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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
3.5 stars
I liked the vibes of the story: a new generation of agents and athletes working together.
I loved Kelley very much: I think the author did an incredible job describing his anxiety, how his brain tried to constantly trick him with spiraling thoughts, how he tried to resist, how he failed, but also, how he worked hard to overcome all those negative feelings.
I had to gave it a low rating because I couldn't really connect with Thad: his judgemental and bitter attitude prevented him from being the person Kelley needed at first. Moreover he went from resenting him to want to have sex with him in a span? of just a few days.
Between the two of them, Kelley seemed to be the more interested in hanging out and seeing each other. Unfortunately, their dynamic did not give me the impression of two people destined to be together.
I like the second part more, it was more challenging for both of them. And I really appreciate Thad's development, his commitment to his job and his maturity.
Anyway It's been very good to be back in a world when Damon King exists!
He's in his fifties now, hot smart and clever as usual; he's also a good boss and I loved to see him taking care of his clients and shaping young agents.
i adored the references to the previous books (the fake dating with Maddox, Oskar's Voyjik's sheaningans and, obviously the Talon-Miller family).
I know that this book it's not about him (nor about Brady) but it was so satisfying to see him again.
Next book will be coworkers/enemies to lovers? We'll see.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review
I liked the vibes of the story: a new generation of agents and athletes working together.
I loved Kelley very much: I think the author did an incredible job describing his anxiety, how his brain tried to constantly trick him with spiraling thoughts, how he tried to resist, how he failed, but also, how he worked hard to overcome all those negative feelings.
I had to gave it a low rating because I couldn't really connect with Thad: his judgemental and bitter attitude prevented him from being the person Kelley needed at first. Moreover he went from resenting him to want to have sex with him in a span? of just a few days.
Between the two of them, Kelley seemed to be the more interested in hanging out and seeing each other. Unfortunately, their dynamic did not give me the impression of two people destined to be together.
I like the second part more, it was more challenging for both of them. And I really appreciate Thad's development, his commitment to his job and his maturity.
Anyway It's been very good to be back in a world when Damon King exists!
He's in his fifties now, hot smart and clever as usual; he's also a good boss and I loved to see him taking care of his clients and shaping young agents.
i adored the references to the previous books (the fake dating with Maddox, Oskar's Voyjik's sheaningans and, obviously the Talon-Miller family).
I know that this book it's not about him (nor about Brady) but it was so satisfying to see him again.
Next book will be coworkers/enemies to lovers? We'll see.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have read a lot of MM romance books and I have read a lot of sports romance books, and Eden Finley’s always take the cake. There has not been a book written by her that has not been anything less than amazing and The Backup Plan was no different.
The chemistry between Thad and Kelley, their banter, their flirting, and just their relationship in general was amazing. I also really enjoyed the realistic nature of their relationship, and how they didn’t immediately drop everything and everyone for a relationship that might not have worked. I really enjoyed the fact that they did have some hurdles to get over but they did it separately and it allowed them to grow into better people; people fit for this relationship.
In short, I found this book 100% worthy of 5 stars and will probably read it again shortly!
The chemistry between Thad and Kelley, their banter, their flirting, and just their relationship in general was amazing. I also really enjoyed the realistic nature of their relationship, and how they didn’t immediately drop everything and everyone for a relationship that might not have worked. I really enjoyed the fact that they did have some hurdles to get over but they did it separately and it allowed them to grow into better people; people fit for this relationship.
In short, I found this book 100% worthy of 5 stars and will probably read it again shortly!
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 - I really enjoyed reading this first book in the new King Sports series! This book carried a lot of the same energy/vibes from the Fake Boyfriend series and I definitely loved that about it. Having made my way through the Sadenverse a number of times this year alone, it made me super happy to have this new branch. While there are echoes of previous works that make it feel familiar (and of course, Damon and Brady having significant roles contributes to that) - and I love that feeling of being home in the Sadenverse - this book also feels fresh to me, maybe because we are in new territory with baseball. I loved Kelley and Thad individually and think they had nice character development/growth in this book. However, I especially loved them together and how they just continued to be drawn together, over and over. I liked the hurt/comfort in this book. I liked the cameos and as previously mentioned, having here a nice amount of Brady and especially Damon, yay! I am very much intrigued by the side characters and their possibility to star in future books. Most of all, I just loved how sweet Thad and Kelley were to each other, especially towards the end (cue the teary eyes here).
To say that I was excited to get back to Eden’s Fake Boyfriend/King Sports world is a gross understatement. I had so much fun reading Thad and Kelley’s book … and of course the cherry on top of this sweet story was all the cameos that I was very much looking forward to.
I thoroughly enjoyed this forced proximity romance that started with a misplaced hatred between Thad, the ex-baseball player turned sports agent and the anxiety-ridden hotshot rookie pitcher. Kelley, who freshly came out, very much needs Demon King’s advice. Going away to a secluded resort is the first step except Kelley doesn’t count on all the fun he could have with Thad, once the grumpy agent decides to truly see him and talk to him. The initial tension resulted in great chemistry between these two, I loved their sometimes adorably awkward, most times funny conversations and cute ‘not-dating’ … because of course ‘it’s complicated’. Under no circumstances they should have been together … yet there was no stopping the longing they had for each other. I loved to see how they built their relationship, against all odds, both of them working so hard to reach their dreams while also not being able to give up on each other. With great old and new side characters, fun banter, and interesting side stories, The Backup Plan was everything I wished for in the first book of King’s Sports.
Agent/Athlete
Forced Proximity
Secret Relationship
Anxiety Rep
Steamy
Please check the disclaimer for sensitive content!
I received a copy of this book from the author via Foreword PR, and this is my honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this forced proximity romance that started with a misplaced hatred between Thad, the ex-baseball player turned sports agent and the anxiety-ridden hotshot rookie pitcher. Kelley, who freshly came out, very much needs Demon King’s advice. Going away to a secluded resort is the first step except Kelley doesn’t count on all the fun he could have with Thad, once the grumpy agent decides to truly see him and talk to him. The initial tension resulted in great chemistry between these two, I loved their sometimes adorably awkward, most times funny conversations and cute ‘not-dating’ … because of course ‘it’s complicated’. Under no circumstances they should have been together … yet there was no stopping the longing they had for each other. I loved to see how they built their relationship, against all odds, both of them working so hard to reach their dreams while also not being able to give up on each other. With great old and new side characters, fun banter, and interesting side stories, The Backup Plan was everything I wished for in the first book of King’s Sports.
Agent/Athlete
Forced Proximity
Secret Relationship
Anxiety Rep
Steamy
Please check the disclaimer for sensitive content!
I received a copy of this book from the author via Foreword PR, and this is my honest review.
When Thad dream of making it in pro baseball, he decided being a sport agent is the best next thing. Kelley is a talented pro ball player who Thad is tasked with babysitting.
Overall I enjoyed this book and the journey that the characters went through. Thad learned to not take out his anger and bitterness onto others just because he didn’t make it and to not assume. My only con are is that sometimes pacing was not that great and that some storyline could have been resolved better.
This book has all the tropes that I love enemy to lovers, force proximity, secret hookup and relationship. I would say this book is perfect for anyone looking to read baseball sport romance with low angst and just the right amount of spice.
I recommend anyone who is new to this author universe to check out their other work especially Fake Out and Can’t Say Goodbye. You can definitely read this book without reading the other books.
I received an ARC of the book and all opinions are my own.
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I cannot express how happy I am that Eden decided to give King Sports a series. I mean, Damon's story was definitely my top fav so his appearance in The Backup Plan was a treat! I also love how mental health is being represented here and let's face it, we don't get enough of it in stories so this made me happy. Thad and Kelley grew on me, I think their dynamics/back and forth were top tier, Eden Finely style and it never gets old! There was character building and spicy times, all perfect and well written. Eden Finley's stories are just amazing, there's nothing she can't write in my opinion. I can't wait to read who's next, I hope it's Zaka, or Archer or even Lincoln, I mean it doesn't matter, she's written another great story that I'll finish in one sitting! Five stars for The Backup Plan, happy reading all!
lighthearted
medium-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
i was very nervous when i read the word "unalive" like 20 pages in but it redeemed itself
funny
medium-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
This has immediately jumped into the top Eden Finley books for me. I adore the Sadenverse and getting a peak into the new generation at King Sports was everything I could have ever asked for.
- Baseball Player/Agent
- Forced Proximity
- Idiots in Love
Thad and Kelley were an awesome place to start off this new series. I really enjoyed that the first section of the book was a crossover with ‘Can’t Say Goodbye’ which is my favourite Eden book. Seeing the cabin scenes from Thad and Kelley’s POVs was actually hilarious. The whole book had a great mix of laugh-out-loud moments as well as a touch of angst and some emotional times.
I enjoyed the portrayal of Kelley’s anxiety and how he struggled with it throughout the book without it being the focus. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the series!
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.
- Baseball Player/Agent
- Forced Proximity
- Idiots in Love
Thad and Kelley were an awesome place to start off this new series. I really enjoyed that the first section of the book was a crossover with ‘Can’t Say Goodbye’ which is my favourite Eden book. Seeing the cabin scenes from Thad and Kelley’s POVs was actually hilarious. The whole book had a great mix of laugh-out-loud moments as well as a touch of angst and some emotional times.
I enjoyed the portrayal of Kelley’s anxiety and how he struggled with it throughout the book without it being the focus. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the series!
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.