Diary of a bookworm

Blind Side – Kandi Steiner

Content Notes:

Published/Pages: 2022/408

POV: Dual – Hero & Heroine

Trope: Fake Relationship, Friends to Lovers

Goodreads Bookshelves: bookworm heroine, college romance, contemporary romance, fake relationship, football romance, Friends to Lovers, sports romance, virgin heroine

HEA: Yes

Steam Level: Extra Steamy

Swearing: Adult

Trigger Warnings: Addiction, Alcohol, Anxiety, Divorce

My Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Book Description: The hottest college football safety in the nation just asked me to be his fake girlfriend. And I just asked him to take my virginity. Clay Johnson has the abs of Adonis and the deadly smirk of the devil, himself. There’s hardly a day he’s not headline material during football season, and never a day he isn’t a bullseye target for every girl on campus. He used to be the easiest of all the players for me to wrangle as the Public Relations Coordinator, but after a nasty breakup with his high school sweetheart, he’s a mess. And a complete pain in my ass. We meet to discuss his behavior and review media relations standards. But when he witnesses how I fall to pieces in front of my guitar-toting crush, his wheels start turning. And he cooks up this absurd plan. He helps me get noticed. I help him make his ex jealous. All by pretending to be in a relationship. What he doesn’t realize is that this bookworm is a virgin, and far from versed in seducing a musician. So, to sweeten the deal, I convince him to help me — not just to get my crush’s attention, but to knock his socks off once I have it. But the more I come unraveled at the hands of Clay Johnson, the more trouble I have discerning what’s fake and what’s undoubtedly real — particularly, the way my heart flutters every time that breathtaking man touches me. We set the rules. We put the safeguards in place. But they say rules are meant to be broken. They probably should have added that hearts are, too.

My Goodreads Review (No Spoilers)

My Review (w/spoilers):

Clay & Gianna

Is book two in the Red Zone Rivals series.

This story can be summed up as so; “Blind Side,” he said, showcasing the simple black cover. “The story of how I fake-dated the girl of my dreams and then lost her from being an idiot.” Isn’t that usually the case? Ha

This book is just so amazing on so many levels. There’s a reason it’s my fifth favorite of all time. It helps that I identify with the heroine-a virgin bookworm. A bookworm that not only reads her books, but lives in them. Underneath that timid quiet bookworm is a badass, and I love that Clay helps bring that side of her out.

“Do you know how intimidating it is to approach a girl when she’s reading a book? That’s like trying to pet a cat’s belly. It might work out great, but more than likely you’ll get claws to the face for assuming they wanted anything to do with you.” I’ve never read something more accurate and I’m glad this is the reaction people get, because it’s the exact vibe I put out there while reading…

“YOU DON’T WANT TO BE SOMEONE’S MUSE,” CLAY RASPED. “YOU WANT TO BE SOMEONE’S UNDOING. AND LET ME TELL YOU, KITTEN…” HIS VOICE RUMBLED AGAINST MY EAR BEFORE HE SUCKED THE LOBE BETWEEN HIS TEETH. “YOU’RE MINE.” -CLAY

Not a fan of Shawn or Maliyah… Especially Maliyah.

Clay utters the five words every girl wants to hear: “I’ve been reading your books…”. FREAKING SWOON. Haha He may not be the perfect book boyfriend, but damn is he pretty close. Ugh.

Clay and Gianna’s ‘torn apart’ moment was utterly heartbreaking. Oh man. Between Clay saying those things at all, G putting aside her own pain and realizing he doesn’t mean any of it, to his crying… it’s too much. Steiner does a great job at writing this scene. Following this, with her talk with her dad where he tells her: “That’s the thing about love,” he said, kissing my hair. “It doesn’t need to be reciprocated to be real.” How heartbreakingly true is this? You can love someone with all your heart, and they may never feel the same. That’s the difference between love and true love, I think.

“I wanted her. I wanted her so badly my chest had a gaping hole in it whenever I wasn’t with her.” -clay

Do I hate the nickname ‘Kitten’? Hmm… I don’t think so. I’m with G, the nickname ‘Princess’ is far worse. Unless of course, you’re an actual princess. haha

I loved that his teammates-his family, helped him pull his head out of his ass and realize that he isn’t responsible for everyone around him. They helped him establish boundaries, and I always love seeing people take care of themselves and establishing necessary boundaries.

I wish we got more out of the epilogue. Steiner implies that they’ll end up working together. But I wanted a real look into the future.

Altogether a FANTASTIC book, all around. I will definitely read this book at least once a year. It’s just that good.

This is book 2 out of 4 in the Red Zone Rivals Series. It is however, a standalone.