It was fun and quick read for me. The characters were amazing and even were penned down perfectly by the author. The pace was well maintained throughout the whole book this making it more enjoyable. It held in my attention till the end of the book.

I felt my heartstrings start pulling from the beginning. Single mom trying to do the best she can for her child in an absolutely heartbreaking situation. Enter the once beloved Quarter Back trying to find his way back to the field after a misunderstanding that took him out of the game for years. Each has something to offer to help the other, but can they trust each other?

There is a theme of trusting God to send you on the right path and building a strong community that you can turn to in times of need.
Where I felt a disconnect was halfway through the book, the spice became extremely heavy, which I am good with, but I felt like sex was used to solve everything. Trust issue - have sex. Miscommunication - have sex. Crying - have sex. It became too much and the original themes were lost.

I needed to complete the novel because I wanted to see the characters get their HEAs. Had I not felt that bit of connection at the beginning, I would not have finished this novel.

I am rating as a 3/5 because there are some real moments, heartfelt discussions and true issues that were brought up and I appreciated that, but it didn't carry through to the end for me.

#netgalley #loveintheredzone

I loved Trent but Sir ain’t nobody stunting you 🙄 Jade was working my nerves as well lol 😂 Omg I loved this so much , I really enjoyed this story! 🥰 ! Everything about this book was amazing! Narrators were pure perfection, made the reading experience so much better ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️! This is a must read for sure

I had extremely high hopes for this book, and at first I was all in. The introduction to Jade and Trent was so intriguing. Jade, a single mother, has fallen on hard times, and Trent, the disgraced former NFL player, is trying to find redemption easily sucks you in, but somewhere along the line, things change, and Jade’s character gets cringe-inducing. The way she was borderline sexually harassing Trent rubbed me all the wrong way. She was trying to be a vixen, but honestly, she came off desperate. Her character was manipulative and thirsty. And honestly, I couldn’t connect to them as a couple. They were both immature, and because I couldn’t connect to the love story, this book just didn’t resonate with me. However, Elyce Anthony and Winston James do a fantastic job narrating, and I would definitely listen to another book they narrate again.


Thanks NetGalley and Tantor Audio for this advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review

this story dragged out for me. i’m bummed because i love reading black stories. i think it was far too long for what it should have been.

winston james you have done it again! i could listen to him talk for days. i am never disappointed. as far as elyce anthony, i’m not thrilled with her narration. it took me out of the listening experience numerous times.

I'm not sure where to begin this review. The story follows Trent and Jade and their tumultuous relationship. Trent is an ex NFL player and Jade is a single mother who is struggling to stay afloat. There were many times I wanted to DNF this book. I stuck it out for review purposes. Both characters are so very immature, it’s hard to take them seriously. I never really felt the connection they supposedly had, other than a sexual one. The spice was good, I just didn’t like the way they both used sex to manipulate the other. Jade’s inner monologue seemed very self-aware but her actions didn’t match at all. The book was also really long. I regularly read books this long but this one felt like it was dragging. The storyline with the stripping was really unnecessary. Truly just made me want to punch Trent in the face. The way he never opened up emotionally was just so bad. There was a heavy theme of religion and it also felt strange given other things that happen in the book. Gah, I don’t know but this book just wasn’t for me. The narrators were good but it was a little hard to follow who was supposed to be speaking at times.

Trent and Jade’s story is perfect if you love: strangers to friends to lovers, single mom, forced proximity, athlete (he is an NFL player hoping to get back on a team after being in jail), spicy romance. I really enjoyed both audiobook narrators performances - they both showed the depth of their characters. Trent is Jade’s son’s football coach and when he realizes she is struggling to keep their apartment, he offers his place to them. I loved watching Trent be an example to her son. Jade works through her insecurities about herself and her blossoming relationship with Trent and he is never far away to remind her just how he cares about her and her son.

Currently still listening to this but to be honest it's very hard for me to get through just with the narrators they're not really holding my attention.

2.5 stars
Even though I tried my best, I couldn't find myself loving this book. The story felt long, flat and repetitive, and lost my interest as it progressed. There were just too many insecurities on Jade's part, which made it hard for me to connect with her character. And then there were the many unresolved issues, especially regarding Trent and his mom, which left me unsatisfied and wanting more closure.
However, one aspect of the book that stood out to me was the spiritual and religious elements. I also appreciated how Trent maintained his focus throughout the story, which added depth to his character.

I enjoyed Winston James’ narration. However I did not like Elyce Anthony’s, especially her male voice, just too pitchy .

Overall, while there were some elements I enjoyed, the book fell short for me.

Thanks to RB Media and NetGalley for the ALC!

Jade is a single mom who has fallen on hard times. Although she was raised with wealth, she is struggling with her son Kyrie. At Kyrie’s football practice one night, her car dies and she feels like she has hit rock bottom. One of the coaches of her son’s team, TB, comes to help with her car and give them a ride home. After dropping them off he notices the lights never come on in their apartment. He is worried and goes up to make sure they are ok only to discover the power was shut off. He brings them to his mansion to stay while she gets back on her feet and what follows is a love story. Jade was not aware that TB was a popular NFL quarterback. There are a few ups and downs dealing with trust and family with both of them, as Jade learns to fall into a celebrity lifestyle.

This was only the second sports romance I have listened to. Having said that, the story was a bit long for my liking.

There was a part about 1/4 of the way in where the guys are standing around conversing in ‘bro’ talk. It was completely inappropriate and not necessary for the story. It actually almost made me DNF the book. The majority of romance novels audience is women, and I just don’t want to hear that degrading, nasty talk. It really turned me off.

I was also disappointed that Kyrie’s character dropped off after moving in together. I really liked him and his interaction with TB and he just got lost about the halfway mark.

The spice level is high. Almost too high for the story. It makes it seem as if the whole premise of the relationship is only sex.

I did love the readers, most especially Winston James. I have listened to him before and his voice is just so naturally sexy and easy to listen to.

Overall, I gave 2.5 ⭐️ because for me, with the ups and downs, it just ended up being an average story that missed the mark in certain areas.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for providing me with an advanced copy to listen to.

"Love in the Red Zone" is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that explores the complexities of love, forgiveness, and personal growth. The story centers around Jade and Trent, two flawed individuals whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways.

Jade, a young mother struggling to find her footing, crosses paths with Trent, a former convict who has turned his life around and now serves as a mentor to her son. Their initial meeting is fraught with tension, as both carry the weight of their troubled pasts. Yet, despite the obstacles, a deep connection begins to form between them, marked by moments of vulnerability and shared understanding.

The author does an excellent job of developing Jade and Trent as fully realized characters with rich backstories. Their individual struggles and fears are portrayed with raw honesty, making their evolving relationship feel genuine and heartfelt. The slow burn romance between them is beautifully handled, with the tension building steadily throughout the book.

Despite this minor quibble, "Love in the Red Zone" is a compelling and uplifting read. The themes of redemption, second chances, and the power of love to heal are beautifully woven throughout the narrative. The characters are well-drawn and relatable, making the story all the more affecting.

In the end, "Love in the Red Zone" is a heartwarming tale that celebrates the messiness of human relationships and the transformative power of love. It's a book that will resonate with anyone who has ever grappled with their own flaws and doubts, reminding us that it's never too late to find love and acceptance, both for ourselves and from others.

This started out so well but dropped off at some point. Trent and Jade had understandable trust issues in the beginning. As soon as Jade moved in she went from “I don't know you, you could be a serial killer” to an aggressive vixen overnight. Next was Trent lamenting a million times how he didn’t trust her and couldn’t get into another relationship. After 38% I’m over it. The story drags on entirely too longer. Not sure why this book is so long.

As for narration, the male narrator was great. However, I can’t take the female narrator any longer. Her attempts at a male voice make me cringe and her mispronunciation of words makes my skin crawl.

I had high hopes for this one as it’s my first by this author who was highly recommended. I will try something else by her since this was evidently not the right place to start.

Thanks NetGalley and Tantor Audio for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Admittedly I’m struggling a bit with this review. This book started so good. The story and characters were intriguing and I was motivated to move forward. As it progressed, I liked the characters less and less, so rooting for their success became harder and harder. Lots of insecurities, childish behavior, and just not being super good to each other/a bit toxic. All to kind of be brushed aside by a series of extremely steamy moments (which were sweat inducing) where a lot of pillow promises and vows are made. Overall, I just didn’t connect with the characters enough to become invested in their story. That being said, the writing was good and the narrators were fantastic.

I enjoyed the dual POV, but overall, the narration for this book wasn't great. The plot also left a lot to be desired and some of the themes/tropes weren't really for me.

When I started listening to the audiobook there was something about the it didn't like. However, I struggled to pinpoint the reason. I loved the audiobook had a male and female narrator. I don't feel that the female narrator fit Jade. In my personal opinion, her voice sometimes distracted me from the story itself. As the story progressed, it was nice seeing the characters development of Jade and Trent. Even with there was personal growth there was a disconnect between the work they did, mainly Trent, and how "healthy" their relationship appeared at the end of the story.

I begrudgingly finished this. I didn't like the narrators' voices they were too pitchy. I also felt the storyline was boring and unoriginal. All in all, didn't like it.

I checked this on Goodreads before requesting it- mainly to make sure it was not the middle of a series. I thought the blurb was interesting but I hate coming into something mid series. I saw how well it was rated (did not read reviews) and that it was book 1. Perfect. I requested it.

Fast forward to actually listening to it- I can't. I am DNFing this one. There is far too much petty drama for my liking.

I also found the male narrator to be especially cringy when reading dialogue.

Thank you for the opportunity, but I can see this one isn't for me. I am not posting a review on any sites, as I did not read far enough to assess the plot fully and I am also not the target audience.

Love in the Redzone by Love Belvin
Audio ARC from Net Galley
Overall: 3
Spice: 5
Narration: 4

Jade is a single mother struggling to make ends meet. Trent is a former NFL player trying to get back onto a team following an incarceration. They meet when Trent coaches Jade’s son’s team. Despite being super private, Trent offers to help them get on their feet and has them move into his home. Will it be game on for love between these two characters trying to rebuild their lives after difficulty?

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. As this book was published in 2015, I believe my review is focused on the narration of the audio book. I love dual narrators as this book has and both did a great job bringing the characters to life. The book itself was a bit questionable. Maybe because it is an older book some of the themes were out of date. The focus of Jade and Trent’s relationship is very traditional – breadwinner vs. homemaker and there are some conversations between Trent and his friends that reference their ownership of their women. There were times that characters would suddenly appear without being introduced such as Trent’s bodyguard and other things that were off in the book. It is not one I would recommend.

I really wanted to like this book! I really did. I loved the that this was a sports romance. I really liked the narrator’s voices. I felt like they fit the story and the characters. I just struggled with Jade and her choices. The story was long and drawn out. This one just wasn’t for me. Huge thanks to Tantor audio and Netgalley for allowing me to listen and review this book.

Honestly not in love with the voices, the plot or the writing. Took me a while to get past the bad voices and even then I still didn’t like how the story unfolded.