ARC received for review

4.5 stars

I'm trying to clean out my backlog of ARCs. It makes me sad I waited so long to read this one. Great new adult book. Both Caden and Finlay at college students at BAMA (yuck, go Clemson Tigers). I think their school was the only thing I disliked about this book. Great love story and teammates to help them out, especially when Caden is a bone head. I'm looking forward to the next book.

Caden is the perfect example of an egotistical jerk. He was no problem getting women. He is hot and he knows the women melt when he gives them his sexy wink and no. Until he meets Until he meets Finlay. Finlay hates Caden for reasons he doesn’t understand and wants to change Finlay’s mind about him. It’s tricky as he is in a relationship and wasn’t a guy who cheated. Finlay is trying to honor the memory if her twin brother Cole. It had been his dream to play football and hopefully make it to the pros But Cole had a heart attack on the field. But Cole died too soon to see the dream fulfilled. Two years after Cole’s
death the shame and pain over her last conversion with Cole still haunts her. When the coach of the Alabama football team offers the opportunity to be the water girl for the team every practice and game , Finlay jumps at it. Finlay hopes to put her life back in order. Caden is the star quarterback and he is the one who took Coles place. Finlay hates him. Caden hates dishonesty. Cole had been Finlays best friend as well as her twin. Cole died thinking Finlay hated him. When really Finlay was really proud of him and loved him. For her entire life finlay has run plays, watched practices and games, helped Cole to train and become better. Finlay was a freshman as she took a couple years off after Cole's death. Caden was a Junior. Cole was the football player everyone wanted to know , she used to hate it and resent Cole for all his fame in the town.. Finlay hated being referred as Cole’s little sister . She wanted her own identity. When Finlay first starts as the watergirl Grady always had snarky comments for her until Caden stands up for her. Caden laughed at Cole’s funeral which added to Finlay’s hatred of him. Caden can’t seem to stay away from Finlay. Especially since they share a class and bus rides and keep bumping into each other at night as they both had insomnia.
I enjoyed reading this book My attention was caught from the first page until the last. I didn’t want to put this down.This was a hate to love romance. I chuckled at times and choked up at times while reading this. I really liked the plot and loved the pace. My heart broke for Finlay and the guilt she carried. I read this in one setting. I didn’t understand some of the scenes in this book. I didn’t really care for the ending. I felt this was fairly realistic. I loved seeing Caden and Finlay build a relationship. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend it.

4.5 stars!

OMG How I loved this book! First of all, I have read this whole res now in one weekend! I was hooked! every single book is amazing! I love them from page one on!
Caden and Finlay's relationship was up and down from the start, You never knew where it is going to end up. I was so drawn into where it was headed.

Also, I don't know much about college football, but this kept me in the story learning more and interested. Water girl? Never knew they existed!

I loved this book and all the other books that followed!

Well written, sports romance and tack on a girl with secrets - 5 stars everytime! This was my first read by Nathan but won't be my last.

I totally enjoyed this story of finding happiness after heartbreak. I am not usually a fan of new adult romances (I sometimes struggle to connect with the characters) but J. Nathan does an amazing job of creating unique & interesting characters. I look forward to reading more by the author.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I also left a review on bn.com (DaneWeimMama)

First, it's a sports romance. Second, it's football. Who wouldn't love this kind of story? This story was AMAZING! J. Nathan is a new author for me and I was not disappointed one bit!

Finlay Thatcher is a girl trying to learn to live her life after her twin brother died unexpectedly on the football field. She had always lived in shadow's as Cole's sister. In their senior year of high school, she tried to make herself different and move away from the stigma of being the football quarterback's sister. Not knowing that when he left for college would be the last time they would see or speak to each other.

2 years later, Finlay finally gets back to life by working as the "water girl" for the Alabama football team. No one knows who she is related to. But the star quarterback can't figure out where he has seen her before.

Caden Brooks, Junior at Alabama has it all. Good looks, great arm and dating the president of the local sorority. But he can't get Finlay out of his head. They've barely spoken to each since football started weeks before school starts. Except for the tidbits that Finlay tells Caden on how he can work on his timing and when to throw the ball. They have had run-in's at the quad at school, in the gym and at the pool early in the morning when neither of them can sleep.

With these chances, Caden uses it to get to know Finley. Quizzes on football plays that turn into Psych 101 questions for the midterm in class that they share. For both, their are easy to be around and let your guard down each other.

Not wanting to be like his father, Caden breaks up with his sorority girlfriend while on the road. She doesn't take it to well, actually she doesn't believe it, and continues to act like nothing changed. But in her bitterness, she tells what she thinks will damage Finlay in Caden's eyes.

Believing the lie, he doesn't give Finlay the chance to explain. Breaking off what they had just started and turning the next weeks to silence between them. It's not until the football coach, the one who was there when her brother died and also pushed Finlay to take the job with the football team to rebuild her life, took Caden to his office to find out what was going on between him and Finlay. It's then that he realizes his mistake.

From there, Finlay must try and forgive Caden for his mistake about his assumption. But also to forgive herself for assumption for what she saw at her brother's funeral years before.

I loved the chemistry between these characters. The cocky athlete and the sassy tomboy. My heart did go through the ringer while reading this. But was very happy that it does have an HEA.

I can't wait for the next book, but will bide my time reading the author's other books that have been released!

Fan. Tas. Tic!!!! This book kept me awake reading into the wee hours of the night/morning. There was no way that I was putting this down without seeing what happened with Finley and Caden. Every once in a while you come across a book that just hits all of the best aspects of what makes a terrific romance and this had them all! Love, passion, chemistry, angst, witty banter, amazing side characters and a beautifully happy ending. Everything was just done so write in this book and it just pulled me in right away and never let go all the way to the end. There was just something about how the author wrote these two characters that was like being wrapped in a warm blanket and they just crawled right into my heart. Shockingly enough this book even has several flashback scenes (which I am not a big fan of and think authors tend to overdue) but even those were limited and kept short, sweet and to the point. 5 stars for "For Finley" and I can't wait to read more by this author!!!

4.5 Fabulous stars!

‘But living in the shadow of someone else was the worst kind of fate. And for my own sanity, I put an end to it.’

We were in the mood for a sports romance and they don’t come much better than For Finlay. This felt like a classic old school NA romance with a well written football theme. J Nathan is a new to us Author and we fell in love with her story and characters. A fabulous frenemies to lovers’ story that’ll burrow deep in your heart. Whilst incredibly sad at times it’s also very sweet, passionate and funny.

“Never be afraid to tell people what you’re really thinking. It’s one of the most refreshing things about you.”

After a bit of a slow start we became hooked and this story captivated us as we went on a journey of high emotions, heartfelt angst as well as the tragedy of loss and self-discoveries. Do we live our lives for ourselves or others? Do we let the consequences of our past impact our future?

“He judged me before hearing the truth.”

For Finlay is a story a girl, Finlay, who suffers the dreadful loss of her twin brother during a time when their relationship is strained and fractious. The guilt is all encompassing and she’s living a life of regret, loneliness and trying to -in her own way- fulfil her dead brother’s dreams. Finlay is, despite what she thinks, quite the feisty independent girl with a quiet unassuming strength.

‘He made me feel things I’d never felt before. Things I wasn’t sure I’d feel again. But that’s why it was so scary.’

Caden is the all-American hero. The star quarterback who’s immediately drawn to Finlay for unexplainable reasons as she absolutely despises everything about him and makes this known daily. Despite her cold and somewhat hostile treatment of him, he can’t stay away. The chemistry is palpable and he craves her despite her outward hatred towards him. He wants to understand her. He wants her to feel like he feels. He wants her.

“Let me do whatever it takes to make this right.”

The flow of this story felt so natural and believable. We really got to know the characters, their stumbling blocks, insecurities and inner fights. There were times we had tears in our eyes and others were our hearts melted. Such a beautiful story that for some reason sparked a sentimentality in our hearts. A fabulous sports romance that did exactly what it set out to be!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1912192809?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

4.5 Fabulous stars!

‘But living in the shadow of someone else was the worst kind of fate. And for my own sanity, I put an end to it.’

We were in the mood for a sports romance and they don’t come much better than For Finlay. This felt like a classic old school NA romance with a well written football theme. J Nathan is a new to us Author and we fell in love with her story and characters. A fabulous frenemies to lovers’ story that’ll burrow deep in your heart. Whilst incredibly sad at times it’s also very sweet, passionate and funny.

“Never be afraid to tell people what you’re really thinking. It’s one of the most refreshing things about you.”

After a bit of a slow start we became hooked and this story captivated us as we went on a journey of high emotions, heartfelt angst as well as the tragedy of loss and self-discoveries. Do we live our lives for ourselves or others? Do we let the consequences of our past impact our future?

“He judged me before hearing the truth.”

For Finlay is a story a girl, Finlay, who suffers the dreadful loss of her twin brother during a time when their relationship is strained and fractious. The guilt is all encompassing and she’s living a life of regret, loneliness and trying to -in her own way- fulfil her dead brother’s dreams. Finlay is, despite what she thinks, quite the feisty independent girl with a quiet unassuming strength.

‘He made me feel things I’d never felt before. Things I wasn’t sure I’d feel again. But that’s why it was so scary.’

Caden is the all-American hero. The star quarterback who’s immediately drawn to Finlay for unexplainable reasons as she absolutely despises everything about him and makes this known daily. Despite her cold and somewhat hostile treatment of him, he can’t stay away. The chemistry is palpable and he craves her despite her outward hatred towards him. He wants to understand her. He wants her to feel like he feels. He wants her.

“Let me do whatever it takes to make this right.”

The flow of this story felt so natural and believable. We really got to know the characters, their stumbling blocks, insecurities and inner fights. There were times we had tears in our eyes and others were our hearts melted. Such a beautiful story that for some reason sparked a sentimentality in our hearts. A fabulous sports romance that did exactly what it set out to be!

LOUISA'S 4 #ROLLTIDE BLUSHES REVIEW

I love a great football book! And when it's an Alabama #RollTide book - I am all over it!

Finlay has lived her life is the shadows and the devastating loss has put her in a deep depression. The coach of the Alabama Roll Tide football team has asked her to come and be a part of the team. She comes in with a few predisposed opinions. But as she gets to know the one boy she swears to hate, Caden, things begin to change.

This book is about 2 strong people who have battled different demons and just want to find the one person who completes them. And Caden and Finley have no idea that the sparks will fly but the secrets may be their demise.

I loved watching these two go from enemies to friends and so much more. There is some serious back and forth with some angst that I just love in a book!! And the oh-so -sexy times between these two are off the charts HOT!

I love strong characters who want to make themselves better people! There is a beautiful surprise near the end of the book that clenched this book for me.

I am looking forward to Forester's Story!

**Disclaimer - My son is currently a freshman at The University of Alabama so I am under obligation to read any and all books that feature the University of Alabama! **

For starters, very weirdly the thought of a twin brother dying kind of disturbed me. No, I don't have a twin brother, so I was really freaked out when it unsettled me. And no, he does not die gruesomely (he has a heart-attack while on field). And also, no, death does not disturb me. I like reading that shit. So if you know me, you know that me getting unsettled by a book is a good thing for the book, it means that the writer has done something right. Kudos to Nathan for that.

So now you are wondering why I rated this book a 3 star. That's not a bad thing people. It just wasn't a 4 star book for me, and that is the sole reason. This book wasn't a bad one, but it wasn't a great one either. It was just a good one.

***4,5 "Are you lost???" stars***

This was the first book that I've read by J. Nathan and it was such a wonderful surprise!!!
I enjoyed every single moment in it and this journey was such a lovely experience...
To be totally honest with you, I'm a sucker for this kind of stories...
College setting, football player, girl with secrets??? Yes, please!!!!
Add to that a hate to love story, much bickering who made you laugh and much angst because of a secret that could blow up everything... or not!!!

After two years isolated, Finlay is joying the University of Alabama living her brother's dream...
Finlay never got over the death of her twin, especially since their relationship at the end was very tense... so she was having lots of regrets. about the way she was treating back then.
Now, Finlay is trying to move forward but it's so hard to do it...
Thanks to the coach, she is having a spot on the football team, but that means that she has to be close to Caden Brooks, a man that she is hating with all her heart....

Caden Brooks is a very popular guy around the campus.... He is the star quarterback, he has many fans, a loving girlfriend, many friends and a bright future to the pros...
So, his life is in a very good place, but then Finlay is stepping into it and his whole world is turning upside down...
Even though she is giving him shit all the damn time, he can't stay away from her...

Finlay and Caden are starting with the wrong foot but as the time is passing by, they are coming closer and closer to each other...
Will Finlay forget why she hated Caden that much???
Will Caden do something that he had sworn that he will never do???
There is a future about those two when Finlay's secret will be revealed???

“Yeah. I totally appreciate you being a gentleman and all, but maybe next time, give me some warning first.”
I smiled, leaning down and pressing my lips to her forehead. “Next time, I won’t be a gentleman.”

I loved both Finlay and Caden....
Their encounters were so fierce and absolutely delightful...
I liked how they manage to soothe each other's soul...

“If I could take it all back, I would. I don’t want to be the guy who hurts you, Finlay. I want to be the one who lifts you up. The one you want when you’re sad and need comfort. The one you want when you’re happy and need to share it with someone. I don’t want to be the one who makes you sad. It’s the last thing I want to do.”

Caden was such a wonderful guy.... He seemed like the usual jock type but he was anything but that...
Okay, he was very cocky, but damn, that was so hot in him!!!!
But he had more things hidden inside of him...
I liked very much how he got closer to Finlay and how stable was in his beliefs...
But, damn, in a certain matter, i didn't like how easily he was making assumptions about Finlay and how easily he convicted her....

“Are you lost?” I asked.
A sweet, almost nervous, smile played across her face. “I don’t think so.”
“Maybe I wasn’t clear. Are you lost without me?”
“Your ego knows no limits, does it?”
“Nope.”

Finlay was so lonely and heartbroken and my heart was breaking for her and poor Cole....
She and her brother had a unique bond and it was inevitable to feel like she did at the end... She was just a little bit unfair toward Cole and later... Caden.
She had this hatred toward Caden, but when she was in his presence her heart was saying her other things than her mind and she didn't know what to do....
I also liked very much how honest she were and that she wasn't holding back her tongue, especially toward Caden!!!! It was so funny to watch!!!

“I like your honesty.”
“Even when it’s directed at you?”
“Especially when it’s directed at me.”

Is it wrong that I'm very curious about Forester???
And that i would love to learn more about Cole??? Something that is impossible!!!!
I liked very much Finlay's roomate... She was such a sweet girl!!!
And i hated very much Caden's girlfriend!!! She was from those kind of girls that can deceive you!!!
I also loved the Thachers very much!!!!
And i'm not sure how i felt about Grady.... Yep, he was such a prick most of the time, but he intrigued me in a strange way....

***ARC generously provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***

ARC received in exchange for honest review.

Sometimes a book pulls you in with its promise of a good tale of love and loss. The characters are ones you can identify with. They work together and their story is one that warms your heart.

Finlay has suffered the unimaginable loss of the person closest to her, her twin brother. We don't know how but we do know it's knocked her world off its axis. She's barely breathing and has managed to come out of her fog long enough to attend college two years later than she should have.

Caden is the star quarterback at his college. He has it all. Good looks, a girlfriend and athletic ability. But what people don't see is that he's board. He's just moving through life until he meets Finlay. She throws him for a loop though with her indifference toward him.

Slowly these two form a bond that is quickly sped up when they are thrown together. It works until all of a sudden Caden doubts Finlay and then it all falls apart. This story I endearing and sweet. It's about two people that find common ground in a world where both of them have pasts to over come. If you are looking for a sweet coming of age story this is your book.

**I received an ebook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Title: For Finlay
Author: J. Nathan
Genre: NA Romance
My Rating: 5 "oh my word this book made me cry" Stars!
Swoony-Swoon Level: 5/5

Have you ever been caught up in one big misunderstanding with someone? Well, intensify that by a million and there you have...
For Finlay.

First we meet 20-year-old Finlay Grace Thatcher, a college freshman working for Alabama's football team. And then we meet Caden Brooks, 21-years-old, big ego, but an even bigger future because he's Alabama's star quarterback
and the guy that Finlay hates...

After 2 years, Finlay is still weighed down with guilt & regrets over the passing of her twin brother, Cole, but slowly she begins to start picking up the pieces of her shattered life. Which leads Finlay to Caden. Finlay has held a grudge, hatred, in her heart towards Caden ever since the death of her brother on assumptions she made about him. Now, having to face Caden all the time, she's starting to wonder if maybe she should let her guard down & let her hate go.

Caden Brooks can't figure Finlay out. She's so hot then cold towards him it makes him wonder what he ever did wrong. But this blue-eyed blonde football star isn't going to let the road blocks Finlay is putting between them get in his way. Because he sees something different in her. Because what he feels when he's with her, he's never felt that before. And she seems too good to walk away from.

As Finlay & Caden cross paths (sometimes hysterically!) again and again, sparks begin to fly. And an explosive first kiss takes them deeper still. But as their relationship begins to take form, lies & horrible misunderstandings lead to it's breakdown. They're both choosing to presume the worst of the other, lies really, that tear them apart.

Will the lies & misunderstandings erode their beautiful love?
Or will the truth win & bring restoration for these two weary hearts?

My Thoughts:
When I read the blurb for this book I knew I had to give it a read. And I was most certainly not disappointed! Finlay & Caden's love was so real & raw I was left swooning and emotional over their ups & downs. There was just the right amount of angst and I loved how Finlay finally opened up to Caden and gave him a chance. When the big "misunderstanding" occurred I was shattered! I literally was audibly crying: "Nooooo!". There were a few times I was brought to tears while reading this book (mostly over Finlay's brother Cole, but I won't spoil anything for you.).

Overall: For Finlay was a total 5 star read for me! I loved the author's writing style, the pace, everything! I especially loved the dual POV's (Caden & Finlay). I always appreciate when a author does that, I think it adds so much to a romance story when we can read from both perspectives. Overall, I recommend For Finlay for any NA romance lover!
Heartfelt. Heartbreaking.

P.S. Caden Brooks is serious Book Boyfriend material, girls!

Recommended for ages 18+.

Thank you to the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read For Finlay!

~KristaMae~

I was a huge fan of J. Nathan Before Hadley, so when I saw this available for request, I jumped on it. And I was not disappointed! This is a very different story, but still had some pleasant surprises, and rich characters that really sucked you into the story immediately.

The characters, all of them, were so enjoyable, in fact, that I really hope to get some more of them in later books! (Best friends of Finlay and Brooke's, Sabrina & Forrester maybe? Yvette & Grady? :) ).

Finlay is an older freshman after delaying college for a couple of years after a tragedy rocked her entire family. She gets a job as the "water girl" for an Alabama university's football team and gets to deal with all that means. She finds herself running into one of the players, Brookes, over and over again, as the two have similar routines and quirks. Brookes, the star quarterback who is used to getting what he wants, doesn't know what to think of this strange girl who isn't under his spell. Except keep his hands off since he has a girlfriend and is NOT a cheater like his father.

The way that these two go from biting each other's heads off to friends to more was great and I really liked their dynamic. The push and pull before they finally give in was a joy to read and the fact that these two had great chemistry made it all the better!

There is a bit of mystery to this from the beginning. I really appreciated that this was paced just right and the reveals set perfectly that my interest was piqued while also being satisfied quickly enough that I didn't feel frustrated.

I also thought that the catalyst for the inevitable crisis and misunderstanding with our main characters was well conceived and executed, with just enough drama. Being the outside observer to their issue was fun, as much as I wanted to throttle them both. :)

REVIEW POSTED VIA ENCLOSED LINK.

If you're looking for a great football story, with an alpha male and a sassy, independent female, For Finlay is for you folks. I absolutely loved this story and could not get enough of Finlay and Caden and their fiery love/hate relationship.

Finlay Thatcher is a Quarterback's dreamgirl: gorgeous, independent, sassy and a diehard football fan. All perfect qualities that Alabama star Quarterback Caden Brooks should love. Perfect except for the fact that he has a girlfriend, Finlay despises him for some unknown reason and loves to push his buttons like no other. A definite winning combination! What happened to make Finlay hate Caden so much? Will they get past it or are they destined to fail?

For Finlay was an amazing amazing read. It was exactly what I was looking for when I needed a low angst, sexy, swoony, good old-fashioned NA romance. It had everything I loved. A sexy hero, a sassy heroine and football! The story was fantastic and so different. In addition, the side characters were just as interesting. It was absolutely incredible and I will definitely keep this author and her upcoming books on my radar! I can't wait for more! 4.5 stars!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Weapenry Co-Op for an advanced copy of this e-book for review!

I absolutely loved Finlay and Caden's story. I couldn't get enough of it and was sad when it was over. This story gave me all the feels. It was funny, romantic and heart breaking at times. The author did a really great job of making the reader feel the guilt that Finlay felt over the death of her brother. I thought the way Finlay and Caden's relationship developed was very realistic. Despite being an idiot at certain points in the story, I loved Caden's respect for a relationship and his stance on not cheating. This was a wonderful, quick read that wasn't bogged down by excessive descriptions. It was a great story with a perfect HEA. These are characters that I will definitely be thinking about for a while and this book is going in my read again pile. I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

My review is live on Goodreads and Amazon.