Favorite Quotes:

“Her sharp voice fit her, as if she had edges he’d injure himself on if he were not careful.”

“When he touched her hand she flinched, her need to make him go away, yet never leave, intense beyond imagining.”

“You won’t be satisfied until we’re both sitting around our parents’ house, old and covered with cats, bitching about how we got screwed over by men.”

“A small corner of her heart seemed to flex, like an atrophied muscle,”

“He might want her for some of the wrong reasons, but so many more of them were right. She represented so much he missed about his life, in an utterly bizarre way, but still…”

“And she disappeared as if someone hit a delete button on a computer screen,”

“I love you but don’t get a big head over it or anything.”

My Review:

Red Card is a heartbreaking story. It contains several love stories, as well as one of devastation and grief. It turned on a dime, stood me on my head, and pulled me inside out. I adored Metin but also frequently wanted to part his butt cheeks with my dainty foot. The story was angsty, high drama, sizzling sensuality, and painfully real. Ms. Crowe’s characters continue to fascinate, antagonize, lure, and bait me. They squeeze my heart, have me grinding my teeth, make me smile, and cause me to gasp and require rehydration and extra laundry. How she can trick me into caring for a bitter, cold, petulant, hostile, and bossy woman whose own father describes her as having a “terrifying personality” is… stupefying and mind boggling, yet Liz Crowe has that down to an art form, and uses fifty cent words while doing so. I can’t stop now – I see there are currently 2 more books in this series. I fear I have a new addiction…

Storyline: 4 Angst: 5 Tissue: 4 Value: 5 Panty Scorching: 4 Over All Rating: 4 Stars Reviewed by Robin

Someone should have warned me before I read Liz Crowe’s Black Jack Gentlemen series, book two. Metin is a hot playboy soccer star from Turkey. Alicia is soccer player that is looking for a team to continue her dream. When they meet it’s like fireworks but it seems like destiny. Alicia’s older sister, Melanie, is bitter and does not approve, and Metin is destroying her sister’s dreams.

“Before she could protest, he slanted his lips over hers and lost himself in her once again. She clung to him, opening her lips to his. His body burned, skin flamed from the inside out, his ears deafened by a roar of need. He had to have her, now, had to put his mark on her before she escaped again.”

This story was going along and I was perfectly happy but then there was a twist. I had a bad feeling and sure enough, she got me. I was crying and there were feelings everywhere. This story is very emotional, and I loved all of the characters although they frustrated me at times.

If you like stories that aren’t always wrapped up perfect with a little bow, you’ll enjoy reading Red Card by Liz Crowe. Working through their issues made the story worth it all in the end.

"Red Card" is the second book in the Black Jack Gentlemen series by Liz Crowe, which explores the lives of the men in the team and the challenges they face in the football (soccer) world, with its politics and prejudices. On this occasion, the focus is Metin, the Turkish ex-super-star-footballer coach who had it all and lost it all. This is his story. How he got to coach the BJs and more.

If you are looking for a non-stop-sex-fest, this is not the book. Yes, there is hot sex, in appropriate places, but mainly this is a story about people, their flaws, their failings, how they change, and about life. It is a heart-breaking journey, emotionally charged and a true roller-coaster ride. If you have a heart, you will need some tissues handy.

Unlike the first book, Man On, which dealt with how the team came to be and the M/M relationship between the two mid-fielders Nicco and Parker, Metin's story is very heterosexual. Liz shows us some glimpses into the Black Jacks football team but these are mainly tie-ins to the first book and items to place Metin in its context. The subject of this book is without a shadow of a doubt Metin, the man, the human being and his life. The sporting element is there, but it is secondary, so do not worry if football (soccer) is not your thing. This title can be read as a stand-alone, but I would recommend reading the first instalment as it provides a more rich background.

Metin's story is presented by a third person narrator, and it begins about five years prior to the Black Jacks team being formed. As it was hinted in book one, a major event changed Metin's life; this is reflected in this second book being split into two different parts - before and after. As a minor niggle, the timeline does become seemingly inconsistent in the second part of book, and by chapter 12 I would have expected it to have been a three years time span, however we are told it is only two. This is confusing due to the time references provided thus far. [* This is the explanation - no spoilers*: Chapter 2, 7 and 8 clearly refer to a two years time gap ("for the last two years", "for two years", "two years earlier") and Chapter 3 and 5 call it "nearly two years", Chapter 10 talks about a further four months lapse ("four solid months") and Chapter 11 and 12 talk about it being the "end of season" thus inferring Metin had been in the USA at least seven months (March to October) with a further two months to December, i.e. nine months in total. In fact, the more I look into this, the more problematic the timeline appears to be, especially when going back to book one and the reference to Metin in Chapter 11...*End of explanation*]

Liz Crowe has the ability to paint a very rich picture, with complex characters and situations. She will make you loathe a character and to then get you to see their point of view and understand them. I felt this strongly in this book, in particular with the character of Melanie (although both of the main female characters, the two sisters, Alicia and Mel, had their very irrational, very irritating behaviour). Metin was an easy given, a truly genuine character who wore his heart on his sleeve, and I could not help but sympathise with him - I also failed to see his male chauvinistic nature.

Red Card was a very good read and I look forward to the next one: Shut Out.

[ARC received via Netgalley]

This author is a master at writing the unexpected. This story was exciting, sexy, totally unexpected, heartbreakingly tragic, and did I say and unexpected? Yes, it was all those things and more. It's not overly long but the story is divided into two parts in this book. The women in his life are irrational and irritating but he seems to find the best in every one of them. Metin Sevim has a problem being alone. He's always got a woman in his bed and he falls in love quickly and deeply. This is his story. He'll go through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. You will laugh and cry in happiness and sadness. You will cheer Metin on and you will want to throttle him. And you can't help falling a little in love with the crazy, quirky, Turkish soccer player.

If you are a fan of the Black Jack Gentlemens expansion soccer team, then I highly recommend you read Metin Sevim's story. I Loved it!!!

Received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Rachael – ☆☆☆
Metin is a soccer star. Alicia wants to make it as a female soccer player even though she's been training for it her whole life, it just isn't looking possible. When she meets Metin, it's INSTA-LOVE.

Tragedy strikes and Metin is left trying to find the pieces of his life that he can manage to salvage.

Melanie, Alicia's mean sister, finds that maybe she doesn't have to hate Metin as much as she initially did.

So, after saying that. I have to say I found the first half of the story to be... boring. It was insta-love and everything that came with it. The second half had more action, but I found to be quite predictable.

I must say that I liked the way Melanie turned herself around and I found the relationship between her and Metin semi-believable. However, I found myself thinking many times, good sex does not equal love as that seemed to be the only thing that worked for Metin and anyone.

I found the sex scenes lacking and thoughts of 'how'd her hand get there' or 'how is that even possible' because the author left so many details out or didn't want to get too in depth with those scenes. I would have rather them not be there at all then wonder how physically possible they would be doing some of the things.

The time line of this one compared to the first book, totally didn't fit. Not to mention they talk about it being two years only to later be the two year anniversary, which threw me off.

Overall, I'd say the writing was rather good, but I didn't connect well with either character, but the pain that Metin was going through as well as Melanie came through better at times than other so I felt there was a lot of promise there.

Shannan – ☆☆☆☆
Alicia is an up and coming soccer star but the odds of her making it are looking slim. When she meets Metin, a huge soccer star from Turkey sparks fly instantly. He was living his dreams on and off the field until tragedy strikes and he loses everything. He is given the opportunity to start over as a coach for the Black Jacks. He finds a friendship in the strangest of places.

This is the second book in the Black Jack Gentlemen Series. It can be read as a standalone without issue. The first book was m/m and this is m/f.

Some of what happened I saw coming, some things I was surprised by. It was meant to be an emotional read but seeing the plot twist happening it took that away for me. I have to say I did enjoy book one, Man On, more than this one. I like the flow of that better. This one seemed to stall out for me.

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second in the series, but takes us back in time. It is a really intense read which definitely needed a tissue in places. I loved the trips to Turkey and insight into life there, as well as Spain. Seeing couples in such a deep relationship is demanding on the reader, and I was sucked in for sure! I don't want to say more, because the story needs to be read without too much foreknowledge. I promise that it is a great premise for a book, has a different side of the sport than we normally see, and ends well.

Find a quiet corner, make yourself a drink and just enter a different world for a while, it will be worth it!

My Thoughts about the Black Jack Gentlemen series: Man On, book one – this M/M story grabbed a hold of me from page one and never let go! Nicco is the 29 year old veteran soccer bad boy and Parker is fresh from college graduation. We see these 2 very different men from very different backgrounds learn to live with and like themselves while fighting an attraction to each other. Nicco feels that he would not be good for Parker because Parker is young and naïve and is still fighting his sexual identity. Parker has always been a yes-man and a pleaser and this rebellion (ditching med school to play soccer) is the first time that he’s taken something for himself and disregarded others feelings while he did it. This author writes a story that she led us through at a steady and believable pace. These 2 men did not take their feelings for each other lightly. They did not act rashly or disregard how a relationship between the 2 of them would affect the team and their pro sport images… There was a lot of story fit into 134 pages and I hung on every word! Am I the only one who love love LOVES a three years later epilogue??!! It’s amazing how gratifying a “three years later” epilogue can be and how gut wrenching and heart stopping a “three years later” part 2 in a book can be. How can books in the same series be so incredibly different and yet all tied together? For me the first book is a page turner m/m book, the second book, Red Card, is about a love lost that literally tore my heart from my chest and pulverized it into the ground… I ugly cried… snot-running, boohoo cried!! I wanted to take Metin and wrap him in bubble wrap and protect him from the world that had treated him so so badly! I think the authors note on the book description explains things best, Red Card is “A saga of family dynamics and gender politics that cuts across cultures and circumstance, Red Card illustrates the human capacity for forgiveness through the life of one man as he attempts to rebuild his shattered existence.” Shut Out is book 3 and it takes a look into the bdsm world and shows two people who are scarred from their pasts but they are trying to find a future together. Sophie and Brody are destined to be together. The road to get there was tough but oh so sweet when it finally happens! And finally book 4, Hat Trick, is another saga along the lines of book 2 that was written in the vein of gut-wrenching realism that made me want to go into the pages of the book and thump Declan in the head and rip the hair off of Cassandra’s head! Good grief this author knows how to take her characters, and by default the reader, through the halls of hell before she even thinks to give them/us a HEA… To me a good book/series is one that makes you feel and cheer and cry… this series is all that and more! Now excuse me while I embrace my book hangover and try to recover from the ‘feels’!
- See more at: http://thebookreadinggals.com/series-review-black-jack-gentlemen-by-liz-crowe/#sthash.XuHN7hq2.dpuf

Metin is such a sad character. He is a great character but you feel so bad for him. the circumstances of his past will tear at your heart. Poor guy lost everything and what he did to drown the pain and feel numb is just sad. He goes through so much and grows so much in this book. Metin will truly tear at your heartstrings and Alicia with the choices and situations she is making and put in just really really put you in the emotional wringer.

Alicia I am wondering whether soccer was always her dream or her dad’s . You know that she loves soccer but who is she trying to prove more to herself or her family. she is feeling low on the totem pole when she lands on the female team of the black jack soccer teams.

Metin and her have instant attraction but try to ignore it. Metin helps her to get better with her soccer and along the way falls in love. he is persistent and begins to come out of his fog. He sees a future for himself. Alicia struggles to fight off her attraction but when she gives in there are some steamy moments. the talking they do is wonderful. they are friends first and that is what stands out. This isn’t a relationship that began with sex it began with friends. when Alicia goes to another team, Metin is there for her. He supports her doing what is right for her. Than Alicia’s world starts to crumble. Unfortunately Alicia is put in a rock and hard place and with her bitter sister decides on a fate that could change her whole world. Upon making this decision, she causes pain to Metin. Metin though does find out the truth and comes to her.

they love each other and he is determined to be there and be with her. They are such a wonderful and equal footing couple. they believe in each other and want what is best for the other.

A sweet and sad tale of two people trying to prove something and become better people. One trying to shed the guilt and sadness of the past and the other trying to prove they are good at soccer. They find one another and become a wonderful and fun couple. Decisions are made and things are said and they go into that rocky point. What is seen throughout is the love. Love of each other, respect for one another and the love of family. A truly sweet tale of two people meant to be but who go on a journey of self discovery to be able to find their way together once again.

soccer...romance...hot guys!