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Covering Kendall (2014)

by Julie Brannagh(Favorite Author)

3.91 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0062363816 (ISBN13: 9780062363817)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Avon Impulse

series

Love and Football

review 1: You know how sometimes you read the blurb for a book and you automatically get turned off by one specific element and just KNOW there is no reason for you to even read it because you couldn't possibly enjoy it? Well that's what I thought about COVERING KENDALL by Julie Brannagh. As soon as I read the word football I was sure it wasn't going to be for me.Now, it's not that I know nothing about the sport. I mean, I understand the basics and can keep up with what's going on when I have to sit through a game. I'm just not a fan. And it seems that all my friends are, so I'm often subjected to hearing about fantasy leagues or sitting through the Superbowl. Let's just say I've kind of grown to resent the sport and that convinced me that I couldn't possibly love a football-centric... more romance.I am not ashamed to say that I was completely wrong.Yes, the main characters work and or play for the NFL, but it's not all of who they are. And it's definitely not all of what makes up their romance.I loved Kendall and Drew together from the very beginning. They both might live and breathe football but they meet at a bookstore of all places, on a rainy afternoon, and that just made my day. I love reading books where the characters are also readers, especially when the heroine is a romance reader. People still read, everybody! Some people actually still go into bookstores to browse and sit through book signings. And sometimes that leads to their finding a huge, muscled, sexy football player with a heart of gold. (Damn, I should stop shopping for books online.)These two were playful and adorable together from their first meeting, with a burning attraction that pulled them all the way back to Kendall's hotel room. Until reality set in and they found out who the other really was. Kendall and Drew work so hard at first to deny their attraction, knowing the gossip and drama it could stir up for both of their careers, but their thoughts seem to be stuck on each other and fate finds a way to continue to throw them together. I loved reading their flirtatious banter and their sweet conversations in the moments they were able to steal together.Even the side stories in this novel drew me in. I was intrigued by the look at Kendall's struggle as a female GM in a testosterone dominated field, and her overcoming the sexist male colleagues who undermine her authority, to bring the team up to snuff. It gave her character a core of strength that made me look up to her.Drew's parents and their fighting over his mother getting a job really served to underline the issues Drew and Kendall face with her trying to balance her demanding job and their relationship. I also loved Drew's parents as supporting characters and appreciated that Brannagh gave us an older couple that are obviously still so in love and continue to put in the work (and chase each other around like kids) to keep their relationship fresh.I never thought I would ever love a book about the Romeo and Juliet of professional football, but Julie Brannagh made it happen! I can't believe I'm saying this but I can't wait to read more novels about the Sharks and see some of the other teammates find their loves. This was the first novel by Brannagh I've read but I absolutely adored her writing style and her balance of heat and heart. So hats off to Julie Brannagh for creating some interesting, sweet and funny characters, even if they do love football.Disclaimer: As an Avon Addict, I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions shared are my own.
review 2: I have recently started liking sports romance and, even though I know nothing about football, I was sucked into the story from the beginning. I enjoyed the first part of the book, the instant attraction between the two characters, the fact that they were both bookworms and the major buzz kill when Kendall realized who Drew was.I liked how they both tried to overcome the major obstacle on their way because of the way they felt for each other. Fighting for the one you love is one of my favorite themes. Drew was a very nice hero. I loved his humble attitude, even though he was a super famous player, and I loved how he cared for his parents. The thing I loved the most about him was when he went to visit the sick kid in the hospital, and all he did to cheer him up. That part was super sweet.As for Kendall, I liked her determination to succeed in a man's world. I can only guess how tough that world must be and I was in awe of her for standing up against her male colleagues.However, there were some parts I didn't like and because of these, I had mixed feelings about the rating. For one, although I did enjoy the chemistry between Kendall and Drew, I could've done without the two explicit sex scenes. This is just my personal opinion, so if you don't mind explicit sex, this won't be a problem for you. Secondly, I felt there were some parts where the story seemed to drag a little.Also, even though I said I liked Kendall determination, I didn't like how she decided to put her job first if it came to choose between the man she claimed to love and her career. Maybe it's because I'm not career-driven, so I would always put my Prince Charming first. I realize this was part of the character though, so I understand the author's choice. It just didn't work for me, but any career-driven woman would most probably see herself in Kendall.The icing on the cake, that earned the rating one extra shamrock, was the epilogue. I won't tell you anything about it, because I don't want to spoil the ending for you, but it totally swept me off my feet. I loved Drew in that chapter and I was really happy that the author decided to add the epilogue.If you like sports romance in Romeo and Juliet style, you should definitely grab a copy of this book. Drew is a romantic, a little old-fashioned (in a good way) Romeo and Kendall is a kick ass modern Juliet.***I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review*** less

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