KICKIN’ IT (Red Card #2) by Rachel Van Dyken-Review tour

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Successful, high-profile sports agent Matt Kingston thinks he can handle anything. Then soccer player Parker Speedman shows up at his door. She is young and gorgeous, has natural talent, and is looking for a team. She’s also a hothead with a punchy past who floored her last coach on live TV. Despite his misgivings, Matt agrees to be both her agent and her coach. Professional common sense says she’s off-limits. But what can he say about the raw attraction between them?

Parker plays soccer with her heart and soul. But after the events of the last year, she’s shaken. She’s already seen what a powerful man can do to a female athlete’s career. And her beloved dream is in the hands of a sexy, gorgeous man with the uncanny ability to slip past her defenses…and into her heart.

Now Matt and Parker are about to learn that when it comes to love, the only way to win is by breaking every rule they know. And by playing nice. Real nice.

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REVIEW: KICKIN’ IT is the second instalment in Rachel Van Dyken’s contemporary, adult RED CARD soccer romance series. This is thirty year old, former professional soccer player turned agent Matt Kingston, and up and coming soccer star Parker Speedman’s story line. KICKIN’IT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. There is also a relationship developing in the background between Matt’s sister Willow, and his best friend and soccer player Jagger Komokov.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Matt and Parker) KICKIN’ IT follows the building relationship between former professional soccer player turned agent Matt Kingston, and up and coming soccer star Parker Speedman. Matt Kingston’s sister Willow will be spending the summer interning under her brother in the field of professional sports agent. Hoping for a chance at representation Willow brings home her best friend and soccer phenom Parker Speedman, a young woman whose soccer career has been stalled when she punched out her coach on national TV. Not looking to babysit his younger sister, or her angry best friend, Matt is surprised to discover that not all is at is seems with Parker Speedman. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Parker and Matt, and the potential fall-out as their relationship comes under scrutiny, as well as Parker’s sins of the past.

Matt Kingston is a well-to-do, high profile sports agent and struggles with his attraction to his sister’s best friend, a young woman whose secrets are slowly destroying her sense of well-being and personal worth. Parker Speedman knows that her reputation as a hot-head may have destroyed any hopes of a professional career but having survived the abuse of someone she trusted meant she could survive the threats and innuendo of the people in charge.

Meanwhile, there is a relationship developing between Matt’s sister Willow, and his best friend and soccer player Jagger Komokov. Jagger has a reputation as a bit of a man-wh*re and Matt battles his need to protect the sister he loves.

The relatiomship between Matt and Parker begins acrimoniously. Matt wants nothing to do with Willow or Parker but suspects there is more to the story than meets the eye. Parker’s outburst shield a broken young woman whose life is slowly spiralling out of control. The $ex sense are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to Slake and Mackenzie Rodriguez (Risky Play #1), Jagger Kozlov as well as Willow Kingston, professional head coach Darius Peters, and college coach Erik Sluvan.

KICKIN’ IT is a story of family, friendship, betrayal and vengeance. The premise is engaging and enlightening; the romance is seductive and sultry; the characters are colorful and energetic. Jagger Komokov’s grandmother, although we never meet her has some of the funniest moments throughout the story.

Click HERE for Sandys review of book one RISKY PLAY

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!