The Ex Effect
by Karla Sorenson
The headline could write itself:
Matthew Hawkins, star defensive end, comes out of retirement to play for the Washington Wolves.
Which is perfectly fine by Ava Baker—it makes her job as publicist for the team easier.
There’s only two problems. This particular football player was her first crush.
The bigger problem: Matthew Hawkins was once engaged to her older sister.
It’s been ten years since Ava has seen Matthew. He’s bigger, better looking, and best of all—completely single. Despite his history with her sister, the attraction between Ava and Matthew isn’t so one-sided anymore.
It’s hot enough to burn down the entire city of Seattle.
But this headline is far more complicated to write. And not just for the press or what it means for her family— because once her heart is involved, there’s no predicting the ending.
Spice Level: 3.5/6 | Story Score: 8/10 | Rating: 5/5 |
I was trying to find a book that would hit more than one challenge for me since I’m running out of February to get some of these done! I searched for sports romances on Goodreads and was excited to see one by Karla Sorenson. I love her. The Ex Effect crossed off my “E” in my A-Z Titles challenge as well as the “sports romance” on my EROS challenge. It also crossed off my “Athlete hero” trope. This is the 2nd book in the series and while I did read the first one sometime last year, I don’t think it would be necessary.
Karla Sorenson has a way of making characters that I want to be friends with. While I didn’t support Ava’s poorer decisions, I understood them and couldn’t shame her for them. I was always rooting for her nonetheless. Matthew…well, Matthew is a new book boyfriend. He’s the guy that you hope you end up with, spend your life with. He’s already learned a lot of life lessons, he’s learned a lot about himself, and he’s just a genuinely nice guy. He isn’t going to put you through all the shit that everyone before him has. In fact, he’s going to put you back together and hold you together with his mere consistency and presence. He also was a great combination of sexy and sweet. He figured out what he wanted quickly and that was it for him. He didn't waiver. He tried to give her everything that she needed and wanted - she just hadn't learned all of her life lessons yet, sadly.
Matthew was engaged to Ava's sister - so they already have a background. Ten years after that engagement ended, he shows up to play football for the team Ava works PR for. Pretty much instantly, the connection is there. It builds quickly and they let it.
The problem comes in the form of Ava's family. Her sister's wedding vow renewal is coming and Ava knows she can't show up with her sister's ex fiancé. She's already always been the overlooked or criticized sister. When she gets stuck in a tight spot, she lets another player get tangled into the web to hide Matthew. Obviously Matthew figures it out and then her parents figure it out right after and Ava says the wrong thing every direction. Then she's left figuring out how to get her man back.
It was a simple story, but it just hit right. Like even though it was a common enough plot - it just felt better than most of them. I couldn’t stop. I needed every word of it inside my head. Now that it’s over? I wish I could crawl inside the book and stay there. Like, I could write dirty fan fiction over this adorable story.
-SPOILERS-
There’s nothing to spoil about this book. The plot unravels just like you think it will…but if you love a good guy and a sports romance, you’re going to like it more than most.
Book #2 in the Washington Wolves series | 240 Pages | Trope Challenge: Athlete/Sports |
My lips brushed against his when I spoke again. My entire body was a throbbing mass of need. "If any part of you doesn't want to kiss me right now, then—"
He shut me up by crushing his lips to mine.
- The Ex Effect by Karla Sorenson
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