The first time I saw Saxton Crawford we were in high school. He was the football star and I was just another invisible teenage girl. Now, he is a famous quarterback and the bane of my existence.And by bane, I mean his presence has brought back ten years of secrets. Ones I’d thought I’d dealt with. The minute he walks back into my life I become that bumbling teenage girl all over again.I’m not … again.
I’m not having it!
Even if the quarterback only has eyes for me. He’s irresistible, too handsome for his own good, cocky, and carrying baggage no one wants. Saxton Crawford has spent years trying to find his mystery girl.
Turns out, I’m that girl. I guess I wasn’t invisible after all.
Bam! Happily ever after right?
Nope, not for me. Not with his demons and mine. It’s going to take every ounce of my will power to resist him.
So, what would it take to get him to leave me alone?
Do I want that?
Maybe I should be asking myself… What would it take to win his heart?
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A demure, teenage girl will get her jock.
Sailor has loved Saxton Crawford since high school. One problem…he doesn’t know she exists. Or does he? Problem two…Saxton’s girlfriend has made it clear. “Stay the F*@$ away.”
Ten years pass and Sailor finds herself once again in Saxton’s presence. And this time, she’s his manager. Sailor knows she must ignore her feelings for Saxton. One, it’s not professional. And two, she’s kept a dark secret all these years.
Saxton recognizes the girl he couldn’t forget back in high school. The girl that’s been his dream for ten years. And now, she’s working for him. But he will not let her get away this time. However, the nightmare that’s been haunting him for over ten years, has also been haunting Sailor. One will fear for their life, while the other could lose their whole career.
EL DuBois gives us a clean, sweet romance with just enough spice to heat things up. What Would it Take is the perfect beginning. Let’s see if we will get more of Saxton and Sailor from this author. A sporty, Cinderella story.
Sarah Sampino narrated this story flawlessly. Her voice distinctly carved out each character.
Great Job to both, Author and Narrator.
Wow! Another awesome book by this talented author who’s writing I’ve grown to love. Amazing characters, wonderful storyline, beautifully written and so addictive.
Audible.
This is my first book by EL DuBois and I’m looking forward to more. She managed to introduce a solid cast of characters, develop a romance between Saxton & Saylor, and even incorporate some suspense/thriller elements. While this is a sports romance, this will be best enjoyed by those who prefer Football be a minor part of the story. I hope that this is kicking off a series because I’d love to hear more about the secondary characters.
I loved Sarah Sampino in this. Set in Austin, Texas – she provides all the characters with a subtle Southern accent that compliments the story without overpowering it. I also liked that she used a lower register when reading the chapters that were from Saxton’s POV. All the characters had unique voices and inflections that made it really easy to always tell who was speaking.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from Audiobooks Unleashed and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
In high school Sailor was tormented by the popular girls because she had a crush on Saxton Crawford, the star football player. She counted down the days to graduation so she could escape that living hell. One week before graduation Saxton finally notices her but she is too stunned to speak and she avoids him at all costs so the torment doesn’t get worse. 10 years after graduation, Sailor is the head of PR for the Austin Arrowheads, the football team that Saxton Crawford was just traded to.
I really enjoyed this novella. Saxton knew what he wanted and wasn’t going to give up now that he had found her. He was a down to earth and really likable guy despite the fame and success he has achieved. And the way he adored and protected Sailor was sweet and endearing. I loved Saxton. I also really enjoyed that there was some suspense/action in this story. It wasn’t about Sailor and Saxton falling in love. I love a good action/suspense twist and this one did not disappoint. Fun, sweet and short read. My only complaint is that I loved all these characters so much that I wanted more of them. Highly recommend this novella.
I listened to the audible version. This was my first book by E.L. Dubois but I would like to read more. Generally, shorter books make me feel like something had to be sacrificed to fit in the shorter length, but I didn’t feel that way with this one. I liked the characters and the story. I appreciated that it wasn’t full of misunderstandings and on/off relationship drama (maybe that’s why it was shorter!). In any case, I wanted to keep listening. Sarah Sampino did a great job as narrator.
#AudiobookObsession
This was a delightful story with great characters and lots of chemistry. It was also funny and sweet but with a bag full of crazy just to stop it rotting your teeth.
Totally loved it.
This story surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. The characters were very enjoyable and relatable. I liked how Saxton saw what he wanted and went after it. He never wavered. Not that Here was much resistance from Ms Sailor. I mean..seriously…he’s hot looking and a quarterback. What is there to resist? The prior history they had together could possibly put a flaw In their future. But it was nice neither resisted the pull. I love love loved the “What would it take” theme throughout the book!!! It makes me smile…every time!
The supporting characters were simply wonderful! The girlfriends of Sailor? So strong and supportive and let’s not forget protective! Then add in Saxtons old college friend along with his new teammates…all of these are perfect specimens of great friends! I don’t want to forget Al! You’ll have to read the story to figure out who he is. Mwa-Hahaha-(evil laugh)
I listed to this on audio and Sarah Sampino is the narrator. She did a good job putting different voices inflection on each of the characters. This is an easy but lovely read.
5 star review of What Would It Take by EL Dubois
Audio Review:
EL Dubois is a new author to me although I have listened to narrator Sarah Sampino before. This story really pulled me in and I was absolutely riveted as I listened to this one in one go. There was just no way I was stopping, I needed to hear what happened. For such a quick listen this story certainly packed a punch.
What happens when the man that you have always had feelings for suddenly reappears in your life; the same man you unknowingly brought so much pain and suffering into her life as a teenager? That is the position that Sailor finds herself in when Saxton Crawford is recruited to the team she works for as the new quarterback.
Sailor really believed she had recovered from the bullying that she was subjected to in high school but when Saxton comes back into her life, it all comes rushing back. Saxton who had been totally unaware of what happened to Sailor was such a caring and protective man with Sailor. I also loved how staunchly loyal her friends were to her.
This story was dramatic, suspenseful, sweet and romantic, Sara Sampinio did a fabulous hob narrating this book and she certainly did justice to the pain and suffering and torment that Sailor goes through.
I enjoyed What Would It Take and found it realistic and all the characters were easy to relate too. The chemistry between Sax and Sailor was intense and I found myself hoping they would get the happily ever after that they both deserved.
I enjoyed this so very much. Sarah Sampino does a brilliant job with the narration.So much so I just got lost in the story but still knowing who was who. Fabulous presentation of the book.
The story is great. I loved the setting and the characters. The main characters are really good, I really felt for them and what was happening. The support characters are really good and back the main characters brilliantly. The twists worked well and I was sad when it ended, I wanted more!
I want a Saxton for myself! He is the ultimate book boyfriend! I loved how quickly he fell for Sailor and how determined he was to win her heart. He seems so perfect! Sailor was a good strong character and had a great cast of characters supporting them. Not only was this a great love story but it also had some drama, action and suspense. The narrator, Sarah Sampino, did a fantastic job giving all the characters a strong unique voice. She really brought the book to life and kept me interested and not wanting to pause for any reason! I really enjoyed this audiobook and will look for more by this author.
This was my first book by EL DuBois.
The story itself was unique and strong. I love second chance type romances. While Saxton and Sailor didn’t date the first time around there was a mutual like, and chemistry. I also love a good crazy ex story. so this def. hit two of my favorites. One of the reasons most books loose stars from me is gaps in reasoning or timeline. Those moments where you just have to ask what the hell the H or h were thinking. While Sailor did have quite a stupid moment, which lead to the exact thing that Saxton was trying to prevent (Sorry trying to avoid spoilers), I can understand the reasoning behind it and It wasn’t a doofus moment as much as a lead up to something in the story itself. I did however dislike Sailor’s friend a bit. Not enough that I wouldn’t read her story if it happened to come out as part of a series or something like that, but she def needed to tone it down a bit.
Sailor and Saxton meet on the last week of high school when he catches his girlfriend Andrea assaulting and harassing Sailor. After seeing how horrible Andrea is Saxton breaks up with her and spends the rest of the week trying to spot Sailor again. For Sailor that last week of school was spent in living hell. As a result of the breakup Andrea upped the bullying leaving permanent mental and physical scars on Sailor.
Fast forward 10 years. Sailor has managed to push the trauma of high school behind her. She is now working PR for an NFL team. On his first day on the new team Saxton sees the mystery girl who has been on and off his mind for ten years. He never knew her name, and didn’t know how badly Andrea had treated Sailor both before and after their first meeting. Saxton hasn’t managed to shake Andrea off these last 10 years either and now she’ll be causing problems for them both.
This was my first EL Dubois listen and I really enjoyed it. It was a quick one which I both loved and hated. Saxton was 100% gentleman and Sailor was as sweet as can be. Throw in a psycho ex-girlfriend and you’ve got the makings of a great story. My only issue was it was too short. I wanted more of these two! I loved their chemistry – having met briefly in high school and then once again ten years later. The fact that he spent those ten years with her playing in the back of his mind and never forgetting her made him the PERFECT book boyfriend.
Sarah Sampino did a stellar job with the narration. She can pull off both male and female narration as well as give all the secondary characters their own personalities. She’s quickly becoming a favorite!
Sailor and Saxtons story is one of full of love with very loyal and fiercely protective friends. Saxton is back in his hometown and once he sees Sailor he knows shes his mystery girl that he kept waiting and hoping to finally see again. They had only meet once but this time hes not letting her go. Of course there are some threats that they are working on to get rid of. I seriously love how he was patient and willing and did give her the space she needed to come to terms with everything and be by her side when she needed it the most. He will do everything in his power to make she shes safe and love her with everything hes got. I laughed and about cried at times with these two. My heart went out to both of them and I honestly couldnt get enough of them.
This is by first book by Ms DuBois and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sailor and Saxton are at the same high school and one day Sailor looks at Saxton, his girlfriend spots Sailor looking and makes it her personal mission to make Sailor’s life a nightmare. Fast forward ten years, Sailor is a successful PR manager for a football team and they have just drafted a new quarterback. Sailor has to overcome her fear of the past and old wounds, both metaphorically and physically, that threaten to derail any relationship. Great quick read.
Such a fantastic book for the length that it is. You have fear, strength, love, guilt and revenge all in such a small package. A book that is definitely worth the listen.
The narration in this book was great! Being somewhat new to Sarah Sampino, I am amazed at how well she does the male voice and the fact that every character has just enough of a change that you always know who is speaking.
Like football? Looking for a really quick read? Like a crazy ex that out to get you and has a huge social media following? If so, you’ve found your next read!
This was my first El DuBois’s book, and won’t be the last. Saxton and Sailor’s sweet short story has it all! Funny, Suspenseful, Romantic, and True Love. Sarah Sampino did an amazing job with the narration, with a great quality audio. I enjoyed listening to this audiobook, and I totally recommend it.
Audiobook Review:
What Would It Take begins with a intense prologue, fast forward to the present ten years later where mystery girl and high school football quarterback crush meet again. Saxton Crawford & Sailor’s character’s are scripted in a way that amplifies their personalities. Supporting character’s accentuated the narative. A sweet love romance with suspense seeping through the pages of the narrative. With a cutesy epilogue ending.
I hoping I will get a chance to listen to the other books coming in this series.
Narator Sarah Sampino’s performance was impeccable. Each character is given a distinct voice and easily recognizable. Her alternating male & female voices are some of the best I ever listened to. Her rendition brought the character’s personalites out. She has the ability to switch characters effortlessly while keeping the flow of the story moving along smoothly and adds the right dose of melodramatic panache to amplify the narrative.
What Would It Take
By: EL Dubois
Narrated by: Sarah Sampino
I love it when a book has characters that I can relate to. This is my first EL Dubois story and she pulled me in from the start! Sailor is a girl the invisible girl in high school that has the crush on the popular boy, in this case Saxton. Thinking your invisible and actually being under the radar are two different things though as we all know. Years later, the two are thrown together when Saxton is in need of public relations coverage, and Sailor is the woman to do it. Now matured and more confident, she is ready to take on life. But does that include Sax? This second chance at love is a sweet story with a suspenseful twist. I love Sailor. Her personality is one easily related to, just trying to get by and move on with life. I love her tenacity and how she has gotten to know herself. Sax is a great book boyfriend. He is sweet, protective and attentive. Their chemistry is strong and I love how their relationship progresses. The twist in this is not necessarily surprising to me, but I love how it all played out. The strong survived and it was a very satisfying ending! I really enjoyed this story!
A story like this needs a narrator that can provide a younger version of characters and show the maturity as they grow. I love Sarah Sampino, and she gives us that in this story. I love how she can take Sailor from the teenage girl to the adult. With her voice, you can hear how she has matured, gained confidence and grown! I also love her flawless ability to go between characters and her male voices are wonderful. She nails this narration!
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SailorSaxton! Great Story! Great Audible Listen
What Would It Take
By: EL Dubois
Narrated by: Sarah Sampino
This is my first E.L. Dubois book and it will not be my last. I adored the story it grabbed my attention right away and held it to the very end. The storylines and characters are interesting and well developed. I loved the two leads and the chemistry between them. Sailor had a crush on Saxton in H.S but she was invisible to him, she asked herself “What would it take for him to just notice me”. Little does she know their only true encounter left Saxton wanting to know more about her, but she disappeared and she became his mystery girl. Fast Forward 10 years Sailor has excelled in her career in publicity working for a sports team. The same sports team Saxton gets traded to. I really liked that Saxton’s fame did not go to his head and he is still the likable guy Sailor encountered in that HS. school hallway. Unfortunately his bully ex-girlfriend did change for the worse and she comes to town to create havoc for all. Saxon learns of how evil his ex was back then and how he treated Sailor. He pursues Sailor but can he get thru the barriers she has around her heart can he win her over. Will Sailor finally get the boy she crushed on all those years ago, will she allow herself to? This book is an the short side but E.L Dubois fit a lot of story in. There is lots of drama, twists and sweet romance. There are some great secondary characters too, loved how protective Sailors friends were. Loved the ending too. Thanks for this great story!
I listened to the Audible edition, Sarah Sampino is an awesome narrator and voice performer. She performs the voices of all the characters gives them heart and personality as well as their own distinct voice. She switches characters effortlessly and keeps the story in a flawless flow and adds the right amount of dramatic flair to enhance the story. Sarah is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another great listen