Fearless King

Fearless King is book four in the Kings of Rittenhouse series by Maya Hughes. For all of you Ford fans, you are finally getting his story. You can definitely read this as a stand alone. The characters do recur, though, in each book, so you would just be lacking the emotional connection to the rest of the group. In my case, I have read the prequel and book three before this one.

Ford Atherton has been best friends with Colm since they were kids. They played hockey together in high school and college. They are now professional hockey players playing for Philly. Colm has been sent to Los Angeles to rehab an injured knee while Ford and the rest of the group are in the middle of their season.

Ford has watched Colm’s younger sister who is about six years younger than he is, grow up. She and Colm lost their parents in a tragic accident years ago so they are all each other has now. Ford always thought of her as a sort of little sister as well, until one day he realized she wasn’t a kid anymore, and he definitely wasn’t thinking about her as a sister.

Olivia (Liv) Frost has had a crush on Ford since she was a kid. She followed her brother and his friends around just to get closer to him. Unfortunately, as she got older, Ford’s younger brother, Grant, developed a crush on her, one she never returned. But it just complicated matters. Then, about eighteen months ago, the kiss happened. The kiss that would make any other kiss pale in comparison. For about an hour, both she and Ford had stars in their eyes, allowing them both to dream about a future together. Then the night took a drastic turn and all hopes were ground into the dirt.

“Anything to do with Ford was a one-way trip to heartache. Been there, done that, got the jersey.”

Now, Liv is nearly twenty one and Ford is twenty six. Liv is in her junior year of college planning to be a doctor. She spends her days in classes or studying, endless hours upon hours studying, trying to beat the information into her brain. Her parents were doctors and it was their dream that she follow in their footsteps. It’s also her brother’s dream for her. Colm is more than over-protective of her. He follows every grade, every detail of her life. Liv isn’t sure anymore who she is living her life for, herself, or her brother. The only break she allows herself is dancing. She teaches a few classes a week at a local studio. When she is dancing, she is free.

She and Ford haven’t talked since that night a year and a half ago. But now all of a sudden, he is trying to initiate himself back into her life. She tried to leave him behind, to shut off her feelings for him after that awful night. But one touch and she’s right back where she started. He says he just wants to be friends again. Can she do that, be friends with him while still secretly craving him? Is it better to have him back in her life any way she can than not at all? At the same time, his younger brother, Grant, is still trying to ask her out. She has no interest in him except as a friend. But if he knew how she felt about Ford, he would be devastated.

I really enjoyed watching these two slowly build a relationship. With Ford’s busy travel schedule with the team, texts and phone calls were often all they had. But it gave them a safe way to communicate, to reconnect. Soon, though, it’s not enough. They need more. It does seem that the universe is against them, though. With Liv’s busy schedule, Ford’s practice and game schedule, and their friends, something is always getting in the way. When they finally do come together, it was everything.

“Hiding from your problems wasn’t how you fixed them, it only made them that much worse when they were brought out into the light of day.”

There were so many secrets, long buried issues between Ford and Colm that should have been shared, the situation with Grant, and so many more. And when everything comes out, so many people are involved, and so much trust is lost. So many problems could have been avoided if they had been honest with one another.

This is a story of one woman, Liv, who I thought was the strongest character of all involved here, finally deciding who she wanted to live her life for. And for Ford, finally coming to terms with some things in his past long buried and how it affects his life now. I loved Ford’s little brother Grant. Wait until you meet their mom, Sylvia. This woman can seriously bake! Prepare to crave cookies!!! And Colm, well, you might not want to hear how I feel about him. He clearly is in pain, and has so much to figure out. The final book in the series will be his story. There is so much anger there. I can’t wait to see who will help him find his way back.

“Anywhere with her was where I wanted to be.”

Ford has always had a crush on Liv but he’s kept his distance. He’s best friends with her brother and he wouldn’t approve. Liv has always had a crush on Ford but assumed he didn’t see her that way. Then one day they kissed and the sparks were there. Will they act on those or keep pretending?

This is the book I’ve been waiting for in this series. We got to know Olivia and Ford through out the previous books. I love a friends to lovers and best friend’s sister romance so this one filled those cravings. Plus is a sports romance, right up my alley. There is a lot of emotion in this one. You could tell right from the start that it was going to be plus I knew it was going to hit me right in the heart. I loved Olivia and Ford. They pulled me right into the story. I can’t wait for the last book in the series because based on what happened in this it’s going to be one heck of a ride.

4.5 stars

The Kings are back and Maya Hughes does not disappoint!! This series just gets better and better with each book!! I’ve been patiently waiting for Ford’s book and its finally here and it is so much more than I ever expected!! Maya nailed the slow burn, angst, angry brother and messy relationships!! I loved all the stolen touches, glances and moments Ford and Liv shared, but I loved their private, and not so private, moments even better! These two were hot hot hot!! You dont have to read the first three books to read Fearless King but you should because these characters are awesome and there is even some crossover moments with thw FU gang! Now to wait for Colm’s story! Its going to be so good!!

Maya Hughes is one of my favorite authors. She’s got a great way of intertwining series and favorite characters have a habit of popping up where you may not expect them. The Kings are back and this story focuses on Ford and Olive (Liv) but the rest of the crew is of course present, accounted for, and loud as always.
The tangled web between these characters is a MESS. It’s no wonder it takes them so much effort to finally get together. He’s got a secret to do with her brother’s ex-fiancé. There’s a huge misunderstanding between them about what happened at their friends’ wedding. His brother has a crush on Liv too. Liv’s brother is in a bad place and driving her to madness over medical school. It. Is. A. MESS.
This love story is messy and complicated but fantastic. There’s intense drama, steamy love scenes and some real feels all the way through. This story can stand alone, but I’d suggest the other Kings stories first for context as well as The Perfect First.
Recommend!

4 Stars

Fearless King is the fourth book in the Kings of Rittenhouse series. It’s a brothers best friend and forbidden romance. It had angst, drama, endearing moments and a Hero I was swooning left and right for.

It’s no surprise I’ve taken a liking to these characters. From the first book I was completely hooked and needed all of the Kings’ books. And I can honestly say I have not been disappointed.

I was excited for Ford’s book. And when I found out who his love interest would be it made me that more excited. I always had a feeling it’d be her, and I was all for it. Ford has always seen Olivia as his best friend’s little sister. That is until he starts seeing her in a different light, and now he can’t get her out of his head.

Olivia has always had a crush on Ford. But being younger than him and also being his best friend’s little sister she knows nothing can come of her crush. Though sometimes that’s harder said than done and the heart does always want what it wants.

The chemistry between Ford and Liv is undeniable. They try to stay away and resist each other, but it’s useless. They were off the charts sizzling and just so hot together. There are some bumps along the way and obviously Colm isn’t happy with Ford and Liv, but that’s to be expected and not at all uncalled for. And it makes me that more excited for Colm’s book and what’s to come of his relationship with his best friend and sister.

Maya has done it again. Making me fall even more for this group of friends. I seriously can’t get enough of these Kings! Bring on the next book, I need Colm.

I’ve read every book so far in this series and I must say that this one has to be my favorite. I don’t know what it is about these two that just gets my heart going but it does. Liv and Ford have thus spark that sets the pages on fire and we have to see how it ends. Thank you for giving us a great series and I look forward to the next one. I give it 5 stars. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book as an Advanced Reader’s Copy.