Muscular football players. Passionate tennis pros. Sexy soccer stars. All sorts of alpha hotties, on the field and off.Have no fear! The team is back again, and this time…it’s thicker. You’ll get your sports romance fix with brand-new stories from eleven bestselling authors.Need one last summer fix? Dive into this anthology.*This anthology contains original, never-before-seen stories from Ella … never-before-seen stories from Ella Fox, Mandi Beck, Teagan Hunter, Ilsa Madden-Mills, Sara Ney, Rochelle Paige, Meghan Quinn, Charleigh Rose, Kennedy Ryan, Emma Scott, and Kate Stewart.
We still aren’t responsible for melted devices.
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Hot Novellas that give you something quick to read when you are waiting out on the sports field or spending the weekend in the mountains, down the shore or just home snuggled with someone you love. I will warn you that these stories will heat you up and set your heart racing.
Here are a couple of my reviews:
The Guy in the Middle by Kate Stewart
Kate Stewart has blown me away again and with a novella!! Lance and Harper share a mutual hatred of each other. They really only have that in common or do they? You won’t want to miss this amazing follow up to The Guy on the Right! You will want more of these men and women in your life. Kate has some strong women in her stories, it’s not all about the men. I look forward to more from her in January 2020 with the next installment in this series.
A Slice of Love by Teagan Hunter
What an amazing story about second chances and Pizza. Jonas and Frankie are the complete opposite. Secret friends from high school, they went their separate ways but never left each others heart. An accident and a pizza order brings them back together but is it too late? Another author who has me anticipating the next installment of the series because each one has me craving for the next slice.
Hot Novellas that give you something quick to read when you are waiting out on the sports field or spending the weekend in the mountains, down the shore or just home snuggled with someone you love. I will warn you that these stories will heat you up and set your heart racing.
Here are a couple of my reviews:
The Guy in the Middle by Kate Stewart
Kate Stewart has blown me away again and with a novella!! Lance and Harper share a mutual hatred of each other. They really only have that in common or do they? You won’t want to miss this amazing follow up to The Guy on the Right! You will want more of these men and women in your life. Kate has some strong women in her stories, it’s not all about the men. I look forward to more from her in January 2020 with the next installment in this series.
A Slice of Love by Teagan Hunter
What an amazing story about second chances and Pizza. Jonas and Frankie are the complete opposite. Secret friends from high school, they went their separate ways but never left each others heart. An accident and a pizza order brings them back together but is it too late? Another author who has me anticipating the next installment of the series because each one has me craving for the next slice.
I loved the novellas I’ve read so far, and I’m giving this 4.5 out of 5 stars. This review is for an ARC, and reflects my honest opinion.
Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills:
First off, there were definitely some darker themes in this novella. Trigger warning, and also a bit of a spoiler (although it was mentioned in Ilsa’s special note at the beginning), sexual assault was referenced in this book, but we don’t see it actually play out. I’m giving this 5 out of 5 stars.
I really loved these characters! Also seeing this will be re-published, and doubled in word count, made me so happy. I adored Ava. Without spoiling anything, I’ll just say she was so strong and fierce, but she also had such a sweet, loving side…especially when it came to her brother. I also really liked Knox. I wasn’t sure about him in the beginning, but he quickly won me over. I will be impatiently waiting for the new version to come out early 2020. I can’t wait to get more of these two plus Ava’s friends (old and new), and see how the story will unfold.
The Teaching Hours by Sara Ney:
This was more adorable than I expected, so yay. It was pretty short, but I liked it a lot. I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars.
Rex was a complicated character for me. I didn’t like him most of the time he was in the How to Date a Douchebag series, but by the end of book 4, he grew on me. I really liked reading the beginning of his love story. We met Hannah in book 5, and I liked her overall. She wasn’t my favorite heroine by this author, but I still enjoyed reading about her. I highly recommend if you like new adult sports romances.
Holt’s Story by Meghan Quinn:
I enjoyed this so much, although after that ending I definitely can’t wait for more. I’m giving it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Admittedly it has been a while since I read The Locker Room, but I do remember Holt quite a bit. I think I liked him in that book, but after seeing inside his head, and getting to know him, I definitely loved him. He seemed like a really great guy. He was rich and handsome, but he was also down to earth, a great friend, nice, etc. I also liked Harmony. I won’t spoil the ending, but I kind of saw that coming, so I’m excited to see what will happen next. This series of books focusing on a college baseball team have all been amazing, and I absolutely adored the characters.
I loved Ava’s and Knox’s story. Know is such a sweet contradiction and I couldn’t get enough of how he wrapped his arms around Ava and wanted to protect her from the world. I can’t wait to get the full book next year!!
This is a collection with a plethora of hotties that will steam up your readers! Tennis, soccer, football, hockey, basketball, etc. You name it, it’s here, and these men are alpha, athletic, and hot! Don’t forget the ladies because they hold their own here too! What’s not to like? I am reviewing this as a whole because I thoroughly enjoyed the entire anthology! These are never before seen, diverse short stories. They manage to fit plenty of emotion and substance in these stories but leaving you wanting so much more! I love these uber talented, amazing authors and they did not disappoint in writing great stories with wonderful characters. It is hard to name a favorite because they were ALL SO GOOD! I hated to see it come to an end. If sports romances are your thing, I highly recommend reading this anthology! I devoured it from start to finish!
****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.****
Review of Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills:
“You’re Amazing, Tulip. You’re a bright star in this shitty place. You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met.”
Once again, Ilsa Madden-Mills takes her readers through the slippery and angsty path of a young adult romance that will have you reading page after page in quick succession as if it’s a race to the finish line. Dear Ava is an entertaining, heart-wrenching, and beautiful novella included in the Team Player 2 Anthology. It’s short and can easily be read in one sitting, but it’s packed full of emotion and quite possibly my most anticipated read for 2020—when Ilsa will release a full-length book about Ava and Knox. This romance is just the start of their HEA and was as powerful as it was short. An excellent novella that deserves nothing short of five stars with an inspiring heroine and the dark and broken hero who secretly adores her! Reading the raw emotions and expertly woven tale reminds me of when I fell head over heels for Ilsa Madden-Mills expert storytelling to begin with. Dear Ava is one that should not be missed!
Dear Ava was everything!
I received this as an ARC of Dear Ava in exchange for an honest review- with that said: Dear Ava is one of my favorite stories of the year.
I don’t usually fall in love with shorter stories, tucked into anthologies. They’re fun to read, but I rarely have an issue with putting them down. But I couldn’t put this one down and in turn, ended up loving this story.
Ava, a swan, was forced to become a dragon who fiercely protects her heart and herself after what was done to her.
Her connection with Knox is a sweet fall, leaving every feel imaginable behind. I can’t wait for their entire story because it’s one that will live in my heart forever.
This review is for Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden Mills
Let’s just say that when it ended I was gutted I wanted more !
Ava from the outset is strong willed and determined ! and Knox is full of calm and mystery ! I’m not telling you too much you need to go in a read this short and then tell me you don’t want more
I love the diversity of authors in this anthology and I’m looking forward to reading more of them
But for Ilsa’s slice
5 Stars
Diz
Read the novella Dear Ava by the amazing Ilsa Madden-Mills and I absolutely LOVED it!
The prologue is heartbreaking as we discover the horrific ordeal that Ava experiences. Chapter 1 sees her return to Camden for her senior year with a dramatic new look, ready to go to war with anyone who tries to belittle or hurt her. Beneath the toughened exterior though, is a young girl who’s desperate for the truth and who really just wants someone to SEE her for who she is, and not what they all call her.
Knox is a Shark. Plain and simple. Except it’s anything but. He shouldn’t want her, but he can’t help it. She despises him and everything he stands for, until she doesn’t. They share a connection that at first she doesn’t understand, but gradually becomes to mean everything.
When she finds the ‘Dear Ava’ letter in her locker, it sets their story in motion, and allows her to open herself up to the possibility of finding herself again. Who is SA? And when she finally realises who he is, will she be ready for their journey to begin?
Even though this novella was only 11 chapters, it didn’t feel rushed or too fast at any point. It actually felt longer and began their story perfectly! It was a fantastic read and had left me desperately wanting February to hurry so that we can get the full length novel!!!
A brilliant introduction to what I know will be another epic love story from the extremely talented Ilsa!
5 stars!
What a great collection of stories from some amazing authors. The story that stuck out for me was Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills. Wow! That story was deep without being too deep. She focused more on Ava’s resilience and strength instead of the horrible thing that happened to her.
Ava was incredible. She put on her RBF and vowed not to let anything or anyone get to her. She picked herself up and moved forward without giving anyone the power to knock her back down again
It was incredible and inspiring. I was completely captivated and emotionally moved from the moment I started reading her story. I absolutely loved it!!
This anthology is epic!!
Dear Ava was amazing!! Ava is from the wrong side of the tracks but that doesn’t keep her from drawing the attention of the head Shark and a secret admirer. Her journey of strength and courage was amazing. Knox is the perfect guy to gain her trust and show her that sometimes you don’t have to rely solely on yourself.
I loved the whole story and I’m excited to read the other stories in the anthology!
My review so far is for The Guy in the Middle by Kate Stewart
Who knew there was so much more to Lance than meets the eye. As a supporting character in The Guy on the Right, I certainly didn’t. Don’t worry, if you haven’t read TGotR yet, (you really should though, cos it’s amazing), you can still read this one with no difficulty. Although this is a novella, it’s not short on content. It’s a great enemies to lovers/forbidden romance with wonderful fully fleshed out characters and I loved it.
Initial impressions were that Harper and Lance were like oil and water. She a talented dancer, he a ball player/fighter with a bad attitude and even worse temper. When walls started to be broken down, you could see their real personalities shine through and I fell in love with both of them. I particularly loved the way Ms Stewart described Harper’s dancing and the effect *cough, cough* it had on Lance had me cracking up. Harper is wonderful. Feisty and no nonsense, I took to her straight away.
Lance’s behaviour took a little more getting used to. He’s quiet and broody, a trait which which can be ignored most of the time, unlike his jerkish behaviour and hot headedness, which took a little more time to understand. Nevertheless, understanding does come, once we get inside his head and his story unfolds.
However, a bad decision, made for the right reasons, has far reaching repercussions for this couple and their paths are suddenly not as fixed as they anticipated. The story ends on what I would call a hopeful “to be continued “ note, and I can’t wait to find out where the next part of their journey will take them.
Enjoy a good sports romance? Here’s your chance to get eleven different stories from eleven different writers. And rest assured, this isn’t a recycled anthology, because each of these sports hotties has an original story not previously published.
If you like to expand your reading horizons and find new-to-you talent, this is a prime opportunity. I had only read two of them previously, but you can bet I’ll be adding a lot more to my must-read list. In the meantime, I’d like to introduce you to Lance, Benny, Rowan, Sully, Ean, Law, Rex, Jonas, Kai, Holt and Knox, all guaranteed to heat up your Kindle!
*I read an early edition of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide feedback and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source.
I was so excited for the Team Player 2 Anthology and it did not let me down. They were all amazing novellas. It’s hard to fully review all 11 stories separately but a few notes:
Kate Stewart (The Guy in the Middle) and Meghan Quinn (The Strike Out) are killing me with their stories because I don’t want to wait until the full novels are released. OMG so good and I have zero patience right now because I need to know what happens to Lance and Holt.
I loved Kennedy Ryan’s story (Fast Break). The fact that they were in their 40s was so great (since I am in my 40s). Just a beautiful story of strength, determination and love.
Charleigh Rose (Guys Like You) is a new to me author and I loved her story. I want a Sully ASAP.
Thank you Sara Ney for redeeming Rex in The Teaching Hours. I was always rooting for him.
Teagan Hunter, will A Slice of Love gets its own book ever? Pretty please? I will send pizza.
Arena Lights by Mandi Beck: Does Levi punch Benny? I wish I could find out. I need like 1 more chapter!!!! This is a brothers best friend/teammate romance you will love. Plus hockey, come on!
End Goal by Ella Fox: I love a good second chance romance and this fit the bill perfectly.
Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills: some tough issues dealt with in a respectable way with a love story too. Loved!
Body Heat by Rochelle Paige: I loved Sera and Rowan. Absolute perfection and I love strong female characters.
Love Game by Emma Scott was so emotional but uplifting. My heart was breaking for Kai and Daisy. I loved how they healed each other.
So that’s my thoughts. I just loved ALL the stories and wish all of them become full length books in the future. Maybe they will but I’ll be waiting impatiently for a few of them that definitely are coming in the future. And until then I will be re-reading the novellas while I wait.
I was gifted an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I love the idea of this book having different authors all writing sports romance novellas. It is one of my favorite tropes. I am slowly making my way through the eleven tales and here are my thoughts on two of the stories.
A Slice of Love by Teagan Hunter:-
This is a football themed second chance romance that starts in high school but doesn’t get far. A few years later with a chance meeting, Jonas has the opportunity to set things right between them. It’s not going to be easy as Frankie was deeply hurt and she does not want to experience it again.
Holt’s Story by Meghan Quinn:-
This author has two baseball books out already and this is a snippet of what’s to come with Holt’s story, hence the title. These two characters have plenty of spark and the banter is ricketing all over the place. Each of them gives as good as they get and it makes for some funny lines. You get the sense that Holt is a stand up guy who knows what he wants and is not afraid to make fun of himself to get a laugh or two. Harmony is determined to make something of herself and is working hard with her studies. Maybe Holt can be the little distraction she needs to unwind.
You may want to know that some of these stories will be complete and some will be a prelude for the main book that author will be releasing later on. I am looking forward to the reading each of these gems.
I love a good anthology…. Add in hot athletes… I AM HERE FOR IT!!! I missed the first one so I am sorry glad I got my hands on this! The men are hot AF…. The writing is awesome! Some of my favorite authors contributed to this one, so it’s been so much fun to read!!!
I have read Dear Ava and The Guy in the Middle and both of these novellas left me longing for so much more. Ava and Knox were such amazing characters and I cannot wait for this new series by Ilsa. I was in love with Lance when I read the Guy on the Right and I am so happy that is he getting a HEA even if it will take a while for us to get. Each of these will be turned into a full length book soon and I cannot wait for these. So many of the authors in this anthology are my go-to authors. I can’t wait to read all of these books. I will update my review as I do.
This was a good, solid anthology. A couple new-to-me authors and several favorites.
Some of the stories are complete while others will pick up in that authors next book. I preferred the stories to be complete within the anthology but overall really enjoyed these novellas!
*arc provided for honest review*
Another AMAZING sports anthology that has brought so many addicting stories to us! Some author are knew to me and I loved every word! Other authors I already read and adore and I can’t wait to get more on their characters! I always get excited for this anthology because it always means the start of something more to come! Dear Ava by Ilsa madden mills!
This story is so beautiful and much more than just spirts! It’s about being brave and taking chances even if all you want to do is cry! It’s about showing others that you will not falter and you will make it no matter how hard the road can be! I love how Ava is finishing a strength in her she didn’t know she had and more than anything I love the mystery and angst Ilsa throws in! I love the beautiful surprises she leaves us!
Arena Lights by Mandi Beck
This romance is anything but sweet and it’s definitely HOT! Benny and Maeve weren’t even on each other’s radars but hey crazier things have happened! When they spend a little more time together then before it becomes apparent that Benny might have to risk getting his butt beat if he wants the fiery softball to look at him the way he looks at her; if only his history could stay where it belongs; in the past!
I definitely loved Maeve fire and her amazing brains! She’s the total package and I have a huge girl crush (sorry Benny)!
I got this because I am a huge fan of Ilsa Madden-Mills and I wanted to read her contribution titled Dear Ava-
Ilsa Madden-Mills has done it again. She writes these characters that you want to know and you want to live in their world.
While this was a quick read, it was a little on the angsty-dark side with what Ava went through and the way she is treated. But have no fear, you will be cheering on Ava and watching her trust again is great!