Infraction (Players Game #2) by Rachel Van Dyken

  

BLURB

 
Pro footballer Miller Quinton would do anything for his best friend and teammate—including “fake dating” his friend’s sister. What no one knows is that seven months ago in Vegas, Miller and Kinsey did a whole lot more than just kiss. Miller knows that this cheerleader is off-limits to him and any guy on the team. Still, he can’t stop himself.

Kinsey’s whole world is on the verge of crumbling. Her dad has cancer. Her overprotective brother is falling apart. Dating Miller may be a fake-out, but he’s the one guy who can make her forget about everything—including all the reasons she stayed away from football players. With each heated moment, Miller feels more like a safe place…even though he’s not safe at all.

Now temptation is testing every rule in the game of love. But how long can they go on playing when winning is a harder goal than either of them imagined?

 

MY REVIEW

Infraction, book two of Rachel Van Dyken’s sexy contemporary sports romance series, starts right where Fraternization left off… in Vegas, “the morning after” with Miller “…the hottest tight end with a tight end made for sin.” & his quarterback besties little sister, Kinsey “…off-limits little firecracker-“.  Will this third wheel to Fraternizations love triangle get his happy ending?  “Everything in life comes full circle. Everything.”

Told in first person from a triangle point of view – the range of this story limitless – you won’t want to put it down.  From secret keeping, lies by omission, to heartbreak, loss, sadness & betrayal, this story is surprisingly emotional with its focus on how “It’s important to use every minute of the life you’re given…” because “…the future is never certain.” Connections between lovers, friends & family are so incredibly strong ~ “That deep-pull. The connection that you feel without using words.”  All the while funny "He made his coffee strong enough that I was worried that one day I’d wake up with chest hair.", witty, incredibly sexy “God bless football, and God bless the V,…”, & heart felt “I had a spot, they always made sure I had a spot.” This is a story of love, shared grief & mourning, of overcoming “Hurt. Sadness. Anger.” & realizing the importance of living life to its fullest.  What happens when it’s time to lose control & share the responsibilities of “…protecting everyone and everything around you, fighting for what’s good, what’s right.” These characters work through their pasts & fears so they can “…have the heart of a lion.” & take a risk for a future with a full life & heart.  “The heart is strong. The heart can convince the body of anything. It can convince your mind of anything. Your heart allows you to be whatever you want to be, you just have to trust it.”

Another impressive read from Rachel, whose ability to deliver a perfect mix of angst, humor & emotion never fail.  I cried, did I mention I totally cried?  Such a beautiful combination of a hot romance with gut-wrenching, heartstring pulling grief & the ability to survive loss of the deepest kind.  “My body is giving up. But my soul is a fighter, so when I leave this earth, I want you to remember that even though my body’s broken, gone, dust, my soul’s free.”

“It may hurt, but it’s good. Life is good.”

So good – I’m hoping the next story will be a hero & his brazen little elf.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.


Amazon US/UK