He’s supposed to be the ruler of this kingdom.The prince poised to take his rightful place on the pitch.Instead, he plays the jester, shunning his legacy.Only I am privy to his lion heart.Kingston Phillips is the heir to England’s football dynasty. The offspring of two of the world’s greatest players, the expectations set on his shoulders could crush the universe. But the golden-haired Adonis … golden-haired Adonis chooses to live his life as a game; a series of nightclubs, brawls, pranks and different kit chasers parading through his sheets.
I’m the last woman he should chase, and I’ve told him so. My cheeky mouth and icy demeanor guard the secret no one can learn. But when the Casanova I’ve been avoiding becomes the bloke next door, he quickly begins to thaw the frost around my heart. Kingston shows me the ferocious, loyal, protective side of himself that no one else gets to witness.
I begin to realize that he’s just as damaged as I am.
That as much as I try to deny it, we’re the same.
And … that might just be our undoing.
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Kingston is THE man! Loved his story.
Kingston was my fave in Book 1 and he DOES NOT disappoint in his own book!! We met Poppy briefly in Book 1 and of course, many of us fell in love with the arrogant and c*cky Kingston there.
He is just as wonderful in this one and his pursuit of Poppy is fun to watch unfold.
“For as long as she’ll let me, I’m going to be her person. The one who protects her. Her lion.”
“The deep vibrato tone licks up my spine. He has one of those voices that can completely undress you, causing a stir of arousal deep in your belly, even if you’re fully clothed in a room of people.” Oh my!!
There is angst, humor, some tough subject matter (possible trigger) and romance. Watching Kingston and Poppy fall is a joy to behold.
So looking forward to Vance’s story next!!
I voluntarily requested and read an advance reader copy.
Two things I love…soccer and a man with an accent. And Carrie Aarons gave me both in The Lion Heart. While this is the first book I’ve read in the Rogue Academy, it read as a complete standalone.
I liked Poppy a whole heck of a lot. She was strong willed, hard working and kind. But not afraid to put her foot down. Case in point, her first handful of interactions with Kingston. I’m not gonna lie- it took me a hot minute to warm up to Kingston. He was a player in more than one way. But underneath all that cocksure bravado and swagger was a lonely heart of gold.
Le Sigh. There was something so endearing about these enemies-to-lovers. The banter, The pranks. I liked seeing these two with vastly different backgrounds and work ethics find common ground. It took them a good while to get there but the tension and anticipation were well worth the wait.
I enjoyed Kingston and Poppy’s journey- every painful part of it (and yes some things were hard to swallow- but handled with the care they deserved). The Lion Heart is friendship and family, passion and purpose. Doing what’s right, not just what is expected and easy. And the ending Carrie Aarons gave Poppy and Kingston left me with a grin on my face.