Have you heard of the Jock Hard series from Sara Ney? If you are a sports romance fan, then I highly suggest you check it out. Especially if you enjoy new adult romances that are set at college. I've now read two books in the series, and am definitely enjoying it.
In Jock Reign, we meet Jack Dryden-Jones. He is new to the states, new to the university, has joined the rugby team, and is living in the same house his brother Ashley did. Basically he's mimicking Ashley's time here at the school. One night at a party, Jack meets Kaylee. She is instantly taken with him, and Jack walks her home. Kaylee invites him in, he stays for a bit, meets her roommate Eliza, and watches a tv show, and then heads home. Kaylee has her sights set on Jack, and is determined to be in a relationship with him. But Jack has no interest. He just sees Kaylee as a friend. Enter Eliza. She and Jack hit it off at their initial meeting. So when they bump into each other at a coffee shop (Jack is there for the scones), it leads to sharing a meal, and a nice little conversation. Eliza and Jack slowly become friends, and these two friends start spending more time together. Just without Kaylee knowing. Which is making Eliza uncomfortable, because Girl Code! Can these two remain strictly friends? Will Jack ever let Kaylee down? What about Jack's role on the rugby team? Will he ever tell coach that he wants to be done?
Jock Reign was pretty darn good. I enjoyed the majority of the characters, loved returning to the familiar setting, and enjoyed the storyline. I will say that the slow burn was a bit heavy at times, and I did find myself screaming at my kindle for Eliza and Jack to just kiss already! When the kiss did happen I was happy for our characters. Then Eliza had to put a stop to things, and I wanted to scream at her! Thankfully that was short lived. I did not like Kaylee one bit. She rubbed me the wrong way from the initial introduction, and every time she made an appearance in the book I was annoyed. She'a a great villain. She is the character that you love to hate. When the reveal scene happened, I was shocked at Kaylee's reaction. I knew there would be drama surrounding it, but she just took it too far. Yet at the same time it worked because things definitely shifted between Jack and Eliza. So I can see why Sara Ney wrote that how she did. There were two things that I would have loved to have read in this book. The first being Jack's family meeting Eliza. I can practically hear Georgia screaming in excitement, and Mama Dryden-Jones groaning in displeasure. The other thing I would have loved to have read was when Jack finally approached the coach about his (Jack's) role on the rugby team. I would have loved to know the coach's reaction/response, as well as how the other rugby players took the information. But that didn't happen, so I'll just picture it all in my head, and approve of how the scenes are playing out.
The set up for Jock Romeo was wonderful, and I cannot wait to read that story. Rome has me curious, and I am intrigued as to how things are going to go with him and Lilly. Of course I'm also curious if Kaylee will make an appearance, and try to mess things up.
Thank you for reading my thoughts on Jock Reign. I hope that you will give this "rugby" romance a read. May you feel a connection to Jack and Eliza like I did. Love those two nerdy characters.
Laura
IT’S NOT EASY LIVING IN YOUR BROTHERS SHADOW.
Jack Dryden-Jones is easily the worst rugby player on the field—when he moves to The States to follow in his brothers footsteps, he has no idea how he’d hate the game. He’s so horrible he considers faking an injury to take himself out of the game. Jack is a quick-witted, comic book loving gentleman—not an athlete.
DO NOT DATE YOUR ROOMMATES CRUSH.
When her roommate brings home a random stranger, Eliza is shocked when he makes himself at home; he’s strapping, strong and watching a movie at the end of her couch as if he belongs there.
It makes her uncomfortable in the best way possible.
But if there is one thing she believes in, it’s GIRL CODE: No girl may date her friend's ex, past crush, or guys who have humiliated/used her. And she most certainly may not date any guy her friend currently fancies...
DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Jack and Eliza are two of the good ones—it’s going to take a miracle to keep them apart.