Quinn and Natalie were in love in college, but how their relationship ended, combined with the article she wrote on him a few years back, add up to him basically hating her. As the season goes on and they spend more time with each other because of work, their interactions thaw and then they decide to have one night for closure. Of course that doesn't work the way they intend. Fun book, lots of heat, and football thrown in. Fine as a stand-alone.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 1/2 stars. I really love this story and the relationship between Natalie and Quinn. This is a second chance for them and while it is definitely not easy because of what happened between them in the past, it certainly seems a natural progression for them to fall back into a relationship again. I was rooting for them so hard!! Of course they do not acknowledge that it's an actual relationship for quite a while, but it is fun to see what the other is thinking and feeling when they are not together. That's one of the things I love about this story; they both have feelings for each other that they dance around for quite some time because of their past. The sexual tension and chemistry is off the charts and makes for some great interactions between Quinn and Natalie. I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Yawn...

DNF 38%

I tried, because I really liked the premise of the book, but it was incredibly boring. We're supposed to believe that Natalie and Quinn had this incredible history together, yet the author doesn't give us even a glimpse of that history. Why not show us the chemistry we're supposed to believe they have? Why not a flash back or two?

I couldn't get into the story...

** ARC received from Netgalley **

Liz Lincoln is a new to me author, when I received the ARC for this I went back and read books 1 and 2 in the series first. You do not need to read them before this story, but this can be read as a stand alone story. This was a hot, sexy story that I couldn't stop reading. Quinn is a recovering alcoholic whose heart was broken by sports reporter Natalie. It takes the two of them most of the story to work through their issues and become more than friends with benefits. I'm hoping for more to the series, there's a lot more team members to learn about.

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A steamy and deeply emotional second chance romance, Home Field Advantage shows that no matter how much time passes, two people who are meant to be can never truly lose the bond they once shared. The story follows Quinn, an NFL player making his return to the sport after getting sober. As he makes his debut, he runs into the woman he once considered the love of his life. Natalie is a sports reporter and facing Quinn for the first time in 8 years brings a flood of memories back about the time they spent together. There is definitely nothing neutral about their feelings for each other. As they are forced to spend time together because of the team, Quinn and Natalie have to address the attraction that still sparks between them after all these years.

There is a lot to like about the book, and the first half is definitely a 5-star read for me. The chemistry between these characters is intense, and they know each other so intimately that things were deep from the start. Quinn knows that he’s made mistakes in the past, and he’s working to maintain his sobriety. He also knows that Natalie broke his heart in a way he’s not sure he can put himself through again. It’s the second half of the book that stumbled for me - I didn’t love the casual treatment of sex in the book. This is a slow burn that turns to a full steam once the characters go there, and both characters have a history of casual sex so they don’t truly respect that fact that starting something casual with the former love of your life might have some ramifications. All in all, I am definitely glad that NetGalley offered me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is a realistic, heartfelt book about losing love and then finding your way back to it.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

I am all about second chances, and this story was filled with them.

Quinn and Natalie thought they were each others' forever, but after Natalie left Quinn in the middle of the night without explanation, and then years later, wrote an expose on him, they both imagined the door to their relationship was sealed forever. But, eight years after their breakup, Quinn was making his NFL comeback, and Natalie was a sport reporter working closely with his team. Both Natalie and Quinn found that the head and the heart were not totally in agreement, when it came to their relationship.

Let me just warn you - there is a LOT of "we should/we shouldn't" in this one. Sometimes that makes me do a hard eye-roll, but a very plausible case was built to support both characters' reticence regarding rekindling their romantic ties in this book. At times, I just wanted them to do a sit down and clear the air, but I thought Lincoln did a good job distracting me from my wait by showing me pieces of their past, and that is one of my favorite things about a second chance romance. I love learning about the couple's history, and I got to see the good, the bad, and the ugly in this one, which were also intertwined with pieces of each characters' personal past.

Quinn was also getting a second chance career wise. Here he was, two years after his drug and alcohol addiction was revealed, playing for an NFL team. In addition to the everyday struggles elite athletes face, he also had to fight cravings and dodge his past, which was made more difficult with his ex seemingly everywhere. I know I was rooting for Quinn to not only reconcile with Natalie, but to achieve great things on the field.

A few other things I enjoyed:

• I loved that Quinn and Natalie shared not only a love for classic cars, but a penchant for restoring said cars. It was fun spending time with them as they retooled a few engines.
• I enjoyed getting to know Matt better. I already knew bits and pieces about him from the previous books, but here, a lot more was revealed of the QB. His cooking and his daughters made me smile, but the situation with his wife really grabbed my interest, and I am hoping that couple will be featured in a future book.
• Natalie thought she was living her dream, but she was starting to see that the expectations for female sports reporters was not the same as for their male counterparts. I appreciated that Lincoln included this in the book, and I loved where she had Natalie's career heading at the end of the story.
• I am also a fan of bromances, and the one between Matt and Quinn was great. They shared some pretty meaningful moments, and that one out on the field was probably one of my favorites.

Overall: The Milwaukee Dragons series continues to entertain me. I found myself rooting for this couple as they worked through their past in hopes of building a future together, and cannot wait to catch up with them in future installments of this series.

Home Field Advantage
By: Liz Lincoln

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Can old hurts be turned into Love again?

For two former loves that left so much pain and unanswered questions about what went wrong can they work together or tear each other apart?

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 anyone.

Authors Blurb: For Milwaukee Dragons beat reporter Natalie Griffith, he’s clearly D) all of the above. Three years ago, Natalie’s bombshell report on her ex-boyfriend’s off-the-field scandals landed her the job she loves, but she still feels guilty about destroying his career. Now Quinn Lowry’s back, and he’s taking over her locker room, flashing his charming smile and reminding her exactly how hot they were together.
 
After two years out of the league, Quinn is sober and on the field again. He’s worked his ass off and he’s not going to blow his second chance, not even for the woman who broke his heart—twice. Having Natalie around is the last thing Quinn needs while he’s trying to prove he deserves to stay on the team.
 
Maybe one final night together will give them both some much-needed closure. But with Natalie’s boss pressuring her for another headline-grabbing scoop, can she admit to herself that she’s falling for Quinn all over again?

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.📚💕

I thoroughly enjoyed this passionate, slow burn, second chance romance. There are great dynamics and lots of chemistry between the characters in this heartfelt romance. The characters take an emotional journey and find love on the other side.

Quinn and Natalie haven't seen each other since they were in college, eight years ago. In college they each had big hopes and dreams about their futures.
When they meet again, they have achieved their goals. Quinn is a professional football player and Natalie is a sports reporter. Natalie broke Quinn’s heart when she broke up with him. Quinn is now a broody, recovering alcoholic. He is a good guy but he is having a tough time trying to constantly prove himself and make a comeback on a new team. The one thing that hasn’t changed is, Quinn still wants Natalie. Natalie is passionate about her job and is respected in the industry. She knows it would be wrong to get involved with a football player, when her job is to cover the team.

There is a lot of tension between Quinn and Natalie as they spend time together, but try to ignore the feelings they still have for each other. Can they forget and forgive all the issues and hurts from the past? This is another engaging sports romance by Liz Lincoln.

This book was very hot and cold. You volleyed back and forth between "I Don’t want you", "I want you", "I don’t want you", "Ok want you but just once". It was very aggravating and seem to be done just to make the story longer.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

This is a sports romance that also addresses some issues with addiction/rehab. Unfortunately, the first half or so of this book was just too slow-moving for me. The idea was there, but i just couldnt' connect at all.

Another fun read by Liz Lincoln! I thought this book dragged a few times, but it had sports and romance, what more could you ask for?

Writing books about addicts is a challenge. If you are too dismissive of the past, of their addiction, it feels like it's a plot point that was tossed in that the author didn't quite know what to do with. If it's too much a part of the story, it feels like the story is not a romance, but a story about life after addiction and rehab. And, while there is a place for this, it's not in a romance.

This story gets it right. The balance is there. Quinn's past with addiction and his past with Natalie are intertwined, but also separate. His past is in the past, but not ignored and it is allowed to be a part of the way he is now.

Natalie and Quinn, as I said above, have a post. It's an ugly one, although it seems that she was not present for the part where his life went completely off the rails into rehab and self destruction...she was there on the periphery in her role as a reporter. And, it's this past, her presence in his life now, and the things that happened that they have to work through.

And, I thoroughly enjoyed watching them work through it. I liked the story, I believed in the authenticity of the characters, and their chemistry was scorching and appealing.



I am looking forward to the next title in the series.

I chose to request this book because I am from the Milwaukee area and thought it would be neat to read a book set here. I really like sports romances and was excited to get into this book. However, the pacing was really off. The first half of the book is so slow and repetitive. I had a hard time connecting with the characters because of the pace. I did like how the author handled Quinn's alcohol issues. I felt a lot of the tension could have been resolved quicker with a conversation, which Natalie pursued several times and Quinn shut her down. Overall it was an interesting read and I'll probably check out more from this author.

This is a sports related second chance romance. Secondary plot is about alcohol recovery and forgiveness. Overall this was a good third book in the Milwaukee Dragons series.

I received this book from NetGalley for my fair opinion.

Home Field Advantage is a gentle story of college lovers meeting up again and learning to trust and love again. It is a sports story that does not go to in depth of the sport. I found it to be intriguing and it kept my attention the whole way through while cheering our couple on. Good quick read that I highly recommend.

Natalie and Quinn have an undeniable chemistry even after 8 years of not seeing each other. Memories of their time together have been burned in their minds. Both have skewed versions of what happened at the end but they have love in common. When thrown back together for the new season of the Dragons, they must learn to work together but their past has a way of repeating itself. Thank goodness, they end up back in each other's arms. LOVE THIS BOOK! The pain, the love, the feelings, the entire book pulls it out across the pages.

Heat Factor: Epic Sex Marathon kicks up the heat dramatically at the 60% mark.
Character Chemistry: They separately have identical parallel reactions to basically everything.
Plot: She broke his heart years ago. Now they have to work together.
Overall: Some pacing issues, but I was rooting for the protagonists.

After two years off the field and in recovery, Quinn is getting his second shot in the NFL. The only problem is that his college girlfriend, who broke his heart 8 years ago, is a sports reporter whose exclusive beat is… his new football team. Natalie isn’t too thrilled about the arrangement either - especially since she got her big break because she wrote an exposé on Quinn’s alcoholism, and her boss thinks that Quinn’s return to football is a great opportunity for Natalie to make another big splash by uncovering dirt on Quinn. Natalie and Quinn therefore frequently find themselves awkwardly interacting. They have a lot of baggage surrounding their relationship, but haven’t spoken in years and can’t easily jettison the anger and hurt and awkwardness in order to talk through things.

Normally, I find it extremely frustrating when protagonists in romance novels could solve all of their problems if they would just have an honest conversation. After all, Lincoln repeatedly shows Natalie and Quinn having very similar internal monologues as they react to each other (ie: “Obviously we can’t be together, but I still care about him/her.”). However, in this case, Lincoln clearly lays out enough of a past between Quinn and Natalie that it feels legitimate that it’s not that easy - they are also coping with their emotions about alcoholism, family, careers, and trust. Lincoln does an especially good job in navigating Quinn’s alcoholism and recovery, and not just how it relates to his own life, but how it impacted Natalie back when they were dating. Lincoln takes Quinn’s struggle seriously, but doesn’t allow it to overshadow the rest of the book.

With that said, the first half of the book is a bit slow. Yes, it makes sense that Quinn and Natalie have to work through their baggage before they can start talking, but it meant that the first half of the book was kind of a slog to read. Things got much better once they established that they were still physically attracted to each other and had an extremely epic sex marathon. Opening to door to one form of intimacy - even if it is ostensibly just a booty call and nothing more - allowed them to start having those necessary open and honest conversations. Their healing still happened slowly, but at least there were bouts of sex in between, and as a reader I could finally see them progressing back together as a couple.

Repetition exacerbated the slowness at times - both in terms of language and in terms of what the characters are processing. For example, in the opening scene, Natalie thinks about how “lickable” Quinn and his various body parts are so many times that I was convinced that she had a fetish. More important, however, is the larger scale repetition. To give one concrete example: Natalie feels guilty about writing the article about Quinn’s alcoholism a few years ago, even though everything she used was public record. They have a conversation about it (finally!) and he makes it clear that he forgives her. And then… Natalie has yet another conversation with her best friend about how guilty she feels for betraying Quinn by writing this article and how he can’t trust her, and I’m like: a) Haven’t we heard this before? And b) Didn’t he just tell you that while he was angry at the time, he doesn’t hold the article against her? Yes, in real life, one conversation can’t just fix things, but this dynamic happened repeatedly; Lincoln did not quite strike the correct balance between a reasonable timeframe for healing and not dragging things on.

Finally, I should acknowledge that sports romance is not my usual wheelhouse. Mainly because… sports are not my usual wheelhouse. Other readers may find this more a feature than a bug, but there is a LOT of football in this book. I am all for hot athletes and their rippling pectorals, but every once in a while my eyes would glaze over when the characters started talking about plays and game tapes and the like. On the plus side, I learned some things about football strategy.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

The Milwaukee Dragons series is my kind of sports romance. It’s not afraid to examine the negative sides of the industry, which makes the stories that much more compelling. Case in point: Home Field Advantage.

Dragons reporter Natalie dated football star Quinn back in college before ghosting him. He’s never known why and he’s carrying quite the grudge after she wrote an article a few years later laying out his alcoholism. Now Quinn is making a comeback and on the Dragons, meaning he’s back in Natalie’s orbit.

Natalie’s career frustrations were really relatable, especially when the boss she idolized for years has turned out to not be the person Natalie thought she was. She also wrestles with the article she wrote about Quinn, knowing she maintained journalistic integrity and that it helped save him from the path he was on but still feeling guilty nonetheless. I really enjoyed seeing her interview the players and figure out what stories to develop and that the story did not shy away from showing how sexism impacts her work.

Quinn was such a compelling character. Not only is he looking for a comeback on his new team, he’s in recovery for alcoholism, as well as thinking about how many more years he might have left in football. I commend Liz Lincoln for the way she wrote about his recovery. He’s doing the work! We get to see him in therapy and using different coping skills. While I’ve never worked in addiction and recovery, it felt like a very authentic portrayal. I also very much appreciated that he’s two years in to his recovery and so starting a relationship won’t compromise the work he’s done. I’ve read a couple of books this past year with characters in recovery who were not treated with as much care and whose author made plot choices that would harm their recovery. That made this all the more refreshing to read.

Neither Natalie or Quinn want to be around the other person and yet their path keeps crossing until there’s no denying their old chemistry never went away. I thoroughly enjoyed their evolution from exes to friends to finally friends with benefits. Finding out why Natalie left him all those years ago is a big moment and really highlighted how the deck could be stacked against them. It’s clear neither of them want to recognize something more is going on and they have valid reasons for being skittish. But there’s so much satisfaction in watching them give in to their feelings and work through their concerns and fears.

I simply adore this series and I’m really hoping Matt’s story will be next because I’m dying to know what happened to break him and Celia apart. Plus, I am fascinated by what the Center for TBI Research is doing and want to learn more about the important CTE research happening.

CW: alcoholism, recovery, references to hospitalization due to seizures, toxic family members, sexism

I’ve enjoyed the last 2books of this series, & this one doesn’t disappoint. Quinn & Natalie’s story is full of the ups & downs that make a good romance. I enjoyed reading it & look forward to more books in the series. Highly recommend this book!

This is the first book in the Milwaukee Dragons series that I've read, and I'm happy to say that the other books will be added to my to-read list. This book is a slow burn romance, but it's written very well and I throughly enjoyed the characters.