiting all day to have your ass in my hands' and you could reply with 'Matty, you’re so big.'" His falsetto brings a reluctant smile to my face. "I like big, hot, strong as adjectives. Just an FYI. And then I’d pull you closer so I could nuzzle your neck and say—"


  "Why are you flirting with me?"
He gives me a look that says I can’t be that dumb but apparently I am. I blame it on him. "Because you’re smoking hot and I’d like a taste of you directly from the tap."


  I’ve hungered for wins on the field, championships, success, but never a person. Not until Luce.


  "I didn’t realize the earth was moving when I saw you the first time. I didn’t realize everything in my life was changing because it happened slowly. One meal, one conversation, one kiss at a time."

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

I’m a big fan of sports romances these days, and since I really liked the first book in the Gridiron series, I jumped at the chance to read Jockblocked. While I can’t say I loved it, the book was still a fairly enjoyable read. I think it was just the fact that not much happened in this story that made it more average than anything. Still, if you’re looking for a well-written, light-hearted sports romance, you should definitely give Jockblocked a try.

Lucy Washington doesn’t like to take risks. As a diabetic, she’s careful about everything in her life, which includes her body and heart. So when a gorgeous boy on campus asks her out, she says no, no matter how good he looks and how much sex he exudes. And when she finds out that he’s none other than football star Matthew Iverson? She’s definitely not about to let a player like him anywhere near her heart.

Can I be more obvious? I don’t think so. Unfortunately, Lucy isn’t taking the bait. Another girl would be leaning against the counter, maybe twirling her hair around her finger. Lucy looks bored. That should bother me more, but instead I feel kind of energized by her dismissiveness. It’s sure as hell different.

As a football player, Matty is used to getting girls whenever, wherever he wants. So he’s intrigued when Lucy is pretty much the first girl to ever refuse him. Matty is tenacious, and he’s not the type of guy to give up when he encounters an obstacle. Being around Lucy only makes him want her more, and for more than just her body. He might just be falling in love, but will he be able to prove to Lucy that he’s a man she can trust?

I really enjoyed the way Lucy and Matty’s relationship started. Lucy is strong and independent, and she’s not a pushover when it comes to Matty so she doesn’t give in immediately to his advances. I loved how she made him work for her trust and heart, made him prove to her that she wasn’t going to be just another notch on his bedpost. Matty is definitely a sweet-talker with all his flirty banter with Lucy, and his determination to win over Lucy was swoony as all get-out. Everything about them is fun and light-hearted, and the progression of their romance is slow but sweet.

Matty might have been my biggest risk, but he is sure as hell the best reward a girl could ever have.

I liked this book. It was good… but I can’t say there was anything special about it. I didn’t particularly connect with Lucy or Matt, as much as I enjoyed their romance. The book was a little too slow and even boring at times – it almost felt like nothing happened during these slow times. Maybe if the pace picked up a bit more and there was more drama, I would’ve loved it more, but that’s just me. Jockblocked really is perfect if you’re in the mood for something easy, fun, and sweet. Fans of Sacked will enjoy seeing the cameos of Ellie, Knox, and the rest of the football team!

Thanks to the author for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/1O2hZLx

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Jockblocked

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