He thinks we’re playing the longest game of hard-to-get ever. We’re not.Joel: The hottest girl on campus won’t go out with me. I know, I know, that sounds presumptuous, but this girl… this girl has gotten under my skin, and I can’t seem to walk away.Every Thursday, I show up at the café where she works. She’s fed me every excuse in the book. I should give up and bang one of the many girls … book. I should give up and bang one of the many girls blowing up my phone. I’m not.
Even when she says no, Thursday is my favorite day of the week.
Katrina: The hottest guy on campus won’t stop asking me out. I know that sounds like a good problem to have, but this guy… this guy has no idea how complicated my life is trying to juggle being a single mom and college student.
Every Thursday, he shows up at the café where I work. His cheesy pickup lines and arrogance should have me completely annoyed. I’m not.
I can’t say yes, but Thursday is my favorite day of the week.
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I thought Fadeaway was a good story it would be second book in the smart Jocks series but can be read as a standalone . I’m looking forward to reading future books by Rebecca Jenshak and more of the Smart Jocks series . The couple were really good together they really connected with one another .
Hunger over from a night of debauchery, Joel walks into the campus coffee shop hoping to run into his friend working only to have Katrina aka Kitty on shift that morning. However, he is not disappointed – in fact he is enamored and makes it his mission to get Katrina to go on a date with him. For four months every Thursday he asks her out on a date. For four months Katrina is forced to turn him down – not because she isn’t attracted to him but she is a single mom and can’t. On a very rare night when Katrina has a sitter she finds herself at the same party as Joel and all bets are off. She finds that she can’t say no to him anymore and she really doesn’t want to.
Gah! I adored Joel and Katrina. I really loved the itty bitty flash backs that we got of Joel (did not see that coming!) and loved how it gave us insight into what made him who he was. Loved his relationship with is family and how amazing he was with them. But nothing beats how he was with Katrina’s son, Christian. Can you say swoon? Even though he was trying to convince himself that he didn’t do relationships he was pretty freaking good at with Kitty and Christian. Winning over Kitty and Christian’s hearts. Katrina was pretty amazing too. I loved how strong and independent she was even if she was just too stubborn to ask for the help her and her son deserved. The banter, push and pull between these two was perfect and hilarious. This was another book that I read with a smile on my face a majority of the time. My only irks are that when Christian “spoke” he didn’t sound like a three year old at all – it was too mature for what I know of a three year old (my son is 8.5 it has been a hot minute but still felt off to me) and I really wish that I could have seen a glimpse of their future in an epilogue. Still an amazing book and a 5 star read for me.
I absolutely loved this book! This is the second book that I’ve read by this author and definitely becoming an absolute favorite. I’m so happy when a writer doesn’t fill you in on every detail from the other books in that series like I didn’t already read the previous books. There’s so many reasons to to like this book that you should just read it for yourself and try not to fall in love with every character. I’m so ready for the next book.
I loved this one! Joel is a hot, sexy basketball player (yummm) but avoids relationships for a good reason. Katrina is strong and knows her worth. Their chemistry is electric and their banter will have you in stitches and then feel swoony. A definite must read in this series!
The Fadeaway is my favorite in the series so far! These books continue to blow me away, and the audiobook perfectly brings it to life. This is the second book in the Smart Jocks series and it’s definitely one you don’t want to miss. The chemistry between the characters is off the charts, along with witty banter and genuine character development. This book was amazing and I can’t wait to read the next one.
I am so loving this Smart Jocks series. The Fadeaway was a fun, charming, refreshing tale and I enjoyed every minute of it. This was Katrina and Joel’s story and I loved watching Joel woo Kitty. The chemistry between them was there from the beginning and the story will give you all the feels. The addition of the secondary characters greatly added to the tale. The romance, the banter, the friendships all came together to make this novel a fantastic read. I would highly recommend it to all lovers of NA/single parent/sports romance.
The audiobook version was narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Summer Morton. These two did a fantastic job with the characters. They gave the characters their own personalities and really brought the story to life. I enjoyed listening to them narrate this novel.
Rebecca Jenshak sure knows how to write drool-worthy heroes! I thought Wes from The Assist was book boyfriend perfection, but then came The Fadeaway and Joel! Holy mother of all things hot, swoony, and sexy af sports god! Like, whoa. My little bookworm heart didn’t even stand a damn chance. This story owned me!
Joel was ALL. THE. THINGS! I swear to Jesus I ignored all adulting while listening and I’m not one tiny bit sorry. Joel and Kitty’s story was fantastic! It’s what sports romance dreams are made of. From the scorching and electric chemistry to the delicious sexual tension, and above all the perfection of this slow-burn that felt not at all too sow and burned oh so good, everything just worked. Add to that all that top-notch banter between not only the MCs, but also all the great secondary characters, an adorable kiddo, and feels so good I never wanted to come up for air!
Narration was performed by the audio God also known as Teddy Hamilton. That’s all you need to know about that. I’d have bought the audiobook just for Rebecca Jenshak’s writing and Teddy alone, but no! We also get Summer Morton who, frankly, knocked my socks off! Where has she been all my life? Everything in this audiobook is just perfection. It’s one of those audiobooks I finished only to immediately want to listen again right away. 10 stars.
So, I put off ready this book for a long time because I loved Wes and Blair story so much that I was convinced there was no way that the rest of the guys stories could measure up. Well, let me just say, man, was I wrong! Joel and Kitty were just as intriguing and fabulous as Blair and Wes. They had a whole different set of issues to work through and I totally did not see Joel’s past coming. The way Jenshak was able to tie Katrina’s present reality with Joel’s past experiences was interesting and so unique that I’m pretty sure I haven’t read another story like it. I literally could not put this book down and I am excited to jump into Zeke and Gabby’s story. No waiting around this time!
I wasn’t sure about this couple in the beginning, but I ended up loving them together. I’m giving this 4.5 out of 5 stars.
I liked Katrina (Kitty) from the first book when we saw a little of her and Blair interacting. Then getting to know her, and her son, in depth made me love her. She was doing so much on her own, and I commend her for her strength. I also liked how she found time to be with her friends/Joel, and gave herself a needed break from her hectic life.
I was less sure about my feelings for Joel when this book started. I thought he was okay in The Assist, but he wasn’t my favorite of the teammates. He won me over though! Also I adored how Joel made spending time with both Kitty AND her son a priority. A lot of men would just ignore the kid, especially college guys. There were some flashbacks to his past that helped me understand his character more, so those were a nice touch too.
I really loved the narrators, especially Teddy Hamilton. Those Spanish lines had me swooning. Single parent romances are one of my absolute favorite tropes plus the addition of sports made this audiobook even more amazing. I can’t wait to continue with this series!
The Smart Jocks series remain to intrigue us on the men of college basketball. This time around we have Joel Moreno’s story…a total player and the hottest guy that ladies would like to be seen with. However, that all changed when he comes across Katrina Phillips at the cafe she works at. Little did he expect that her home life entails being a single mother to an adorable three year old named Christian.
Prior to finding out that Katrina already being a mother; something about her has Joel pursuing her. Not his typical MO. He even makes a deal with “Kitty” so that he can take her out on a date. What started out as a woman he wants to get his fill of begins turning out to be a game changer and someone getting under his skin and not just his bed.
There is a reason why Joel feels that he cannot be more for anyone. Afraid to get hurt and burn once again he attempts to keep his distance to this beauty but finds it more challenging as they get to know each other. His reveal will have you aching for him and hoping that he can overcome his past.
These smart jocks men continue to surprise and capture hearts in their own special way. Joel and Katrina’s story is filled with banter, swooning words spoken in a different language, and hope that love is possible. To add to its appeal the narrators Teddy Hamilton and Summer Morton will bring out the feels.
I enjoyed the way that Teddy Hamilton and Summer Morton brought these characters to life.
It’s really nice to go back into a world I enjoyed in the first book of the series but see it from the point of view of another set of characters. This story is lovely, enjoyable, and to me very sweet. I loved watching the characters as they approached the situations around them and built their relationships. I feel the subject is handled sympathetically but not in a saccharine or clichéd way. I really enjoyed it.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
What a wonderful story! I loved it all! Especially a sexy Latino hero! They’re my absolute favorite. Add in a single mom and I’m a goner. Highly recommend!
Smart Jocks Book Two.
Katrina Phillips cannot fathom a time when she will be available to date, so when Joel Moreno begins to ask her out every Thursday while ordering his coffee, Kat says no. She doesn’t even know if Joel wants her to say yes, but her son, Christian, is her world. Joel knows that Kitty wants him, so he keeps asking. When they run into each other at a party, everything changes. Joel convinces Kitty to join in on the party games and they end up playing Seven Minutes in Heaven. As they continue to develop a friendship, Kat opens up. However, Joel knows he cannot be what Kitty and Christian need long-term.
If you’ve been waiting for the hot jock player to find the woman to tame him, this is the book for you!
AudiobookObsession
The Fadeaway
Smart Jocks, Book 2
By: Rebecca Jenshak
Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Summer Morton
Who doesn’t want the hottest athlete on the basketball team to ask you out? Well, it seems Katrina doesn’t! As a single mom in college, it’s hard to find a time to have a social life with work, school and a child, not counting a dad who doesn’t help out! But eventually, the man with the reputation, Joel, wears “Kitty” down and they begin to date. Joel is shocked by his feelings for Kitty, but are they strong enough to start a relationship? This book is so easy to get caught up in. Rebecca Jenshak has a style of writing that is easy to fall into, making us feel like we are experiencing all the emotional tugs as the story unfolds. What do I love the most about this one? I love that you can’t always believe what you hear, you never know where love will find you and it’s important to follow your heart. She brings it all to life with this one.
Jenshak’s choice of narrators for this is perfect. I love Teddy Hamilton’s voice, always an easy going sound. He has a way of having that comforting feel in his narrations. Summer Morton is a wonderful pick for Kitty. She has an inflection of maturity in her voice , yet pulls off the college age sound. It’s like an older soul included which Kitty has with her experience. Loved this team!
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Oh. My. Heart.
I’m not going to lie, I had a moment sort of early on in this book where I wasn’t sure that Joel Moreno was going to do it for me. I wasn’t sure he was good enough for the strong, smart, and all-around amazing Katrina. I mean, don’t get me wrong – he’s the fun guy, and he was fun here too! But I was looking for a depth from him and I wasn’t sure I was going to get it.
But then, it happened. My heart leapt on board and fluttered and swooned away at Joel Moreno’s feet. I mean, I’m only a little bit kidding when I tell you that my ovaries were at risk here. He straight up delivered on the irresistible soft underbelly and I shipped Joel and Katrina so hard.
This series is turning out to be such a delight! I love the banter and the smart humor. I love the emotion and the storylines that run just a smidge deeper than I expect them to. The writing sucks me in and the storyline keeps me interested. This was another easy, addicting read that left me completely satisfied and yet hungry for more at the same time! ~ 4.5 Stars
“I can’t seem to get enough of her and I’m about to drop all pretenses of even trying.”
Joel Moreno is a player through and through. He doesn’t have to try at all to get a girl. Until he meets Katrina Phillips. For months, she constantly turns him down. When he finally scores a date in exchange for helping her, he finds himself unable to move on just yet. He’s not looking for a long-term relationship, especially with a single mother, but he can’t let her go.
“I like him. There I’ve admitted it. He’s sort of sweet under all that suave charm, and though I have zero expectations that he wants anything besides sex, I’m not as put off as I’d been initially.”
Katrina has no time for relationships between college, work and taking care of her precious son. Joel’s once-a-week visit into the cafe where she works is the highlight of her week. When she finally gives in to him, he surprises her by taking his time.
This was a great read. Joel has a lot of barriers up and rarely shows his real self to the world, but there’s something about Katrina that pulls him in. He’s convinced himself that he’s not looking for anything deep and meaningful, but his own actions surprise him, and how willing he is to help make Katrina’s life easier. Katrina is hugely independent and has learnt to live apart from her family and raise her son, Christian, whilst attending college. I loved watching Joel’s gradual fall into love. His heart definitely knew something before his head did!
Overall, an enjoyable, sexy read with plenty of humour, too.
The Fadeaway (Smart Jocks Book 2) is a new adult sports romance with a single mom twist. I listened to book one and actually enjoyed listening to book two even more than book one. I absolutely loved Joel Moreno’s character and his reasonings behind his thoughts. Katrina was a compelling & sweet-natured character. Christian, Katrina’s three year old son was adorable and his interactions with Joel were unforgettable. I relished the flash backs to Joel’s high school years. An entertaining listen that I revel in. Looking forward to listening to the next audiobook in this NA Sports Romance Series.
Narators Teddy Hamilton and Summer Morton did a crackerjack of a naration. Teddy Hamilton did well in changing his timbre with different characters. His Spanish was fun. His voice is smooth and flowed through flawlessly. Summer Morton brought out all the passion and just the right sentiments in the right places. Together these two brought the narrative and character’s to reality.
Audiobook Obsession
This was a great addition to the series. Stand-alone but book 1 is just as good so grab that too..
Jock meets smart girl with a twist. She’s not your average college girl & there’s more to him than his cocky persona.
Definitely enjoyed this book & hope Z will get a story too.
Loved this book from cover to cover! I read it in one sitting! I can’t wait book 3!
JoelKatrina! Fantastic Story & Audible Listen
The Fadeaway
Smart Jocks, Book 2
By: Rebecca Jenshak
Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Summer Morton
I thoroughly enjoyed Rebecca Jenshak’s “The Assist” her first “Smart Jocks” book and was glad to see she would be making it series, featuring different characters. This is Joel and Katrina’s story, it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone, characters from the 1st book do make appearances but not knowing their back story does not take anything away from this one, though I highly recommend both of these books. Yes, they are that good. Joel, has plans to play for NBA one day, he js a player on and off the court. No girls turn him down, that is until he meets Katrina, she is not your typical college student, she does not have time to party or hang out with classmates because she is busy focusing on finishing college and taking care of her son. She works in the coffee shop on campus and catches Joel’s eye. He asks her out and she does not accept. But he does not give up, he returns each week asking her out. One day she asks him for help on a play she is writing. He is happy to oblige. This is the start of a new relationship, but Joel does not do relationships. I loved these two together, loved how he did not freak out when he found out she had a kid and how great he was with her son. Their story is an emotional roller coaster yet it still put a smile on my face. Yes, there is some drama but somehow I knew it was going to work out for them. I do hope to hear more about these two characters, it was great seeing Blair and Wes again too. Rebecca Jenshak thank you for another great story.
I listened to the Audible edition, Teddy Hamilton and Summer Morton are wonderful narrators and voice performers. They bring these characters to life, give each their own voice and personality. You can hear how much heart they put in to their performance. Each are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this great listen
Thank you @AudiobookObsession #AudiobookObsession #AudiobookObsessionReviewer