Game for Trouble by Karen Erickson
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Book Synopsis
My Review
For those that don’t know, Karen Erickson is the pen name for the fabulous Monica Murphy. And while I love, absolutely LOVE Monica Murphy books, her writing under Karen Erickson is quite different. Not that that’s a bad thing. It’s what I like to call Brazen-y. 🙂
I truly enjoyed Game for Trouble, I just didn’t LOVE it.
When I initially read the book synopsis, I pictured Nick a bit different in my head. I read ‘cocky playboy’ and my mind just goes off on a tangent. Don’t get me wrong, he was still sexy as sin, but not so much cocky as he was almost mopey for parts of the book.
Years ago Nick and Willow were a couple that burned up the sheets. Then something happens, and Nick leaves her with a broken heart to pursue his football career.
Now he’s back and Willow is fining him hard to escape what with his friend and team member, Jared, being married to her best friend.
Nick knows that he made a huge mistake leaving Willow, and all he wants now is a second chance and he’s not above blackmail to get it.
Willow was a character that I liked at some parts and wanted to shake in others. She was spunky and wasn’t afraid to tell Nick where to stuff it. But I thought she was almost a bit too hard on him at times. I realize that she was hurt when he left, but Nick was obviously trying his hardest to make it up to her and she would always jump to the worst conclusion with him.
I read this book in one nigh, though I did find myself skimming through some parts I got slightly bored with.
It was a cute romance, but for me it was missing that something extra. That little oomph to make it a 5 star read. My 2 biggest quibbles were with the ending. BE AWARE: SPOILERS BELOW, highlight to see.
- 1. The marriage proposal after such a short courting came off a bit cheesy for me. I understand that Nick and Willow already had history together. But they were only “together” now for a just a few weeks (if not less?) And it was rocky at best. It just didn’t seem very realistic to me. But then again, I always have a problem with instant engagements.
- 2. I wanted a little more closer with Willow, her father, and Nick. It didn’t feel finished to me. I wanted some sort of resolution. Especially with what her father did to Nick in the past, and Nick proposing to her now.
[The marriage proposal after such a short courting came off a bit cheesy for me. I understand that Nick and Willow already had history together. But they were only “together” now for a just a few weeks (if not less?) And it was rocky at best. It just didn’t seem very realistic to me. But then again, I always have a problem with instant engagements. (hide spoiler)]
Aside from those two things, I did enjoy the book. It was a quick, cute, and steamy, although predictable and fluffy read. And while it wont be going on my keeper shelf, I still liked it.
If you like sport romances with sexy heroes, steamy love scenes, and spunky heroines, definitely give this one a go.
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