Well, I am a sucker for Sports Romances — but throw in that it centers on a Cheerleader and is a love triangle though not your typical one) and you couldn't grab my attention any faster. Really this book was just EVERYTHING! It had humor, angst, heartbreak, feels and a solid message about body image, self-worth and the importance of loving yourself. Not to mention the importance of friendship. I really couldn't recommend this highly enough!

at first this was a cute book and then it got a little repetitive about how each person got hurt and felt left abandoned by the other I'm loving the rivalry and I am now invested in this book whoa what a turn I just read I'm sure it's kinda a cliche bomb drop though , Now later I finished the book and I enjoyed it for the most part, I would have given 5 stars if it wasn't so repetitive about how hurt they were especially how it ended I was annoyed how things ended with Miller and Emerson but I will defiantly be reading this series because I loved the writing and how the chapters were set up in the points of view and it really flowed together

I also posted my review on Goodreads and Amazon

Another winner by Rachel Van Dyken! This author can do no wrong in my book. This story had just the right amount of angst and heart! I absolutely LOVED it. I can't wait for the next book!

Rachel's writing and plot development are always spot on. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more in this series.

<b>Rating: 4.5 Stars for me</b>

Soon as i see Rachel is releasing a new book i get completely excited and giddy. She is one of my instant 1-click authors who I adore as her style of writing is phenomenal.

This is a brilliant start to what looks like to be a fantastic new series for her. Soon as I started this book I was completely hooked and unable to put the book down until I had finished. I loved the main characters Emerson, Miller and Sanchez, thy really drew you and made you feel connected and invested in what they were going through.

Emerson and Miller are childhood friends until Miller is dragged across the country by his father and a misunderstanding leads to their friendship breaking down. Soon as they are reunited you can really feel the pain and loss they both feel from their perspectives. I did start with wanting them to be reunited but when Emerson met Sanchez I have to admit my loyalty switches.

This is another brilliantly written book by Rachel that is full of laughter, friendships, heartbreak, loyalty, angst, pain, love and a whole heap of sexual tension. I was perfectly happy to take Sanchez off Emerson's hands when she kept turning him down.

Whilst I could see the outcome coming there was also a suspense to it that it could have gone the other way. Things happen for a reason you may not understand immediately and you path might actually be a different one from what you think it should be.

I wasn't sad by who lost out on this love triangle as at the end we got to see him open his eyes up to another possibility and see someone else, who I think will be perfect for him, so for this teaser I can't wait for the next book.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
This book is unique because it truly does take you an adventure that you didn’t think you wanted to go on. You start out rooting for the high school friends/lovers and as the characters grow and learn, you realize that the people they end up with is who they actually belong with.

The characters’ journey is like one we all find ourselves in at some point in our lives. Do we hold on to the past – the one we believe is our “dream” – or do we let the “dream” go and realize that the reality in front of us is even better than we could have ever hoped for?

I can’t wait to read book two.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Where to start? I absolutely fell in love with each character in this story. They were sweet, somewhat juvenile, hilarious, and loving.

Emerson is kind of the ugly duckling in this story. She was always teased about her body and despite having Miller in her corner, was always self-conscious about her size. Miller tries to tell her how amazing and beautiful she is and they both have dreams of making it to the Bucks. Him as a football player and her as a cheerleader.

Years later, both are living their dreams... separately. Emerson is finally a Bucks cheerleader and Miller has just been traded to the Bucks – neither of them have spoken in years. What follows is a heart wrenching, sweet, but sad love story.

Grant is a self-centered man who loves to win. He knows that he has an ego and isn't afraid to use that to his advantage. He is kind and gentle with Emerson. I love how he shows her a side of himself that nobody else gets to see.

Who will Emerson choose? Grant, the sexy player who pursues her relentlessly? Or Miller, the man who she loved and lost?

While this is a happy ending, I definitely had mixed feelings and in the end, was so excited. I also can't wait for book two!!!


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first in a new series, and is a fun addition to Ms. Van Dyken's list of novels. I love a good sports romance, and this is that and more. There is a good level of detail about the game, the players, and the tension of the game. We also get a snippet or two of the cheerleaders, although possibly less than I expected, given Emerson is part of the team.

I couldn't believe how difficult it was to decide what the outcome would be – indeed at one point I even thought they might work it out together... delicious hints and all. So much going on and at the same time, a thread running through it which led one to exactly the place that was just perfect. I really enjoyed the commentary from all three leads, and there was just the right amount of introspection and thought about their past and future.

There were times when I couldn't see how Emerson was also earning a living, training, and seeing her father, as well as spending time with the guys, but I went with it, in the spirit of the story rather than the minutiae.

I am really looking forward to the second installment of what could be a long running series – there are plenty of Bucks in need of the right woman!


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
I seriously don’t know how Rachel Van Dyken has me loving each of her books more than the last, especially when I think each one is so amazing. Fraternize is my favorite book I’ve read so far from Rachel Van Dyken and it might be my favorite read of the year so far. I can honestly say I’ve never read a book that had quite as many surprises in store as this one – seriously… I had no idea what was going to happen up to the last page and I loved it!

Emerson and Miller were best friends as children and into their teenage years, up until, after one night together Miller moves away and the two lose touch. Now, years later, Emerson has just landed her dream of becoming a professional cheerleader for her local pro-football team while Miller has just landed a spot on the team. The attraction between the two is still there but so are the feelings of abandonment, both believing the other just fell off the planet without a backwards glance. Then enter Grant Sanchez, he’s known on the team as the playboy who gets all the girls and when he sets his eyes on Emerson, Miller isn’t having any of it… until he realizes that maybe Grant is better for her then he thought.

To say I can’t wait for the next book in this series would be an understatement. I don’t want to give away too much of this story as it’s one you’ll definitely want to read with no spoilers, but the couple that will (hopefully, fingers crossed, please, please, please) be in the next book is going to be even better than these two and these two are a solid five stars together! Fraternize has a fantastic flow, great characters, humor, drama, and sexy footballs players – what more could a girl want?

Fraternize is the first book in the Players Game Series and is the newest offering from Rachel Van Dyken. And in true Rachel style I was hooked immediately.

Emerson has just landed her dream job as a professional cheerleader for her favourite pro football team. Although as a plus size athlete she is breaking down boundaries, she still has to withstand the massive rule book. Despite having to cut carbs and chocolate she'll do anything to keep her dream job even if it kills her. Apart from the one mandate that is easier read than done... "No fraternizing with the players."

You see not only does she have a problem in Miller Quinton, Emerson's first love, first sex and the guy who still ignites her daydreams she also finds herself with problem number 2 in the shape of Grant Sanchez. Serious ladies man and when it comes to winning what he wants he doesn't let anything or anyone stand in his way.

Emerson runs the risk of losing it all. Her dream job and her heart but what she doesn't know is she's part of a wicked little game...

I really enjoyed this story. It flowed with effortless ease, intertwining love, hope, friendship and humour instantly pulling me in. With a mix of characters packed with personality. I went through all their ups and downs and felt connected to them.

I cannot wait to see when Rachel takes us with this series and I for one can't wait to read more!

Would highly recommend.

**Arc provided courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review for Words Turn Me On Book Blog**

What can I say....... I absolutely loved this book!! Rachel Van Dyken is an amazing author and never fails to touch your heart with her writing. Great characters and storyline.

I thought the book was good even if it did become a bit predictable. While I enjoyed most of the book, the very last bit of it just seemed completely unnecessary. It almost seemed to have been tossed in for no reason and I didn’t think it fit with the rest of the story very well.

RVD is one of my go-to authors and this novel is another reason why. The push and pull from all sides of this was prefect. I absolutely devoured this in one sitting. Cannot wait to read more!

Emerson's dreams are finally becoming a reality. Well almost. All she ever dreamed about was making it as a cheerleader for the Bellemont Bucks along with her best friend Quinton Miller. So when she finally makes the squad as the first plus size cheerleader, she knows she has her work cut out for her. If only Miller was here with her. But it's been years since he moved away and she never heard from him again. Until...Miller gets traded to none other than the Bucks. Now Emerson is torn between wanting to reconnect with the one guy that she thought she would have forever and warding off the advances of the super hot Grant Sanchez.

Miller can't believe his eyes when he sees Emerson for the first time in years. She's just as beautiful as she ever was as a teen. But she broke his heart and he doesn't think he can take her walking away one more time. But as his teammate Sanchez starts to show interest in Emerson, his old feeling for the girl he thought would always be by his side, come to the surface. Can he rekindle the love and friendship that they had before?

Both Emerson and Miller were hurt by his moving away, but secrets between these two former best friends could be the end all for them both.

I loved to Fraternize! Sanchez and Miller will have you swooning from the start. Emerson is a strong character with sassy but also a soft and tender side and you feel every emotion she suffers through. Great read! And by the end, you'll definitely pick a side #TeamMiller or #TeamSanchez

This book was so frickin’ good!

It was the absolute perfect way to read with the start of football this weekend. I picked this book up before bed thinking I would read a few chapters and then go to sleep. Boy was I wrong! I stayed up until way past my bedtime devouring this book!

I was so incredibly torn by which way I wanted the story to go! My stance changed almost every few chapters but I am SO happy it went the way it did. This story was so sweet, swoony, and emotional. It touches on a few very hard topics and I love the way Van Dyken approached them.

Sanchez, Miller, and Emerson, were amazing main characters! It was wonderful that Emerson wasn’t a normal cheerleader stereotype. She’s curvy, like a lot of girls are, and she overcame the adversity for her dream job and was able to absolutely KILL IT! Miller and Sanchez were swoony and I couldn’t help but cheer them both on!

The main characters made this story but the secondary characters, especially Kinsey, were a wonderful addition. It helped to broaden the story and help us gain more insight into this new world.

I want more!! I hope with the next book we still get glimpses of these main characters because I’m totally in love with them!

I absolutely love Rachel’s writing style. The book can be a million pages long but it feels like you fly through it with the shorter chapter format. The dual POV in this story helped to develop the characters and helped to connect to the story right away. My only wish is that there had been more chapters with Sanchez’s POV.

Football has kicked off! Go grab this story now and fall in love like I did.

<i>Grateful to have received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.
This book was not totally my cup of tea, but that didn't stop me from liking it.
It is very well written and I really enjoyed the story.

4.5 stars
Rachel Van Dyken (RVD) brings us a warm, funny, and heartbreaking new sports series. Fraternize is set in the world of Professional football…..

Emerson Rodner and Miller Quinton were once best friends. Emerson is curvy, beautiful, and funny. She is also an aspiring Professional cheerleader. She longs to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Miller Quinton is a strong, sexy, and charismatic football player.

“Remember when I stuck gum in your hair in sixth grade, so you told all of my friends that I wet the bed?”

"We used to fall asleep under the stars; she’d shiver in my arms and promise me we’d be friends forever."

Miller was the star running back in high school and Emerson was his biggest cheerleader both on and off the field.  They have both suffered loss, but when Miller's dad is transferred across the country in the middle of his senior year of high school, things fall apart for them.

Six years later they are both unhappy and heartbroken. Now a Professional football player, Miller is traded to the Bellevue Bucks. Once his dream, now his nightmare. Can he face the pain of returning to his hometown and facing his first love?

Add to that a new team with lots of egos. Especially teammate Grant Santchez. He has the 3 C's - confident, cool & cocky. Grant is a super athlete, team leader, and a manwhore. There are also lots of other players with big egos as well.

I must stop here because I don’t want to spoil the story. I was surprised at the direction the story went. At first, I didn't like it, but then as it developed it grew on me. It is told in dual POV. The story is funny and has lots of emotions. The characters will grow on you. I really enjoyed it! RVD once again shows us her ability to write in many genres.

Ok, so I'm still not entirely sure what I think about this book.
My first thought when I saw the blurb for the book and the cover was that it would be a menage book or a love triangle and I love a good menage book. I'm okay with love triangle books as well but I don't enjoy them as much because I always feel as though someone is left out in the cold and hurt at the end of the book.
I'm not going to say much about the book because I don't want to ruin the book or spoil it for any other readers but what I will say is that this book went in a totally different direction then i had thought and I'm still not sure about what I think of it.
This is an easily readable book that can be read as a standalone and worth the read. I just don't think it's completely to my taste.

An arc of this book was generously provided by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review

I figure out early on that this was somewhat of love triangle. Hmm.
First, it was teen first love (high school). Emerson, the h is the shy curvy bff of Miller- the football star. Emerson has always had the dream to join the cheerleading squad. She's rejected every time.
During their last year of school, they are suddenly separated (Miller's dad moves them away). They promise to keep in touch but that is interrupted & each thinks the other has rejected the other.
They meet again years later- on the football field. Literally.
This is 1st person POV, alternating Emerson & Miller.
Emerson is still into cheerleading -this time for the Bucks- a professional football team.
Miller isn't the only stand out football stud. He's new to the Bucks. Sanchez (Grant) has eyes for Emerson. It just kills Miller. He doesn't trust Sanchez's motives.
Sanchez is very outgoing and knows what (who) he wants. He wants Emerson. They become friends.
I wasn't so put off by the triangle. At first.
Then it went on and on and on. Pick ONE! Then build on that relationship.
There was a huge slow middle. The dialogue seemed very immature.
Sorry this didn't work for me. I liked Emerson but some things were left hanging.
3 stars

E-ARC kindly provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book in the Players Game series. This was my first time reading this author, and I was so excited to be approved to review this! I was trying to keep my expectations low though. I didn't enjoy the character Emerson very much but she was likable enough to look past. This book was light and easy to read overall. It is a sports romance which I didn't know going in but I liked it. This was the kind of book I was in the mood for and that's all that matters to me, I enjoyed myself while reading.

Sexy and sweet.

I'm not one for love triangles usually, cuz the angst gets to me, but I so totally enjoyed this book. It had my heart all fluttering, it was so sweet and sexy. Totally slow burn sexy. Then had me freaking out when I had no idea what was going to happen. I was pacing a few times, from all the angst.

I never read the blurb so I had no idea what was going to happen. But I'm so glad I didn't. This was way to fun being in the dark.

I can't wait for the next book.