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snarkywench's review against another edition
My first ever AFLW related romance title!
nicole_reads_romance's review against another edition
4.0
I am a fan of Amy Andrews contemporary romances, and I love a good sports romance, so I was very much looking forward to this series. Not surprisingly this was my favourite novella of the three - a great unrequited love story! Levi was adorable, Darcy was a focused kick-ass athlete, and I loved their dynamic and relationship. Overall a great, quick read. I would highly recommend checking out Game On (Women of W.A.R.) as well!
vivartois's review against another edition
DNF. No reason why these two can't be together which took me out of the story... Didn't work for me unfortunately.
bananatricky's review against another edition
5.0
Four and a half stars.
So, last year I got mentioned by Amy Andrews in her newsletter because of my comments on one of her books (and not in a good way), TBH I was flattered but it did make me hesitate over requesting this book from NetGalley - would I be disappointed by the sex to plot ratio? Good news for me, I lurved this book, maybe not so good for those who like Amy at her raunchiest ...
Anyway, this is the third book in the series Women of W.A.R. (Women's Australian Rules football), each book is by a different author, I loved the first book but wasn't thrilled by the blurb for the second so I gave it a miss but liked the blurb for this and, usually, love Amy Andrews' books so I requested it and I can confirm that you can easily read these books as stand-alone novels. The back-story (which is explained) is that a brand new women's league has been created and the women in each novel are players in the inaugural season.
Darcy Clarke has shared a house with Levi Phillips, her ex-boyfriend Tony's ex-friend, since she and Tony were an item and for two years after that. In a bit of a gender stereotype reversal Darcy has a hard physical job as a market-gardener (think lugging huge sacks of compost) and plays the physically demanding game of Australian Rules football (which is not soccer) whereas Levi is a yoga teacher and is all about the wheatgerm and eating clean. However, he is also a total hotty and just the descriptions of him and his messy man-bun brought me out in a hot flush (although these days walking upstairs does that too!).
Darcy and Levi have spent the last two years in a great platonic friendship, eating cheese and Vegemite toasties while watching Netflix on their giant sofa is their go-to evening in. But everything starts to change when Darcy finds out she has been selected to play for the Brisbane Banshees. Everything looks good until Darcy discovers that the coach for the Banshees is none other than her ex, Tony Cameron.
I'm not going to spoil the development of the romance between Darcy and Levi, I mean who doesn't love a friends to lovers novel? Let me just say, I loved Levi passionately, he was kind, generous and totally deserving of Darcy. The sex was hawt (fans self) AND romantic and totally balanced with the plot. I loved the camaraderie between the women on the team, the interactions with Tony were brilliantly done and never strayed into unrealistic territory.
Overall, this was sublime. After giving out two and a half stars left right and centre for most of 2018 so far it was a joy to read this fast-paced, funny and romantic novel - I only wish it had been twice as long!
I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
So, last year I got mentioned by Amy Andrews in her newsletter because of my comments on one of her books (and not in a good way), TBH I was flattered but it did make me hesitate over requesting this book from NetGalley - would I be disappointed by the sex to plot ratio? Good news for me, I lurved this book, maybe not so good for those who like Amy at her raunchiest ...
Anyway, this is the third book in the series Women of W.A.R. (Women's Australian Rules football), each book is by a different author, I loved the first book but wasn't thrilled by the blurb for the second so I gave it a miss but liked the blurb for this and, usually, love Amy Andrews' books so I requested it and I can confirm that you can easily read these books as stand-alone novels. The back-story (which is explained) is that a brand new women's league has been created and the women in each novel are players in the inaugural season.
Darcy Clarke has shared a house with Levi Phillips, her ex-boyfriend Tony's ex-friend, since she and Tony were an item and for two years after that. In a bit of a gender stereotype reversal Darcy has a hard physical job as a market-gardener (think lugging huge sacks of compost) and plays the physically demanding game of Australian Rules football (which is not soccer) whereas Levi is a yoga teacher and is all about the wheatgerm and eating clean. However, he is also a total hotty and just the descriptions of him and his messy man-bun brought me out in a hot flush (although these days walking upstairs does that too!).
Darcy and Levi have spent the last two years in a great platonic friendship, eating cheese and Vegemite toasties while watching Netflix on their giant sofa is their go-to evening in. But everything starts to change when Darcy finds out she has been selected to play for the Brisbane Banshees. Everything looks good until Darcy discovers that the coach for the Banshees is none other than her ex, Tony Cameron.
I'm not going to spoil the development of the romance between Darcy and Levi, I mean who doesn't love a friends to lovers novel? Let me just say, I loved Levi passionately, he was kind, generous and totally deserving of Darcy. The sex was hawt (fans self) AND romantic and totally balanced with the plot. I loved the camaraderie between the women on the team, the interactions with Tony were brilliantly done and never strayed into unrealistic territory.
Overall, this was sublime. After giving out two and a half stars left right and centre for most of 2018 so far it was a joy to read this fast-paced, funny and romantic novel - I only wish it had been twice as long!
I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
deannasworld's review
4.0
Fair Game takes us to Brisbane and the Brisbane Banshees, another women's Aussie Rules football team. This time Darcy has to see past Levi's friendship and support to the love beneath. Is she brave enough to embrace both his love and her desire to play professional football? Will she have to choose between the two?
I started out feeling impatient with Levi and Darcy as they danced around their attraction for each other. And then my frustration ratcheted up another notch when Darcy's ex came back into the picture and started making moves on her. That put a sour taste in my mouth and had me wanting to skim through the story. Her ex was a total douche canoe. Fortunately, Ms Andrews didn't linger there too long but at the same time, I wanted Darcy and Levi to get a move on.
I loved Levi. He's kind, supportive and understanding. He's total best friend material and unfortunately, while he's in love with Darcy, he's also friend-zoned himself. Willing to have her in his life any way he can. Levi has the patience of a saint. He really does. While he's waiting for Darcy to finish her football season and come to her senses about her feelings for him, he's willing to wait for her. And he's even willing to wait further when Darcy decides her football career is more important. That made me a bit cross with Darcy because why can't she have both? Women can multi-task and have a life as well as a career.
Darcy frustrated me, if you haven't guessed that already. She's dedicated and hardworking, and totally focused on her football career to the exclusion of all else. She doesn't think she can have both, it's either one or the other. When faced with a terrible injury, she was determined and focused about getting back into playing shape. I admired her willpower in getting over her injury. On the relationship front, I wanted to shake her.
I'm glad I took a chance with this series. I've enjoyed the stories and I've enjoyed learning more about the sport, and seeing the sacrifices these women have to make in order to play a sport they love and be nationally recognised. I've only recently come to realise that there's an Australian Women's Rugby League who represent Australia on the world stage. I think I'm going to have to find out more about them. They've been around since the mid-90s. I like it when real life and romance intersect. If you're looking for a sports romance and wanting a story that features women in sports, I recommend this series.
See more from Deanna's World
I started out feeling impatient with Levi and Darcy as they danced around their attraction for each other. And then my frustration ratcheted up another notch when Darcy's ex came back into the picture and started making moves on her. That put a sour taste in my mouth and had me wanting to skim through the story. Her ex was a total douche canoe. Fortunately, Ms Andrews didn't linger there too long but at the same time, I wanted Darcy and Levi to get a move on.
I loved Levi. He's kind, supportive and understanding. He's total best friend material and unfortunately, while he's in love with Darcy, he's also friend-zoned himself. Willing to have her in his life any way he can. Levi has the patience of a saint. He really does. While he's waiting for Darcy to finish her football season and come to her senses about her feelings for him, he's willing to wait for her. And he's even willing to wait further when Darcy decides her football career is more important. That made me a bit cross with Darcy because why can't she have both? Women can multi-task and have a life as well as a career.
Darcy frustrated me, if you haven't guessed that already. She's dedicated and hardworking, and totally focused on her football career to the exclusion of all else. She doesn't think she can have both, it's either one or the other. When faced with a terrible injury, she was determined and focused about getting back into playing shape. I admired her willpower in getting over her injury. On the relationship front, I wanted to shake her.
I'm glad I took a chance with this series. I've enjoyed the stories and I've enjoyed learning more about the sport, and seeing the sacrifices these women have to make in order to play a sport they love and be nationally recognised. I've only recently come to realise that there's an Australian Women's Rugby League who represent Australia on the world stage. I think I'm going to have to find out more about them. They've been around since the mid-90s. I like it when real life and romance intersect. If you're looking for a sports romance and wanting a story that features women in sports, I recommend this series.
See more from Deanna's World
kiwicoral's review
4.0
*SBTB Quarterly Challenge - August 4. A is for: Read a book where the author’s first or last name begins with A.*
Amy Andrews writes some of the best Aussie, sports, and short-form romances. And this one is no exception.
Positioning the leads as long time roommates, friends, with a long burning crush made the shorter length work. Both the characters were well fleshed out and felt real.
And the Brisbane setting shines through. If I would have known about hot dudes doing yoga on South Bank on Saturday mornings, I would have gotten up early when I lived there.
Its only fault is that I wanted more.
Amy Andrews writes some of the best Aussie, sports, and short-form romances. And this one is no exception.
Positioning the leads as long time roommates, friends, with a long burning crush made the shorter length work. Both the characters were well fleshed out and felt real.
And the Brisbane setting shines through. If I would have known about hot dudes doing yoga on South Bank on Saturday mornings, I would have gotten up early when I lived there.
Its only fault is that I wanted more.
jenreadsromance's review
4.0
This is another winner from Amy Andrews! A bit of a slow burn, but really satisfying (although maybe a little rushed?) at the ending .
Darcy has just been recruited for the first national Aussie Rules footy team (I wish this book came with a set of YouTube clips, by the way), and her coach is an ex-lover Tony. Don't worry, he's boring and not that important to the plot. The love interest is Levi, her roommate for the past 7 years! More importantly, he's a yoga instructor and has a man bun. FINE.
It's a total slow burn, he's been in love with her forever but doesn't want to ruin what they have. She's blissfully unaware of his interests, but has been noticing him more and more. This felt like a long delay to them hooking up, and then a pretty short turn around to the HEA. Nevertheless, a book I enjoyed, as always, by this author.
Darcy has just been recruited for the first national Aussie Rules footy team (I wish this book came with a set of YouTube clips, by the way), and her coach is an ex-lover Tony. Don't worry, he's boring and not that important to the plot. The love interest is Levi, her roommate for the past 7 years! More importantly, he's a yoga instructor and has a man bun. FINE.
It's a total slow burn, he's been in love with her forever but doesn't want to ruin what they have. She's blissfully unaware of his interests, but has been noticing him more and more. This felt like a long delay to them hooking up, and then a pretty short turn around to the HEA. Nevertheless, a book I enjoyed, as always, by this author.
kristin's review
3.0
I would like to thank netgalley and Escape Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Interesting to see a sports romance where the heroine is the athlete, though the ending was a bit of a let down.
Interesting to see a sports romance where the heroine is the athlete, though the ending was a bit of a let down.
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