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bitchie's review
4.0
I liked this book a lot more than book 1. I feel like the author has really grown(or just gotten a better editor). The characters didn't sound identical, and I enjoyed the growth of their relationship. This story was mostly angst free, with just a minor thing near the end.
a_reader_obsessed's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
Consistent with the low angst despite the weighty issues, this sequel went down pretty nice and easy.
Dante is a senior linebacker, and he’s desperate to rise above his humble beginnings and finally provide for his mom who has done so much. He simply only has to make the NFL. Obviously, that’s no small feat, but Dante has grit and determination and his hard work will surely pay off, right? However, new linebacker Mitch, also has something to prove to his unsupportive family, and he’ll push himself to the edge to get some much longed for attention.
These two rivals clash as you can already probably guess. On the other hand, anger and frustration must also be some potent fuel to attraction and lust, because despite Dante and Mitch being complete opposites in all things, they can only resist their urges for so long.
This was pretty easy going where seemingly straight Dante really has no trouble exploring his sexuality, and though these two both put their foot in it multiple times, they’re pretty good at communicating as well... eventually. Not as smexy as the first, this was still an enjoyable sports romance that thankfully, didn’t give me the usual ulcer.
Consistent with the low angst despite the weighty issues, this sequel went down pretty nice and easy.
Dante is a senior linebacker, and he’s desperate to rise above his humble beginnings and finally provide for his mom who has done so much. He simply only has to make the NFL. Obviously, that’s no small feat, but Dante has grit and determination and his hard work will surely pay off, right? However, new linebacker Mitch, also has something to prove to his unsupportive family, and he’ll push himself to the edge to get some much longed for attention.
These two rivals clash as you can already probably guess. On the other hand, anger and frustration must also be some potent fuel to attraction and lust, because despite Dante and Mitch being complete opposites in all things, they can only resist their urges for so long.
This was pretty easy going where seemingly straight Dante really has no trouble exploring his sexuality, and though these two both put their foot in it multiple times, they’re pretty good at communicating as well... eventually. Not as smexy as the first, this was still an enjoyable sports romance that thankfully, didn’t give me the usual ulcer.
clichemarker's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
"I don't see you as black" is not a pick up line.
The story is boring and repetitive. Wealth difference romance is not my thing. Especially when that is all they talk about!!
The story is boring and repetitive. Wealth difference romance is not my thing. Especially when that is all they talk about!!
tani_2307's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jamiesbookaddiction's review against another edition
3.0
Dante and Mitch have a good story. However, I feel like it was overshadowed a little by football. I also felt like there was a lot of miscommunication. They got into little spats that were really needless. I mean I get it to a point, but after the first time, I don't feel like we needed the next several times it happened again.
It also wasn't hard to see how Mitch's dad would react. It would've been a good change to see his family be supportive instead of the opposite. Not to mention, we don't really ever get any kind of closure on that.
The epilogue was nice, but I still wanted more. I still felt like we were left hanging some.
It also wasn't hard to see how Mitch's dad would react. It would've been a good change to see his family be supportive instead of the opposite. Not to mention, we don't really ever get any kind of closure on that.
The epilogue was nice, but I still wanted more. I still felt like we were left hanging some.
scrollsofdragons's review
3.0
2.5
I just didn't really ship them as a couple and when you can't buy into the relationship of a romance novel then despite enjoying it, 2.5 is the highest I can give it.
I just didn't really ship them as a couple and when you can't buy into the relationship of a romance novel then despite enjoying it, 2.5 is the highest I can give it.
shaunnah511's review
3.0
There were aspects of False Start that I loved, and aspects that were a bit...off-putting.
When I read [b:Strong Side|28668239|Strong Side (Eastshore Tigers, #1)|Alison Hendricks|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1453400265s/28668239.jpg|48842633] earlier this year, I noted that it felt very similar to [b:Him|25686927|Him (Him #1)|Sarina Bowen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1436433289s/25686927.jpg|45514970] in that way that it made me feel while reading (and obviously the fact that they are both sports focused mm stories). While reading this story, I felt like maybe it was too similar. There are some scenes that felt as though the author changed the names and a few details and ta-da! I wished there was more originality here.
The guys, Dante and Mitch, were good together. I liked their dynamic for the most part (although their constant bickering got a bit old by the end), but their chemistry was great! I particularly enjoyed the first kiss scene.
Same as it's prequel, there was a ton of football detail, so if you like sports-heavy romances, you'll enjoy this - again, can't be sure if it's all accurate.
All in all, this was a mostly light-hearted story, with the right balance of sweet and steamy, and the writing style was easy to read. I look forward to more stories by Alison Hendricks.
Thanks to the author for providing an ARC of False Start, in exchange for an honest review.
When I read [b:Strong Side|28668239|Strong Side (Eastshore Tigers, #1)|Alison Hendricks|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1453400265s/28668239.jpg|48842633] earlier this year, I noted that it felt very similar to [b:Him|25686927|Him (Him #1)|Sarina Bowen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1436433289s/25686927.jpg|45514970] in that way that it made me feel while reading (and obviously the fact that they are both sports focused mm stories). While reading this story, I felt like maybe it was too similar. There are some scenes that felt as though the author changed the names and a few details and ta-da! I wished there was more originality here.
The guys, Dante and Mitch, were good together. I liked their dynamic for the most part (although their constant bickering got a bit old by the end), but their chemistry was great! I particularly enjoyed the first kiss scene.
Same as it's prequel, there was a ton of football detail, so if you like sports-heavy romances, you'll enjoy this - again, can't be sure if it's all accurate.
All in all, this was a mostly light-hearted story, with the right balance of sweet and steamy, and the writing style was easy to read. I look forward to more stories by Alison Hendricks.
Thanks to the author for providing an ARC of False Start, in exchange for an honest review.
tltravis's review
5.0
Nothing held back
You really threw every card into this one. Now I'm wondering what you left for book 3. Guess I'll find out now!
You really threw every card into this one. Now I'm wondering what you left for book 3. Guess I'll find out now!
aelrae's review
4.0
Mitch and Dante come from two very different worlds. Where Mitch is accustomed to the finer things in life, Dante has had to struggle for pretty much everything he's earned. And they both soon find that things aren't always as they seem - even though Dante has grown up struggling, he has the kind of loving home life that Mitch can only dream of. Unfortunately though, the team's rules have changed - now they're in competition for the same position and they both have good reason to need the spot.
But as the saying goes; opposites attract, and their chemistry is off the charts which makes their attraction even hotter. Will Mitch & Dante be able to overcome all their differences and make a relationship work, or will it get called as a False Start?
But as the saying goes; opposites attract, and their chemistry is off the charts which makes their attraction even hotter. Will Mitch & Dante be able to overcome all their differences and make a relationship work, or will it get called as a False Start?