I’ve spent years hiding in the shadows. He’s spent his whole life chasing the bright lights of the NBA.We have nothing in common, except for the fact our friends ditched us for spring break.I have a bucket list for my senior year at Valley U.He’s the only person I know on campus.I’m ready to start checking things off my list.Frat party: Check.TP the baseball house: Check.Goat yoga: Check.Skinny … Check.
Goat yoga: Check.
Skinny dipping: Check.
Falling for Zeke Sweets, Valley U’s MVP: Not going to happen.
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This series has been the happiest surprise. I fell so in love with it and it just keeps getting better. For instance?
Zeke and Gabby just snuck their way into my heart and set up camp forever. UGH. These two!
Their story was so beautiful! Their chemistry burned so slowly and sweetly as they found their way into an unlikely friendship that inevitably evolved into so much more. This pairing was so unlikely and so perfect because of it. I adored the perfect balance of sweet sensitivity and playful shenanigans. I loved how they gave each other a piece of themselves that was missing – they filled each other’s empty spaces and it was sheer perfection.
The Tip-Off checked all my sports romance boxes. It’s witty and fun, but also deeply emotional. The bromance is on point, and frankly – so is the sisterhood. This was just a completely perfect package for me and I hope there is so much more to come (because I am not even close to done with these smart jocks!).
Absolutely loved this book. Ever since I was first introduced to Zeke in the first book of the series The Assist I could not wait for his story, and Rebecca Jenshak did not disappoint!
I was beyond excited to find out that the heroine in Zeke’s story would be Blair’s long time bestie Gabby. Gabby, who had a car accident before their freshman year of college, had been taking all her college classes online, but for her senior year she is stepping out and attending Valley U in person, with a list of many “college things” to do. Missing out on all the “first college fun” of being a freshman, her list is a mile long, but she wants to do all of them. She gets Star basketball player and expected top draft pick Zeke to help her with some items on her list and from there they both can’t seem to stay away from each other. He was definitely not on her list, and falling for him was far from it too.
Zeke is a no relationships type of guy. Heck, he’s not even a hook up kind of guy. He wants no distractions that could keep him from reaching his goal of being an NBA player. So his senior year has been to focus on basketball and only basketball. But when his friend Wes’s girlfriend starts bringing her best friend around the White House, he can’t help but feel that pull between them. Thinking relationships can’t work while he is planning to go pro, he tries to keep his distance. But he just can’t stay away from the girl who wants to experience life she missed out on, but still hides behind her scars. He may want basketball with all his being, but he wants to prove to Gabby she is also worth it.
This book will make you laugh out loud A LOT, and have you swooning over Zeke, and you will want to be besties with Gabby.
Oh gabby and zeke, my little heart goes pitta patter for you. This story hooked me right from the start. Highly recommend this series.
The Smart Jocks series just gets better and better!! The Tip-Off is a wonderful slow-burn novel with a perfectly matched couple. Both Gabby and Zeke are focused, in their own way, and really care about each other emotionally before jumping into something physically, which for both of these characters was absolutely perfect.
Zeke Sweets has a singular focus, basketball. His goal of reaching the NBA hasn’t allowed him for much of anything else; dating, partying, fun. Although if you asked Zeke, basketball is fun, but ask anyone else and they would beg to differ. If you found Zeke, not only would he have his headphones either draped around his neck or on his ears, he isn’t much for conversation, or he would be found with a basketball in his hands. That is until he meets Gabby.
Gabby, Blair’s best friend (you might have met her if you read prior books, but don’t worry it’s not required), also hasn’t experienced much of anything in the past few years, but for a very different reason. Her senior year of high school she was in a very serious accident which basically kept her a hermit, taking online courses to earn her degree. For her final year of college, she has not only decided to attend Valley U, but she has also created a list of things she wants to achieve before her year is over. Her self-imposed hermit status is at an end and fun Gabby is here.
Enlisting Zeke as her partner in crime, or her partner in fun, Gabby and Zeke go about marking lots of things off her list. Zeke isn’t quite sure how he becomes her volunteer, but once he gets roped in more and more he finds himself looking forward to the fun he has around her. Who knew Zeke Sweets knew how to have fun?
For a man who loved his alone time, it doesn’t take long for Zeke to soon crave his time with Gabby and the same can be said for Gabby, Zeke becomes her most important person. Their friendship builds and grows so strong, all the while their chemistry builds until neither can deny what they eventually feel. But can they really have a future when Zeke is leaving for the NBA and Gabby is just beginning her new found freedom?
The blossoming friendship, emotional bond, and building chemistry was fantastic between Gabby and Zeke! The frequent mention of Zeke’s friends; Joel and Wes (both from the previous books), along with their girlfriends was amazing to have. The third installment to this series is excellent!
Gabby has been a recluse for the last four years after a tragic accident. But she is ready to leave that all behind and start living again. She has been attending Valley U online for the last 3 years but now she is going to attend in person classes to be a part of the living again. She has rented a house with her best friend, Blair, and her sorority sister and they are going to finish out their senior year like rock stars. Enter Zeke stage left. Gabby was not expecting Zeke and he was not expecting her. Zeke has done nothing but focus on basketball for the last four years and now that he is set to graduate and be drafted in the next couple of months the last thing he wanted or expected was Gabby but we all know about well laid plans . . . .
First I have to say that you have to read The Assist before you can read this one. I feel like there is some backstory that is needed for this one. But holy slow burn. Gabby and Zeke were so sweet. They both had scars that they were trying to overcome – Gabby’s were physical and Zeke’s were emotional. But they both helped each other grow and overcome them, even if Zeke didn’t know that he needed to do that. I am usually not a big fan of the slow burn but in the case of Gabby and Zeke it was perfection. I loved how much fun these two had together . . . Gabby’s list was a riot and I loved how Zeke was always there to help and indulge her. He tried to play it off as an obligation to Blair but as he found out later it was really only because he wanted to spend time with Gabby. Gabby and Zeke were super sugary sweet and I adored every second of their slow burn journey to NBA happiness.
I really wanted this to be better, but the chemistry just wasn’t there like it was in The Assist.
Zero and Gabbys story is very entertaining. Gabby is starting her first year in regular college with a bucket list and Zeke only has one goal…getting drafted to the NBA. But once these two connect and feelings start to flow we get one beautiful love story. Zeke helps Gabby with her list all the while these two fall and what an amazing ride we take.
Highly recommended.
I absolutely love Zeke! I couldn’t wait to read Zeke and Gabby’s story. I devoured their friends to lovers storyline. Their slow burn chemistry was off the charts scorching hot. A fantastic read and the best in this great series!
I listened to the audiobook of the Tip Off and have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it! Basketball usually isn’t my thing but Rebecca kept the focus on the relationships and DAMN was it a great relationship arc! And I have to say, I am absolutely in love Jakobi Diem’s voice!
After years of studying online, Gabby was finally convinced by her best friend Blair (from book one of this series, The Assist) to come to Valley U. Gabby arrives with a to-do list of things she missed out on. Zeke barely has time for anything else except basketball. When their group of friends go to Mexico for spring break, Gabby, Zeke, and Nathan get left behind. Blair asks Zeke to look after Gabby while they’re away and their relationship blooms from there, but what will happen when Zeke graduates in less than two months?
I loved the chemistry between Gabby and Zeke! They are both scarred, both literally and figuratively, but they help each other heal and grow. This is the third book in the series I’ve listened to and I didn’t listen in order. The books are complete standalones but I recommend listening/reading in order since Gabby is a secondary character in the first book.
Narrators Jakobi Diem and Savannah Peachwood did an excellent job. Jakobi Diem is new to me, and I will definitely be looking out for more of his work.
The Tip-Off is a friends-to-lovers contemporary sports romance written and narrated in dual first-person POV. It’s a low-angst standalone that ends with a HEA. No cliffhanger, no cheating.
I received this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.
I’ve enjoyed every book in this Smart Jock series, but The Tip-Off is my favorite. I was excited for Gabby and Zeke’s story and I was not disappointed. This friends to lovers romance was everything you could have wanted in a romance. It was sweet, hilarious, steamy, with a couple of angsty moments added to the mix. This was a story about two scarred individuals, one scarred emotionally and the other physically, who turned out to be perfect for each other. I loved the slow burn aspect of the story and that they became friends first who supported each other and then I loved seeing them fall in love. We got the other couples and characters from the previous books in this story and they provided great support to the main characters. The Tip-Off was another fantastic addition to this series and I would highly recommend it to all lovers of friends to lovers and sports romance.
The audiobook version was narrated by Savannah Peachwood and Jakobi Diem. I’ve listened to Savannah before and as usual she was perfectly suited to the role. Jakobi was a new to me narrator and I absolutely loved his voice. These two did a marvelous job with the narration. They had excellent pace and timing and it was a pleasure listening to them narrate this novel.
I really enjoyed this audiobook, both the content and narration. I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars.
We met these two characters in previous books, and I liked the pairing a lot. They were both kind of stuck in their own ways, and ended up pushing each other out of their comfort zones. Plus they were (sort of) friends before lovers, and watching the romance blossom was super cute.
Zeke was so focused on basketball, and nothing else. Gabby got him to inadvertently help her with her college bucket list, and in the process, he finally found something, or should I say someone, to focus some of his attention on. He was super sweet (hehe) with her like a lovable giant. Gabby was such a great character, and my heart went out to her. I know people can be super rude, and cruel, so I didn’t blame her for being closed off. I loved how Zeke helped her realize her worth, and how beautiful she was. He had me swooning so hard at moments!
While this was a college romance, there wasn’t a huge focus on classes, or even basketball besides Zeke’s training. A lot of the book was set during breaks, and most of the focus for Zeke was getting into the NBA. If you love sports romances, I highly recommend you check out this series. I’m going to be reading the fourth book very soon.
The Tip-Off went straight for the 3-pointer! A great addition to the Smart Jocks series, with plenty of romance and minimal drama, this was just an all-around feel good story. I loved this story from start to finish, from their quirky playlists (that I secretly wish I could download), to the bucket list items Gabby has, there’s not a single thing I’d change! My favorite in the series so far and I can’t wait for more.
As soon as everything went down with Gabby in the beginning of The Assist, I knew I needed her book. I mean, I even skipped the second book in the series — something I hardly ever do — because I was so anxious to see her get her happily ever after. The Tip-Off would’ve been totally worth the wait, but I’m still not sorry I skipped ahead. (I do have every intention of reading book two, just so I can put all the pieces together.)
Gabby was a great heroine. I already liked her before starting The Tip-Off, just from the little bit of her I saw in the first book in this series. I wanted to see her come out of her shell, put aside her insecurities over the scars from her accident and be the spunky woman I knew she once was. It thrilled me to learn she would be joining Blair at Valley. I couldn’t wait to see how she would thrive once she got there. She was still dealing with a lot and it took her some time to get her feet under her, but that was understandable.
I couldn’t have picked a more perfect match for Gabby than Zeke. Hello, swoony and sexy man. Their friends to lovers story was everything my heart needed. The slow burn and build up felt real and I was shipping them so freaking hard. I was a little worried initially because Zeke was pretty closed off and Gabby really needed and deserved love, but I had nothing to be concerned about. They just fit. He basically treated her like a queen, which helped her let go of some of her insecurities. It was so sweet and kind. I swooned all over the place. And there was some heat, too. Just how I like my romance.
The audio version of this book was wonderful. Both Jakobi Diem and Savannah Peachwood did a fantastic job bringing Zeke and Gabby to life. So often I’ll switch from audio to ebook and I didn’t do that once while reading The Tip-Off. Their performances were so good, I didn’t want to stop listening. Rebecca was a new-to-me author up until a couple weeks ago and now I’m borderline obsessed. I need to check out her backlist and let the binge commence. After I read The Fadeaway, at any rate. Naturally it’s first on my list. I’ll also be waiting with grabby hands to see what she gives us next! I love discovering new authors to love.
Favorite Quotes:
She’s reckless and naive. So desperate to make a mark on the world she doesn’t realize she already has.
“You’re stunning in that dress. Scratch that, you’re stunning. The dress is just along for the ride.”
I want someone to love me for the ugly and the beautiful, and every shade in between.
********* AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *********
The Tip-Off by Rebecca Jenshak was way more emotional than the two previous books in Smart Jocks. If you’re looking at The Tip Off, my hope is that you’ve read and/or listened to the first two books because while these are standalones, they really feed off of each other. So, Gabby, Lord did I adore this girl. She’s been hiding away the last few years because of an event that changed everything for her. She finally ventures outside to attend her senior year in college. Here she meets Zeke. Gabby only wanted a simple life and was planning on keeping to herself until Zeke walked in and flipped her world upside down.
The narrators, Jakobi Diem and Savannah Peachwood were fantastic! Savannah Peachwood is a total favorite of mine! She has a sweet voice and is a perfect fit for Gabby. There’s so much emotion and drama in this story and Peachwood executes the feels I expected flawlessly. Now, Jakobi Diem is a different story. He’s a new one for me. I was not disappointed in the least! Diem has this deep voice; it’s strong and seriously manly. He was a perfect Zeke and pairing him with Peachwood, well it couldn’t have been more perfect!
Audio Review: The Tip-Off (Smart Jocks, #3) by Rebecca Jenshak (author), Jakobi Diem (narrator), Savannah Peachwood (narrator)
Jenshak has a way with words. The Tip-Off takes emotions on a sentimental journey through first love. Gabby and Zeke have a rawness to their relationship that is both heartbreaking and refreshing. She’s rebuilding her life after a traumatic experience. Zeke is the heartache she never thought she’d find. He’s the guy with plans. Neither are ready for what is headed their way. Tip-Off refuses to hide behind theatrics and steam. It builds on the ever changing life moments that we can’t control. Zeke and Gabby are as unpredictable are they are inspiring and that’s what makes them unforgettable.
The Tip-Off was my first read by Rebecca Jenshak; I had been seeing her name and the different titles of her sports romance series all over social media and because I’m such a sport romance junkie, I knew signing up to listen/review the audio version of Gabby and Zeke’s story was a perfect way to be introduced to this new-to-me author.
Even though I headed into the third book of the Sports Jock series without reading the previous two stories, the fact that they are standalones about different couples allowed me not to feel lost despite not meeting the other couples of the series until The Tip-Off.
Jenshak does a great job illustrating just how ready Gabby is to be a normal college student – one who takes risks, has fun, and spreads her wings without the safety net of her overprotective parents. And while, at times, she does seem like a fish out of water, I admired her tenacity when it came to trying new things and truly experiencing all that life has to offer.
At the beginning of the story, it was clear that it would take Zeke some time to figure out that his life didn’t have to only be about the game he loves and excels at…he was never one to allow anyone to get too close to him and his quiet and reserved demeanor allowed him to flourish on the court, keeping up his training regiment without interruption. As cliche as it sounds, Gabby is a game changer for Zeke and as much as he fights his attraction to her and worries what those feelings would mean for his future and his goal to be number one in the NBA Draft, he finds it way too difficult to keep Gabby at arm’s length which means that if he’s truly going to give in to what he feels for her, Zeke needs to be sure that his willingness to risk it all doesn’t end up a sacrifice that, in the end, he cannot make.
Gabby and Zeke definitely take their time when it comes to exploring what’s between them, but that fits both of their temperaments as well as Zeke’s singular focus on the NBA draft. But even though it takes a lot of awkward encounters, silent conversations, and quick glances at each other before either of them take the first step toward something more, it was clear that what was building between them was a bond that would allow them both to step outside of their shell and see what it was like to want to simply be together, learning about each other and finding out that life has so much to offer them…they just have to be willing to try.
Jakobi Diem and Savannah Peachwood did a good job bringing Zeke and Gabby’s story to life. I especially enjoyed Jakobi’s portrayal because there’s an aloofness and loner vibe that surround Zeke and Jakobi conveys those characteristics with ease and precision, showing just how much he changes and grows as a person with Gabby by his side.
4 Poison Apples
4.5 stars!
I love that this series continues to be fresh, fun, and steamy. Each book in this series has been so good, but Zeke and Gabby’s story was truly touching. Gabby is tired of the pity she gets when people see her scars. She’s done hiding and is finally ready to live her life to the fullest and college life is the perfect place to start. Her friends are all wonderfully supportive, but it’s the quiet, powerful, and sexy Zeke who makes her feel safe to follow her dreams, and believe in love. Zeke has always been focused on making it in the NBA and won’t let anything sideline his dreams. But when Gabby shows up, he is fascinated by her resilience, strength and beauty. She makes him believe that he can have it all, a successful career and a family. I loved how Gabby slowly pulled Zeke into all her shenanigans bringing them both out of their shells. I also love catching up with the past characters that I’m so attached to, including Nathan who has me so intrigued.
Narrators, Jakobi Diem, and Savannah Peachwood are so perfectly cast as Zeke and Gabby. They did a great job bringing the loyal, thoughtful, Zeke from conflicted to hopeful and balanced Gabby’s insecurities with her lively boldness, flawlessly. They were spot on with all the fun banter, heartfelt emotion, and slow burn chemistry. They kept me totally engaged from start to finish, making this romance even more moving, fun, and sexy!
The Tip-Off
Smart Jocks, Book 3
By: Rebecca Jenshak
Narrated by: Jakobi Diem, Savannah Peachwood
Another winning story from Rebecca Jenshak! I love this series as it highlights smart athletes and great characters. These are the kinds of books I can really sink my teeth into. This one features Zeke and Gabby. Gabby is entering college for the first time as a junior. She had and unfortunate accident previously and now has the chance to start her life. Zeke is a reserved, good looking, smart basketball player, and these two are so much fun to get to know. Jenshak has a way of putting together complex characters, yet are easy to relate to. Gabby has had it tough, overcoming obstacles. Zeke is focused on his career and doesn’t see the bigger picture. We all have had things like this in our lives, and listening to their story as they stumble, fall and get back up, working together as friends with a slow burn to lovers is just the perfect shot! I love this addition to the series and can’t wait to see what Jenshak has in store for us next in the series.
Now for the narration. I have heard about Jakobi Diem, but had not yet heard him. And all I can say is WOW. He is the perfect fit for Zeke, a strong, protective, masculine sound, a little cocky but so understanding. He pulls it all off with his portrayal and it is easy to fall for Zeke! Paired with Savannah Peachwood, who nails Gabby, with her innocence yet has that determined feel underneath, the story flows easiliy and is complete entertainment.
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Audible Review
This is book 3 in the Smart Jocks series by Rebecca Jenshak and this one gives us the quiet broody ball player Zeke Sweets. We have followed Z throughout this series and watched as he has passed on all the college “fun” times to just focus on his ball career and future in the NBA. When Gabby comes to Valley to finish her senior year he is thrown for a loop.
Gabby has been hiding at home since her car accident in high school. She is self conscious of her scars and does everything she can to hide. When she finally leaves the comfort of her home to enter the college scene she has a list of first she plans to tick off and Zeke is happy to help her achieve those.
This was the first book narrated by Jakobi Diem for me. It was just ok listening to him but I will say he fit Zeke. Savannah Peachwood did a great job I enjoyed her as Gabby.
I love this series and although this wasn’t as good as the first two for me I still recommend it. I loved getting to keep up with the gang of friends and we got to know other characters that will have their own story in the future.