If you keep track of your reads for long enough, you can see how much your reading changes over a period of time. For example, around 12 years ago I went through a phase of reading sports romances. More precisely, I went through a phase of reading sports romances written by Jaci Burton mostly. I did read some other authors as well, but I really don't recall when I last read one. I do know that sports romances are kind of a big deal at the moment but still, it's not my first choice. So what made me agree to read this one for this blog tour? It was the fact that the author, Amy Andrews, is an Aussie!

Ella Lucas is the principal of a struggling high school. She has come along way from her small home town, where everyone assumed that she would turn out just like her mum (or should I say mom!). She left town as early as she could with some scandalous rumours swirling in her aftermath. Another person who has left that same home town behind is Jake Prince, He made it all the way to the NFL until he was forced to retire in mysterious circumstances.

The book opens with an encounter between Ella and Lucas when they both happen to be back in town. Ella is there for her mother's funeral and Jake for his father. They both have long term parent issues and both can't wait to get back out of town as soon as possible. That is a little bit complicated for Ella as it turns out that she has a brother that she didn't even know about who is now her responsibility.

Fast forward two years, Ella's school is in danger of being closed down completely. After running into Jake at his newly opened sports bar, one of her friends suggests that one way she could help the school is to set up a football program. If they were successful it could raise the profile of the school enough to save it. Who better to coach the team than a retired superstar? Jake reluctantly agrees, but he has some conditions. The main one is there must be no media involvement. He wants no media. She needs a high profile success story. What could go wrong?

If having work issues is not enough, she also has to raise Cameron, her brother. He too has grown up with all the fallout from being his mother's son and he blames Ella for not saving him earlier. Luckily, Ella has some support in the form of her best friend Rosa, and her eccentric aunties. They are Ella's found family and biggest supporter. They know that Jake and Ella will be good for each other way before Jake and Ella know that for themselves.

I don't know much about high school football in America. I do know that it is unlikely that you would be able to set up a new football program and achieve the success required in such a short time. However it does make for a good story as you see the way that the team comes together, about the difference having pride in themselves and their school has on them.

I read quite a few romances from this publisher, Boldwood. Mostly they are second chance romances or escape lit, where the main characters move to locations like France or Italy. This book surprised me a bit as it is spicier than normal. Maybe there are other spicier books on the publisher's list, but I don't normally read them!

As I was writing this review, I happened to see the copyright information and found out that this is actually a rework of an early book called Holding Out for a Hero. Guess what? I read this book 11 years during the phase I was talking about in my opening paragraph! It has been revised and it definitely feels fresh, fun and contemporary! This version is the first time that the book has been released in the UK, so I am going to count this for the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews.

My read on a theme book club chose the theme of Sports at their last meeting, so this will be my choice for that as well.

Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
🧂(no pepper spice because this barely had any salt)

A fast-paced, easy read you can finish in one sitting. Like when it’s football Sunday and your S/O is watching the games on TV, this is your version of football Sunday.

This story was just…fine. I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love. It kept my interest enough but it wasn’t really memorable. Would I recommend this book? Maybe to Swiftie fans. Maybe to someone who’s trying to reach their book goal for the year. Other than that…meh.

The build-up of their relationship was…underwhelming. This was definitely more insta-love, and I get it..they grew up in a small town and went to school together so they knew each other prior. But where’s the tension and build-up and dates?? Take her on a couple dates!

And I don’t know what games this author is playing but what a TEASE. I literally have blue balls after reading this and I don’t even have balls. When I saw it was marketed as spicy, I was expecting a little more.

I just loved the cover of this book! I'm going to be honest, until I read the reviews I didn't see any likeness to Taylor/Travis while reading the book but obviously the title made me think of her 👑

I really enjoyed this book. I found it fun and easy to read, you could really snuggle up with this and just read to your hearts content.

There was definitely more to the plot than just spice. Despite how it starts I didn't think there was too much going on in the plot. Jake was a likeable character and I was really hoping he would sort out his issues by the end of it.

Ella was more complex but I just wanted her to build some of that confidence she was trying to get others to have. I thought the sub plot really helped tie everything together and I look forward to read more by this author.

A little Friday night lights, a little childhood acquaintances to lovers, a little small town insta love romance.

This was an okay story. Insta love doesn't bother me but there was no depth between Ella and Jake. There were so many outside factors (decades old factors that are rearing their ugly heads) that distracted from the story all together and these factors ultimately had no resolution that left the story lacking.

I wanted more from Ella and Jake's love story (depth/chemistry), a story marketed as spicy that's more of a fade to black. There's a whole slew of fun characters, an underdog football team making strides in it's first year of existence and just overall the plot line had so much potential that ultimately fell very flat. I'd be curious to read another book by this author though before making a not for me decision.



Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my review!

3⭐
Genre ~ sports romance
Setting ~ Kansas & Wisconsin
Publication date ~ September 5, 2024
Publisher ~ Boldwood Books
Est Page Count ~ 258 (19 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 36 minutes
Narrator ~ Kate Handford
POV ~ dual 3rd
Featuring ~ football, workplace romance, some steamage

Ella (34) & Jake (36) grew up in the same small town in Kansas where everyone knew your business. Now almost 20 years later they’re living in a different state and still trying to get out of the shadow of their parents' mistakes, Ella more so than Jake.

Jake has been forced to retire from the NFL. The reasoning was pretty admirable once we learned what it was. He purchases a bar and turns it into a sports bar. It just so happens this was Ella’s favorite Friday night spot until there wasn’t a decent song on the jukebox.

Ella is a principal at a HS that’s on the cusp on being shut down. She’s also raising her 15 year old brother, Cameron, who seems to hate her and the world. Running out of options, she asks Jake to create a winning football team that’ll not only help keep the school open, but will hopefully get Cameron on track. Ella has a wonderful best friend and ‘Aunts’ that brought some fun to the story.

I liked that they knew each other back in the day, so they had some familiarity with each other, but then they really get to know each other more in the present. While I felt the chemistry between them something still felt off with them. I can’t exactly put my finger on it. Absolutely hated their first fight, which could have gone down a little better with some communication, however I can see why what was assumed was. Also, Ella is a bit of a hypocrite with some things that I didn’t care for.

Overall, it was a likable, quick read, but still felt on the longer side. I will surely check out more books from Amy in the future, though.

Side note ~ this originally came out in 2013 as Holding Out For a Hero and has been rewritten to give Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce vibes. The vibes were not really in my face, so I appreciated that. I wonder what else differs between the two versions.

<i>I will start with two very important information.
1. It is not a Taylor Swift- Travis Kelce fanfic. In fact, it has no relation to Tayvis.
2. Don't be fooled by the cute cover. It is spicy.</i>

I love a good sports romance. What I love even more is retired misunderstood NFL star getting a second chance at glory and redemption through helping an underdog school team! Add a strict principal and their complex history with passion and heartache..you have an amazing read! Look What You Made Me Do by Amy Andrews is a mix of everything. Some good old enemies to lovers tension. Some tragic past. A lot of emotional luggage. Two completely opposite kind of persons.

<b>When Ella Lucas had an impulsive one night stand with their wretched small town's hero, ex NFL star Jake Prince..she didn't think she will meet him again and will have to ask for his help to coach her school's new football team and help her to save the public school. Ella has worked so hard to make an identity away from her past. From her dead mother's infamous life. But every little set back brings back the shame and guilt and anger. She is the nerd, the perfect teacher, the strict principal with perfect morals..but the past still cast a shadow.

Jake Prince also has a dark past but his career helped to remove the stain. He never wanted to go back to football considering the circumstances those forced him to retire. But Ella convinced him. And I love to root for underdogs. A bunch of kids turned their school around and I cheered for them through it all. It was so hopeful and heartwarming! Now Ella tried to hate Jake. His c0cky attitude. His panty melting charm. His dark side that matches her own. They are from different sides but they fit each other perfectly with their pain and angst. The secondary characters were absolutely entertaining and I wanted to spend some more time with them! The plot was fast with plenty of twists and turns and I was glued to the page.</b>

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

Ella knows how to make an entrance as the prologue sets the scene for the passionate romance that follows, but the conflicts are complex, and the history that defines Ella and Jake needs to be dealt with before they can have anything worth holding on to. High school American Football features strongly in this sports romance, and whilst I know very little about it, I enjoyed Ella and Jake's story. It's a small-town romance with more spice than sugar and lots of emotion. The characters are flawed and likeable, and you invest in them from the start. I like the community spirit, the family, friendships and romance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

**"Look What You Made Me Do"** is a heartwarming story about Ella Lucas and Jake Prince, two individuals who have overcome difficult childhoods to find happiness. Ella has spent her life battling the unjust reputation created by her mother’s actions, hoping to escape the rumors by leaving her small town. Jake, similarly burdened by his own parental issues, has dedicated himself to a football career and relocated to a new city—unexpectedly finding Ella there. Now a high school principal, Ella faces the challenge of saving her school from closure, and Jake becomes the ideal person to help her. Despite their baggage, Ella and Jake bond over their shared experiences and offer each other unique perspectives and support. The story also highlights their found families, with lovable characters like Daisy and Iris adding depth.

This book was just a simple romance, nothing more. It was a fun read, but some of their arguments could have been avoided if they had just communicated, but other then that I have nothing to say.

If you want a basically just steam and spice, this is a good book to choose. I didn’t think there was a lot going on besides that. It basically starts with sex and stays that way the rest of the novel.

This was an easy read. The type of book you curl up with on a Sunday afternoon. Jake and Ella have history in their hometown that’s followed them into adulthood. Shaping who they both chose to be. I enjoyed their banter and the small town feel of the story.

This book was a fun, quick, and engaging read! I enjoyed discovering why the characters acted the way they did and really enjoyed the ending. Perfect timing with football starting up tomorrow!

Look What You Made Me Do by Amy Andrews, is a wonderful story of two damaged outcasts, who find peace and love with one another. For most of their childhood, they had to live in the shadows of their parents and were judged by the entire community, but they never judged each other

Ella Lucas grew up in a small town where her mother was scorned for her line of work. Growing up, Ella felt that shame, and yet she was strong enough to keep going with her kind and compassionate heart. But it made her work harder to prove herself worthy of love and acceptance. After the death of her mother, she learns she has a teen half-brother, Cam, who is now under her care. After the furneral, she wanted to shed her good girl image, so on the day of her mother's funeral she walks right up to the town bad boy and propositions him in front of everyone. Jake Prince tries to be a gentleman and put up a fight but they give in and leave with a memorable with the best one-night stand.

Two years later, they reconnect in Inverbero. She is the new principal of a failing high school and is running out of time to turn it around or it faces closing. Jake is retired from the NFL and a new bar owner. He agrees to be the head coach of a newly formed football team to help save her school. They still have great chemistry and despite Ella wanting to keep things strictly professional, their magnetic attraction keeps drawing them together. The chemistry between them was electric, and their journey through emotional hurdles was engaging and heartfelt.

It's difficult to not see how those past traumas carried into the life of Ella's brother Cam, but it was sweet to see how Jake was the male role model Cameron deserved. It was so fulfilling to see them get the happy ever after that they worked so hard for.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #Boldwood

I like it really it was a fun book, Jake and Ella made me laugh and the chemistry between them was cute and it was definitly a fun read.. One of the things that I truly enjoyed was the fact that they were also more adult and both had their own careers. And of course the fact they didn't let the legacy of their families to define them

Trying to escape the small town stigmas of parents that were less than desirable influences, these two MCs are running, even several states and many miles away. He's an ex-NFL football player who left without explanation and hides whenever someone asks him about it. Instead, he hides in a bar that he now owns, leaning into being the son of the biggest drunk of his hometown. She's a highschool principal trying to raise her teenaged brother, save her school from being closed, and keeping her reputation as sterling as possible so no one knows that she grew up the daughter of the town prostitute. Both have come so far but they don't see that for the weight that constantly reminds them where they came from. Can they help each other let go of the weight and move on? Can they save the local high school with football? Add in some great friends, some retired circus personalities and it's a lot of fun to find out.

#arc
#netgalley
#lookwhatyoumademedo

3.5/5 for me

This was a cute book, for sure! I liked Ella and Jake, but I also felt like everything felt incomplete. I understand the intrigue around their parents at the start of the book, but after a little - I just wanted to know what was going on. Say it and move on. Ella and Jake have a history, which is fine - and I get that it was all part of establishing that. Their chemistry was good, but I also would have loved more 1:1 scenes of them actually building and enjoying their relationship. Most of it focused on the school - which again, isn't a bad thing - but made the romance feel a little boring. Especially when you're adding in the mix of other characters (Rose, Trish, etc.). There was a lot to accomplish here and I'm just not sure it all made it 100%.

Still a fun and sweet read to kick off fall & football season!

"Look What You Made Me Do" by Amy Andrews is a light, enjoyable romance. The story revolves around Jake and Ella, who both grew up in a town overshadowed by their parents' troubled pasts. While Jake escapes into a successful NFL career, Ella becomes a math teacher and eventually the principal of the local high school. Their paths cross again years later and Jake takes on the role of football coach to help save Ella's struggling school from closing.

The chemistry between Jake and Ella is undeniable, and their journey from friends to lovers is both sweet and compelling. However, despite the strong setup, the story feels rushed toward the end.

For fans of small-town romances with a touch of sports and a second-chance love story, this book delivers.

This was a 2.5⭐️ for me. While the story was cute and I loved that Jake and Ella could relate to each other’s traumas, it was very hard to follow the story line with the way the book was written. It felt like sometimes there was too much information dump and then a lot of context was missing. I almost DNF’d this book at 2% due to the third person narration.
My stars are mostly because I loved Jake.

First with this book it was written in third person so I was already having a hard time reading it and staying focused to read it. But also the writing style just wasn’t for me. Unfortunately I could only give it a 1 star; I wish I could have given it a high rating.

Thank you NetGalley and Amy Andrews for the ARC

This was all over the place while nothing was actually happening. I swear it felt like I only actually read two scenes, not almost a quarter of the book. I still have no substantive information about either character and what's worse is I don't care.