Off the Shelf : End Zone by LJ Shen

*ARC REVIEW*

Please note that this book was provided for free by the author's publishing PR in exchange for an honest review. Feel free to check out my full book review policy here for more details.

This one gets a 5 for steam and a 3 for overalls goodness. As I always say, novellas aren’t really my thing but I decided to give this one a go because who doesn’t love a football romance and a happy ending? 

This book starts off pretty much in the middle. Sage and Jolie have been best friends ever since Jolie pushed her window up one night and ran to him in the rain to give him the hug he so desperately needed. Sage had been crying out in the dark for eight nights, silencing himself so no one could here his suffering and Jolie could no longer resist the tug to her heart urging her to comfort him. The pair are in college when the book begins with Sage on his way to NFL stardom and Jolie on her way to ya teaching job and a life spent as close to her parents and grandma. While she has been harbouring a crush on Sage for years she doesn’t want to end up another notch on his well notched belt. 

I thought the dynamic between Sage and Jolie was funny, flirty and adorable. We all knew where this was heading (straight to happily ever after city) but it was so great to go along with them on the way there. My favourite part about these two was the texting. I loved how their senses of humour came across in their texting and how it said a lot about them (it was especially great because we learned more about them over a short period of time, a neat trick with a novella).

I enjoyed the brief dive into football and getting to meet Sage’s teammates! I also loved his possessive side. I think the premise on which he and Jolie began their relationship was a little bit faulty (in that he was motivated by jealousy) but it was great to see that he had also been harbouring feelings for his best friend (because who wants a one sided love?).

The steamy bits in this novel were pretty darn steamy and that was a treat! Sage and Jolie had fun in the bedroom and I honestly enjoyed seeing that part of their relationship extend to the bedroom. I really enjoyed the extended prologue and thought it was such a great summary of their dynamic: there was humour, some steamy sexy time and a happy ending that left you feeling satisfied.

I like a bit more angst in my novels than this one had and I felt that it was light on drama and heavy on the sweetness. I completely understand that novellas can only tell so much of a story and this is typically why I go for full length novels (I like to see the couple fight for that happy ending and I love to see a little drama here and there while they do). That being said, this novella was a treat. If you’re looking for a quick, satisfying read then this one is definitely for you! It was a solid 3 star read and I’m keen to check out the author again in future! 

Find more by L.J. Shen here.

TK MAJ