A sweet all-American story of love and revenge.Ambitious intern Ashton Bailey is about to get closer to her dream of being a sports announcer. All she has to do is prove that too-perfect-to-be-true NFL quarterback Evan Dawson isn’t quite as wholesome as his contract requires. It’s also the perfect opportunity to get delicious payback on the boy who broke her teenage heart. At least that’s her … At least that’s her plan. But she forgot just how easy it is to crush on the irresistible charmer. #OhNoNotAgain.
Evan has a knack for getting through the opposing team’s defenses, and he won’t let this tall, redheaded knockout be the exception. He’s determined to make things right between them and earn back Ashton’s trust—and maybe her heart, too.
Then the press mistakenly announces their engagement, and Ashton and Evan find themselves going along with the lie. Now the whole world is watching as Ashton flirts with attraction and disaster. But while revenge is sweet, it just might come at the cost of something sweeter still.
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I love finding new authors and if Awestruck is anything to go by I will love other books by Sariah Wilson. Book 3 in the Lovestruck series but it can certainly be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone.
Ashton and Evan have a history, he broke her heart in high school what she didn’t expect was to get an opportunity to get her own back on him but will feelings once again come into play for this adorable couple….
Revenge to forgiveness then onto love with plenty of misunderstandings along the way, Ashton and Evan certainly have some obstacles to get around on their journey of true love. I loved this couple and I loved the plot and I certainly will be looking at other books by this author.
Well, I’ve done it. I’ve gotten to the end of the #Lovestruck series. I found a lot to love about this series, but I think my favorite thing is how much it made me love reading again. I was in a really BIG funk before I found Sariah Wilson’s novels and now, after voraciously reading through The Seat Filler and the #Lovestruck series, I feel excited once again to get lost in more fictional worlds. So, Sariah Wilson, if you are reading this review, “Thank you!” I truly hate when I get in those reading funks. They make me so sad.
But I digress. Let’s get to the review!
As far as #Awestruck goes, I really enjoyed my time with Ashton and Evan. I found the storyline highly engaging. Yes, this was another novel I stayed up well past my bedtime to read. I also loved the characters. They are all well crafted, very relatable, and super endearing, especially Ashton’s niece and nephew. Sariah Wilson has a gift for writing children. Her young characters are always so precious and hilarious. I did struggle a little with Ashton towards the end of the story because her immaturity is SUPER frustrating, but she works through everything and grows to be a well-rounded young woman so I’ll forgive her for making me want to flick her in the forehead a few times. LOL! #Awestruck is another steamy romance — the chemistry between Ashton and Evan is seriously undeniable. I will say, though, that compared to the first two books in the series, this story is way more tame in the steam department. For the first half of the book, Ashton is seeking revenge against Evan and really appears to hate his guts. Kind of dampens the chemistry a bit. But once she gets out of her own way, fiery sparks really fly between Ashton and Evan, and it’s pretty great.
The best part of #Awestruck is Evan. He is a one-of-a-kind hero, and I’m not just saying that cause it sounds good in a review. He really is unique. “What makes him so unique?” you ask. Well, it’s his strength. I don’t mean physical strength, although he is a very strong man. He’s a quarterback for crying out loud, the guy has to be strong. But that’s not the kind of strength I’m talking about. I’m talking about his strong moral code. When Evan was young he promised someone close to him that he would remain a virgin until his wedding night, and he has kept that promise ever since. There are several things I like about the chaste element in this story, but I especially love that it is a male character making this choice. That, in my personal reading experience, is something left to most Christian fiction characters or female clean-romance characters. I’ve never really read a contemporary romance novel where the man chooses to be chaste and sticks to it. It is cool to see a male character who illustrates a deep sense of self-control and respect for himself and for others. I’m not going to lie, it is pretty sexy. Another characteristic I appreciate about Evan is his ability to recognize when he is being a control freak and when he needs to loosen up a bit. As a control freak, myself, I can personally attest that loosening up and allowing others to have some control over a situation is not an easy thing to do. I really like how Evan is able to recognize when he’s going down his control-issues path, how he physically stops himself in the moment, and how he takes responsibility for going there and then apologizes to the one he is with for trying to be the boss. That level of self-awareness and self-control is impressive.
There is so much more I could say about #Awestruck as it’s a really fun and engaging read, but I think I will end here. #Awestruck is a Contemporary Romance I highly recommend. If you are in the mood for a well-written, super sweet romance that will keep you turning pages well into the night, then #Awestruck is the book for you!
I borrowed a copy of this novel in eBook form through my Kindle Unlimited subscription on June 19, 2021, in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Grand gesture for the win!!! This is a GREAT book! You will Laugh Out Loud a lot with this book. Love Ashton and Dawson their story makes your heart melt.
I am seriously loving Sariah Wilson’s swoony books and this one is a definite winner. I love the sports romance elements and fake relationship trope in this one. Ashton and Evan had such great chemistry and the banter was great as they flirted along. Evan was adorable and admirable. Ashton’s boss wants her to go after him for an expose saying he’s not really a virgin like his clean image totes him to be. Since Ashton has a past with him, she’s happy to seek her revenge only she learns Evan is everything he says he is and so much more and the way she falls for him over and over again is so cute.
This is a clean romance with plenty of swoon. There is some mild innuendo, but nothing that goes outside of the closed-door, sweet genre.
I really liked this book which in a way surprised me since I’m not really into football players or athletes in general. It was funny since I read the reviews before I read the book and most people didn’t like Ashton’s character but loved Evan’s. I am actually going to disagree with everyone here.
I loved Ashton!!! She is sassy and quick witted! I literally highlighted most of what she said since it was so funny.
Evan….I just didn’t really like him. He always needs to be in control but I felt like he went overboard with wanting to be in control.
The premise was really cute since she already liked him but it was really sad to hear what happened to her in high school. Also I felt like I couldn’t even forgive Evan for what he put Ashton through. I mean how is she supposed to even feel safe with someone like that?
Anyway all in all it was a good book.
Content: making out, moderate language, does talk Ashton being bullied so bad she had to be homeschooled, and there is a brief conversation about a girl being drugged and boys trying to take advantage of her.
Friends, this sweet romance by Sariah Wilson will catch you on the first page and whip you along to the last “ahhhh”-worthy word! It doesn’t matter that you know from the start how the book will end, because the rollercoaster ride to the end is so much fun. You’ll love it!
Ashton, the wannabe sports announcer, and Evan, the awesome NFL quarterback, have history. Very bad high school history. Ashton will do anything to bring Evan down – won’t she? Great story! Clean, too!
I am rather sad to see the ending of this series. I found it so wholesome and heartwarming. There are not enough books for older teens or younger adults that encourage waiting for marriage. I will definitely be checking out this author’s other works.
In this story, it is the main male character who has chosen to wait. I found that to be even more refreshing. Even more, he is a professional athlete who sticks to his convictions.
I also like that there are mistakes and redemption in these stories. The idea of forgiveness and moving forward is most prevalent in this volume. Second chances reign supreme to help things work out the way they are meant to.
He’d crushed her in high school and now it’s her turn for revenge. But now that they’re all grown-up, will they act like grown-ups? At times I wondered, especially about the heroine. This girl can hold a grudge even when she learns the truth, but wounded hearts aren’t always logical. No sex, no swearing, but a good dose of angst.
this entire series is great
WOw! You know what is crazy! I thought this author wasn’t so great a couple years ago and now I can’t get enough of her books! I have loved this LoveStruck series!!!!! This was so much fun! I enjoyed reading every part of this one. I love how real Ashton was, I could totally see my younger self doing something similar. She makes a massive mistake but it’s so true to life. We all allow our ego and fear to make decisions for us and it always backfires. I loved Evan! Geeeezzzz he was great but even he had to learn the hard way. I love that someone is actually writing books about waiting to have Sex till you are married and the fact that it is possible if you are careful and make a commitment. It is real this does happen and I love that someone is telling this side of the story. This is an older teen read. They do talk about abstaining from sex but it is lighter then the first two books in this series. I would let me 17 year old read this one.
Friends-to-Enemies-Revenge-Fake-Engagement-to-Lovers pretty much sums it up. A little cheesy but I do like a good football story! The author is very witty, and I had several laugh out loud moments, especially when reading dialogue like this: “That I’m not single but in a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend, who lives in the future.””
Loved It
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads giveaways, I was not required to give favorable review. She was 13 and a freshman in high school. He was a senior and the star quarterback. He was in her sister class and they use to play video football together. He saw her as a little sister. She wrote him a love letter then asked him to the Sadie Hawkins dance which he declined but his friend posted her letter for everyone to see. Now 10 years later she has an assignment to prove he isn’t a virgin. But they have both grown up.
A great addition do the #Starstruck series. It was probably my least favorite except the hero, who is really adorable. It’s a great, sweet read, and if you haven’t read the rest of the series yet, go do it!
I love discovering new authors ! Now I want to read everything she’s written!
Ashton Bailey has an opportunity to grab the job she’s wanted since she was a child: to be the first female sports announcer for her family’s favorite NFL team, the Portland Lumberjacks. She wanted to do it not only for herself, but for her grandmother, who had also aspired to be a sportscaster but was never able to fulfill her dream. She has the education, skills and deep knowledge of football to do an outstanding job. But could a woman ever get a chance at such a coveted role?
While working as an intern at a large sports network, Ashton’s boss throws down this challenge. If any of the interns can prove that the team’s quarterback–Evan Dawson–isn’t as wholesome and innocent as he portrays himself–they will be given a permanent full time job. “Someone in this room is going to prove that Evan Dawson is not a virgin,” her boss states.
That should be easy, right? After all, what NFL football player could keep to a vow of no sex before marriage, especially when he’s surrounded by beautiful women all the time?
Ashton knows she can easily dig up the dirt on Evan, especially since she knows the real man behind the persona. She went to high school with him, and was the victim of one of his pranks that ruined her reputation and high school years. Payback for that prank would just be icing on the cake.
But once she becomes reacquainted with Evan, she learns the truth about that high school prank, and finds herself falling for his charms. Then she’ll have to make a decision — give up the job of her dreams, or give up the man of her dreams?
This is the fifth book by Sariah Wilson that I’ve read, and I love them all. She does a great job writing the banter and playfulness that occur between her hero and heroine. At the same time, she gives you a peek into the depth of their personalities. You feel like you are a friend of the main characters and actually participating in the story as it develops. Although I’m not a football fan (and usually avoid stories built around football), I still loved this book! Wilson makes the story about the characters and their growth, both personal and as a couple. It’s one of those books that you wish wouldn’t end!
4.75 Stars
What an adorably sweet romance this was! Evan Dawson was totally swoon-worthy and possibly one of the sweetest book boyfriends I have come across.
With #Awestruck, Sariah Wilson delivers a beautiful love story with a slight “second-chance” romance vibe. The characters share a history that was beyond horrible for Ashton Bailey. Having a huge crush on the most well liked, kindest and most popular senior wouldn’t have been so bad if she hadn’t been years younger.
Now, she has her chance to seek revenge for those traumatizing events and she’s ready to go at him full force. But like with age comes wisdom and she learns things weren’t exactly as they seemed back then and the more she spends time with Evan, the more she realizes he’s still that great guy she crushed on and who everyone loves now. His fame hasn’t changed who he is and it was eye ope i g to her, for sure.
#Awestruck was a great story!!
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher and author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have read all of your the other stories in this series and this one was just as good as the others! It’s a nice, clean friends-to-lovers romance story. The author does a great job hooking the reader and taking them on this rom-com adventure.
Ashton has to decide whether she is more committed to her job as a sports reporter or to her previous high school crush (Evan).
A wonderfully entertaining clean romance.
Awestruck is the first book that I have read by this author and I must say that I was so impressed that I’ve already grabbed the first two books in the series and can’t wait to dive in.
In all honesty, the plot seemed a tad bit corny but it was certainly unique and the author made it work amazingly well. The story drew me in from the start and I finished it very quickly. I adored Ashton and Evan and even wanted to yell at Ashton. “Just tell him already!”
All in all, I adored this story and look forward to reading the first two books in the series.