3.5 Cocktails

Cute story. I liked Seth and Carrie, enjoying how their relationship developed. I just wish there had been more development. It felt like we skipped chunks of time that made it a little hard to see the progression in their relationship.

While I did enjoy the story and the characters, I felt like Maddie needed a big kick in the butt. She was way out of line and Seth should have explained things to her sooner and better. I didn't like the quick way the author took care of her mother situation. It didn't make a pot of sense. Other than that it was a good book I wouldn't mind reading again and also reading about more characters.

As I sat her mulling over this story and what I wanted to say, I like it less and less. Don't get me wrong, the blurb sounded great and it definitely drew me in, but unfortunately the story just didn't live up to what was offered.

I really don't know what it was specifically, but I will try to voice what I am feeling. I do know for sure the third person point of view had an impact for me. It really didn't work. I also am a fan of single dad's with a nanny coming to their rescue, but I really felt no chemistry between them. There was no build up, nothing dangling in front of me that I wanted to catch. I had no excitement in reading about this couple. I also like a fair amount on the taboo side- bosses, best friend's brother, best friend-you get the picture, but this all seemed forced. The conversation wasn't sexy, it just felt, weird. Almost awkward-it left me feeling puzzled, weird, insert your adjective here!

I also felt everything to be just so-so. Not much of drama or angst either. I am not a fan of super angsty books, but I felt no racing towards a finish line here and there needed to be. On a positive note, the cover is just scrumptious! Those abs are to die for!!

Overall the story wasn't necessarily bad, it just didn't work for me. I read a lot of books and there are the ones that you just can't read it quick enough. That was missing. You may have a different viewpoint if you give this read a try.
reviewed by Deb

Carrie stops off at the grocery store to pick up some things, forgets her wallet and meets a handsome football player whom she helps buy feminine products for his teenage daughter. Then, they start texting one another. What neither of them realize is that Carrie is soon to become his daughter's nanny. This was a cute story. The characters had great chemistry.

If you think I picked this book up because of that abs-alicious cover - well, okay yeah. You're right. But also: football. Also, also: Single dad + nanny. This set-up had a lot of things going for it. Basically, all of my favorite things wrapped up in a (hot damn) pretty package.

For me? There was no false advertising here. Liz Lincoln is a new to me author, so I didn't really know what I was going to get beyond what the cover and blurb promised, and I was so pleasantly surprised by how easily I was sucked into this story and how engaging the writing was. I basically gobbled this book up, you guys. It was such an easy read - the overall feeling was light, fun, and sexy, but it also touches on some more emotional issues (and at least one point resonated with me strongly enough to bring tears to my eyes).

I totally bought into Seth and Carrie's chemistry. I basically fell in love with them from their fun and unique meet-cute, and then stayed on board while their physical attraction steamed up my kindle, and their emotional connection filled up my heart.

This story didn't exactly play out the way I expected it to, but I loved all the ways it surprised me. From the refreshing and original take on the nanny/single dad storyline, to the nerdy/STEM heroine, to the sweet relationship that developed between Carrie and Madison. And, o course there's not really anything sexier than a devoted single dad (except maybe a devoted single professional football player dad. Right? Yeah. That. *fans self*).

I did feel like things got rushed toward the end and I wasn't crazy the way the conflict played out. It resolved quickly and a smidge too neatly, and yet not quite completely. That is, not all hanging threads were resolved and I would have maybe liked a little more time in the aftermath of the conflict. I invested pretty heavily in all three of these main characters, and felt a little bit like I wanted more from them once the conflict was resolved.

That said, I did thoroughly enjoy this story. I'm so glad I heeded the call of this positively lickable cover, and will definitely be back for more! ~ 4 "Iron Thor" Stars

unfortunately, this book did not work for me. Thank you for the opportunity.

The first third of this book was great. It was cute and funny and engaging. However it quickly went downhill. Repetitive and trite.

I went into reading On the Line thinking that it would be a great romance. And it was, for the first chapter. After that, the book bored me. I struggled to finish reading it. There was no zing with the main characters. To me, that is the most important part of a romance novel. The characters have to have a least some attraction to each other. Also, I like it when there are no dropped storylines. I can understand, and deal with, one dropped storyline. Things happen. But when there are more than one, then I start to get frustrated.

Carrie drove me bat-poop crazy during the entire book. She collected more drama than a drama llama. First, she got fired from her job as a science teacher. Then her landlord is selling her apartment. Next, she cannot find a job. She keeps putting off the nanny job that her well-meaning friend keeps offering her. I was irritated with her then. But when she started working for Seth, my irritation levels went through the roof. She should have listened to her BFF or wised up sooner in the book. I did like some parts of Carrie. I like that she dressed up for LARP at Comic Cons.

I liked Seth. If Carrie was a drama llama, Seth was the exact opposite. He was a single parent trying to raise a 13-year-old girl alone. That alone bumped him up in my eyes. Then he met Carrie and I thought to myself “Did you lose your ever-loving mind?” For some, strange, unknown reason, he wanted her. He did try to keep her at arm’s length until the middle of the book. Then it was like he said “Eff this” and started banging her. Still, he didn’t go down in my eyes.

Maddy, Seth’s daughter, deserves a mention here too. I alternately felt bad for her and thought she was a spoiled brat. I felt bad for her because she wanted to know about her mother. Any questions she had, Seth refused to answer. No wonder she started to look for her herself. She did have a connection with Carrie but it didn’t stop her from having a fit when she found out about Carrie and Seth. The total 180 that she did on that subject made my head spin.

I felt that there was a lack of chemistry between Carrie and Seth. Everything seemed forced up to sex. It made me sad because the sex scenes were actually pretty hot. I couldn’t get into them.

I had an issue with the dropped storylines in On the Line. There were a few. Carrie’s brother and his connection to Seth. Carrie’s last job. Seth being unsatisfied in his career. I felt that the book could have been so much better if those had been resolved. Because, to be honest, it made the book very hard to read. I feel that those storylines could have helped flush out the plot and the characters.

The end of On the Line was a very typical romance novel ending. The plotlines were brought together and ended in a way that should have satisfied me as a reader. But with the way I felt about Carrie and the lack of chemistry between Carrie and Seth, I kind of groaned.

Now saying all this about On the Line, I am looking forward to reading book 2.

What I liked about On the Line:

A) Carrie LARP’d. I don’t think I have ever read a romance novel where the main character LARP’d. Very refreshing.

B) Carrie’s education background. Came in handy several times in the book.

C) Seth’s dedication to his daughter

What I disliked about On the Line:

A) The book bored me.

B) Lack of chemistry between Carrie and Seth

C) Too many dropped storylines

I would give On the Line a rating of Adult. There are language, mild violence, and explicit sexual situations.

There are no trigger warnings in On the Line.

I would not recommend this book to family and friends. I would not reread On the Line but I would be open to reading other books by the author. I would also be open to continuing the series.

I would like to thank Loveswept, Random House Publishing Group, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review On the Line.

All opinions stated in this review of On the Line are mine.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

This book started off so strong with me. I loved how it started! It was funny! I loved all the back and forth texting! I even loved how they were both surprised when they unexpectedly meet each other again.

But as I read on... it really started to get to me.

All the dancing around of should they or shouldn’t they took a toll on me. They would mess around and then immediately right after say they can’t do it again. They would spend days after obsessing about each other. Thinking about each other sexually.
It was seriously killing the mood with me.

When they did finally get together they had to keep it a secret. I was ok with that in the beginning. But... Seth’s daughter really made it hard for me. I totally understand putting your kids first. But... I just didn’t like how his daughter acted!

Overall this was an ok read for me.

I really enjoyed this story and would have given it more stars if it wasn't for the end of the book. But before we get there I'll talk about what I did like.

I liked that Carrie and Seth met and were flirting with each other before she interviewed to be his nanny. It put an interesting twist on the nanny falling in love with her sport star boss. I liked that Mads was older and that she and Carrie had a lot in common. I enjoyed reading the chapters with just the two of them just as much as I did the chapters with Carrie and Seth.

And this is perhaps why the end of the book was such a let down for me. I didn't feel there was any real closure between Mads and Carrie. I felt we needed a chapter with just the two of them following the last chapter of this book. I also would have loved to have an epilogue going a little further into the future to see how they made things work. There were too many unanswered questions in this book for me.

As I sat her mulling over this story and what I wanted to say, I like it less and less. Don't get me wrong, the blurb sounded great and it definitely drew me in, but unfortunately the story just didn't live up to what was offered.

I really don't know what it was specifically, but I will try to voice what I am feeling. I do know for sure the third person point of view had an impact for me. It really didn't work. I also am a fan of single dad's with a nanny coming to their rescue, but I really felt no chemistry between them. There was no build up, nothing dangling in front of me that I wanted to catch. I had no excitement in reading about this couple. I also like a fair amount on the taboo side- bosses, best friend's brother, best friend-you get the picture, but this all seemed forced. The conversation wasn't sexy, it just felt, weird. Almost awkward-it left me feeling puzzled, weird, insert your adjective here!

I also felt everything to be just so-so. Not much of drama or angst either. I am not a fan of super angsty books, but I felt no racing towards a finish line here and there needed to be. On a positive note, the cover is just scrumptious! Those abs are to die for!!

Overall the story wasn't necessarily bad, it just didn't work for me. I read a lot of books and there are the ones that you just can't read it quick enough. That was missing. You may have a different viewpoint if you give this read a try.

Carrie Heron, an unemployed science teacher meets Seth, a Milwaukee Dragon football player, in line at the grocery store and soon finds herself nanny to his 12 year-old daughter, Mads. The sparks fly, the thoughts sizzle and Carrie and Seth find it harder and harder to resist each other. Combine this with Carrie and Mads' love of comic books and you have a delightful and sexy tale.

This was a fun read about a Teacher turned Nanny for a Football player who happens to be friends with said Teacher/Nanny's brother. But they've never met and only heard about each other over the years from the brother. So what happens prior to her getting the Nanny job, that they ironically meet up and start sexting?... Now throw in the daughter of the football player. This is a great read and cannot wait to read more about the other characters in this series.

Carrie Herron just met the most gorgeous man in the grocery line, right when she realized she didn’t have her wallet with her, and said hunk paid for her groceries. Then she notices that he is buying feminine products, which means he probably has a wife or girlfriend. As they leave the grocery store he asks her advice on his purchase. Seth admits he’s purchasing the products for his 13 year old daughter so Carrie takes him back inside directing him to what he needs to purchase for someone who got her period. After exchanging phone numbers, Carrie hopes she will see him soon. When Carrie lands a job with the newest player of the Milwaukee Dragons, as a live-in nanny, the last person she expected to see was Seth, the guy she’s been exchanging naughty texts with. She needs this job, so they agree that nothing can happen between them now that she will be the nanny to his daughter.
Seth is in deep. How can he resist the new nanny. All he can think about is taking Carrie to bed. Seth can’t fire her since his daughter loves her and he needs her happiness more than anything, but is it possible to also have Carrie in his life. Can he put everything on the line.
This was such a great story with a lot of sexiness included.

After getting traded from Houston to Milwaukee, Seth’s having a tough time keeping his head in the game, let alone setting up his daughter in a brand-new city. So if the only nanny his daughter will tolerate while he’s on the road is the gorgeous, cosplay-loving redhead he’s had his eye on, well, so be it. Surely he can resist Carrie until football season is over. But with her knowing glances and kissable lips driving him wild, Seth must decide whether he’s ready to put everything on the line….Carrie and Seth meet in a grocery line. While helping each other at the store, sparks start immediately. Carrie doesn’t realize that he is the new linebacker for the Milwaukee Dragons as she is sexting and talking to him late at night. When she goes to interview for a nanny position, she is surprised to find it’s for Seth’s daughter. I was given a copy of this book from the publisher through Net Gallery. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. This is a very steamy book. Though I prefer not seeing beyond the bedroom door, overall I liked this book. Though I will warn you there is a lot of sexual talk, thought, and self-gratification. I found myself skimming over those parts. What I did like were the characters: Seth, Carrie, and Maddie. I also like the work that NFL players did off the field.

Carrie is a recently unemployed middle school, science teacher. Seth is a defensive lineman for the Milwaukee Dragons football team and a single dad of a teenage daughter, Madison. Seth was just recently traded and had to move away from his family who usually helped him out with Madison.

The initial meeting between Carrie Heron and Seth Chamberlain was priceless. Such a funny, laugh out loud meeting. While in the grocery store, the chemistry between these two is just off the charts.
They exchange phone numbers in case Seth has more questions regarding his daughter and this starts their fun texting back and forth. Having been a single dad most of his daughter's life, Seth generally doesn't bring woman around, but something about Carrie has Seth wanted to have an actual relationship.

Carrie's brother, Jason works for the Milwaukee Dragons and he knows of a nanny job that is looking for someone to live at the football player's house and take care of his teenage daughter. Unable to find a teaching job, Carrie decides to apply for the nanny job. Imagine her surprise when the football player is Seth! Knowing they both need the help of the other, Carrie and Seth decide they cannot pursue any type of relationship except an employer/employee one. That is when the fun begins! These two have a very hard time keeping things platonic between them. It was fun watching the build up between these two.

I loved how Carrie got along so well with Madison. They had so many fun things in common together and it was a great addition to the overall story. I really enjoyed the road Carrie and Seth went on to get to their happy ending. This was a fun, sexy story that I would highly recommend.

When Carrie Herron bumps into a sexy, single dad in the grocery store and he comes to her aid, and then moments later she has the chance to reciprocate she thinks she has hit the dating jackpot, so she gives him her number and crosses her fingers he'll call. But her excitement about a possible date deflates rather quickly when she finds out she is being kicked out of her home, due to it being sold, now not only is she out of job, but a home too. So, she turns to her brother in hopes he can give her a temporary landing spot, and he offers her a deal she just can't pass up... his buddy needs a live-in nanny as soon as possible. It seems like it's the answers to all her prayers, until she shows up on their doorstep!

Seth Chamberlain has just been transferred to Milwaukee, and hasn't had much time to find someone to look after his daughter while he is on the road during football season, he has always depended on his family before now, but their miles away and of no help now. So, he turns to his old college buddy in hopes that he might know someone trustworthy and reliable, and it just so happens he has the perfect person for the job, his sister. Seth doesn't remember much about her, but the moment she shows up on his doorstep he has a dire need to get to know every inch of her... but mixing business with pleasure would be wrong on so many levels!

This first time read had me had me nodding in agreeance a time or two, giggling a time or two, and swooning a whole heck of a lot!!! I thoroughly enjoyed diving between the pages of this one, I am a sports romance fanatic so it spoke to me on that level, I have a spirited tween daughter so it resonated a little there too, and of course the hunky football star in the story had me thinking of my favorite player in Wisconsin.... so that alone is a win in my book! Not to mention it put a good squeeze on my heart and stirred up some feels, there was just so much to like about this one, the characters were unique and hard no to love, and the story line was well crafted. I highly recommend you take a chance on this one, Seth is sure to have you blushing throughout!!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, via Netgalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed.

This is the first book I have read by Liz Lincoln and I really enjoyed it. It is a charming, fun and flirty, sports romance with a mixture of sweetness, sexiness and laughter. I liked the two main characters and found it easy to relate to them. They are both good, genuine people and they have a lot of sexual chemistry.

Seth, a football player, moves to Milwaukee when he starts playing for the Milwaukee Dragons. He is devoted to his twelve year old daughter, Maddy and is looking for a nanny. He wants to do the best he can for Maddy and he is willing to give up anything for her. Seth he is a great dad and a wonderful guy. Maddy is the most important thing to him and I respect him for that. Even though Seth loves football, it comes second to Maddy.

Carrie is a geek. She is a laid off seventh grade science teacher looking for a job. Since she has no other offers, Carrie agrees to take the job as nanny to Seth’s daughter, Maddy. Carrie immediately hits it off with Maddy and they share a lot of the same interests. Carrie finds herself attracted to Seth’s big muscles and great body. She has to figure out how to adjust from teacher to nanny and also how to stay away from her employer. Carrie has never been a football fan but she loves to watch Seth play.

Seth and Carrie have a lot of fun together and they are always bantering back and forth. They try to stay away from each other but their strong attraction and close contact make it difficult. I love the way Seth treats Carrie and how much he loves his daughter. I thoroughly enjoyed this heartfelt story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was a story that grabbed my attention right away and kept me focused on reading onward. I loved the characters in this book! I would love to read more books by Liz Lincoln!

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. All the thoughts and comments are mine!

This was supposed to be a cute story but it turned out to be kind of average. Okay, the initial attraction "meet cute" at the grocery store and the subsequent sexting was cute but then the following chapters of Carrie and Seth resisting each other was not fun. I totally understand why they have to do it, boss-employee thing, what with Carrie being Seth's daughter's nanny. Both Seth and Carrie were great. Seth is a great father and a dedicated athlete. He wants to do the right thing for his daughter and perform the best he can as an athlete. Carrie is sweet too. Out of work as a science school teacher, she's forced to take the nanny job to make ends meet. Both Seth and Carrie have an insane attraction to each other going on. I get the reluctance to cross the lines but man, I wanted them to. There's a lot of teasing and self-gratification going on which was quite sexy but honestly, I was a bit bored with the pacing of the story and how it was unfolding. I kept thinking that this story was not captivating me and making me want to turn the pages as fast as I could to get to what happens next. By 30% I was actively skimming it to see if they ever fall into each others' arms. Not yet! I wanted this story to excite me a lot more than it did. And the sports aspect of it kind of didn't interest me. Now, granted I don't know much about the sport but I know enough about American football to know what a linebacker is. I thought I'd be more engaged learning a bit about the sport or be entertained by that aspect of it, but sadly, I felt about the sports part of the story much the same way I felt about watching it on TV. Kinda bored. That really sucks and I feel kinda bad about it. Maybe I just need to lay off sports romances? Overall though, the whole story seemed to lack spirit to me. I had such high hopes.