Publisher: Carina Press
Publish Date: Out Now
How I got this book: NetGalley
Rugby player Spencer Bailey is determined to win a spot on England’s World Cup team. But with a month break before the selectors start watching him, he’s eager to have fun with a woman who knows the score: the relationship will end when rugby season begins. The lovely American Caitlyn Sweeney seems perfect for the role of temporary lover, since her visa will run out soon anyway.
Caitlyn works for an international disaster relief organization and can handle the world’s worst crises, but she flinches from her own. Her past has left her with a fear of intimacy so deep that she has trouble getting close to anyone—until she meets sexy Spencer. His hot body and easygoing nature are too much for even her to resist.
Neither Caitlyn nor Spencer expects to fall hard for each other. But with their relationship deadline approaching, the old rules of the game seem less important than before…until past secrets surface, challenging everything they thought they knew about each other.
*Blurb from Goodreads*
I’m a huge sports romance fan, but I hadn’t read a book about a rugby player until now. I was a little worried since I know absolutely NOTHING about rugby, but I really enjoyed this debut novel from Latham.
Caitlyn is an American girl working in London for a relief organization. She loves her job and despite the pesky issue of being a virgin, she has never been happier. She never thought that when she saved an older man’s life on the street, that she would get the chance to meet a man who set all her buttons on fire! But Spencer isn’t what Caitlyn expected, and the closer they become as friends, the more important they become to one another.
Spencer never gets involved during the Rugby season, but Caitlyn comes along at the perfect time. He wants her, and is willing to help her overcome her insecurities and fears. But when Caitlyn gets sent on a mission overseas, will Spencer be able to let go of her during his season, and if not, will they be able to move past their histories and forge on, together?
I thought this debut novel from Latham was wonderful. I loved that the book really took its time developing the characters. Spencer and Caitlyn had an obvious attraction to each other from the very start, but because of Caitlyn’s past, she struggled with intimacy. I loved that the author gave these two a chance to become friends. And after they got to the point where they were great friends, then they tried to be lovers and more. It was a wonderful romance that built up with every page, and I thought it was absolutely perfect for these characters.
Like I said before, I was a little worried that I wouldn’t know what was going on with the rugby aspect, but I found that it didn’t really matter. Sure, there were some moments when I was more than a little confused, but Latham had a way of including so much emotion while Spencer played, that it didn’t really matter that I was completely lost.
I was a little disappointed in both Spencer and Caitlyn toward the end. They both were so desperate to keep their secrets that they let those secrets drive a huge wedge between them. Caitlyn also let her friend influence her in not trusting Spencer, and there were a few moments I wanted to bash both their heads together. They were so stubborn and hard-headed that they couldn’t open up, and then when it all blew up in their faces, they didn’t handle the situation well.
The secondary characters were all wonderful, especially Spencer’s grandfather. I loved him to pieces. All the other rugby players were such fun, and super sexy. I adored Caitlyn’s friend, up until the end. Despite that, I do hope we get to see more of ALL the secondary characters as they each get a chance to find their HEA.
All in all I really liked this debut novel from Latham. The slow building romance that went from friends to lovers was so beautiful. I loved that it really stretched across months, instead of days or weeks. I can’t wait to see what Latham comes up with next.
I give Knowing the Score a B.