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.
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Amy Daws never fails! Blindsided was absolutely brilliant!
Mac is a Scottish footballer playing in London on the same team as the Harris brothers. Freya is a sweet, plus-sized seamstress. It was bickering at-first-sight when Mac and Freya met. They become best friends, but when Mac discovers Freya still has her “virgin tag” he offers to help her out. Really, hilarity and hotness ensue! There may be some funny scenes involving a fat cat, pins when altering a kilt, and a drunk Freya. I LOVED this story! It was an everything story. Mac is the sweetest and hottest man and Freya, in many ways, reminds me of myself. Amy has outdone herself with Blindsided! 5 stars
I laughed so much throughout this book. Freya is absolutely hilarious and her quirkiness was the best! She is insecure, but real, has the best comebacks, and uses humor as a shield.
Mac is a sweetheart. He is such a great best friend and watching him finally go alpha male over Freya was such a fun change from his usually behavior.
These two together had a bumpy, but realistic ride. It wasn’t easy or fast paced. Their relationship developed slowly and the insecurities were brought to light.
Their genuine love for one another was wonderful to see unfold, and the ending was perfect. It wasn’t insta forgiveness or swept under a rug. It took work, time, and genuine conversations in order for them to get their HEA!
– An Arc was generously provided in exchange for an honest review.-
“But it’s not words that matter in the end. It’s actions. She’s your big picture Macky. Don’t let her out of your sight, or I promise, you’ll live to regret it.”
Amy Daws’ books and characters feel like family now. Earlier this year before her previous release, she hosted a binge read of the Harris Brother’s Series. I absolutely fell in love with the Harris Family, and even more so with their friends and teammates. I’ve have been waiting since then to read the happily ever after of Freya and Mac. And I was not disappointed. I love how quirky Freya is, and her neurotic cat was hilarious. I’m gonna need a comparable Instagram account to follow now! My heart just broke for Mac, but his mistakes were human, I felt like I very well could have made the same ones.
I can’t wait to see what Amy Daws creates next. I have an idea, but mostly I just really want to know their back story!
Usually I rush through books that I have been dying for. But with this first chapter I just knew I had to savor every bit. And I am glad I did!
Mac and Freya. We have been waiting for their story for a bit! When we saw them in past books I just knew the platonic wouldn’t work! I love how we saw that they had a solid friendship, and yet hadn’t shared everything with each other. So they still had room to grow as a couple. I love how we got to see how their brains switch from friends to being attracted. And it is just hilarious how Freya started her 30th birthday and then how she ended it! Only that would happen to her. Their love story is amazing, and real. I loved every second of it.
And oh the cats (and their names) . I need a cat like them!
And Grandpa! He was freakin hilarious! And oh my heart just hurts for Mac! The scenes with them together were amazing.
And the girl power scene, I think Chapter 20. Every woman has had that inner voice. It was so freeing to read that chapter. And since I have read the other books in the Harris Bro universe it just brought tears to my eyes. Good tears, but tears none the less. I loved the interaction of Freya with the other women, all through out this book.
This book could technically be read as a stand alone, but it is in the Harris Bros universe. The story and the interaction of the main characters with the secondary characters is just more richer if you have read the other books. It was also awesome and heart fulfilling to get to catch up with all the previous HEA’s (from the Harris series and London Lovers.) What I love is that it was all done organically. Amy Daws knows how much we love those past characters, but she does not shove it down our throats. The interaction and updates of the older character was very organic and not forced at all.
If you haven’t read Amy Daws before, go do it now. If you have. You will devour this book and love every minute of it! And boy oh boy, I think I know what the next book couple will be and I can’t wait!
“You’re going to have to stop being mean to me, Freya, or I’m going to fall in love with you.”
Well, it happened. Amy Daws made me fall in love with even more of her characters. Apparently my affection for fictional people, much like my affection for cats and sarcasm, knows no limits.
Freya is one of my favorite new heroines. She’s hilarious and relatable. We’ve seen little glimpses of her before, but it’s great to finally read her story. The relationship between Freya and Mac (and their progression from Netflix-watching-friends to Netflix-and-chill-friends to so much more than friends) kept me entertained from cover to cover.
As I’ve come to expect from Daws’s books, Blindsided made me laugh a lot and cry just a little – enough to make me truly appreciate another beautiful happily ever after.
I think the impossible has happened. I think Maclay Logan just became my favorite Amy Daws hero. Sorry Gareth.
This is a spin-off of the Harris brothers series, but easily stands alone. Although, if you haven’t read about the Harris clan, you should get on that NOW.
I LOVED this book! Mac is the giant Scottish footballer “best mate” of Freya Cook, plus-sized seamstress and general cat-lover. These two were adorable together–they fought like an old married couple, but would drop everything to be there for one another. I loved that they started as friends first. I adored how Mac loved her without really knowing it. Freya’s struggle with that voice that we all have inside of us, telling us we’re not good enough was so real. These two just stole my heart and were absolute perfection together. The story flowed seamlessly and I was hooked from beginning to end. With everything from kilts to kitties, this hilarious, flirty friends to lovers romance is one you don’t want to miss!
*5 stars*
I always love a good sports romance book and this author seriously has the knack for writing the ones that will stick with you, even after you finished reading! I adored this book and the friendship that slowly turned into something more… I laughed and I cried reading this book and just melted. I could relate to how Freya was feeling at times that made the story even more relatable. That was definitely one of the things I loved about this book and I’m definitely hoping we get some more in this series!
Mac and Freya have known each other for quite some time now and have been best friends ever since they have met each other. When Freya is trying to get out and start dating, it’s just something that is hard for her but Mac will try to help her figure things out and makes her deal she can’t refuse. But the closer they become, the more they start to see that being just friends isn’t what they truly are. Maybe, just maybe, their relationship has blossomed into something more. But when something unexpected happens, Mac will have to make a choice that will change their future forever… Will they be able to get through it all and maybe find what they didn’t know they were searching for?…
A great spin off novel from the Harris Brothers!!!
Blindsided is the story of Mac and Freya, who we meet in Payback and is one of the teammate of the Harris brothers. Freya and Mac start a great relationship were they find their company is great. Mac is happy about the relationship but then he start notices that Freya has some insecurities about her body and he will make whatever it takes to make sure she knows she is beautiful!!
One night they start to talk about serious stuff and Mac learns about Freya big secret, so he offers to help her to change that, and this is the moment the friendship change, but they know is nothing serious or at least thats what they think. Freya is so sure Mac wont see her like a woman he can be interested because according to her she is not the model type girl that Mac loves.
They will have a drama stage in their story where they will have to realize if they really want more and what they need to do to make that happens!
The story is bloddy amazing, i love these 2 soo much!! and im so happy Amy wrote their story!! I’m so excited to read more about this people, like for example what is the situation with Santino and Tilly who is Mac’s sister!!
If you have love the Harris brothers as much as i doo you need to read this book ASAP!! is soo good!!
HOT DAMN!!!
This book wrapped me around its little finger and days after finishing it’s still with me! This is a friends to lovers story. Mac and Cookie have such a sweet chemistry… he’s all Irish and lets his mouth fly. Some of Macs one liners and insults are just truly brilliant. Cookie on the other hand is so sweet and innocent, a little naive. However, when it comes to Mac she has no problem giving him a piece of her mind.
Their European banter made me giddy, their love affair made me swoon, this sex scenes had me sweating and their heartbreak literally had me in tears. It was a rollercoaster of all the most perfect emotions.
This can be read as a stand-alone and held up fine for me however, I definitely want to go back and read all of the other boys’ stories.
I have been trying to figure out what I want to say about Blindsided since I finished the book yesterday. To somehow find a way to convey yet again how much I love Amy Daws work and her words and the love and hard work I know she puts into creating these characters and worlds that I so easily can imagine myself in (and wish I could go to!) without just sounding like a broken record because if you’ve read any of my reviews of Daws books you already know all this. I love everything about her writing almost always. Blindsided is the same way.
I want to find a way to tell you how much you’re gonna love and root for Mac and Freya and their roller coaster ride without giving everything away because I hate to spoil anything too much. But I want you to know that while this book is just as funny and make you laugh as any good rom com book should ; it will also hit you in all the feels and if you’re anything like me you may see yourself more in Freya Cook than you ever have any of Amy’s heroins before her. And I do mean that in the best way possible.
This story hits on all levels and is a must read. If you’ve read Amy’s books before you’ll enjoy going back into her London world and getting to know these two fiery funny stubborn red heads as they fall in love with each other while getting a glimpse of some of your favortie characters from the past.
If you haven’t read Amy before this one can certainly be a starting point but I promise you’ll want to go back and read the others when you’re done 🙂
Lastly I just want to thank Amy for giving this character a voice. I think every woman can find a bit of herself in Freya and it’s always good to remember that we all have this voice in our heads that lies to us about something or other. And while it’s a thing of beauty to have a man come along and help to calm that voice the way Mac does for Freya the beauty is in the moment you realize you’re the one strong enough to silence it when you stop letting the lie be your truth.
Blindsided is Amy Daws’ newest sexy footballer romance. It’s a spinoff of the Harris Brothers series, but can be read as a standalone. I’m a huge fan of Amy’s and her writing! Blindsided is a best mates to lovers story with the sexy as sin loud-mouthed ginger footballer, Maclay Logan and the plus-sized, cat loving seamstress, Freya, who he loves to bicker with. I fell for both Mac and Freya in Payback. When they met I could just feel the sparks! I was a little worried that Amy wasn’t going to give us their story, but she loves us! I don’t even know what the thing that pulled me in was? Their instant fighting. Their chemistry? His red hair. I mean, come on, I love redheads! Maybe it was his accent or the tattoos? Or her laugh and her love of cats or her genuine happiness at just living life. Maybe it was all of that. Their story did all my ideas and thoughts justice! And then some. They are best friends. They hang out every night just watching Nextlix and arguing. Freya lets it slip that she’s never been with a man and Mac takes it upon himself to teach her how to seduce a man. This is his best friend and he can’t have her going into a relationship or sex without knowing what to do. They can be intimate and still be best friends. Right? Yes and no! Having an end date makes it easier, but when feelings start to creep in, who’s going to be the first to give in? They are both so stubborn. Mac’s oblivious and Freya is afraid to admit her feelings. I wanted to smack them both! But I just knew it was going to be ok. Freya was going to share her heart. Mac was going to finally find the right words (cue the tears!) and they would find a way to forever, together. Swoon! Seriously, Mac stole my heart. I wasn’t expecting to fall so hard for him, but he got me! With his loudness, honesty and his unexpected sweetness. Freya is so strong and sensitive and yes, she’s plus-sized but she’s comfortable in her own skin. I loved seeing a bigger heroine. There aren’t enough of them out there! Overall, I loved every second of it! I laughed out loud, cried big fat tears and didn’t want it to end. I need more Mac!
You guys, Mac and Freya are just…just….utter and complete perfection!!
Freya is a girl after my own heart. I totally relate to her social awkwardness and her wicked sense of humor too. Her insecurities match my own and I love her so hard for her personal growth throughout the book and I wish we were best of friends. Just two wallflowers in a beautiful Harris filled world.
Mac is a gorgeous caveman of a Scotsman that isn’t afraid to own his emotions. Hello, swoon! He is the ultimate friend to Freya by the way he calls her out for her self shaming, helping her to see herself as the beautiful wee treasure that she is, and supports her by offering to love coach her to help curve her awkwardness around men. What could possibly go wrong with that? Feelings, that’s what. Super hott, ear burning, all. the. feelings.
Mac and Freya have been best mates since the day they met, they have tons in common, and are fiercely protective of each other. They have a pretty easy going relationship most of the time since they bicker like an old married couple the rest of the time. But Mac adores Freya so when she lets it slip that she’s an almost thirty year old virgin, of course he wants to make sure that she’s, you know, well taken care of. Because that’s what best mates do! Sort of. I mean, why leave it to some random bloke when your best friend knows you better than anyone, right? So what if he just happens to be an uber gorgeous famous footballer, stacked with tatted muscles that leave you weak in the knees, and can melt your knickers with just a hint of a smile? Crikey, Saints preserve us!
I’ve literally been dying for their story and I was not disappointed! This book was everything I knew it could be and so much more. I laughed so hard and even cried some too. Amy Daws has a way of completely immersing you in her worlds. These are more than characters, they’re family. Seeing all our favorites in the Harris world and catching up with their families was like a long awaited reunion. As always, Daws knocked it out of the stadium!
I call this book sheer rom-com perfection!! I laughed, I cried, Amy Daws pulled me apart and put me back together in Blindsided!! Mac and Freya- best Netflix watching, cat loving friends!!
You think your are reading this sweet fun rom-com and then you realize the complex beautiful people Amy Daws creates in her books!! They are quirky and funny and real!!
Mac is this incredible guy. Loyal to his family and friends- and loyal to a fault to himself. Freya is amazing. Feels strong in her thoughts of herself but still has insecurities.
This book is a wonderful journey of falling in love with not just your best friend but yourself!! The Harris brother connections are amazing as always!!! This can be read as a stand-alone but knowing the Harris Brothers history is like going home. It really makes you laugh and cry with how strong family is to all of them and how they all support one another with real feelings.
Read this book!! Appreciate those in your life!! Love Amy Daws and her books- only she can make you love kilts and cat quotes! All wrapped up into a happily ever after!!!
Let me start off by saying this isn’t a book you breeze through. This is “THE BOOK” you savor. You take in every word. You listen to it. Reading and hearing this story in their accents makes you feel apart of their world. You feel these people, not characters, because I think of them as someone I would know.
I knew this book was going to be special. Amy took very real people and presented very real issues in a comical at times, thoughtful and respectful way. Don’t worry you get Amy in all her adorable, loveable, crazy and thoughtful beautifulness. However, this time Amy raised her level of writing to a whole other level. The situations were extremely identifiable. The people in the story were varied, in other words not all modelesque, but each beautiful in their own way. What I wouldn’t give to be in Amy’s mind for just a little while. I’m not sure how she does it but she always outdoes herself. The way she is able to so naturally transition characters from one situation and their feelings to another seems effortless on her part. What I loved was many of our favorites from past books were interspersed in the story. In fact, the author left me with some more questions. I’m hoping she explores that more because my curiosity is certainly piqued. For all you Tanner fans I’m just going to say Tanner is still Tanner. That’s always a good thing!
Don’t be worried this book is a standalone but seriously, when you read this book you will definitely want to read all the other books by Amy Daws.
The banter between Mac and Freya is so natural and real you will find yourself smiling much of the time and then bringing in the tissues at others. Freya is so identifiable, you’ll probably think you know her. What a delight. Her insecurities and growth will speak to you on so many levels. The one who really got me was Mac. Although he’s a famous footballer we never think about these famous people having real lives before and after they gain success. What goes through their minds. They weren’t born famous they had people who helped make them who they grew up to be. What really goes through their minds? How do they sort everything out and remain themselves? Like the Grinch your heart will grow exponentially while taking all this in. The story will remain with you long after you’re done. It brings all the emotion and feels to the table. You will definitely feast on this story and Never Will You Ever not think of rooftop restaurants again along with so many other aspects of this book.
I so would love to talk about this book but that would be unfair to the author. This is a book that deserves to be read and you deserve to read it! Yes, this is Amy where she builds you up, breaks you down and then brings it all home, except this time it’s done on a whole different level. This is Amy 2.0! Let me tell you, you’ll want to and need to experience that Amy!
It is after midnight as I sit here in emotional upheaval from this bloody fantastic book!! I don’t know how Amy Daws does it, but her talent for creating characters is huge and I hope she never stops!
Mac and Freya were absolutely delightful together! Mac, the larger than life footballer that he is, can watch Heartland and play with kittens like his life depends on it. Freya, the quirky heroine that I live for and identify with so much and who really came into her own in this book. I was so proud of her!
This book was hot and funny, but at the same time ripped my heart out in certain parts. Full on tears were shed and this author killed me with her words.
I can’t say enough words to express how much I loved this book, so let me just say that this will definitely be going on my favorites list for 2019!
I love friends to lovers romance. Blindsided is my all time favorite. These relationships are so different than others. Both see each other as they are. Freya only saw her curves and thought that no guy would want her because of them. She was in a circle of friends who were in her eyes had perfect body types. Something she felt she lacked. But from the day she met Mac he saw her for the beautiful person she was. He was not turned off by her curves. In fact he was attracted to them if truth be known. After all he was a footballer which meant he was a big guy. Why would he want a girl who he could break, literally, if he hugged her.
When they started to have sex they both knew it was for a limited time, just to get Freya comfortable to go out and meet someone. Freya also knew Mac was not a relationship type of guy. He has listened to his grandfather all his life who told him girls only made you weak. What these two shared with their friendship was the foundation most people have when they make a commitment and eventually marry. There was no false praise, in fact they never even discussed football when they were together. Freya never held back. She told him exactly how she felt. They even fought like an old married couple. The only two people who didn’t know they were in a relationship was Freya and Mac. It took them a while but eventually they got in the game and it was the greatest game of their life.
Mac and Freya’s friendship takes center stage in the most delightful installment of the Harris brothers series. After almost a solid year as ‘best mates’ they decide to take a little walk on the side of uncharted territory for each of them, with an arbitrary one month deadline. What could go wrong? And, what could go right. This story had me laughing, crying, shaking my head and crossing my fingers. Mac, Freya, and company touched my heart. Well done, Amy Daws!
How the heck can each book get better and better?! I have loved the Harris Brothers from the beginning, the family is just completely hilarious and full of crazy love. I was extremely skeptical about these off shoot books about Roan and now Mac because they aren’t fully part of the Harris world, but man oh man was I wrong. Roan was sexy and great, but Mac is by far my favorite from all of Amy Daws’s books. There is something so endearing about a Scottish oaf who is blunt, clueless, sweet, sensitive and enjoys cuddling to Heartland! While Mac is all that and a bag of chips, Freya is just as fierce of a character… she is definitely my favorite female from all the Harris brothers stories (apparently this book is just my all around favorite). I am not sure why but I had a hard time picturing Freya until Amy posted her inspiration in a newsletter and her entire character fell into place for me. Freya is real, insecure, loud and I love the constant bickering between her and Mac. The storyline of Freya being a 30 year old virgin and needing her friend to help be her love coach had me cringing a little, I was confused how on earth it could be believable… but I obviously shouldn’t have worried. The friendship between Mac and Freya was so real that I didn’t even focus on her being an inexperienced 30 year old, it was such an easy transition to picture them going from friends to lovers… the scenes were sexy but included so much laughter. Amy Daws doesn’t do just meaningless romance, there were some major heartfelt moments and tears shed. I loved the sharing of fears by all the females before the Hen Party, it brought out so many emotions and helped me connect to all characters!
Edit for audio review added :
I read this book when it released last year and I still downloaded the audio the minute it became available because I can never have too much Mac and Freya in my life! Will Watt did an amazing job portraying Mac (and all the guys), I could seriously listen to his accent all day long! He brought out the frustration and bellowing of Mac perfectly. Charlotte Cole is spot on for how I pictured Freya sounding. She nailed every aspect; the laugh snort, the bickering and even the nervous shrill voice! The book got 5 stars but the audio deserves an abundance of stars and I will definitely be listening anytime I need a Mac and Freya fix!
While this can be read as a stand-alone, I prefer to read books “in order” so you get the full impact of the story. This is a spin-off book from the Harris Brothers series. I liked Freya and Mac from previous books and was happy to get their story.
Freya is a very relatable character. She’s funny, quirky, sweet, honest, and insecure (about her weight, being good enough, etc that many, if not all, of us have). I liked how open she was with Mac and also how she didn’t just easily let him waltz back into her life after the drama happened.
Mac was a fun, charming, loyal, caring yet thick-skulled character. He was set in his ways and didn’t want to budge till finally he saw the light.
I really enjoyed Mac and Freya’s friendship, their banter, their pride in the others accomplishments. I especially loved how Mac helped Freya see how beautiful she was, inside and out.
I will say, the reconciliation happened a little quickly and tidily, but it was still a quick and enjoyable read. Thank you Amy for this copy. This is my honest review.
4.5 stars
Well this book may just be one of my favourites written by this brilliantly quirky, crazy minded author. Amy Daws manages to make you laugh out loud to the extent that you make yourself look a fool (note to self, don’t read her books in public). Anyways, her sense of humour, makes her books for me. And the way she has the people, places, sayings and situations real and spot on, contribute to a well rounded story.
The banter in his book is brilliant not only between Freya and Mac but everyone. But it’s not all laughs. There are other side’s to it and I cried quite a bit as well. Sport’s romances are one of my favourite to read and this series just happens to be one that I absolutely love. Maybe because it’s set where I live, I’m not sure. This book has all the feels for me and although it’s not a Harris family book, if you want to be picky but for me it really is. It can be anything else.
This book is a huge recommend from me, I have been vague in my review for a reason. Spoilers are not my thing.