Gia Jilani had rules.They kept her safe and her head in the game.As the NFL’s first female general manager, there were risks to be weighed and taken.Like Kai Pukui, the linebacker helping her team dominate on the field.The same quiet, beautiful man who stares too long at her and reminds her of how decadent and risky living life can be.But when Gia discovers why Kai seems so familiar and why she … discovers why Kai seems so familiar and why she feels so drawn to him, things like risks and love become secondary to loss and pain.
Gia will have to decide what’s more important — a life worth risking or a love worth losing.
SAINTS AND SINNERS READING ORDER
Last Love of Luka Hale
Roughing the Kicker
Offsides
more
Let me just say that it isn’t often a book can make me cry. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Kai and Gia, but there was a particular point in the book when I admittedly cried so hard I gave myself a headache. It was a touching story, one that kept me flipping the pages. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. Ms. Butler did a fantastic job and I can’t wait to read the other books in the series.
OFFSIDES is the third (and final) instalment in Eden Butler’s contemporary, adult SAINTS AND SINNERS erotic, romance series focusing on the professional football team the New Orleans Steamers. This is single father/ linebacker Kai Pukui, and general manager Gia Jilani’s story line . OFFSIDES can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion I recommend reading THIN LOVE (Thin Love #1), and LAST LOVE OF LUKA HALE (Saints and Sinners #1).
Told from dual third person perspectives (Gia and Kai) OFFSIDES follows the forbidden romance and relationship between twenty-eight year old, New Orleans Steamers’ linebacker Kai Pakui, and the NFL’s first female general manager, thirty-seven year old Gia Jilani. Gia Jilani is Kai Pakui’s boss, and struggles with her attraction to a man nine years her junior, as well as the bigger issue of being the boss. With Kai’s constant attempts at seduction, Gia battles with memories of the past, memories that have affected all of her other relationships. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Kai and Gia, and the potential fall-out as Gia struggles with the employee/employer dynamic, and the revelations that will break our heroine’s heart.
Kai Pukui is a single father who is financially responsible for everyone back home. But a loss in his life will bring his relationship with Gia to the forefront, a relationship that Gia wants kept hidden and behind closed doors. Gia Jilani doesn’t do relationships. Our heroine has loved and lost, and in this nothing and no one can compare to what she had twenty years earlier. Kai’s persistence begins to pay off until Gia discovers that the past has come full circle in more ways than one.
The relationship between Kai and Gia is an employee/employer relationship that struggles with Kai’s continuing efforts to seduce our story line heroine. Gia refuses to get caught up in an ‘office’ romance, a romance that could threaten her hard-fought place in the NFL. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Kai’s nine-year old daughter Keola, as well as Gia’s assistant Cat, as well as the reappearance of Kona Hale (Thin Love), and his son Ransom Hale (Thick Love).
OFFSIDES is a story of loss and grief; revelations and acceptance; moving forward and letting go of the past. The premise is engaging and captivating; the romance is seductive and hot; the characters are colorful, energetic, broken but healing. OFFSIDES is sensitive and spicy story of second chances and happily ever afters.
The perfect heartbreaking romance that proves love is worth the risk. I was so mixed with emotions while I was reading this book. My heart was in my throat and I had tears in my eyes several times. Being someones love of their life is different than actually loving someone for your entire life. Love can come in different forms and you can’t give up on the one true soul mate. The writing was perfect and the pace flowed to match it. I love this authors writing style and this is one book you don’t want to miss.
This was such a unique story! Gia is the general manager of a pro football team and Kai is one of her players. Kai wants to have a relationship with her but her heart has been closed off for years. She is willing to be in a physical relationship but she can’t get past the heartbreak she suffered during college. I really enjoyed reading the book. Their story was a hard one to read sometimes but so worth it in the end.
Thank you for the privilege of reading this book! Well done
4.5 stars for this romantic read which is so much more than boy meets girl. Offsides, initially, could be mistaken for a straight forward romance, but it takes us into deeper waters as it looks at the different faces of love and friendship, loss and grief, in an honest and heartfelt manner.
With Hawaiian heritage weaving through the story, I truly felt that I was being shown aspects of a culture I know little about but found both beautiful and intriguing. This brought a dimension to the book that held my attention and provided a a warmth which I found completely satisfying. Lovely
Offsides is a beautifully written forbidden love, sports romance that has all of the feels. There were moments when I was swooning as well as times where I was ugly crying. I loved Kai in that he is sexy, kind-hearted, and loyal. He is essentially an ideal book boyfriend! One cannot help, but admire his persistence when it comes to pursuing Gia. Gia endured a devastating heartbreak many years before and this has shaped how she approaches relationships. She has built a protective barrier around her heart. She knows that she shouldn’t get involved with the much younger lineman, but she finds herself inexplicably drawn towards Kai. These two make such a great couple, but they have many obstacles that they need to overcome. This book was full of passion complete with sizzling chemistry between Kai and Gia, but there was also moments where I found myself reaching for the tissues. Offsides is a remarkable book about love – in the past, present, and future. You will find yourself pulled into Kai’s and Gia’s story as they embark on a remarkable journey.
Offsides is an interconnected standalone novel in this author’s Saints and Sinners series. The prequel to Gia’s story can be found in The Last Love of Luka Hale and it has been recommended that the novel Thin Love be read prior to the prequel. Full disclosure: I’ve gone into this book completely blind in that I have not read Thin Love nor any of the previous books in this Saints and Sinners series and I had no trouble following along this book.
Talk about heartbreak. Holy smokes, Offsides is the very meaning of the word. Eden Butler does not hold back in this 3rd book in the Saints and Sinners series, giving us Gia and Kai’s story. The gutsy general manager and the sexy linebacker fight their immediate attraction but damn if they don’t still crave the other. With a football team that has more than enough of its own issues, you’d think that would keep both satisfied. But that undeniable yearning keeps coming to the surface over and over again and it’s anyone’s guess whether or not Gia can continue to keep her distance from the sexy Kai.
I loved their chemistry and I loved that both Gia and Kai had deep respect for the other. There is a ton thrown at both of them with past tragedies and current ones constantly getting in the way with a feeling of dread that perhaps they just weren’t meant to be. I had to hold my breath as many an encounter left the other upset or resigned as Gia seems stuck in the past and won’t allow herself to lose her soul like she did so many years ago. But I loved Kai’s persistence and the show of support and comfort when it mattered.
Their road is littered with detours and bumps that I wasn’t sure could ever right itself. But I held on and was practically in tears as the last chapters were read. Both Gia and Kai go through the wringer more than once but their affection never wavered and their witty rapport was a joy to watch. Ms. Jalani and her ‘junior’ are quite the entertaining couple and I was more than happy to get their story after we got glimpses of both of them in the prior two books.
I look forward to more of this series since Butler knows her way around a love story. A very enjoyable read, I happily give Offsides a solid 4 stars!!
This is the 3rd book in this phenomenal series. Gia is a force to be reckoned with as the 1st female NFL general manager. Kai is a sexy, kind hearted, gentle giant who is the teams’ linebacker. This is a beautifully written flawless story which is an emotional roller coaster throughout, as well as heartbreaking and with combustible chemistry. I was totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and I highly recommend this truly gifted authors’ work for all.
Gia Jilani is smart, fierce, trail blazing in a mans sport, and broken inside. She’s never recovered from losing her love 20 years ago, though no one knows anything about it. No one come close to breaking her walls down, except Kai Pukui. As much as he pushes and she fights, there’s just something there. When Kai goes through his own tragedy, Gia steps up and takes care of everything, while taking care of him. But will it be enough to completely break down everything she’s built up to let him in for good, to truly live again? You need to read this to find out! This book was filled with all the feels, lots of emotions, and tissues definitely recommended!
Eden has done it again she knocked it out of the park with this forbidden romance.
Gia and Kai’s story will keep you wanting more with the push and pull of this forbidden love story. Kai is territorial protective and will not share. Gia is strong independent and at the top of her game as the GM of the team Kai plays for.
Their chemistry is off the charts but Gia puts up a wall she is trying to keep it strictly professional after a drunken night and a kiss they can’t forget. Will Kai be able to tear down her wall? This book has all of the feels and keeps you engaged. It is hot and the passion and love is seen in this book.
Eden you rock at what you do I am glad I got the chance to read this gem!
Okay, so you know those movie that you know you shouldn’t watch by yourself, where you yell at the girl not to do what ever she is clearly going to do cuz you already know she will end up a hot mess??? Yeah that was me when I I started reading about Gia and Kai. I knoew I was going to end up ugly crying to the point where I was reading this amazing book with a HUGE knot in my throat. SO TOTALLY WORTH IT!
This book, the story of Gia and Kai and Luka was just everything. Have you ever loved something so much that it was everything you wanted but it got taken away before it’t time? Did you mourn it? This book is about what happens if you don’t mourn it correctly, will it ever leave you? NO. But can you grow from it and find the forever LAST love? Yes. That is the lesson in this beautiful story. Now don’t get me wrong, this book is not a sad little tale of woe. Nope it is so much more than that it is about LOVE, past, present and future. Gia has to grow and bloom in the love that Kai is giving her, so that she came become what she was meant to be when she thought of herself in the past. Confusing? When you read their story you will totally get it. Because this is a book that has to be experienced from beginning to end. Just don ;t read where your tears will freak out those around you. LOL
I must admit there was plenty of pages in this read that i did not like Gia, but there was also that softer side she rarely showed which made me like her even more. And holy does Kai bring out both sides of her. How could you not fall in love with him? I feel like he would look like that big hot guy we all love, but is such a big cuddly bear. Another amazing read!
Wow, this book is interesting. It had everything from heartache to secrets to love. I really felt for both characters, they both have to overcome a lot.
I loved Gia and Kia together, they might of not met in conventional sense but they found each other. They overcome so many obstacles throughout the book.
Eden Butler did amazing job on this book. She knew how to get your feelings going.
I really enjoyed this book.
Wow just wow. I knew Eden had issues with her computer and pretty much had to rewrite the book. Don’t think this book could have been any better so maybe the universe was telling her 2nd time around would create the perfect story for Gia.
I love how we start at the beginning and see other relationships from a different perspective. I also felt connected to Gia and her struggle to let herself love again.
Overall, I loved “Offsides” and highly recommend it. While it is the third book in the Saints and Sinners series, it is for the most part a standalone novel, although at least part of the timeline overlaps with that of “Roughing the Kicker,” the previous book in this series, and some of the same events are re-told from a different character’s perspective. I have read the previous book, but I don’t think I would have felt lost if I hadn’t done so. That said, I very much enjoyed “Roughing the Kicker” and recommend reading the books in order because I think having that background added to my enjoyment of this book.
Even though I had an idea of what was coming because of the events of the previous book, I was still very moved by how the characters in “Offsides” were affected. Eden Butler’s writing is very evocative, and I really did have all the feels while I was reading. The main characters, Gia and Kai, were both well-developed and incredibly likeable, and I couldn’t help but root for them to sort out their issues and find a way to be together. They both suffered so much loss and pain, and all I wanted was for them to finally experience some happiness. Thankfully, they did, but it wasn’t easy for them to get there!
If my understanding is correct, “Offsides” is the last book currently planned in the Saints and Sinners series, but I can’t help but hope that Ms. Butler will consider revisiting this world one last time to fill in the blanks about the romance between secondary characters Cat and Kenya. It seems like there’s a lot more to their story than what we’ve seen so far. In any event, I’m looking forward to seeing what Eden Butler writes next, regardless of whether it’s related to this series or not!
*ARC provided by the author via Xpresso Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.
I have not read the rest of this series so maybe my perception is off because I didn’t see any of the build up. I just never really felt the connection between them and I think that took away my enjoyment here.
This is about an NFL manager who is a female, and one of her players who is a linebacker. The premise was there, and it peaked my interest. I just never got invested though.
I know others will probably like this so I am going to chalk it up to a case of “It’s me not you.”
Gia is a strong woman that takes no prisoners when it comes to her job. Kai stares and attracts her like no other. These two are so different but have painful pasts. The relationship between them burned hot and bright. A lovely read.
I didn’t realise that this was the third book in a series but, although reading at least the first book in the series would give some background, it can be read as a standalone.
“Nine years and a professional line separated them.”
Gia Jilani has a top job in a man’s world. She can’t afford to make mistakes, especially getting involved with someone at work. And, a guy younger than her, too. Besides all that, she’s shied away from real relationships for the past twenty years. She’s been down that road before and she’s not willing to risk her heart again.
“When are you gonna stop running from me?”
Kai Pukui has been noticing Gia from the first moment they met but he’s never made a move because she’s basically his boss. A chance encounter outside of work breaks down some of the walls, but it’s a tough battle to get Gia give him a chance. There seem to be too many obstacles in the way, not least her denial of the spark between them. However, when life deals Kai a tough hand, Gia steps up without thought, but is there a future for them?
I must admit that it took a little while to really get into this story but that was more because of the writing style. Once I got into the meat of the story, I started to really enjoy it.
“Kai never got friendly vibes from Gia. He never got anything but heat and passion and chemistry so thick it felt nuclear.”
The initial encounter between Kai and Gia was pretty sensual and sexy. There is a definite attraction between them but Gia is stubbornly determined to keep him at arm’s length. She’s incredibly protective of her heart because under her tough, efficient exterior, she’s soft and really caring. Kai is a little cocky, a little arrogant, but actually a real sweetheart. I adored the love he had for his family. I also loved that even though he was younger than Gia, he certainly knew how to take command of her. There’s a mystery to Gia’s past life that we see through her memories. As the story progresses, we get a couple of twists in the tale that really gripped me. Overall, a decent story with steamy scenes, heartbreak, and love.
This book broke my heart and then pieced it back together again so many times. My heart ached for Gia and everything she’s endured. This has been a long road of self discovery and truth for Gia. Kai just wraps you up in his warmth and humor. He’s genuine and beautiful inside and out. The angst and tragedy tore me apart and kept me speeding through the pages to know more. So amazingly written. Such a sexy, heart breaking, and heart pounding read. I could not get enough! Absolute, must read!
4.5 Stars
“You can’t have a last love without a first love.”
While OFFSIDES is listed as a stand-alone in the Saints and Sinners Series, I think you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t read LAST LOVE OF LUKA HALE to understand who and what Gia is. It fills in a lot of the blanks at the beginning of OFFSIDES and I think it would make the reading experience more enjoyable.
Gia is a grown woman who excels in a “man’s world”. She defies gender roles and is able to be everything INCLUDING vulnerable. She has built up walls due to her past experiences and it is not easy to see her so closed off from the world. Kai is 9 years her junior yet has so much life experience that he is older than his years. He is interested in tearing down Gia’s walls so that he can get to know the “real” her. I like everything about Kai including his capacity for emotion.
This book was well written with emotion and angst. Gia bugged me a little bit because for such a strong woman with strong beliefs she… well, i don’t want to give it away.
I absolutely recommend this story.