What happens when an almost thirty-year-old virgin agrees to let her Scottish footballer best friend give her some lessons in seduction? Lots of banter, awkwardness, jealousy, and heat. Midfielder Maclay “Mac” Logan is a loud-mouthed, tattooed ginger content with focusing on football. But when an adorable, freckled seamstress comes barreling into his life, he finds Netflix-And-Bickering with her … Netflix-And-Bickering with her to be his new favorite pastime.
Freya Cook is used to being the invisible woman with a needle and thread, offering cheeky punchlines as she helps dress London’s finest. She’s plus-sized in body and spirit, and other than her friendship with Mac, talking to the opposite sex is one skill she never mastered.
However, after one innocent game of Never Have I Ever, Mac offers to play Love Coach for Freya.
What neither of them see coming are the feelings that develop when the clothes come off.
Now they’re both about to learn the biggest lesson of all: Don’t fall in love with your best friend.
Blindsided is a full length (97,000 words) contemporary rom-com standalone with a sports theme.
more
Larger than life!
It’s not often that I can clearly picture the hero and heroine of any given book, but Amy Daws made Mac and Freya so vivid that they were crystal clear in my mind as I read. They were larger than life, personalities as big as the sky. Living and loving large, even if it was just sitting and watching Netflix as they argued. They were all in. First as best mates, then as so much more. Watching these two fall in love was the best thing ever! Mac, the braw Scottish footballer and his delightful Cookie are two wonderful characters with tons of funny banter and scorching hot chemistry! Loved this book!
Written with her characteristic warmth and humour, Amy Daws brings us, in Blindsided, a fabulous romantic comedy that establishes its credentials as a truly delightful read, from the very start. It immediately sets us up with two gorgeous, funny, I want them as my friends, characters in Freya and Mac. Their friends to lovers story is full of wit, laughter and superb banter. My sister kept asking what I was reading as I had laughed out loud so often.
Both Freya and Mac are marshmallows, full of inherent kindness and caring. There is absolutely no shadow of a doubt that you will fall completely in love with them and be cheering them on from the sidelines. This sense of a relationship which will always be filled with fun and laughter is sustained to the very last lines. An absolute winner!
Blindsided gave me all the feels!!! Elation, heartbreak, love and compassion! Even though Mac and Freya were like oil and water at times, they flowed together perfectly! When it’s destined to be. Nothing can stop it. My level of excitement and love for this story is through the roof ! Amy Daws’ writing is truly brilliant and wonderful!
*** Edited to add audio thoughts***
I absolutely loved this hilarious, clever, heartfelt, steamy romance! I was so excited to get Freya and Mac’s story, and I couldn’t be happier! I laughed out loud so many times, and there were some awkward moments that had me crying out: “Oh No, don’t do that!” as well! I love when I get so invested in a book that I feel like I’m right there. This book did that for me and more! Mac and Freya have been best mates for over a year. They enjoy the same shows, love to banter and argue, and know each other better than anyone. But what Mac didn’t expect was a shocking revelation from Freya after a night of too much drinking. Freya is broken from too many failed attempts at finding love. Mac can’t stand the idea of these heartless men breaking her heart again, so he offers to be her Love Coach. But since Mac doesn’t know where he will land as a professional footballer, he doesn’t want to make a long term commitment. He never expected that they would click so quickly and perfectly, or how explosive their chemistry would be. They become so much more than they expected, so when tragedy strikes, these lovers are heartbroken to find it impossible to go back to being best mates. Freya and Mac are so perfect together, all their friends see it, except them. I laughed so hard at Freya’s inelegant outbursts, and swooned as Mac just smiles and thinks she’s just so adorable. I really loved everything about this hilarious, sweet, heartwarming and steamy romance. I just can’t get enough of these fun, quirky and sexy Brits! There was a hint to a history between Mac’s sister and the football club’s lawyer, so I hope there is more to come!
Narrators Will M. Watt and Charlotte Cole were once again flawless as they bring this story and characters to life. Their easy delivery and inflections make me feel like I am right there with them, getting totally lost in the realism of their storytelling.
Where to start and what to say to do this amazing entertaining read justice !!!!
This is one of the best romantic comedies I have read this year, it was everything I expected and so much more. From the very first chapter you are left laughing out loud at Freya Cook’s hilarious antics and what can I say about the hot Scott Maclay Mac Logan apart from you will love him…..
Freya is a lady who always seems to be the one watching everyone else, she has never really been comfortable in her own skin and she always just blends into the background but she always knows she can rely on her best friend Mac and when she asks for help on the dating front that’s when the fun and games really begin…. Never have I Ever is now a game that will always remind me of this extremely funny book and this wonderful couple. The banter is so funny I found myself crying and snorting out loud but it was the chemistry and the feelings this couple have that really set this book on fire. The lines of friendship are crossed but does that mean the end of a wonderful friendship or the start of a wonderful relationship…….
Blindsided is a must read for all lovers of sports romance as well as rom com lovers and It’s certainly going on my best reads of this year.
Mac is a Scottish, loud mouthed football player, who had taken Freya under his wing, and they become best friends. When Freya is on a mission to take care of something before her next birthday, Mac steps up to the plate. Can these 2 move on from friends / lovers and continue to deny their feeling for each other? This is a fantastic story which had me in hysterics from the very beginning. This is a well written flawless story which is filled with witty banter, humour, love and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, which had me totally captivated throughout this addictive masterpiece. Bravo Amy!!
I truly think that this is my favourite Amy Daws book ever. I loved Mac and Freya in Payback when we got a sneaky peak at their friendship. I literally fell head over heals for them in Blindsided. What a sweet, emotional, and truly wonderful read. Sexy, kilt wearing Scot, Maclay Logan is best friend to Freya Cook, seamstress and designer with some wonderfully voluptuous curves. Sadly she lacks the confidence to truly be herself around people (both men and women), who she seems to think are better than her. When Mac makes her an offer she can’t refuse, sparks fly, and their friendship reaches new heights, ones that they can’t come back from if things go South. Opposites really do attract in this romantic comedy full of sexy footballers. I’m loving keeping up-to-date with all the Harris family and their friends and all their antics. Fantastic writing, wonderful characters, and a story full of laughter, tears and family. I can’t wait to see what comes next. I received an advanced copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review.
Best friends to lovers virgin romance with a Scottish footballer hero!!!
Another 5+ Star read from Amy Daws
Blindsided is another hit in the continuing Harris Brother’s saga. What can be said for her stories that hasn’t been said or written in a review, I don’t think she could ever write anything we all won’t just love! We met Freya and Mac in Payback, I just knew their story would be my favorite of them all. You will laugh almost to be you think you might pee your pants, cry until you can’t see the words on the page, but in the end fall in love with these two quirky best friends to lovers.
Ever since Mac and Freya and I first met, I have been impatiently awaiting the #MacAttack and now it is here, woohoo!!
I am a bit of sucker (in a non bj way) for a Scotsman, and Maclay Logan may have stolen my heart.
I love the friends-to-more story between Mac and Freya. Whilst they see themselves as just mates, we the reader can see that they are so much more.
Freya is the bomb dot com. There is a bit of Freya in all of us, and I need to be her friend. I felt her emotions through to my core.
Mac, well what can one say about a sexy Scot? Other than sir, I did not like you at times. I love you, but I didn’t always like you. I could understand why things were done, however the way you went about it – not so much.
Of course, being tied in with the Harris Brothers books, we got plenty of the lads and their lovely ladies. Stand up Harris Hos and be proud!
I did find that the first half of the book was a little slow, however the second half ramped right up and I was laughing, I was crying, I was screaming at my Kindle. However Ms Daws brought everything around to how it should have been, so all good!
It was great to be back in the world of these wonderful characters, and I hope we get more in the future.
5 star Review Blindsided by Amy Daws
Having met Maclay “Mac” Logan and Freya Cook in recent Harris Brothers books I could not wait to dive in to Blindsided, a friends to lovers story.
I was intrigued by Mac and Freya from the start. They both seem like such fun loving, caring and loyal people and ones I would happily call friends.
Mac ticked all the boxes for me, totally swoon worthy and his unconditional love for Freya melted me.
Freya has always been on the outside, never truly comfortable with the opposite sex, she blends into the background. That is until her best friend Mac takes her under his wing. I am not sure I will ever look at a game of Never Have I Ever in the same way again.
The banter between the two of them had me in tears, they were just so funny and the chemistry once they got over the awkwardness was intense.
What happens when they cross the line of friendship? Is this the start of something wonderful or will their friendship be destroyed?
Amy Daws delivers a highly entertaining story with characters who are flawed and not afraid to admit it. There is nothing that I didn’t love about it their story. Blindsided was everything I hoped for and so much more.
*insert gif of Janice from friends saying “oh my god”*
My boyfriend thinks I’ve lost the plot.
To be fair, I was giggling like a school girl throughout this book.
Until I wasn’t.
Amy Daws, YOU HURT MY FREAKING HEART, WOMAN!
Argh, I thought I was gonna cry! I didn’t, but I was close.
This book caught me completely off guard, blindsided me even (see what I did there?) with so many feels. Mac and Freya have the best relationship EVER – seriously, I want to be them when I grow up.
The banter, sexual chemistry, heartbreak, happiness and especially “the sex” made for an addictive read.
I sucked at adulting today, hard. I’m not even a little sorry, it was so worth it.
Also, props for dropping the c-bomb so many times! I will be recommending this book left, right, and any other direction that springs up – one of my favourites of the year!
*4 Stars*
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
Mac and Freya finally get their own story. This is one that we have been waiting for, for those of us who have read Payback, Amy’s previous release. This is another spin-off from the Harris Brothers series, so is once again set in London, and around the Bethnal Green Footy Club for which Mac is a player. He and Freya, and the friendship they have struck, has been to the intrigue of many of us, and also to the other characters in these books.
I liked Freya as a character. She was fun and quirky, and whilst she owned her style, she was also insecure and had that little voice in the back of her head (that we all have), telling her that she’s not good enough, or too fat, or many other things. I think as a character she will be very relatable for many, if not all readers.
Mac was a great character as well. He was a fun Scottish lad with a heart of gold, and I really liked getting to know him. I love the friendship he has with Freya, and how much he cares about her, and wants her to succeed and feel better about herself. The banter and arguments between the two of them were fun to read, and very organic. They just fit these two characters to a T.
As things progress and Mac learns about Freya’s inexperience, the way that their relationship changes is very natural and fun. If only the could both admit it, and accept it for what is. When the inventible spanner gets thrown in the works, I just wanted to throw my kindle at Mac and punch him in the head. Oh my god he made me so angry at some points. He means well, but what a thick dumb Scotsman he was.
I’m not sure if I felt things were resolved a little too easily or not, but there were plenty of moments of realisation and finally some progression after that. I was rooting for these two, it just took them a while to get there.
We also get the Harris Brothers and family, and Allie and Roan thrown in, so there are of course some really fun moments with those guys.
All in all, this wasn’t my favourite book of Amy’s, but it was and an easy and fast read. I would recommend. And I can’t wait to see what comes next from Amy.
Never Have I Ever Fallen So Fast!
Blindsided by Amy Daws had me under its spell from the first page. The relationship between Freya and Mac is a thing of beauty! Their banter and camaraderie are effortlessly fun. The interactions made me smile from ear to ear. They are without a doubt best mates and most definitely soulmates!
Ms. Daws did a fantastic job of shifting Freya and Mac’s relationship from platonic to physical, without discounting their deep love for one another. Their journey was funny, passionate, and emotional. Their potential to be MORE is palpable, but fragile. Family loyalties and old insecurities threaten to splinter their bond.
Never fear, though. Mac and Freya’s HEA is hard fought for and won, with the help of some of our favorite characters, rescue kittens, and persistent hearts. This love story left me giddy with hope and joy. Without a doubt Blindsided is one of my favorite reads of 2019!
4.5 Blindsided Stars! After Payback I wanted Mac and Freya’s story and I FLOVED it! I loved their bickering banter and slow burn yet sizzling hot chemistry. The quirkiness that Freya is matches the swoon worthy, sexy footballer that is Mac. I will put a warning label on this story. CAUTION when reading in public and while drinking/eating. Spontaneous laughter will happen and to the point of snorting and falling out of your chair. I highly recommend this must read!
It’s official! Blindsided is one of my all-time favorite Amy Daws books. It delivers her characteristic witty and hilarious banter with one hot Scot and sassy virgin.
“You blindsided me, Freya. You blindsided me with everything I never knew I wanted.”
Why do best friends think that they can add in The Sex, not have it change things and then think that the relationship can go back to normal when The Sex is over? NEWS FLASH: it doesn’t work!!! But that doesn’t stop me from loving these types of stories and Amy Daws writes a great one!
We’ve met Maclay Logan and Freya Cook in previous Harris Brothers and spin off books but we FINALLY get the story of these two Netflix-watching pals in Blindsided and it was FANTASTIC!
While I was already slightly in love with Mac given that he’s a tattooed Scottsman (swoon!) and best pals with Roan in Payback but man, I fell completely head over heels for him by the end of chapter 1! Yes, he’s one hot and talented professional footballer (or soccer player if you will) but he’s seriously the BEST friend to Freya.
He recognizes her body shaming ways and does not agree with her thoughts in the slightest. He also recognizes that she’s not too experienced with guys so he volunteers to be her love coach to get her a date with the barista she fancies. His pep talks in a dressing room and whispered words of encouragement in a coffee shop are just endearing and I love him for his support of his dear friend.
“You’re bonnie, and you’re my best mate. You should never feel the need to hide.” “You’re my wee treasure, and I’m right proud of you.”
Then, cue said aforementioned sex pact that never works…
After playing a wacky game of Never Have I Ever, Freya confesses that she’s a virgin. And as the amazing best friend that he is, Mac steps up to say that he’ll gladly show her the ways of The Sex (as she calls it). Freya is all in with this offer and I absolutely love how she is not only so freakin’ funny but she’s also so sweetly clueless.
“I have no idea what that one is. Road. Head. Hmmm. I imagine it’s something done on a road, but how does it involve your head?”
“and….is he making out with my vagina.”
It’s even better that we don’t see her spunk change when they add “benefits” to their friendship. In fact she kind of becomes a seductress which was awesome. Although she struggles with body image, the story wasn’t bogged down with this issue but instead focused on her growth which was refreshing.
I absolutely adored both of these characters and it’s definitely because of Daws’ fantastic character development and the hilarious banter she crafts between them. I can’t imagine it would be easy to write a Scot but man Daws has it down and wrote one hot Scot indeed. Seriously, I loved his dialogue and Freya was one hilarious Cornish woman to boot!
And did I mention the hilarious banter? Yes, I did, but it deserves mentioning again because seriously- where does she come up with this stuff – her one-liners and made up words. They leave me in stitches. We get cock naming to sexual violations by a cat to attempts at manhoodslaughter. I mean really- Amy Daws could have another career as a stand-up comedian, I just know it!
You’ll love this book if you’re a fan of friends to lovers stories, a fan of the TV show Heartland, or just an overall fan of Scottish men Seriously, this book is one of Amy Daws’ finest (yet aren’t they all?)! Now for Mac’s sister’s story, pretty please?!
You can read this book review and see my book recommendations if you like the “teach me sex” or “sex bucket list” or “virgin” tropes here: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/book-reviews/blindsided
Thank you so much, Amy Daws, for this ARC! All opinions shared are my own
Perfectly imperfect has a name. Blindsided is the sweetest kind of heartache. Daws has a way with hearts. Emotion hides within the unpredictable. With a sense of humor that never quits, an emotional catalogue that knows no bounds and an irresistible duo that keeps more than the heart invested, Daws creates dynamite. Freya and Mac are a mismatch made in heaven. Neither belongs in the other’s world, but they have a connection that proves hard to deny. It’s hard not to leave your heart behind, when the time finally comes to say goodbye.
Blindisded is a fabulously stunning journey of finding and mistaking love for just good friendship and belonging. While there is nothing wrong with finding home with a wonderful person, what hurts is wanting more and being terrified of letting the other person down by not being as content as they appear. We all know that appearances can be deceiving, but denying what your heart knows to be true is even more devastating on so many levels. We need to learn to open our heart to possibilities even when they can filet us open and shatter us. Above all, we need to realize that our friends don’t ever seek to hurt us but to build us up. Let love lead us into something that is too wonderful that we either can’t imagine it or won’t let ourselves hope for. Love will never let us down.
Freya wants more out of life. She is tried of being content and wants to feel, love, and live like never before. Her fun and surprising friendship with Mac has made her realize that there is more to life that she has been too afraid to want. He has changed that, and she wants what she knows she deserves. Mac cherishes his sweet friendship with Freya. Two people who couldn’t be more different have found a common ground and enjoyment in the other’s company. He will not mess that up. He can’t if he wants to continue focusing on Football and keeping his family proud. When unspeakable tragedy strikes, Mac does the only thing he knows and goes home to his family. One hasty decision leads to another and another until he finds himself in the midst of debilitating storm. Can he hope to weather this storm by himself and come out unscathed, or will he come to realize that those things that terrify him as the only ones that can save him?
I have been so looking forward to Freya and Mac’s story, and I savored every single second of it! It was everything that I hoped for and so much more. It lived up to exceeded those of their friends, and my heart soared for what they had found and were building. Walking their path was exhilarating, heart-wrenching, and extremely satisfying. Nothing compares to a bone deep love story that weaves itself into your very soul. This is romance was it is meant to be. This is a true and perfect masterpiece!
Amy Daws never ceases to amaze and delight me, and this latest story is the gold standard of her books! She knows how to open my heart to two beautifully awkward characters who truly understand and cherish each other. They make a perfect couple because everything they did felt incredibly natural and never awkward but uplifting and encouraging. I love how she brings humor and quirkiness into her fantastic characters. Her stories feel completely natural and incredibly real which makes her a masterful author who knows how to steal the hearts of her readers without even trying. This is one author that you do not want to miss out on!
Best friends to lovers virgin romance with a Scottish footballer hero!!!
‘Is it too late for the Harris family to adopt me? I’ve met their dad, Vaughn, and he’s still fit. Maybe he’d fancy a young, shapely bride for himself?’ – Freya
Freya and Mac have been best friends since they met a year ago. Sure they bicker, but they also love spending time together. One night changes everything as Freya confesses to still being a virgin, Mac decides she needs a love coach, and he is just the man for the job. It’s all fun and games until real feelings develop, feelings that neither expected nor were they prepared for. Everybody says don’t fall in love with your best friend, but what happens when you do?
If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be PERFECTION. The banter between Mac and Freya was hysterical. I laughed out loud and at one point I laughed so hard I was crying. Amy always gives us the best combination of laughter and love. Watching Freya and Mac develop as not only individuals but as two halves of one whole was breathtaking. From the very beginning I couldn’t stop reading, I had to know what was going to happen and how things were going to play out for these two. I think they may very well be one of my all-time favorite Amy Daws couples. I also really love the fact that we get to revisit the Harris family and see them in all their quirkiness! I love getting to revisit this world, and I hope these books never end! I swear every book by Amy Daws just keeps getting better and better!