Review: Jackson’s Trust by Violet Duke

10 March of 2016 by ButtonsMom2003

Jackson’s Trust By Violet Duke

Contemporary Romance

Released March 8, 2016

Loveswept

Series: Fourth Down, Book 1

It’s no secret that sports analyst Jackson Gray doesn’t do relationships. What is a secret, however, is the reason why. Jackson’s life is . . . complicated. And it doesn’t help that his current hands-off “friendship” is with the cute-as-hell new sideline reporter he’s assigned to train. Turns out, not only is the woman damn sweet, she also knows as much about football as he does. Like it or not though, Jackson has to remind himself that sex is the only thing he has to offer . . . until now.

Leila Hart’s fast-growing friendship with Jackson is something she’d never risk, no matter how unbelievably seductive the reward. Becoming an NFL sportscaster has always been the goal, and thanks to Jackson’s fierce support and mentoring, it all finally seems within reach. Problem is, a girl can only take so much of that sexy-as-sin voice whispering dirty, filthy football stats in her ear before she loses all self-control. A workplace romance with Jackson is a disaster waiting to happen, especially for someone with big dreams . . . and secrets of her own.

Reviewed by ButtonsMom2003

I want Jackson!

Not being a sports fan, this book had way more about football in it than I thought I’d like but I DID like it! Leila wants a job in a male-dominated field; her goal is to become an NFL studio anchor. She is hired by a sports network to do sideline reporting. No one but Jackson suspects how much she really knows and understands about the sport of football. She keeps her knowledge on the down-low to keep from spooking her new boss and coworkers, who assume she’s just a pretty face that the network hired.

Jackson is the senior analyst for the network. He noticed Leila right away and could tell that she was hiding her knowledge of football – to let their producer look good while he was introducing her to the staff – by the little faces she made while the producers head was turned.

Jackson is assigned to mentor Leila and help her learn her way around. Their common knowledge and love of football statistics helps add fuel to the instant attraction they have for each other. Determined to keep things professional they agree to not let their attraction get out of hand. Both Jackson and Leila have secrets they are keeping and Jackson let Leila know that he is not good relationship material – he never stays for breakfast.

This is not an insta-love type of story; instant attraction, yes, but not insta-love. Jackson and Leila develop a close and respectful working relationship and friendship. When Leila’s secret comes out, and jeopardizes her job, Jackson is in her corner. Jackson’s deep, dark, secret is much more surprising – I sure didn’t see it coming.

There were several places that this book could easily have ended sooner but I’m so glad that it didn’t. Ms. Duke has written a friends-to-lovers type story with so much more meat to it than most. There are several plot twists that I just didn’t see coming. Jackson is willing to sacrifice his happiness to protect Leila and that just made me love him even more.

The dialogue between all of the characters is witty and engaging. I found myself going through a host of emotions as I read this. At times I was laughing and later I was crying. For me this is one of the best indicators of a great read.

Jackson’s Trust is the first book in the Fourth Down series and Ms. Duke does a great job with fantastic secondary characters that will eventually get their own stories. I loved Jackson’s friends, Donovan and Bennett, and can’t wait to read more about them and the women they fall for.

♥♥♥♥♥

O Factor: Scorcher

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