“You may be faking the relationship, but you’re not faking the orgasms.”Downsized, broke, and dumped, 38-year-old Marley sneaks home to her childhood bedroom in the town she couldn’t wait to escape twenty years ago. Not much has changed in Culpepper. The cool kids are still cool. Now they just own car dealerships and live in McMansions next door. Oh, and the whole town is still talking about that … whole town is still talking about that Homecoming she ruined her senior year.
Desperate for a new start, Marley accepts a temporary teaching position. Can the girl banned from all future Culpepper High Homecomings keep the losing-est girls soccer team in school history from killing each other and prevent carpal tunnel in a bunch of phone-clutching gym class students?
Maybe with the help of Jake Weston, high school bad boy turned sexy good guy. When the school rumor mill sends Marley to the principal’s office to sign an ethics contract, the tattooed track coach, dog dad, and teacher of the year becomes her new fake boyfriend and alibi—for a price. The Deal: He’ll teach her how to coach if she teaches him how to be in a relationship.
Who knew a fake boyfriend could deliver such real orgasms? But it’s all temporary. The guy. The job. The team. There’s too much history. Rock bottom can’t turn into a foundation for happily ever after. Can it?
Warning: Story also includes a meet-puke, a bouffanted nemesis, a yard swan and donkey basketball, a teenage-orchestrated makeover, and a fake relationship that gets a little too real between the sheets.
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This book was AWESOME! Seriously. I wish I could give it 10 stars. I totally found it relatable to my own life in the fact that I: 1)Went to high school 2)teach 3)teach in the school I attended and 4)have coached high school girls. I spent a majority of the time reading it wondering if Lucy has been following me around or had access to the cameras in my school.
Reasons you need to read this book:
1)The characters. Seriously these characters were so freaking well developed, I felt the angst and the steam coming from Marley and Jake.
2)Lucy has an amazing ability to make you WANT to BE in the book, and let’s be honest who really wants to visit high school again?
3)Parents who still have the ability to embarrass their adult daughter at sporting events.
This book includes one of the most relate-able characters that I’ve ever read….I think we can all agree that in some way, shape or form that your high school years define who you become and how you think, whether you were being bullied by a mean girl or maybe you WERE the mean girl, it reminded me that everyone has a story to tell and things are not always what they seem to be.
Marley, at age 38, finds herself jobless and fresh out of another failed relationship, when she returns home to lick her wounds and try to pull herself back together. She ends up in a temporary position as a gym teacher and girls soccer coach at her old high school, the last place in the world she wants to be, where she has to face the Mean Girl from high school, who has the perfect life and is now married to Marley’s high school boyfriend. Marley is a HOT MESS! Now, add the swoon-worthy history teacher, Jake, into the mix, whom she happened to share a very memorable kiss with under the bleachers in high school and see just how they meet back up (SPOILER ALERT it may involve a very hilarious scene and puke…just saying). This book is a MUST READ and is definitely one of my favorites from Lucy!
Completely Invested
An epic story about personal declarations of independence! I was completely invested in Jake and Marley’s story, in them as a couple and individually. I’ve never wanted a heroine to succeed more! I wanted her to win a soccer game, earn her student’s respect, let go of her own high school horrors, win the love of the town George Clooney, but most of all I wanted Marley Cicero to belief in herself.
That town George Clooney hero Jake Weston? Wow. He’s as close to perfect as you can get. His campaign to boost Marley’s confidence is fun, sweet and swoon worthy. Jake’s life coach mantras seep into Marley’s soul and has her reevaluating all she knew to be true.
As Marley slowly becomes entrenched in the small town she thought she hated we see her bloom, we see her look at competitors, enemies, and friends with new eyes not blinded by self-loathing. With hard won 20-20 hindsight Marley does become the woman we all can cheer for.
Once again Lucy Score has created a world I want to inhabit, full of quirky characters, cute kids, and endearing pets. Welcome to Culpepper, PA folks.
This amazing story has everything you want in a great book. Heartfelt characters, amazing humor and a storyline you can relate to! You immediately fall in love with the main characters Marley and Jake. The struggles they go through you can actually relate to. From a horrible high school bully you can’t get rid of or the love of your life that got away to a “am I in the right career?” question that Marley struggles with throughout the story. This book has it all. I literally laughed out loud, tears flowing from my eyes at the humor. And the ending/epilogue is one of my favorite ending ever. I originally read this through Kindle Unlimited. I loved it so much I re-read it twice then went and purchased the E-copy and paperback book so I can keep, and take it everywhere with me and so I can read it over and over. It was so good, you won’t be disappointed!!!
So many feels with this one! I loved everything about this book!
This book is pure gold! I love all of Lucy Score’s books but this one is extra special.
The mean girls, the gym classes, the unrequited crushes….Marley has been there and done that 20 years ago. Now, dumped, fired and homeless she has to relive those high school days at 38. Except this time she’s the teacher and the coach…and she has sexy Jake Weston by her side.
I devoured this book and then mourned because it was over. And I spent 20 minutes wondering what to write here because what I really want to say is: Stop reading reviews and just buy this book!!
At 38 you hit what you perceive as rock bottom and have to move back to your home town to live with your parents. What could be worse? Working at the high school you couldn’t get away from fast enough after graduation, AND coaching a girls soccer team that rivals that of the bad news bears. Poor pitiful Marley, who views herself as the town pariah for some screw up at her homecoming, now gets to walk the halls of high school surrounded by so many memories. Marley runs into her past crush Jake *swoony* Weston and a deal is brokered to help her navigate coaching/teaching. Jake is the cross country coach and comes to Marley’s rescue in several ways. Even I would take up running if he showed up at my house sweaty and shirtless.
Lucy Score brings all the right ingredients for a perfect small town rom-com. Assistant coach, Vicky, is every girls dream side-kick. Her dry humor is a great compliment to Marley’s self-doubt. Amie Jo and Travis, the queen and king of everything, personify the dream couple living in their mcmansion. Plus so many great moments with the soccer team, poker game cleaning service, comical pranks, tree climbing antics, and a small town email chain to rival all others. Not only do we get our happily ever after, we also get a bit of a life lesson. Highly recommend this terrific tale!
Long review, but here’s the cliffs notes: Read.This.Book.Today.
Here’s what I love about Lucy Score. She’s one of few authors that paint an absolute picture with her words. The description of Jessica, Marley’s mother, made me cry – it was written with so much love and I felt like how a baby egg animal imprints on the first animal it sees. I feel a very kindred relationship to Jessica!
Other great word pictures: Jake’s house, Marley’s bedroom, the locker room & Marley’s office, Amie Jo’s house, every Airbnb guest, and Vicky.
Here’s why you should read the book – Marley is a little bit of every single woman in existence, why? Because we’ve all lived through High School, we’ve all failed at SOMETHING that meant a lot to us, we’ve all questioned our worth, and we’ve all wanted for hope.
Marley is incredibly kind to others, especially when she doesn’t have to be, while still struggling to extend that kindness to herself. I did have trouble with that aspect of the book because I don’t struggle like that, but it was easy for me to remember a time when I did and I was reminded that many of the women I coach are still struggling like that today, then I was able to see Marley through a lens of compassion. I found myself cheering for her to practice some good ole Bootleg Justice (a saying from another Lucy series) when instead she, herself, chose kindness.
Jake saw her kindness, Jake WORSHIPED her kindness. Jake is seriously one of the best book boyfriends in the history of book boyfriends. He’s wicked hot, crazy intuitive, thoughtful, and ready. Did I mention hot? I’d like to audit his History class!
This may be a long book but I felt myself wanting even more. Yeah, I read the bonus epilogue (it was EVERYTHING) but I still want more. I’ve been missing Jake and Marley for DAYS since I finished. This is only the second book I’ve ever needed to re-read immediately after finishing, that’s how much I missed them.
There’s a funny cast of secondary characters, a great pet, and a snarky “Morticia” who will melt your heart. I can’t wait for you to read it!
Have you ever read a book and thought “this should be a movie”…..well this book should be. Marley thinks her life is going nowhere and that things couldn’t get worse. She thinks her sister and her arch nemesis from high school have it all which makes her feel even more like a loser in the game of life. In this day and age of social media it’s easy to think everyone has it better than you but that’s because they choose to show only the good parts of their life. It takes Marley a while to realize that she is a winner, just not exactly as she had planned. Oh and there’s a disaster of a girls soccer team, a swoon worthy hero, and lots of laughs along the way. Lucy Score has another best seller here….and really, someone needs to make this a movie!
4.5 Homecoming Stars!!
I’ll make a list now of what I’d like so someone can start working on getting it all for me:
– a gay uncle with fabulous design sense and the ability to cook
– a family gathering where we can play Blitz
– an adorable mop of a dog
– parents who make me homemade glitter signs to cheer me on
– a team that wants to give me a makeover
– a sister and a nemesis to get drunk in a tree with
And
JAKE. FREAKING. WESTON.
Barring that, I’ll just read this book again. Loved reading about Marley’s mishaps, both those in the past and those in her current life. Navigating the trials of HS by being thrown back into that environment is a great storyline and I enjoyed all the side characters- both those that were supportive and those that were the villains. Lucy does it again!
Solid 4.5 stars novel. For some, high school is a great experience, for others, such as our heroine Marley, high school was tough. Marley left her home town immediately after high school to go to college and never returned. Fast forward 20 years and Marly, at 38, finds herself at rock bottom with no choice but to move in with her parents. Marley has not been able to move forward at all in her life, she spends a lot of time inwardly reflecting instead observing her environment. She’s 38 but mentally 16.
Now, our Hero; Jake! Ahem, he’s pretty swooney in about a zillion ways. The quintessential high school bad boy that everyone wants to date. And he’s turned into a 38 year old hot hunk! He and Marley strike a deal when Marley returns to town, but they share some history, giving Jake some serious pause when it comes to their deal. I like this book because it shows, in a very real and tangible way, that the hurt inflicted during the teen years is very real and can truly undermine your life, but, hope is always there, things are not always as they seem, and a second chance is a gift!
Another great story by the fabulous Lucy Score! Every time you think you just read the most amazing book by her, she goes, and gives us one even more awesome.
Rock Bottom Girl is a story of second chances in life and love.
Marley, after losing her job and breaking up with her boyfriend, returns to her hometown to stay with her parents as she regroups and figures out her next steps.
Jake is the perpetual bachelor, former bad boy and now a beloved history teacher and track coach.
Marley and Jake have a high school history and now, at age 38, they just might discover what they missed out on all these years back.
This book has it all – captivating story line, well developed characters, love, humor, steam, hilarious pranks, mean girls, Airbnb guests, girl power, pet swan and an adorable pup – Homie, as well as an epic HEA!
Rock Bottom Girl is a definite must read for all romcom enthusiasts
Marley, seemed to have it all, and then lost it in a day.
What do you do when you loose your home, boyfriend and job in one day?
Go back home to Mom and Dad, of course.
Dejected, Marley, takes a job as a soccer coach and gym teacher, at her old high school. The same high school that band her from ever attending another homecoming ever, due to a prank that people are still talking about twenty years later.
She doesn’t have a teaching degree.
She played soccer in high school, twenty years ago.
It’s only temporary, so why not.
Jake Weston, is beloved by the faculty, his students and the whole town.
He’s the bad boy, one night stand guy, turned hot teacher.
He has a past with Marley and wants to have a future with her too.
He offers to help her, with her students, if she helps him with having a relationship.
When her nemeness, trys to make things difficult they end up signing an agreement, with the school, that says they will stay together for a year.
Lucy Score, has once again wrote perfection down on the pages of this beautiful and heart touching story.
She makes you laugh and cry and feel happy inside and out.
A beautiful piece of art, in my opinion.
She’s a one click author, in my book.
I haven’t read a Lucy Score book since The Worst Best Man. I know, I know, what’s wrong with me. Slowly but surely, I promise to read all her books. Rock Bottom Girl came at a good time with my work schedule and other obligations. I will say that this may be the longest rom/com book I have read. Not complaining!
Marley Cicero returns to Culpepper, PA after losing yet another job, one that she thought was a keeper, breaking up with her boyfriend, she just feels defeated. Comes back home at 38-years-old, to her parents home after being long gone since graduating high school. Her parents are the coolest, chillest parents ever, we should all have a Ned and Jessica as parents. But Marley always felt not good enough like her adoptive sister, who has the perfect job, husband and kids and here she is almost 40 and back with the ‘rents. Her parents being the way they are, spear-headed Marley into getting a job at the local high school, the one she couldn’t wait to leave as a part-time soccer coach and gym teacher. Yet, Marley still feels like the Pharaoh she was back in high school that is until she sees Jake Weston, the bad boy that kissed her stupid.
Jake Weston, le sigh. Bad boy turned into track coach and history teacher, with a bit of bad boy still but with the biggest heart. He makes Marley an offer she can’t refuse and boy does the chemistry and sexual tension lead off more than Marley can chew.
Okay enough of giving you so many details people! What I love about this book is that it is very relateable. Some of us may have been bullied back in H.S., some of us felt like the outcast, some of us may have pulled a prank or two to get back to those that did us wrong. Well if you start turning the pages, you may see yourself in these images I provided for you, or you may not. One thing for sure, you will LYAO.
If you love reading about small towns, soccer and a fake relationship, then pick this book up. It will not disappoint.
Lucy Score never disappoints, and Rock Bottom Girl is no different!
We laughed. We swooned. We devoured every word!
Holy moly, this story nearly charmed us right out of our panties!
If you’re looking for a hilarious romantic comedy full of heart, this is the book you need in your life!
Rock Bottom Girl
Lucy Score is at it again with a fabulous small-town romantic comedy!
Absolutely outstanding.
Lucy Score is a small-town rom-com genius
What can I say about this Lucy Score classic? I’m obviously a big fan of Lucy’s novels. I’ve read them all. What makes a Lucy Score classic in my eyes?
1. Romance (obviously), but not just over-the-top big sell romance. Romance in the small moments, and the whispered comments, and the ordinary acts of the every day.
2. Feisty heroines that know their own mind, don’t take any bull, and stand up for themselves and their loved ones (include their heroes).
3. Heroes that know they are not perfect, don’t pretend they are perfect, but are actually perfect for the women they love.
4. Small towns filled with people that may be all up in your business, but they are all up in your business because they care, not because they thrive on drama. There may be one or two drama-seekers in these small towns because the story needs a foil, but the towns Lucy creates are places you want to visit for a summer, if not move to permanently.
5. A supporting cast that kicks butt. Stories are so much better when you care about the supporting characters, too, so you are invested in all of the relationships, not just the one relationship between the main characters.
6. Humor. A lot of humor. Clever conversations, oddly-behaved animals, crazy small-town traditions, zany antics.
Marley and Jake’s story has all of this. Rock Bottom Girl hits all of the highlights, and is well-written, engaging and witty. From page one, you’re hooked. Their history is complicated, and Marley isn’t sure what she wants out of life. And Jake knows that he needs to grow up a little bit to get what he wants, but doesn’t know how to do it. Together, they help each other figure out how to grow as individuals, and it helps them grow together as a couple.
This book could be dedicated to anyone who has ever lain awake at night with a replay of their lowlights reel playing in their head. It is an amazing book so many can relate to. I fell in love with these characters from the very beginning and couldn’t get enough! The mix of humor, love, and reality are the perfect combination.
Marley is a woman who has been knocked down more than a few times. Life certainly hasn’t gone the way she hoped, but at almost 40 she still hasn’t given up. While she may have regrets and doubts, with a push from those she loves she keeps getting back up. I absolutely love her for it. She may wallow in a pity party or two, but with the way things are going, you can’t really blame her. But her resiliency shouldn’t be overlooked. When thrown in the deep end, she always finds her way to the top eventually.
And then there is Jake. I love that he is there not only to encourage Marley, but also to give her the push she needs from time to time. He is serious book boyfriend material! He is sexy, sweet, and still has a bit of the bad boy from his youth. He brings out the best in those around him, and is so much fun. To top it all off, he has an adorable dog he is crazy about. I mean, who doesn’t need a Jake Weston in their life?
This book is full of characters I love and characters I love to hate. Vicky is the best friend a girl could ask for, and everyone needs someone like her in their life. Both Jake and Marley’s families were amazing, and added so much depth to both characters. And the soccer team was to die for. I was fully invested in this group of girls and everything their journey held. This book had me laughing so hard and tearing up. I don’t know how Lucy manages it, but even with a romcom, she brings all the feels. This is a book you absolutely don’t want to miss!
What would you say if you got a chance at a do over of high school? But this time as an adult!
I have never read a more relate-able character as Marley. Both as a teenager feeling like the world is against you, like you’re the only person dealing with the crap that is constantly thrown your way. Then later as an Adult realizing that while you thought all the other kids had it so much better, were more liked, or more popular, they were feeling the same things as you and dealing with the same problems. I love how Marley didn’t feed into the mean girl ideas. She may have played a few pranks and gotten a bit of justice when needed but when push came to shove she showed her students how to be the bigger person and she made so many people feel a little less alone – Kids and Adults alike.
Loved this book so much!