At sixteen Poppy Patterson found herself pregnant and kicked out of her parent's house. To top it all off, when she goes to talk to her boyfriend about their situation she is informed by his mother that he wants nothing to do with the child, is given money and told to leave.

Poppy runs to Colorado where she'll spend the next ten years raising her son and working hard as a single-mother to ensure her son never goes without. Meanwhile, TK Moore has gone on to be one of the best in the NFL. He's been living out his dream. But when they run into each other at Poppy's place of employment one evening, they're drawn back into each other lives. Especially when Poppy tells him about their son. Will they finally be able to form the family Poppy's been dreaming of?

This is my first time reading anything my Alexa Martin and already I can tell you that I'll be checking out more from her.

I loved Poppy's character so much. She's worked hard to be the person and mother she is today with little to no help from others. Even when TK is back in their lives, she doesn't immediately give up everything in order to cash in, she only wants what is best for her son, which is getting to know his father. She's a strong-willed, loyal woman who will not hesitate to put haters in their place.

Ten years ago, when Poppy was pregnant, things weren't exactly as they presented themselves when Poppy went to TK about the pregnancy so there's a lot to reckon with the past on both Poppy and TK's side of things. I kind of wish this was addressed a little bit more, but I guess the idea of not looking back but forward is a strong one and I can appreciate that. Seeing them all come together and get to know each other in this new dynamic as a family was sweet.

But then as TK has reentered Poppy's life, she is now thrust into TK's life in the NFL and that means meeting and interacting with other wives or girlfriends. It's an interesting and sometimes fraught dynamic, but along the way Poppy ends up meeting and befriending a few of the other women, and I really enjoyed seeing their "pack" forming. I thought that Alexa Martin did an especially good job of showing the forming of the friendships and the devotion these women feel towards one another despite not knowing each other for that long. Honestly, these were probably my favorite parts of the book.

As I said, Alexa Martin is a new-to-me author meaning I haven't read the first book in the series [book:Intercepted|37585029], but I had no problem following along. It really stands on its own nicely. I will be checking out Intercepted soon though and hopefully before the next book comes out which, I think, gets a tiny setup towards the end, if I was reading things right that is.

I had enjoyed the first book in this series, but when I heard this one was going to be about TK, I was nearly beside myself.

I loved Poppy. She's so strong and sassy and underneath that awesome exterior, she's a marshmallow. I love how much she adored her kid and how fierce and loyal she was towards her friends. This group of women is a set I would love to get arrested with. TK is everything I was expecting. He's sweet and charming and sort of like a big kid. I enjoyed his passion for football and his ability to be all in when he met Ace. {Of course, there is some shit that happens beforehand, but Poppy has it locked down.}

Plot wise, it didn't go in the direction I was expecting. I was sort of waiting for the shoe to drop, but the light conflict came from a different spot. It was a sweet and natural progression and I loved reading Poppy and TK's relationship grow as well as TK and Ace's. Of course there's a break up, because obviously, but the angsty times don't last long. Oh and I'm 10000% here for all of Poppy's information on football related brain injuries.

Overall, it was my favorite of the two. I think there may have been a hint at the next book and I'm crossing all of the things for more from this world.

**Huge thanks to Berkley for providing the arc free of charge**

There's something about Alexa Martin's sports romances that feel much more authentic than any other I've read. Her firsthand experiences as an NFL wife shines through the pages of her stories, captivating the reader as much with steamy romance as they do with the dramatic yet seemingly glamorous lives of the WAGS of the NFL. 

Fumbled is a second chance love story between NFL star, TK Moore, a player at the top of his game, and Poppy Patterson, a single mother and TK's high school sweetheart who's been making it on her own since TK left for college. This story is rich with heartache and drama, secrets and the sweetest second chance. I absolutely adored it from beginning to end. 

Alexa Martin has fast become one of my most sought after authors. I literally can not wait for more where this came from. Intercepted was easily one of my favorite books of 2018 and Fumbled just confirmed why. This book sizzles. It's wrought with complicated emotions and lush romance but it's layered with the heavy reality of what professional athletes face in exchange for their love of the game. Fumbled is exactly what I look for in an addictive sports romance... the notion that this superstar athlete who could have his pick of anyone only has eyes for the one that got away. It was edible and delicious and I can't recommend it enough.

Shel: I cannot recommend this series highly enough. Fumbled as such a wonderful balance of romance and comedy that instead of doing anything that will make my work week easier, I planted my ass on my bed and read my entire day away. I have no regrets. Court: I don't regret you telling me to read it immediately either...I literally devoured this book.

Shel: Poppy, our main character, is simply amazing. She's strong, funny, sassy, and wonderfully awkward--is it wrong that she reminds me of me? So many of the things she thought and said were things I've said, thought, or now have in my arsenal thanks to the great writing of Alexa Martin. I loved how Martin designed her character and her backstory and how nothing went down quite like I expected--it's refreshing to read something that surprises me! As much as I loved Poppy, TK was equally in my heart. Even though we don't know what he's thinking (Poppy is our soul narrator), you could just tell he absolutely adored her and that made me adore him for adoring her. And the secondary characters have me wishing that they were real and I could be friends with them--they were awesome. Court: YES! This world is one I love to live in. The characters are real to me, and feel like us. We hurt with them and we cheered them on to their happily ever after. I also loved that Alexa (It's okay if I call her Alexa, right?) is a real life football wife and some of these things she's either experienced first hand or witnessed and I really feel like that lent to the authenticity of some of the plot of this book.

Shel: I am forever grateful for scrolling through social media, seeing rave reviews of Intercepted, loving it and being lucky enough to have an early look at Fumbled. I wish I could make Alexa Martin's fingers fly faster over the keyboard because I am so eager for what she writes next and am a forever fan! Court: YES! I really LOVE this series, and really just sports romance in general...but Alexa Martin scored a touchdown with us with this book, and we cannot wait to read more from her!

3.5 stars — Another book that brought me a lot of joy, but again…had a few tiny moments that made me cringe. And I will admit that reading this one directly following reading book 1, I did notice some similarities of jokes on occasion…not often, but there was at least one memorable instance.

Let’s get the cringe out of the way first: there were times where Poppy’s attitude and reactions made my shy/sensitive soul flinch. Like the way she talked to and started getting up in the face of the fan girls on her first date with TK at the bowling alley. It’s the kind of actions that prevent me from ever being interested in watching reality TV shows, b/c while I LOVE sass, I don’t love aggression and possession (by either gender), and in your face stuff…and stuff that for *ME* borders on mean and over the top. For the most part Poppy wasn’t like that, but there were just moments here and there where I was drowning in second-hand embarrassment.

Now BESIDES that, Poppy was pretty awesome. I loved how she was this strong single mom, but internally she was constantly worried about being enough for Ace…so basically like every other mom out there. I was constantly worried about how she was going to treat TK and him coming into their lives, but at every turn she surprised me. It’s not that she didn’t have a hard time sharing, but she was always up front with TK and she knew the right thing to do and always tried to do it. She was very strong in her convictions as well, and she stood by them, for better or for worse.

TK was a bit of a surprise as well. From the glimpse we got in the first book, I expected to love him more than I did. I still really liked him, don’t get me wrong, but because of the background story playing out with him, I found myself angry and confused by him a LOT throughout the book. In the end, this was by design, and it worked well, but it left me on my toes for periods. Other than that story, I did love how he was all in once he found Poppy again, and once he accepted Ace, though I feel like I wish I knew more about what their relationship had been like when they were younger.

The two of them together had some great moments, but a lot of their chemistry felt like it was based on the physical…which is cool, just not my most favourite.

Ace was a pretty kick ass 9 year old, and he really felt his age. He was sweet and adorable with just that little bit of kid attitude. I loved watching Poppy try to embarrass him.

I LOVED the strong set of female friends that Poppy comes to rely on, and how different they all were but, in general, were all very accepting of their differences. I’m always still a bit bummed when there are so many villainous girls in books…it’s not unexpected, I think I’m just personally getting weary of them. So the way Rochelle, Dixie, even Lydia, and the groupies were depicted was…eh, not my fave. But at least it was balanced by her diverse group of friends.

I noticed the negative look at football in the first book, but it was even more prominent in this one. It was kind of an interesting take. I’m not completely sure how I feel about it altogether, but I *really* appreciated how TK’s story played out and the dangers that Ms. Martin shone a spotlight on. It was an unexpected bonus that I didn’t see coming (though perhaps I should have), and one that I thought she handled deftly.

So yeah. Another book that gave me mixed feelings, but on the whole was a super fun read. I am super excited to see that Brynn’s getting a book, and I’m curious how that will play out.

I loved this book! Alexa Martin is going to become an auto-buy for me. Single mother Poppy is working a job that she only sort of likes when she runs into her ex and father of her child, T.K Moore, a starting receiver for the Denver Mustangs. Through a series of miscommunications and outright lying by T.K.'s overbearing mother, Poppy and T.K. lost touch, with T.K. being unaware of his son's existence.

When they meet again, they still have a strong emotional connection, as well as a lot of dirty laundry to air. Reunited sweethearts is one of my favorite storylines and Martin avoids a lot of of the problems with the "secret baby" by having Poppy and T.K. communicate openly and often. This book also deals a lot with some of the more unfortunate side of the NFL, including groupies, injuries and more importantly, CTE.

I would HIGHLY recommend.

I really enjoyed this book and it was fun to be back at HERS bar for a bit. TK's work storyline was similar to the main one in The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai, but that didn't detract from the book for me at all.

I really loved the main character in this and I liked how Martin used the football plotline to discuss concussions and serious head injuries!

Berkley Romance has been putting out killer romance titles lately! While I haven't read the 1st in this series by Alexa Martin, after reading Fumbled I'm certainly going to. That said, you don't need to read them in order to understand or enjoy the plot. Martin's sassy writing and excellent pacing makes for a fun sports centric rom com of a read. Recommended!

I loved this book so much! Alex’s Martin has become one of my fave rom com authors. This book had characters that made me feel like I knew them and were rooting for them! Poppy was such a strong woman and mother. She was very funny and relatable.
TK Moore is one of my new book boyfriends! Hunky, sporty and funny! This story also has an amazingly funny cast of side characters. If you liked Intercepted, you will flip for this book! If you haven’t read anything by Alexa Martin, Starr here and you will fall in love. One of the best romances I’ve ever read!!!

Alexa Martin has grown so much as an author between books one and two in this companion series. Poppy and TK have wonderful chemistry. I love how headstrong Poppy is. I also appreciate that Alexa Martin touches on a tough topic that is talked about in football. Overall, I'm greatly looking forward to book three.

Poppy is a single mom, waitressing at a club and trying to make ends meet, when she literally bumps into TK, pro football star, dreamboat...and her high school boyfriend. He broke her heart and Poppy wants nothing to do with him...or does she? And will the secrets of their past get in the way of a possible future together?

The beats of this story were unexpected. I kept thinking I knew what would happen next, but the author surprised me several times. This book was hilarious, but there were also important issues, including the effect of sustained head injuries on football players. Not to mention, Poppy’s nine-year-old son Ace was adorable and smart without being obnoxious or too cutesy. I’m looking forward to the next in the series.

I always seem to be a sucker for second chance romances, and secret baby ones at that. I haven't really been one for sports romances, but two books in and this author is changing that for me!

I enjoyed this book. I laughed. I got emotional. I was itching for that happily ever after that most romance readers are in search of. I can't say enough nice things about this book.

These characters and the writing really make this book. They are likeable and relatable. I found myself getting caught up in their story to the point of not wanting to put this book down. It's witty, heartbreaking at times, and entertaining. 

The only downfall for me with this book was the emotional aspect. The author gets you worked up to the point of being over emotional (almost to tears), then pulls back. She never actually follows through with delivering those scenes until you are a blubbering mess. Not that I wanted to cry, but those scenes were a huge build up then just stop. I felt cheated.

Overall, this book is an enjoyable, quick second chance romance with some really great characters. If you haven't read the previous book, don't worry. It really isn't necessary. But I do suggest you read both books from this new author.

I really enjoyed Alexa Martin’s debut, Intercepted, and her follow up book solidifies her status as one of my favorite Romance authors.

I am not usually a fan of the “Surprise, you’re a father!” trope, but that did not negatively impact my enjoyment of Fumbled. I thought that part of the plot actually worked out well, though I did feel it resolved itself just a little too easily. There were things that happened when Poppy first found out she was pregnant that I didn’t feel were really discussed enough and Ace, now nine, is old enough to have questions he never asks. He just 100% embraces TK as his father and there’s no awkwardness or anything. However, maybe the the lack of the mega drama I expected was why it worked for me.

I really liked Poppy and TK together. I would’ve loved to have had some flashbacks to when they were first together, but even without it the whole Second-Chance Romance worked for me. I definitely shipped them. I loved how sweet TK could be, both with Poppy and with Ace. I liked him in the previous book and I was glad to see more of him in this one. Poppy was a good main character, though her short temper did frustrate me sometimes. I also really enjoyed Poppy’s group of friends and seeing some of the characters from the first book again.

In a book with such a focus on professional sports, I thought it was really nice to see the subject of head injuries play such a large part of the story. I thought it was woven into the story really thoughtfully and you can tell it is something important to the author – a wife of a former football player herself – to shine a light on.

Overall, I really enjoyed Fumbled. Though it tackled (see what I did there?) some more serious subjects than the previous book did, it was still a really fun read that I didn’t want to put down. I loved the characters and shipped the romance. I am definitely anxious to read whatever Alexa Martin writes next.

Overall Rating (out of 5): 4 Stars

I enjoyed this one. Interesting journey, depth of characters. Really nice read. My favorite aspect was the complexity of the relationship. There were no clear cut "rights" or "wrongs".

The second book in the Playbook series delivers the same smart, snappy writing and multi-dimensional, easy to love characters as the first. I'm so thrilled to have taken a chance on Alexa Martin's writing, because these books are everything for my sappy little football loving heart.

I loved the set-up in Fumbled. Single mom/secret baby and wildly beloved NFL wide receiver? Yes, I was on board, and sucked in immediately. The first part of this book is very strong. I might have liked a little more angst in the reconnection of Poppy and TK, and I definitely would have liked more closure on the events, and the relationships with people from their past - but even despite those two issues, I loved them and their rocky, heartfelt story.

The mix of playful, flirtation, sexy time, and far deeper emotional connection is practically perfect. There are some serious, ripped from the headlines issues addressed in this story and Ms. Martin did not shy away from them. It was interesting, and heartbreaking to witness this fantastic couple navigate these tricky emotional and physical landmines - factor in a child with a mega case of hero worship - and there were moments that left me gutted. However, plenty of other moments that caused my heart to soar and flutter. Like I said, the balance here is well done and I enjoyed it so much.

Usually in sports romance I rave on and on about the bromance. I have even said that the bromance is the best part of most sports romances. There's not much of that here. Instead, Ms. Martin has turned this idea on its head and delivered a hilarious, heartwarming, and completely satisfying sisterhood. In this case? The sisterhood is the best part of this sports romance and y'all, it is fantastic. I loved these ladies something fierce and am hoping to get more time with them in future releases!

In all? Ms. Martin appears to be hitting her stride in her follow-up to Intercepted and I am now enthusiastically and happily along for the ride with this series. I loved this second chance romance and cannot wait for more to come!

**ARC received for an honest review**

I loved [book:Intercepted|37585029]. It was one of my surprise favorites of 2018. Fresh and funny with adorable characters and a funky tempo. It resonated with me.

I came into Fumbled having just read [book:A Fashionable Indulgence|23834716]. One of the things I adore about Historical Romance is how the author frequently takes time to build the relationship. And while Julius and Harry were getting frisky a little quicker than I was into it did not compare to the whiplash speed at which Poppy and TK moved. I get that they had history. But I am not the same person from 10 years ago. Nor do I want to kiss a dude I dated 10 years ago. There wouldn't be any chemistry left. I was agog at how quickly these two were in relationship mode.

Add that to the silly drama thrown in and I just couldn't get my feet under me. Poppy was okay. She didn't feel as nuanced as Marlee. And TK had a lot going on. I get that him being all over the place was part of the story - but there are repercussions when a subject that weighty is given short shrift.

It was a quick read. And I never skimmed. With more relationship-building on the front end and no silly gimmicks midway through this could be an enjoyable book.

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Unfortunately, this book didn't work as well for me as I would have hoped. I loved that the heroine was so concerned (rightly so!) about the health dangers of American football and so had her son playing soccer instead, but honestly that's about the highlight for me. There are some strange continuity errors and odd time jumps, the hero is and says truly horrible things to the heroine without a believable grovel later on, and the stalker subplot seemed abrupt and oddly timed. Fans of Intercepted will likely enjoy Fumbled, but it's a pass for me.

Alexa Martin's Playbook series is sexy and fun and Fumbled was even better than the first installment. Poppy was a single mother and just trying to make ends meet when she ran into an old flame. Fumbled packed more of an emotional punch because Poppy and TK had to find their rhythm after a decade a part and work out their family dynamic. This book kept me up past my bedtime and couldn't stop happy sighing over Poppy and TK's interactions. In the end, I thought that Fumbled was missing some of the drama that I had come to expect. Fumbled was snapshots into Poppy and TK's life without ever having a real climax, but I still enjoyed being privvy to those snapshots. The ending opened for future novels and I can't wait to see the other characters Martin will explore in this series.

Fumbled is the second of the Playbook series. There is so much to love about it! It is a second chance contemporary sports romance. There are some clichés but it was overall very enjoyable and swoony!

The women of Fumbled are awesome! Poppy Patterson is a super single parent. She is amazing and so lovable! Sadie is her best friend and she loves to be dramatic! The two of them are hilarious together!

"Single-mother Poppy Patterson moved across the country when she was sixteen and pregnant to find a new normal"

Poppy has been doing her thing and raising her son the best way she knows how. Poppy crosses paths with her high school sweetheart TK Moore and things get interesting…

"TK Moore, the starting wide receiver for the Denver Mustangs, dreamt his entire life about being in the NFL."

A chance encounter brings Poppy & TK together. They have a lot of unfinished business that is mixed up with some drama, secrets, lies and confusion. I found TK to be charming and sweet. There was one particular scene (no spoilers but chapter 9) that was amazing! Don’t get me wrong- he definitely had a few “jerk” moments but the sweet side won out.

The story could have gone in many directions and I was surprised at the route chosen. It was not an easy road. Although the topic chosen can be very heavy, it was not done as a doom-and-gloom. It was informative.

Fumbled has all the things we love about sports romance: hot players, crazy WAGS (wives & girlfriends) all mixed up with a hearty dose of drama. Alexa Martin is a new-to-me author. I did not read her first book, Intercepted, but I will be! I am not sure who it involves so I am also not sure if I missed anything by reading Fumbled first.

I like Alexa Martin’s writing style which is clean and straightforward. My only “complaint” is that the ending is a bit open ended. It is HEA but I would have loved a bit more. I think that there may be another book coming so I am happy to see where things go in the future! There are also so many secondary characters I would love to read about! Sadie and Brynn are two who I know have great stories to tell!

4 swoony stars!

#AuthorAlexaMartin #Intercepted #Fumbled #ContemporaryRomance #YA #HotAndSteamy #SportsRomance #FootballRomance #IWantTheNexBook