Review: Kickin' It (Red Card #2) by Rachel Van Dyken

Print Length: 252 pages

Publisher: Skyscape (June 11, 2019)

From Goodreads.com: Successful, high-profile sports agent Matt Kingston thinks he can handle anything. Then soccer player Parker Speedman shows up at his door. She is young and gorgeous, has natural talent, and is looking for a team. She’s also a hothead with a punchy past who floored her last coach on live TV. Despite his misgivings, Matt agrees to be both her agent and her coach. Professional common sense says she’s off-limits. But what can he say about the raw attraction between them?

Parker plays soccer with her heart and soul. But after the events of the last year, she’s shaken. She’s already seen what a powerful man can do to a female athlete’s career. And her beloved dream is in the hands of a sexy, gorgeous man with the uncanny ability to slip past her defenses…and into her heart.

Now Matt and Parker are about to learn that when it comes to love, the only way to win is by breaking every rule they know. And by playing nice. Real nice.

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My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

This was one of those novels that Rachel is known for. There were moments when you found yourself laughing out loud, there were moments when a scene just resonates with you, and there were moments when you just scratched your head and went "well that was easy". 

I enjoyed seeing Matt again as he was one of my favorites from the first novel. Even Jagger seemed to come across as less of a jerk than he did before (although that could have something to do with the fact that he wasn't acting like a dog fighting for a bone in this one). I enjoyed "meeting" Willow and Parker. Willow was a spunky, see what she wants and takes it kind of person. She knew how to stand up to her brother, but she also had the smarts to back it up. Parker was .... an interesting contradiction. On one hand she has this reputation that proceeds her. She was caught in a scandal of her own making - but it wasn't without justification. However instead of meeting her demons head on and dealing with them, she uses that 'hot tempered' persona to hide. 

Once the truth comes out (and honestly it was pretty easy to spot head on what that truth was), there was a huge potential for her to stand up and make a difference. And yet, before it came to that, there was a plot twist that eliminated the problem for her. To me, that was a bit of a let down as I would have liked to have seen her face off with her demons and have it resolved that way instead of the way it was. I also would have liked to have seen more of a conflict of interest story-line come into play once Matt and Parker began exploring what was between them. 

Overall, those who enjoy this author will no doubt enjoy this story. I also believe it will appeal to those who enjoy sports related stories. I would read more from this author!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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                                  Kickin' It  is available from Amazon.com