ARC Review – Skin in the Game by Jackie Barbosa

A steamy romance with just enough drama to make it interesting but not so much that you get bogged down in it. Slick, Guilty Pleasures 

Description:
Angela Peterson was always the quiet, shy kid growing up in Harper Falls, crushing on the high school quarterback and honing her football strategy skills. Now grown up and coaching the high school team, she’s shocked when that same sexy quarterback returns to Harper Falls asks her back to his hotel room. And then tries to steal her job.

Injured NFL quarterback Cade Reynolds is in Harper Falls to take over as interim head coach, and he never thought the tall, blond bombshell he propositioned would offer up any resistance. Not to a repeat of the amazingly wild night they shared and certainly not to his coaching position.

But the Harper Falls High Eagles are Angie’s team, and even the hometown hero won’t take that away from her, no matter how hot he is. As the two engage in a battle of wits and wills, this is one game neither is prepared to lose.

Review copy provided for an honest review

Somehow this past year I’ve read a lot of books revolving around football player heroes and I’m not a big fan of football. However, I’ve enjoyed them all including Skin InThe Game. I love the strong female lead and the hero and I have something in common, we both have problems remembering faces and names. I’m ashamed to admit that, but it takes me several times of seeing someone before I can get their name and face put together in my head. So, I completely sympathize with him especially since it’s been over 15 years he’s seen the heroine.

Cade Reynolds has returned to his hometown to help out his former high school football coach. Recovering from an accident that almost took his NFL career from him, the last place he wants to be is Harper Falls. Surprised at not being recognized immediately, he’s stunned when the woman that immediately garnered his attention apparently does recognize him.

Angela (Angie) Peterson can’t believe her eyes when she spots her former high school crush in the local coffee shop. When she confronts him she realizes he doesn’t remember her from high school but then why would he, she’s changed a lot from the clumsy, football loving, geek she use to be…well sort of, she’s still loves football, still somewhat of a geek, but she’s not the wallflower she use to be either.

These two fall into bed immediately and Angie pulls a disappearing act which ticks Cade off and thoroughly confuses him. When they both realize that they’ll be essentially working together things get a little messy and they both know they have to take a step back. I enjoyed watching them try to stay away from a physical relationship all the while getting to know each other better. Angie impressed me with her ballsy attitude and refusal to back down just because she’s a woman. I love that while she was falling for Cade she refused to change her life to suit his. I felt for Cade on several occasions because he had some tough choices to make and none were easy. The fact that he realized he wanted more out of life than football and that he was willing to give up his dream to get it makes him a very appealing hero.

This was such an easy book to love because both the main characters were completely likeable. On top of that there was a great storyline with just enough drama to make it interesting but not so much that you get bogged down in it. Skin In The Game is an excellent steamy romance and anyone who enjoys a strong heroine and a guy smart enough to realize he’s got a good thing and is willing to sacrifice to keep it will no doubt enjoy this story.

4.5 Stars