Review: The Final Score by Jaci Burton [Giveaway]

The Final Score
(Play-by-Play #13)
by Jaci Burton
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: Sept. 12, 2017
Genre: Romance
Rating:

Nathan Riley is ready to follow in the footsteps of his famous football player father. He’s been drafted as quarterback for his dad’s former team, and his sports future is bright. When his friend Mia Cassidy moves to the same city, their years-long friendship suddenly sparks hot, reminding him of the one night they had together in college that he can never forget.

Like Nathan, Mia is from a sports dynasty family and embarking on an incredible new career—as founder of her own sports management company. Her friendship with Nathan means everything to her, and tossing sex into the mix again could jeopardize it all. But the chemistry between them has always sizzled, and it isn’t long before Mia realizes she wants more with Nathan than just late-night talks and pizza.

Passion has a funny way of changing the rules, and soon Nathan and Mia realize that to win it all, they’ll have to make an unexpected play for love.

 

 

The Play by Play series isn’t a series that I tend to read in order. I sort of end up skipping around since each of the books deal with a different pair of characters. The main reason for my skipping around is because my library doesn’t have all the books in their arsenal. So between my library and the review copies I’ve gotten, I’ve jumped around quite a bit. The Final Score actually deals with a couple of kids from previous characters. Nathan is the son from the first book, a book I have not read. However, I read the second and third book (which were of his uncle and aunt), so I got to “meet” Nathan in those installments. Mia was introduced later in the series and her parent’s book was not one I’ve read. However, I have read her two brother’s separate stories and if I’m being completely honest with you guys, I don’t really remember Mia. So, with that being said, this book can TOTALLY be read as a stand-alone.

Nathan and Mia have been best friends all their lives. Sure, there was that one drunken night in college where they hooked up but that was a mistake, right? Right?! WRONG! And that is what The Final Score is all about ladies and gents. Nathan is not over that night and has been biding his time while Mia has placed him firmly in the friend-zone. She doesn’t want to compromise their friendship by mucking the waters with sex. So, when she reconnects with Nathan once they’ve settled down after college, he’s all about starting something up, and isn’t too subtle about it by the way. Meanwhile, she’d give into him for a fraction of a second and then flip a switch and be all, “No! We’re just friends!” She literally plays that card until the last chapter and it really bothered me. But hold on, let me back this crazy train up a bit.

This story was amazing for fans of the series. We got to see some of our old time faves from the first few books, as well as Mia’s brothers and wives/fiances. It was great getting to see everyone again. It felt like a happy family reunion… and that’s essentially what it was. So, I guess it bothered me a bit when Mia and Nathan decided to become an item and yet Mia still wanted to hide it from everyone, including their family and friends. It’s one thing to not want the press to know your personal business, but you don’t want those closest to you to know? By the way, they weren’t fooling anyone with their “covert love sessions”. So, I guess I was just really irritated with Mia and her weirdness over their relationship. It was frustrating to say the least.

While this was still an enjoyable read, it wasn’t my favorite. That gold medal is still held by Gavin and Liz from the second book. You want a book with insane passion and ADULT characters, look there. They are what made me love this series and ultimately decide that this author was worth keeping my eye on.

 

Favorite quote…

My thoughts exactly, Mia. My thoughts exactly.

“Sometimes your sense of logic is utterly mind-boggling. Falling in love might be the best thing that could ever happen to you and Nathan.”

 

 

Previous reviews from Play by Play
Changing the Game
Straddling the Line
Rules of Contact

 

 

Giveaway time!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

10 Thoughts on “Review: The Final Score by Jaci Burton [Giveaway]

  1. I did read one by her that I liked 🙂

  2. That sounds really good.

  3. I’ve been wanting to try out the series, mainly because the guys on the covers 🙂

  4. Oh I have yet to read her football romances but have a couple on my tbr. I think I’ve been waiting to get most of them before I start, but I’m so glad to know you can read out of order.

  5. Um yeah…I’ll pass on this one. If shes like that until the very end I’ll be irritated. I’ve skipped around with this series too.

    For What It’s Worth

  6. Haven’t read any of these but am looking to move out of YA a bit, so thanks for the rec!
    Jen Ryland

  7. I’ve only read the first three novels in the series, but have been put off from reading the rest due to bad reviews. Glad they still work for you even though you don’t read them in order.
    And awesome giveaway!! US folks, you are one lucky bunch!!

  8. I have a confession to make, I kept reading the whole series hoping it would get better, but it seems like it lost its appeal after the first few instalments . . . and yet, I was waiting for Nathan’s story because he got me curious the moment he appeared on the scene. Too bad it wasn’t your favourite, the second and third book are my personal faves 🙂

  9. I have read book one and LOVED it, and I really need to get back to it especially since my library has the majority of the series because the books are kinda pricey.

  10. Yeah, I understand why this wasn’t a fav, it peevs me when they want to keep their relationship a secret.

    Naomi @ Naomi’s Reading Palace

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