Jockblocked by Jen Frederick Series: Gridiron #2
Published by Self-Published on February 11th 2016
Pages: 494
Amazon
She’s always played it safe…
College junior Lucy Washington abides by one rule-avoid risk at all costs. She's cautious in every aspect of her life, from her health, to her mock trial team, to the boring guys she dates. When a brash, gorgeous jock walks into the campus coffee shop and turns his flirt on, Lucy is stunned by the force of attraction. For the first time ever, she's willing to step out of her comfort zone, but can she really trust the guy who's determined to sweep her off her feet?
He’s always played around…
Entering his last year of college eligibility, linebacker Matthew "Matty" Iverson has the team captaincy in his sights. And it's his for the taking, if he can convince his quarterback Ace Anderson to give up the starting position. Luckily, Matty already has an edge-the hottie he's lusting over just happens to be Ace's childhood best friend. Getting Lucy on his side and in his bed? Hell yeah. Matty is more than confident that he can have both, but when he falls hard for Lucy, it's time for a new game plan: convince the woman of his dreams that she's not sleeping with the enemy.
I must be addicted to college sports romances because even though they tend to be somewhat formulaic, I can’t seem to get enough of them. There’s usually a hot shot, sexy athlete (typically a football or hockey player) who enjoys bonking a different co-ed each night and is allergic to commitment—that is until he meets a pretty girl who doesn’t date athletes. He wants to get in her pants, but she’s unimpressed by him. That challenge makes him want to win her over even more. She finally relents and he is transformed into a committed, love addicted man, and they both live happily ever after. The End.
The thing I love about Jen Frederick’s Gridiron series is that she finds a way to add a fresh element to a predictable trope. In Sacked, the hero is a virgin and the heroine has a secret. In Jockblocked, we have fighting players whose pride and love threaten to break apart the Warriors team.
Quarterback Ace Anderson is a huge thorn in the side of the hero, linebacker Matty Iverson. Lucy Washington is Ace’s best friend. He stands in the way of Matty getting together with Lucy since Ace made her promise never to date football players (especially Matty)—thus effectively cockjockblocking Matty’s attempts at a hookup. Further complicating things, the coach has tasked Matty with convincing Ace to step down as starting quarterback to make way for an incoming recruit.
I liked the progressive romance between levelheaded, cautious Lucy and carefree, risk taker Matty. The two definitely have chemistry, and Matty is a dream—thoughtful and devoted, with skills in the bedroom. There’s a triangle, and although it’s not so much a love triangle, the rivalry between Matty and Ace, and their battle for Lucy’s devotion, creates some wonderful tension.
My main complaint is that I couldn’t understand why the coach forces Matty to get Ace to step aside. I get that it adds an extra element of conflict and I loved Coach Lowell’s villainous role, but the whole situation is unnecessary. Why doesn’t Coach just tell Ace he’s out? That’s his job, after all. The lack of logic took away from my enjoyment of the story. Fortunately, the interesting relationships between the characters help make up for this plot hole.
The antics of the Warriors players once again provide for lively entertainment, and I’m hoping Hammer will get his own book. Overall, this fun and spicy romance is another enjoyable addition to the series.
**Advance Reader Copy received in exchange for an honest review.**
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