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kennalovessmut's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really enjoyed this book and found it to be a quick read (less than a day to finish on my Kindle!) Has the touch her and I’ll kill you vibes. Coming off of reading Icebreaker, I wanted another easy college sports romance and this did not disappoint!
I did not like the resolve, as it felt a bit rushed. But despite that, I enjoyed the characters and world that was built - so I look forward to reading the other 2 books in the Beyond the Play series by her!
I did not like the resolve, as it felt a bit rushed. But despite that, I enjoyed the characters and world that was built - so I look forward to reading the other 2 books in the Beyond the Play series by her!
Content Warnings
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, and Miscarriage
estefizaga's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Grief, Miscarriage, and Self harm
kb33's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Cute, quick, light read, and I love how hard James fell for Bex.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, and Suicide attempt
madflatt's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Miscarriage
juffnstuff's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Miscarriage and Car accident
izziepng's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
WHERE. IS. THE. CHEMISTRY
did i just miss half the book or??? because even though this book lasted a ENTIRE FOOT BALL SEASON we saw maybe 8.214 days in total
it would be a higher review if the author had showed them falling in love
It’s only this high because i enjoyed reading it even if there is no proof the characters have spoken more the 12 times
this author should just stick to only smut books because that’s the only time you see the main characters interacting
did i just miss half the book or??? because even though this book lasted a ENTIRE FOOT BALL SEASON we saw maybe 8.214 days in total
it would be a higher review if the author had showed them falling in love
It’s only this high because i enjoyed reading it even if there is no proof the characters have spoken more the 12 times
this author should just stick to only smut books because that’s the only time you see the main characters interacting
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Cursing, Self harm, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Mental illness and Physical abuse
Minor: Miscarriage, Self harm, and Abandonment
sarahball47's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Infidelity
Minor: Miscarriage and Alcoholism
rickireadss's review against another edition
3.5
i think this was just okay. i didn’t hate it but it’s not like a favorite of mine. i liked that it was sports romance (i eat these up!). i love the fake dating trope and this one didn’t miss. i do think the way it blurred into real dating without much talk about it was a little weird/unrealistic but ehh. overall it was just okay to me!
⚠️: sexual harassment, stalking, misogyny, mental illness, self harm, emotional abuse, suicide attempt, miscarriage, infidelity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Self harm, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Minor: Miscarriage and Infidelity
laurenvoice's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
First Down had so much potential but, in the end, it lacked something. There were quite a few inconsistencies within the storyline and with the characters; too many to ignore. However, James was too cute; he was such a cinnamon roll; he saved this book!
First Down was too fast-paced; there were too many time jumps within the story, and it missed any story building. The relationship progression between James and Bex happened too quickly; they barely "fake dated" and practically dived headfirst into a relationship that neither of them felt ready for; they should have set boundaries and slowed the fake dating storyline to build tension.
Also, there was no proper build-up with the Darryl storyline; the story seemed to have skipped all the times he harassed and stalked Bex on campus and at her place of work. And the Sara storyline felt too forced and didn't quite have the impact on the story that it should have done. It was a missed opportunity not to build up the tension with the Darryl storyline, as the showdown between James and Darryl would have felt more impactful and less childish.
After finishing, First Down, I felt unsatisfied, which is a shame as I enjoyed reading this book as a lighthearted read. However, the ending felt too cheesy the way it wrapped up. We never saw why Bex's mum ended up doing a big U-turn with her personality and life; her gift to Bex at the end felt too out of character. The ending felt unfinished. But maybe these will be tied up in future books; however, I doubt the unanswered questions will get the answers.
Nonetheless, First Down was a fun read and has set up the rest of the Beyond the Play series well. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, and Car accident
livi_bunniesandbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
3.5
Okay I don’t remember what I really wanted to rate this book because the bonus epilogue made it loose points… I think I liked the actual story so maybe 4⭐️? The story was great, I LOVE a simp MMC. I found Bex kinda annoying sometimes (she was just insecure and honestly like okay I get it but also I don’t wanna hear how you don’t think your good enough and then not telling your boyfriend what the actual issue is??) I did get sucked in quite strongly w this book (it is now 4am and I am writing this instead of going to sleep). I also don’t fully agree w James just throwing his entire season away, like I get it, but also I played sports and if someone on my team purposely sabotaged us I’d be pissed off. Idk I feel like James and bex didn’t have a very healthy relationship, too codependent without enough communication?? Also ms Reilly wasn’t a phenomenal spice writer in this book, but I’m gunna read coopers book and decide then.
I really did like the conflict in the book, it was paced and written well,
with Darryl and with bex’s mom and James’ dad. I liked the supporting characters, Laura was fun but I can’t wait for the other siblings books (especially Izzy’s, I feel like that’ll be a fun book) I loved the happy ever after, it wasn’t a surprise but it was a good one. Fake dating turned fwb turned love. AND this fake dating had NO RULES !! That was awesome! I HATE when there’s rules like no kissing or whatever, like that’s so lame and just extends the anticipation for unnecessarily long. But this one had no rules!! Anyways that was my fav part I think. That and him being a simp.
I really did like the conflict in the book, it was paced and written well,
with Darryl and with bex’s mom and James’ dad. I liked the supporting characters, Laura was fun but I can’t wait for the other siblings books (especially Izzy’s, I feel like that’ll be a fun book) I loved the happy ever after, it wasn’t a surprise but it was a good one. Fake dating turned fwb turned love. AND this fake dating had NO RULES !! That was awesome! I HATE when there’s rules like no kissing or whatever, like that’s so lame and just extends the anticipation for unnecessarily long. But this one had no rules!! Anyways that was my fav part I think. That and him being a simp.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Miscarriage, and Abandonment