Football is my first love, it takes priority over everything. Men want to be me. Little boys want to be just like me. Women … well, they just want me. But all the fame just isn’t enough anymore, something is missing.Then, Tabitha appears one night and knocks me off balance.There are two problems. She doesn’t react to my charms, which makes me want her even more. Oh, and she’s my brother’s ex. … my brother’s ex. Yeah, that could be a big problem.
My four brothers and I decided on a set of rules.
1. No one picks on Ava, our sister, but us.
2. No one picks on another brother unless it is one of us or Ava.
3. If a brother asked for help, you help. Ask questions later.
4. If a brother needs his ass kicked, you kick it.
5. Never date one of their ex-girlfriends. There was a reason they broke up, and no one wants to hang with an ex.
One look at Tabitha and all I want to do is break that last one. But, as the eldest, should I? Would my brother forgive me? Could I forgive myself I let her slip through my fingers?
Recommended for audience 18+ because of sexual content.
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Corey has trust issues, and rightfully so. As a professional football player, there have always been women who want to trick him into staying. But when he meets Tabitha, all of that flies out the window. Tabitha is different. Gorgeous, funny, and bold, he’s never quite met a woman like her before, and he’s utterly entranced. But Tabitha is skittish, and Corey will have to work to prove to her that he won’t hurt her like the rest.
Tabitha has an iron clad rule: any man who asks her out that she seems acceptable gets three dates: no more, no less. This is to protect herself from any more pain, and she’s never felt the need to change it before. But when she meets Corey, she finds herself questioning everything. He’s sweet and kind, and he doesn’t appear to have any ulterior motives. But can Tabitha give him her trust – and her heart?
Oh my gosh, this was my first C.R. Riley book and I absolutely loved it! This book was extremely slow burn, and very angsty, but it had enough humorous moments to keep it from being entirely dark. I liked the way Riley writes about issues that aren’t necessarily always addressed in a romance novel, although that does mean this book has a lot of triggers.
Without giving too much away, I want to talk about Corey and Tabitha. Corey is such a sweetheart, he might be a bit closed off in the beginning but it’s only because of what he has experienced in the past. Tabitha. This poor woman has been through so much, but she’s still so very strong and motivated. I admire her a lot. I think Corey and Tabitha are perfect for each other because they balance each other out, and because they don’t push each other’s boundaries.
All in all, this was an excellent read. I would definitely recommend!
Sneaky Quarterback – C.R. Riley
::: SPOILER-FREE REVIEW :::
Rating: 5 STARS
Shit.
Just finished this two hours ago.
And all I can say is WOW! When I say that this is one of the best sports romances that I have ever read I am seriously not kidding.
This book was literally everything I ever wanted to read in romance mixed in one.
After reading Unforgettable and absolutely loving it, I thought that my love for Caleb and Faith would be difficult to top but C.R. Riley has only gone and done it.
This book follows Corey -a professional football player & Tabitha -a HS teacher and their sweet love story.
I can’t even say anything about this book because it will spoil the whole thing and that’s not something I want to do. All I can say is go buy both books and enjoy the ride.
I can’t get over how much I loved this book! The pace flowed perfectly, the characters were strong individuals. The secondary characters were well balanced, strong, funny, and supportive. The main characters followed their dreams, were loyal and honest. The chemistry between them was perfect.
I couldn’t stop flipping the pages… I just wanted MORE!
READ. THIS. BOOK.
Seriously, I COULD NOT STOP READING! I laughed, I cried, I swooned, I swore in angsty frustration, and my heart melted over and over again. Everyone just… READ THIS BOOK!!
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Standalone
Sports romance
Characters in their Late 20s- Mid 30s
TW: Sexual assault, rape & cutting.
(No details are given but it is mentioned by the character.)
This is definitely a slow burn romance with a fast storyline pace. I liked the main characters Corey & Tabitha along with the side characters including friends & family. The Matthews brothers are awesome!
This was different in a new & good way. The love gradually happened and the connection between the two leads was strong. There was no unnecessary drama of anything that could’ve been avoided.
Tabitha is super sweet, fierce & honest. With the kind of past she has, she’s still going out strong and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. The British words whenever she gets angry or flustered were definitely fun to imagine.
Overall, it’s a great story which focuses on love & connection than physical intimacy. I absolutely appreciate the fact that the author hasn’t shown that the FMC suddenly is all right with physical intercourse but instead has shown patience as an important character trait in Corey along with gentle support. They seek outside help & that’s what makes this book more real.
Add in the fostering part and how Corey didn’t get sad because of the day it all happened and instead suggests Tabitha to bring them along just proves that Corey is an absolute gentleman.
Loved seeing Cailee & Barry’s wedding too!
Though I feel some scenes were extra added and some scene were skipped, I still am glad that I read Corey & Tabitha’s story & am now excited to read everyone else’s!
3.5
Sneaky Quarterback by C. R. Riley
Sneaky Quarterback is one of the best sports books that I read. This is the first book I read by C. R. Riley and I will definitely be reading more of her books. Corey and Tabitha story is incredible to read. But there are some triggers so please read them before starting the book.
Corey is a star quarterback who has been wronged by his ex in the past and is now not interested in meeting women. That is until he goes to celebrate his friend’s engagement and it’s there, he meets Tabitha. But she is on a date with Clint who is a childhood enemy of Corey. But that doesn’t stop him from feeling a connection with Tabitha. So, he falls instant in love with her and decides to wait until the season is over until he could go after her and make her his woman. Even if he must wait all his life for her to be ready for him.
Tabitha is a schoolteacher but when she meets Corey, she has a connection with him she has never had with a guy before. She has a 3-date rule, but Corey seems to get past it. But due to past tragic she is not comfortable with herself so therefore she is not comfortable being with Corey. So as their relationship goes forward Corey is there for her and show her, she can trust him. Even though she loves him, and he love her their journey will be slow building, passion, beautiful, and emotional. But everything they are going through will be worth to get their HEA.
The characters in Sneaky Quarterback is remarkable. C. R. Riley does a fantastic job with the storyline. Corey is everyone dream guy. Tabitha is a strong female for all she has gone through. I would not only recommend author, but I would definitely recommend Sneaky Quarterback.
Corey is so disillusioned about women especially after dating Felicia. They had been friends for years and when they finally decided to date they found out fast it wasn’t meant to be. But that didn’t stop her from showing up on his doorstep crying claiming he was the baby to her child. How did she think he would fall for that when he had never slept with her?
Corey had made a vow to himself to keep it tucked in his pants until he knew he had met The One. As a professional football player, he had seen too many of his friends being set up by women who got pregnant and trap them into marriage. His career was a magnet for gold diggers and he made sure he stayed out of their grasping hands.
When Barry calls him to come help celebrate his engagement to Cailee he calls his brothers to see if they’d like to join him. When he arrives everyone greets them with smiles except for Clint who doesn’t hide his animosity towards Corey. He had unintentionally asked out a girl Clint was interested in during high school and he has never forgotten. And he had broken up with his sister Abigail when he went off to college.
He can’t take his eyes off Clint’s date, Tabitha. She is gorgeous with long black hair and eyes so dark they look black with an accent he can’t quite place and she doesn’t seem to agree with Clint on their dating status.
Tabitha had first met Clint when he was driving by the high school where she taught English and saw her take a man to the ground. He was the father of one of her students. This particular student needed extra time with his assignments and she was happy to stay after class with him, but when she saw his father swing at him calling him stupid she stepped in.
After taking the report and letting her know what steps to take if the father decided to pursue it he asked her out. After he stopped by after school several days in a row she finally accepted a date and knew immediately that they had no connection, but that didn’t seem to deter Clint’s interest in her.
When a woman comes and flops in Clint’s empty chair telling the three guys sitting across from her that she’s available she loses it. Who does that? And who are these guys? She finally takes in the oldest brother Corey and his tousled blonde hair and blue eyes. When they explain who they are she realizes that she dated their other brother Flint in college.
A fact that Corey wasn’t taking too well to the enjoyment of his brothers. Evidently, there are rules. No one picks on their sister, but them. No one is allowed to harass the four brothers or their sister except Barry, who was their brother from another mother. If a brother asks for help you give it, no questions asked. If a brother needs his a$$ kicked, you kick it.
And his two brothers are happy to share rule five. You never date a brother’s ex-girlfriend! There was a reason they broke up and no one wants to hang out with an ex.
I loved this book! It is very well written and got me hooked from page one. The characters are amazing and so relatable. I love the relationships in the book. Both Tabitha and Corey have wonderful friends and Corey’s relationship with his siblings and parents is something everyone wishes for in a family.
Especially, Tabitha whose mother died when she was younger and her father was in and out of her life. I love how they realize that even though she knew his brother and parents well, they had never met.
This book is action-packed from cover to cover. Literally. He is the quarterback of a team entering the playoff season. Tabitha is an English teacher at the local high school and that is how she met fellow teacher Cailee.
This book is full of emotion as Corey and Tabitha try to get through her past trauma of being brutally raped and almost killed. I thought the writer did a wonderful job of not only addressing Corey’s decision not to have sex until he found his lifemate but in dealing with Tabitha’s trauma and showing that even through tragedy you can find a happy ending.
Even though this book is full of feelings and passion it is not full of s*x, although Tabitha is finally able to overcome her terror, and then it is steamy hot. I think the true story is that love conquers all, but you have to fight for it to happen.
Highly recommend this book!
I love the game of football, my son played growing up, in high school and went on to college to play. It’s not only very physical but a very mental game to be a part of.
I really enjoyed this book by CR Riley. The characters will surprise you and remove the normal stereotype of an athlete. I really appreciate how faith is woven through the story and the characters hold true to their beliefs.
Corey is a professional football star who has strong ethics, works hard, great support system and has a good head on his shoulders. He is in the midst of dealing with an ex-girlfriend who’s trying to turn his world upside down. A relationship is the last thing he’s looking for.
Tabitha has some not so good life experiences that has defined the way she lives her life. She’s had to deal with loss, tragedy, abandonment and a life in foster care. Due to these events she has certain rules she follows, specifically when it comes to dating.
However, Tabitha’s rules are challenged when she meets Corey. There is a slow burn, angsty, beautiful relationship that builds between the two and they really have to focus on honesty and trust.
This book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster…in a good way. The characters are beautifully written, the challenging subjects (triggers) are respectfully written and the focus on mental health is important in this day and age.
Every book of CR’s is a masterpiece and will give you the feels.
I requested an arc and I am providing my honest review.
Talk about a whirlwind of emotions in a story!
Initially I was on the fence about this one with the sexually inexperienced characters and seemingly frigid and pompous personalities. Chris did an amazing job of stringing me along that line and then threw me for the most amazing loop when all of the twists and turns came full circle.
Corey ended up be the sweetest, most caring male lead with a super sexy and bossy side. He knew what he wanted and ended up being the master of dirty talk. Tabitha started out snobby and unapproachable but turned out to be the most beautifully broken yet strong female lady. When she came into her own it really made my heart sing.
This was a freaking fantastic slow, slow burn that literally made me want to combust when these two finally gave in to their desires. This HEA made me smile so hard. Amazing job and I can’t wait to dive into Chris other stories
Omg Thai story got me turning around with so many emotional feelings. You will get happy you get shocked you get pissed. Some parts you understand what I’m talking about. This has been the second book II’ve read a totally different from what I previous read.
Corey was star quarterback and a lot of tension with women because his career. He got a call from his friend to sell it to come over to celebrate his engagement party. When he came inside the club with his brothers to celebrate his friends engagement party. Corey sudden stop and saw dark haired beauty that happens be be friends with his friend fiancé. He knew he couldn’t lose this one he wanted her she was the one .
Tabitha has been through so much in her life that the last thing she needs is the attention of not one but three famous athletes. Not knowing how they are all connected she feels a pull to one brother in particular. She’s so caught off guard by him that she’s not sure how to process him.
Corey decided not letting Tabitha go. Something about her that keep him going after her. So game on. Tabitha told Corey she had three date rules. After that if it didn’t work with her. She will go on to the next one. but some who Corey always knew how to sneak a kiss and get into her life. Until one day she freaked out and she told that she had a lot of baggage on her and try to break it off but he wouldn’t let her.
Let just say you will not let this book down and every time you think it happens . Something happen you will understand once you read this book.
C.R.Riley you really outdone yourself on this story with the characters and the love I have to say thank you.