Love breaks the offside rule in New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken’s irresistibly sexy Red Card romance. Successful, high-profile sports agent Matt Kingston thinks he can handle anything. Then soccer player Parker Speedman shows up at his door. She is young and gorgeous, has natural talent, and is looking for a team. She’s also a hothead with a punchy past who floored her last … who floored her last coach on live TV. Despite his misgivings, Matt agrees to be both her agent and her coach. Professional common sense says she’s off-limits. But what can he say about the raw attraction between them?
Parker plays soccer with her heart and soul. But after the events of the last year, she’s shaken. She’s already seen what a powerful man can do to a female athlete’s career. And her beloved dream is in the hands of a sexy, gorgeous man with the uncanny ability to slip past her defenses…and into her heart.
Now Matt and Parker are about to learn that when it comes to love, the only way to win is by breaking every rule they know. And by playing nice. Real nice.
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Kickin’ It was just one more reason to be a fan of Rachel Van Dyken. It was one part sports romance, one part sweet and sexy romance, and it was all parts love.
Matt was a former professional soccer player, successful sports agent, and everyone’s best friend. He had it all – a beautiful home, fast cars, expense accounts, his own prosperous business, great buddies, connections, fab clothes, and opportunities of a lifetime. He was happy. Or was he? What good is having it all with no one to share it with?
Parker was striving for a soccer career, but one moment may have derailed her future forever. Being best friends with Willow has many perks aside from her being awesome, one of them being that she’s the sister of the best agent around. Can Matt save her reputation and secure her the deal of her life? When spending time with Matt has her formidable walls crumbling apart, will he keep her and her fragile heart safe?
I absolutely loved Matt. I became quite fond of Willow and Jagger. And Parker had her moments. I enjoyed the heck out of all of the banter between these characters and I swooned so hard over the many ways that Matt wormed his way into Parker’s heart (and mine). I appreciated how the author illustrated Parker’s talent and how hard being on top can be. What she suffered is all too common and the author did an amazing job of bringing it to light. I’m so in love with these characters that I now have to go back and read the first book of the series, Risky Play, and I’ll definitely be reading the others when they’re released. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves stories about first love, friendships, redemption and hope.
4 Kickin’ Stars
Review by Lisa
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
Kickin’ It is book two in the Red Card series by Rachel Van Dyken and it is Kickin’ good!!! There was something about this story that pulls at the heartstrings. It has situations that may be a trigger for some. The balance of the hard stuff versus the fun and light-hearted banter is so well written that you have no choice but to feel the feels. There is chemistry that jumps off pages and not only for Matt and Parker!!!
Parker loves soccer with her heart and soul and everything else in between. But, her approaching college graduation starts to end things and it begins to crumble.
Matt is the super successful sports agent that is living the good life and is happy with the way things are going. But when his sister, Willow, cons him into taking Parker in, so she won’t be homeless, things get a little interesting.
What I loved about this book is not only the amazing connection drawn between Matt and Parker but all the characters. There is something about them all that you feel like you are part of them.
Of course, we get to catch up with Slade and Mac and the rest of the crew. You don’t need to read book one as each is a different couple and a standalone. But I highly recommend reading in order to see the character growth and background storylines.
***5 ‘Red Whistle’ Stars***
No Tea, No Shade.
I thought Risky Play drove me batshitcrazy, but Matt & Parker may not have surpassed the crazy that Slade & Mack put me through (with a little help from Willow), but man did they match it.
For a hot minute there I thought I was going to toss the Kindle into the freezer for a time out, but I kept at it and I absolutely fell in love with both of them while loving Slade and Mack even more and finding myself quite intrigued with all that was going on with Jagger and Willow. All in all, Kickin’ It turned out to be a totally unputdownable page turner and has me wanting more.
Matt and Parker. I ended up loving and adoring these two, I did. But did they make my eyes and head hurt in the beginning. I mean I wanted to grab them both by the ears and put them both in time out. But underneath to asshattery and lashing out are two people who are filled with passion and have really good hearts, it just takes their heads a lot more time to catch up to what’s right in front of their faces.
As for their journey to their HEA. Rocky is an understatement, but they do have a quite a few hurdles to get over, some small, others large enough to be life altering. Thankfully, they do find their groove and I loved watching as they got closer and found that they gave each other exactly what the other never knew they needed or wanted.
This one was a doozy on a lot of levels and there are definite triggers that are apart of the storyline, but I thought they were handled with respect and not in a gratuitous nature. I loved catching up with Slade and Mack and seeing how solid their relationship has become and then there is Jagger and Willow. I’m really interested to see where this is all going, and am crossing my toes that Jagger’s grandma makes an appearance or two in his book, but she promises to be awesome!
~ Copy provided by the publisher & voluntarily reviewed ~
I loved it!!
Parker. OMG, love her! She’s so strong yet so emotionally fragile. Defensive. Protective of herself because she hasn’t felt she had anyone to help protect her. I loved watching her go from closed off to flourishing under the warmth and caring of Matt. Matt, who we already have met. He’s a little anal. A lot hot and alpha. Also very protective and caring despite his gruff exterior. Loved, loved, loved their story! And the voice actors were perfect. I listened and read this depending on where I was.
Oh my, all the yesssssss to this series! Matt has definitely become my favorite in this series so far. He’s looming and demanding as an agent, a friend, and even a coach. But he’s good at what he does. And seeing him trying to avoid crossing that blurry line between him and Parker was an absolute sight.
Everything about these two was intriguing. Parker definitely has a story to tell, but it isn’t an easy one. Her character development was something that I was eager to read about. The pain she has endured, she’s doing everything she can to move on with her life. But the only way she be able to move on is to face what happened to her.
Matthew was such the perfect person to have in her corner. Despite these two being like oil and water in the beginning, there was always this simmering layer underneath all of that. I just loved how fierce and protective he became of Parker almost instantly. And I can respect a man that changes his tune when he knows he was wrong about something.
We got the see more of the bromance between Matt, Slade and Jagger. And it’s just the absolute best, can these 3 go on a boys trip. I would love to read about it. Their banter alone could seriously be it’s own book.
Overall, just a solid read with real issues that need to be brought forward more and more. Parker was so bold and strong by the end, and I just admired her so much. And Matt was just EVERYTHING!
Loved this book so much and everyone in it!
**I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY READER’S COPY FROM THE PUBLISHER IN CONSIDERATION FOR A REVIEW. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR CONTENT OF MY REVIEW**
Rachel Van Dyken
I loved Matt and Parker. Parker was really struggling with an issue she didn’t want the world to known. Where as Matt has an idea of what has happened he doesn’t want to be looked at in the same way. It was nice to see that their relationship wasn’t instalove. In my eyes their relationship grew over the time of the book.
I also enjoyed hearing about Willow and Jagger in this book. I’m hoping we will hear more about them in the future.
Love breaks the offside rule in New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken’s irresistibly sexy Red Card romance.
Successful, high-profile sports agent Matt Kingston thinks he can handle anything. Then soccer player Parker Speedman shows up at his door. She is young and gorgeous, has natural talent, and is looking for a team. She’s also a hothead with a punchy past who floored her last coach on live TV. Despite his misgivings, Matt agrees to be both her agent and her coach. Professional common sense says she’s off-limits. But what can he say about the raw attraction between them?
When it comes to love, the only way to win is by breaking every rule you know.
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads, so here is my review.
Matt is the sports agent of some high priced, high profile great soccer players. Loves his life as a single man and loves his baby sister. While talking to her, she tells him she wants to be just like him, so she is coming home to learn from the best, him. What he doesn’t hear is that her best friend/roommate is coming with her and they both need a place to stay. When Matt sees Parker he is drawn to her but she is his sister’s friend and that means she is too young for him.
Parker wants two things, have Matt be her agent and get her back on the soccer field. It’s the only thing she wants until she sees Matt. She is drawn to him and would to more than just his client. But her past might get in the way.
Can Matt help Parker train to get ready to show the local team she is ready to play? Will Parker trust Matt enough to tell him what happened to her? Can they make a relationship work between them off the soccer field? Will Matt kill Jagger for trying to date his baby sister?
After reading the first book, I knew I wanted to read Matt’s story and wow what a story it was. It has all the feels I love in a great story, I was laughing one minute and crying the next. I would recommend you read the first book but you don’t have to. But why would you miss Slade and Mack’s story? And I hope there is a story coming for Jagger and Willow.
**Wicked Reads Review Team**
What can I say? It’s RVD and she continues to amaze me… Kickin’ It is a steamy page turner! Don’t miss this!
Kickin’ It by Rachel Van Dyken is book Two in the Red Card Series. This is the story of Parker Speedman and Matt Kingston. I have read (and Loved!) the previous books but feel you could make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Parker is a very talented soccer player but has been pretty much blacked-balled after she did something to her coach on Live TV. Parker does have past issues that seems to touch on her present life. But then her friend Willow offers her a help, which leads to her to Matt. Matt is a Agent who has to keep his team member clients in line which isn’t easy of course. So when his sister moves in to his house offering to help him with things and to learn the business, he wasn’t ready for who she was bringing…Parker. Now besides having his sister underfoot he has Parker who is young, beautiful and hothead then all this leads him to start helping her get back into what she wants to do.
Loved this book, their story and this writer!!! Most have more soon from Ms. Van Dyken.
Love breaks the offside rule in New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken’s irresistibly sexy Red Card romance.
Successful, high-profile sports agent Matt Kingston thinks he can handle anything. Then soccer player Parker Speedman shows up at his door. She is young and gorgeous, has natural talent, and is looking for a team. She’s also a hothead with a punchy past who floored her last coach on live TV. Despite his misgivings, Matt agrees to be both her agent and her coach. Professional common sense says she’s off-limits. But what can he say about the raw attraction between them?
When it comes to love, the only way to win is by breaking every rule you know.
KICKIN’ IT is the second instalment in Rachel Van Dyken’s contemporary, adult RED CARD soccer romance series. This is thirty year old, former professional soccer player turned agent Matt Kingston, and up and coming soccer star Parker Speedman’s story line. KICKIN’IT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. There is also a relationship developing in the background between Matt’s sister Willow, and his best friend and soccer player Jagger Komokov.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Matt and Parker) KICKIN’ IT follows the building relationship between former professional soccer player turned agent Matt Kingston, and up and coming soccer star Parker Speedman. Matt Kingston’s sister Willow will be spending the summer interning under her brother in the field of professional sports agent. Hoping for a chance at representation Willow brings home her best friend and soccer phenom Parker Speedman, a young woman whose soccer career has been stalled when she punched out her coach on national TV. Not looking to babysit his younger sister, or her angry best friend, Matt is surprised to discover that not all is at is seems with Parker Speedman. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Parker and Matt, and the potential fall-out as their relationship comes under scrutiny, as well as Parker’s sins of the past.
Matt Kingston is a well-to-do, high profile sports agent and struggles with his attraction to his sister’s best friend, a young woman whose secrets are slowly destroying her sense of well-being and personal worth. Parker Speedman knows that her reputation as a hot-head may have destroyed any hopes of a professional career but having survived the abuse of someone she trusted meant she could survive the threats and innuendo of the people in charge.
Meanwhile, there is a relationship developing between Matt’s sister Willow, and his best friend and soccer player Jagger Komokov. Jagger has a reputation as a bit of a man-wh*re and Matt battles his need to protect the sister he loves.
The relatiomship between Matt and Parker begins acrimoniously. Matt wants nothing to do with Willow or Parker but suspects there is more to the story than meets the eye. Parker’s outburst shield a broken young woman whose life is slowly spiralling out of control. The $ex sense are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are reintroduced to Slake and Mackenzie Rodriguez (Risky Play #1), Jagger Kozlov as well as Willow Kingston, professional head coach Darius Peters, and college coach Erik Sluvan.
KICKIN’ IT is a story of family, friendship, betrayal and vengeance. The premise is engaging and enlightening; the romance is seductive and sultry; the characters are colorful and energetic. Jagger Komokov’s grandmother, although we never meet her has some of the funniest moments throughout the story.
Rachel Van Dyken held no punches (or should I say kicks) in this book. Kickin’ It is number 2 in this series by its already #1 in my mind. It’s hard not to fan girl when you see faces from the past and other stories visiting. I absolutely squealed at the realization of who was in this book. Some surprising new faces I hope we learn a lot more about in the future too!
Crazed screaming aside, Kickin’ It has everything in its pages. complete with:
* A tension filled, list swirling relationship.
* A secret that crushes its owner.
* A big brother with protector complex.
* A sexy vixen with a mouthy attitude and quick wit.
* A best friend more than worth her weight in gold.
* Real men. Not those cowards who pretend to be men.
Sorry my mouthy attitude is starting to come out! Rachel Van Dyken takes a sensitive subjects and nails it’s balls to the wall in a totally badass way. She shines a light on a topic that, while it gets its own sound bites, can’t be said enough. I want to make her a tiara for her words and the way she makes a heroine into a hero.
Parker is a badass. She’s mouthy, stubborn and the kind of girl you want in your corner. She just needs the right people in hers. Kicking’ It gives her and the reader that and more.
4 star Review Kickin’ by Rachel Van Dyken
Matt Kingston and Parker Speedman are like fire and ice, they shouldn’t work but they do.
Matt is a successful, well jnown sports agent and Parker, a talented soccer player who wants him to not only represent her but to coach her. Parker has a colourful and fiery past and Matt to his surprise finds himself agreeing despite himself.
The chemistry between them is intense but they both know the last thing they should be doing is crossing the line. Even though Matt knows that getting involved with Parker is a bad idea he cannot ignore the passion and attraction that arcs between them.
Matt cares for Parker, that is a given, but the question is how far will he go in his support and care for the feisty soccer player? I liked how hard he fell for her and that Parker is such an interesting character, strong on the soccer field, but vulnerable off it and at times my heart hurt for her. I loved that Matt saw through all of this and was supportive and uplifting in so many ways.
The secondary characters were great, particularly Willow, Jagger, Mackenzie and Slade and were just as entertaining as Matt and Parker. The banter between them had me laughing out loud and there were some seriously hot scenes.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.
it was amazing
She did it again
Rachel took a forbidden love and turned it into an amazing love story with alot of laughs.
Matt is what an older brother is suppose to be protective and supportive of his little sister but then there’s her best friend.
There is nothing sweeter then what’s forbidden
4.25 – 4.5 Stars
We all remember sports agent Matt from the first book.
He’s a bit high-strung, he seems old for his age of only 30 years. His job is very hard – trying to keep all those famous athletes in check.
Enter his sister Willow. The one person to make his life even harder. Even though her wanting to join his agency should make life easier for him. But not when she moves into his house – and she’s not alone.
Parker. She’s a soccer wunderkind who got blacklisted with the league after she hit her coach on live TV. But all is definitely not what it seems with her past.
Matt is fascinated and extremely attracted – but he doesn’t date clients!
Plus she’s his little sister’s friend. And she lives in his house!!!!
What will happen with Parker & Matt?
WILL THERE BE A HAPPILY EVER AFTER???
BUY THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
LOL!
Poor Matt. Living with only his sister would’ve been enough to give him ulcers. But now here’s this beautiful girl sharing a bathroom with him?! How will he survive these next few months!
And she’s not a nice and sweet houseguest either. She’s constantly fighting and arguing with him. And he hates it. Loves it. Grrr. LOL! He was kind of ready to finally settle down with the right woman. He longs for someone to come home to every night. And now he has two (way too young) someones at home and both are driving him crazy! LOLLL!
I really loved reading it this story!
It was funny and bantery and soccery. We have so many sparks between our darlings. We have adorable family moments and hilarious moments with Matt’s other clients aka Jagger and Slade! And lots of sexy moments. But we also have very serious and sad moments from Parker’s past. Her coach wasn’t a nice man…. and he’s not given up yet!
GREAT ROMANCE!
Funny, adorable, sporty, sexy, heartbreaking.
I LOVED READING IT!
I wouldn’t mind if Netflix came along and made something out of this series!!
The only things that bothered me … first … the cover! I like the pink color, but the guy is not Matt. Matt is blond and doesn’t have any tattoos. I like it better when the people on the cover fit the story – it doesn’t make any sense if they just put random people on covers! This cover looks a bit like a ..? Biker mafia metal rock romance?
Then the conversations were sometimes so weird for my brain. There were two or four people in the room and I had no idea who was saying what. There were not enough ‘stage directions’ for me to get it. But that’s probably just me. Rachel’s writing is not 100% my thing.
And then the one thing that will always take away half a star from my ratings …. nothing to do with the story, but the author. Rachel’s first thank you in the acknowledgements? She thanks god. I just can’t deal with that in my romances. If I wanted to read christian romances, I’d buy them. Which I never in a million years would do. And before I go on another anti-religion rant, I will stop this here.
KICKIN’ IT was a really adorable & funny & emotional sports romance!
Run to your nearest amazon for your own Matt – this one is MINE!!!!
Audio review
Wow…
That was an emotional story to listen to.
I absolutely loved Matt and Parker (plus the side of Willow and Jagger).
Their connection was inspiring, refreshing and so damn potent it was practically jumping from the speakers into my ears.
Their journey was rough, shrouded with doubt and past hurts and worry – but it was oh so delicious. And sexy, and sweet, and just… gah! I loved them.
The hurt, insecurity and fear were evident in the way Laurie narrated Parker’s story.
Supported by William, they made this book one that will stay with me for a long time.
Amazing job narrating you two!
4
Matt and Parker are HAWT! But they’re also a perfect fit. I loved the tension and chemistry between them that grows naturally, even though they fight it. Matt is exactly what Parker needs to realize that she doesn’t need to be shaken and only rely on herself.
I enjoyed the slow burn of this HEA and would recommend it.
Agent, Soccer, athlete, forbidden, sister’s best friend.
This was so good! Matt lets his sister come and stay and she brings her friend with her. Parker is a fabulous soccer player who lost her career when she punched her coach. Now she is trying to regroup and start over and hopefully Matt who is a top sports agent will be able to sign her to a team. The only problem is they have chemistry and she her former coach is still out there and coming after her. So good! This can be read without reading the first one but since it is a companion to the first and the secondary characters are in this one (and it was so good) I recommend reading both.
Matt and Parker had a wonderful story with deeper issues than what Slade and Mackenzie faced in book one. Though I didn’t connect with them as strongly as I did with Slade and Mack, their story was moving nonetheless.