Review: Winner Takes All by Erin Kern

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About the Book

Money. Fame. Endorsements. Blake Carpenter had it all -- before his professional football career spiraled out of control. Determined to rebuild his life, he takes on coaching the high school team in his Colorado hometown. Despite a few fumbles, Blake knows he can lead these boys to victory. As long as he can keep his eyes on the prize and off the team's distractingly gorgeous physical therapist.

Annabelle Turner knows all about the scandal that cost Blake his NFL career, and she'll be damned if she's going to let his mistakes hurt her team. What she doesn't count on is the intense attraction that turns every heated run-in they have into a wildly erotic competition. Point by point, play by play, kiss by kiss, they try to keep things professional for the good of the team. But when the score is this close-and the passion this fierce-it's anybody's game . . .

Review

If there are ever two characters that I wanted to smack, they’d be Blake and Annabelle. Why? Have you ever come across two people who you know were meant to be with each and everyone knew it but them? Well, let me introduce you to this pair that will definitely add some spice and everything nice to your summer TBR! Kern’s upcoming novel, Winner Takes All, the first in the Champion Valley series, will really gives readers a workout earning that ending!

Kern’s upcoming novel was one that I found myself with many love hate moments with the characters. I say that as the biggest term of endearment because the more I got into the characters, the more their chemistry drove me crazy. I’ll just say it was a fun and interesting ride.

Let me introduce you to Blake. Let me first say how much I hate football. So, going into a novel that was surrounded by football was not the greatest appeal for me but it’s all good because I was more than entertained by the overall story. He’s definitely someone that I felt at first impression was the biggest tool. I will admit as the book went on and I got to know him a little better that I softened to his struggle but the jury is out overall how I really feel about him. 

Here’s a guy who was a professional football player whose career came to end through a scandal. Trying to pick up the pieces, he returns to his hometown and is given a one shot chance of redemption teaching high school football. He’s got a couple of problems. One, he inherited a team that hasn’t won since he was there and knowing that he’s got only one chance, there isn’t anyone or anything that is going to get in the way of him reaching his goal. Then his other problem is Annabelle Turner.

Annabelle is the team’s physical therapist. She really loves the boys and wants the best for them. So, when Blake encounters her working with his team, he doesn’t take to kindly someone interfering with his prize. Trying to show her concern, Blake sees her as an interference and annoyance to his end goal. Despite Blake’s opposition to her being around, she determined to do whatever it takes to help the team regards of what he says. As the tension mounts between them professionally, there is an intense attraction that is drawing them near personally. The more they resist each other, the closer there are being drawn to each other. Which way do they decided to go? I’m not going to tell you, you are just going to have to find out!

Overall, I enjoyed the book. What I really appreciate about the book is how Kern gives readers something to hold onto that really makes the story worth it in the end. She could’ve went the cheesy predictable way but then it wouldn’t have been as good. Their struggles and back story really gives you a chance to understand them and the love/hate buildup between them not only give moments that make you want to laugh but make the ride along with them fun. This is one that will make you laugh, grab your heart and make you want rush things but be patient because it will be worth it. Definitely a fun one to add to the summer TBR!