They play hard… fight hard… love hard.Over 1000 pages of angsty and addictive sports romance, following three couples as they navigate the ups and downs of friendship, love, and football.THE TROUBLE WITH YOUan enemies-to-lovers storyHailee Raine only has to survive one more year.One year of life in her football obsessed town.One year of nauseating school spirit.Just one more year of her cruel … more year.
One year of life in her football obsessed town.
One year of nauseating school spirit.
Just one more year of her cruel step-brother Jason; and his cocky, arrogant, football-playing friends.
She hates them. Especially, Cameron Chase, the guy she thought was different.
Cameron Chase has the world at his feet.
He has it all; good looks, talent, and the charm to go with it.
He has colleges lined up at the door, all wanting a piece of Rixon Raiders star wide receiver.
Until something threatens everything he’s ever worked for, and only one person can quiet the war raging inside him.
But he’s supposed to hate her; his best friend’s sister.
She’s off-limits.
Untouchable.
She’s trouble with a capital T.
Then Hailee finds herself in the middle of a football prank gone wrong…
And suddenly hating each other never felt so good.
~
THE GAME YOU PLAY
a hate-to-love story
Felicity Giles has a list.
Lose her virginity.
Meet her knight-in-shining-armor and fall in love.
Have the best senior year a girl can have.
The only problem? Her knight isn’t a saint, he’s a villain, and she’s pretty sure he’ll destroy her before ever handing over a piece of his heart.
Jason Ford has a plan.
Win State and go down as one of the most successful Quarterbacks in Rixon Raider history.
Head off to college and pursue his dream of being drafted to the NFL.
Avoid the girl under his skin. Felicity Giles, his stepsister’s best friend and perpetual pain in his ass.
She’s annoying as hell.
Quirky.
She’s a game to him, nothing more.
Until his arch rival comes after him and the few people he cares about … and Felicity gets caught in the crossfire.
And suddenly hating her feels a whole lot like falling in love.
~
THE HARDER YOU FALL
a friends-to-lovers story
Mya Hernandez has scars.
The kind that run deep and leave marks.
Rixon is only supposed to be a temporary place to hide, but it’s quickly becoming something more.
She’s almost certain it has nothing to do with the blond-haired, blue-eyed football player who makes her laugh. Who makes her believe in fairy tales again.
Even if she knows her life is destined to be nothing more than a tragedy.
Asher Bennet has secrets.
Not the scandalous kind, but the ones that fester, slowly eating away at your soul.
On the face of it, he’s Mr Popular, always down for a party and causing a little mayhem.
But on the inside, he just wants someone to see him. Really see him. Too bad the one girl who sees past his facade has already friend-zoned him.
It’s probably for the best though.
She’s different.
A fighter.
She’s everything he wants but can never have.
Until Mya’s past and Asher’s present collide in ways neither of them saw coming.
And suddenly the thing you need most is the very thing you’re supposed to hate.
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Trouble With You:
This was beyond amazing. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into the story, I knew it was going to be an angst filled bully kind of read, but it blew all my expectations away.
It starts by Hailee and her step brother Jase having words and we find out all he has done to her over the years and we realize he just doesn’t hate her, he despises her and lives to torture her. Jase is the football god, in a football town where he can do no wrong, he and his best friends (Cam and Ash) have spent years torturing Hailee but this is their senior year and things are a little different. When we first meet Cam I could tell even though he helped Hailee’s step brother torment her there was something different about they way he did it. Cam was the guy you love to hate and hate to love because he just went along with whatever Hailee’s step brother said and did, like a puppet. Cam’s personal life is going all to crap so he starts to look at life differently, looks at Hailee differently, and even questions if football is his whole world any more. This is where Cam becomes the good villain, he thinks by still doing what Jase says yet doing it less extremely he is protecting Hailee. He soon realizes he doesn’t want to be the puppet any more.
Hailee may have spent years enduring this torment from her step brother Jase and his goons but she is the heroine we all love because she doesn’t runaway, she doesn’t back down, no she plots and plans then gets revenge. She is strong, smart, independent, and knows her worth but all these pranks have kind of hardened her through the years but then Cam starts to show her his other side and she doesn’t know what to think. The push and pull, the hate and love between Hailee and Cam is so hot and steamy I could not put the book down. Even the hate between Jase and Hailee becomes so intriguing I found myself wanting to see what happened next. This is my first book by this author and I absolutely loved it and can not wait to get more Rixon Raiders.
Game You Play:
I honestly thought Cameron would be hard to replace as my number Raider, but Jase has absolutely stomped all over him and demanded that number one spot. He starts out as a complete jerk who is horrible to mostly everyone even his friends at times, but he did care about them and somewhat Hailee now. Jase was completely goal driven and has his sights on accomplishing them all and nothing else matters or will get in his way. All he has ever known was football and becoming the best and doing the things his dad never got to do. I loved that he was hardworking and focused, but it did take away from his life and added so much pressure onto his shoulders, you could tell it was hard for him at times to be the golden boy all the time and never getting to just be himself. Felicity was a do gooder, always following her mom and dad’s plans for her future and never stepping out of line until her senior year and she starts to step out of her shell, then becomes attracted to Jase. Jase and Felicity have such an amazing chemistry and they love/hate each other at times but you just know they are perfect for each other. They had a lot of drama to overcome, Jase had to learn that sometimes it was ok not to be one hundred percent focused on football all the time and Fee had to learn that she should step up and start doing things and thinking for herself. There were moments that I absolutely wanted to smack the crap out of Jase, then moments I wanted to just hug him and tell him he didn’t need to put so much pressure on himself and love him. I was proud when Felicity started making decisions for herself and I loved that no matter what Jase had said or put her through she still couldn’t help but love him. Jase proved a million times over that no matter how much him and Fee fought or had issues he only ever always had her wellbeing in mind. This is a great somewhat bully read that these two characters will melt your heart and Jase will definitely demand to steal it.
Harder You Fall:
Omg I have been in love with Asher since book one and I knew that behind his humor and laid-back persona there held some issues that he just wasn’t letting anyone in on. He is this all-around perfect football god but the only person he lets into the real him for now is Mya. Mya is running from a rough neighborhood and a past she would love to forget about. She thought she had found love once before with her childhood friend, but that ended with her getting hurt emotionally and physically. So, when Asher wants more from Mya and her to be his she pushes him away time and time again. It isn’t until Asher has gotten to her that she realizes she is already falling for him and she doesn’t seem to mind. They both have to endure so much just to be together and they deal with the pressures of family and society that is hard on them, but they do endure it, until a tragedy occurs, and Mya’s past comes back to haunt her. Will they be able to make it through what society deems as right and the tragic events that caused their issues or will they let things tear them apart for good? I swear Asher is the perfect guy that I loved so much and I was happy that the other couples make a lot of appearances throughout this read and proving to us that family isn’t always blood but those who choose to stand by us in times of trouble.
Three books in one. Rixon Raiders is about three best friends who attend the same school in a town where football is everything and Cameron, Jason, and Asher are looked at as football gods.
Each story centers around a different couple, but they are all interconnected and really should be read in order to make the most sense.
The first story, The Trouble With You, revolves around Cameron and Hailee. This is an enemies to lovers, with an underlying bully theme mixed in. Hailee and her stepbrother, Jason (who is the central focus in the next book) are both pig-headed and highly stubborn individuals. Living under the same roof, while Jason is the quarterback and basically can do no wrong makes Hailee’s life miserable. Hailee’s best friend pulls her out of her shell with the bucket list of things she wants to do before graduating, which forces them both into situations neither of them would have ever contemplated before senior year. This puts them both right in the path of the football players and forces both girls into some stressful situation.
Cameron is Jason’s best friend and sides with him for most of the book, this makes liking Cameron sometimes hard to bear, but he does let his redeeming qualities come out, which does save him by the end of the story. I’d also say the same for Hailee, she is sometimes a little brash, but overall, her attitude is because of her living conditions. If she’s too soft she’d crack. Cameron and Hailee really make each other better at the end of the day.
The second book – The Game You Play, which I’m going say I’m so glad the books are ordered this way. Jason is a tough guy to like, but once you get within his small circle, he’s loyal and trustworthy until the very end. He is THAT guy you want on your side when stuff goes sideways, but he’s very scary if he’s not on your side. Anyway, with Jason’s story in the middle, you got to see him as the crappy stepbrother to Hailee, you now get to know his story, and in the next book you will see another side and Jason will really worm his way into your heart.
Of the three, this one falls into the antihero category because Jason makes no qualm about being something he’s not. He does not plan on being anyone’s white knight no matter how much Felicity tugs at his black soul.
Felicity or Flick, or Fee. She has a lot of nicknames, is the total sunshine to Jason’s dark and gloom attitude. She is one of the few people who really doesn’t take his grumpiness, but she gives it right back to him. Her sassy attitude will make you smile, which you will need when Jason will make you kind of sad at times. She never wanted to fall for Jason, she just wanted to have some fun in her senior year. Unfortunately, every time she tries to go out and have a bit of fun, Mr. Grouchypants shows up and ends it, or does he actually begin it…whatever it is, they are fuel to each other’s fire.
Given this is the second book, there is also lots of Cam and Hailee updates along with Asher and his lucky lady insights.
Speaking of that third couple, The Harder You Fall – is about Asher and Mya. While Asher is a terrible flirt, he’s been watching his best friends fall and secretly wishing it was him. He is really a giant puppy seeking affection, a huge softie on the inside, who wears his emotions on his sleeve.
Of the three books, this is more of a coming of age, new adult romance where outside forces are working against them. All Asher wants is to fall in love, have someone love him unconditionally and begin his life. He craves affection so much, he’s so heartbreakingly sweet.
Mya on the other hand, has grown up in a very rough neighborhood, and only recently moved out to Rixon to escape the awful situation she was living in. She is not used to the lifestyle Asher has grown up in, thinking money solves everything, when he’s so desperately alone and would give anything to have a loving family.
While these two seem like complete opposites they share secrets with one another that no one in their lives have ever been privy to and as they grow closer their bubble of happiness is only broken as prejudice and social status tries to break it down. This is a book that is very current in today’s society and and I really enjoyed their story.
There is more to come in an epilogue story, The End Game is You, how will these three couples survive their future going forward? They’ve already survived so much
I love the Rixon Raiders and I’m so happy that they are all together in this fantastic box set. Ash and Mya, Cameron and Halie and my favourite couple Jason and Flick. This high school/sports romance series will definitely throw you off kilter but it’s all worth it for that final touchdown.
This series is amazing!! Why I haven’t read it until now I do not know. I may have read the books out of order as they can be read as standalones but that didn’t spoil my enjoyment at all. Cameron, Jason and Asher may be the best of friends and play for the same football team but each of their stories are so different. L.A. Cotton is relatively new to me but has now become an author that I will read in future without hesitation.
The Trouble with You – 5 Stars
Wow!! L.A. Cotton has penned yet another fabulous novel. This best friend’s sister/enemies to lovers’ story had me hooked from the very first chapter. Even though I had actually read the final book in the trilogy before this, my enjoyment was not spoiled at all.
Cameron and Hailee’s story is full of drama and angst. Cameron is your typical high school football star player. He’s got the world at his feet and a line of girls who would do anything for a moment with him. I love the relationship that he has with his two best friends, Jason and Asher, and it was fabulous to see the real Cameron emerge as the story progressed.
I adore Hailee – She’s strong, focused and caring. She has her mind set on finishing her final year at school with as little trouble as possible so she can move on in her life. However, fate has other plans for her. Hailee is Jason’s step-sister and he hates her. For the past six years, with the help of Cameron and Asher, he has played pranks on her and they haven’t always just been silly little ones either. Some of the pranks had me laughing along with the boys and Hailee but then there were other incidences when Hailee was caught in the crossfire between Jason and his rival enemy that had my heart breaking for her.
This story held my attention and kept me entertained throughout. I thought the author wrote this book brilliantly, so much that in certain scenes it felt as if I was actually there. As much as I disliked the actions of the characters at times, I just couldn’t help but grow to love them all. This first book in this series (for those reading in order) will have you delighted that the other books are available to read straight away. That’s where I am headed now, to read Jason’s story which is titled The Game You Play.
The Game You Play – 5 stars
I’d already met Jason Ford in The Trouble with You which is the first book in the Rixon Raiders series and found that he had the personality you’d totally expect a star quarterback college player to have. However, I particularly disliked Jason because of the ‘games’ he was playing that involved his step-sister. What I didn’t expect by the end of this book was to have my opinion of Jason completely turned round and although I kept wavering between liking and disliking him throughout, once I learned more about him and I got to understand the reasons behind his actions I was totally team Jason in the end.
I absolutely love everything about Felicity. I loved the change that I saw in her as she embraced her final year of school. She’s an amazing friend to have and I loved her quirky ways.
I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end. I devoured it in one day, unable to put it down and I thought the author wrote it brilliantly. This is a definite must read!!
The Harder You Fall – 5 Stars
I’m going to hold my hand up and admit that I haven’t as yet read the first two books in this series. Did that spoil my enjoyment the reading The Harder You Fall? Absolutely not. I’m just kicking myself for not doing so and am now heading straight over to one-click those books to rectify this.
A adore Mya. I have watched her throughout the book, having to deal with situations that no teen should have to go through. It broke my heart many times witnessing this. She is the most amazing person and I just want to hug her. I wish that her life had been so different and pray that it is in future. I adore her strength and determination. Felicity and Hailee are so lucky to have her as their friend, as she is to have them.
Asher has stolen my heart. What an incredible young man he is. He doesn’t have it easy at all but this loveable joker is someone who you know will have your back when you need him to. As like Mya’s friendship group, I love seeing Jason, Cameron and Asher together – they are brothers in every sense except sharing the same genes.
I love the connection and chemistry between Mya and Asher. I could see that they were meant for each other from the very beginning but they have so many obstacles standing in their way. This book was a real page turner and I couldn’t see which way the story was going to go. The drama in some scenes had me on the edge of my seat, and I loved this.
I honestly did not want to put my kindle down when reading this book. I have felt every emotion possible and I have had to reach for the tissues a few times too. I would love to see where the group are in a few years’ time, to see if their dreams and wishes have come true, hopefully the author will pen another book in the series and update us one day. One thing I feel is that they all deserve to be happy, and I’m certain that with the attitude and determination they display they will achieve the success that they desire.
I absolutely love this series! L. A. Cotton is an amazing author and this series did not disappoint. I can not say how much I LOVED Jason in the end he really did pull his head out of his a** and did everything he could for Felicity. Jason, Cameron and Asher are Rixon’s royalty the bad boys that everybody want to claim as there own. This is a book you do not want to miss.
I have received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
This is an amazing box set from this talented author and consists of the following novels: –
The trouble with you #1
This is the first in a new series from this gifted author, and what a brilliant introduction this is!! Hailee stepbrother lives to make her life miserable, but she gives as good as she gets, which lead to humorous shenanigans. Cameron is her stepbrother’s best friend, and he knows that she is off limits; that is until undeniable chemistry changes these enemies / friends and more. This is a beautifully written story which is emotional, steamy, and humorous, with drama and witty banter. I highly recommend for all readers.
The game you play #2I
This is the 2nd book in this phenomenal series and is Felicity and Jason’s story. Jason is the cocky and arrogant star football player, who has his life mapped out and nothing will stop him in his mission to get there. Felicity is a quiet and nerdy girl who has her life planned out by her parents, but she is determined to follow her own path through life. These two have a love / hate relationship, but the chemistry between them is explosive, and she is his calm through the storm. This is a beautifully written story which is filled with angst, emotion, and witty banter, which had me totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and I highly recommend for all lovers of an enemies / lover’s romance.
The harder you fall #3
This is the 3rd book in this phenomenal series and is Mya and Asher’s’ story. Mya has not had an easy life, but she does not let her past define who she is today, and Asher comes from a privileged family who have his future planned out for him. This is a beautifully written story which is an emotional roller coaster throughout, as well as being gritty, raw, intense, intriguing, steamy, with undeniable chemistry, and with secrets and love which all lead to a powerful and riveting tale. I was totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and highly recommend for all readers.