Fumbled by Alexa Martin is the newest book in the Playbook series. Martin introduces us to Poppy, a single mom trying to make ends meet. She’s working at the club when she literally runs into TK, remember him from Intercepted? Yesss, TK has gotten his own book. These two were an item back in the day, and boy does Poppy have a big surprise for TK.

I enjoyed this book, despite it’s similarities to Intercepted. Poppy and Marlee are a lot alike. If you liked Marlee, you will like Poppy. Fumbled is a fast-paced romance that will have you rooting for these two to make up for lost time. If you enjoyed Intercepted, you will like this one as well.

A fun and funny romantic comedy set in a world I knew nothing about—the world of professional football. I found this funny and endearing, a fast and fun read that will make a great addition to beach bags everywhere this summer.

This sweet second chance romance manages to sidestep a lot of romance tropes about football players. (It tackles CTE, a shock in a romance book.) My complaint is that I found TK a little TOO unrealistically perfect and their romance came on a little quick....but I was rooting for them all the way.

This was an outstanding follow up to Intercepted. I love how bravely she tackled CTE. I've been talking to Alexa about being back on the podcast, but at the very least, I'll include it in our next What We're Reading roundup episode!

4.5 Stars
Alexa Martin's début novel, Intercepted, was one of my favorite books of 2018. I was very impressed with her writing and story telling abilities. Her characters and their story was so much fun. I have been eagerly awaiting her next book from the moment I finished the first one. I'm happy to report that Fumbled was just as good as Intercepted -- if not even better!!! That crazy because of how amazing Intercepted was.

Fumbled is the story of a single mother (Poppy) who is trying to make ends meat as a waitress at cabaret club. One night, her table contains the last man she ever wants to see again. TK is a famous football player and the father of her child -- a child he didn't want. Poppy wants nothing to do with TK, but he feels the exact opposite. Poppy has a hard time fighting her feelings for TK, and knows it's only time before she has to tell TK about the son they share.

This book had my attention from the get go. Poppy was such a fun character. I loved how strong and resilient she was. Poppy made the best out of the hand she was dealt and didn't complain. Her emotions were real and raw. I would have felt the same way she did. I could totally identify with how she put her son first.

As for Poppy's relationship with TK, it was filled with some great ups and downs. They not only had to navigate getting to know each other all over again, they had to learn to trust again. Add in learning to share a child, and there was a lot going on for them. I found their second chance romance very cute. I did wish a couple of times that I had TK's point of view. It would have been nice to know what he was thinking sometimes.

In case you have read Intercepted, I feel the need to point out that there were not any hashtags in this book. (There were a plethora in that one and they drove me nuts after a while.) There was only one small thing that bothered me with this book. I don't know if it's just a me thing or if others will make more notice of it with the foreshadowing. One of the big problems towards the end surprised me a bit. Like I said, it was foreshadowed, but I think it didn't hit as hard for me because I didn't get to know these characters before present day. I think if I had some previous knowledge of personality I might have felt a little more invested in this part of the story. Sorry to be vague. I don't want to give it away.

Overall, I adored Fumbled. It was one of those reads that made me not want to put the book down. I'm happy to have read it, but sad that I have to wait for the third book in this series.

I read and enjoyed Alexa Martin's first book (Intercepted), so I was very excited to read Fumbled. This book was even better than her first. (#nohashtags #thankgod) Fumbled follows Poppy, a single mom who runs into her old high school boyfriend, who is an NFL star now. I really liked Poppy's voice, and her son Ace was super cute. Her group of friends was also wonderful. The hero, TK, was fine - not really exciting, but I liked how willing he was to go with Poppy's rules (like no football for Ace). As other reviewers have mentioned I did think their relationship was a little rushed - they picked right up where they'd left off, without having to get to know each other again. We also get to see more of the behind the scenes NFL, like in Intercepted, but since Poppy is new to all the NFL weirdness, we see it through a newbie's eyes. (Marlee, the heroine of the first book, was an old pro at dealing with the NFL life.) I think my favorite part of this book is how seriously it takes football injuries and CTE. If you enjoyed Intercepted I think you'll like Fumbled even more, and if you haven't read either, pick them both up! I'm very excited for the next book in the series, and am wondering if it will star Brynn...

This book accomplished the impossible— made me wish my commute would never end. That’s something I never thought I’d say. It was perfect. Treat yourself to this as quickly as you can.

4.5/ 5 stars

Fumbled is the second book in the Playbook series. It is a sports romance (football). But it also has a bit of romantic comedy and a bit of a Chick lit vibe.

Wow, I really loved this book! Often I will read a sports romance where I feel like the author just decided to write about some random sport. This book was about football, but from the wife/girlfriend's POV. And this author actually knows what she is talking about. That made this story feel so authentic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even though this is book #2 in the Playbook series you absolutely do not have to read the first book to be able to follow this story. The couple from the first book is barely mentioned in this book. Although I'm guessing that a bunch of the supporting characters are in both books. I read Fumbled without having read book one.

The narrator is 26 year old Poppy (1st person POV). She is a waitress and has a young son. The story takes place in Denver.

I loved Poppy. I loved her son Ace. I adored the football wives. Being able to see a story about football only from the female POV was everything.

I also really liked the football players, especially TK. And the romance was really strong.

This book does look at a few serious issues. But it is also funny. Is the story super complex? No, but the way the author writes is so easy to read. And the book was just super enjoyable. There is also a bit of a mystery aspect to this book, which I loved.

My only issue with this book is that the epilogue was a bit of a letdown. The first part of it was strong. But then there is a part that is probably a prelude to the next book. But it came out of nowhere and made little sense. And then the book sort of stopped. I loved this book. But to me the end is everything. And how I feel after I've finished the book is huge.

Without the epilogue this book would have been 4.5 stars showing as 5 stars.

Who doesn't love a good sports romance? If you think,"me," then this is not for you. Sexy players in their tight uniforms and they tend to be a little alpha mixed with sweet,w hat's not to love? Aside from that, I really enjoyed Fumbled. Alexa is a new to me author and I will definitely read other books by her!
At first I thought wow a lot of chapters( a lot of chapters can sometimes intimidate me) but the writer does well to make sure the story does not get away from her and not a lot of story gets lost in words!
Poppy is a single mom working in a cabaret at night as a cocktail waitress when a VIP group comes in and she is surprise when she comes face to face with her childhood sweetheart TK Moore who is The Mustangs bad boy football player! Sparks fly and old emotions come to the surface. But Poppy has a 9 yr old secret and TK is about to find out. TK is sweet but jaded sometimes. Watch the ride between this second chance romance that is a sure touchdown! This story had me rooting for both sides at times. Very enjoyable and a must read.

I enjoyed Martin's follow up to Intercepted and actually really liked that it hints at the previous characters but you can definitely enjoy them each as stand alone novels. Overall I really liked where the book took me. Poppy was a fun character with a strong POV and layers, Ace was freakin adorable. Sometimes I didn't quite believe TK, I felt like he may have given in too easily but maybe he really was that smitten. Who knows. Fun, quick read (devoured it in two days)!

This "Playbook" series is very enjoyable: quick, fun reads with lots of sympathetic characters and engaging relationships. Language and some graphic sex scenes could be objectionable -- but we are talking about the NFL, after all.

I thought this second book was a stronger story and more satisfying than the first in the series ("Intercepted"), but I really enjoyed it as well. These books make for great weekend reads!

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for introducing me to the series and for access to this second book.

I liked this more than Intercepted, even though I enjoyed that too.

The characters, dialogue, and plot in this book felt more assured than in Martin’s debut. The dialogue often made me laugh or grin, and there were certain tender-hearted moments that gave me feels. The strongest scenes are definitely between Poppy & her friends, or Poppy & Ace, which were often hilarious in a snort-in-your-wine-glass way. And the plot definitely made more sense to me; Fumbled focused on real issues such as CTE and had less of Intercepted’s mean-girl-out-to-get-me thing.

That being said, I didn’t love all plot decisions, and the romance, while not boring, was not a highlight either. I really liked both Poppy and TK, but their scenes didn’t do that much for me. Their relationship develops really quickly, so while I appreciated that this wasn’t the standard will-they-won’t-they situation, I would have loved to see Martin explore the tension that comes from both of them adjusting to new circumstances.

And that’s my biggest issue with Fumbled: Martin set up some great stakes, but didn’t fully follow through. I had fun reading this, but I think some more development would have taken it to a whole new level, and the ending was incredibly abrupt and rushed.

Bottom line: a fast-paced fun read that left me itching for my next margarita night with my best friends. Despite its issues, I really liked reading about Poppy; what Fumbled lacked in steamy romance it made up for in badass women & heart-easing laughs. I look forward to Martin’s next book!

I seriously could not put this book down! Poppy Patterson has had it tough. After finding out she's pregnant at 16 going over to the house of her boyfriend, only to find his mom giving her a check to get an abortion and telling her that her son no longer wants to see her. On top of that her parents disown her and she goes to the one person who will take her in, her aunt Maya. Maya is across the country in Denver. Nine years later, Poppy working at as a waitress as a gentleman's club she runs into the person she's been avoiding for the last nine years, and for six of those they have been in the same town TK Moore a star player for the Denver Mustangs, and the father of her son, that she finds out he never knew about.

4.5 Not a Fumble Insight Stars
* * * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
This was my first Alexa Martin but will not be my last. From the beginning, I could tell this author had a very unique voice and was speaking from experience. Later after finishing the book, I was not surprised to learn of her real-life experience with the NFL. Every reference regarding professional football, the players, the groupies and all of the other issues were seemingly authentic.

Without really going into this tale and giving everything away, we are taken through a journey which touches on so many elements.
We have young love, then we have a turning moment which impacts both of them for years. Both have lived lives, made important choices and then out of the blue.... sort of... then run into each other again.

This was a winner on so many levels. The couple was interracial and never felt that was the point of the story. Both characters were into each other unconditionally... no other factors playing in the background from that front. I happened to like them both as each was a strong person... able to stand on their own two feet. Each was compelling and captured the imagination. I could picture each and together they were wonderful.

This was the type of story where it drew you in and before you knew it, you were finished. It had many swoon-worthy moments, times to think about the seriousness of the injuries associated with Football and then the important concept of second chance relationships...How to work through all of the pain, the hybernating feelings for the other and risking what has been safe to experience the possible with a past love.

Alexa Martin gives us secondary characters with are three dimensional and completely part of the tale. I look forward to more.

A gifted copy was provided by Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley for an honest review.

Another smart sports romance from newcomer Alexa Martin. This second chance romance is filled with sparkling wit and vivid characters (along with serious discussions of brain injuries in football). Engaging and memorable. For fans of Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jasmine Guillory, and Rachel Gibson.

I finished Martin’s first book (and the first in this series), Intercepted, and immediately checked Netgalley to see if the sequel was available. Martin’s books are full of well-written, relatable, hilarious characters whose lives feel real and lived-in. I’m definitely not a football fan, but I enjoy this series so much - I love its feminism and women-centric view, I love how the central relationships are built on communication and trust, and I love handing out with all the characters.

I will start by saying Alexa Martin is one of my new favorite authors and I loved this book! Poppy and TK meet unexpectedly after years spent apart, and Poppy has a big secret that could significantly change both of their lives. How they resolve all the misunderstandings between them is a journey well worth taking. And I appreciate the plot line addressing the very real dangers of playing football in the NFL. This book is heartwarming, funny, and impossible to put down. Highly recommended.

✨ ARC provided by @berkleyromance and @netgalley in exchange for an honest review ✨

Every time I read and love a debut author I have this fear that their next book won’t live up to my expectations. Fumbled by Alexa Martin gets ALL THE STARS. I’ll just cut to the chase, this was a 5 star read for me! I absolutely devoured it.

I loved every aspect of this book, Martin once again created the perfect, diverse romance. I adored the characters in this book, Poppy is such an awesome, independent single mom. You can’t help but root for her! And can we talk about TK?! Hoooly shit, this book and Intercepted PROVE that Martin knows how to write a book boyfriend! This story is both sweet and has the the perfect amount of steam. The romance in this book between Poppy and TK was absolutely delightful, give me all the second chance love stories.

Fumbled does have more of a serious undertone than Intercepted. There’s a discussion throughout the book about the physical and mental risks of being a football player, and the consequences football has on the players and their families. I thought the way Martin wove this throughout the book was impactful and necessary, especially knowing both books were inspired by the years she spent as an NFL wife.

The one negative of reading ARCs is having to wait even longer for the next book to come out. But I have no doubt the wait will be worth it. Reading and loving Intercepted and Fumbled has solidified Alexa Martin’s rightful place on my must buy list! Fumbled will be released on April 23, 2019. I HIGHLY recommend checking this one out!

I had the pleasure of reading Intercepted and Fumbled right after one another. I remember liking TK in Intercepted, so I was happy to go ahead and read his book.

I wasn't disappointed. Fumbled was just as entertaining and engaging as it's predecessor. Humor is definitely a hallmark of Martin's writing and is as sharp as ever in Fumbled. She also deftly addresses the safety issues players and their families face and how it affects the player and family members.

I appreciated how she handled those issues, she wasn't heavy-handed or preachy. Sprinkled within the seriousness, Martin gives us more of the player wives hilarious drama.

I truly enjoyed Fumbled and I cannot wait for more in the series!

A few months ago, I got to read Intercepted by Alexa Martin and I really enjoyed her writing style. This was fresh football romance. When I saw that there was a second book in the series I knew I needed to pick it up.

A few notes about Fumbled. This can be read as a standalone novel. There is mentioned about the characters in Intercepted but they don’t show up in the story.

OK about Fumbled, this is a single parent, second chance romance.

This story follows TK a professional football player for the Denver Mustangs. On a chance encounter he sees his first love Poppy working at a strip club. He wants to reconnect with her but Poppy has a secret.

About the romance this was steamy and sweet. It just hit the right spot.

I love Ace, he was a sweet kid. I love how committed Poppy was on Ace’s wellbeing including not letting him play football.

This story touches upon brain injuries and football which is relevant.

If you enjoy sports romance and second chance romance, then you need to pick this book up.

I gave this book 4 stars.

A review of this book will be published on What to Read Next Blog in April 2019.