Reviews with content warning for Gaslighting - First Down

I think I read this at the most perfect moment. I mean, this book has a girl spending time with her football player boyfriend’s family in a stadium box while wearing his jersey. Who does that sound like? If you wanted Taylor x Travis vibes, that’s this book!

Taylor’s Team aside, James and Bex were really cute! I thought their progression from friends to fwb to official dating was both sweet and realistic. I loved how they were so supportive of each other. I also loved how the book demonstrated that giving a partner support doesn’t have to mean giving up something. I think James’ journey to realizing that is an important lesson for people to learn.

I wish there had been a little more fake dating and parts of the book felt a little rushed (mainly their progression from friends to lovers, which felt like it happened in a day when it was supposed to be months), but I’m kind of hoping since the rereleased copy is supposed to be longer that some of that is fixed.

Content Warnings

avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

This was a deeper new adult romance than I'm used to. There was more backstory to the main characters and they had more baggage than many new adult romances, which I liked. It tackled a lot of mental health and abusive ex-partner issues.
However, James wasn't completely likable and had anger issues. As well as a kind of obsessive attachment thing going on with his partners, where it was ALL about them and nothing else in his life. Making even the main relationship not completely healthy.
The male narrator wasn't great the female narrator was good. She did a great job with different tones for different characters.
Overall it was a good book with a lot of emotional depth. I do plan to continue the series.

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estefizaga's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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abicaro17's review

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book is ok. Like the meet cute was fun and the initial flirtation was interesting but after they got together it became clear they were going to stay that way despite every red flag possible. Even the climax was predictable af. Miscommunication and sugary sweet boring romance strikes again. I wanted to like it but honestly its fine but forgettable.

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vj_thompson's review

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challenging emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

My. Flipping. Heart. ❤️

Literally obsessed with this book, the writing, and the characters 🥹 I binge this book in one day. Personally, I think this was better than Icebreaker by Hannah Grace which is a college sports romance. First Down is a perfect mix of spice, drama, and fake dating romance!

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culzean's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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