I really loved this book a lot. I loved the vulnerability of Stella and Brandon.

Stella had gone on a date with Brandon once before... and it ended in disaster. Now she finds Brandon back in her life and she can't help but think WHAT IF? Brandon has always had a thing for Stella, who cares if their date didn't go perfectly, she still had that something that he was drawn to. The thing is, he knows she's not in their small little town to stay or is she?

The two fight against their attractions, knowing that there will be an end. But can Brandon convince her to stay and will she want to for him?

I loved the give and take between these two. They both had pasts that neither seemed to be able to shake. This was the first read for me from this author and I most definitely will be reading more in the future!

Stella and Brandon had a great chemistry and watching them navigate an actual relationship, dealing with real life issues, was very refreshing. I enjoyed this one very much.

Reviewed by JoAnne

Review: Kern is a new to me author and I don’t know how I’ve missed reading any of her books before now. Back in the Game is the second book in the Champion Valley series and I need to read Winner Takes All the first book and book 3, Changing the Rules when it’s released next March.

High School football is a major part of the story along with ballet and lost and second chances. Stella and Brandon have chemistry that they choose not to act on due to their pasts and their current circumstances of either one not looking for a relationship. But will that be enough to block their feelings? They seem to get each other like no one else does and help to alleviate the other’s concerns and fears but both are still running scared or are they? Watching Stella open up to Brandon since he always seems to be there when she needs him most is heartwarming especially given her panic attacks that are coming fast and furiously. Brandon has a teenage football playing son, Matt, whom he’s raised as a single parent since he was three when his mom walked out on them. Matt seems pretty level headed but also portrayed realistically as a typical teen. Stella’s relationship or lack thereof with her mom is a direct contract on Brandon and Matt’s.

There are family and friends, football, heart to heart talks, sadness, fear, panic attacks, anger, happiness, laughter, lots of kisses and some heated moments along with love. The Beehive Mafia were scary and are reminiscent to me of Eddie and Gladys from Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold series and Lucille from Jill Shalvis’, Lucky Harbor series. Older woman that seem to take perverse pleasure in looking at young er men and more! There are many story lines going on throughout and they are woven seamlessly together. The characters didn’t have the depth to them that I was hoping form. There is some closure and a happily-ever-after in the offing but an epilogue would have been the icing on the cake. I hope the next book in the series picks up where Back to the Game leaves off since I for one can’t wait to see what the characters are up to next.

Chemistry abounds between two unlikely people! A sassy connection between a single dad and the local ballet teacher makes for a really fun read! They bounce witty comebacks off each other every chance they get, and when they finally decide to give in to the attraction they feel, sparks ignite! The characters are easy to like, and although the romance is slow to happen, it's a nice build up throughout. I enjoyed their story!

Stella Davenport never expected to find herself teaching ballet in a small town in Colorado at this point in her life. She craves the big city dancing lifestyle she used to have in Chicago and hopes her dream of being invited back to choreograph will one day come true. Living here with her Mom crowding her space is slowly driving her insane!

Brandon West feels like he's spent his entire life looking out for his son, and he's not about to start now just because he's soon heading off to college. His one chance on love came back to bite him good, so he isn't too up on trying that game again ... but he can't deny he's drawn to Stella in a way he hasn't felt in a long time ... maybe ever! Can two wounded hearts find a way to overcome their obstacles to be together?

When I started Back In The Game I wasn't sure what to expect. From the blurb it sounded super cute and the cover was cute too, so I figure I would take a shot at reading this story. The story was an all right read. Stella and Brandon have an interesting relationship. Brandon doesn't want to get close to Stella, because he's fearful that she would break his heart. Stella has some personal issues. She would fall into a category a fictional character who would benefit from going to a counselor. Her personal issues cause issues with a possible budding relationship. So, Stella puts up a front of sass. Which is totally fine in most cases, but I didn't feel that it worked well for her. Anyway, I liked Brandon. He's a pretty cool dad, and he truly loves his son. He's always put his son first.

Like I said Back In The Game was an okay read. The pacing of the story was a little slow. I didn't feel a connection between Brandon and Stella. However, there were a few glimpses of a future for them. However, Stella and Brandon's personal issues kind of put up road blocks to the budding relationship. Like I said I really like Brandon, because he was a good guy and he help Stella get a little better. I still think that she would benefit from counseling. What helped this story, was towards the end Brandon sent Stella a letter. Overall, a so-so story, that had it's sweet moments.

Copy provided by Forever via NetGalley

This one really surprised me! It wasn’t so much a sexy book as a true exploration of a relationship. I kind of liked that after a lot of racy romances recently. It was nice to focus on the relationship instead of the physical stuff. I really liked Stella and Brandon. They had great chemistry and the dialog between the two was fantastic! They both have baggage and history. Most of the book involves exploring that baggage and trying to move through it and into what they want for themselves. And it was refreshing, to be honest. I really enjoyed that Brandon was a single dad and his relationship with his son was really engaging. This one was more heartwarming than racy which was fine by me. I really enjoyed it! I haven’t read any of this author’s work until this one but I’ll definitely be seeking out more of her work!

the champion valley series continues with back in the game, and has single dad brandon figuring out his slow burn romance with ballet dancer stella. after their disastrous first date where stella ended up throwing up all over brandon's shoes, they'd spent most of their time avoiding each other.

but when brandon's son matt learns that taking some ballet lessons might help him with his footwork on the football field, stella finds that she can't help herself from running interference. i'm still kind of confused as to who had to convince who and who was willing to do what, but the point is that brandon and stella have to spend time together, and neither of them is all that upset about it.

because even though stella has these big plans to leave town for an opportunity with her old dance company, she find herself more and more tangled up with brandon. and she's happy to be tangled up with him. he's the first guy in a long time who respects her hang-ups and is interested in helping her through them.

not that brandon is perfect in the relationship department. his wife walked out on him and left him with an infant to care for, and that abandonment cut at him deeply. brandon worries that he'll never be enough for stella, not when she had big dreams. so he doesn't ask her to stay because he's not willing to put his whole heart on the line.

both stella and brandon need to take risks and let go of some control if only to see where things go. there is so much potential between them. even when they are constantly bickering they are super entertaining and clearly meant for each other. i think of this series as a sports romance, but brandon and stella actually have very little to do with football. the high school football season still plays out against the backdrop here, but sport is not at the front and center of this story. and that's fine. it makes sense for these characters.

Stella Davenport has dreamt of returning to her life as a ballerina performing in a big city, but with her injury, it's not likely she'll ever get the chance. However, when an opportunity arises and she's offered her dream job, Stella decides that nothing and no-one is going to stop her from accepting it. Yet, the more time she spends with Brendon West, the more Stella finds it hard to stay away. But with both their pasts leaving it hard for them to put their full trust in someone of the opposite sex, will Stella and Brendon walk away from their chance of forever after, or will they fight for their love?

What an absolutely enthralling and riveting read Ms. Kern had penned in this story, which introduced me to this author's fabulous writing style, and has me looking forward to more of this series in the future due to the secondary characters. However, it was the way this story started that had me totally charmed by this story, as Matt (Brandon's son) needs the heroine's help. Will she be able to help him? Will she be able to convince Brendon that his son needs her help? Yet, it was from the moment the hero and heroine came face-to-face for the first time in this story that brought a smile to my face and made this story a total page turner, as this couple have exciting chemistry that I could not get enough of.

As for the dialogue, it was well-written, captivating and I loved the playful banter between Stella and Brandon. They can both be sarcastic at times and both have reasons for not wanting to get involved with the other, as Brandon was hurt by his ex-wife's abandonment and Stella suffered at the hands of someone that didn't know how to keep their hands to themselves, but their chemistry is definitely undeniable. Moreover, the heroine has been through a lot and I felt sorry for her when it came to her love-hate relationship with her mom; her moments of panic and whether she'd be able to overcome them. However, in saying that, she's resilient, courageous and I liked how she challenged the hero with her opinion, especially when it comes to his son. Will Brandon listen to her advice?

While Brandon, he was such a wonderful hero and has so much to deal with throughout this book including his son and the uncomfortable birds and the bees talk as well as his ex-wife coming back into his life. Will he give in to what his ex-wife is asking of him? I also liked how confident the hero was when it came to winning the heroine over, especially since she needed to finally get what's been keeping her from giving any man a chance off her chest and who better to open up to than Brandon. Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero was how good of a dad he was and that he would do anything to protect his son from being hurt.

Overall, Ms. Kern has penned a must read in this story where the secondary characters entertained me just as much as the main ones; the chemistry between this couple was intense; the romance on the sweet side as they both do everything they can to prove they can trust each other; and the ending left me completely satisfied with the heroine's determination to prove to Brandon that she's all in when it comes to their relationship and their future. I would recommend Back in the Game by Erin Kern, if you enjoy second chance romances or books by authors Sara Hegger, Katie Lane, Samantha Chase and Jennifer Dawson.

I did read the first book in this series and I did enjoy this first book but I wasn't sure if I would read this one but I decided to give this book a chance.

I did enjoy this book a bit more than the first. The story was good and I did like the characters.

It was a quick and fun. I read this book in one day.

I give this 4 out of 5.

Brandon and Stella are so absolutely adorable together.  They have the steam and the sass and all the feels that you could want!

Brandon found himself a single dad at way too young and while he is a fabulous dad his past has left him with some trust issues when it comes to women.  He can't handle being left again and with Stella's plans to go to Chicago that's exactly what will happen if he lets himself get involved.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) the two can't fight their attraction and he starts to fall, regardless of how hard he fights it.  

Stella has her own trust issues thanks to her nomadic upbringing and the revolving door of men in her mother's life (especially one in particular).  She's trying just as hard as Brandon is to resist the pull between them but the man is just about perfect.  How can you turn away from someone with that much patience, that much understanding, and that much sexiness?!?  

Kern does a wonderful job of addressing both Brandon and Stella's issues with the consideration that they deserve.  She never glosses over their feelings and reactions, giving readers great back and forth between the two without getting overly dramatic. 

She so great at drawing you in with the heartwarming emotions, entertaining you with the perfect amount of humor, and keeping you turning pages with characters that you can't help but love.  I am SO looking forward to what she has lined up next!

4 Back in the Game Stars!

Back in the Game was the first book I've read by Erin Kern and I really enjoyed this book. The chemistry and banter between Stella and Brandon was amazing.

Stella is a former ballet dancer who had to give up dancing due to a knee injury. She now teaches ballet in Blanco Valley to younger dancer and help out the local football players with foot coordination.

Brandon is a local single father who had to give up his dreams of football and college to raise his son, Matt. After a night out with Stella Brandon finds that he can't keep his mine off of Stella even after the first date from hell.

Both Stella and Brandon have their hang up. Brandon has an issue with people he care about leaving and Stella has an issue with letting people getting close to her, both mentally and physically due her background as a child.

Can these two help each other over come the hang-ups from past experiences and find their HEA?

Erin Kern did an amazing job writing this story; it is the first book I have read from her but I think I will be reading more.

Is it a good idea for a dance teacher to teach a football player ballet, when she's attracted to his Dad? Well that is what happened when Matt walked into Stella Davenport's studio.

I liked how Matt thought he could sign up for ballet lessons without his dad's permission. Brandon West didn't understand why his son needed them and I loved how Stella cornered Brandon to talk to him about it. They always had an attraction towards each other; they tried to stay away from each other till they couldn't any longer.

This is the second book in The Champion Valley Series and I look forward to reading more.

Erin Kern is a new author to me but after reading Back in the Game I will be looking at her other books especially book 1 in the Champion Valley Series of which this story is book 2.
Second chance romance and single dads are everything I love in a book at the moment and this book did not disappoint.
Single dad Brandon West is happy with his life, he is not looking for a relationship, he likes the life he has built for him and his son Matt. Stella Davenport is happy teaching ballet in Blanco Valley but she longs for a chance to perform in Chicago. Both seem happy with their life until Matt walks into her studio and asks her to teach him to dance and that means getting his fathers permission and when they meet again they realise what is missing butwill they be prepared to take a chance on each other....
A beautifully written heartwarming story with a lot of wit and banter and I really enjoyed this read, the characters are strong and loveable, the story is believable, I read this book in one sitting and I will be looking for more from this author

Single dad Brandon West likes the simple and peaceful life he has created for him and his son, but when beautiful ballerina Stella Davenport breezes into their quiet world, everything starts to take on a lively approach. She is energetic, full of big dreams, sassy, and she pushed his buttons every chance she gets, and as much as he hates to admit it, he thoroughly enjoys every minute of it. And just when things start to go well between them, and head into heated and oh so sexy territory, she announces that she has just been offered a job miles away in Chicago. As much as Brandon wants to support her and her following her dream, he can't help but feel like he is being left all over again... and it hurts like hell, he should have known better than to fall for another woman!

Everything in Stella Davenport's life revolves around dancing... that is until brooding, and ridiculously sexy Brandon West walks back into her world. Ever since she was child she has had dreams of dancing in the big city, under the bright lights, but so far her dream hasn't came close to becoming a reality. Which is why she is still stuck in Blanco Valley teaching ballet in a little studio, and helping foster many of girls dreams of becoming a professional dancers, and helping athletes refine their footwork. When Brandon's son wanders into her shop and asks her to teach him, she can't help but want to do all she can to help him, but there is one thing standing in their way... his father. She knows convincing him to sign on the dotted line is going to be hard, good thing she has plenty of tricks up her sleeve...

Back In The Game is a heartwarming story of second chances with loads of wit and red-hot feisty banter mixed in here and there... it was such an enjoyable read!! Having been my second visit to the series, I couldn't wait to revisit and meet more of Ms. Kern's endearing characters and let them take me on a little literary adventure, and I have to say it was quite a memorable one! The story line pulled me in, had me completely absorbed in a matter of minutes and that was all she wrote... I devoured this one in one sitting...and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it! If you like small town romance stories, loaded with humor, heart, and emotion, then I highly suggest you check this one out, you will not be disappointed with what you find!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

This is my first time reading this author and series and well I LOVED this story. It easily stands alone and well I thought it was beyond romantic and just perfect. There is not one thing I would change about it. The writing was stellar and the characters were so great and I loved the story.

Also be warned there are lotsa kissing but no sex. It totally worked for this story but if you want sex scenes, you will be disapointed.

Stella and Brandon dated 18 months before. They had the worst 1st date ever and since then they have this hot love/hate/attraction thing. Brandon is a single dad (his son is 17) and the book opens with his son Matt asking Stella to teach him ballet so he can be a better footbll player.

This brings Stella to his lunch table as she tries to get Brandon to agree to let her teach Matt. And this forces them to start talking and well these two are so in love with each other that all they do is kiss and bicker. And what a way to go.

This story deals with two issues one is Stella is a former ballerina who has panic attacks when men get to close or touch her. Which is why she tries to distance herself from Brandon. Brandon has abandonement issues since his ex dumped him and his son. And as a ballerina he knows Stella is not going to be around forever.

This story was sweet and very romantic. Both Stella and Brandon have real issues and they have this relationship in a non relationship. I liked that neither get involved with anyone else and realise they just want each other. I loved them at football games and watching them slowly open themselves up to the other.

It was an okay read.. There was no back story whatsoever of the scorching moments they had a year ago that they kept saying over and over again..