Review: Homecoming King by Penny Reid

Homecoming King by Penny Reid
Series: Three Kings #1
Published by Cipher-Naught on December 14, 2021
Pages: 387
Format: ARC
Genres: Romance, Sports Romance


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Rex "TW" McMurtry’s perpetual single-hood wouldn't bother him so much if all his ex-girlfriends didn't keep marrying the very next person they dated, especially when so many of those grooms are his closest friends. He may be a pro-football defensive end for the Chicago Squalls, but the press only wants to talk about how he's always a groomsman and never a groom. Rex is sick of being the guy before the husband, and he’s most definitely sick of being the best man at all their weddings.

Bartender Abigail McNerny is the gal-pal, the wing-woman, the she-BFF. She's dated. Once. And once was more than enough. Privy to all the sad stories of her customers, ‘contentment over commitment’ is her motto, and Abby is convinced no one on earth could ever entice her into a romantic relationship . . . except that one guy she’s loved since preschool.

The guy who just walked into her bar.
The guy who doesn’t recognize her.
The guy who is drunk and needs a ride home.
The guy who has a proposition she should definitely refuse.

Penny Reid flexes her sports romance muscles with Homecoming King. Featuring her signature wit, simmering romance, and holiday setting—we’re talking Halloween through Christmas, people!—this book is a winning combination of naughty and nice.

It’s normal to have had a long-term one-sided crush on the popular guy in high school, right? Asking for a friend. Those who’ve experienced unrequited crushes will have a soft spot in their heart for Abby, an arts and craftsy professional bartender. She had a massive thing for Rex from kindergarten through high school, but she was practically invisible to him. Even though the attraction is still there, grown-up Abby doesn’t fall at his feet the moment Rex, now a sexy professional football player, finally notices her and asks for a big favor. I admired her for that. I won’t give away the proposition, but I will say it leads to some clever conspiring and lots of chemistry.

It’s impossible not to love Abby because she’s so intrinsically good. She’s modest and content with her life—despite some hard knocks—so she’s careful to never take advantage of Rex’s kindness. And she’s full of good humor and banter. As for Rex, I loved how intimidating and brusque he appears to be with everyone else, but he’s a total teddy bear with Abby. 

The story is told solely from Abby’s point of view, and I think the book is more interesting for it. I don’t believe I would have enjoyed it as much if I’d known all of Rex’s thoughts and motives first-hand. I liked the uncertainty. Both of them are so hesitant to just come out and say what they’re feeling that it creates moments of miscommunication and the slowest of slow burn romances. The heat definitely gets turned up eventually though, and I could have wept with relief.

I liked Abby’s best friend and her boss. I was sad that they sort of dropped out of the picture towards the end. Rex’s Aunt Sally and Uncle Teddy are a hoot. Sal’s over-the-top love for all things Christmas certainly got me in the holiday spirit. Cheers!

Recommended for fans of:
High school crushes
Holiday romances
Arts and crafts
Sports romance

** I received an advance reader’s copy to voluntarily read and review. **

 

Grab your copy of Homecoming King!

 

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3nsJFnb
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Wr60Fy
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3r3CDr3
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2WlJ0YN
AppleBooks: http://apple.co/387VU1W
Nook: http://bit.ly/37qbjLY
Kobo: http://bit.ly/38hr2fD

 

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