Hail Mary is the final book in Kandi Steiner’s Red Zone Rivals series. I’ve been a reader of this series since the very beginning and I’ve enjoyed each of the books. So I went into the story hoping to be wowed. Although not as exceptional as the previous books, it was still a good read. This time around Steiner gave her readers a combination of an enemies to lovers, forced proximity and second chance romance.
Leo F*cking Hernandez. This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.
Title: Hail Mary
Author(s): Kandi Steiner
Series: Red Zone Rivals #4
Also in this series: Fair Catch, Blind Side, Quarterback Sneak
Published by Self Published on February 15, 2023
Pages: 436
Genre(s): New Adult
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Format: eBook 
Purchase: Amazon
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North Boston University’s star running back, notorious bachelor, and number one on my people I would murder if I could get away with it list.
And now?He’s my new roommate.
I used to think I loved him.But that was before I hated him.
He doesn’t remember who I am, or how he made my life miserable for years. And before I unknowingly moved across the street from him, I couldn’t have cared less. I was living my life despite him and what happened that summer, chasing my dream of becoming a tattoo artist.
“The Pit,” as the university so gracefully nicknamed the house he lives in with three other football players, has served as nothing more than a pain in my ass and a constant reminder of the boy who broke my heart. Watching him parade his one-night-stands in and out of it never helped, either.
But with rent this cheap and so close to the tattoo shop, I’ve learned to ignore him — no matter how he’s tried to get under my skin.
At least, until this summer. Because when a water and mold disaster leaves me with no choice but to vacate my house, I have nowhere to go. And Leo Hernandez offers me a deal I can’t refuse.
Live at The Pit with him and the guys, free of charge, until my landlord fixes this mess.
Ignoring him was easy when I lived across the street, but in the same house, with him shirtless half the time and watching me with his cocky grin and searing gaze? It’s impossible.
Still, I have to try. I have to push him away, even when he makes it infuriatingly difficult to do so.
He’s broken my heart once.I won’t let him do it again.
The previous book by introducing Leo and Mary left me eager to read Hail Mary. I had to know the reason for Mary’s animosity towards Leo. In this installment, readers learn the reason for the Mary’s animosity. Seven years ago, Mary and Leo met via an online gaming portal. She knew his identity, but to him, she remained a mystery. They became close via phone calls and texting. However, because of a misunderstanding, their friendship came to an abrupt end.
Fast forward seven years later, Mary and Leo are neighbors. Leo is clueless as to the reason for Mary’s dislike of him. However, this did not stop from trying to be nice to her. So when her home flooded out, he offered her the spare room at the Pit. The Pit is where he and some of his teammates lived. Despite her resentment towards him, she accepted the offer reluctantly, as the alternative was not an option.
I enjoyed the story, and watching the couple work through their issues. Leo was such a sweetheart in the way he treated Mary despite the don’t come near me vibes she emitted whenever he came around. At a point when it seems he had a chance of penetrating the fortress she built around her heart, she shuts down.
Although I liked Mary for her sassy and witty personality, she annoyed me with her treatment of Leo. Even though she recognised his cluelessness as to the reason she kept him at a distance, she chose not to reveal to him her reasons. Gah! I so wanted to shake some sense into her. Seven years is a long time to hold a grudge. Especially when the person you are holding the grudge against has no clue why.
Then when they finally resolve all past issues and pursued a relationship, drama with her boss threatened to destroy it all. Also, her reaction to Leo’s attempt to defend her was silly (Not that what he did was right, especially knowing it could damage his hopes of a football career.) I am sorry if my man stood up for me like that, I wouldn’t have pushed him away.
The couples from the previous books appeared giving readers an update on the status of their relationships and also their plans for the future.
Hail Mary ended the series on an interesting note. It made me sad to leave this world. Though an interesting read, communication would solve some of the issues occurring between the characters leading to far less drama and angst.
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About Kandi Steiner
Kandi Steiner is an Amazon Top 5 bestselling author and whiskey connoisseur living in Tampa, FL. Best known for writing “emotional rollercoaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal. An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. She started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic, and likes to highlight all the challenges of love as well as the triumphs. When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, planning her next adventure, or pole dancing (yes, you read that right). She enjoys live music, traveling, playing with her fur babies and soaking up the sweetness of life.
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I think I would have a similar reaction to the story. I agree about keeping the grudge heated up way too long and not just coming cleaning about why she’s upset so they can clear the air. But, the bit about cutting loose a guy b/c he stood up for you even if it was annoying would cap it for me. I’m glad her sassiness and other traits balanced it out.
Looks like such a great book here! I had a enjoyable time with some of her other books. I am not a fan of how she writes her heroines in how they treat the heroes sometimes.
That sounds like it would be a good book. Thanks for letting us know about this one.
It sounds like they really needed to have a talk and clear up some of the issues from the past. All in all, this does sound enjoyable.
This sounds intense. Glad you got answers.