Jockblocked (Gridiron)

4 swoony and a bit fresh stars

Soooo, I do read sports themed stories every so often but in general they don’t really call to me. But then Jen Frederick contacted me about this book and let me know that Matty is a dirty talker. That’s right, she mentioned those magic words: DIRTY. TALKER. I couldn’t reply yes fast enough and boy oh boy am I glad I did because this was such a sweet, sexy, heartfelt story. This was a great read and I thoroughly enjoyed it in one sitting.

The main reason I have some lovin’ (lusting, let’s be serious) for this book: Matty Iverson. He is one sexy man who was just plodding ahead until a certain gorgeous and special woman, Lucy, crossed his path. The attraction was immediate although it took a while for them to move ahead. Ms. Frederick always builds the chemistry up *just right*. Soon they found out they had more in common than they initially thought, and some of it was good…and some of it made for complications. Luckily every bump in the road got sorted without too much miscommunication and I breathed a huge sigh of relief every time.

Matty was just the right amount of hot, confident and sweet that made my heart flutter. I hope no one I know in real life reads this, but… *whispers* Matty’s fresh mouth was divine. Seriously. Somehow he would turn something so crass into…something VERY SMOKING HOT. gah! Ahem. Moving on because it’s getting hot in here…let’s talk about Lucy next and how she was the right amount of pretty, brains and sass that made me want to be her friend. These two together made for great chemistry both between the sheets and in life in general.

While this was a life changing romance for Matty and Lucy, just know this was not a deeply emotional book…and that’s ok because sometimes we need a romance just like this one. Know that it made me happy, made me fall in love, and had me fanning myself on a few occasions. Ok, a lot of occasions.

The romance with the dirty talk is classic Jen Frederick perfection and I am so happy to have gotten a copy of this.

You all want to know if there was anything I didn’t love? Not really, but if I HAVE to pick something, I’d admit the football talk AND the mock trial talk didn’t really speak to me and I *may* have skimmed parts. Eeek, I’m sorry, I’m a really greedy reader who loves the romance and juicy parts the most!

Rec this? Yes! If you love sports and swoony guys that have a bit of a naughty mouth this is a great add to your tbr! Happy reading!

My Rating: 2 and a half stars

* Just a warning about this review because it got very ranty.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is going to be an unpopular opinion, but I didn't really like this book. This probably relates to my expectations being SO high because I enjoyed the first book in this series so much. I was hoping this one was going to be even better, but it just didn't live up to my expectations.

I'll start off with what I disliked about this book (in list form):

- Coach whats-his-face. What a petty and sad old man. If screaming and demanding is how he "trains" this team, then I'm scared for all the people that think this is normal. In my opinion, treating people with respect earns you their respect and consequently makes them work harder. I'm not a fan of american football, so I can't really say if this is considered 'normal' or not. I just don't agree with it. Also, instead of getting mad at Ace, why didn't he say something to his daughter, because when two people don't want it, it simply doesn't happen.

- Ace. I was close to pulling my hair out over Ace's inconsiderateness and overall jackassery. I don't understand why in his mind everything he was doing to Lucy was OK and that it wouldn't have consequences. I understand he's had a rough childhood, but that doesn't excuse his actions in my book.

Now that I've gotten that off my shoulders, I'll tell you what I liked about this book.

I really liked Matty and I wasn't expecting to. I barely remember him from the first book, but it was a nice surprise (even though I wanted a Jack or Ty book). I enjoyed how he wooed her in the beginning and the pacing of it all was steady.

Being in Lucy's mind was scary at times because she overanalyzed everything. Most times it was interesting, but by the end it was getting tiresome. I did like her as a whole and I felt she and Matty had very good chemistry.

Overall, I am looking forward to the next book in this series. My dislike of those characters made it so I didn't enjoy this book. I will say the writing and the pacing of the story as a whole was good. Though I do hope that the next book in this series ISN'T Ace's book because it'll make me think twice about picking it up or not. I'm still hoping for Jack or Ty's book.

My Favorite Quotes:

"I'd much rather be one of the happy, oblivious sheep than the stressed-out shepard who has to guide them."

"The odds are in my favor. Risky behavior is labeled risky because there's a chance someone is going to get hurt. There's nothing negative with wanting to avoid being hurt or injuring someone you care about."

"There is a difference between being cautious and being cowardly."

First, I should start out by saying I almost quit this book. I had been going thru a loser time of reading about weak heroines and I had.... enough.

I'm glad I didn't, even though for me the first 30 percent of this book was torture, but it is well written so I trudged on. So....so glad I did.

Matty, is going on my book boyfriend list. He was the best part of this book, also all the set ups for mistakes and secrets later for angst were settled with communication for the most part and how freaking refreshing is that! Not to mention the authors knowledge of recruiting, as the daughter of a high school coach, even though this was college it makes no difference, Id been and seen plenty of this in college and she nailed it, very impressed.

Id like to talk about Ace here but I'm afraid I cant, hes too important to this story, but lets hope he gets one, because I frigen love when authors wow me with a good turn-around. First time Ive read this author, and Ill be going back to read more.

So, I'm wrong sometimes, and my 4 stars are looking me right in the face to remind me. :)

So I really didn't know who the next book would be about based on the way the previous book ended but Matty was huge in the first book and liked that he was next, even thought a teeny tiny part of me wanted Jack's story.
Matty doesn't give up, I will give him that and at the point when he couldn't take it anymore, he still had hope.

Lucy is a list maker, pro and con, risk assessor. She takes a big risk allowing Matty to get in her head and heart especially with his rep. And her BFF, just happens to be Matty's QB. I kept waiting for Ace to declare his love for Lucy but that took freaking forever. And poor Lucy didnt even see it coming until he was opening his mouth.

Their relationship was chaotic at best. Between the friends and the lies it was easy to see why they would fail, but why they conquered love was fun to watch. Lucy finally finds herself, which she didnt even know she was looking for. Matty finally allows her a little space which isnt the easiest thing for him and made a mature decision to help both of them.

Loved that Lucy finally decided on the 'after graduation' plan and it includes Matty. Hoping these two make an appearance in the next book.

**The author included a little survey at the end asking about Ace's redemption. do we want to see one? does he deserve one? as poorly as he treated Ellie in the end, I was really on the fence. He was a complete ass most of the book. But those are always the most fun when they find their girl.*****

Jen Frederick has once again delivered yet another delightful book with this new release in her Gridiron series. This book had everything you could want & was so entertaining. I adored both Lucy & Matty. The plot moves at a perfect pace and it definitely kept my attention from start to the finish. My only complaint is now I have to wait for the next one to be released. I cannot say enough good things about this book and this series. I really could spend the next couple of hours trying to successful find a way to summarize how terrific this book was but even then I probably wouldn't come close to doing justice to it. So I will simply end with read this book! You won't regret it!

*** ARC provided by the Author in return for an honest review** (less)

Well I thought it would be hard to be Knox but I have to say Matty did it! I just loved this book. Matty and Luce meet at the coffee shop where she works and sparks fly, however she wants someone safe someone in the "box" and he's a big time football player, hottie. Not someone she thinks her heart will be safe with. Meanwhile she's all he can think about. Come to find out she's best friends with Ace who's on his football team and who he has to convince to move positions after they've just won a championship. Let me just start by saying I don't watch football, I hear it cause it's on my tv (thanks hub) all the time but not a big fan, don't really understand the rules, etc. But Jen uses terminology I understand, she lays it out for me in non-football terms. Not only that but there isn't a ton of football stuff in this book. However, my husband loved that I started to get interested in some of it and knew some plays and positions...he was thrilled, yes keep reading those books honey!
Matty is so wonderful, I want him! He's trying to do the right thing, but trying to keep his nose out of it all, which he can't due to his coach. He's sweet, hello buying all the food, loved the court room scene at the end too. I LOVED Matty and I loved Lucy and her issues. Jen always has so much more than just a love story going on, I feel like I'm learning too...in this case learned about diabetes, among other things.
I highly recommend JockBlocked, no joke it's (sorry) better than Sacked if that was possible. I just adore Jen's writing and this book does not disappoint. And oh the sexy times are phenomenal as always with Jen's stories! I'm having officer daydreams now too!
I hope we're getting Ace's story next, please please please! Will be back rereading this story a few times at least!

Let me start this review by saying that I've read it all the way through twice and my favorite parts more than that.

Jockblocked is really a very simple story of a football player and the girl he falls for. Matthew Iverson is a star on and off the field. He doesn't have any trouble getting a girl to throw herself at him, but after seeing his roommate Knox fall in love, he wonders what he's missing. When he meets Lucy, he falls hard.

I loved Lucy. She's studious, focused and every decision she makes is based on her own personal risk assessment. She doesn't think Matty is a good risk at all, and she denies her own attraction to him to stay in the safe zone. But Matty isn't a quitter (loved that about him) and he works hard to get Lucy's attention.

Matty takes on the task of wooing Lucy, and this part of the book was really awesome. Lucy gets to the point that she just can't resist him anymore. Complications arise when Matty's football coach directs him to do something that involves his teammate who also happens to be a good friend of Lucy's. The way that all wraps up was unexpected and at times heartwarming.

There's some nice supporting characters in Jockblocked too. Lucy's roommates are true friends, and Matty's buddy Hammer put a smile on my face. There's a really cute scene with the football team near the end of the story that I loved too.

At first it seemed like Jockblocked is a very simple story... boy falls hard for girl, etc...but it was more than just that. Jen Frederick's strength is delivering a story that really makes you want to stand up and cheer for the characters. She beautifully portrays some very basic emotions that immediately connect me to her characters. That's what keeps me re-reading and coming back for more.

Jock Blocked was a book that made me feel good, that put a smile on my face and really I'm not asking for much more when I read. I l read so many books a year, so many different genres, I've come to have a lot of feelings and I've come to expect to feel a certain way with some genres. I think that very few authors can write colleges sports books without making me cringe and roll my eyes... Jen Frederick is one of them.

"It isn’t just my body that responds to him. My heart opens."

Matty, Matt, Matthew whatever you call him is like any footballer you met. He likes to party, he likes what he does and he already plans the next level. This year is the year he can't miss. He has to catch the catch the eye of headhunters to go pro next season. But before that, he enjoys his little break after winning the Championship.

Luce is what I would qualify a stressed girl. She seems cool but she's not really. She calculates everything she does. Through her own admission, she assesses all the risk she takes. And when Matty pursues her, she is not sure it's a risk she's willing to take. Not only because she made a promise to her best friend , Ace who's Matty's teammate but because the guy it's not her type.... or so she says.

In reality, what Luce really need is to learn how to live fully without thinking about the consequences.
Maybe Matty can help her a little

There’s nothing wrong with making measured decisions and weighing the risks versus the benefits.”
“You’re right that there’s nothing wrong with how you’re living. I’m not judging that. I’m just saying maybe your life could be happier. And that sometimes taking a risk gives you big rewards.”
“And you’re that big reward?”
“You won’t know unless you give me a try.”

To summarize what I loved about the book, I would say everything but then it would be too easy don't your think?
1) The book is better than the first one. I enjoyed Sacked a lot. It was kind of refreshing in some ways. Jock Blocked is definitely more traditional in its story but everything clicked and worked pretty great here.

2) The banter between Matty and Lucy. All their times together is funny and free spirit. Even with her constant risk assessment Luce is funny. Yes those can be annoying but the way Matt acts makes it sweet and adorable.

“What are we doing"
“We’re enjoying each other.”
“For how long?”
Forever is a good start in my book but this is my careful girl and she needs a careful answer.
“However long you want it.”

3) As in a lot of NA college book, there are a lot of sexy sweet moments. Those moments are perfectly balanced. I would compare this one to The Deal from Elle Kennedy. I think Matt Iverson is as sweet , loving and caring as was Garrett. I think to me that was what really won me over. Matty is not a guy who pretends to be someone he is not. He enjoys himself; he likes girls and the college life that goes with it. What's wrong in that? But when he meets Lucy even if he doesn't really knows it, he starts to be invested.

There was only one thing that bothers me a little, and I notice I had the same problem in Sacked, it was the Coach's behavior. In book 1, it's because of him I didn't like the twist at the end. It was because he wasn't acting like a real coach would do but more like a pissed off selfish adult. And he did it again here!

I hope Jen Frederick has a lot more stories in store for us. Hammer is too damn funny for his own good and I'm curious to know more about those articles he writes.
I still want Ace book even if he was a total jerk in this one, but I agree he doesn't deserve his HEA right away. The guy needs to grovel for the one he wants.

I love Jen Frederick's books - I go into each one with a high expectation and once again I was not disappointed. I loved the writing, the characters, the storyline and the fact that it had to do with football. This book is #2 in the Gridiron series (love the book covers) and a standalone. I highly recommend this book and, personally, cannot wait for the next one.

I received an ARC for an honest review.

This book was sent to me as an ARC BY Nina Rocci in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The thing I can say about Jen lFredericks books is that they are always 5* award able. This book does not buck this trend. It's enjoyable , flowing as the action never stops, thought provoking in how people don't really look at themselves with honesty and as always STEAMY . The action. The story line is such that your never sure if the romance is going to go off the rails or end up in a happy ever after. A really good read and highly recommended to go with all Jens books.