Thursday, October 12, 2017

Fraternize by Rachel Van Dyken


New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken kicks off a brand-new series in which romance is a game and love is a touchdown.

Emerson just made her dream come true as a professional cheerleader for her favorite pro football team. But even though the plus-size athlete is breaking down boundaries, she still has to contend with the massive rulebook. Carbs? Nope. Chocolate? Definitely not. Still, Emerson loves her curves, and she’ll rock the hell out of this job even if it kills her. Except for one mandate that is easier read than done…

No fraternizing with the players.

Problem one is Miller Quinton: Emerson’s first love, first sex, and the guy who still ignites her daydreams and R-rated fantasies. Thrown back together, Miller and Emerson feel the undeniable pull of passion again, even if the conflict that tore them apart seems insurmountable. Then there’s way-too-sexy Grant Sanchez. He has a serious reputation with the ladies, and when it comes to winning someone he wants, he doesn’t let anyone stand in his way.

Now Emerson is breaking every rule in the manual. But what she doesn’t know is that she’s part of a wicked little game—one that could steal both her dream and her heart.

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Book 1
Buy Links

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~  Available with KindleUnlimited  ~



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo☆☆☆☆
This book is unique because it truly does take you an adventure that you didn’t think you wanted to go on. You start out rooting for the high school friends/lovers and as the characters grow and learn, you realize that the people they end up with is who they actually belong with.

The characters’ journey is like one we all find ourselves in at some point in our lives. Do we hold on to the past – the one we believe is our “dream” – or do we let the “dream” go and realize that the reality in front of us is even better than we could have ever hoped for?

I can’t wait to read book two.


Avid Reader☆☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Where to start? I absolutely fell in love with each character in this story. They were sweet, somewhat juvenile, hilarious, and loving.

Emerson is kind of the ugly duckling in this story. She was always teased about her body and despite having Miller in her corner, was always self-conscious about her size. Miller tries to tell her how amazing and beautiful she is and they both have dreams of making it to the Bucks. Him as a football player and her as a cheerleader.

Years later, both are living their dreams... separately. Emerson is finally a Bucks cheerleader and Miller has just been traded to the Bucks – neither of them have spoken in years. What follows is a heart wrenching, sweet, but sad love story.

Grant is a self-centered man who loves to win. He knows that he has an ego and isn't afraid to use that to his advantage. He is kind and gentle with Emerson. I love how he shows her a side of himself that nobody else gets to see.

Who will Emerson choose? Grant, the sexy player who pursues her relentlessly? Or Miller, the man who she loved and lost?

While this is a happy ending, I definitely had mixed feelings and in the end, was so excited. I also can't wait for book two!!!


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
This is the first in a new series, and is a fun addition to Ms. Van Dyken's list of novels. I love a good sports romance, and this is that and more. There is a good level of detail about the game, the players, and the tension of the game. We also get a snippet or two of the cheerleaders, although possibly less than I expected, given Emerson is part of the team.

I couldn't believe how difficult it was to decide what the outcome would be – indeed at one point I even thought they might work it out together... delicious hints and all. So much going on and at the same time, a thread running through it which led one to exactly the place that was just perfect. I really enjoyed the commentary from all three leads, and there was just the right amount of introspection and thought about their past and future.

There were times when I couldn't see how Emerson was also earning a living, training, and seeing her father, as well as spending time with the guys, but I went with it, in the spirit of the story rather than the minutiae.

I am really looking forward to the second installment of what could be a long running series – there are plenty of Bucks in need of the right woman!


Lee’Anne☆☆☆☆☆
I seriously don’t know how Rachel Van Dyken has me loving each of her books more than the last, especially when I think each one is so amazing. Fraternize is my favorite book I’ve read so far from Rachel Van Dyken and it might be my favorite read of the year so far. I can honestly say I’ve never read a book that had quite as many surprises in store as this one – seriously… I had no idea what was going to happen up to the last page and I loved it!

Emerson and Miller were best friends as children and into their teenage years, up until, after one night together Miller moves away and the two lose touch. Now, years later, Emerson has just landed her dream of becoming a professional cheerleader for her local pro-football team while Miller has just landed a spot on the team. The attraction between the two is still there but so are the feelings of abandonment, both believing the other just fell off the planet without a backwards glance. Then enter Grant Sanchez, he’s known on the team as the playboy who gets all the girls and when he sets his eyes on Emerson, Miller isn’t having any of it… until he realizes that maybe Grant is better for her then he thought.

To say I can’t wait for the next book in this series would be an understatement. I don’t want to give away too much of this story as it’s one you’ll definitely want to read with no spoilers, but the couple that will (hopefully, fingers crossed, please, please, please) be in the next book is going to be even better than these two and these two are a solid five stars together! Fraternize has a fantastic flow, great characters, humor, drama, and sexy footballs players – what more could a girl want?



Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

Connect with Rachel

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads


https://www.netgalley.com


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Fraternize (Players Game #1) by Rachel Van Dyken to read and review.

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