Game On
HOOK, LINE AND SINKER – I ♥ THIS ONE!
I was hooked from the first chapter with this college romance.The Hook Up had the right mix of drama, sexy times and swoony moments. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a college romance because they all seemed to be very similar. But this one reminded me of why I love a well written new adult book.
The Hook Up begins with an opening scene where it seems to be ‘lust-at-first-sight’ but we quickly find out that our heroine,Anna, is a sassy girl who doesn’t take any crap from cocky football players. Drew has been hit by the dumb stick when it comes to Anna. His mother warned him: ’My mother once told me that the most important moment in my life wouldn’t be when I won the National Championship or even the Super Bowl. It would be when I fell in love.’
Well, Drew’s first words to Anna proved his mom’s point:
“Hey there, Big Red.”
I actually laughed when I read that because I knew this boy was in trouble when those words fell out of his mouth. But no fear, Anna, isn’t a pushover girl.
”What did you just call me?”
Poor Drew. Now, he is trying to fix what he said.
”Ahh… If I say ‘nothing’, can we move on and pretend it didn’t happen?”
Anna
”No.”
Drew
”Relax, I was only trying –”
Anna
”Do not, tell me to ‘relax’ when you’ve insulted me, bud.”
Drew
”Bud?”
Anna
”I’m not big.”
Drew
I wasn’t trying to insult you. Believe me, I was referring to the best places.”
Anna
Eyes up, asshole.”
Drew
”Sorry. I’d like to say it won‘t happen again, but I honestly can’t promise that, Red.”
Anna
”Jesus, you’re unbelievable.”
After that interaction, in the first few pages, I knew I was going to love The Hook Up. I was digging the whole vibe of this story.
Drew is a big deal. He’s the QB and the town worships him and his team mates – The Church of College Football. Anna is struggling with not wanting to live in his shadow and also feeling like she doesn’t belong in his world.
I was in heaven reading this story. It was one that I didn’t want to end. And I’m happy to see that Ms. Callihan has plans for more books. I got a sneak peek at the first chapter of the next book and I’m so happy we are getting Gray’s story. Yay!
SERIES:
| The Friend Zone | The Game Plan
Can be read as standalones. Each following book is secondary characters from the first book. To find out when more will be released click here.
**Complimentary copy courtesy, from the publicist, in exchange for an honest review.**
Goodreads review including the status updates -> http://bit.ly/1sEYrbL
Author Confession:
I like using clichés. I like to take a cliché and then flip it on its head. So then the reader thinks, oh, I know how this goes, but when it doesn’t, it’s a surprise. In other words, the set up might be common, but the way the characters react are not.
This *is* a risk, because the trigger-happy reader might stop reading, assuming the worst. Then again, writing a book without taking risks kind of bores me.
More from the Author
Letting the stew simmer. Sometimes it’s tempting to rush a book and put it out as fast as you can. And I’m not saying that can’t be done. The Hook Up took me about 4 weeks to write (the rough draft, that is.) Which is very fast for most authors.
BUT–
I put it aside for a while and let it simmer. This gave me the chance to think about the story, the characters, and what it all meant. This gave me a chance to add more to the story, kind of like finishing touches.
Here are a few lines that I added last minute, after letting the stew thicken.
–He’s slowly carving his name into my heart. And it hurts. I want to curl over him and shelter him with my body.–
–Drew presses my hand against his sweaty chest where his heart still beats a fierce rhythm. His voice is whisper-quiet but crystal clear. “My world lives in your palm, Anna.”
And I’ll fill it with all the love I have.–
–I press my lips against his temple. “You’re wrong about one thing. Football doesn’t make you. You make football.”
He grunts in wry disagreement, and I shake my head, brushing my lips over his ear. “Anyone can pick up a ball and throw it. But you? You turn the act into something magical. Something wonderful.”–
So yes, you can rush a book. But sometimes it’s best not to.
Amazon
Kristen Callihan is an author because there is nothing else she’d rather be. She is a three-time RITA nominee and winner of two RT Reviewer’s Choice awards. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and the Library Journal, as well as being awarded top picks by many reviewers. Her debut book FIRELIGHT received RT Magazine’s Seal of Excellence, was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, best book of Spring 2012 by Publisher’s Weekly, and was named the best romance book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she is not writing, she is reading.
CONNECT with Kristen: Amazon | Facebook | Website | Goodreads | Twitter
Great review friend! I definitely need to read this one!
Thanks!!!
Can’t wait to see what you think of it. 🙂