I love reading Rachel Van Dyken Stories. They are Fun, Modern Romance and Sweet. Fraternize was a wonderful read for me. I Really Enjoyed reading it.

I Highly Recommend all Readers to grab this book now. It is A Must Read for All the Readers.

Oh how I love Rachel Van Dyken & her writing!! I loved this series beyond words. And I’m beyond grateful I was able to read it.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

I couldn't make myself finish this book.
Apparently, it is very much loved by readers and I'm happy for the author, but, even though I was invested in the plot, dialogues between characters were not something I enjoyed.
After many attempts over years to read this book, the time has come for me to give up on it.
Simply wasn't my cup of tea.

Unfortunately I didn't finish this book, as I couldn't get into it - nothing against the author or book, just not to my personal taste. Thank you for the opportunity to read it.

*sigh*
I don't know what it is exactly, but RVD's books just don't seem to work for me in general.
Is it the writing? The narration? Her characters? Plots? Maybe all of the above?

This book just wasn't able to hold my interest. I was bored most of the time, probably because I couldn't seem to connect with the characters, which in turn made it hard for me to care about them.
The plot was okay, I guess... I should've loved reading about two hotties fawning and fighting over a girl. I don't mind love triangles most of the time. Alas, again, I just didn't care.

Sorry, I wish I could give you all an elaborate explanation of what I felt was wrong with this book, but I feel like this is just one of those cases where an author and a reader don't click. It happens.
Time to move on....

I love Rachel Van Dyken's books. She's one of my favorite authors. Unfortunately, due to recent time constraints, I've fallen behind on reading quite a few of her newer releases. Now that I have a little bit more free time, I wanted to catch up on all of her books. I decided to start with Fraternize because I found the synopsis to be the most intriguing out of my unread books she has written. I loved reading the book.

Fraternize is one of the best romance books that I've read so far this year. I loved being sucked back into the worlds that Rachel Van Dyken writes about. She really makes you care about the characters, and what happens to them. While reading, I could empathize with them and feel the emotions they were going through, especially Emerson. I enjoyed Sanchez and Miller's banter with each other, and with Em. I also found the plot to be interesting. It was intriguing to learn everything the three main characters had been through, and to see how it all tied together at the end. It was also interesting to learn more about football, which I have to admit, I don't know a lot about. I thought it was interesting seeing all of the small rules and things that most people don't think about when watching a game that makes the teams work so well together the way that they do.

There are a couple of things that I did have issues with in Fraternize. I thought that the book was predictable at times. I easily predicted who Emerson would be with in the end within the first few chapters. Don't get me wrong, I was happy with who she chose in the end. I just wish there would have been more subtle hints instead of outright ones. I also guessed the big plot twist that happens to her within the first few chapters as well. It ruined some of the shock of the big reveal for me. The other thing that bugged me was that at the beginning of the book, the coach makes it clear that cheerleaders and players are not allowed to be in relationships together. However, when it happens Emerson and the person that she chooses are very obvious about it. No repercussions happen for that. I felt like it was a big plot hole that I kept thinking about throughout the story.

Fraternize made me happy to be able to read a Rachel Van Dyken book again. I loved the characters and the plot that she created in this world, even if I did have a few issues with it. Based on the end of Fraternize, I can't wait to read the sequel, Infraction. I'm really excited to see the couple at the end of Fraternize get together, and overcome the one big adversity facing them. I'll probably start Infraction as soon as I finish typing this review. There are a couple loose ends from Fraternize that I'd really like to see tied up.

3.75 stars

This was enjoyable read, but I’m not sure how I feel about it.

I absolutely adored Grant and while I loved Em and Miller, I couldn’t connect with them. How do you say you love someone so much but don’t even attempt to fight for them. The book makes me feel the absolute love Miller has for Em and vice versa, even as teenagers, but then we get Grant mixed in; there was just so much heart breaking love going around I didn’t know where to turn.

How does a person not notice that someone changed there phone number? And do you not have any other ways to contact the person you love? It was basically: “Geez, the phone number no longer works, guess it’s over” like what the what? And why would you automatically accept a person’s word when you know that person hates you and the relationship you have with his son.

In the end, I don’t think it mattered who Em ended up with because she would have truly loved either person. We get to see into Miller’s mind waaaay more than Grant’s and it made me fall more for Miller in a way, but it felt like we are pushed to also consider Grant.


Spoiler:

I did enjoy a different type of story where we get the POV of the heroine and the POV of the guy she doesn’t end up with. We basically spend 90% of the book in Miller’s mind and we how he loves her, but she picks Grant after basically a couple of weeks.

I may be in the minority, but I felt the couples should have been Kinsey and Grant and Miller and Em. Grant and Kinsey has the enemies to lovers feel with all the arguing they did; and Miller and Em has that deep connection that was so sweet to witness. That’s not saying I didn’t love Grant, but I feel the connection more between Miller and Em.

I think we were supposed to somewhat hate Miller because of how he “abandoned” Em, but the book basically glosses over the fact that Grant started dating Em for a bet.

I thought the Jaci thing was going to be issue but that fizzled quickly

Fraternize was a great start to a new sports series by RVD. It's much lighter in tone compared to the books I've read in her Eagle Elite series, and I thought it was somewhat more playful than her Seaside series.

I liked the twist that RVD puts on this second-chance romance. Miller and Emerson were childhood best friends who took a chance at something more as teenagers, but then a misunderstanding left each of them thinking that the other broke their promise of forever. They now cross paths as adults where she's a cheerleader for the pro football team Miller's just been transferred to. Add into the mix another hot gridiron star, Sanchez, and there are all the makings of a heated love triangle.

Emerson isn't your typical skinny blonde cheerleader type -- she's curvy, and she owns it. It's part of her, she makes no apologies for her curves, but it doesn't become the focus of her storyline, either, which I can appreciate as a BBW myself. I wish that Sanchez had a few more chapters told from his POV, because this story is just as much his as it is Miller's and Emerson's.

I don't want to spoil the ending -- there is a HEA is all that I am willing to say! -- but I will say that I can't wait to see what happens in the next installment in this series! I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

Full disclosure… I’m a huge fan of this author. However, I will always be honest in my reviews. But there’s a reason I read almost all of her books! I’m not a huge fan of sports fiction and I really could care less about the NFL so I was a bit wary to read this. Once again, I should have known better. It was so much more than just football, cheerleading, and hunky guys.

Fraternize is the story of a curvy girl who finally gets her dream come true… to be an NFL cheerleader. Emerson is a girl who is no stranger to hard work and willing to put in all the work required to be good at this. She’s come to love and appreciate the body she has, yet still struggles with insecurity at times.

Then there’s Miller. Her ex-BFF who became more… just before his dad moved him across the country in the middle of their senior year in high school. He’s the handsome, sexy football player who gets traded to the Bucks… Just as Emerson makes the cheer squad for… the Bucks.

And last, but most certainly not least, is Sanchez. He’s the sexy, flirty tight end for the Bucks.

Both men have a thing for Emerson. And she has a thing for them both… but in different ways. She has a big history with Miller. But there were secrets and other people and things that caused them to lose touch. Misconceptions that bred resentment. Sanchez just thinks she’s a super cool gal. Which she is.

WARNING!!!!!!! Just a small spoiler in this next paragraph!

So… in the beginning, I really, really, really wanted Emerson and Miller to work it out and Sanchez to be their BFF. But then I got to the point where Sanchez says that he’d never have left her in the first place, and I realized… this guy really cares about HER. He’s 100% on her side. And at the same time, he’s not a jerk about it to Miller. Amazingly, he’s Miller’s BFF, too! So then I realize… Sanchez truly is the better man. Quite frankly, he’s the bomb! He’s pretty much the voice of reason as far as Emerson and Miller’s relationship. Honestly… I’d love a Sanchez in my life! He has a way of being honest and really telling you like it is in a way that’s not hurtful, or degrading, or disrespectful. He goes out of his way to figure out who Emerson is when Miller just assumes she’s the same girl he left behind years ago.

This book had a depth to the story that I really wasn’t expecting it to have. I knew the author would touch on the body shaming issues people face. But there was so much more to it. The characters were also much deeper than I expected. Let’s face it… we don’t really expect sports stars to be so deep. (And yes, I realize that is a sweeping generalization and not always true. But so many are just conceited jerks that it kind of makes us not so aware of the good ones.) There were so many other great characters, too. (But they get their time in the next book so I’m not mentioning them in this review.) So this story was truly a very pleasant surprise. I have to give it 5 stars! It owned me from the beginning. And I’m (not so) anxiously awaiting book 2!! So even if you aren’t big on sports romance books (like me), I think it’s still one that you will be happy you spent a few hours of your time reading. Give it a shot… I think you’ll thank me later!

Congrats on another winner, Rachel!

I FLOVED this book soooo much!!!


The description and fact that Rachel writes some super awesome books were enough to pull me in to this one. And then once I actually dove in I just couldn't put it down.

Emerson is everything I want to be. Shes so confident in her own skin, and drop dead gorgeous. I loved her personality through the whole story and found myself relating so much to her most of the time. I think her character was such a fresh breath of air in this day and age with ho we perceive characters sometimes. And I loved that she was't perfect but owned it.

Plus can we just talk those super sexy football players?? Oh my my haha

I couldn't tell which one I liked more for most of the book. They had such differing personalities and I loved that contrast. But also quick whit and humor that came from such a fun story like this.

Most definitely a 5 star read!!!

Emerson is a plus-sized athlete who is finally getting the break she's been looking for by cheerleading for the Bellevue Bucks. The problem is Miller... The boy who was her bet friend, first love and the man who broke her heart is now playing for the team after being traded there.

Both Emerson and Miller have a different version of what happened that caused them to not speak for the past six years, and both are harboring some major resentments. But they are also still attracted to each other.

Enter Grant Sanchez, one of the best receivers in the league and is considered a man-whore. But he has his reasons as well. Since his finance cheated with one of his teammates, he's been on a girl binge, and the time honored tradition of bagging a cheerleader each season to win a trophy causes him to pick Emerson as his next target.

The moment Sanchez meets Em, he knows she's different and as he's gets to know her, his feelings change. Yes, he wants to get her into bed, but not for the stupid bet/trophy.

Emerson is conflicted about her feelings for both Sanchez and Miller. But as time goes on and Sanchez helps Em to open up about her past and present issues (father is ill), she starts to believe that she can have a future with Sanchez and Miller can possible be her best friend again.

I went into this book thinking it was going to be cute and funny, and there were some moments of that. But for the most part it was pretty serious. I started thinking it was going to be a DNF, but once I got more and more into the story, I couldn't stop reading/listening. I think I was on Team Miller because I wanted the history they had together to continue. But I was also on Team Sanchez, because he wouldn't stop. He did everything he could to be a friend then a lover to Emerson. He was so nice to her father, I found myself tearing up when he met him.

Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it when I started the book, thinking it was one type of story and was disappointed only to be drawn in by what was happening that I couldn't stop. So I, of course, dove right into the second book without writing this review because I had to know what happened next.

I"m not a big fan of love triangles but I do enjoy Rachel Van Dyken's work so I went into this with high hopes and an open mind. I never really warmed up to either Sanchez or Miller and really didn't feel their chemistry with Emerson. As far as Emerson, sometimes I liked her, sometimes I didn't. I was curious enough about her choice to make it to the end but by around 75% I started skimming a bit to get the my HEA. It had potential but I just didn't feel it was executed well. I tried but this one just wasn't for me.

Sometimes books can surprise you and completely take your breath away. This book certainly did that and more. I don't know why it took me so long to pick this book up, but I had so much fun reading Fraternize and still cannot stop thinking about it!

I think sports romances are seriously growing on me. Or maybe this book was just so well-written and filled with so many emotions that I fell instantly and ridiculously in love with the characters and their stories. Fraternize is hilarious, sweet, heartfelt, and deeply affecting. An amazingly breathtaking story about healing, forgiveness, friendship and finding love again. It had me swooning, laughing, crying and smiling through the ugly tears. I was an emotional mess… but the absolute best kind.

Love triangles suck… I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with them cause I never know how I’ll react. I honestly don’t like being torn and  that’s exactly how I was with this book. My heart was aching and splitting in two because I loved both Miller and Sanchez so damn much. They had a lot of amazing, adorable, and endearing qualities I love in book boyfriends...actually make that IRL. They were both passionate, protective, sweet, hard-working, caring, and would do anything for the people they love. They're totally swoony, sexy, lovable, and undeniable hard to resist. Even if I did favor one over the other, I still couldn’t choose the “ONE” I wanted Emerson to pick. When it was obvious who she was going to choose, I didn’t want to keep reading, but at the same time I couldn’t stop. It was torture and I was prepared for so much heartbreak. However, as sad as I was for the man she left behind, I was actually really happy with who Emerson ended up with in the end. My heart certainly did break into pieces, but it was also full of hope, love, and so much joy by the time I finished. Everything just fell into place and I couldn’t be happier with how this story ended.

Fraternize is the first book I’ve read by Rachel Van Dyken and I'll have you know that it most definitely will not be the last. The pacing was really great and her writing style is incredibly engaging, emotional, and wonderfully evocative. I loved the POVs and felt that I really connected with the characters and was able to experience all their pain, sadness, excitement, happiness, and love. I absolutely adored them all -- Emerson, Kinsey, Miller, Sanchez, Jax and even the other side characters. They were just really charming, hilarious, and so likable.

The romances were sweet, cute and also painfully real. It had all the ups and downs, the smiles and tears, and every FEELS. I really enjoyed the past and present love stories and thought they were beautifully well-written. Also, huge props to Rachel Van Dyken for creating fantastic love interests. Like I said, I did favor one, but I truly cared for the both of them. I also loved that they wanted Emerson to be happy and did whatever they had to do to give Emerson her HEA. And that's one of the main reasons I fell so hard for them. Not to mention, Miller and Sanchez had this adorably funny and heartwarming bromance that made me smile and swoon.

With amazingly written storylines, lovable characters, and heart tugging moments, Fraternize gave me plenty of achingly delicious swoons and feels. I adored every single moment from beginning to end and had one of the most delightfully emotional and affecting experience. I have no doubt that this will end up on my top favorite reads this year and I honestly cannot recommend it enough.

I received an advance reader copy of this from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thought and opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this!!! This book has made me want to pick up the sequel ASAP and any other Rachel Van Dyken books! I really grew to love each of the characters, especially Emerson and Sanchez. The alternating perspectives worked really well at perfecting the character development and making me feel connected to each of the characters. Sanchez'z nickname for Emerson, "Curves" and the way he was with her was absolutely swoon worthy. The way he is with her Dad was just heart melting. I completely and utterly fell in love with him. The pacing of the story was great and I never felt it dragged at all. I loved the integration of various elements, such as her Dad's sickness, her past and the friendship aspects. This all made it a well rounded story. Give me more!!!!

Favourite quote: Loss is loss. Allow yourself to feel it so you can deal with it.

Rachel Van Dyken does it again, a hot and tempting written story full of lust and love with amazing written characters and story lines! Give me anything that Rachel writes, anytime, they are always a hit!

Rachel Van Dyken has a new series out of hot football players and cheerleaders oh my. We have the first one that is one sexy love triangle between two friends and a cocky, sexy football player. Emerson and Miller were once upon a time thick as thieves when they were in high school. Emerson wasn`t complete unless Miller was with her but then friendship grew to something that has been blossoming between them. Now years later they are at a road that none of them thought would happen until fate steps in. Grant Sanchez is a playboy and he knows it but when it comes to a cheerleader like Emerson well he is tested. I loved that we have friends, lovers and unanswered questions that will either break or bring things together. Rachel Van Dyken has just created this series full of hotness, fun and such a cute series that will make you want more. This is not the end for Miller though and seeing what might be in store for him is going to be fun. There is no stopping Rachel Van Dyken and get ready for a series of wild fun.

“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”

I love a good sports romance. Emerson has finally accomplished her dream by becoming a professional cheerleader for her favorite team but little does she know her old love Miller is on the team. And she is not supposed to fraternize with him, or any other guy on the team. Emerson finds herself drawn to not only Miller but his teammate Grant. Emerson finds herself having to choose between the love she thought she had left in the past or this new love that is facing her head on. This book was soooo swoon worthy and both guys loved Emerson and wanted what was best for her. I love that these guys learn how to be brothers on the team even as they are becoming rivals for the girl, and in the end they both remain close. Going into this book I thought I knew who she would choose but I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.

I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

Fraternize rocked my world. I laughed, I cried, and then I laughed through the tears. It’s a breathtaking story about new love, old love, and learning to let go of the past. I’m so used to Van Dyken’s romantic comedies that this one threw off my equilibrium. It shook me.

Emmerson is determined, feisty, and a little bit broken. She had everything for a brief moment and then lost it all. Miller is talented, angry, and broken too. I loved the flashbacks we got of their past. It added extra depth and history to the story. Grant Sanchez is cocky, sweet, and has a reputation but he’s been broken too. This story was so much more than a love triangle. Even if you hate OM/OW drama, you really need to read this one. There’s plenty of passion, humor, and a whole lot of heart tugging moments. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to give it all away.

There wasn’t as much drama as I expected being as though it was a triangle. That doesn’t mean there wasn’t angst because oh there was. A whole lot of feels embedded in this one. It completely caught me off guard. I was expecting another one of Van Dyken’s rom-coms and while there was plenty of humor, I wasn’t ready for the level of heartache that was in every level of this story. But all in all, this book was steeped in a whole metric ton of love. It is definitely going on my re-read list and probably my best of 2017 list as well. I adored this book from page one to the end. My dishes didn’t get done but oh my heart went on a journey. Seriously, everyone, pick this book up.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader's copy of this book.

***4 "CURVES!!!!" stars***

Well, this book was a pleasant surpise!!! I enjoyed it way too much!!!
It was very amusing, but also in some points, it was very serious and the storyline was soooo good!!!!
It had it all.... but most of all, it had so awesome characters!!! All of them...

This was a second chance romance novel, but also it wasn't... It was so much more, i think!!!
It was a triangle love story, but it also wasn't...
It was a book about love and how complicate the relationships can be...
It was about heartbreaking and stucked to the past, but at the same it was about new chances and a bright future...
Did i comfused you????

“No matter how damaged your heart may be, it never loses its ability to choose again, to try again, to want love even after loss. How could something so wrong feel so right?”

Well, Miller and Emerson had a big history between them...
They used to be best friends and then their friendship became something more...
But then Miller forced to leave and Emerson stayed behind by her own...
So they were both brokenhearted and they had stucked between hatred and love....

“Loss is loss, allow yourself to feel it so you can deal with it.”

Now, six years later fate is giving them another one chance....
Miller is tranferring to the Bucks and Emerson is taking a position in their cheerleading squat!!!
And after all this time, they have to face each other and learned to be in the presence of each other for once again... even though they are frustrated as hell because of their conflicted feelings...

“Six years ago, I’d kissed a football player and lost my heart.
Five seconds ago, it felt like, maybe, I had been given a part of that heart back, and it felt good, really good.”

So, there might be a second chance after all for those two.... Or not???
Because there is Grant Santchez and he had set his eyes on Emerson... And he is a persisted cocky bastard...
A man that even though Miller wants to hate fiercely, he just can't...
So what are the chances here???
Who will win the girl???
It will be the heartbroken past of the bright new future???

“I know you guys have a past. But can you leave it there? So I can be your future?”

I loved all three characters very much...
Emerson had lots in her plate and she had stucked in the past for such a long time...
Now, Miller is back, but Santchez is crawling steadily inside her heart.... What should she do???
If i was her, i would be also very confused... Two gorgeous men in her feet... Hmmm...

don’t make this about you. Let it be about me, this man sharing a bed with you, and his jealousy over a past he was never a part of—and the fear he has over the fact that the past could still unfairly dictate his future.”

“I think...That I've always been yours. I just didn't realize it.”

Miller was lost in the past too... I was feeling so sorry about him. But I admired his stance toward everything... He was a good guy...
Santchez in the other hand was impossible to not love him with all his big gestures and loudy personality...
I'm admiting that i was confused about who to chose also, but i think that i was team Santchez from day one... Damn it!!!
Don't get me wrong Miller... I will be your team another time!!! ;-)

“Because when your heart breaks, somehow it keeps beating.”{Miller}

“Don’t make this about you. Let it be about me, this man sharing a bed with you, and his jealousy over a past he was never a part of—and the fear he has over the fact that the past could still unfairly dictate his future.”{Santchez}

I loved how the things turned up after all... It was the right conclusion...
I also forgot to tell you how much i loved Kinsey and Jax... Those two were hillarious, especially when they were bickering!!!
I also loved how close the guys became... All of them... They were family!!!
I need immediately the second book.... because I'm so curious what will happen...
I love so much how the things turned out after all... Yayyyy....

“You like me because I find your faults?”
“Hell no.” He laughed. “I like you because you make me want to fix them.”

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

This was a pretty good book. I wasn't as into it as I have been with this authors other series. And that's ok, because I'm not going to love everything all the time.

I'm just not a fan of love triangles. It's the whole "who's she going to pick" thing I just have a hard time with.

Not too bad, though.