Playing football ruled every decision Julian MacIntyre ever made, including leaving his high school sweetheart behind to follow his dream. Sidelined by an injury on the field, he’s now making a huge comeback to the NFL as the league’s youngest head coach. He wants it all. The glory, the job and the girl he walked away from years ago. As one of the top sports reporters, Addison Hamilton has made a … has made a name for herself in a male-dominated industry. Proven to be a hard-nosed journalist, she asks the tough questions, but when given the opportunity to interview the man who broke her heart, is she willing to cross the lines of professionalism to get the answers she needs?
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A new series by LM Carr, this book definitely a good sport second chance romance book. Addison a sport reporter meets again with the guy that broke her heart ten years ago, Julian Macintyre, the new NFL coach. Chemistry is still there, so their story isn’t really over, they get their second chance. I enjoyed the story, it was a light read, and just what you expect from this trope.
This was my first LM Carr book and I definitely will try other books. I love football and I really was drawn in by Julian. There were things that he did though, that were questionable.
Once he saw Addison again though, he was unwavering in what he wanted. He did everything he could to get his girl back. There were parts of this book that I really loved and parts that left me wanting more. Addison had her own demons to deal with and at times it was overwhelming with the different battles that warred inside her head.
The one thing that I knew at the end of the day though, was that this couple went through a lot to get back the love they had, and that should be cherished.
This book is a must read, there is no doubt about it. It moves along at a great pace which makes it a very enjoyable comfortable read as you are not jumping from scene to svene as the transitions are that smooth. The characters are awesome you feel as though they are your best friend and no matter what you want to help them through whatever may be in their way. The story is top notch, from the moment that you start reading you will be hooked on this book and no matter what you have to read it till the very end. No doubt about it, this is a must read.
A story, ripped from the headlines, Addison is a female sports caster trying to make it in the male dominated world of football as a reporter. She has never been taken seriously for her skills that were embedded in her from a young age from her father. She fell for her brothers best friend but Jullian broke her heart and followed his own dream of football fame. Eighteen years later their worlds collide again but has maturity tainted their love? Watch as they fight for careers, family, and more importantly a possible second chance. This story is riveting and will tear you apart. Decisions are made and lives are redirected and you will be cheering and shouting and weeping.
A story, ripped from the headlines, Addison is a female sports caster trying to make it in the male dominated world of football as a reporter. She has never been taken seriously for her skills that were embedded in her from a young age from her father. She fell for her brothers best friend but Jullian broke her heart and followed his own dream of football fame. Eighteen years later their worlds collide again but has maturity tainted their love? Watch as they fight for careers, family, and more importantly a possible second chance. This story is riveting and will tear you apart. Decisions are made and lives are redirected and you will be cheering and shouting and weeping.
3.5 stars
ThePlay Maker by new to me author, LM Carr is a sports, second chance romance with a little of brother’s best friend thrown in.
AJ Hamilton and and Julian McIntrye were the stuff of sports romances the world over, until they just weren’t anymore. Julian leaves AJ crushed and devastated with words she doesn’t understand. The following years are spent overcoming the breakup and establishing herself as an award winning sports reporter, while Julian works hard to become a football legend. Each spend the majority of their time burying their lingering feelings in meaningless encounters. When Julian makes the transition from play maker on the field to play caller (coach) on the sidelines, they are thrust back together. Making it up to AJ will be the most important play of his life.
While the backstory was layered and well written, I just couldn’t connect with these characters. AJ was this sports reporter expecting to be taken seriously but has a laundry list of athlete conquests so vast she can’t remember them all? In addition, while there is plenty of angst, they seem to fall back together relatively easily, which seemed unlikely under the circumstances. Lastly, AJ’s brother annoyed the heck out of me. I found both of them rather selfish. As I said, the story was well written and I’d happily read this author again but this one just wasn’t for me.
AnnMarie – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
This is the first book I have read from LM Carr and now I can’t wait for more.
AJ Hamilton (aka Addison) is a successful sports reporter she is all for the game.
One thing she is not lucking in is love one man broke her heart ten years ago and she vailed no man would every do that to her again.
That is until her boss calls her into his office to tell her that she will be interviewing the new NFL coach Julian Macintyre.
The same man that broke her heart can she Interview the play maker the man that broke her heart and have no feelings at all.
The feelings they have for each other have not changed the chemistry between them is still there you will find a few surprises as you read on a few twists that will leave your head spinning.
Will Addison and Julian get the HEA they deserve you will have to read it to find out.
3.5 Stars
This was an entertaining second chance romance. Julian is reunited with AJ the girl he left behind to make it in the NHL. I enjoyed the story and for the most part liked the characters. There were some parts that frustrated me. The way AJ was such a pushover, I really needed her to put up more of a fight and not give in so easily. The way Julian gets out of his current relationship was just wrong, no respect or feelings. I did enjoy them reconnecting but would have liked some more communication between them. The chemistry and steamy sex scenes added a lot to the story. At times there was too much drama but still an enjoyable read.
reviewed by Sweet Spot Sisterhood
I’m having a bit of a love/hate relationship with this book LOL It’s a second chance to get it right trope, which is one of my favorites because, redemption!! Redemption can be tricky in a romance journey because while redeeming someone is crucial, it also takes pages/words/plot away from a couple actually moving forward and romancing, if you will. So, long story short, I love that the meat of this book focused more on AJ and Julian in the present but I hate how it was written. I’m not going into plot points, but I will say that if I can’t believe in the characters, there’s not too much for me to read for ….
I really like the idea of this story, but not so much on the execution. It wasn’t a complete loss, but it wasn’t a win either. I was entertained while I read the story, but I honestly didn’t believe in it so ….
The Play Maker is the first book I’ve read from L.M. Carr and I’m a sucker for any sports romance so I had to read this one. I read this book in one sitting and enjoyed every single moment of the story.
Addison is a sports reporter and landed an interview for Houston’s new head coach, he just so happens to be the man that broke her heart years prior. Julian’s NFL career ended quickly due to an injury but he has the chance to come back as a head coach. When he see’s the woman whose heart he broke things change for him and he wants to make up for everything he lost. Will they get the second chance they deserve?
I liked Addison, she was a woman in a male dominated industry and kicked booty doing it. When it came to Julian I wanted her to make him fight for her more, to make him beg. She just kind of took him back pretty easily and I wanted a little more drama there, however, there was still no shortage of drama in this story. I wanted to hate Julian when he was first introduced, however, I found that difficult. He was sweet and caring and I couldn’t help but swoon.
The Play Maker is a great second chance sports romance full of steam, drama and plenty of hot football players. I can’t wait for the rest of this series.
I must say I don’t really read sports stories but I love L..Carr’s books and a sucker for second chances so I wanted to try it, now I’m a fan. Addison loved Julian for a long time envisioning marriage and babies but one day he left for football with no explanation. She has spent the last ten years making bad decisions but her career as a sports reporter has taken off, AJ Hamilton is a well known name.
Julian has come to Houston where Addison lives with big plans to build his own team and win her back but the skeletons in their closets keep haunting them. I’m so glad this didn’t end in a cliffhanger but you aren’t sure till the end.
4 star Review of The Play Maker (The Sideline Series #1) by LM Carr
LM Carr is a new author to me. I enjoyed The Play Maker, a second chance at love story but it didn’t grab my attention as much as I hope it would.
Leaving behind his high school girlfriend, Julian MacIntyre was determined to make it big in the NFL . Fast forward ten years or so and after being sidelined by injury, Julian is now the youngest coach in the NFL. Addison (AJ) Hamilton is now a sport’s journalist tasked with interviewing Julian, the man who broke her heart.
Julian has decided he wants AJ back; I am being totally honest, AJ, really frustrated me with how easily she fell for Julian, it was like all the pain of the past just disappeared, not holding Julian accountable for his actions. I think that part got to me because she has had to be strong, determined and focused to succeed in what is perceived as a male dominated profession and I would have liked her feistiness to shine in her dealings with Julian.
Julian was an immature jerk at times and both characters seemed to act younger than their years which was annoying. There was drama, angst, steam and humour within the story that LM Carr wove and it was well written.
Where to start with this book?!?! I adore Julian. I could feel how much he wanted a second chance with her. He did everything you can think off in order for her to see that the bond and chemistry was still there. But to be honest she did give in too easily but OK.
As for her; I can’t say enough about my love and appreciation of Addison and her strength and the way she took control of her life. This was simply magnificent read. I loved the mystery who was after her and the way when everything came out into the open they talked about it and that made them stronger in the end.
I can’t wait for the next book to come out – I have a feeling it’s going to be epic!
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
I read this book in one sitting! I really liked their chemistry and their sexy times were really hot!
Wow, totally fell in love with this one! 5 touchdowns for this one!
Meet Addison, top female sports reporter, and beautiful as well, also sister to a famous football player Rence, and it’s not easy to do her job in a male dominated field, but she’s holding her own and doing it well. As she’s told by her boss, she has to interview the new coach for Houston, who also happens to be the love of her life Julian. How will she get through this one, she hasn’t stopped loving him, yet words he once said to her, hurt her bad and caused her to spiral.
Can she get the interview done, and save her heart again, or will Julian worm him way into it again. Follow their story, and enjoy the ride! You will love these characters! Great job writing this one!
4 1/2 Super Bowl stars!! I really enjoyed this second chance love story! Julian and Addison (AJ) may have missed out on a lot of time they could have had together because of a big misunderstanding but they sure make up for it in a big way once they reconnect. And maybe it just wasn’t meant to be back then and they needed to have different experiences alone to get to the amazing place they end up. I liked both of their characters very much! They are both likable and easy to relate to. They really are perfect for each other. He is a hot shot young football coach and she is the sports reporter who is assigned to tell his story. Being thrown together like that was the best thing that could have happened to them. This sweet, sexy second chance sports romance ticks off all the boxes for me.
Julian “J-Mack” MacIntyre is known as the Play Maker, but after a devastating injury left him sidelined, he is now making a comeback as one of the youngest NFL coaches. Years ago he left Addison “AJ” Hamilton to chase his dreams, but now he’s back in town and wants to have everything; his career and the girl. She just doesn’t know it yet.
Addison “AJ” Hamilton works in a man’s world as one of the top sports reporters. She loves her job, but she knows the pitfalls of being a woman in her field. When the interview comes down the pipeline that makes her rethink everything she’s worked hard for, interview the new NFL coach J-Mack, because the ratings will go through the roof, she isn’t sure she can do it.
After ten years, their chemistry hasn’t faded. It isn’t long before they reconnect, but can they last. Julian left her once, what’s to say he won’t leave her again? Can they really make this work? They both have skeletons in their closet, but who’s to say they won’t come out at some time to haunt them both?
While I liked the premise of The Play Maker, I didn’t love it. There were certain aspects of the story where I felt cheated as a reader and honestly I didn’t like how they both left a relationship and jumped into a new one the very next day. For all the years they were apart and the emotional toil it took on them it just felt emotionally cold when it came to their actions and how they treated others. So perhaps it could be chalked up to my personal preference, but something didn’t connect with me. This story may connect with you, this is just my opinion.
With a history filled with friendship, love and betrayal, Julian and AJ need to forgive and forget in order to find their way back to each other. But can the NFL coach and the top sports reporter put their past behind them and figure out a future together. You emotions will be all over the place as you read this book. From laughing out loud to screaming obscenities at the characters, each chapter puts you further and further into a storyline that you will not be able to put down. Thank god this did not end in a cliffhanger as i would have had to hunt the author down to find the ending. With supporting characters that are more than intriguing I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
I’m a little annoyed that Addison didn’t even make Julian work for it. He broke your heart a decade ago and he comes back and you jump into a relationship with him right away? That is crazy! I could have used a little more drama with them. I needed the chase. Other then that I did enjoy it and look forward Rence and Mallory’s story.
I wrote this review based on an advance reading copy that the publisher sent me.