False Start: Special Edition

False Start gave me all the feels a second chance romance should.Kyle & Madelyn were each other’s first everything and I definitely felt that while reading their romance. These two had a lot of history & were torn apart by outside circumstances. So when these two meet again it’s like no time has passed between them. Their connection couldn’t be denied!Kyle was down bad for Madelyn! I loved that he used the fake dating scenario as a ploy to see/spend more time with her. Just being in her presence made him so happy, we love to see it! I also liked that the fake dating element did not last long. He knew what he wanted and boy he got her (yes, a Taylor Swift reference. Kyle & Mads are def So High School).Mads was a great heroine. I liked her character a lot. She was incredibly strong but also had fears. She felt like a real person. I also liked her relationship with her son. It was very adorable.The steam was great too! The chemistry between Kyle and Mads was intense which just made the steamy scenes even better. My favs were the kitchen and the vacation/hammock scenes.A lot of events occur in this book but this was still a quick read. This addition to the series felt more mature than the other books. Perhaps because the characters themselves are older. We also got to see the couples from previous books which was a nice treat. I would say this can be read as a standalone.Highly recommend!!Rating: 4.5/5🌶️ Rating: 3.5/5

First things first… I have made the colossal error of not reading a Kandi Steiner book until False Start: shame, shame, shame on me. Fret not, this will be rectified IMMEDIATELY! I am still thinking about Kyle Robbins and Madelyn James (I WILL NOT put Hearst next to her name. You’ll understand soon enough). While I didn’t have any reference to Kyle’s character going into his story from the previous Red Zone Rivals books, I found I didn’t need it. Frankly, I love him so much it may pain me to go back and read about him in all his arrogant, self-absorbed, pain-in-the-butt glory, but I’m sure that will make his character arc so rewarding. As for Madelyn, I love and admire strong female, single-mom characters and she did not disappoint. And let me tell you when these two meet again for what turns into their second chance, I melted when I realized how much better they were going to be together than apart. And while I’m not usually a fan of the miscommunication trope, especially with something so sensitive, Kandi presented it with so much depth and care that Kyle and Madelyn’s breakthrough had me buried under tissues. False Start checks all my boxes for a sexy, banter-filled, turn-me-to-mush second-chance romance!

Wow. Wow. Wow. When I tell you 2023 was the year of Red Zone Rivals, that’s probably the biggest understatement. I’ve never been so obsessed with a series like this one.When I finished Hail Mary, I felt empty which the easiest way to explain it. I felt like I needed more, I wanted to know what happened next, I just needed more and False Start was what it was. I needed to know what happened to Kyle.False Start was the redemption arc every “villain” in every story wants. This is the storyline that makes me believe in love and second chances. I cried so much throughout this book. I felt emotions that a book hasn’t made me feel in a very long time, probably since the bonus scene for Clay and G because you know I’m a sucker for both of them.Kandi Steiner, my goodness you’re an incredible author and story teller. Thank you so much for giving us these incredible stories and sharing them with us. I’m in awe!Thank you Valentine PR for giving me an ARC of this incredible story! I’m so grateful and can’t wait for the next one 😉If this review didn’t get you to immediately pick this up, THE SMUT WAS TOP TOP TOP TIER. Like always, all of these couples are *chefs kiss*You need to read this IMMEDIATELY.

I didn’t think I could love this series more, then along comes KYLE! MY OH MY THIS MAN! 🥵This is a second chance romance with a past that had miscommunication. Having a relationship in high school with an unfortunate ending… fast forward to present day and Kyle and Madelyn cross paths once again.Kyle is a NFL rookie looking for a house and Madelyn is a real estate agent banking on commission for a fresh start.Madelyn is a single mom who is having issues with her ex and Kyle is sick of being single for all of his friends weddings. They decide to fake date to help one another out. The thing is, faking dating … not a hard task at all. Kyle’s main priority is protecting Madelyn and her son and showing them both what it’s like to have a healthy, loving environment. These two grow from their past and learn to work as a team to move forward and creating a beautiful life!I am so beyond thankful to Kandi & her team for the opportunity to have an ARC❤️Tropes:-Single mom-Second chance-Fake dating-He falls first-One bed

Kandi, Kandi, Kandi. What do you put in your books because I’ve never been able to put one down and this one is no different. Kyle should be the standard with which all future MCs are created. This man is sweet and kind but also protective and dominant. He’s been through so much and these two had to fight to be together, but they overcame their past and moved on to such a beautifully constructed romance. I adored seeing the NBU crew and watching their dynamics this is forever one of my favorite series.