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beckyrendon's review
5.0
That's a Pact
I need to be honest here Crew was my favorite. Hollywood hax a shine about his gloomy self but that was before Hollis took center stage.
Hollis Hudson makes me want to hug him and shake him at the same time. I waver between wanting to be Judy or Riss (clearly, I'm getting older!).
Adriana Locke gives us a broken, lost young man and allows us the privilege of being present for his new life. The Relationship Pact isn't just a romance novel its a coming of age story that will warm your heart and make you want to hugs someone.
Also I choose to take this moment to fangirl about the "shameless" plug for Coy!!!!! Totally need his story ASAP.
I need to be honest here Crew was my favorite. Hollywood hax a shine about his gloomy self but that was before Hollis took center stage.
Hollis Hudson makes me want to hug him and shake him at the same time. I waver between wanting to be Judy or Riss (clearly, I'm getting older!).
Adriana Locke gives us a broken, lost young man and allows us the privilege of being present for his new life. The Relationship Pact isn't just a romance novel its a coming of age story that will warm your heart and make you want to hugs someone.
Also I choose to take this moment to fangirl about the "shameless" plug for Coy!!!!! Totally need his story ASAP.
greenteabookme's review
5.0
perfect ending for this trilogy of kings of football!
4.5 stars rounded up!
Ahhh Hollis, my new book boyfriend… I loved Larissa and Hollis’s relationship and dynamic and totally was along for their fake dating to instalove.
Mini spoiler maybe - but I REALLY enjoyed Hollis’s backstory and I can’t say that I’ve ever seen a backstory like his represented in much contemporary romance. There are so many people out there with really rough childhoods that are in foster care or adopted, so I loved seeing this represented.
I will also be making it a point to read the spin-off series that had so many of these lovable characters!
4.5 stars rounded up!
Ahhh Hollis, my new book boyfriend… I loved Larissa and Hollis’s relationship and dynamic and totally was along for their fake dating to instalove.
Mini spoiler maybe - but I REALLY enjoyed Hollis’s backstory and I can’t say that I’ve ever seen a backstory like his represented in much contemporary romance. There are so many people out there with really rough childhoods that are in foster care or adopted, so I loved seeing this represented.
I will also be making it a point to read the spin-off series that had so many of these lovable characters!
erica_flores's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-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
5.0
Tropes:
*College Sports Romance
*Fake Dating
*Found Family
The Relationship Pact is part of the Kings of Football series but also part of the Mason Family series.
Larissa needs a fake boyfriend for a few minutes and Hollis is happy to play along. They feel an instant attraction to one another that leads to them coming up with more reasons to see each other. I have read this book multiple times and Hollis will always hold a special place in my heart!! He is playful, protective, kind, fun, and sexy but tries to hide his deep hurts and feelings of being lost and unsure.
I laughed, I cried, and I will never hear Adele's Hello the same way again. You will love Hollis and the entire Mason family (they are all worth the read!).
*College Sports Romance
*Fake Dating
*Found Family
The Relationship Pact is part of the Kings of Football series but also part of the Mason Family series.
Larissa needs a fake boyfriend for a few minutes and Hollis is happy to play along. They feel an instant attraction to one another that leads to them coming up with more reasons to see each other. I have read this book multiple times and Hollis will always hold a special place in my heart!! He is playful, protective, kind, fun, and sexy but tries to hide his deep hurts and feelings of being lost and unsure.
I laughed, I cried, and I will never hear Adele's Hello the same way again. You will love Hollis and the entire Mason family (they are all worth the read!).
bookboyfriendandhusbandmake3's review against another edition
5.0
I am head over heels in love with Hollis and Larrisa.
Hollis and Larissa began with an accidental touch, electrifying chemistry, and an instant repartee that made it feel like these strangers had always known each other.
Larissa was a sassy, sweet, and a genuine inquisitiveness that turned out to be the exact traits that flamed the intensity between her and Hollis. Hollis was more complex, a cocky football player on the outside but underneath was a man that kept the real him behind a mask.
I adored the banter between Larissa and Hollis, it was full of wit, laughs, well placed sarcasm and they managed to weave some emotional heart-to-heart that had me smiling one minute and shedding a tear the next.
Larissa had an amazing family. They had this refreshing dynamic full of love and sharing laughs that made my heart full. Hollis fit into Larissa’s life and her town as if he was always meant to be there.
The camaraderie between the 3 “Kings of Football” guys is jam packed with loyalty, unconditional love, emotional support, and some laugh inducing text conversations.
I can’t even express how much I loved Judy. She is the essence of the word “grandma” love, feeding people, kindness, and a way of offering a blunt perspective whether it’s wanted or not.
The Relationship Pact was a delectable blend of electrifying chemistry, witty banter, feels, steam, and a “grandma” that lays claim with conviction and follows through.
Hollis and Larissa began with an accidental touch, electrifying chemistry, and an instant repartee that made it feel like these strangers had always known each other.
Larissa was a sassy, sweet, and a genuine inquisitiveness that turned out to be the exact traits that flamed the intensity between her and Hollis. Hollis was more complex, a cocky football player on the outside but underneath was a man that kept the real him behind a mask.
I adored the banter between Larissa and Hollis, it was full of wit, laughs, well placed sarcasm and they managed to weave some emotional heart-to-heart that had me smiling one minute and shedding a tear the next.
Larissa had an amazing family. They had this refreshing dynamic full of love and sharing laughs that made my heart full. Hollis fit into Larissa’s life and her town as if he was always meant to be there.
The camaraderie between the 3 “Kings of Football” guys is jam packed with loyalty, unconditional love, emotional support, and some laugh inducing text conversations.
I can’t even express how much I loved Judy. She is the essence of the word “grandma” love, feeding people, kindness, and a way of offering a blunt perspective whether it’s wanted or not.
The Relationship Pact was a delectable blend of electrifying chemistry, witty banter, feels, steam, and a “grandma” that lays claim with conviction and follows through.
mycatismybookmark's review
4.0
"He came into my life like a whirlwind and flipped every script I had. When I look into his eyes, I can see … a future. Together."
Hollis's story sure tugs at your heart and takes you on an emotional journey. His relationship with Larissa starts on a whim or convenience but sparks into something so much more. Filled with humor, heat, and a lot of heart. I truly hope that their story isn't over yet, because I was left wanting more after the second epilogue; there's so much of Hollis's story that felt unresolved.
3.5 stars
Ilsa Madden-Mills, Meghan Quinn and Adriana Locke have done a terrific job creating three interconnected standalone books. The Kings of Football series is a not-to-be-miss MUST-READ!
My reviews:
[b:The Revenge Pact|55809481|The Revenge Pact (Kings of Football, #1)|Ilsa Madden-Mills|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1606271414l/55809481._SY75_.jpg|87021764]
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3625841787
[b:The Romantic Pact|54451134|The Romantic Pact (Kings of Football, #2)|Meghan Quinn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1605705854l/54451134._SY75_.jpg|84974195]
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3625842164
Hollis's story sure tugs at your heart and takes you on an emotional journey. His relationship with Larissa starts on a whim or convenience but sparks into something so much more. Filled with humor, heat, and a lot of heart. I truly hope that their story isn't over yet, because I was left wanting more after the second epilogue; there's so much of Hollis's story that felt unresolved.
3.5 stars
Ilsa Madden-Mills, Meghan Quinn and Adriana Locke have done a terrific job creating three interconnected standalone books. The Kings of Football series is a not-to-be-miss MUST-READ!
My reviews:
[b:The Revenge Pact|55809481|The Revenge Pact (Kings of Football, #1)|Ilsa Madden-Mills|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1606271414l/55809481._SY75_.jpg|87021764]
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3625841787
[b:The Romantic Pact|54451134|The Romantic Pact (Kings of Football, #2)|Meghan Quinn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1605705854l/54451134._SY75_.jpg|84974195]
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3625842164
emmareviews's review
2.5
I picked this book up because I wanted a good football romance with the Super Bowl coming up (I know, kinda dumb). Unfortunately, I found this one a bit underwhelming. First, I wouldn’t even consider it a sports romance which was disappointing since that was the sole reason I had picked it up. I liked each of the leads and liked that we got to see some of their lives. The setup was even pretty fun. However, the whirlwind romance didn’t do it for me. So much of it was based on physical attraction, and I didn’t even get their connection or transition to something deeper. This was frustrating because on paper, I can recognize that it is a decent romance, it just was really not what I was wanting. 🗣👥☁️
lauren_soderberg's review against another edition
5.0
Adriana Locke’s The Relationship Pact is the perfect ending to the Kings of Football series. I cannot get over how much I enjoyed this book.
When Larissa Mason is confronted with her dreaded ex at a party, she makes a split second decision to ask the handsome stranger standing next to her to be her fake boyfriend… for just five minutes. Hollis Hudson isn’t relationship material, but is always down for a little subterfuge. However, he finds himself enjoying the next five minutes a lot more than he anticipated. Larissa, too, even though she’s sworn off relationships. There’s obviously an attraction between the two of them, and Hollis is only in town for a few days. What’s the worst that could happen?
I cannot get over how much I loved Larissa and Hollis as protagonists. I’m having a serious book hangover because of it. There’s such a delicious push-pull dynamic between the two of them, and Locke is brilliant at creating a sort of instant connection that doesn’t feel forced or gimmicky. I loved Larissa’s strength and Hollis’s sensitivity. The way they interact with each other is both explosive and tender. And I loved the text conversations between Hollis, River, and Crew. It ties their stories together nicely.
In all, this book is one of my favorites of the year, and it, along with the rest of the Kings of Football series, scores all of the touchdowns.
An ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review.
When Larissa Mason is confronted with her dreaded ex at a party, she makes a split second decision to ask the handsome stranger standing next to her to be her fake boyfriend… for just five minutes. Hollis Hudson isn’t relationship material, but is always down for a little subterfuge. However, he finds himself enjoying the next five minutes a lot more than he anticipated. Larissa, too, even though she’s sworn off relationships. There’s obviously an attraction between the two of them, and Hollis is only in town for a few days. What’s the worst that could happen?
I cannot get over how much I loved Larissa and Hollis as protagonists. I’m having a serious book hangover because of it. There’s such a delicious push-pull dynamic between the two of them, and Locke is brilliant at creating a sort of instant connection that doesn’t feel forced or gimmicky. I loved Larissa’s strength and Hollis’s sensitivity. The way they interact with each other is both explosive and tender. And I loved the text conversations between Hollis, River, and Crew. It ties their stories together nicely.
In all, this book is one of my favorites of the year, and it, along with the rest of the Kings of Football series, scores all of the touchdowns.
An ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review.
nicki_theoverflowingbookcase's review
5.0
This is not just a football romance - this is a novel that is so much more. Hollis and Larissa know exactly what they want out of life and while Larissa is willing to overcome any obstacle, it is Hollis that is left with deep rooted thoughts of self loathe and self-isolation. You cannot hurt what you do not let into your heart. Adriana Locke has taken these characters and molded them throughout her storyline into characters that the reader cannot help but want to hold close and hug. The internal baggage that Hollis carries is dealt with in a true and honest nature while showing him that family is not always blood and that anyone can be loved. Truly a masterpiece that deserves more than 5 stars!!
ldooten's review
5.0
This story was so well written. I loved Hollis and I wanted to just hug him so badly and tell him that he was worthy of love. Larissa was a great balance for him, and thankfully she didn't give up easily! They were absolutely perfect together, and I was rooting for them right from the start. Even though these characters are supposed to be seniors in college, they're not immature, which I greatly appreciated. I loved that Hollis made Larissa rethink her stance on athletes, and Larissa made Hollis see that there are people out there who will stand by you. Grandma Judy was awesome and was a perfect secondary character! The banquet scene was so good, it had me tearing up. I was sad to see it end, but the ending was very sweet. So happy to see these two get their HEA!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.