When my ex-wife told me she was leaving West Virginia, I was angry. Our marriage was over, it had been for a long time, but now she’s abandoning our son, and neither of us are happy about it. My assistant, Amber, and I have been flirting for months. There’s a strong connection between us, and we both know it. Tapping into our mutual love for basketball, I bring Amber on to help coach my son’s … my son’s team.
Now my ex is back and making demands. I know I should always trust my gut. When I don’t, things go wrong, and it leaves us with a lesson…
It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish … rise up!
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5 Stars
What a phenomenal book to add to the Coach’s Love Series! Vincent has not had an easy time of it and the way this story changes the lives and future for him and Ethan is wonderful. This book will have you going through a whole bunch of emotions while your jaw hangs and your eyes tear up. Ms. Mello tackles some series issues as well as a lot of realistic everyday situations between a single dad and the woman he cares for as well as a dad and his son. I loved Vincent, Amber and Ethan’s journey to happily ever after and how they always remembered to “rise up”!
Cara – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
I say all in one because this book pretty much has everything! You have disgust, anger, tears, laughter, excitement, love, family, happiness, romance, and steamy. The Rise Up moto they use is brilliant! You really can use it for anything! I am so happy that Ethan got his Mom back!! The Celtic’s game and the baby gender had me in stitches!!! Another great book by Allison Mellor aka Vivian Fiano! There were a few grammatical errors but still a great story.
His wife abandoned him and his son, so they started using this phrase to help them thru it, Rise Up. He loved his son and would never let what she had done taint him. She had been dumped because of things she had no control over and had made some bad choices that were haunting her, so they shared Rise Up. When things changed for the better between them and circumstances tested them, together they as unit reminded themselves to Rise Up. Rise Up and stand strong, Rise Up and face it head on, Rise Up and be proud and strong. It worked for them and this author shows us how it’s done. Great story of love over pain and about forgiveness and support. A sweet and sexy romance that proves sometimes all you can and need to do is Rise Up.
Vincent Wilder is ready to move on from his ex-wife, Laney, after she left him to forward her career. Now he has realized he has feelings for his assistant, Amber, but knows he can’t cross the “boss/employee” line. Vincent does his best as a single dad to Ethan but he knows Ethan still has issues from his mom leaving.
Amber is attracted to Vincent but doesn’t want to get involved with him in case things don’t go well and she loses her job. But when an opportunity comes up she knows it may be the sign she has been looking for.
As things begin to heat up between Amber and Vincent his ex-wife comes back and things may not go as Vincent hoped they would. Can everyone “rise up” and overcome everything they are faced with?
I enjoyed the basis of the book but I found that I struggled with the writing in the book and felt like it was forced and did not flow. Although their were obstacles in the book I never seemed to doubt that things wouldn’t work as things seemed almost too easy.
I thought Vincent was a great father and extremely dedicated to Ethan. Vincent was flirting quite a bit with Amber when she was working with him so you knew things had to move along quickly and then the perfect opportunity arose.
I liked Amber but I was struggling how she never changed her locks after the ring incident. I know that would be something I would do right away and I was surprised that Vincent didn’t force her. I could be wrong and missed it but then it doesn’t go with an event later in the book.
Things between Amber and Vincent progressed quickly but at the same time at the beginning they were taking things “slow” which almost felt silly with the way they were.
So Laney was definitely an interesting one and as a mom I could understand why she wanted to see her child but I didn’t like the way she was going about everything. I was blown away by what happened at Christmas and I liked that they addressed things but at the same time because I had no attachment to her I found I just didn’t care what happened.
I liked Ethan and thought he was a great character but was pretty “perfect” for a 13 year old as I do have one at home. The incident at school was very warranted and I was initially mad at how that all went down.
I struggled a little with the dialogue for some of the sex scenes in the book and some of the lines. They actually made me disconnect from the book as I found them unbelievable that people would say and think certain things.
The end was ok as everything seemed to wrap up so perfectly that I just found it almost too fake. That being said it is just the way that I felt and I know others will love it!
-By Rebecca
I was really excited to see Vincent get a book after everything that went down in the first book and while I liked it, I was thinking it would be more climactic. I’m not meaning that in a bad way, because it was a good book and I really thought that Amber was a great match for Vincent. I just thought the drama aspect was boring. We get some ex drama and it did keep me intrigued but the end…… just wasn’t as intense as I hoped. It was all wrapped up in a nice little bow, and I look forward to reading more in this series, of more comes but it wasn’t my favorite. I am struggling on whether it give it 3 or 4 stars but I’m going to buy it to 4. It did keep me intrigued and I really liked the characters. 4 stars #2OCC Reviews
This author once again brings us a heartwarming and emotional story about a single dad finding love again. Vincent is a single dad of a teenage son and Amber is single and Vincent’s assistant. Loved that not only did we get Vincent and Amber’s story we also got to catch up with characters from previous books. The story flowed smoothly and the characters are believable and well developed. I can’t wait to see what this author comes up with next.
Alison Mello has written another wonderful story. I loved following Vincent and Amber’s story. The theme of rising up to meet any challenge that comes at you is a great idea for anyone. I look forward to reading more by this author.
This is the third and final installment of The Coaches Love Series. Vincent has recently divorced his ex-wife, when she moved to New York for her career over being a mother. They have a 13 year old son, who was a bully when in his mother’s card and Vincent was establishing his company. Now his ex wants their son to spend Christmas in NY and the son doesn’t want to go. Vincent starts flirting with his secretary Amber around this time. Amber played basketball and finds out Vincent is the coach of the one of the boys league team. She helps Vincent with coaching duties and provides sometimes perspective to the team and Vincent’s son. The ex comes to here old home town and then she is involved in a car accident. Some truths come out about her that help explain some of her behavior. Will Vincent continue to develop a relationship with Amber or will he go back to his ex-wife? Loved this story. A must read! Hopefully in the future Alison Mello will pick-up this series again with more sports.
I received a review copy of the book before release for an honest review.
This is book 3 in the series and it follows the previous bully kid Ethan and his now single dad, Vincent. If you remmeber the series you know Ethan’s grandfather is the judge and he had the mom from hell Layla. The mom is gone in this book but she causes lots of issues for both Vincent and Ethan in this story.
Amber is the new character and she is V’s PA and she has a thing for V but she works for him. That is until V decides he is ready for a new woman and she he gets her to work for his partner and this allows them to date. Amber loves basketball and Ethan loves it too and so V and Amber end up coaching Ethans tean and so we get to hang out wth all the characters from the previous books as well,
I have LOVED this series super much but I felt this book was written very differently. At times I felt preached too ALOT. I felt the author also got pretty religious in this story and Rise Up against adversity was a HUGE HUGE message here and it got extremely repetitve and annoying. While I liked the characters the message of the book was too much for me and it ended up being fairly boring for me.
All in all this is a wonderful series I truly loved every minute of the first two books but this one was not one I enjoyed. Now if you lke more religous and preachy books in a romance you might really enjoy it. It is as well written as the other stories just not my cup of tea.
This is the first book I have read in the series and boy oh boy what a story it was. I loved it right from the beginning when poor Vincent was heart broken over his wife leaving him and their son to pursue her career. But as time went on Vincent pulled up his big boy pants and started to do the things he wanted and needed to do for himself as well as his son who needed him.
This is a story about hope, love and rising up when you need to. Some people when they are faced with hard decisions and things out of their control they fall apart and can’t seem to get it together. This was Vincent at first his whole world fell apart and he wanted desperately to hold on to his family and his wife especially but she was not having that and Vincent had to let go and when he did he was able to move on and he set his eyes on his assistant and she had eyes for Vincent but just as things are going good Vincent’s ex comes back and stirs up some serious crap and Vincent will have to decide will he move on with his future or will he take his ex back and go back many steps?
This is the third book in the A Coach’s Love series. I really enjoy this series a lot. I’m not a big basketball fan, but the characters in this one made it exciting. Plus it is was something Amber and Ethan bond over. This book has a serious tone to it and does justice for the characters in the book. We get to revisit characters from previous books. I always love seeing them enjoying their HEAs. One of my favorite things about this book is seeing how much Ethan has matured since the previous books. It made my heart happy. Vincent and Amber have great chemistry. I got sucked right into their story. It made my heart happy to see how supportive they are of one another. Also what a kind soul Amber is because she gets tested a lot through out the book.
Yet again I have to say, not a sports romance! Lol, sorry but this is anything but “just” a sports romance. This has way more going on, has all the emotions, drama and feel good I have come to expect from this series. You could probably read them out of order, as a standalone or just this one but I say why??? You’re missing a lot if you don’t read them all!
I’m going to miss this town. this little world that’s been created, maybe we will get some holiday novellas or “gasp” a new one????
I for one would love to have more, just saying.
This was an enjoyable book. Vincent is a divorced single dad of 13 year old athlete Ethan and coach of Ethan’s basketball team. Amber is his assistant that he’s had feelings for but wouldn’t act on it because she worked for him. They have a solution for that problem, though, since another assistant is leaving and Amber can take her place. Amber fits right into their family. She teaches Ethan to cook, helps coach his team, and loves and protects him like he’s her own. Ethan’s mom Laney is a mean, neglectful mother who verbally abuses Ethan when he visits her then she puts his life in danger. This is the catalyst for her own change.
The theme of rising up to be better is consistent through the book, both in sports and in life. The main reason this was 4 stars for me instead of 5 is that it seems we missed a lot of buildup between Vincent and Amber in other books. This one seems to go right from zero to I Love You in no time at all. And Vincent’s friends are referred to by first name only from the beginning with no context as if we are supposed to automatically know who they are (example: the narrative refers to going to Misty’s diner but it’s the first time she’s ever mentioned and we don’t even know she’s his friend). Overall, though, this is a good book with a couple who is perfect for each other and an inspiring underlying message.
I am really loved the A Coach’s Love series by Alison Mello so much. Each story is a standalone romance with interconnected characters and though you can read each one separately, they are each great reads! In Rise Up, we get Vincent’s story, Ethan’s father, who we previously met. Ethan had been a bully, but in the time since then, his father has helped turn him around. Now divorced, Vincent and Ethan are learning to cope with being abandoned by their wife/mother and finding their new normal.
I really loved the theme of this story, rising up when needed. Vincent loves his son more than anything and will do what it takes to protect him and always put him first. When he realizes he feels more for Amber, his assistant, he is ready to see where that can go. Amber was sweet and caring. She stepped in when Vincent needed her the most and cares for Ethan very much. They begin to spend time together and feelings deepened. But what happens when his ex threatens all they worked hard to be?
Rise Up by Alison Melo was a sweet and charming story with a bit of drama. I loved this story so much. Vincent, Amber and Ethan were great characters and I loved catching up with old friends.
4.5-stars. Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
Rise Up shows once again just why I love this series so much! Much like previous books this book is just overflowing with warm feel good sweetness and I couldn’t get enough! Alison Mello has a way of making life’s most difficult moments not only realistic and emotional but also keeping the warmth of the story flowing with her writing. I started this book exhausted and cranky and by the time I finished I was grinning ear to ear and sighing in pure happiness.
Vincent had me constantly swooning with his super sweet flirting. He just may be the king of wooing. On top of melting my heart he was also an amazing dad. Raising his son on his own while trying to help his son get through the mess his ex wife had created. Amber was just flat out sweet. Thoughtful, kind and patient she loved both Vincent and his son in a way that made me absolutely adore her.
Interesting different enjoyable. I enjoyed reading this one. Vincent and Ethan are quite the father son pair. They are both dealing with a wife and mother that left them behind. She is not wanting back in the picture. But there is so much more to this story. Vincent and Amber are slowly realizing that there is something between them and they give it a chance. But will his ex tear them apart? Great chemistry between Vincent and Amber. I absolutely love how sweet Amber is with Ethan. Well written gripping enjoyable.
This is the third and final novel in this phenomenal series, and I am sad that it has finished, but I look forward to reading whatever this talented author brings to us next. Vincent is newly divorced and raising his son Ethan. Amber is Vincent’s PA, and they have more in common than they thought. When the ex wife comes back to town and upsets the apple cart, is this the end of their romance? No spoilers; this is a definite must read, you will not be disappointed. This is a beautifully written story which is heart-warming, sweet, and a steamy read. I recommend for all lovers of a second chance sports romance.
Love, laughter, and great friendships
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to everyone, it truly is uplifting and does live up to its title.
Vincent Wilder and Amber are both given the opportunity for a second chance at love after failed marriages. Told from both lead character’s points of views readers gain a better insight into what makes each character tick, their likes and dislikes, beliefs and feelings on many topics including towards each other.
This story is filled to the brim with a huge variety of emotions from pure happiness to excitement, anger to fear and everything in between. One moment you are feeling lifted up then something happens and you are sitting on the edge of your seat hoping for the best or getting angry with a particular character. It definitely is a reader participant book which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Rise Up has quite a few life lessons too that are extremely valuable like team work, handling bullying, standing up for yourself and acceptance then moving on. These are not pushed down your throat but rather incorporated into the story smoothly.
So I love the message of this book. Rise up is a great way to look at life. It is used in many different ways in this book. Vincent is a great dad but there’s still so much hurt with him and his son. Like the blurb says, his ex wife left them for the New York and not even a word since. Let me tell you about this ex wife..she is a piece of work but she learns her lesson the hard way. Ethan is a remarkable young man. He takes a lot of things and makes them great by just saying Rise Up. I liked how we got Amber and Vincent’s point of view but I felt like the issues with his ex wife overshadowed his love with Amber. Besides the basketball, which I was glad that Amber had a big part of, there’s the ex wife causing trouble. This book was good but I felt like it could been more.
Just how does one describe a book at the end of a good series, that draws you from page one and doesn’t let you go until the very end? And then you want more. This is how I would describe Rise Up by the talented Alison Mello. You fall in love with the characters as they live with remorse, pain, guilt and second-guessing all the ‘what ifs’ until they rise up and find happiness again in the most unexpected way. Alison Mello makes it easy to feel as if you are right there in the story.
Rise Up is about Vincent trying to do what’s for his son after a divorce. Amber, a very strong character that needs just as much love and support as Vincent finds out as the story weaves its tale There are lots of twists and turns that will have you holding your breath and then screaming the next. Now each of the books in this series could be read as a stand alone, however, you will miss the dynamics of how they all know each other and the mom squad. I highly recommend this book and series to everyone!