Poppy Patterson is one of the hardest-working single moms in Denver, doing everything she can to take care of her adorable son, Ace. She knows heartache and hardship, but she’s determined to give him the life and the love he deserves. Everything was going fine in their lives, until the night she runs into her ex, TK, at the strip club where she is a waitress. Seeing TK brings up all of the pain of being abandoned as a pregnant 16-year-old, but it also forces her to face the fact that the father of her child is now back in her life.

Fumbled is filled with tropes and has a little something for everyone who loves romance: sports romance, a second chance love story, and single mom to a cute kid. I enjoyed the writing and the sweetness of the storyline, plus the characters made it fun to return to the world of the Mustang WAGs. There were a couple of aspects to the story that I felt could have been fleshed out a little bit more, but overall, I enjoyed the second installment of the Playbook series.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Fumbled is a part of a football-themed series by Alexa Martin. I did not read the first book in the series and prayed I would be able to follow along. I was pleased to know that I was able to read the book without missing a beat.

Poppy Patterson is a single mom with a 9-year-old son named Ace. Poppy has been holding on to a secret about the identity of his father. Poppy bumps into TK Moore, her childhood boyfriend whom she had run away from at 16. While working as a waitress at a strip club she reconnects with TK who is a big-time football player with the Denver Mustangs. I did not have any expectations for this book. I wanted to be totally objective. I had read one of her books before and was pleasantly surprised this book was a BWWM romance. TK was super fine and super rich.

When Poopy revealed to him that she had a kid and the kid was his, I did not expect how viciously he verbally attacked her over finding out the information. Once TK had irrefutable proof that Ace was his son he did a complete 180. He and Poppy proclaimed that they still had deep feelings for each other. Ae seemed to accept the fact that his father was a famous football player with ease. Ace was calling TK, dad way too fast. I get the kid was only 9 but for those 9 years, you only knew your mom has your sole parent. I would have expected a little more weariness on his part.

The story shifted into traumatic brain injuries associated with football, CTE and how Poppy never wanted Ace to play football. TK had two concussions, the "stalker" after Poppy and TK's mother loomed in the background. I was getting whiplash trying to keep all of that together. Overall, I liked the story but I could have done without the "stalker" business. It did nothing for the story. This was not categorized as a romantic suspense so that was totally unnecessary. The best part of the story besides TK's love for Poppy was the friendships she developed when she met the wives and girlfriends of the other players. Vonnie was a hoot and I would totally read a book or two or three about her! I am not a football fan so I skimmed or skipped all the football references. Alexa Martin writes very entertaining books.

From tragedy to intimacy, from distrust to tenderness, from anger to love, Fumbled by Alexa Martin has it all. Martin is an incredibly talented writer who explores the gamut of human emotions in Fumbled while also showcasing the joy of living. Ultimately, that is what Fumbled is – joyous. Life may throw curve balls at you and you may fumble some of the catches, but positivity rises to the top — delight, pleasure, gladness, elation, that is what being alive means.

You would think that acrimony — for the hard life Poppy’s led and the years of Ace’s life that TK has missed — would ensure that any connection between them in the present would be dead in the water. But the two show themselves to be above past hurts. By focusing on their son and on their chemistry and past bond, they are able to connect with each other and see the good of the other. Love is everything, whether it is familial or spousal, and always seeing the good in the other person and caring for their wellbeing, guarantees that any exploration of a relationship comes from a place of kindness and generosity.

https://frolic.media/the-heart-of-a-story-fumbled-by-alexa-martin/

Alexa Martin’s follow-up to her debut proves she’s here to stay!

Before we go any farther, let’s link back to my review last year of Intercepted. I gave it five stars. The story won me over with the characters and their heroine, Marlee’s distinctive voice.

With Fumbled, she does it again. Enter Poppy Patterson. Yep, double P and all sorts of fabulous. She’s a single mom, who employs a swear jar at home, who likes DIY projects, and is curvy in all the right places. She also has a serious soft spot for the mother of her child; football wide receiver of the gods, TK Moore. For those who read Martin’s first book, they’ll remember TK. He was sweet and quiet, but a huge supporter of Marlee and Gavin. I know I am name dropping like crazy, even more reason you should read book one.

But, if you’d rather not, it’s okay. Fumbled stands on its own extremely well. There are plenty of new supporting characters. New football wives to know and love rivals and haters to despise, and even a foul-mouthed sports agent named Donny. Though Donny was in the first book, I’m glad he came back to be a part of the drama.

Did I mention there is a ton of drama? This is one of those stories with the secret baby trope. I am not a fan of the secret baby trope. Typically I steer far away, but in this instance everything clicked and worked. There is some intense chemistry between Poppy and TK; they crackle with life from the first page.

Other things that made this book surprisingly good: No hero POV and Poppy’s distinct voice. I really like getting into the hero’s head, but there are some spots in this book that took TK to a bit of a dark place. I was happy to stay away from the dark place and to see him through Poppy’s eyes where she could compare the TK present day to the TK she knew in high school. There’s a big difference, one that helps drive the conflict, and still keeps things from too out of hand.

Speaking of TK. Let’s talk about this football god with a man bun and more money than most can dream of. He’s super sweet, sexy, and really hit a lot of buttons. And, he never reacts the way one expects. Yep, I found myself as surprised as the heroine. He’s supportive of her rules, her parenting, and even backs her up when his mother acts the crazy harpy. There’s a lot to unravel, but if you are a fan of second chance romances, secret babies or even some Real Housewives lifestyle stuff this book is for you.

For fans of Julie Brannagh and Jaci Burton.

~ Landra

Fumbled is the second book in the Playbook series by Alexa Martin. I have not read the first book, and it is absolutely not necessary do have done so before reading this one. This was a contemporary romance that I really enjoyed.

Poppy Patterson is a single-mother to 9 yr old Ace, and his father is TK Moore, the starting wide-receiver for the Denver Mustangs. However, neither TK nor Ace know about each other, and Poppy would like to keep it that way. She ran away from TK when she was 16 and pregnant with Ace, trying to find her new normal, thinking she was doing what was best for all involved. Poppy is working at an unlikely place when TK shows back up in her life, and once he sees her he would like a second chance; however she would like him to stay away as she wants to protect her son, but eh, that doesn’t happen.

Poppy can be extremely stubborn at times, which got a tad annoying, but in the context of protecting her son it is probably to be expected. What I enjoyed the most was seeing her blossom around the wives of the other NFL players, and the relationships she cultivated with them. Also, I’m not gonna lie, the romance scenes were H-O-T hot, and I am not mad at that. This is also why I found myself wanting to slap some sense into Poppy at times, as TK sounded ridiculously handsome and why would she want to keep that at arms length? Mess.

this is a wonderful sophomore novel by Alexa Martin and I highly recommend it. I cannot wait for the next one in this series! In the meantime, I will be reading the first book.

Thank you to NetGalley for an electronic ARC of this to review. All opinions above are my own.

Alexa Martin achieves what many sports romances miss, a keen understanding of the sport and an authentic voice. It is clear from the topics she decides to include and how she chooses to tackle these issues, she has an insider’s perspective that is both educational and refreshing. With a perfect blend of humor and drama, Fumbled is a great sports romance that deserves your consideration.

Poppy Patterson has always done what it takes to make ends meet, and slinging drinks at a gentlemen’s club is currently paying the bills. Her only concern is providing for her beloved nine-year old son Ace. Poppy is stunned to see football players from the Denver Mustangs at her workplace and even more aghast at running into TK Moore, one of their hottest players and her former high school sweetheart. Poppy never thought she would lay eyes on TK again after he turned back on her when she first found out she was pregnant. She certainly didn’t anticipate that her attraction to TK never cooled or that she would have to find a way to tell him about the son he has never met. Verdict Martin (Intercepted) has a talent for creating sassy independent heroines and steamy love scenes and this second chance romance does not disappoint. The football details and CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) subplot enhance the story and can be enjoyed even by non-sports fans who may be hesitant to read sport-centered romances. Readers who enjoyed Intercepted will definitely want to read more about the love interests of the Mustangs. —Nicole J. Suarez, Frankfort P.L. District, Frankfort, IL.

soon to be published on LJ.com

I always love the secret baby trope and thought this one was done especially well. I also loved Poppy's spunk, realism, and strength. The book was sexy, but also took a hard look at football and the reality of concussions. This was my first Alexa Martin book, but it won't be my last!

I've been in the mood for some light, fun romances lately so I decided to finally pick up Fumbled. A few hours later, I was completely engrossed in the book and didn't want to put it down. While there are parts of Fumbled that made me laugh out loud, there was also a great balance with some deeper themes.

Martin does a brilliant job of creating realistic characters. Poppy was such a strong and successful single mom. However, Martin also did a great job of including the challenges that Poppy faced and didn't sugar-coat anything. Although I first saw T.K. as an entitled jock, he grew a lot throughout the story. I also liked how he showed his softer side. Plus I loved the circle of female friends that Poppy gained throughout the book! They were so supportive and all-around wonderful.

Second chance romances are always fun to read and Fumbled was no exception. I loved how Martin focused on Poppy and T.K. talking through their issues and their history. She also showed the work and trust that are necessary for a successful relationship. I loved the ending, it really was perfect for the book. I also really enjoyed the glimpse into the world of professional football players and their wives. Plus Martin included a lot about the long-term health consequences of the sport, which I found fascinating. The only thing that didn't work for me was the stalker storyline. But it wasn't a big part of the book so I didn't mind.

Overall, Fumbled was a quick, fun read with a lot more depth than I had expected. I'll definitely be picking up Blitzed when it comes out later this year!

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A tight ass NFL star. A single mom. A kid who has to be reminded to take a shower. Oh yeah and glitter. Grab your copy of FUMBLED, this one is a touchdown! I had to force myself to put the book away at 3am - Work Work Work - who needs to work?
FUMBLED is an interracial romance set in the world of the NFL. It's a true page turner from start to finish. If you are a football fan, you will love this story. Poppy is a single mom of a 9 year old - Ace. TK Moore is the hot shot wide receiver for the NFL Denver Mustangs. Poppy was the one, the only, love of his life until they went their separate ways. After almost 10 years they find each other living in the same city. But this is no longer high school.
When TK sees Poppy for the first time, he does not waste a minute telling her "I miss you" This is why I fell in love with the story. True love gets a second chance. Their chemistry is undeniable and unyielding.
The writing is very detailed with football details. There are actually chapters devoted to playing the game of football -- imagine that?! Action takes place on and off the field. TK Moore loves to love Poppy and makes no secret about who and what she means to him. He is happy to be together with her again. He is happy to introduce her to his teammates. He is happy for the world to know this is the love of his life. She slides into his lifestyle with the help of a great cast of secondary characters.
Girlfriend friendships are very postive this time around. We no longer have a group of "mean girls" throwing the word "golddigger" around. She has a great best friend Sadia, who is a tinkerbell with fairy dust. She has new friends with the wives of the Mustangs : Vonnie, Charli and Brynne from Intercepted.
I discovered Alexa Martin with her debut novel INTERCEPTED and I am totally in love with her books. Both are steamy and funny. A great read.
Mile High Kink Book Club highly recommends this romance for your carryon when you travel with your favorite team this fall.

Thank you netgalley for my free copy of Fumbled by Alexa Martin.

First, let’s talk about this cover! I am loving it so much!! Fumbled is book 2 in the Playbook series but each series is a stand alone so no worries about feeling lost.

One night working Poppy runs into TK Moore famous football wide receiver and Poppy’s first love. Now that their paths have crossed Poppy had a few secrets she needs to spill. Can TK and Poppy find a second chance for love.

I really liked this one. Reading this book made me think that I really need to seek out more romances written by women of color. I also really enjoyed that aside from the romantic relationship a focus was on creating female friendships and I’m here for it! I definitely recommend this book!

Fumbled was released on 4/23/19!

I really enjoyed INTERCEPTED, despite the incessant internal hashtagging that the main character did. There were some parts I didn’t love about that book though, so I was slightly concerned but optimistic about FUMBLED. I really had nothing to worry about though, because this book was even better than the first!

I loved TK when he made appearances in the first book so I was super excited to see that this starred him, in a second chance romance. Poppy and TK were together in high school… and TK has no idea that her nine-year old son is his. When they cross paths again at a club where Poppy works, sparks fly and she knows the truth will have to come out. I appreciated that this piece of drama was not dragged out; the honest moment happened early on instead of way-too-late like it would in most books. TK and Poppy had reasonable arguments, discussions, and conversations about everything. I loved their openness. There were actually quite a few moments where I expected there to be friction between them (about money, parenting style, etc.) that were handled perfect well and logically. It was genuinely refreshing to read in a romance novel where one person is a celebrity/athlete and the other is a normal person.

Like in INTERCEPTED, there was a slightly serious sideplot that felt like it came out of nowhere. I didn’t love those elements within both books (they really felt out of place) but it was good that they created more “outside” drama instead of just leading to the couple’s breakup or black moment. I have to admit – the ending of the story was not my favorite. I mean, I GET it for sure, but it wasn’t what I wanted for TK’s story. I’m probably just being a picky football fan, if I’m being honest, because every other thing about this romance was perfection.

Alexa Martin has an easy writing style that brings you in and makes you feel like you’re chatting with a friend. I love how quickly I can read her books and how they tend to fly by, just based on the conversational style alone. Overall, this was SUCH a great romance. I cannot wait for BLITZED next!

This book was a bit of an impulse selection -- the blurb was interesting and the cover grabbed me right away and since I love a good sports romance, I thought I'd give it a try. Alexa Martin is a new author for me and delivered a terrific story.

I'm not going to rehash the plot, the blurb takes care of that. The star of this book is Poppy Patterson. She's just terrific in so many ways, I'm not even sure I can list them. TK is terrific too -- there were so many scenes where I really felt for him. And Poppy and TK together are just amazing! I was pulling for them all the way.

Not only was the second-chance romance + secret baby story terrific, Poppy has some terrific friends and it was a pleasure to see female friendships portrayed in such a positive manner.

I just loved everything about Fumbled. Looking forward to more!

Single mother Poppy Patterson's life revolves around raising her son, Ace. Over the past decade, she has worked to build a great life for Ace and herself all on her own. One night, at the club where she works as a waitress, she runs into the last person she wants to see: TK Moore. Not only was TK the love of her young life, he also happens to be a superstar football player, adored by everyone in the city. The two must navigate a new relationship complicated by their messy past and TK's fame.

I found this book, the second in Alexa Martin's Playbook series, to be thoroughly enjoyable. It was able to quite seamlessly move between fun, sexy moments and earnest, thoughtful ones. I absolutely adored Poppy as a character -- the portrayal of her insecurities, her distrust of anything that could jeopardize the life she has provided for her son, her desire to prove how strong and independent she is is so genuine and relatable. I also loved the beautiful, supportive female friendships that were featured. As someone who is as far as possible from being a football fan, the football scenes were perfectly palatable without being bogged down with jargon or excessive glorification of the sport. In fact, I was very appreciative of the fact that Martin explored the issue of brain damage and injuries in football players as a part of her story.

"Fumbled" is a contemporary romantic comedy that hit the spot, though I think the confines of the genre prevented this okay-good read from being a great and potentially outstanding read.

(I'm blaming the genre and not the author's skill, because that's kinder.)

With this second chance romance, I was immediately engrossed in the story (one of my favorite tropes) and found the characters humorous and entertaining, but this story could've been more. "Fumbled" is about a woman who had a baby at sixteen, raised the baby alone because she was told by her boyfriend's family that she should get an abortion, who then ten years later runs into her ex at her workplace. This woman, Poppy, within the span of hours, is fighting feelings--sexual and emotional--while engaging in cute banter with this dude she's allegedly pissed at.

Okay, so I knew immediately that this story wouldn't have a lot of character or story development. I was cool with this since, ya know, rom com. Except...Alexa Martin threw in conflict with the aforementioned family member, and this conflict was hardly developed and resolved. Also, she threw in unique conflict with hero, a character whose POV we don't get so that might've been a variable explaining why his story line was weakly developed. But, I found his struggle particularly fascinating and wouldn't have minded if the story had more dramatic layers and depth.

In short, although "Fumbled" was fun, and I found Poppy vibrant and endearing; and I found TK sexy and sweet. Although I enjoyed the secondary characters, found the story entertaining enough to read in three sittings, and I'm very much excited to jump back into this world for the next book and love story, I can't help but be a little disappointed because of its potential. And ain't that a bitch?

This series is so addictive, I enjoyed the first book and I adored Fumbled!It has the things I love in a good story, it has a single mother and a second chance romance!Should I say more? The story was sweet and fun and heartwarming!

description

Poppy was a lovable and strong heroine, you can easily relate with her and love her.TK wasn't my favorite from the beginning but while I continue reading I find myself liking him even more!The romance was so sweet , my heart was melting with these two!

The writing was fantastic and the story fast paced and captivating! I can't wait to read more books from Alexa Martin in the future !

Title: Fumbled
Author: Alexa Martin
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Series: Playbook # 2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Fumbled" by Alexa Martin

My Rationalization...

This was an enjoyable read where you could identify with many of the characters and their problems. I liked how the author was able to bring out the tuff issues that are in our sports world today [brain injuries]. We find that Poppy was strong and independent but there were flaws acknowledged as she was only trying to do what was best for her son Ace. I will say that TK did grow on me but by the end, he was very much an OK guy and their son Ace was simply wonderful. "Fumbled" will definitely be a read that will have your 'conflicted and enthralled at the same time.' I loved the ending where the hero was able to handle his life and finally realized what was really important to him...Poppy and Ace.

I received this copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Running into your significant ex can be awkward at the best of times, but when your ex is an NFL star TK Moore who happens upon you at your waitressing gig at a strip club; it’s safe to say the awkwardness goes off the Richter scale.

As shocked as Poppy Patterson is, she’s thrown by his excitement at seeing her. As far as she is concerned they ended acrimoniously, and after raising their son alone for the last nine years, the excitement is certainly not reciprocated.

She’s not the pregnant and heartbroken sixteen year old girl she once was. She’s strong, hardworking and an exemplary mother to her son, and because of that, she decides to give TK a second chance at being a dad.

My love for TK was instant, but his knee jerk reaction to Poppy’s news cast a temporary shadow on the affection I had for him. Once his shock passed my admiration was back with a vengeance as we saw him navigate fatherhood and make know his hope to start anew with Poppy.

After the success of INTERCEPTED it was a given that Alexa Martin would added to my roster of auto authors. I enjoyed the sense of fun and easy readability she offered, and the added bonus of it being a sport romance was more than I cared to resist.

I was sure I would be in safe hands when it came to her sophomore novel FUMBLED, and with second chance romance a particular favourite trope of mine, I was not surprised she once again scored a winning touchdown of a read.

I enjoyed this one!

Poppy is a single mother working hard to provide a balanced life for her son Ace. When she unexpectedly runs into her high school sweetheart TK (who also happens to be Ace’s father), her relatively calm and settled life gets thrown for a loop.

I love me a second chance romance and this was a fun one. There’s also a secret baby (which isn’t my favorite trope) but it wasn’t dragged out through the whole story which I was thankful for. I also really liked how Martin brought CTE into the conversation in regards to TK’s football career. It added some realistic complications to his and Poppy’s relationship.

(You don't need to read the first book, INTERCEPTED, in order to read this one.)

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Alexa Martin's debut Intercepted was hilarious and highly entertaining, but her follow up was even better. The snarky narrative that I enjoyed so much was just as present this time in the form of Poppy Patterson. Single mother, waitress, and high school sweetheart of TK, wide receiver for the Denver Mustangs. This is a lighter second-chance romance which was refreshing to read. The majority of the time they are heavier on the angst and I do highly enjoy those, but this was a nice break from the norm. Which isn't to say that this lacked in the emotion department, because there was still plenty of moments that will tug on your heartstrings.

Poppy was a teen mother who had to sacrifice her dreams of attending Northwestern in order to raise her son on her own. After choosing to keep the baby, her parents disowned her and she didn't have an easy road. Instead of wallowing in bitterness, she works her butt off without complaint in order to give her son the happy life he deserves. I felt nothing but admiration for her drive, determination, and sense of humor-even when life threw her a curveball. Her crappy job at the Emerald Cabaret brings her face to face with a ghost from her past: Trevor Kyle "TK" Moore.

TK made brief appearances in the previous book and he always came off as a sweet and respectful guy despite his supposed reputation for partying and enjoying a wide variety of women. You're told this about him, but his player lifestyle is not really something you witness. Their first interaction is very early in the book, and from first glance on, he has his eyes set on one woman. His first love, the woman he could never forget, despite the fact that she disappeared on him ten years ago without the courtesy of a goodbye. He was a fantastic hero that is easy to love right from the start. Extroverted, and the life of the party without being ridiculous or too silly. He revels in teasing Poppy and flustering her which almost always ended in a moment of awkward hilarity.

This is not the typical second chance romance where the hero becomes famous and the heroine has stars in her eyes over his fame and glamorous lifestyle. If you think that, you'll be wrong. Rather than feeling awe over her ex's career, it's actually a hindrance to their reconciliation. Poppy makes it abundantly clear that she despises football and the danger it poses to its players.

Fanatics idolize football players as god-like beings, and treat them as if they're incapable of feeling hurt over insensitive words. Martin's first-hand experience as a spouse of an NFL player lends authenticity to her heroines' feelings and challenges. We see examples of what it would be like for family members attending home games in the stadium. The toll that it takes when you have to witness your loved one injured and worry about the severity of the next hit they'll have to take.

I would say that the main conflict of the book revolves around this fear of Poppy's. She has done extensive reading on the brain disease called CTE-Chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This is a degenerative brain disease that's caused by repeated concussions or head trauma. She feels so strongly about the dangers of this to the players' health that she's firmly against her son's interest in the sport and won't budge on her refusal to let him play. Seeing TK out on the field scares her more than impresses her and it's not a simple roadblock for them to overcome.

There are other various things that crop up as they get to know one another again.

I loved the fact that he was all in in his pursuit of her right from the start, but that didn't mean that she was able to trust that things would work out this time around. Years had passed, and they were different people now. Could their love endure through shocking revelations and unexpected strain on their tenuous relationship? TK needed to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was in it for the long haul and that he was willing to put his new family first above all else.

Together, I thought Poppy and TK were adorable, charming, and intrinsically right for each other. Their separation as teens was caused by interference by a third party and a misunderstanding rather than any horrible action on either of their parts. When they reconnect, their love is as strong as ever, and the heat between them equally so. There was no doubt in my mind that they had the goods to remain strong partners and parents long term. There was minimal drama with a malicious person leaving threatening notes for Poppy, but it wasn't over the top. In the previous book there several moments where the heroine's safety was threatened to the point where it didn't feel entirely realistic. I was impressed with how it was toned down this time and didn't add anything unnecessary to the plot.

I simply love Martin's brand of humor and romance, and I think she's a new voice in the genre that will be around for a long time to come.