I accidentally went on a Rachel Van Dyken mini-binge this week when my audio of The Matchmaker’s Replacement overlapped with my read of Kickin’ It, and if there’s one thing I can say for certain? It’s that Ms. Van Dyken is a banter master.

Seriously.

Banter is one of my favorite displays of chemistry in romance and it is so on point in this book. I loved the spirited antagonism at the beginning and how – even as it mellowed (or perhaps melted) into something more tender and emotional – it never truly went away. Matt and Parker were smart, funny, fiery characters and they were perfectly suited for each other.

I loved the dynamic among the little tribe that formed in this book. The bromance was satisfying and funny, and I liked the way they all took turns at coaching Parker: both in soccer and in life. There’s a lightness to this story, even though it’s layered with a decidedly more traumatic and heavier secondary story. I loved how Ms. Van Dyken addressed the issues, lifting Parker up, empowering her, and showing her as a remarkably strong heroine with flaws. That’s relatable. That’s lovable. And in the end, it’s what held me captive to this highly addictive story.

Well, that and the chemistry. Did I mention the chemistry? I loved the chemistry!

I loved a lot about this book, actually. The easy storytelling, the smart writing, the wonderful characters – it was a pretty fantastic package for me and I definitely recommend! ~ 4.5 Stars

The familial bond between the characters is portrayed so well. Usually I cannot get into the sports genre, but I was hooked right away. Matt was a nice guy and genuinely caring boyfriend, which was refreshing. I'm so used to the raging jocks I typically encounter in books where the major theme is sports.

A good quick romance. Soccer player Parker, goes to stay for a time with her best friend's brother Matt, who just happens to be a coach/agent for many professional male players. Sparks and banter fly, and overall I did enjoy this one. Echos of the sexual abuse seen by the gymnastic doctor recently is reflected in the story line, which is sad. Wrapped up a little fast, and could have used a bit more development there, but otherwise I highly recommend this story/

Kickin It was a great read for me. Once again RVD brings out all the emotions in you with this heartfelt love story. (The title really does go with this story as well)
Once I met Parker, immediately I got the vibe from the whole gymnastics coach abuse scandal. Matt and Parker’s story was just not all romance and I loved that it centered on this topic. This was something different and I could not wait to dive in. It goes to show that everything is not all roses and rainbows in the sports industry. Matt’s protectiveness was absolutely showcased. He wanted to see Parker achieve her goal and she just had this vulnerability about her that screamed I need someone on my side. We also get to see Parker’s tenacity to strive and not let this person have control over her life or career. It took Parker a while to get to that point but in the end she did with the help of Matt.
There were some funny moments of course as well. The banter between Matt, Parker, Willow and Jagger is enough to make the book not quite as such a heavy read. The push and pull with Matt and Parker had me on the edge of my seat. Parker was a pit bull with her words and attitude but you could tell she had this vulnerability. I just wanted Matt to just hurry up and love her, to stop worrying about the agent/player dynamic! Once he got there, what a sweet romance they had.
I can’t wait to see what RVD has in store for us next with Jagger and Willow’s story.
Arc was provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Aah, a lovely sweet forbidden romance following Sports Agent Matt Kingston as he decides whether to take on female soccer player Parker Speedman. There are however a few complications. She’s his sister’s best friend, she’s going to be living in his house for the next 3 months, she also seems to be breaking down his client/agent barriers, and she’s hot as hell. Parker on the other hand has issues with men, she doesn’t trust them, and she has good reason. Matt needs to earn her trust and get her to open up if he’s going to get her a contract. Book 2 in the Red Card series and it’s just as wonderfully addictive as the first book. Sports romance is one of my favourite genres, add in great writing and characters (dual POV) and it’s a winner for me. Thoroughly enjoyable, easy read. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

5 Awesome Stars!

This is the story of Parker and Matt.

Parker has one goal in mind, impress her best friends boyfriend to be her agent and get her signed on a soccer deal. Only one issue with that, her history with her last coach. She's determined to give it everything she has and won't stop until she succeeds.

Matt, has a business that is growing rapidly, and loves his job. Though his best friends, whom happen to also be famous soccer players and his clients, love to keep him on his toes. Headaches come with the territory.
When Matt agrees to his sister without listening to what she is saying, he is in for a ride of a lifetime.

Two new roommates is not what Matt expected when Parker shows up at his house, his sister shortly after.
How is a man to get any work done when there are women running around his house? There's one thing he didn't agree to, which was to be anyone's babysitter.

Willow his sister is determined to prove to her big brother that she is ready to join his company and be an asset for him. He just needs to give her a chance, a chance she is not willing to mess up or waste.

The more Matt hangs around Parker, the more he realizes things aren't what they seem. Will he be able to understand why she is the way she is, or will her past continue to haunt her and make her run, even further away than she already has?

Such an amazing story! A must read!!!​

RDV did it again! She is one of my favourite authors and she proved again why!
I haven't read the first one but I really want to. You don't need to have read it to understand what's going on. Kickin' It has some heavy heavy topics but RDV treats it with respect for the victims and shows that they are survivors. Parker is a badass and I love her. She is a soccer player with a sad past. Willow her best friend (I want a Willow) tricks her brother, Matt, to stay at his home and become her agent.
Matt is strict with his routine and needs a wild card like his sister and her best friend.
There is a slight age gap but you don't really feel it.
I definitively recommend it!

This was a typical girl meets boy and boy instantly falls for the girl even though he has no clue why. I wish the plot line were more developed and there was a little more depth to their romance. Overall it was a decent read with an ending that tied up loose ends nicely.

I love Rachel Van Dyken’s books. Seriously. Which is why I hated that Kickin’ It felt so short! It seriously didn’t feel long enough. Matt was a babe. Parker was a bad ass. I just wish this was longer. I seriously hope the next book is Jagger’s. I loved him in Risky Play and in Kickin’ it. Basically, I’m just here patiently waiting for her next book.

I love love love Rachel and again she sucked me into Matt and Parker’s story!!! I couldn’t put it down! Matt being a former athlete and had gotten injured now just trains other athletes! Willow his sister he raised since their parents died is wanting to move near him and help him run his business. So when he agrees for her to move In with him during the summer he doesn’t realize until too late that someone else was moving In also. Willows best friend and soccer player with a lot of bad press right now and needing help to get signed onto a team. Love love love these two. Matt instead of showing his attraction to her is rude to her but Parker gives it right back. Learning to shield herself with anger and smart remarks has these two going at it! But until they can drop their defenses and really trust each other and the whole truth comes out can they move forward and come out on the other side! But will it work or will they both get burned? Book given to me by author on netgalley

This is the second installment of RVD's newest series 'Red Card'. As yet, I've still to read the first so can honestly say that it is able to be read, understood and enjoyed fully as a standalone.

The story of Matt and Parker begins a bit tremulously when she turns up on his doorstep having been promised, by his sister, that she'd have a place to stay.

Parker has some very well kept secrets but as a pro soccer player she needs to get her act together in order to secure a club. Matt, a successful Sports Agent, takes Parker on as a client to help get her signed.

As the story, and their relationship, progresses Parker reluctantly reveals some of her fears and insecurities, just enough in fact to give Matt some insight into those well kept secrets.

The dialogue between these two is sometimes witty, heartbreaking, uplifting and serious. I laughed out loud and I cried more than a tear. Any book that can evoke that type of emotion, is a winner in my book!

Cant wait for more from this author and her sports themed novels.

Matt is stunned when his sister, Willow, comes storming into his life with Parker in tow. She is abrasive and lashes out but we quickly learn why. Matt is used to being abused by those he loves so he tries to take it in stride. He does find himself coaching and training her, which is a huge deal since he doesn't do that for any other stars he represents. Parker and Matt both try to straddle the line of professionalism, but each wants more. It was interesting to see it play out. Erik was a good catalyst for these 2 since he seemed to bring them closer together. Parker's story does have the potential to be a trigger for some people so I would just caution that those with trigger issues may want to tread cautiously with this one. It did a great job of portraying Parker finding strength she didn't know she had. Really enjoyed it for that fact.

Rachel Van Dyken continues with her new series of swoony men, wonderful women and epic funny moments! Matt and Parker were an amazing couple to read and laugh with both their antics and their growing attraction. Slade and Jagger too were pretty funny to read. But also behind the humor is the serious issue of molesting women in the world of sports and how Parker tries to overcome her own traumatic experience. You will definitely enjoy this new book by Rachel.

I was so excited to read this book after finishing reading "Risky Play". I loved the interactions between Matt and Parker, and how Matt made Parker feel safe again. We also get to see Jagger get his happily ever after.

I received an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. I enjoyed this book. This is the second book in the red card series, however it can be read as a stand alone. This book focuses on sports agent Matt Kingston and soccer player Parker. Matt's sister Willow uses Matt's lack of focus on their conversation to gain her and Parker a invitation to stay at his house until Willow's trial period of being an intern in Matt's company is over. Matt practically raised Willow and their relationship of annoying younger sister to older brother is hilarious and adds a lot of humor to the story.


Parker is trying to get on a new team after having problems with her last team and being labeled a hot head. Matt views Parker as a client, which makes her off limits and added to the fact is that she is younger than him. Parker had a bad experience, which makes her distrust men. In the beginning Matt is a little bit of a jerk to Parker, however, once he starts to watch her and learns what happened to her he becomes her confidant. The relationship between the two is more than just lust and is based on feelings too.


 This story has the perfect mix of comedy, angst, romance and lust. I feel Rachel touched on a matter that happens to many women not just in sports, but in other areas and handled it very well. I was glad to see that Parker was able to stand up on her own and become a hero to other women who have gone through something similar to what happened to her. I hope Rachel writes Jagger and Willow's story.

Rating:4.5 stars

Another great book from Rachel Van Dyken!
I received a ARC from Netgalley for a honest review.
I was waiting fot Matt story since Mackenzie and Slade story end, and the wait paid off. Matt is a mature, sexy, sport agent with a spitfire sister. Presley is the sister best friend and a good athlete with some problems on her shoulder. Presley need a good agent to sprint her career and a good friend to rectify the problems fo her past. And Willow (the BFF and good sister) play cupid for them.
I enjoy reading this book and recommend it.

Aw, I loved this book! It was a great love story and also had a kick a$$ heroine who was very brave and empowering! Matt and Parker did not disappoint. Plus we still got Jagger, Slade And Willow who are awesome characters! Thank you to netgalley for the ARC!

I really liked Kickin' It! It was fun, sweet, and funny. Rachel Van Dyken never fails to create interesting characters that keep me invested in the story. I recommend this one to anyone looking for a romcom with heart.

This book was awesome!
from the start, it pulled me in and had me interested.
I love that it had both a male and female point of view.
Parker and matt are meant to be if they would just stop fighting it.
I like that it had a good build up.
And that there was a message in there to be brave.

However, I did not like how they kept calling Matt old (he is 30, not 50) and they are out of uni. so the must be 22-24, the age gap is not that big.

overall I enjoyed this read!
thanks for the opportunity :)

Kickin' It is my new obsession I fell head over heels in aww with this book. I didn't feel this way about the first book in this series but this one knocked me on my ass and made me giggle like a loon. It has the hotness the humor and the intense romance. Absolutely loved this book!