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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
“So you’re here to date me?”
“I’m here to do more than that. I’m here to make you fall in love with me.”
The Backup Plan is the first book in the King Sports new series by Eden Finley. OMG! I’ve loved every page of it. I had such a fun time reading this book!
I loved Thad and Kelly’s relationship. At the beginning, and because of his past, Thad couldn’t stand Kelley. He almost despised him and acted like an asshole. Once he realized how wrong he was, he discovered an amazing man in Kelley. His initial sarcasm and bitterness gave way to so many surprising, heartfelt moments, especially as he begins to understand Kelly’s anxiety. When he gets to know Kelley, he’s the best one helping him calming down and being his best support. It was amazing watching Thad shift from resentment to genuine care. It was also moving Kelley’s journey of letting someone in to help him with his anxiety.
The cameos of Damon, Brady, Lane and Oskar Voyjik or Kit and Prescott, from the Sadenverse (in which Damon is the centre around which all the other characters’ orbit), gave me a feeling of belonging, like reuniting with old friends you haven’t seen in a while. It’s so good tied altogether. I fell in love with Damon King in Fake Out . He’s been one of my favourite characters since then. Now he’s a silver fox, an amazing agent and a great uncle.
This is a good starter of the new series. I’m excited to see what comes next in it. I’m totally hooked!
I received an ARC from the author for free, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
“I’m here to do more than that. I’m here to make you fall in love with me.”
The Backup Plan is the first book in the King Sports new series by Eden Finley. OMG! I’ve loved every page of it. I had such a fun time reading this book!
I loved Thad and Kelly’s relationship. At the beginning, and because of his past, Thad couldn’t stand Kelley. He almost despised him and acted like an asshole. Once he realized how wrong he was, he discovered an amazing man in Kelley. His initial sarcasm and bitterness gave way to so many surprising, heartfelt moments, especially as he begins to understand Kelly’s anxiety. When he gets to know Kelley, he’s the best one helping him calming down and being his best support. It was amazing watching Thad shift from resentment to genuine care. It was also moving Kelley’s journey of letting someone in to help him with his anxiety.
The cameos of Damon, Brady, Lane and Oskar Voyjik or Kit and Prescott, from the Sadenverse (in which Damon is the centre around which all the other characters’ orbit), gave me a feeling of belonging, like reuniting with old friends you haven’t seen in a while. It’s so good tied altogether. I fell in love with Damon King in Fake Out . He’s been one of my favourite characters since then. Now he’s a silver fox, an amazing agent and a great uncle.
This is a good starter of the new series. I’m excited to see what comes next in it. I’m totally hooked!
I received an ARC from the author for free, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.5 ☆
This book felt like coming home! It was exactly what I needed and it somehow gave a sense of contentment while reading. It kind of felt like being back at the start with Damon, but it also felt like a new beginning.
Kelley Afton is a pro baseball player and Thad St. James is an intern and King Sports, trying to land a junior agent spot after not making it into the MLB, and he's assigned to babysit Kelley for 2 weeks together with Brady Talon. After getting over his resentment and getting to know Kelley better their relationship starts to change, and they discover that they have more in common than they thought.
If we don't take into consideration Kelley's pro baseball career then I am Kelley. Our mental health issues are freakishly similar and I could really emphatize with him. For some reason this story really resonated with me and while I'm an emotional reader and can cry from pretty much anything this was the first time that I started tearing up and crying after finishing a book. I have no idea what it is about this book, but it feels like a balm to my soul.
I love Kelley and Thad! They were cute and sweet, and I was so happy that Thad fought for them! Kelley's mind would have never let him be the one to move first and Thad did what needed to be done for them to get their HEA. They were lovable idiots sometimes, but they also had some honest moments. They were both scared of things going badly and damaging their lives, but in the end their feelings were stronger than anything else. I loved that Thad was there for Kelley when he was struggling and eased his worries.
I would have liked to see more romance or couple-y moments between Thad and Kelley, but I also feel like we needed to see them struggle, pine and ultimately fight for their relationship. And all that was so worth it! When they were in, and they were all in.
I enjoyed their banter and teasing a lot. It was really great to see Damon and Brady. Damon kinda started this whole thing and it was great to get back to the roots and watch a new beginning unfold.
A great start to a new series and I can't wait to see where this series goes!
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
This book felt like coming home! It was exactly what I needed and it somehow gave a sense of contentment while reading. It kind of felt like being back at the start with Damon, but it also felt like a new beginning.
Kelley Afton is a pro baseball player and Thad St. James is an intern and King Sports, trying to land a junior agent spot after not making it into the MLB, and he's assigned to babysit Kelley for 2 weeks together with Brady Talon. After getting over his resentment and getting to know Kelley better their relationship starts to change, and they discover that they have more in common than they thought.
If we don't take into consideration Kelley's pro baseball career then I am Kelley. Our mental health issues are freakishly similar and I could really emphatize with him. For some reason this story really resonated with me and while I'm an emotional reader and can cry from pretty much anything this was the first time that I started tearing up and crying after finishing a book. I have no idea what it is about this book, but it feels like a balm to my soul.
I love Kelley and Thad! They were cute and sweet, and I was so happy that Thad fought for them! Kelley's mind would have never let him be the one to move first and Thad did what needed to be done for them to get their HEA. They were lovable idiots sometimes, but they also had some honest moments. They were both scared of things going badly and damaging their lives, but in the end their feelings were stronger than anything else. I loved that Thad was there for Kelley when he was struggling and eased his worries.
I would have liked to see more romance or couple-y moments between Thad and Kelley, but I also feel like we needed to see them struggle, pine and ultimately fight for their relationship. And all that was so worth it! When they were in, and they were all in.
I enjoyed their banter and teasing a lot. It was really great to see Damon and Brady. Damon kinda started this whole thing and it was great to get back to the roots and watch a new beginning unfold.
A great start to a new series and I can't wait to see where this series goes!
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This was fantastic. I can’t wait to see how the series continues
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Ahhhh! New series to love!
I loved the representation in this book with Kelley. The anxiety, intrusive thoughts. It’s a real thing that is very hard to control and cope with and have a healthy relationship. I think many people will relate to Kelley and his struggles.
Luckily, Theo has some great character development at the beginning and becomes Kelley’s safe space. I loved how Thad just let Kelley be himself and understood what would seem like overkill to others. They really complement each other.
Their relationship progresses unconventionally and is mostly long distance with their schedules. I actually kinda enjoyed this. They knew they liked each other, they made the time for each other. Even when it was inconvenient.
This book was a little more on the serious side than what we are used to seeing from Eden but still had fun humor and great introduction to the upcoming characters.
This was a great start to the King series!
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
Thad and Kelley
The Back Up Plan is the first book in Eden Finley's new King Sports series. The set-up: King Sports intern Thad is sent off for two weeks in the Catskills with his fellow intern Brady, to "babysit" star baseball pitcher Kelley Afton because Kelley is struggling with the criticism he is getting due to his recent announcement of his sexuality and needs to lay low and not have access to social media. Thad is bitter and resentful because the year before, he had to give up his own dream of professional baseball and he does not feel that Kelley appreciates what he has and it is what Thad so desperately wanted. What Thad does not realize is that Kelley is not being a diva but struggles with multiple anxiety issues. Kelley knows his reaction to criticism is unhealthy and worries that it will affect his career. Kelley also knows Thad dislikes him but does not know why. When Brady makes himself scarce from the cabin, Kelley and Thad are forced to spend time together. They quickly find common ground and sparks fly. Then it is time to go back to reality. Neither of them is in a position to pursue anything further given that they live in different cities and Thad isn't supposed to have a relationship with a client he has worked with, even if he is not Kelley's agent. But they can't seem to stop wanting each other...
This book has all the clever dialogue, low angst, spiciness, and lovable characters that I expect from an Eden Finley book. It has the bonus of addressing real issues of anxiety and the bitterness of lost dreams. It was very cool to get insight into how Kelley's mind works and how his anxiety affects him. I was also impressed that Thad ended up being so likable when he was unpleasant initially. Brady and Damon are important characters in the book, and knowing their backgrounds and the things going on in Brady's life during the same timeframe (see suggested books below) really added to the story. While this book can be read as a standalone, for the full experience, I highly recommend having read Can't Say Goodbye (Brady's story) as the timelines overlap. For the full experience, one should also have read Fake Out (Damon's story).
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and characters and can't wait to see how the King Sports series develops. This book most reminded me of Eden's Fake Boyfriend series, not only for the overlap of characters but the general tone.
The Back Up Plan is the first book in Eden Finley's new King Sports series. The set-up: King Sports intern Thad is sent off for two weeks in the Catskills with his fellow intern Brady, to "babysit" star baseball pitcher Kelley Afton because Kelley is struggling with the criticism he is getting due to his recent announcement of his sexuality and needs to lay low and not have access to social media. Thad is bitter and resentful because the year before, he had to give up his own dream of professional baseball and he does not feel that Kelley appreciates what he has and it is what Thad so desperately wanted. What Thad does not realize is that Kelley is not being a diva but struggles with multiple anxiety issues. Kelley knows his reaction to criticism is unhealthy and worries that it will affect his career. Kelley also knows Thad dislikes him but does not know why. When Brady makes himself scarce from the cabin, Kelley and Thad are forced to spend time together. They quickly find common ground and sparks fly. Then it is time to go back to reality. Neither of them is in a position to pursue anything further given that they live in different cities and Thad isn't supposed to have a relationship with a client he has worked with, even if he is not Kelley's agent. But they can't seem to stop wanting each other...
This book has all the clever dialogue, low angst, spiciness, and lovable characters that I expect from an Eden Finley book. It has the bonus of addressing real issues of anxiety and the bitterness of lost dreams. It was very cool to get insight into how Kelley's mind works and how his anxiety affects him. I was also impressed that Thad ended up being so likable when he was unpleasant initially. Brady and Damon are important characters in the book, and knowing their backgrounds and the things going on in Brady's life during the same timeframe (see suggested books below) really added to the story. While this book can be read as a standalone, for the full experience, I highly recommend having read Can't Say Goodbye (Brady's story) as the timelines overlap. For the full experience, one should also have read Fake Out (Damon's story).
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and characters and can't wait to see how the King Sports series develops. This book most reminded me of Eden's Fake Boyfriend series, not only for the overlap of characters but the general tone.
Wonderful. Just wonderful.
Eden delivers warmth, tension and humour. A professional athlete with mental issues that are even harder to navigate given his celebrity status and an agent (to be) who’s more than a little bitter about not getting the baseball career he thought he’d have. To say there’s tension is an understatement.
But they each help the other reframe their wants, needs, and desires, and on that, they find the connection to build a beautiful relationship. Fresh starts abound.
They are also deliciously hot together.
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Yes
Oh boy... This is my happy place. I can't help it. Every time I read something within the Sadenverse, I'm happy. It doesn't matter if it's something this duo wrote together or separately, I just love it.
Although it seems that in their last few stories they have perhaps lowered the quality of their writing a little (and this is just my opinion. And it doesn't mean that I'm going to stop reading them) I think it's simply because they have been rushed by us, the fans, who are always asking for more and more, which causes them to rush to release their books in a more hurried manner instead of giving them time to better develop the stories. However, in this story, I think Eden has shined again.
Both MCs have depth. Both carry baggage. Kelley with his anxiety, and Thad with his frustration and bitterness at not being able to realize his dream of going pro. And both are buttheads who clash from the moment they meet. But as they spend time together, Thad realizes that Kelley isn't as shallow as he seems, and that his attention seeking, especially through online networks, is simply because he needs validation. It's a way of dealing with anxiety and stress.
And when Kelley realizes that Thad isn't as cold as he seems, and that he's a safe haven to let go, the bond between them deepens.
Although they both try to keep their relationship secret, due to their work relationship, they are not so subtle, and everything comes to a crucial moment when Kelley has to move due to her career, and Damon confronts Thad, and Thad has to decide what he really wants.
Anyway, I won't say more. The story has everything: there are banter, fun moments, sexy moments, romantic moments, a little angsty moments, did I say spicy moments? Well, you will find everything in here. And of course, it has DAMON (and Bradley)!
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
Although it seems that in their last few stories they have perhaps lowered the quality of their writing a little (and this is just my opinion. And it doesn't mean that I'm going to stop reading them) I think it's simply because they have been rushed by us, the fans, who are always asking for more and more, which causes them to rush to release their books in a more hurried manner instead of giving them time to better develop the stories. However, in this story, I think Eden has shined again.
Both MCs have depth. Both carry baggage. Kelley with his anxiety, and Thad with his frustration and bitterness at not being able to realize his dream of going pro. And both are buttheads who clash from the moment they meet. But as they spend time together, Thad realizes that Kelley isn't as shallow as he seems, and that his attention seeking, especially through online networks, is simply because he needs validation. It's a way of dealing with anxiety and stress.
And when Kelley realizes that Thad isn't as cold as he seems, and that he's a safe haven to let go, the bond between them deepens.
Although they both try to keep their relationship secret, due to their work relationship, they are not so subtle, and everything comes to a crucial moment when Kelley has to move due to her career, and Damon confronts Thad, and Thad has to decide what he really wants.
Anyway, I won't say more. The story has everything: there are banter, fun moments, sexy moments, romantic moments, a little angsty moments, did I say spicy moments? Well, you will find everything in here. And of course, it has DAMON (and Bradley)!
I was given an advanced copy and voluntarily wrote a review.