Review: The Game Plan by Kristen Callahan

19 November of 2015 by

Google
Reviewer's Rating: 5
5.0Overall score

A Sizzling New Addition To The Game On Series

The Game Plan by Kristen Callihan
The Game Plan By Kristen Callihan

Coming of Age Contemporary Romance

Released November 1, 2015

Self-Published

Series: Game On, Book 3

Reviewed by Deb

A beard-related dare and one hot-as-hell kiss changes everything.
 
NFL center Ethan Dexter’s focus has always been on playing football and little else. Except when it comes to one particular woman. The lovely Fiona Mackenzie might not care about his fame, but she’s also never looked at him as anything more than one of her brother-in-law’s best friends. That ends now.
 
Fi doesn’t know what to make of Dex. The bearded, tattooed, mountain of man-muscle looks more like a biker than a football player. Rumor has it he’s a virgin, but she finds that hard to believe. Because from the moment he decides to turn his quiet intensity on her she’s left weak at the knees and aching to see his famous control fully unleashed.
 
Fi ought to guard her heart and walk away; they live vastly different lives in separate cities. And Dex is looking for a forever girl. But Dex has upped his game and is using all his considerable charm to convince Fi he’s her forever man.
 
Game On
 
Contemporary Romance with a HEA – Recommended for readers 18 and older.
 
Book 3 in the Game On series.
 
~ EXCERPT from THE GAME PLAN, copyright 2015 Kristen Callihan ~
 
We stare at each other, nearly nose to nose now. And it feels…comfortable, tentative, new, strange. “I don’t know what to make of this,” I whisper. “I didn’t expect you, Ethan.”
 
His eyes search my face. “I’ve been waiting two years for you to see me.”
 
He says the words clearly, without hesitation, and still I can’t believe them.
 
A lump rises in my throat. “We’ve only interacted twice before in all that time.”
 
“Four times, not counting the wedding. You were there when Gray and I graduated. And at Draft Day.”
 
“You went high in the first round,” I say, remembering now. “That’s rare for a center.”
 
“You wore a white sundress with cherries on it for graduation, and a gray knit dress with black knee-high boots for Draft Day.”
 
My chest feels too tight, and I have to clear my throat to speak. “Why didn’t I notice you before?” Because he was right in front of me the whole time. This big, beautiful man who doesn’t shy away from honesty.
 
With a caress of his thumb, he eases a lock of hair behind my ear. “I didn’t exactly make myself known.”
 
“Why not? And why now?”
 
He frowns, watching his thumb glide over the edge of my jaw toward my lips. “Couldn’t stay away from you this time.”
 
Before I can ask what he means, Dex slides his large hand to my nape and hauls me close. His mouth claims mine–needy, demanding, a complete counterpoint to the careful way he holds me. Hot mouth, gentle hands.

A Sizzling New Addition To The Game On Series

Each time I read a Kristen Callihan novel I am once again in awe of her skill as a writer. She makes the whole process appear so casual, effortless, and off the cuff. I know damn well that just ain’t so. Her Game On series is carefully crafted. Each book is a compelling and intense character study of the hero and heroine. If you haven’t read this series yet, don’t think it’s all maudlin, emo, and angsty. Ms. Callihan injects quite a lot of hilarity, hijinks, and shenanigans (Gray and Ivy’s code word for sex) in every book. This series is, after all, about a bunch of college/pro football players who let loose with plenty of obnoxious smack talk and towel snapping in and out of the locker room. I adored both The Hook Up and The Friend Zone, their awesomeness staying with me for days after The End. So, it was with a bit of anxious nail-biting that I began reading The Game Plan. When this series began Drew, Gray, and Dex played on the same college football team. They’ve all since graduated and gone separate ways, however, their friendship is still strong even though they each play for a different NFL team. Their lives have had some major change-ups by the time of The Game Plan. I must admit, I harbored a bit of doubt this one would live up to the others. Silly me, what was I thinking?

This is Ethan “Dex” Dexter and Fiona “Fi” Mackenzie’s story. These two have been hovering in the background of the previous books. Dex is a big, quiet guy with an even bigger heart. When he does speak, it’s always something astonishingly profound about life, love, or the dynamics of football. He’s also a mighty talented artist who paints as an outlet. Dex keeps to himself and isn’t very comfortable in social situations. He has layers that just beg to be revealed. He’s watched Fiona from the sidelines for two years, never making a move.

The beginning of The Game Plan finds Fiona and Dex in San Francisco at the same time visiting her sister, Ivy, and husband, Gray. Opportunity thrown in his lap, Dex decides he’s not holding back any longer. He wants Fiona and he’s tired of waiting. As for Fiona, Dex isn’t really her type; the man bun, the beard…especially the beard, his mammoth size. But once they start talking, she realizes he has been more in tune with her from afar than any of her boyfriends.

I remember that he used to watch me with those deep-set hazel eyes. It hadn’t made much of an impression then because I was loud, and people usually glanced my way when I was in a room. Never really bothered me. I’d assumed Ethan was doing the same—giving crazy Fi Mackenzie a onceover before going back to his life. Now I know it had been more. Strangely, this makes me warm all over. He saw when I wasn’t “on” or trying to impress him, but as myself. And he’d wanted me anyway.

Fiona is a whirlwind. There’s a reason she’s nicknamed Tink, as in Tinkerbell. She’s a mere five foot three, often speaks before she thinks, is loud and opinionated, and has the reputation of getting distracted by shiny objects. Case in point, she changed majors three times. Fi is the polar opposite of big sister, Ivy, and feels she is a disappointment to her family because she hasn’t found the one thing that is her passion. However, what’s great about Fiona is her level of maturity. At 21 she realizes all these things about herself and truly wants to rise above the bad habits. Especially after realizing Dex has silently watched her for two years and still likes her for who she is. Fiona is ready to stop the flitting around. She’s lonely and feeling empty.

And after seeing what my sister, Ivy, has with her guy? That kind of all-encompassing, I-have-to-be-with-you devotion? I want more than casual dating. I want to be someone’s necessity, and for them to be mine.

When these two get together it’s an explosion of lust, love, tenderness, and all out passion. Yes, it’s fast. But since they’d already been in each others lives, it didn’t bother me at all. Silently lusting after Fi for years, and single-minded determination to succeed in the NFL have kept Dex from pursuing other women. The rumors are true. Dex is a virgin. And it’s very hot indeed. He’s not a scrawny teenager who’s never been given the opportunity. This is a choice Dex has made. Because there is only one woman he wants and he has been willing to wait until she’s ready for the force that is Ethan Dexter. And he’s decided the time is now.

Why didn’t I notice you before?” Because he was right in front of me the whole time. This big, beautiful man who doesn’t shy away from honesty. With a caress of his thumb, he eases a lock of hair behind my ear. “I didn’t exactly make myself known.” “Why not? And why now?” He frowns, watching his thumb glide over the edge of my jaw toward my lips. “Couldn’t stay away from you this time.”

Despite his lack of experience, Dex is quite the natural at the sexy talk and action. As a matter of fact, he’s passed beginner and gone straight to expert. When she discovers he sports tats and piercings (yes, Dex is pierced there!), game over. She’s a goner. Fiona finds herself falling hard and fast. But it scares her to death and, in typical Fi fashion, she’s ready to cut and run.
Which is easy to do since she lives in NYC and he’s based in New Orleans. She’s rapidly convincing herself this thing isn’t going to work. Besides, her job as a designer is giving her grief, but if she quits she will just be repeating the same old Fiona pattern of giving up. What to do, what to do?

Just when Fiona has convinced herself being with Dex is paramount to sticking with her crap job, all hell breaks loose in the form of a stolen phone, and very revealing photos plastered all over the internet. I found there to be a few flaws in this scenario, but even so it works and I liked that Ms. Callihan didn’t drag it out or overblow the issue. If Dex and Fi can weather this, they will make it as a couple.

One of the main things I love about this series is that Ms. Callihan’s heroes are not hulking, partying, non-stop-sex-with-groupies football players. These guys are wickedly intelligent, with surprising talents and interests other than football. They definitely love the challenge and thrill of the game, but bottom line…it’s a profession. They aren’t interested in fame or its superficial perks. To them, family and friends come first. And when they fall in love it’s deep. I enjoyed The Game Plan every bit as much as the other two books in this series and I certainly hope there are more books to come.

 

♥♥♥♥♥

O Factor: Spicy

Goodreads

 

Game On Series:

The Hook Up, Book 1

The Friend Zone, Book 2

The Game Plan, Book 3

 

The Hook Up, Book 1

 

The Friend Zone, Book 2

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  1. I have this one on hold at the library. Unfortunately there are 6 people ahead of me! Your review is great and I can’t wait to read this. 🙂

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