You know those stories where the smart girl tutors the dumb jock? This isn’t it.Blair: What’s the probability of insulting the one guy on campus I need to help me pass statistics? If I knew, I wouldn’t be standing in front of Wes Reynolds begging him to tutor me.Basketball player, sexy, arrogant, always sleeping through class… these are the things I knew about him. What I didn’t know is that … about him. What I didn’t know is that he is a seriously smart jock.
Wes:
What’s the best way to get rid of the peppy and unrelenting girl that keeps asking me to tutor her? If I knew, I wouldn’t be staring at her tan legs and attempting to teach her statistics.
Sorority girl, fine as f**k, determined, ball buster… these are the things I knew about her. What I didn’t know is that she is all the things I didn’t realize I wanted or needed.
Or that one semester with her would change everything.
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I really liked Blair’s spirit and her positivity. She was full of sunshine and always put her friends first. Wes was a surprise. He was a talented athlete, but also full of knowledge and love for his team. Bless made a great team, being there for each other through the highs and lows. They helped each other see what their true potential was, while finding love.
A very enjoyable read. Looking forward to the next book.
I do not think I can adequately express how much I enjoyed this book. I have never listened to either Erin Mallon or Jason Clarke but I thoroughly enjoyed the way they narrated the book.With both of them I could easily tell who was who within the characters. I have to admit I am a sucker for a deep growly voice though…
The more I listened to these characters the more I liked them. They just got under my skin somehow. I really needed to know what was going to happen. The story itself kept me interested and I’m kinda sad now it’s over. If you like college sport romances I cannot recommend it highly enough.
The Assist (Smart Jocks, Book 1) is a college sports romance with a tutor trope twist. We begin with a intriguing prologue going back three years ago and leads into the present. I absolutely loved the beginning interactions between Blair and Wes. Their interactions were ackward, and sidesplitting laugh out loud moments. Main character’s, as well as supporting ones are full-fledged with engaging characteristics. A torpid romance with crushing chances entwined through out the narrative.
A new adult sports romance that is well crafted with alternating pov dual narration performed by Erin Malon and Jason Clarke that creates a entertaining listen. I’m familiar with Erin’s work and her delivery was just right. Jason is new to me narator who’s performance hit the right places with matchless tone delivery for various characters.
I’m hoping The Fadeaway (Smart Jocks, Book 2) gets made into a audiobook.
Audiobook Obsession
This was my first Rebecca Jenshak’s book, and won’t be my last! This is the first book in the Smart Jocks Series. I love this sport romance! Blair and Wes’s story is fun, and they share a beautiful chemistry. The secondary characters are so great! I love Blair and Wes’s friends! Jason Clarke and Erin Malon did an amazing job with the narration, as always. They both have a great voice. I can’t wait for the next book in the Series, The Fadeaway! #AudiobookObsession
The Assist
Smart Jocks, Book 1
By: Rebecca Jenshak
Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Jason Clarke
What a refreshing take on sports romance! Blair is in need of help with statistics and goes to Wes, to see who the tutor is that helps the basketball team. When she learns he not only does not use one, but is not your typical dumb jock. Wes is smitten with Blair. She is beautiful and ambitious and when the smart jock becomes the tutor, we have a slow burn romance. But Rebecca Jenshak doesn’t stop with just a heart warming college romance. She weaves in a much more important theme throughout the story. I love it when stories have some meat to them, and this one gives it real life situations and real life choices to be made. The characters are so much fun, lots of chemistry and incredible witty banter. It’s supporting cast of the team and Vanessa add a lot of flare, will make you smile and want you to meet more.
Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke are amazing with this narration. They both have wonderful comedic timing,and have a conversational feel when they narrate. It’s an easy listen,and together they give us a comfortable feeling like we know the characters making it easy to relate to. I loved having them telling me Wes and Blair’s story.
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I loved this book, it was really good. It’s funny, well written, with awesome characters and top it off with an amazing narrattion.
Blair and Wes were a really cute couple, I loooved how everything stars between them, with a really embarrassing assumption from Blair’s part, and there she goes over and over again I couldn’t help but laugh at her, it’s so funny. Their chemestry is amazing, and they complement each other perfectly. Their friends/ team mates were also great, each with different personalities, I hope each of them gets their book, their going to be interesting stories.
As for the narrattion, it was so so good. Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke did an excellent job bringing this story and characters to life, they were PERFECT in every way.
Audio Review
I loved everything about this book. The story is great and believable. It flows well and keeps your interest throughout the entire book. The characters are all well developed and likeable with the exception of the bad guy and he is true to form. You get a good picture of the surroundings so you can picture you are there with Blaire and Wes and all the other great characters we get to fall for in this series. Rebecca Jenshak was new to me on this one but I am hooked on her words.
Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke, just having those two listed is enough to know how good the audio is on this one but let me say they did an outstanding job. I was lost in their voices. Erin is fantastic and I love listening to her but I think I could listen to Jason Clarke read the phone book and be happy. They were both perfect with these characters. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. I loved this and highly recommend it.
This is the first book that I’ve read by Rebecca Jenshak and I’m hooked! I’m so glad that this is going to be a series – the characters were so likable and real and nuanced and I just loved Blair and Wes. I’m so happy that this is going to be a series and you can honestly tell that the author is a true fan of college basketball from the details she included in the story. What could have been a typical new adult sports romance was made so much better because of the details: with the characters, their relationships, the situations they were in and the way they handled them. Blair was more than your typical sorority girl and Wes was so much more than your typical jock and they were so perfect together. While Blair’s decision to not fully disclose with her loved ones what she was dealing with was not my favorite, I understood it and it made me feel sympathetic towards her and young women that may be faced with that situation in real life. I can’t wait to read Joel’s story next and I plan to devour Rebecca Jenshak’s whole back catalogue. 5 out of 5 wine glasses.
It has been over a year since I’ve read a novel by Rebecca Jenshak and I immediately regretted that fact. I have no excuse other than a TBR that is too huge and life getting in the way. I won’t make that mistake again any time soon. The Assist reminds me why I loved reading her novels.
Blair has a best friend Gabby that is ready to take on the world. Blair on the other hand is 100% ready to stand quietly by her side and watch her accomplish it all. She just wants to study hard, head to college and get a good job, earth shattering moments not included. That is until one fateful night changes all of Gabby’s plans and in turn changes Blair as well. She heads off to college alone and is making the most of it until dating a scum bag leads her to stretch her resources and she isn’t sure how long she can survive on the path she now walks on. She is struggling keeping up with it all, especially statistics class, watching the jocks get good grades has her wondering who tutors them.
Wes is all about basketball, lives, breathe, dreams, and exists only for basketball. In statistics class one day he finds himself at the receiving end of a beautiful woman’s rant about tutoring and sleeping in class. Shrugging her off, she doesn’t need to know he has basically a photographic memory and could never show up to class and still get an A. She is relentless though and he finds himself drawn to her positive attitude, he decides to help her out with the class.
Blair and Wes find themselves falling for each other, though neither was looking for or expecting to find a relationship. They both vow to not label it though, just enjoying the moments as they come. Too bad every one else in their circle has labeled it, “Bless”.
Great story line about finding our dreams, sometimes after a few detours, being strong in our own skin and not living life solely with one dream. If we just plow through with our heads down, not seeing those things around us, we’ll miss out on the bigger picture that is life. 4 ½ stars for Blair and Wes, I’m looking forward to reading about the other basketball players in their circle. I’m secretly hoping Z and Gabby get together (girlish squeal). I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance reader copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
Sweet, cute, smart jock, and so much positivity. Wes and Blair were so wonderful together. I LOVED this book so much, and it left me with a smile.
If you love college sports romance then The Assist is for you. It is so good. I love the little bit of awkardness that Blair carries with her. She will make you giggle just a little in the begining when it comes to Wes and the basketball team. She is a breath of fresh air. I love her drive and how she doesn’t give up. Wes is super smart and an amazing basketball player. He is sweet and you can’t help but to smile when it comes to how he treats Blair. You fill fall in love with them. Blair and Wes are amazing together even with a couple little bumps in the road. You will see what I mean once you read The Assist. I loved reading this one. I couldn’t put it down. This is my first book of Rebecca Jenshak and I am going back for more. The Assist is an amazing start to the Smart Jocks series.
The Assist has the right amount of romance, fun, good character development, and a splash of comeuppance. I love the characters, especially the jock. Kudos for the Smart Jock idea.
Rebecca Jenshak is a new writer to me. I had never heard of her before until I discovered this book. I have read many sport romance books but so far I remember, I have never read one about a guy who played basketball. But after reading this story I will certainly read more sport books about basketball players.
‘The assist’ is the first book in the ‘Smart jocks’ series and it’s a new adult, sport romance book. The story is about Blair and Wes. I liked both characters very much! Blair is a good girl who knows what she wants in life and who believes in thinking positive things. Wes is a good guy, who is really smart (but hides it) and who loves playing basketball. The story is told from both POV’s.
One of the things that I really liked in this story is the fact that it was a ‘sweet’ story. Yes, it had some little ‘dramas’ in it but overall I found it a sweet, light, emotional read. I really liked the friendship between Wes and his friends (Zeke, Joel and Nathan), they had each other backs in every situation. The same can be said about Blair and her friends.
Although there were some sexy things happening in the story, it wasn’t the focus of the story.
I’m very happy that I discovered this writer because I really loved this book and I’m already looking forward to the next book in this series!
This is my first read by this author and I can say I am officially a stalker, I could not get enough of this book. The characters are people you root for, they are all down to earth , you could hang out with them and become friends. I love a nerd and jock read , they are some of my favorite and this read was just so praiseworthy. Both characters where a little nerdy.Blair is just all heart in everything she did, I would love to have a friend like her. She is gutsy, and goes for what she needs. She was extremely easygoing, I really loved when she spent time with the entire basketball team, and hung out with them like they are a big family. Wes is our Jock he is the leader of the basketball team and is highly devoted to making the team win and look good and play well together. He is not all Jock the guys got brains, and he has a huge heart as well he helps his teammates and eventually Blair with schoolwork. Wes doesn’t really have time for anything but basketball, and Blair knows this but he is so freaking hot, and down to earth, what could a little fling matter. Everything changes when feelings become stronger than they could have imagined.
Everyone should give this story a chance and read it, I ended up with a big ole smile on my face when I finished. The only negative for me is now I have to wait to see if the other characters get books. Bliss Out.
4.5 stars
I’m starting to love this author and her stories. I love the freshness of her characters, they’re so likable and you feel sympathy for them. The story progresses at a very believable and nice pace. I really want to read more of the side characters.
This is the second book of hers that I read, so Rebecca sure has a new fan over here.
I gotta say, this book took me by surprise. I wasn’t going in with high expectations but this story knocked me off my feet. It was everything I didn’t know I needed — a compelling storyline, swoon, humor and the best secondary characters.
The Assist should be on everyone’s TBR. I can’t recommend it enough. I’ll just be here impatiently waiting for Joel’s story.
I have to say up front that this is the FIRST book that I have read from Rebecca… And it will NOT be the last for sure!
The writing is so ‘grab you and not let go’. The interactions with all of the characters makes you feel as if you are right there with them. Read this book in a few hours, could not stop. Cannot wait to go and read the rest of Rebecca’s work!
I don’t know why i haven’t read anything by this author before and I will definitely want to read more from her! I was hooked from the blurb alone and thoroughly enjoyed the story so much that I cannot wait for more! I really enjoy college/sports romance and this was right up my alley!
The characters just made the book so enjoyable I had trouble trying to fit every day life in!
I just loved Blair, her positive energy and words just made everyone around her feel happy and I thought the way she was with Wes was great! She really brought out the best in him and those around him! What can i say about Wes though! Smart jock with an attitude but he also had such a good heart! I also loved his friends and how they had each others backs despite things that occur!
I really enjoyed reading this book, the storyline flowed and I especially loved how it ended!! Bring on Joel’s book, its going to be so good I just know it!!
What a wonderful change from the typical college sports romance. Love the idea of Wes being the super smart nerdy jock and Blair the one needing the tutoring. I love how their relationship builds slow, but simmers all at the same time. Great start to what will be a fabulous series!!