Reviews

Kickin' It by Rachel Van Dyken

kaitiecakes's review against another edition

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5.0

Rachel delivered again, oh boy did she ever!
She gave me things i didnt even know i needed, but i so needed them haha!
Honestly, i was hoping this would be a story about Jagger, i didnt know who i wanted him to be with i just knew i wanted a story about him.
Well this book is NOT about Jagger, however he does play a big part in the story itself which is fantastic!

This book follows Matt and Parker. Its a classic forbidden romance, but its also a sports romance, and a suspense, and a sisters best friend romance, it’s literally just everything!
Rachel is a wonderful writer first off!
But I was able to connect to Parker because I feel as though I can relate to her so much. I’ve been in her shoes before, almost three years ago now I was sexually assaulted by my (at the time) superior. I had just started working at my job and 2 weeks in we were closing the kitchen together. Was just us and the front of house staff. When we were done I went and took my chef coat off, he came up behind me, hugged me and told me I had a nice body. I scrambled away from him, crying and left. The next day I confronted the boss about what had happened, he had a talk with the guy that did that to me. Nothing else was done about it, I had asked that it be kept quite, so they talked to him and he apologized. I took it upon myself and sort of stole his job from him. He still works there and I only have to see him when the shifts change (I’m morning, he’s nights). But I get paid $2 more then him now and I’m assistant kitchen manager where he is just night manager (he doesn’t get any perks) and that is being taken away from him. He doesn’t know that I was raped when I was 14 and that took a lot out of me, he might have meant what he did as a compliment, but that’s not how I took it. I remember calling my husband in tears that night and getting him to talk to me on my drive home. It still set me off when I see him sometimes. So I think Rachel did a get job in portraying Parker’s backstory and how she felt throughout it all.

Matt, was just loveable, he was the man that didnt want to let anyone in, but has the biggest heart and just wants to be there for everyone.

Secretly, I’m hoping we see a novella eventually for Jagger and Willow. That would be amazing, but even if we dont this was a perfect end to this universe and i cant wait to read my next book by Rachel!

rellimreads's review

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5.0

Audio. 5 stars. At the time of this review, you can borrow both the ebook & Audiobook via Kindle Unlimited. Alternatively, the ebook is $4.99 and you can add the Audible to the purchase for $1.99, so that's less than the cost of a credit.

I'll admit that I'm a huge RVD fan. However, this audiobook may be one of my absolute favorites. I wasn't familiar with either narrator, but I still opted to buy this the day it was released as her books are ones that I'll consistently listen to over & over again. I don't regret it at all.

While this is the second book of the series, it was definitely a stand alone. Slade & MacKenzie from Risky Play make some appearances, but you don't need their story to fully enjoy this one. Parker is a recent college grad seeking out a professional soccer career. Her bestie, Willow is moving to Seattle to live with Willow's older brother, Matt, and brings Parker along. We met Matt in Risky Play as the slightly-paternalistic (despite being 31) agent to several off the rails professional athletes. In Kickin' It, he agrees to be Parker's agent despite her hitting her college coach and a variety of other rumors threatening to sink her career before it even gets off the ground.

Van Dyken tackles some tough issues in this book with an authenticity that led me to tears several times. Matt is incredibly endearing and his relationship with Parker becomes a thing of beauty. As with all RVD, there are definitely some light moments (generally starring Jagger) and I found myself laughing almost as much as crying. The ending was *slightly* over the top for me, but this is fiction and I went with it. The epilogue was was uniquely Matt & Parker and a lovely finish.

kirbyj_'s review

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5.0

parker and matt broke my heart in the best way. i loved watching matt fold like piece of paper whilst trying not to.

beckyrendon's review

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5.0

Rachel Van Dyken held no punches (or should I say kicks) in this book. Kickin' It is number 2 in this series by its already #1 in my mind. It's hard not to fan girl when you see faces from the past and other stories visiting. I absolutely squealed at the realization of who was in this book. Some surprising new faces I hope we learn a lot more about in the future too!

Crazed screaming aside, Kickin' It has everything in its pages. complete with:
* A tension filled, list swirling relationship.
* A secret that crushes its owner.
* A big brother with protector complex.
* A sexy vixen with a mouthy attitude and quick wit.
* A best friend more than worth her weight in gold.
* Real men. Not those cowards who pretend to be men.

Sorry my mouthy attitude is starting to come out! Rachel Van Dyken takes a sensitive subjects and nails it's balls to the wall in a totally badass way. She shines a light on a topic that, while it gets its own sound bites, can't be said enough. I want to make her a tiara for her words and the way she makes a heroine into a hero.

Parker is a badass. She's mouthy, stubborn and the kind of girl you want in your corner. She just needs the right people in hers. Kicking' It gives her and the reader that and more.

bookboyfriendandhusbandmake3's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved this so much.

I loved this so much. It was beautifully written. I loved the banter between the characters and the chemistry was off the charts from the moment they met

nicki_theoverflowingbookcase's review against another edition

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5.0

When Matt agrees to let his sister intern with his sports agency he gets more than he bargained for when she moves in with her friend Parker. Rising female soccer star with a chip on her shoulder Parker is trying to get a position on a team but the drama from her past is keeping her from her goal. But once Matt sees just how much talent she has and decides to help her land a try out, he also realizes she has a huge skeleton in her closet that she has hid from everyone. Can she overcome her past? Will she become even stronger with Matt by her side? I loved these characters. Matt started off as a stuffed suit but ended up with his heart on his sleeve and Parker is so broken you just want to hug her. Throw in great supporting characters and this was a perfect read.

ldooten's review against another edition

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4.0

This was a really good read! The writing flowed well, and I loved Matt and Parker together. They had great chemistry, and I felt like they were good for each other. Parker was a lot stand offish in the beginning, but it wasn't long before we find out why. Although that situation gets resolved in the end, I would have loved for Parker to stand up for herself before then. Matt was a great guy, and he was always looking out for Parker. There were funny moments, although not quite as many as the first book had. Slade and Jagger make appearances in this one as well. The ending was perfect for Matt and Parker, although I'm really hoping that situation with Jagger is explained in the next book!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

anaelements's review against another edition

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4.0

better than i expected

rinasreadsnz's review against another edition

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5.0

Wow...
That was an emotional story to listen to.

I absolutely loved Matt and Parker (plus the side of Willow and Jagger).
Their connection was inspiring, refreshing and so damn potent it was practically jumping from the speakers into my ears.
Their journey was rough, shrouded with doubt and past hurts and worry - but it was oh so delicious. And sexy, and sweet, and just... gah! I loved them.

The hurt, insecurity and fear were evident in the way Laurie narrated Parker's story.
Supported by William, they made this book one that will stay with me for a long time.
Amazing job narrating you two!

fsmeurinne's review against another edition

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5.0

Parker and Matt, their story doesn't start as the regular way, Parker a soccer player finds herself living with Matt a successful sport agent, she needs an agent, he finally agrees and sets himself as her coach as well, it should be an off-limits, but the attraction and chemistry between them is not to be ignored. A perfect sport romance where the lines are blurring and your heart just keep on skipping.