This was a great read! Sadie and Carson have a second chance at love despite the hurt between them. I loved how Sadie came to the realization that Carson was worth the chance. Her vulnerability due to her past experiences made her more real. I loved how Carson tried to keep a sterling reputation and had higher expectations for himself and his team. The steam between these two kept me turning pages. I highly recommend this story.

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

This is the start of a new series, which promises to give us so much!I really enjoy it!Carson Savage is the quarterback and captain of the Alabama Warriors!He is a good and sweet guy. Sadie is a strong and smart heroine.When Carson and Sadie are together again they realize they still have deep feelings for each other. I liked their relationship and the set up was good.The only reason it wasn't a 5 stars read is that sometimes I was feeling like something was missing but overall, it was a great read!

Reigniting an old relationship!

Carson Savage, quarterback of the Alabama Warriors is in trouble, somebody posted a picture of his butt with his very distinctive tattoo on social media. The Warriors called in an expert to help them fix the problem before is caused even more problems considering they were in the center of the Bible belt.

Sadie Reynolds was forced by her company to straighten out the social media problems even though she never wanted to return to Alabama after leaving for an Ivy League college. She had dated Carson Savage in high school and when they stopped dating the town treated her like an outcast because Carson started getting into trouble. Sadie is the exact person the team needed to change their ways and showing the players how they behave actually makes a difference in how people thought of them.

Kara Sheridan has written a fun sport romance about reigniting an old relationship because Carson and Sadie had dated a long time ago and broke up badly; they had to work through all the problems and the mean people from their hometown.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Carson and Sadie dated in high school but Sadie ended it when she was expected to give up her dreams to follow Carson and his dreams. Years later, Carson is a quarterback for his hometown NFL team. While Sadie is a media relations expert and is hired to help Carson's team clean up their public images. But when Carson and Sadie meet again, the sparks still fly and it doesn't take long for a romance to begin.

This is a cute romance story, but I found it very predictable and I just couldn't connect with the characters. Just my personal taste.

I received an ARC courtesy of Forever - Grand Central Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

3 stars

Ball Buster by Kara Sheridan was a sweet and enjoyable read.
The storyline held my interest all throughout the book and liked watching Carson and Sadie's relationship unfold.

Overall a lovely weekend read.

*Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy*

Said and Carson have a past - can they move beyond that to save both of their careers? This book has plenty of heat, but is also filled with a great deal more. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and look forward to more from Sheridan.

This is the first book (I'm assuming) in The Playbook series by this author and also my first experience reading this author's work. I must say the cover and the blurb really got my attention and the storyline and characters are good, but the book just didn't grab me and keep me engaged throughout. It's not that I didn't like it but I like a little more substance and dare I say, more angst. The author's writing flowed easily and if you're looking for a nice, quick and easy read with very little drama or conflict, this is the book for you! I would definitely recommend it in that case! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

Really cute sports romance. I enjoyed it but the end felt really rushed. Other than that, super lighthearted and sweet.

Ball Buster is book one in Kara Sheridan’s The Playbook series. I was excited to dive into this second-chance romance, although it fell a bit flat for me.

Sadie Reynolds is called to help the Alabama Warriors improve their image within the league. But this new job will bring her face-to-face with the reason she left Alabama in the first place, her ex and pro football player, Carson Savage.

This started off pretty well for me. Unlike some other reviewers, I quite enjoyed Sadie. She didn’t want to give up her dreams and stay in her small town and it meant giving up the man she loved. The fallout for her was horrendous, and my heart went out to her.

Carson, however, wasn’t my favorite for most of the book. He didn’t understand the meaning of the word, “no.” It doesn’t mean keep calling her a pet name she explicitly told you not to. It doesn’t mean holding on to her harder when she asks you not to touch her. I despise these kinds of heroes. Consent, consent, consent!

He gets better towards the end, but still…

And I have to say that there wasn’t much going on to keep my interest. There was no anticipation of a big secret or an unexpected twist. There was, however, some good relationship development and some spicy scenes so…it was a good trade off I think readers will enjoy. There simply wasn’t enough connection and chemistry to keep me invested.

3 stars!

Carson is a football player with an image problem. Sadie is a PR consultant and hired to turn things around. The trouble is these two were high school sweethearts and the fire still burns. Will they be able to build a relationship? Will the team survive another fall out if things don''t improve? Read on to get a great story with wonderful characters.

Ball Buster by Kara Sheridan is book One in The Playbook series. This is the story of Carson Savage and Sadie Reynolds.
Carson and Sadie once were in a relationship with they were younger and both had moved on. Carson became the Team Captain of The Alabama Warriors but an embarrassing photo of him is online. In addition, there are some other things about the team has put them into needing a 'makeover' of their public image.
Sadie has come into help with the makeover of the team and to help Carson. But she has plans to head back out and not stay for long...but can the feelings they are starting to feel again be enough to keep her?
Really enjoyed this book!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4 stars

The last thing Sadie wants to do is go home to Alabama and face her past. She's done an excellent job the last few years of staying far, far away. When she broke up with the hometown hero, she was basically run out of town on a rail and she hasn't looked back since. She knew what would happen if she stayed or stayed with Carson. Her dreams would have taken a backseat to his, after all, football is king, and he played as though the ball was custom made for his hand. Now she has no choice. She's getting paid mega bucks to go back there and solve the Warriors’ image problems. If she could only say no.

Carson has no idea of how Sadie was treated after they broke up. He drowned his sorrows in a bottle until it was time to leave for college and he did his best to make football his priority. He's always loved Sadie and doesn't understand why Sadie hates Alabama. When he realizes how his hometown treated her after the breakup, even he thinks love won't conquer all.

I enjoyed this book and how both Carson and Sadie had to face some harsh truths and face reality about how life really is and what is truly important.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆
This is a sweet and gritty second chance romance that I really enjoyed.

Carson Savage plays for the Alabama Warriors, a football team that currently has a terrible reputation, and when exposing photos of him are leaked to the public, he’s put on warning that his career could be on the line. Sadie works for the company that has been hired to “rebrand” the Warriors and her boss forces her into the assignment with their team even though Alabama is the last place on earth Sadie wants to return to. Especially knowing that she’ll be working with Carson, her first love and the boy whose heart she broke. When the two see each other again, the sparks are still there but Carson holds anger for Sadie leaving the way she did, but on the same note, he’s ready to pick right back up where things left off with them.

I loved Sadie’s take-no-crap attitude, she’s fierce, determined, and passionate and it made her character very loveable. The heat between Carson and Sadie is off the charts – this book has a fast pace, awesome characters, and a great storyline. I loved it!


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars rounded up because Carson really didn't deserve to be in the naughty class!

This is the start of a new series, which promises to give us plenty of sexy sports romances in the future. A team full of football players who use social media to prove their foolhardy behaviour is indeed rife. The NFL is fed up and the Alabama Warriors’ owner employs a PR company to sort out his team before they get in any more trouble.

Sadie has a past in Alabama but promised she would never go back – after all, there is no love lost for her in her nearby hometown, after she broke her high school boyfriend's heart. Now her boss has sent her to sort out the PR for the Warriors... where that one-time boyfriend plays...

Whilst her behaviour all those years ago hurt both her and Carson, it turns out that she was vilified then, and as they get a second chance, the problems start again. But this time Carson knows and is convinced that they will get the future he always wanted. His determination and the care that he displays to Sadie remind her of all the good things they once had. She has never stopped loving him, the problem is that she does not want to lose her independence. It is very sweet and romantic as they rediscover each other emotionally and physically.

Sadie's plans for the team work wonders, yet the guys are still a handful. I am guessing that some of them will get their chance at romance in future books.

Second Chances Rock!

I fell in love with Carson Savage he’s the ultimate bad boy jock only he’s not or maybe he was when in the beginning of his career he took a downwards spiral after the girl he loves left him. Now he’s a professional and obviously more mature. Except someone posted his nude buttocks on social media. And unfortunately for him he’s on the warning list. The team is judged as a whole and as a professional player he has to do everything possible to fix it.
Until he sees a face from his past Sadie Reynolds the woman responsible for everything that had gone wrong! All he wants is to have her back and he’ll grab this second chance with both hands and score a touchdown.

Sadie Reynolds had to fight for everything she wanted to achieve and being Carson’s girlfriend added strain to their relationship which unfortunately resulted in their breakup.
She became successful and life continued until she’s sent to repair the teams overall look and comes face to face with her past!

I loved this couple they were perfectly right for each other, the older and more mature version. It was emotional and poignant I loved how Carson really fought for Sadie and was willing to go to extreme lengths for her. He actually listened to her and respected her dreams and gave her a choice, which in my opinion was the ultimate as far as decisions went he aced it. This was the BOMB and I can’t wait to read about the rest of the cocky team!
I received a complimentary copy from the author through NetGalley, this is my honest unbiased opinion

A sexy new series, by Kari Sheridan, about hard-hitting pro footballers who don't play by the book, "The Playbook" series.
Meet Carson Savage and Sadie Reynolds, once high school sweethearts, now both have moved on, or have they?
The Alabama Warriors have the worst reputation in pro football, but Sadie is going to give them a makeover. Carson, as their captain has his butt on the line, in more ways than one.
I do not usually read Sports Romance but wanted to give BALL BUSTER a try, I'm definitely glad I did. From the first chapter forward, I was held captive by the characters and the storyline. Tough hitting, tough playing romance, with sexy characters and the supporting characters are great. I did have a hard time with the pull and tug between Carson and Sadie, she was a bit dramatic, to me.
Overall, the concept was an interesting one, the characters a bit too realistic, in my opinion. But all together an interesting read, I look forward to reading more of THE PLAYBOOK. If you enjoy Sports Romance, you will most likely enjoy BALL BUSTER
I received a complimentary copy, however all opinions are my own.

This book will have readers flipping the pages to find out what happens next between Carson and Sadie. It’s that fantastic of a book. You never knew what was going to happen with those two, if they where going to combust with passion or fight it to the end especially Sadie. This is a fantastic second chance Love story that this author has written beautifully and it really does pull you right into the story from the very first chapter and you will find it impossible to put down. I would definitely recommend this book to all book lovers out there

I really enjoyed this one. I thought Carson and Sadie were great together. They were high school sweethearts and neither has ever forgotten the other or gotten over what they lost. Now they have been reunited to work together to clean up the reputation of the Alabama Warriors and it's players. Carson being the captain of the team has a lot to lose if he can't make this happen. Sadie is just determined to get the job done and get out of there. Carson's all for the getting the job done part but losing Sadie again - not going to happen! Let the games begin!

This is a new author for me and one I will definitely be reading more of. I highly recommend this book.

I really liked this story, it was well written and the main characters Carson and Sadie had a really good chemistry going. Sadie is called upon to help give the Team a makeover, and she so happens to be the Team captain, Carson's ex high school sweetheart, and now the fun begins.

I received a copy and I am voluntarily leaving my own honest opinion

I loved the idea of this book (that synopsis definitely sucked me in) but unfortunately, the execution falls a little short. A good second chance romance is hard to do and while this one had all the right roots, they just never took off in the right way.

For me, this story lacked the plot and character depth I crave my from second chance romances. When it comes to second chance romances I really need to see the proof of why these two need to reunite despite everything that has torn them apart. And while these two had great physical chemistry, I wasn't sold on the emotional connection between them.

Any development in this story, whether it be character, romantic or drama, was cut short in order to watch these two spontaneously make love on whatever surface is near by. We'd finally see them start to work out their differences and problems of the past and we could lose all that progress. I'm not saying the physical aspects aren't important in their relationship--I just needed more than that to see why these two haven't been able to move on in 7 years with other people.

Even the dramatic plot, which often felt repetitive, would get little screen time in order to watch these two explore their obvious physical connection and chemistry. Add to the fact that everything fell into place a little too easily for my tastes. And because we lacked this much needed development in all fronts, I never connected to the characters like I wanted to nor did I love their romance together either as a result because I never really saw them get tested and grow.

This book was just "meh" to me. Those who like second chance sports stories that stay par for the course will likely enjoy this but for more seasoned readers who want more surprises and deeper characters will need to look elsewhere.

"Everything happened for a reason. Touchdowns and interceptions. Wins and losses. And second chances."

This was my first Kara Sheridan read. I confess, it was the cover and title that caught my attention. While I admit to struggling through the first half of the book, the last half pulled me in and ended with a touchdown.

With a title like Ball Buster I expected Sadie to be badass. And I guess she is to an extent. She has kicked ass and taken names in her chosen career, but not in her personal life. That part of herself is closed off, pining for the man that she left back in high school, not that she would admit to that. Her besties know the scoop though and point out that all the men she's dated in the last seven years bear a striking resemblance to her high school sweetheart.

Carson Savage is a hometown hero in Alabama. He can do no wrong with his friends, family, and fans. But the Alabama Warriors management don't feel the same way. Nope, they seem to think that having his fine, tattooed, and easily identifiable ass plastered over the internet and social media is a negative. That's not how they want their players to shine, they'd rather that happen on the field, not in the lockerroom shower. So, he gets called into the office and is informed that they've hired someone to help the team establish a more positive image and he needs to get on board, or he might end up off the team.

Honestly, it was the anticipation of that first meeting between the high school sweethearts that kept me turning the pages. I was expecting fireworks. I thought Sadie would have a fiery temper to match her red hair. And...I was very curious about what caused the couple to split up in the first place, anticipating a big secret and guessing what it might be. I kinda set myself up...

I'm giving Ball Buster 3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the support characters, almost more than the main characters. As this is The Playbook series, I'm sure they will get their turn to 'shine'. Hopefully, it will be in an interesting way, whether NFL approved or not. I kinda have a sneaky suspicion that Ty, the manwhore, is in even more danger of having some of his body parts leaked to the media.

The characters in this book left me underwhelmed. I never took a liking to either lead character. I didn't feel any chemistry. I hate bullying and just made me not want them to get together.