Wow, our heroine, Elara, did not make a good first impression with me, nor, did she make a good second impression. I understood the frustration behind her outburst toward our Hero, Tanner, but it was so over-the-top and inappropriate that I'm surprised Tanner bothered to give her the time of day. I loved how he broke through her tough exterior to find the vulnerable and feminine side of Elara because they make one heck of a power couple.
On a somewhat tangent note, I don't normally think too much about the cover models on the book, but it did kind of bug me that the guy on the cover did not match the description of Tanner at all.
There were a few loose ends that I had hoped would be resolved in the Epilogue, namely about her ex, but the Epilogue fell flat for me too.

Elara, former WNBA player, works hard trying to make the lives of at-risk teens better. After her career as a WNBA player is sidelined due to a knee injury, Elara invests her money into a rec center. Her money, combined with community donations, enables her to provide kids with a safe place to come for a meal, help with homework, and various other special interest classes. Elara is hands on, often playing a game of basketball with the kids. When funding that was promised to her rec center goes to another organization instead of her rec center, Elara is LIVID!

Tanner, a pro football player, is unlike most players in the league. Tanner was raised to value the importance of giving back and helping others. When Tanner is confronted, in the locker room, by Elara with claims of "taking" the donation that was supposed to help her organization, he's astonished. He was aware he received a hefty donation, but had no idea it was meant to go elsewhere. Tanner's is also floored as he's never had someone, especially a beautiful woman, confront or challenge him. He's so intrigued, he vows to find out more about this woman....

Tanner and Elara both come from tragic backgrounds. While Tanner believes in a supportive family unit, Elara's family often voiced disapproval in her chosen career as it was not "girlie" enough. Getting past Elara's fears is Tanner's greatest challenge. After making a mistake on one of the most important nights of Elara's life, Tanner may not be able to salvage his relationship with Elara.

I LOVED Tanner's sense of family and giving back to others. You don't typically get to enjoy a storyline where an athlete has a sense of what's important in life--family and helping others. I applaud the author for that. I also LOVED that the heroine was a pro athlete. Elara showed love and respect to her kids at the rec center. She reinforced that each child mattered and could make the world a better place through hard work, good decisions, and an education. Such an important message! I was a little disappointed that such a strongly portrayed woman didn't deal with her ex sooner. I felt this was inconsistent with her character. Other than that, a great story. I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

3.5 stars

I'm a fan of strong, feisty heroines and make no mistake Elara is both. I really liked the premise of this story but I loved the strength of Elara more. Her struggle is real and I hoped for more closure on that part. But not everything fits in a book...

This sweet, insta-connection romance is all kinds of fun. Fun on the court, fun in a gazebo, and fun in the best ways possible.

This is a great book. The woman is so much of the story. She has tried hard to keep her afterschool program working and trying to expand it to cover even more of the communities needs. But after a charity of a football player, gets the grant shes been after she gets up in his face. He should be pissed but he is intrigued enough to go and check out what she's doing. Of course, sparks fly but she never plays the little woman she holds her own in every situation and that makes this a great read. Have some fun and of course a sexy and sensual story. I mean football players need I say more.

I love loved Tanner and Elara!!! Elara is retired from pro basketball because of an injury and now runs a rec center for kids to help them feel wanted loved and for their dreams to happen. Tanner is a football player who is hot and sweet and protective!!! He has one look at Elara and there is just something about her that he wants to know more. Then the next thing he knows he is in a towel In his locker room having his ass handed to him by Elara and if it does anything but turn him on! Elara never being able to trust and an ex that was horrible that she needs to be In control and Tanner needing to protect all that is his! Will they be able to make it or will their past hurts tear them apart! I do have to admit I love when Tanner beat the crap out of Jeremy. Book given to me by author on netgalley.

3.5 stars--ROUGH AND READY is the third instalment in Tracy Wolff’s contemporary, adult LIGHTNING romance series focusing on the members of the professional football team the San Diego Lightning. This is former WNBA star Elara Vance, and football player Tanner Green’s story line. ROUGH AND READY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Tanner and Elara) ROUGH AND READY follows the building relationship between This is former WNBA star Elara Vance, and football player Tanner Green. Elara’s introduction to Tanner Green is all about the fire and tenacity of a woman scorned. Hoping to be the recipient of a large donation to her children’s youth centre, Elara sees red when all of the money is allocated and given to professional football player, and San Diego Lightning team member Tanner Green’s football foundation leaving Elara’s youth centre scrambling for funds. A locker room meltdown, a quick game of pick-me-up, and an explanation about the how and why finds Elara and Tanner fast becoming friends, that quickly turns into something else. What ensues is the building love and relationship between Tanner and Elara, and the potential fall out as Elara’s past becomes the elephant in the room that continues to pick at Tanner’s over-protective heart.

Elara Vance knows success but success that has come at a cost. From the loss of familiar support, to the dark secrets of her past, Elara comes across as a powerful feminist, a ball-buster that pushes at the fringes of psychotic b*tch. Elara is a prickly heroine whose confrontational attitude was irritating and made enjoyment difficult in the early chapters. Tanner Green is a successful and well respected professional player but he too, keeps secret, a past mired in heart break and loss. Meeting Elara Vance stirs something inside Tanner Green, long thought dead by our story line hero, something that has Tanner hoping for a happily ever after.

The relationship between Tanner and Elara begins acrimoniously when Elara verbally berates and attacks our story line hero. Believing Tanner was responsible for the loss of her funding, Elara becomes the aggressor in an effort to release her pent up anger, aggression that comes across impulsive and wrong. Throughout the story a softer but damaged side of Elara is revealed, a side she has kept hidden for close to four years. The $ex scenes are passionate and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful and strong secondary and supporting characters include quarterback Hunter Browning and his wife Emerson (Down and Dirty #1), and Shawn and Sage Wilson (Hot and Heavy #2); Tanner’s sister Tina, as well as a number of boys and girls, and staff members at Rebound, the centre run by Elara Vance.

ROUGH AND READY is a spirited story line. The premise is entertaining, engrossing and stimulating; the characters are confident and animated; the romance is impassioned and seductive.

I did have an issue with the book cover. Throughout the book Elara mentions Tanner’s ‘dreads’ a number of times, yet the cover model is bald, with a completely shaven head. I wish the publishers would realize that readers take the covers seriously, oft times comparing the image to the story line description.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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I received a ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sparks fly between a football pro and an ex-WNBA player. But he needs to prove that he’s more than a sports hero if he wants her.


I liked the story and typically love sports romances, but a few problems kept me from loving it.

Loved the characters in this book, they're both famous and wealthy (he more than her), but they put everyone else first. I quickly began enthralled with this fast-paced love story with such great lead characters that it was hard to put down.

I’ve read quite a few of this authors books, including the Lightening series so far, and I really loved this book. Tanner Green is the superstar of the Offensive Line for the Lightening, and he’s not your typical arrogant football star, he’s down to earth, very supportive and giving and has raised his sisters since his mom passed away. Elara Vance is a retired Woman’s basketball super star who waltzes into the Lightening locker room to give Tanner a piece of her mind after the funding for her rec center is all by ripped out from under her, and Tanner was the recipient! I laughed out loud in several parts of this book, plus, given Tanner is such a gentleman, Ithere are definite swoon worthy moments in this book that makes you wish there was really a Tanner Green out there! Lots of great reading in this book, definitely worth the read !

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.

A sports romance with a little bit of insta-love thrown in. Insta-love isn't really always my jam, but this was believable despite the accelerated timeline. And frankly, this wasn't the "sportiest" of sports romance either - so if that's not your favorite trope, don't let that dissuade you from reading it.

Elara was a strong female pretty amazing despite (because of?) dealing with some pretty serious baggage from not only her family, but an douchewaffle ex-boyfriend. Tanner was downright swoony and it was a pleasure to read a sports romance where the hero is not only NOT a current manwhore but doesn't even have a history of acting like one.

I've really been enjoying this series and I'm looking forward to seeing if we get any more books in the series.

Rough & Ready
By: Tracy Wolff

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Perfect lesson on not prejudgment!!!!

Wow this book took off with a screaming one sided match. Tanner and Elara have a rough beginning but Tanner is going to show Elara that all Ballers aren’t the same. I personally liked Tanner from the start but getting to know Elara and what makes her tick was also worth every page I read.

I am huge fan of this author. She writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some are quick witted story lines that are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.

Authors Blurb: Tanner: I may be a baller, but I’ve always tried to do the right thing. Maybe it’s because I’ve been in charge of my four younger sisters for half my life, or because I understand how important it is to be a role model—something I learned from my grandfather, a Southern Baptist preacher who marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. Either way, my pro football career makes it easier to give back, so when a local rec center needs help, I do my best to even the playing field. And not just because Elara Vance, the smoking hot ex-WNBA player who runs the place, has me looking to score off the field.
 
Elara: Before I got sidelined by an injury, my time on the court taught me that pro athletes are all flash and no substance. Sure, Tanner Green talks a good game and wields a big checkbook, but I’m not buying the whole good guy routine. Still, it’s hard to miss all the good he’s doing for my rec center and even harder to ignore the way one look from him makes me tremble in all the best ways. I just wish I knew if he’s for real. Something tells me a little one-on-one might be the only way to find out. . . .

I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engrossed throughout. I really loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. This is a fun, hot, romantic must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to
This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

Another San Diego Lightning football player bites the dust. But in a good way. Tanner is smitten with the ex WNBA player, Elara, who is as fiesta as she is sexy. I loved how their story played out. I love this series. Tracy Wolff writes sexy, touching romances. Fantastic!

A new and different take on the genre! Two pro athletes with their own agendas! Elara is a former WNBA running a local community center for at risk youth. She used her earnings to get it going but now she needs more $$ to keep it running and build it better. Her family doesn’t really support her so getting grants is her primary option and when Tanner Green takes that from her, she’s hopping mad!

He’s usually a good guy taking care of people he loves. And this woman is so far off base that he can’t understand why. Once he finds out what’s behind her anger, he works with his team to help her out and in the process, he falls in love with her.

That challenge is one he is willing to meet and beat! Great sports story with a woman athlete!

I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest and unbiased review. Not compensation was promised or received for this review.

I'm quickly becoming a fan of Tracy Wolff. I'm enjoying her banter between the men in her story and the women. These are not meek men and the women in her stories can stand on their own...no white knight needed. This is another of those tales.

Tanner is awesome, raising his sisters, pro-baller. When one of the trainers brings up a woman to meet him, he's happy and noticed her in the stands. However, when she goes into the locker room and berates him in front of his friends, he is not only totally surprised as he has no idea what she is talking about, he's also intrigued because she's a beautiful woman.

Elana, former WNBA, has staked everything she has helping children in a low income area. When her well thought out financing plans are ruined by inadvertently by Tanner, she just had to give him a piece of her mind. Seeing these two mix it up both on and off the court, I loved it.

Thank you again, Tracy!

This is a new-to-me author that drew me in because of my love of sports romance.. Since I haven't read any of the prior books in the series, I may have lost a valuable connection to Tanner that I never achieved. He was portrayed as a protector and I felt that, but at times it was too much and at others not enough. Which I think made him come across as human, which is good. I thought Elara's character was put together well with being a strong woman and wanting to take care of herself. So I liked the character portrayal, but the story went a little fast for me. The time period that elapsed during their relationship on the page was very short and I felt I needed more to believe their motivations and actions. I also had trouble with the lack of closure on the serious issue that was central in the plot. All in all, I liked the story but a few problems kept me from loving it. Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC.

Elara’s rec center for children is in need of money and when the money she was promised is taken away and given to Tanner’s charity, she loses it. In the football locker room, in front of his teammates, while he’s wet and wearing a towel. When he shows up a few days later, her kids go crazy and she is forced to face the fact that perhaps she was mad at the wrong person. Because, although she knows better, Tanner appears to be one of the nice guys. But can she trust that what he shows the world is the real him?

Tanner notices Elara while leaving the field after practice. He makes a plan to learn who she is but is shocked when the woman comes barging in while he and the team are changing. He doesn’t have a clue what she’s talking about but dang the woman is hot even while spewing all her anger at him. Seeing her in her element at the recreation center shines a light on the strong independent woman that only pulls him to her more. Now he’s finally got a chance and all he has to do is allow her to control her life, including dealing with her past.

I really enjoyed this story although I’m not a big fan of heroines who are ball busters, which Elara most certainly was. However, her character never fit into the mold that those around her tried to put her in, so I tried to understood why she was that way but I still had a hard time connecting with her. On the other hand, I love a hero who goes full throttle into protective mode over his woman, and that was exactly who Tanner was. He was also genuinely sweet and caring and he never thought of himself first but the ones he loved. Totally swoon worthy!

This is a fast paced read with plenty of chemistry and heat as well as some strong support from secondary characters as well as some heart clinching moments in regards to Elara’s “kids”. I would have liked to have had a further into the future epilogue that also covered them as well as the center because I had grown to care about them as much as Elara, but what we were given was okay.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Random House Loveswept. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Elara and Tanner make the perfect couple!

Retired San Diego Phantoms basketball player Elara Vance is angry at football player Tanner Green because his charity got the donation that she needed to expand programs at the rec center she founded. Tanner decided to check out her rec center and actually talk to her instead of having her yell at him. Tanner wanted to take care of everybody and Elara didn’t want him to because she was used to taking care of herself. Tanner raised his sisters after the death of his mother and would do anything for them. Elara’s family didn’t understand her at all because she played basketball and wasn’t what they expected.

I love Rough & Ready since Tanner was introduced in Down & Dirty which is the first book in the series and I wanted to learn more about him but he needed someone that would support him and not just let him take care of them.

Down & Dirty us the third book in the Lightning series and it is definitely worth reading all of them.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating 4/5

I'm not that big of sports romances - the most I connect with are football romances but that's because they're more popular. So this was an easy choice for me because of that, plus a bonus was that it was my introduction to this author. I was very surprised with this! The pasts of each character are so thoughtfully crafted and deep that you can't help but empathize with them! The title definitely matches their pasts and the journey they take to overcome that and fight for their love. Great story and perfect ending to it all!

Elara Vance is an independent in your face kind of woman. She fights for what she wants. What she fights the most for is her rec center that gives kids in the neighborhood a safe place to be.
Tanner Green is an offensive lineman on a football team. He is an over-protective big brothers to 4 sisters, whom he is raising. That over-protectiveness does not stop there, it also includes the other people in his life that he cares about. When these two meet, it's explosive. She is in his face giving him grief and he has relied on his good looks and football status to get what he wants. Only she is not impressed. It is so much fun watching him get shot down and yet he digs in. He is determined to win her over.

Great book that I loved immediately. Love that the heroine has major attitude and balls!! Thoroughly enjoyed this book!