A mouthy soccer stud virgin meets the secretive new girl on campus…The last time I got laid was… oh right. Never. The only game I have is on the soccer field, where I mostly exist to make my teammates look good. I don’t get the glory or the girl, and in true Lavin Saint fashion, the first impression I make to the gorgeous new girl on campus is chair-crashingly, soul-crushingly bad.Bianca … soul-crushingly bad.
Bianca Santos seems undeterred and even intrigued by my inability to form coherent sentences around her, which is why it sucks when I find out she’s my coach’s niece. Off limits.
Except Bianca doesn’t listen to that memo, and the more she focuses on me with those beautiful brown eyes, the less I care about the real possibility of being relegated to the bench. So when I find out she’s hiding something that’s threatening her, I’m done playing passive defense. I’m on the offensive now, no matter the risk–my sport, my sanity, or my life.
This time, I’m getting the glory. And the girl.
False 9 is a standalone romantic comedy with some sports, a bit of action, and a whole lot of sarcasm. Prepare for a little bit of OTT ridiculousness. HEA and no cliffhanger.
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I liked this hero who’s a bit clumsy and with a mouth that runs wild. The heroine is adventurous and straight forward. The unusual virgin hero instead of heroine is refreshing.
Erickson manages to write with feelings and get me into the story in a way that makes me feel like I’m a fly on the wall.
There’s no unnecessary descriptions of surroundings and the dialogues is fun, sweet and add reality to the characters.
Love scenes is described in a tasteful but adventurous way. There’s also a little bit of suspense that had me sweating a moment there…..
The secondary characters, the hero’s parents peeked my interest, I would love to know their story
If you enjoyed Erickson’s previous books you will not be disappointed, and if you never read her I recommend picking one up now!
You guys – this is Megan Erickson going back to her roots. Those who have been fans since her Bowler U days know what I’m talking about. False 9 takes place on a college campus and includes frat parties, college sporting events and stress over papers and tests. It has bullies and overprotective parents and the BEST best friends.
False 9 centers around college soccer player Lavin Saint. He’s a good player in the forgettable midfielder position. Lives off campus with three team mates who also happen to be his best friends. He’s studying to be a teacher. And he’s a virgin and totally awkward around girls he really likes. This guy – he’s endearing right from the start. He’s genuinely a good guy – the best, really. And you know what they say about good guys. So, when he catches sight of the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen, he’s sure he will finish last, especially after literally ending up on his ass the moment they meet for the first time.
Bianca was like a brand new color that hadn’t been invented yet – it was bright, beautiful and I wanted to paint an entire house with it.
But, Bianca Santos wants to surround herself with people who are REAL. And no one is more real than Lavin. What starts as a sweet friendship quickly blossoms into more. But, Bianca has a dangerous secret she’s keeping from Lavin – one she feels she needs to protect him from. But, Lavin is ready to put his insecurities and “nice guy” moniker aside so that he can be the one protecting HER.
All my life, I’d felt like I was chasing something that was just out of my reach. I had to keep going, keep running. But with Lavin, I was settled, comfortable. No more running. Just staying. With him.
Soccer fans (or sports fans in general) will like the fact that there’s plenty of sports action in False 9 to satisfy you. In fact, the name of the book comes from a new position that Lavin is asked to play. It turns out to be the perfect name for the book for reasons that I can’t tell you. But, trust me on this one.
Despite the danger that swirls around Bianca and Lavin throughout most of the book, I have to tell you that it almost feels more like a rom-com. You WILL laugh. Like, out loud. It’s impossible not to. Lavin and Bianca are adorably funny. They try to find ways to squeeze every drop of fun and life out of their time in college, which is nothing either of them has ever done before. And Lavin is a little… uptight about breaking the rules. But he can’t say no to Bianca. So, their antics and banter end up being lighthearted food for my soul.
In addition to soccer and laughs, False 9 includes plenty of suspense and intrigue. And, even though Lavin is a virgin, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t sexy times. Because, THERE IS. This book is an easy and fun read that you will blow through and then be left wanting more. Personally, I’m thinking that Lavin’s three roommates each need a book now. I bet you’ll think that too when you’re done. 🙂
3.5 stars for False 9 by Megan Erickson. This is the first book I have ever read by this author and I would recommend her to others. I received a fee copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a college romance, about a college virgin who is attracted to someone he thinks is forbidden. This book also has some suspense in it.
Lavin is a 20-year-old soccer star who is still a virgin. It isn’t because he has not had the change, he has been to second base with girls, but he has good morals and is looking for that special someone. Lavin is not your average male in today’s world, and it was refreshing to read. He is a sweetheart and makes the story what it is. There are many things that make Lavin a unique character besides his being a virgin, he also has a unique family dynamic. Bianca is Lavin’s soccer coach’s niece. She has Lavin completely in her sights. She wants him as more than a friend. She turns Lavin into someone he does not recognize, he can not even talk around her. She is like no other female he has ever encountered. However, Bianca is forbidden to Lavin because of who she is, but can he resist her. He finds her self confidence to be extremely beautiful. The question is why is Bianca there, what are her secrets and what is she running from. No matter how far you run, your past will always catch up with you. Bianca has secrets that could cost her everything.
I liked the chemistry that these two have together, and I like the way it was not instant love. Another unique thing about this book is that it is all told from Lavin’s point of view. Another great thing about this book was the supporting characters. They really made the book what it was. Lavin’s teammates and roommates are what makes the great moments in the book.
I liked the book and the differences it has from many others in this genre. There were no questions that I had left unanswered. I feel the suspenseful subplot took the story to another level. It made the chemistry between the characters all the more better. The cover of this book was interesting. It shows you that the focus was Lavin and that the story is from his point of view. It shows that this is a sports romance, the thing you do not get from it is that there is the element of suspense to the story. A special touch the author added was the epilogue from Bianca’s point of view. I liked getting to hear her thoughts and how she truly felt about Lavin. I felt it brought the story, characters and everything that happened full circle. If you are into college romance with a suspenseful twist, then this would be a good pick for you.
I enjoyed this sweet college sport (soccer) romance. This story had a couple of turns in it for me, which I felt a little blind sighted but loved. I was expecting this story to be about the star soccer player on the team I figured that Lavin would be a total player, shacking up with a different girl every week. I was completely wrong, this had nothing to do with being a field player. I really enjoyed reading about Lavin, he was always the guy that was stuck in the “friends zone”, Lavin works hard, he is focused on the field/college and he has good values which was a trait that he learned from his parents. Bianca Santos, the girl that every girl wants to be. I was completing caught off-guard by the turn of events that Bianca brings, I wish we could have known a little bit more into her past. I love the fact that Lavin’s roommates/teammates were always willing to be there for each other no matter what, I mean seriously did they have to go on the date with them? This book had the following feels suspense, comedy and romance. This was a quick read and I would recommend this book.
This is the first book i have read from Megan. This was a little hearted enjoyable book. Two amazing characters who have great chemistry from the beginning . Gripping storyline with some suspense that made it even more interesting . Loved the ending . I am hoping we get books from all the boys. I recommend reading this one has it was a very enjoyable book.
This was the first time I have read Megan Erickson. I didn’t mind the book.
I liked that it was from the male point of view, but I felt the story was lacking as you never really get to know her side, how she feels.
Lavine Saint is shy and awkward around girls, he fumbles his way through every encounter but then he knows how to pleasure a girl.
The story is a fairly easy read, it’s definitely entertaining.
False 9 is written in the first person from the hero’s POV. In M/F, I either love that or hate it. Here, I absolutely loved it.
The hero/narrator, Lavin Saint, is a university student, a sports star, super hot, and somehow not a giant arsehole. In fact, he’s a funny, thoughtful, painfully awkward sweetheart who has terrible luck with girls, overthinks everything, and is spectacularly clumsy in a way that was very believable despite him being an athlete. Being in Lavin’s mind is what made this book so fantastic. He is just… so… pure. Good Lord. He is a Labrador. He is VERY GOOD BOY.
Then there’s the heroine, Bianca, who is gorgeous and ~complicated~ and inexplicably into goofy Lavin. This is usually a boring and misogynistic trope, except in False 9 it was neither of those things because it was handled with heart and humour. Essentially, it tipped the trope on its head and exercised its full but often latent potential of awesomeness. Lavin doesn’t ‘get’ Bianca because he’s nice and therefore deserves her. Bianca isn’t a woman of mystery so much as a woman forced to be mysterious but hating it, because mystery sucks. She also isn’t one-dimensional or there solely for Lavin’s development. She’s a fabulous character with her own goals and desires, and she’s smart enough to know Lavin is for her even when others might not.
I feel like the best way to describe this book is…it’s a fairytale of heroism and chivalry, except without any of the subtle awfulness that might typically imply. Everyone is treated kindly and respected; the OTT drama is nail-bitingly tense and heart-stoppingly emotional; the jokes are always funny, which is a feat in itself. I just really, really, REALLY enjoyed this book. It was as good and gentle to me as it was to its characters, while maintaining a delicious amount of New Adult angst (there is danger!!!!). Also, it was casually diverse in a way that’s clearly FOR diverse readers/to reflect life in general, rather than in that grating way where diversity is a show put on to entertain those who aren’t marginalised. Does that make sense?
Tl;dr: False 9 is a loopy-grin kind of story, the sort of book you hold to your heart and giggle-sigh over. I’m very happy that I read it.
Let me start this review by saying that I have never read a book by Megan Erickson. I actually stumbled across this book through a new release share on Instagram. Second I am normally not a huge fan of reading romance novels where the characters are under 25 but I decided to walk outside of my comfort zone and give this book a shot. I was so pleasantly surprised to find that False 9 was not only sweet but funny and charming. False 9 is centered around Div III soccer player Lavin Saint, who happens to be a virgin. The author does a good job of making the fact a 20-year-old college boy is a virgin believable, which I was skeptical. Lavin is goofy, lovable, loyal and the all around good guy, but he very obviously has no game with the ladies. Enter Bianca Santos, the beautiful mysterious heroine. Bianca seems to be all the things Lavin isn’t, confident, adventurous and interested in Lavin. When Biancas secrets are revealed to Lavin, his true self never falters and you can’t help but continue to fall more in love with him. I was smiling and laughing through every chapter of this book and it had me remembering what it felt like to fall in love for the first time. If you are looking for an adorable rom-com with a little sexy thrown in then False 9 is a 5 star pick!
Lavin Saint is having the time of his life playing soccer in college but there’s one thing missing. He’s still a virgin. Along comes Bianca and Lavin feels protective of her from the start. Did I mention that she’s also related to Lavin’s coach?
Bianca is drawn to Lavin as much as Lavin is drawn to her and there is a definite spark in their relationship, although Lavin isn’t quite sure he’s reading Bianca the way she intends as she turns hot and then cold. It’s during one of these cold times that Lavin discovers her secret and the reasons why she is handing out at a little college in Pennsylvania. It’s a doozy and I must say that I had a bit of a struggle with believing all of these details. The story really didn’t need something that big to carry it through — Lavin and Bianca’s relationship could have survived without it.
Anyway, I did love Lavin and his family. That was really the best part of this story. I loved the diversity of a two-dads family and my heart was very happy with the way they communicated with each other. I also loved Lavin’s relationships with his team and his roommates. It was supportive and just what I needed in this story. I did find the pace in the middle a little slow and that coupled with the Bianca’s backstory kept me from rating this higher. I did love the soccer backdrop and thought the sport aspect was very well written.
So overall, I’m giving this 4 stars because I did love Lavin’s story and it was enough to keep me reading.
An ARC was provided for review.
Okay, so this book … there’s no go around the fact that it is ridiculous. The author wanted it to be ridiculous and she accomplished that in spades. However, you should know the writing is not ridiculous. Megan Erickson doesn’t *write* ridiculously. The story-line or plot, if you will, of this book is ridiculous. I am still laughing today at how over the top this book got! LOL I don’t even know what phrase to use to prepare you for what’s inside these pages. But that’s all I’m going to say on this. If you don’t mind suspending most of reality, and you want to meet one of the greatest 20 year old characters I have ever read, then #oneclick this book and meet Lavin Saint!
Lavin made this story fun. His character was so damn easy to get lost in. Honestly, if it wasn’t for him, I may not have finished the book. Again, not because of the writing, but if you know me, then you know this age group makes me want to drive an ice-pick in my eye almost every single time. NA/YA are not my superpower people. But man, I could have read Lavin Saint all the hours of all the days …. Now Bianca. our h, yeah, so me and B will never be friends. Not even a little bit. She made me want to drive an ice-pick in my eyes LOL!
I’m not going into the plot except to say, again, for those of you in the back, it is mostly ridiculous, so before you go #oneclick and then come back to review all up in arms about its ridiculousness, YOU WERE WARNED, so maybe don’t, k 🙂 BUT if you can suspend reality (i feel like I said this before but you know, for those in the back), go forth and have fun.
So now you’re asking yourselves how in the world, after I’ve expressed how ridiculous this plot is, can I give it a 4 star rating. Well, I’m gonna tell ya …. they are kids . Seriously you guys, kids. The shenanigans in this book are what 20 year old kids do. Megan Erickson didn’t write mature adults. So if the age fits ….