She’s glitz and glam—He’s down home and country, but they’re about to find out that being out of each others’ league has nothing to do with money.MarissaSince a young age, Marissa has played a part in front of the camera. She’s got it all—top model status, perfect, high profile marriage, millions of followers, and the world at her fingertips. Too bad it’s all a lie—and comes crashing down so … crashing down so publicly her only choice is to get out of LA before the media sharks devour her.
The last thing she expects to find while stashed away in the Smokies is a bacon-loving, warm, funny, man named Mick—and he’s everything Marissa isn’t—he’s real. Too bad she can’t act on her growing feelings for him. He’s too sweet, too genuine, and everything about her life is as fake as the smile she puts on when she goes back to LA.
But the money, house, cars, and fame are nothing, not compared to the love of a real man and the opportunity to have the truest thing she’s ever felt become her reality. . .
Mick
In a small town, there’s nothing worse than going from having a top sales job to being a stock boy at the local mart—and that’s exactly what Mick gets to face every day. As if his personal insecurities aren’t enough, now he faces the fact he’s stuck with little to no chance to ever get where he wants to be—stable enough for a family.
And then a woman too good to be true comes into his town, and he can’t help but want those things even more—with her. A hotshot model from LA, but Mick doesn’t care about any of that, all that matters is that she’s caring, funny, and the most beautiful soul he’s ever seen. . . but she can’t see herself that way.
When she goes back to LA to deal with her life, Mick has to face who she is in her world, and the jealousy and doubt threaten to tear him apart. Deep down, he knows they have something real, but is it enough for her to love a man that is the opposite of everything she’s ever had?
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When I read the blurb for this book, I was very interested to read it. This would be the first book that I came across with the hero being not physically perfect. I would like to read more books like this, but I’ll be honest and say I am not aware of any. That said, anyone reading this review that knows of other books with a hero who does not have perfectly sculpted abs, bulging biceps and pecs in addition to a well-rounded, tight behind, please let me know.
As excited as I was to dig into Out Of My League, I did not love it. Honestly, there were a lot of issues for me. We all know that instalove in a romance can be sweet. And most times, hard to believe or relate to. I get that, and am usually ok with it. But the instant attraction between Marissa and Mick was not believable. It had nothing to do with Marissa being a super model and Mick an overweight, down-to-earth southern boy. Part of what I was looking forward to in this book was watching their relationship grow. It never grew, their relationship just leapt to love. In addition, there was no angst, no real plot either. Marissa was a super model who desperately wanted a change for her life going forward. So she decided to change the course of her professional career. Marissa met Mick through her brother while getting away from the limelight for a couple of weeks.
Mick was a simple man. He was generous and protective and loves bacon as you will discover as the author states this fact constantly. Working a job as a stock clerk in Walmart was not where he thought he’d be at this stage in his life. But circumstances arise and his Walmart job was the result. I will say that I liked most everything about Mick. I did like Marissa as well. Liking the H/h was not where my disappointment fell. There was potential for this to be a really good book. Unfortunately, the writing style threw me off. The characters constantly changed subject and I was having to back read to see if I missed something. This being my first book by this author, I don’t know her writing so this book could just be a one off. that said, I would definitely like to read the first book in this series and see if there is a difference in the writing. So, while I didn’t hate this book, I didn’t love it and because of the potential I felt was there, I will give this author another go.
This is my honest and unbiased review. Thank you for taking the time to read it.
ღ I must say this is new author for me & I’ve read book 1, but I didn’t feel lost in any sense
She super model, famous worldwide! Ris is lost in world she no wants to after her ex-husband went on a tirade and practically destroyed their penthouse CUZ was on a bender, So Ris jumped on her brother’s private jet to go hid out in Tennessee smokies mountains
Mick what can I tell you about the man? He born & raised in the mountain of Tennessee with heart of gold & funny as freakin heck! I like bacon before, but I have new appreciation for it now…. I’ve also learned that you should never burn man bacon, cuz there can be serious consequences
I liked the book , but I wasn’t truly in love with it… I think the thing that kinda got me is the instant love, Ris willing to give up her whole career for someone she barely knew…. Maybe that’s when I should’ve went back & read book one! But other then that I liked the book
Hope you enjoy this read & also always keep in mind this is just my opinion+ Also I wouldn’t never discourage anyone from reading this book, This is my honest, voluntary review. Paulette thoughts
———– Happy Reading ———–
Out of my League is book two of Love in the Smokies Series and I absolutely loved it!!
We are first introduced to Mick and Marissa in book one Out of my Element, thankfully CJ Allison gave them their own book. This book is so full of love, compassion, humor, and honesty. CJ touched on a subject that isn’t talked about much, but is definitely prevalent today. Most assume that thin women have no insecurities. Most also assume that those women would never go for a bigger guy. CJ smashes all of those notions out of the water with this book. Do yourself a favor and read this one. I do suggest reading book one first. While Out of my league can be a stand alone, you get more insight reading Out of my Element first.