Under the Lights by Shannon Stacey – Review & Giveaway

Under The Lights
Boys of Fall #1
by Shannon Stacey
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic, sports
Release Date: May 26, 2015

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / BAM

Description:
They were the golden boys of fall: Stewart Mills High School’s legendary championship winning football team. Fourteen years later, they’re back to relive their glory, save the team—and find themselves again…

Chase Sanders’s life has taken a lot of crazy turns lately. But returning to his hometown to help his old coach keep his high school football team afloat might be the craziest thing to happen to him yet. That is, until he starts falling for the last person he should—Coach’s gorgeous daughter…

Kelly McDonnell learned the hard way that cocky, charming men are nothing but trouble, so she knows Chase is bad news. Still, she can’t resist his smile—or the rest of him. But when his loyalty to her father conflicts with their growing attraction, any hope for a relationship might be blocked before it can even begin

Review:
Under the Lights by Shannon Stacey is a wonderful start to her new Boys of Fall series. This is my first book by Shannon Stacey, and since this is the start of a new series, it most certainly will not be my last.  

Kelly McDonnell is our heroine and right from the start I loved Kelly, she was strong, savvy and vulnerable. Things at town are financially strapped, and the budget has cut the high school football team. Kelly’s father is the long time legendary coach, and she is determined to pull all stops to find money to keep the football team playing.

Chase Sanders is our hero, and 14 years ago he left Stewart Mills for college and to build his contracting career. Chase was the star running back when the football team won the championship, but he has not been back since he left. Kelly calls Chase to ask for his help in the fund raising events she is planning with her two friends, Jen and Gretchen. But Chase has no interest in returning to Stewart Mills, as he is in the midst of a bad time, with his girlfriend leaving him, and his partner stealing funds from the business. Kelly persuades Chase to come, using his love for her father as the turning point. Many of the other members of that champion team will be coming too.

Chase barely remembers Kelly, but gets the shock of his life when he is stopped by a gorgeous female cop for passing a stop sign. Looking at her name tag, he sees Officer Kelly McDonnell. What follows is a fun story with the town residents all helping to raise funds at different events to ensure the team will have money to play. The romance between Chase and Kelly slowly heats up, as each have their own reasons not to become involved. Chase knows he is only there for a short time, and does not want to disrespect his “coach” by having an affair with his daughter. Kelly always had a secret crush on Chase when she was a teenager, but having had a failed marriage, she does not want to be hurt again with a short term relationship. But best laid plans do not always work out, and their attraction to each other begins to sizzle. They both decide they are adults, and want to enjoy the benefits of their short term relationship, with no commitment worries.

This was also a lot of fun watching the different events for the fund raiser….dunk Officer Kelly….All you can eat Spaghetti night…old timer championship team vs the current team, just to name a few. The secondary characters, which includes Kelly’s family and friends, and Chase’s former teammates was great. Is there a future for Kelly and Chase? Will the football team survive? You will need to read this book to find out.

Shannon Stacey has created a sweet fun romance, in a small town setting, with a wonderful couple and others waiting in the wings. This was a perfect lighthearted read that you can sit back, and enjoy thoroughly. I suggest you read Under the Lights and start this series from the start.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

Shannon’s publisher is offering a paper copy of UNDER THE LIGHTS to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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9. Giveaway runs from May 25 to 30, 2015