Fair Catch by Kandi Steiner is the first book I am reading for the author. As a lover of sports and college romance, I couldn’t resist this little gem. I am glad I took the chance. In Fair Catch, book one in The Red Zone Rivals, Steiner delivered a beautiful and heartfelt romance.
Title: Fair Catch
As if things arenโt already tough enough as the only girl on a college football team, Coach had to go and assign Zeke Collins as my roommate.โฃโฃโฃโฃA cocky kick returner and my brotherโs best friend who should have been ripped of that title years ago, heโs as infuriating as he is undeniably sexy.โฃโฃโฃโฃI hate him, and for good reason โ reason I wonโt ever let him forget.โฃโฃโฃโฃHe thinks because we grew up together that itโs his role to protect me, but all he does is get in my way, make me look weak, and piss me off more.โฃโฃโฃโฃI tell him I can handle myself, and Iโm hell-bent on getting that point across to him and the rest of the nation watching the only girl in collegiate football.โฃโฃโฃโฃThe pressure doesnโt get to me. The scrutiny? Iโm ready for.โฃโฃโฃโฃBut sharing very thin walls with Zeke Collins? I wasnโt prepared for that.โฃโฃโฃโฃAnd the more weโre forced together, the harder it is to distinguish that pencil-thin line between hating himโฆ and wanting him.โฃโฃ 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.
Author(s): Kandi Steiner
Series: Red Zone Rivals #1
Also in this series: Blind Side, Quarterback Sneak, Hail Mary
Published by Self-published on March 16, 2022
Pages: 362
Genre(s): Contemporary Sports Romance, New Adult, Romance
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Format: eBook
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
Rating:
Series Rating:
Heat Level:
The story began by making the reader aware of a motor vehicle accident that robbed the Rileyโs twin brother of fulfilling his dream of playing football. She blames his best friend Zeke for stealing her brotherโs dream and has hated him since. Being the supportive twin, she vowed to her brother to take his place and work on making the team. A task which she accomplished to the delight of her brother and his best friend. Being a part of the team was a challenge because of the unwelcoming spirit swirling in the midst. Nevertheless, she is determined to prove she earned her spot on the team fair and square and that she deserves to be there. Then she learns she would be roommates with Zeke, her brotherโs best friend, the friend she hated and blamed for her brotherโs broken dreams.
Zekeโs love of football is the one thing keeping him sane. He struggles academically because of a learning disability. As a result, he believes football was his only saving grace. He stills carry around the guilt for what happened to his best friend. To make the situation more complicated, he was in love with the woman who blamed him for the incident.
The heroine, being the lone female on a college football team, influenced my decision to pick up Fair Catch. I enjoy stories where females can hold their own in a male dominated sport, and I wanted to see how well the author would handle it. Now I know nothing about football. (Where I am from soccer is our thing). However, after reading Fair Catch, I am itching to learn more about the sport.
It was an absolute delight getting to know the hero, Zeke. He exuded confidence, but hidden beneath that confidence was a level of vulnerability, which makes you want to reach out and hug him. I felt for him, especially with how Riley treated him. Through all the animosity she throws his way, he remained her number one supporter. I admired Rileyโs abilities as a ballplayer, her loyalty to her twin and her determination to succeed. However, in relation to Zeke,ย I wasnโt her number one fan. That girl had a chip on her shoulder that was higher than Mount Everest. The amount of hatred she carried around made her toxic. Funny enough, the person who was affected the most didnโt Harbor any ill- feelings, but she refused to let it go.
I enjoyed how the romance developed. However, given Rileyโs disposition, I expected the other shoe to drop, and it certainly fell. Using his past mistakes to hurt him was a below the belt move. Itโs true when they say there is a thin line between love and hate. In Zeke and Rileyโs case, it was very thin indeed and, thankfully, love prevailed.
Overall, Fair Catch held me captive, and it delivered as expected. Fans of sports romance featuring enemies to lovers, close proximity and brotherโs best friend trope will find Fair Catch entertaining.ย
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Football is one of my favorite sports, I think I would enjoy this.
I just love the header you did there! I had such a fun time with this one. If I remember correctly, I also had an issue with the heroine in how she was with the hero, it just wasn’t my favorite thing, and there was some toxic elements to it. But such a solid romance and I really enjoyed how atmospheric she made the sport to be. And right now is football season, so plenty of games to watch if you want to learn more about it! I recommend college over pro though. Its more fun to watch.
There is a fine line between love & hate. Great review Nadene!