They say the red zone is the hardest place to score.But for me, those last twenty yards were my sweet spot.They didn’t call me Lukas “Last Minute Lucy” Callihan for nothing.I was at the top of my game…until life sacked me harder than any linebacker ever could.Losing my mom was devastating and left me as the sole person responsible for my little sister.Taking care of Ella and juggling my career … Ella and juggling my career was like playing the hardest game of my life.
My only saving grace was Scarlett Knox, Ella’s sexy, red-headed, no-nonsense teacher.
She loved Ella. She hated me.
She thought I sucked at this parenting thing, and she wasn’t wrong.
But whenever she was around I got the same earth-shattering, heart-stopping feeling I did when I was only twenty yards from the goal line.
She made me feel like I was back in the red zone, a place I’d never fumbled.
Until now.
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This was a very sweet, wonderful story. It’s impossible not to love Lukas, he is the perfect Prince Charming. I connected with Scarlett as well, the state of her love life in the past as well as before she gets together with Lukas, well that’s me. But the connection between them was so perfect. Even though I was a bit frustrated at her misreading some of the things he said, I get again that it is the drama of just about all romances. And Ella, it was impossible not to love that sweet girl. I liked how much the story was real with her, at least as real as someone like myself, who is not around anyone with Down Syndrome on a regular basis could feel.
I was left hoping that the author gives us a book for Scarlett’s brother Ollie, especially with the little tidbit at the end between him and Lukas, when he was hiding from Hazel. I kinda need that story!
Another stellar story from Amie Knight. This delightful second chance romance is a joy to read.
Lukas and Scarlett met when she was just fourteen and he was eighteen. A spell of tutoring led to friendship. This friendship was cemented when Scarlett met Luk’s sister Ella. Ella has Down Syndrome and Scarlett took to her straight away, accepting her for the beautiful toddler she was.
Feelings developed between Luk and Scarlett but he was destined for great things on the football field. A stolen kiss was all there was between them for ten years.
Luk returns home to care for his sister after their mother dies. And guess who is Ella’s teacher?
The book tells the tale of Luk’s attempts to win Scarlett over, whilst trying to grapple with the new reality of his life as Ella’s guardian. It’s funny, sweet, heartwarming and downright swoony. Luk is an awesome leading man; the way he loves with his whole heart is gorgeous to read.
I really, really enjoyed this book. It didn’t shy away from the disabilities Ella had, but also embraced the joy she brought to people’s lives. The relationship between Luk and his sister is everything. And the way Scarlett fits into their lives is as though she was made just for them, coming back into their lives exactly when she was supposed to. A beautiful book.
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~~ 5 “MISTER QUARTERBACK” STARS! ~~
“I wanna call dibs on you, Red.”
Amie Knight scored a MEGA TOUCHDOWN with THE RED ZONE, a small-town sports romance chock full of sweetness, poignancy and warm, fuzzy feels!
THE PREMISE:
Star Quarterback Lukas Callihan was at the top of his game…his Florida team was on a winning streak and gearing up for the Super Bowl. But then his picture-perfect life hit a major setback when tragedy struck his family. Grieving over his momma’s sudden passing was devastating enough, but as the sole guardian of his special needs little sister, he had no choice but to return home to Summerville. Leaving behind his team—and his shot at the Super Bowl ring— to play for the second-rate Alabama Cougars team was a bitter pill to swallow, but he would sacrifice ANYTHING for Ells.
“I loved her more than football. More than Miami in the summer. More than anything in the world.”
And every cloud has a silver lining and his comes in the form of a blast from his past. His sister’s Special Education teacher is none other than Scarlett Knox, the sweet and sassy spitfire who tutored Lukas in French during his senior year of high school. Back when she was a frizzy haired freshman, “Red” had a massive crush on “Mr. Quarterback” and he had the audacity to steal her first kiss—and shatter her heart—before heading off to college! And she has not quite forgiven him for going radio silent for the past decade. Gaining her trust again is not a fait accompli, but Luk is a man who is in it to win it. And as sparks reignite between the feisty duo and she helps him navigate his new role as Ella’s full-time guardian, he is about to learn what it means to be a TRUE champion!
MY MUSINGS:
I have been an admirer of Amie Knight’s work for a while. She always writes straight from the soul and with each new story she spins, she never fails to dazzle us with an achingly emotional romance that is infused with her unique blend of sizzling sparks, infectious humor and sweet and tangy southern charm! And THE RED ZONE is hands down my new ALL-TIME FAVE of hers to date!!
I loved this book with every beat of my hopelessly smitten heart! THE RED ZONE is pure freaking magic and I was totally sucked into this story from page one. I think the author did a particularly exemplary job of juxtaposing flashbacks from Scarlett and Lukas’s time together in high school into the present story to really tap into their rich backstory, giving this dynamic couple incredible rooting value. And fate sure works in mysterious ways because when these former “chums” cross paths again it’s combustible!
“She was still the fun, silly, Skittles-eating girl I’d adored. Only now, she was a woman and that was a deadly combination for me.”
This H&h are definitely evenly matched and oh how I relished when they would go toe to toe. Their red-hot chemistry, sparkling banter, mounting sexual tension and emotional tug of war were truly palpable! This is a slooooow burn romance, but over time the fiery friction between them gives way to mutual respect, deep affection, pent up lust, and at long last, forever love! And yowza when these two finally hit the sheets …it’s ELECTRIFYING!
As far as character development goes, it’s top-notch! Both Scarlett and Lukas are vibrant, beautifully flawed, uber relatable, and just burrowed themselves so deep into my heart. Ms. Knight pens the most ENDEARING, true-to-life heroines and OMG Scarlett is such a firecracker! Sweet and tender-hearted, fun-loving and feisty, with a hot temper to match her flaming red hair, you can’t help but adore her. Plus, it’s so cute how she’s a total a klutz around her former teenage crush! And it also totally melted my heart how her special kinship with Luk’s baby sister, Ella, back in high school was her inspiration for being a Special Ed teacher. Like how AWESOME is that?
And sighhh who doesn’t SWOON over a hot, hunky football player? Well, as far as all-star BBFs go, Luk has it going on! I loved his sexy swagger, his roguish charm, his huge noble heart and his amazing capacity to take his punches and still remain standing! He has suffered more than his fair share of tragedy in his life but rather than break him to pieces, it’s made him stronger and braver and even more resilient. Yet he still possesses a raw vulnerability that made him even more lovable. And his fierce love and unconditional devotion to Ella truly elevated him to HERO-WORSHIP STATUS for me!
And even though Scarlett is not about to just let bygones be bygones where Lukas is concerned and makes him WORK HARD to reclaim her heart, I appreciated that she did not let her personal feelings stop her from supporting him and Ella. Juggling family and football is far from easy for Luk—and this big, brawny quarterback sure makes his fair share of fumbles along the way—but nothing will keep him from stepping up and doing the right thing by his beloved baby sis. And lucky for him Scarlett is always there to lend a sympathetic ear, cheer him on and help him and “Ellie Bellie” every step of the way!
In keeping with all her small-town romances, the side characters were truly memorable—Luk’s teammate Mason and of course teenage Ella were standouts. And, on a personal note, as a mom of two special needs kids, I was SO MOVED by Ms. Knight’s depiction of sweet and stubborn Ella, who has Down syndrome, and the lifelong challenges she faces. It felt incredibly authentic and REAL, yet did not veer into sappy sentimentality. And gah, Ella’s interactions with Scarlett and her doting big brother truly SLAYED me. As for the HEA? There are for sure a few speedbumps along the way, but the payoff was so dang beautiful it had me BLUBBERING WITH JOY!
BOTTOM LINE:
THE RED ZONE is a touching, heart-healing tale about love, acceptance, overcoming adversity, forging new dreams, and learning that sometimes “family wasn’t always the one God gave you. It was also the one you chose.”
THIS EPIC ROMANCE REVIEWS TOP PICK IS A MUST READ!
Lukas and Scarlett’s story was absolutely fantastic… From the very first page I was sucked into this moving, heart-warming second-chance romance. The characters, the storyline, and of course the wonderful Ellie, who totally stole the show for me.
When tragedy strikes and Lukas is forced to give up his dreams of NFL stardom, he moves back home to help take care of his sister. Fully aware of his responsibilities and commitments, he does what he can to keep things ticking over at home whilst playing for another local team and going through his grief.
Scarlett is a teacher at the local school for children with additional needs and learning difficulties. She loves her job and has always been inspired to work in this capacity, with all the children she works with making her job very special and rewarding.
Scarlett and Luk were friends many years ago at school when he was getting extra help with his French work. But when Lukas left for college and Scarlett was left behind, they haven’t spoken since. However much she may have moved on, Scarlett still can’t forget her first crush!! And finally they will be reuniting? But can their friendship be rekindled too?
I loved the way the story was structured, with glimpses back into their past and how their first friendship formed and developed and the impact it has had on them both today. I feel in love with the characters and devoured the story from the beginning to very last page.
I love Amie Knights writing, but I think The Red Zone may just be my favourite book to date!
5 He Called Dibs Stars!!!
This is my first book by Ms. Knight and what an introduction to her storytelling capability. This book is so beautifully written telling the story of Lukas, Scarlett and his baby sister Ella. It’s heartwarming, heart wrenching, sassy and sexy!
The minute I started this one, I was fully invested in the story. What I wasn’t expecting were tears and oh my goodness, I pretty much lost it at one point…when or if you’ve read this one you know exactly when this happened! This story tells not only the story of the second chance for Lukas and Scarlett, but all also the love of a big brother and his baby sister and their unbreakable bond.
I absolutely adored how much sass Scarlett gave to Lukas and we learn their history through a series of flashbacks and little did they know who they were each dealing with when it came to texting about Ellie Bellie and her Ms. Lettie. I hooted with laughter on several occasions before they came face to face. What hadn’t changed over the years was their feelings for each other and that became abundantly clear the more time they spent together.
While this could be considered a second chance love story, in my opinion this story really is about Lulu and Ellie Bellie and how he has to step in and become her parent and guiding force which isn’t easy. There are some delicate topics covered in this story and again some truly laugh out loud moments as Lukas realizes his baby sister isn’t so much a baby anymore.
The beauty of this story lies in that love comes in many shapes and sizes as does acceptance and that’s in this book in spades. My heart was so full with each page that I read. There’s a treasure trove of beautiful and reflective moments, friendships that are formed and familial bonds created whether they’re blood related or not. Oh and the secondary characters in this book are so well played out. I can’t wait for the next book!
Overall, I’m absolutely in love with this story and this author. I love discovering new to me authors and Ms. Knight has hit me in my heart and soul with her prose and ability to tell a story that evoked every emotion possible. She’s got a new fan for life!
Five shining stars! This is a stunning tale that strikes the heart and soul.
Oh my Batman! What a wonderful book I have read. The Red Zone is a bookish pleasure in all its shining glory. It is a cute and sweet second chance romance that warmed my heart and made me all swoony. Amie Knight hooked me with her smooth and flawless writing. I loved and enjoyed this addictive sports romance that has the right dose of humour and emotional tragedy packed in human feelings and brotherly love. It is a special masterpiece that pours friendship and love in the most human way.
The pace is fast in spite of the flashbacks that added more content to this rich and beautiful story. The plot is unique and brilliant; so human and so real. The prose has all the feels making this book a treasure. It is full emotions, laugh out loud moments and a love that will hold you to the end. Every element made this book so special.
This a heart-wrenching, poignant, thoughtful tale of love in all its forms, and the lengths that two souls will go to for it. Scarlett and Lukas’ story is about two people trying to do the best they can, with the cards life has dealt them. Two souls that are meant to be together but at the right time and moment, unfortunately their story started in the wrong time in their young although fate will have more soulful and witty plans for them.
Lukas is a very devoted man. He is a sweet protector and a sexy as hell football player. He is the perfect book boyfriend. The man of every girl’s dreams. The kind of man you take home to meet your parents. He is a knight who will give his life to protect his family and the woman he loves. He is all gentlemanly. But years later tragedy will mark his life. He has not choice but to leave his dreams behind to return home to take care of his sweet special needs little sister. But not all is dark. There will be hard times when he will think that he is not enough for his little sister but he won’t give up because a Red light will brighten his life in so many ways.
Scarlett is such a sassy, feisty and caring woman who is devoted to her students with special needs. She loves them with all her heart although she has a very soft spot for one of her students, Ella who is the little sister of Lukas, someone who she knew when she was younger. The boy who gave her the first kiss. The boy who left her with a broken heart.
Now that they are in the same town they will see each other many times because Ella who is their special connection, will need both of them, her teacher and her brother to take care of her. The chemistry between these two was electric and magnetic. Scarlett will fight back what her heart wants but Lukas won’t make it easy for her because this time is the right time for both.
I can’t articulate how much I loved this beautiful book. A journey of sacrifice, friendship, family and love. The Red Zone is a stunning tale that strikes the heart and soul, an emotional roller coaster of love and second chances. It is an unforgettable story that makes you open your heart to love and live life to the fullest. To take care of your loved ones and sacrifice yourself to make your people happy. Simply perfection.
* I won an ARC from Facebook but am leaving an honest and voluntary review *
What a lovely story. I loved the connection between the characters, the banter, the super slow burn but above all – Ella. She was by far my favourite character, so real and sweet.
There were times when I laughed out loud and others when I was close to tears.
A well written and entertaining read.
This is the first book I have read by the author and it will not be my last. Lukas has always wanted to play football and was on his way to the Superbowl with his team until life threw a wrench in his plans. Having to return home to take care of his sister Ella, who has down syndrome, forced him to make some necessary adjustments. However, he never anticipated who would be coming back into his life. Scarlett, aka Red, has always been in love with her high school quarterback, Lukas, since she was tasked with tutoring him in French. Fast forward ten years and Scarlett comes face to face with her high school crush. Is there a possibility to rekindle their relationship? This is one moving story filled with emotion that shows that family is not just blood relation but those people that one chooses to be in his/her life.
I volunteered to read an advance copy of this book and all opinions are my own.
I received an ARC in return for an honest review. What an easy read! It was such a cute story. I really liked Scarlett and Lukas together. It was kind of nice not to have some epic fight that caused a break-up. Those two are perfect for each other. I did wish the story was longer because I didn’t want it to end!
Amie Knight is a new author to me and I have to say after reading The Red Zone I’m struggling to understand why she hasn’t crossed my radar before now. If this book is anything to go by she will fast become one of my go to authors. This book is second chance romance at its best.
Lukas Callihan’s life has been turned upside down, his mother has died and he is the sole guardian for his little sister Ella. Lukas may have been at the top of his game as a star quarterback but he didn’t hesitate asking for a transfer back to the local team in the small town he grew up in to take care of Ella but it’s not as easy as he thought it would be because juggling training, playing and taking care of Ella and his saving grace is Scarlett Knox the sexy no-nonsense teacher.
Scarlett aka Ms Lettie is a special needs teacher and Ella is one of her students, she will do what ever is needed to help her students learn to live in the world we class as normal but what she didn’t expect was to come face to face with man she crushed on through her school days the man who looks even better now than he did all those years ago when she was enlisted to help with his French lessons.
Lukas and Scarlett are meant to be together they are both kind caring individuals who deserve a HEA. I loved how Lukas loved his sister unconditionally but it also made me smiled as he dealt with Ella’s teenage tantrums. This book is written beautifully, it’s a sweet second chance romance that also deals with family and loss. Looking forward to reading more of this authors work.
At the pinnacle of his professional football career, Lukas gets devastating news that causes him to return home and play for a lesser team. With his mom gone he is now in charge of taking care of his special needs sister Ella. Coming home is not as bad a s he thought when he crosses paths with Scarlett, the geeky teenager who tutored him in HS. But she is no longer geeky, she is his sister’s teacher. Can feeling from his youth be revitalized? Or will Scarlett keep everything professional? With beautifully written characters and a storyline that was heart warming this was a fantastic read. Amie Knight took a subject that is not written about in the romance genre very often and she did it with compassion, grace and understanding. A perfect combination!!
ell in love with Luk and Scarlette. These two were fantastic. Luk returns home to take care of his sister when their mother passes. He doesn’t really know how to do this and feels like he is failing at everything when trying so hard to make sure his sister has everything. Scarlette is now his sisters teacher and she went to high school with Luk but he doesn’t know this at first. When he figures out who she is he decides to do whatever it takes to get her back into his life for good. The writing of these characters is fabulous. I was laughing and crying and cheering them on the entire time. All the emotions are there and you can feel the struggles they are all going through while dealing with what is coming at them in their lives. Do not miss this book
This book is a must read. As a huge football freak I have to say that Amie hit everything spot on. The love story behind the football was just as good. The emotions that Amie pulls out of you is a talent. You will not be able to put this book down. Do not miss.
Loved this book!! It had it all-a swoony football player, second chance, a small town, it was perfect!! Lukas and Scarlett were perfect together! I’m going to keep this short and sweet to leave all of the surprises for you to find-and just say this is a must read-run and one click this-you will not regret it!!
The Red Zone has honestly been one of my favorite books this year!!! I loved that it made laugh and cry at the same time. Lukas and Scarlett’s love gives you all the feels!! LOL AUGGHHHH i wish I could explain the bathroom scene but I’m not so READ READ READ! FYI Ells was my favorite she is a sassy little one!
I can’t love this book enough!! Lukas, Scarlett, and Ella stole my heart.
Lukas has to move home to take care of his sister. What he doesn’t expect is to fall for his sister’s teacher.
Scarlett has always had a crush on Luk, even when he walked away when they were younger.
Will the feelings be rekindled? Can they find a way to make it work? Will Ella be OK with it?
I LOVED this story! Ella stole the story for me. I loved how the author added such detail to Ella’s character..and touched on a teammate of Luk’s son getting diagnosed with autism. Special education is near and dear to my heart and I could not love this book more! Amie Knight did a phenomenal job!!
The Red Zone by Amie Knight
5 Stars ++++
Fantastic! Amie did a spectacular job! She delivered and then some! It is very beautifully well written! What an emotional roller coaster! Love everything from the cover to the very end! Loved loved loved!
Very highly recommend!
Once this story hit my kindle , I jumped on it right away and trust me it didn’t let me go until I read the very last page. This 6 star story made me feel so many emotions. I have an Ella in my life, my godchild. She is special.
Lukas had to make some major adjustments in his life in order to include his special someone. He would do anything for her. Everything he does, he questions himself if he’s doing right by her. Scarlett is a blast from his past that will help him cope and make him realize that what he’s doing, is all out of pure undevoted love.
I loved this beautifully written story that made me fall in love with the amazing characters. The storyline was beautifully executed to perfection. A solid page turner that is captivating and addicting. It can be a sports romance because he does play football but the main focus is Lukas’s family. It’s also a second chance for Scarlett and Lukas. Bottomline this is a 2019 must read.
Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. I strongly recommend this story.
Can I just call dibs on this entire book? The Red Zone is guaranteed to hit you right in the feels with it’s perfect blending of sweet, sexy and emotion. Amie Knight did such a beautiful job in making each and every character in this book not just lovable, but so real you’d swear they could just pop right out of the pages and hang out with you. Where Lukas and Scarlett stole my heart with all the swoon, Ella stole my heart with just how adorable she is.
From her stubbornness to her sassy humor and capacity to love so openly and honestly there were multiple times when Ella simply stole the show and I couldn’t have loved it more every time that happened. All those Ella moments took a book I already loved thanks to Lukas and Scarlett being absolutely magnificent. These two had not only one of the sweetest second chances I’ve ever read but one of the most memorable.
I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is about these two, but there’s just something about the connection they have and all the love that surrounds them that really, really just stuck with me. This is definitely going to book a well loved reread for me for years to come.
I was left happy after reading this book. I love second-chance books and this was a dream story. I loved Luk’s sweet side, but he, of course, had a cocky big-man-on- campus attitude at times. He also had a lot on his plate. His “dibs” stories with his sister Ella pulled at the heartstrings. She was sweet, but told it like it was, which was refreshing and funny. Scarlett was “red,” fiery, loving, a little clumsy…and she kept Lukas on his toes. The push-and-pull and banter between the two was deliciously enjoyable.