Series: Sydney Smoke Rugby #1
Audience: +18
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Brazen)
Release Date: July 11th 2016
My Rating: 4 cups
Source: Netgalley
Blurb (from Goodreads):
In this grudge match, the first to score…*Disclaimer: I was offered an eARC from Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC in exchange for an honest review.
When style columnist Matilda Kent accidentally lets slip that she was once involved with the captain of the Sydney Smoke rugby team, she suddenly finds herself elevated to the position she’s always wanted – feature writer. The catch? She’s stuck doing a six-part series on her ex. Still, there’s no way she can turn down a promotion…or the chance to dish the dirt on the guy who so callously broke her heart.
…could win it all!
Tanner Stone wants to be involved in a feature series about as much as he wants to snap an Achilles. But the thought of seeing Tilly again is a bonus—and has him more worked up than he wants to admit. Only he’s not prepared for how different she is – all cool and professional. His Tilly is still in there, though…and he still wants her, now more than ever. All he has to do is charm her into giving him a rematch. And this time, winner takes all!
It seems that second chance romances are popular again, which I don't mind in the least, let me tell you.
Matilda and Tanner have an explosive relationship, one that isn't just going to go away, no matter how much they want it to. I liked their interactions. At times it felt like watching a tennis match, wondering who will render the other one speechless first, who will make the other one mad, or laugh like a lunatic.
I have to say, for about half of the book I was confused about my feelings for Tanner. I understood what he did, why he did it, but I wasn't really sure why he couldn't have done it any other way. Some wisdom from Matilda's grandmother, as well as a great scene between the two love birds made me change my mind about him. I'm actually really happy with how the story ended for these two.
Matilda has a pretty unique sense of humor, if you ask me, especially in the articles she wrote about Tanner. I didn't exactly agree with her search to find something that will "expose" Tanner, but I did like her professionalism and how she didn't let her personal feelings ruin what she was writing.
I like that this story is about Aussie characters. That was a change for me, and a very good one, too. I would want that the focus would fall a little bit more on the sport itself too, to be honest. I was also very pleased with how this book opens the door for the series focusing on the other rugby players from Tanner's team. I thought it was a good introduction to a new series, and I'll definitely be checking out the rest of the books when they will be published.
