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Book Review: First and Forever by Lynn Painter

I am so excited to finally be able to share my thoughts on this one! I was incredibly lucky to receive an ARC from NetGalley and Berkley Publishing, so after enjoying Better Than the Movies last summer, I couldn't wait to see what Lynn Painter had in store next. This story is a sports romance (which you should know by now is one of my favorite romance tropes), and follows the electric, as well as slightly chaotic connection between a football player and a dedicated super fan. But does this whirlwind romance actually get a touch down, or was it a total fumble? Let's get into it.

Preorder First and Forever Here

Synopsis

After a disastrous (and very public) run-in with the team mascot, die-hard football fan Duffy Distefano accidentally becomes the internet's favorite bad guy. To save her reputation and the team's image, she does a live TV interview that quickly turns into a viral sparring match when the Coyotes star tight end, Connor Cunningham joins in. The public instantly becomes obsessed with their chemistry, forcing the two into a fake-dating PR stunt. But as the lines between faking and reality start to blur, Connor may come to realize that losing Duffy could be the biggest fumble of his career.

Strengths

I really ended up enjoying this one, and here's why. The witty, flirty banter between Duffy and Connor was honestly my favorite part, it just felt so effortless and fun. I also liked that there was some family drama mixed in to give the story more heart, and getting to see the relationship between Duffy's family and Connor made it even easier to understand why Duffy was falling for him. Just a heads up for my fellow romance readers: this is a closed-door romance, so there's no spice, but it still made for a super enjoyable romance with all the heart and fun I was looking for. So if you are looking for a heartwarming sports romance with lots of banter and no spice, this is definitely a great choice to pick up.

Weaknesses

As for the weaknesses, there weren't many, only a few minor things. This one was super close to being a 5-star read for me, but I just felt like I was missing a little something to give it that perfect rating. There was a bit of miscommunication between the characters, which I know is usually essential to the plot in romance stories, but still isn't my favorite thing to drive the characters apart. Even so, I really enjoyed this one and would consider it a great sports romance for closed-door readers who want something swoonworthy with all the laughs. 

Would I Recommend It?

So, would I recommend First and Forever? It's a definite yes from me! If you are looking for a closed-door romance to add to your favorites, this would be a great one to try. I think fans of Sarah Adams (especially if you loved The Cheat Sheet by her) will really enjoy this one. The banter and heart in this story made it a total touchdown for me, and I think if you are in the mood for a feel-good sports romance this would be the perfect choice. 

Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/5 stars

Spice Rating: 0/5 (this is a closed-door romance)


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