I want to give a big thank you to Kandi Steiner for hosting a giveaway in her Facebook group, Kandiland, that I won and received and e-arc of Blind Side to review.
REP:
TW + CW: discussion of rehab, alcohol/drug addiction, blackmail
Tropes: fake-dating, sports romance, hero falls first, virgin heroine, jock hero
Similar Books: The Deal by Elle Kennedy, The Perfect First by Maya Hughes, The Relationship Pact by Adriana Locke,
When I won the arc giveaway, I did the biggest happy dance and squealed a little. Another Kandi Steiner book in my hands? HECK YEAH! Every book that I have read by her has 4 stars and above. She just never disappoints! Ever since I discovered her books last year, I have been down a rabbit hole trying to read her backlist. Let's just say it has been THE BEST TIME. I originally planned to take my time with reading Blind Side because I wanted to savor every bit of it but its Kandi Steiner, who am I kidding? I was not expecting to be just as OBSESSED with the main characters as I was with Fair Catch but, here I am!! Clay and Giana just found a spot in my heart and set up shop right next other characters written by Kandi Steiner.
Blind Side is set in the same world as Fair Catch (I'm not too sure if this would be considered a sequel or a companion. Both books can be read on their own.) and follows the perspective of two characters, Clay and Giana. Clay is one of the most popular football safety players in the country and Giana works as Public Relationships Coordinator for the team. Clay is used to be the easiest for Giana to work with but after a devastating break up from his girlfriend, Clay is cold and not in the mood for any of it. As much as Giana would love to work with other players and move on, she needs Clay. When they meet up to discuss a new strategy, Clay takes notice of how Giana melts around her crush and comes up with a plan that could help the both of them. Clay and Giana will fake-date in public to get his ex jealous and running back and her crush to notice her. Also, he'll stop being difficult when she needs him for the media. The plan starts off simple but quickly becomes complex when the feelings Clay and Giana have change and Giana asks Clay to take her virginity so she knows what to do when she's with her crush.
Kandi's Steiner writing has continuously gotten better over time. I swear each book I read is better than the last. Blind Side is also the spiciest book Kandi has written. I am very curious to see if that trend will continue or if there will be a surprise extra spicy book every once in awhile. In this one, Clay and Giana's chemistry was obvious from the jump. They already have an established friendship but there was room for them to build and grow that friendship. Having both perspectives allows readers to see that growth from both the character's eyes and how their motivations have changed. At first, I was skeptical of this because sometimes the POVs blend together or I really enjoy one character more. But Kandi succeeded in keeping me interested in both characters with every chapter. I wanted to know who was going to fall first and how the romance was going to play out. Who was going to cause the big conflict in the third act? Who will commit first? Giana just wants to do well with her career and get this guy to like her but she's a little lost in the romance category. She reminded me a lot of me during my past relationships because I felt LOST. I loved reading about her and watching her grow. Pet names like the one Clay has for her (Kitten) normally makes me want to gag but you know what, PURRRRRR. I was eating this up! Where are these men when I was going on dates with people from my college??
With all that being said, I was a bit underwhelmed with the ending. If I were Giana, Clay would have to GROOOOOVEEELLL. The grand gesture was cute but I think Clay would need to put in some more work to repair that damage afterwards. I know Giana's heart took a hit and realistically, would probably have some trust issues from him. The way he handled the situation that caused the big breakup was not my favorite. I understand wanting to help and protect your mother but where would any of that gotten him? I did not see that playing out well for him in the end.
Overall, Blind Side by Kandi Steiner is a fantastic read. It is definitely one of the best she has written and is going high on my tier ranking. If you are looking for a steamy fake-dating sports romance where the male love interest falls first and keeps you on your toes, this is a good one to check out! It will get you laughing, smiling, and hurting all within a few pages. You'll be dying for more (there's books set in the same university if you do end up looking for more!!!) 5/5 stars, I can not wait for the next one!
If you're looking for exclusive information about what Kandi is writing or up to, join her Facebook group, Kandiland! Also, I heard there is a hockey romance book in the works?? Say less. Once the preorder link and "Want to Read" button is available, I'm on it!
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There are 5 books in this series.
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Popular Highlights in this book
“I couldn’t eat,” he started, knee still bouncing. “Couldn’t train, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t do anything other than make myself sick thinking about him touching you.”Highlighted by 11,478 Kindle readers- “That’s the thing about love,” he said, kissing my hair. “It doesn’t need to be reciprocated to be real.”Highlighted by 11,028 Kindle readers
- The more I pretended like she was mine to tease like that, the more it felt like she really was.Highlighted by 9,551 Kindle readers
From the Publisher
Clay Johnson: The Hottest Safety in College Football
... and my new fake boyfriend.
“You don’t want to be someone’s muse,” Clay rasped. “You want to be someone’s undoing. And let me tell you, Kitten…” His voice rumbled against my ear before he sucked the lobe between his teeth. “You’re mine.”
YOU'LL LOVE BLIND SIDE IF YOU LOVE...
- fake dating
- sports romance
- college romance
- opposites attract
- virgin heroine
- "lessons"
FREE with your Kindle Unlimited Subscription
“I don’t want him,” she said against my lips. “You’ve had me since the first fake kiss.”
Alternate Paperback & Hardcover Available
One touch.
One small, simple touch, but I burned beneath it.
"Steiner's spiciest book yet!"
I’d take every stolen moment, every fake kiss, every lesson she’d let me teach her. I’d ground myself down to sand and let her leave me behind in the end if it meant I got to soak up everything that she was right now.
A fool, that’s what I was.
A fool who wouldn’t stop playing the game he knew he’d lose.
About the author
When One Copy Of A Single Book Isn't Enough! Loved This!!!
When a book hits this good there is only one thing for me to do... buy a special edition. Not only did I buy a SE, I had to have the OOP copy as well. There was just something about this book that had me giddy with excitement. When I had to step away from it to do life, I was feral for the next opportunity I could find to get back to it. I devoured this book in less than a day. Clay was pure perfection. Even though he started out with his sights set on another girl, I never felt he wasn't being genuine with his feelings for Giana. He just needed time to realize what those feelings actually meant. I was worried that having his focus directed elsewhere was going to cause a disconnect in my ability as the reader to get wrapped up in their relationship development, but that was absolutely not the case. His ex never appreciated him and what he had to offer and through that angle - with the development of his and Giana's relationship - you are able to see the truth of the matter right alongside him. He learns what it feels like to be truly loved, respected, supported and wanted. The writing is solid, as is the character dialog. I'll absolutely be checking out more of this author's work. This will 1000% be a book I reread at some point.
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- Hershey kissesReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 24, 2022
that was amazing
Format: KindleVerified Purchase - AngeliqueReviewed in the Netherlands on September 24, 2024
Loved it!!
Format: KindleVerified Purchase - CourtenayReviewed in Australia on July 23, 2022
Can’t fake my like of this book!
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