She’s his best friend’s little sister and off limits.College freshman, Finley Farrow, has two fairly ambitious goals this school year: make the football team and get over Shepard Connelly. The gorgeous football player with the magnificent voice would one day be a star on or off the field. But he’ll never see her as more than his best friend’s sister. Now her eye is on the end zone. Making the … zone. Making the team could turn out to be the easy part. Practicing with Shepard every day while ignoring her feelings? The real challenge.
Shepard hasn’t had it easy like the Farrows. He won his ticket to the prestigious Layton University through football. Yet his passion lies in music. His killer smile can get him almost any girl he wants, except the one he can’t have. Everything he’s wanted to say to her is channeled into his soul wrenching lyrics. But he’s been sitting on the sideline far too long and it’s time to make a move before the team’s starting quarterback wins her heart.
A life altering accusation could fumble everything for him. Most importantly, his big play for the only girl he’s ever wanted.
Family, friendship and love bind them together. Secrets, lies, and rules keep them apart.
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Finley and Shepard fought their feelings for each other for years and hid it from each other also. But others have seen it and was wondering when they will stop hiding. Except for her brother August. He didn’t know about their feelings until later on and he wasn’t happy that his best friend and sister got together.
But before all that these two were back and forth, drama and they were annoying at times with not seeing each other’s feelings. Then after all the hardship they got together but then there was an incident that tries to separate them. Shepard had a bad upbringing and Finley was from a wealthy family. At times he felt like he wasn’t good enough for her and when that incident occurred he started feeling like she deserved better but she wasn’t having it. Shepard went thru a lot but Finley was there with him every step of the way.
These characters reminded me about characters from other series of which two make a cameo and it brought a smile to my face. I can’t wait to read more on the others. And I think there is still more to Shepard and Finley.
This is a college romance, best friend romance. This story was never dull that’s for sure.
Finley is in love with Shepard, he doesn’t know. Shepard is in love with Finley, she doesn’t know. He’s her brothers best friend.
This story was quite entertaining and never had a dull moment. Full of drama and angst. Characters that really that stood out and were perfectly created. Beautifully written with a great storyline.
Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. I recommend this story.
I really enjoyed this coming of age, forbidden romance. When the Farrow triplets head off for college along with their best friend, Shepard Connelly, they see a new world of possibilities. Finley wants to start a new life where her father doesn’t hold her back in favor of her brothers and to get over her crush on Shepard as well. She wants to find new friends and to make the football team. She is independent, competitive, and determined to prove herself on and off the field. Shepard is a poetic soul, but needs his football scholarship to pay for school. He has loved his best friends sister for a long time but doesn’t feel worthy of her because of his meager and shameful family history. The chemistry between Shepard and Finley was palpable, but they didn’t know how to navigate their relationship from friends to lovers without hurting her brothers, August and Cooper. College life brings all the complications and challenges that make Shepard, Finley, and her brothers grow from all their mistakes and successes. This is a sweet, steamy, and angsty romance, with several twists and turns that kept me totally engaged. This is a good start to this new series and I can’t wait for August and Cooper’s story!
* A review copy was provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *
So I have to be honest I was a little nervous to read this story. Since this is based in the same setting as Terri’s Chasing Butterflies series, Layton University, I was afraid this was going to be much like those books.
And in the beginning of this story I thought it was similar. I almost gave up reading it because I was doing more eye rolling than reading, it seemed. But I am thankful I stuck it out, because around 40% this story took on more of it’s own feel for me. From that point on I was truly invested in Shepard and Finley’s story.
I enjoyed the storyline for the most part. Some of it was predictable and I saw certain things coming before they happened, but how it all played out took me by surprise. I did think that some of the storyline (Billy’s part) was kind of unnecessary and just added to much drama for my liking. That is where a lot of my eye rolling happened.
But since I am such a huge fan of Terri’s books I had to keep going. I truly enjoyed Finley’s storyline, showing that females can do anything they set the hearts to. She showed that what once was a man’s sport, can also be for females as well. No matter what her family said. I thought that message alone was strong enough for en enjoyable story.
In this story we meet Finley, Shepard, August and Cooper. They are the next generation of Layton University students. Where the connection to the first group of Layton Students comes in is, Finley, August and Cooper are the younger siblings to Ashton (Craving Dragonflies). Also Finn who is Sawyer’s (Changing Hearts) brother is living in the house with the newest freshman. We do get a little but of Sawyer, Shelly and Ashton in this story, but those books do NOT need to be read to enjoy and follow this story.
Finley is determined to come to Layton and make the football team, but she is also determined to move on from her unrequited feelings for Shepard while in college. Shepard is Best Friends with August but has known the family for a long time. Making his growing feelings for Finley dangerous. He has been in love with her for many years but because of his friendship with August has done nothing to pursue her. That is until his chance to make a move might be gone forever. Can these two get on the same page?? Will they find their HEA?? What happens when a life altering situation occurs, can they get through it together?? Read this book to find out.
If you are a fan of a New Adult sports romance novel, then you should give this one a try. It is a standalone novel and told in Dual POV.
3.5 STARS
I have been sitting here trying to ponder my thoughts, and I am kinda all over the place. As soon as I read the blurb for Songs For Cricket, I knew I had to give it a go. I am a sucker for falling for your brother’s best friend / friends to lovers romance, and this book checked those boxes, but it was just okay to me. With that being said I will give you MY pros and cons of Laine’s newest book. The writing was great, and story had depth to it, with relatable characters. I loved how strong minded some of the characters were, even when the odds were stacked against them. I loved the whole lyrical aspect, but wish there was more of it, it really would have changed the trajectory of the story, and made it more believable, I felt like the first half of the story was just blah. I almost gave it up, because even though this story is based on freshman in college, it felt childish, and immature with the actions of the characters. I also feel like if more details were added throughout this whole book, that it would had made the story feel more wholesome. To me, it just didn’t feel complete. In my opinion, there is so many questions that were left unanswered, that could have easily been answered in one or two sentences. I don’t foresee some of the unanswered questions being answered in this future series, because they really are not that important to the story, but they are to me. It would have made it so much more enjoyable. With my pros and cons listed, this will not keep me reading from this author.
Finley is most certainly not your average heroine. She is a tom boy, who loves sports just as much as a man. She is fiercely competitive, and will stop at nothing to make her dreams come true. She doesn’t let society or any one dictate who she is. She is a triplet and the only girl in the trio. She prefers guys to girls, and enjoys spending time with her brothers and a childhood friend.
Shepard has not been the luckiest guy in the world, he grew up much differently than most kids. He had a tough time growing up, but accepted it as it was, and wants to make something of himself. He finds solace in music, either in singing or writing. He is fiercely loyal to those he loves, including his mama. There is not one thing he wouldn’t do for her. He has been fortunate enough to be included in triplets clan over the years, and does everything with them.
When the Farrow triplets and Shepard decide to attend college together, things are drastically different than they were back home. When Finley has the freedom that she has always desired, she follows her dream. After years on the sideline, Shepard thinks it’s time to make the move on the one girl he has always envisioned as his. But what happens when outside forces interfere? Can Finley and Shepard finally be together as one, or is the pressure from the outside to much?
*I recommend this book.
*Reviewed For Reviews From The Heart
~ Ashley
Shepard and Finley are amazing! Their story was so entertaining to read. It had angst, emotion and humor. I fell in love with all of the Farrow siblings and I want more! This was a wonderful story, Terri does not disappoint. I have a feeling we will be getting more stories involving these siblings.
This is a coming of age story and goes in-depth into topics that are happening in society today. As a triplet, Finley has always ran with the boys and did boy things with her brothers August and Cooper. Entering colored has her trying new things like joining the football team. She never expected to hear Shepard, a childhood friend be accused of something so serious. As time goes on, the truth comes to light. This book was so good. I love the storyline and the characters are amazing. Terri E Laine is one of my favorite authors.
3.5 stars
I’m chirping all over this one! (I know that was lame but I can’t help it.)
Songs for Cricket is sweet and wonderful. It’s unrequited and long time love. It’s a brother’s best friend romance. It’s also a sports Romance. It is a lot of things but most importantly it will leave you with a smile on your face and stars in your eyes.
It will also leave you with linger questions about the rest of the crew. Here’s to answers in our futures.