Blind Side
Ratings31
Average rating4
3.25/5
I liked this book until the last 30%. Even if the writing wasn't that great and the OM and OW drama was a bit much at times, and I don't like reading about college age kids, I still enjoyed it. Until the stupid third act breakup. And it wasn't even the breakup itself that I disliked. It was the freaking “grand gesture” at the end.
I hate public displays of emotions with long monologues when the girl is pressured to accept the guy (even if she loves him still), ESPECIALLY when there are cameras around. I hate public proposals too (it wasn't a proposal, don't worry). But I hated how Clay did this stupid show and it was supposed to be romantic??? No, thank you, not for me. It was cringe and it weirded me out. I hated that Giana took him back.
What I hated equally as bad, was that the whole “Clay's ex girlfriend needs to know the truth” wasn't even showed!!! It happened off-page!!! Just why?? I wanted to read it! She was so full of it and THEN when she got him back she KNEW he was miserable and she was sad! And I wanted to see her learning the truth! The “oh yeah she was upset but mostly by her dad” explanation was horrendous, I wanted to see that conversation and scene on-page. And instead it's just mentioned in one sentence? Fuck off. Seriously. If you write that much drama for the sake of a drama, DELIVER. If you wanna make the ex-gorlfriend a bitch, sure. If you make her be manipulated by her father and the guy she likes, SHE DESERVES TO HAVE THIS EXPLAINED TO HER ON PAGE. Hell, you had Clay's pov, you should have used it to tell Maliyah's story as it was happening. I wanted to see this. She deserved that much.
Spoiler-Free Review:
Oh Boy! What an amazing follow up to Fair Catch! I loved this book so much! Clay Johnson is a man on a whole other level, and I was here for every bit of it! Blind Side is the second installment in the Red Zone Rivals series, and it follows Clay and Giana (both who we meet in Fair Catch). Giana is a quirky PR assistant who doesn't quite fit her family's mold, and Clay is a confident football player who is trying his best to do right by his mom and make it big in the industry. After an extremely bad break up, and a terrible interview with a reporter, Clay suggests that he and Giana pretend to date to make his ex jealous and make Giana be seen by the guy she has her eye on. This really is fake dating at its finest! The tension and development of feelings are all chef's kiss. And don't get me started on Clay's lessons... I still haven't recovered. I found this book to be a little more quick paced both in plot and in the burn than Fair Catch, although I would probably still consider it medium burn. The romance that Clay and Giana have is so hot and sweet. The way Clay brings out her confidence and makes her feel sexy is absolutely swoon worthy. This is a New Adult Romance, 18+ for sexual content
“I didn't have main character energy. I was more of the quirky, cute best friend with all the sage advice.”
Synopsis
College footballer Clay needs a fake girlfriend to make his ex jealous and want him back. Fellow student and PR co-ordinator on the team Giana wants to get the attention of her crush, and maybe learn a bit about seduction too. So they fake-date.
“You don't want to be someone's muse, you want to be someone's undoing. And let me tell you, Kitten... You're mine.”
Tropes and Themes
- Sports romance (college football)
- Fake dating
- First time
“The more I pretended like she was mine to tease like that, the more it felt like she really was.”
My Thoughts
- Clay and Giana are supposed to be college students (around 19 years old I think) but the act and read as older. It felt like this book could have just as easily been set within an NFL team and the characters would have fit better.
- Cute romance - the fake dating and third act conflict go as you would expect and the end is cheesy but it felt accurate to the characters and nicely done. You know what you're getting with this book and enjoy getting there. Personally, I'd have preferred it without the third act (view spoiler) conflict, but that's my view most of the time with these things.
- Good chemistry between Clay and Giana and a healthy relationship with a positive approach to and portrayal of sexuality.
- Giana is a genre-savvy reader of spicy romance books. I loved how Clay read her tabbed books to learn what she likes - great book boyfriend energy!
“Another tip you picked up from my books?”
“Those things are like a treasure map. Just follow the tabs and highlights to find the pot of gold.”
I am dead, then I died again, and I'm still dying.
Friggin CLAY. Oh my god.
Fake dating, sports romance. Probably the best fake dating book I've read.
Bookish Giana, what a delight to read about.
I honestly couldn't put the book down. I identified so much with Giana, being a book nerd, reading all of the smut, and then using it in real life. Holy hotness.
And Clay teaching her???? Holy spice.
10/10 read. Why didn't I start this sooner???
**
Re-reading this I still feel the same. Clay is a sweetie with a spicy side and he made mistakes but he got back to the right path eventually.
reread this because i missed my book boyfriend clay johnson. i thought i might like it less but i still loved it the same. i liked that there is no heart wrenching angst, just some confusion in prioritizing yourself or your parent.
the scene where zeke, riley and holden confront clay, letting him know that parent is supposed to care for the child hit me real hard. thank you kandi steiner for this beautiful piece of work. especially clay <3
I always underestimate how much I'm going to love a book by Kandi Steiner until I start reading a new one and go “oh, yes, why did I think this wasn't going to blow me away?”
Blind Side is set in the same world as Fair Catch but is a standalone. You do not need to read Fair Catch to read Blind Side, but it enhances your reading experience for sure!
Clay Johnson is the hottest football safety. His highschool girlfriend just moved across the country to....break up with him? Being lost, he turns to Giana Jones, PR coordinator for the team, to pretend to be his girlfriend to make her jealous. But what's in it for Giana? Well, she has her eye on a certain guitar playing singer who plays at coffee shops and bars around campus. Clay will help her be noticed, and Giana will help make Clay's ex jealous. Sounds simple right?
Well of course, nothing is simple. From first kisses, to movie nights watching documentaries on the ocean, to checking out the night sky, these two end up falling in love.
Giana is the best. She finds her voice through the book and I loved seeing her have more confidence in who she is by the end.
Clay is just a wonderful, sweet guy. He truly just wants the best for those around him, even if it means he hurts in the process.
Definitely put this one on your TBR if you haven't yet! It's so good!