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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars
not my favorite of the series.
i'm not a huge fan of dating a sibling's former significant other so that did play a part in my rating.
not my favorite of the series.
i'm not a huge fan of dating a sibling's former significant other so that did play a part in my rating.
Sports Romance.
Sometimes you read the second book in a series, or it’s your second book from a new author - both the same in my case - and you’re wondering if it was a fluke, or that it’s as we written as the first. I’m happy to say, it’s a yes, it’s definitely as good as book one and I don’t feel it’s by chance. I think it’s way I’m enjoying these books as much as I am. The writing style has maturity and depth that some authors take years to perfect.
The story is about Ava Baker, the Washington Wolves PR manager and their new recruit Matthew Hawkins. It’s a sports romance with a twist, Matthew was engaged to Ava’s sister Ashley about ten years prior. It’s not a trope I would read on a regular basis because it has to be dealt with class and delicacy, so top marks that it was in this scenario. What I’m finding I’m enjoying most about this author, so far anyways, is that she doesn’t lay the blame on just one character, and let’s face it, it’s normally the poor hero that gets the brunt of the culpability, but she can show you both sides. Flip that around, and she can also tell how each of them is feeling and most importantly to me, how they fixed or redeemed the situation that got them into a dilemma. Sometimes it’s together but others is a grand gesture. She does it in a way that’s not over dramatic nor filled with false angst that only fills up a page or more with garbage. Her characters feel real, her situations authentic and you walk away with a reaction of thinking you know this couple like old friends. I couldn’t ask for more.
Sometimes you read the second book in a series, or it’s your second book from a new author - both the same in my case - and you’re wondering if it was a fluke, or that it’s as we written as the first. I’m happy to say, it’s a yes, it’s definitely as good as book one and I don’t feel it’s by chance. I think it’s way I’m enjoying these books as much as I am. The writing style has maturity and depth that some authors take years to perfect.
The story is about Ava Baker, the Washington Wolves PR manager and their new recruit Matthew Hawkins. It’s a sports romance with a twist, Matthew was engaged to Ava’s sister Ashley about ten years prior. It’s not a trope I would read on a regular basis because it has to be dealt with class and delicacy, so top marks that it was in this scenario. What I’m finding I’m enjoying most about this author, so far anyways, is that she doesn’t lay the blame on just one character, and let’s face it, it’s normally the poor hero that gets the brunt of the culpability, but she can show you both sides. Flip that around, and she can also tell how each of them is feeling and most importantly to me, how they fixed or redeemed the situation that got them into a dilemma. Sometimes it’s together but others is a grand gesture. She does it in a way that’s not over dramatic nor filled with false angst that only fills up a page or more with garbage. Her characters feel real, her situations authentic and you walk away with a reaction of thinking you know this couple like old friends. I couldn’t ask for more.
DNF around 60%
I was really irritated by the heroine’s reactions and behavior in the presence of her family. She lets them walk all over her and treat her like crap and never sticks up for herself. She could just put her foot down or cut them out, but she just lets them be rude and snide and so careless toward her. I didn’t like this direction. When her sister shows up in her office uninvited that whole interaction was so cringey for me I had to just stop.
I was really irritated by the heroine’s reactions and behavior in the presence of her family. She lets them walk all over her and treat her like crap and never sticks up for herself. She could just put her foot down or cut them out, but she just lets them be rude and snide and so careless toward her. I didn’t like this direction. When her sister shows up in her office uninvited that whole interaction was so cringey for me I had to just stop.
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoy how Karla Sorensen tells a story. She creates likeable characters and weaves in a good dose of humor as well as emotion.
In ‘The Ex Effect’ we get to see two characters who knew each other 10 years ago reconnect and watch as love grows between them. I love that these characters aren’t jerks. It seems common in contemporary romance for at least one of the main characters to be a jerk and the other to have to charm them and win their heart. That’s not the case here. There’s not a lot of “will they or won’t they” or unnecessary angst, aside from the story’s main conflict.
That being said, Sorensen is also good at creating jerks. Ava’s mom = jerk. Ava’s sister = jerk. Ava’s dad = maybe a jerk too. I would have liked to see a bit more of the future between Ava and her family. It’s hard to imagine her and Matthew getting past some of the issues, particularly with Abigail and Ashley.
In ‘The Ex Effect’ we get to see two characters who knew each other 10 years ago reconnect and watch as love grows between them. I love that these characters aren’t jerks. It seems common in contemporary romance for at least one of the main characters to be a jerk and the other to have to charm them and win their heart. That’s not the case here. There’s not a lot of “will they or won’t they” or unnecessary angst, aside from the story’s main conflict.
That being said, Sorensen is also good at creating jerks. Ava’s mom = jerk. Ava’s sister = jerk. Ava’s dad = maybe a jerk too. I would have liked to see a bit more of the future between Ava and her family. It’s hard to imagine her and Matthew getting past some of the issues, particularly with Abigail and Ashley.
2.5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, Gaslighting
Moderate: Violence
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5⭐️
While I truly enjoyed Ava and Matthew’s story, it isn’t my favorite of the series. Matthew is Ava’s older sister’s ex. And that girl is horrible, I honestly don’t know why Ava put up with it for so long. Her mom and sister were awful to her and her dad show indifference. I honestly didn’t know why because it was never truly explained. Just that she wasn’t as loved or treated as well as her sister. Her dad towards the end came around and explained to a degree, but it was still completely unsatisfying. Since that was the plot side of the book, I wanted more understanding. As for Matthew and Kyle their chemistry was fun, but probably one I won’t remember well. Though the story was enjoyable.
Read:🎧Hoopla
MMC: Matthew Hawkins
FMC: Ava Baker
Spice: 2🌶️
Tropes: Workplace, Football/Team PR, Sister’s Ex Fiancé, Friends to Lovers, Forced Proximity
While I truly enjoyed Ava and Matthew’s story, it isn’t my favorite of the series. Matthew is Ava’s older sister’s ex. And that girl is horrible, I honestly don’t know why Ava put up with it for so long. Her mom and sister were awful to her and her dad show indifference. I honestly didn’t know why because it was never truly explained. Just that she wasn’t as loved or treated as well as her sister. Her dad towards the end came around and explained to a degree, but it was still completely unsatisfying. Since that was the plot side of the book, I wanted more understanding. As for Matthew and Kyle their chemistry was fun, but probably one I won’t remember well. Though the story was enjoyable.
Read:🎧Hoopla
MMC: Matthew Hawkins
FMC: Ava Baker
Spice: 2🌶️
Tropes: Workplace, Football/Team PR, Sister’s Ex Fiancé, Friends to Lovers, Forced Proximity
YES yes, 1 million times yes.
Ava and Matthew were so cute I did not think I could stand it.
Was the conflict predictable? Yes
Was Ava annoying the crap out of me for 5 chapters? Yes
Do I want Matthew for myself? Yes
Would I absolutely hate the Wolves if they were a real team? Probably
Is this still 5 stars? More like 4.75 but yeah.
This has not quenched the thirst I had for football romances my god it only made it worse.
Ava and Matthew were so cute I did not think I could stand it.
Was the conflict predictable? Yes
Was Ava annoying the crap out of me for 5 chapters? Yes
Do I want Matthew for myself? Yes
Would I absolutely hate the Wolves if they were a real team? Probably
Is this still 5 stars? More like 4.75 but yeah.
This has not quenched the thirst I had for football romances my god it only made it worse.