Compelling side characters!

This time as I read, I grew more attached to the side characters. They were not just there to move the plot forward, I became deeply invested in them. I love the Jennings family and am blown away by how attached I am to a fictional family! I want to know how Lucy and Jeff's marriage is going, how Charlotte and her husband are doing following their loss, and last, but not least, I want to see Drew happy, especially after learning what soured his and Jase's relationship. I am happy to see Ben and Harper together.

Allie and Jase did not have an easy path in their relationship, but it was encouraging to see them both work. They both had heavy things in their past and it was great to see them own what had happened and grow. This was a sweet romance, with some heavier topics. I would rate this PG-13 for dealing with the after-effects of rape, a reformed partying lifestyle, and mild kisses. There are references to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and missions, but all references fit the story and make sense.
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Review Love Sidelined is so much more than a love story, it is a story of life struggles, redemption, and moving forward. One thing this author does so well is writing characters that are real and very relatable. I also like how through the course of the story both Allie and Jason's past struggles come to light. The reader goes through an emotional journey right along with the characters.

Love Sidelined is told from both Allie and Jason's POV. I love it when an author does this, especially in a romance. This novel is told from the perspective of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are many things mentioned that pertain to the culture of the church that you may not be familiar with. But, any person who likes reading Christian fiction will understand and appreciate the tone of this book about turning your life around and back towards God.

There are moments when I was frustrated with Allie and Jason as they danced circles around each other instead of admitting their feelings. As you come to understand what happened in their lives, readers will have more compassion for why it took so long for the two main characters to come together. This book is one that shows the healing process and that takes time.

I love this series of books and Jason is now one of my favorites. I recommend reading all of them in the order written, but you really don't need to...I'm just anal that way. It must be the teacher in me.

This book is recommended for teens 18+ and adults. There is mention of underage drinking, rape, and some violence but nothing graphic. This story is one that will touch the lives of those recovering and healing from things in their past and also shows the beauty of when redemption comes.

Written with rich characters who have both depth and personality, this story pulls at the heartstrings. Be prepared to ride the roller coaster of emotions as both the main and secondary characters grow and muddle their way through their past fears and their hopes and dreams for the future. I alternated between laughing out loud and holding my breath as the author skillfully crafted a world I couldn't leave until the story was over.

I received an e-book through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

While I love to read all kinds of books, contemporary romance is always my favorite. I love the way I can get sucked in and not worry about all kinds of rules. Tiffany Odekirk has a way with writing contemporary romance that just makes me happy. I loved everything about this one.

Jason is a great character. He’s mentioned in both Love On Pointe and Love Unscripted as the brother of the characters. I’m so glad he got his own story. I loved the way he met Allie. The way he was able to save her from a situation she wasn’t comfortable with. And even though she didn’t want anything to do with a relationship with him, because she thought she knew everything about him from his cousin, he never gave up on her.

Then there’s Allie. It was kind of interesting the way the reader didn’t know her secret for a chunk of the book. Eventually, I was able to put it together. But it made a lot of sense closer to the end of the book why she tried to steer clear of Jason. But these two just kept getting thrown together. I was amazed at her stubbornness about Jason, even after everything happened. Sorry if that’s way vague, but I don’t want to give anything away.

Another really great thing about this one was watching Allie heal. She learned to move on and a relationship got mended that I wouldn’t have expected in a romance novel.

I loved the way I couldn’t tell if these two were going to work or not for most of the book. It kept me guessing. I loved the whole feeling of being back in college, a time to take care of yourself.

This is such a great book! Go grab a copy.

Author Tiffany Odekirk has written a beautiful and heart-warming story in the third book in her Jennings series. This story is about overcoming past mistakes and showing that it really is possible to change. It’s also about learning about oneself, having faith, and leaning on God. And, it’s about finding a friend and eventually romance where and when you least expect it. This is a fun story with football players and cheerleaders,that readers will love, especially as they relate to the real life situations within the story. Readers will absolutely delight in and not want this fabulous story to end!

Series: Jennings
Genre: contemporary, romance, sports, LDS, Christian
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Publication date: September 1, 2019
Number of pages: 31

Other books in the series:
1-Love on Pointe
2-Love Unscripted

Jason and Allie both had a past that they were struggling to overcome. This was quickly apparent in the beginning of the story. They had their goals and Allie had a missionary. Luckily they also had Harper and Ben to keep them grounded and in the same circles.

It isn't your typical Quarterback meets Cheerleader story. Set at UCAL with an appearance at BYU, their journey is anything but typical. Jason is fighting his past and trying to overcome it, while Allie is suffering from PTSD related to her past trauma. The question as they start to spend more time together, is can they do it?

Add to the mix Drew, Jason's little brother, who doesn't think he can change and you have an intriguing story of redemption and Jason examining what he really want out of life.

I marked this for spoilers, but am trying to stick to generalities. I was given an ARC by the publisher to read. From the time I picked it up, I was unable to put it down. I have the previous books in the series but they have remained in my to be read pile, they may emerge from there sooner than later as I have come to like this author's writing style and multi dimensional characters.

I loved the individual character growth of even supporting characters. It helped contribute to the richness of the story. I truly felt like I was there.

LOVE SIDELINED is one of those stories that readers will easily fall into with an adorable meet-cute and some fabulous banter between the two main characters. There's plenty of humor, chemistry, and heart with some emotional decisions these characters face that affect their happily-ever-after. Recommended to LDS romance fans!

I loved these characters! Jason was such a fun mix of talented jock, flirt, and humble return missionary. Allie was a good counter to him, with her more serious personality and her background. She needed someone to pull her out of herself and Jason needed someone to steady him. Really. They're quite perfect for each other. Now if Allie would only figure that out and Jason would not mess it up.

I also really liked the family and friendship dynamics of the story. There is one character, Kate, that wasn't really fully explained or fleshed out (I knew her from a previous book, but others may be a little lost or need more of a refresher). Otherwise, I thought all the side characters were well done and added to the story.

The plot moved at a good pace. It was always engaging and I really enjoyed the romance. There was more to this story than just romance though. Both Jason and Allie have baggage that they needed to work through separately before their relationship could really work. There's a light inspirational element, but not heavy enough that Christian readers of any faith wouldn't enjoy this story.

My one complaint would be in regards to Allie and her sticking to her plan. It felt a little too unrealistic and I just didn't like Logan enough for it to work for me a hundred percent. I could understand the whys, but I think if Logan was fleshed out more or if their relationship felt more genuine (not romantic, but really like they were best friends) than I would have felt better about that part of the story.

In the end, was it what I wished for? I pretty much enjoyed reading this book from beginning to end. It pulled on my heart, made me smile, and gave me that contented happily-ever-after ending. I'm looking forward to this author's next release!

Content: References to rape that occurs off page and before the story takes place as background for one of the characters - would still consider this clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.

I've been looking forward to this book for months, watching it move up the pile as I got closer. It's been tough to wait but finally, FINALLY, I got to read it!

I think one of the things I love most about Tiffany Odekirk's books is how she is able to make her characters feel so real. They are imperfect. They struggle. There are good moments and bad moments but all the while I feel like I know them. I am invested in them and I'm rooting for them. Jason and Allie could be any one of us. There is bits in each of their stories that every person can relate to in some way or another. I love when I can connect with characters emotionally and with Jason and Allie it came gradually as I got to know more and more about them. It was fantastic.

There is real struggle in this book. Not just between Jason and Allie but in their own personal lives as they battle their own demons. Even though there was struggle, it never felt overwhelming to me as a reader. It was balanced nicely with happy moments of fun and love. There was always hope threaded through every page and I really felt that. Jason really stole the show for me. He was so endearing and so all in with Allie. He was persistent, fun loving and kind. I loved how those same attributes crossed over to his family and teammates as well. Yeah, I just loved Jason.

I'm a fan of Tiffany Odekirk's stories. I'd love to see her branch outside her LDS specific writing and delve into a more secular contemporary clean romance genre. But, until then, I will continue to enjoy the Jennings series and hope another book is coming! Baby brother needs a book, I think!

Content: LDS religion specific, Christian (talk of God, praying, attending church), talk of after effects of rape and alcohol abuse, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Meet Jason Jennings, returned missionary and quarterback at UCAL. Jason seems to have it all--he comes from a wealthy family, he's super smart, and incredibly good looking. He's got it made, right? Well looks can be deceiving. Jason hasn't always made the correct choice, but he repented and worked hard to get back on the right track so he could serve a mission. The problem is his 'friends' haven't forgotten who he was 2 1/2 years ago and think that JJ is back.

Allie Hollis is a cheerleader for UCAL. She knows the type of guy Jason is--the football star who has girls hanging on him all the time, who gets whatever he wants--and Allie stays far away from those type of guys. Well, Allie THINKS she knows who Jason is, and it's going to be hard for her to stay away from Jason considering Allie's best friend and roommate Harper is seriously dating Jason's cousin Ben.

I thought Allie and Jason's first meeting in the kitchen at the chapel was cute, and loved Jason's joking manner as they washed dishes. I also liked that Jason and Allie didn't have perfect lives just because they go to church. Allie has a secret that she carries deep within her and Jason's still dealing with the consequences from choices he made before serving his mission.

I really like the characters of Jason and Allie and their friends Harper and Ben. I loved Harper's advice to Allie "the person you choose to be in a relationship with should still make you light up inside. They should bring out the best in you and inspire you and make you feel like you are the most precious person to ever walk the face of the Earth."

There are a lot of lighthearted scenes and dialogue in this book, the author deals with a couple of serious issues in this story--attempted rape and drinking--and although she doesn't go into detail it affects the main characters in the story. Jason struggles with being a football player and a "valiant member of the Church", and I especially liked the scene where he realizes what he needs to do to fix that.

I liked that the chapters alternate between Jason and Allie and that on Jason's chapters the author defined a football term that defined that particular chapter. This is the third book in the series but each is a standalone story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for my copy. All thoughts expressed in my review are my own.

This is the author's third book in this series, and I have loved every one of them. She does a great job tackling serious issues without making the story too heavy and depressing. The characters in her stories are far from perfect, but they're continually trying to be better people, and sometimes they fail and have to start again. I love that about these stories, it really brings the characters to life for me.

This book was really hard to put down, and I had to make a bargain with myself that I could dive back in to the story for awhile as soon as I finished the "gotta do's" for the day. I'm not gonna lie, sometimes those "gotta do's" just didn't happen.

I enjoyed getting to know Jason and Allie and their back stories. I'm really glad we got to find out more about her relationship with her mom. I also enjoyed seeing past characters. I feel like the reader gets to know Jason's parents much better in this story than in either of the previous books. Now that I've finished this book, I am looking forward to re-reading the other two books in this series. I'm also hoping for a story for Drew.

No one promised that the pathway to love would be easily traveled. Jace and Allie's story is one of pain, repentance, forgiveness, healing, and holding on to love. Their path is not easy, but it is beautiful.

I fell in love with the characters from the beginning. The way they met and the easy back and forth between them made this book a fun one to read. Both have a painful past that they have to cope with, at times it pulls them apart. The truth is that I preferred them together rather than separate, but the way that Tiffany Odekirk wrote their stories, the pain is worth the reward. I couldn't help but cheer from the sidelines and hope that the team I wanted to win was victorious.

I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to read this book. It was just what I needed to be reminded of the goodness of life and that good things can come to those that are in pain. Sometimes it takes a lot of prayers and finding help. This book contains kissing, substance abuse, and references to rape.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is wonderful! I loved the back-and-forth chapters between the two main characters. Filled with deep emotions of love, hope, healing, and learning to overcome the past, this book will tug at your heartstrings!

This book is beautiful inside and out! Such a lovely story. The author did a wonderful job of writing the difficulties her characters faced, both from trying to change from past mistakes, as well as trying to become well and feel whole again after traumatic experiences. The love story is so sweet, pure, and good. The characters so realistic. The ending so perfect. This is he first book I have read by this author and I will definitely read her other books now. Well written, and most certainly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.

In Love, Sidelined, we meet Jason Jennings, the star quarterback for UCAL when he comes across a guy hitting on cheerleader Allie Hollis. He "saves" her from a guy-who-won't-take-no-for-an-answer and then they do the dishes together. He's intrigued by her, but she gives him the friend card and leaves it at that. But Allie's best friend and Jason's cousin are dating, so Jason and Allie are thrown together a lot and feelings start to develop. But Jason is trying to live down the bad boy reputation he had before he served an LDS mission and prove that he's a changed man, and Allie is not only waiting for a missionary, but also still dealing with trauma she suffered in high school. There is a lot of cute dates and fun moments, but the characters also have secrets that are slowly revealed to each other and the reader.

I really liked how three-dimensional Allie and Jason are. Neither of them have had the perfect life and they've made decisions that have far-reaching consequences. They are both trying to figure out where they stand and there are some assumptions made on both parts which lead to some funny---and some sad---misunderstandings. At first, the story may seem like a fluffy bad-boy-turned-good romance, but there are also some pretty heavy themes including drinking and sexual assault. The author doesn't go into details, but the reader can still feel the lasting effects of an attack that happened years before that affected the life of our heroine and those around her. For me, this was a well-told redemption story from an LDS perspective that has a good balance of real issues facing so many people today, mixed with light-heartedness and spiritual themes. Very well done.

Tiffany Odekirk continues to be one of my favorite contemporary romance authors! Love Sidelined is the newest addition to the Jenning's family series, and I loved it just as much as the others. Tiffany writes with beautiful, real emotion, and her characters are all perfectly and wonderfully flawed. Both Allie and Jase have heartbreaking struggles, and even though this book tackles tough subjects, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the two of them find love together and earn their happily ever after.

4.5 Stars

This was an excellent addition to Odekirk‘s other books, and while it makes me want to re-read her other stories, this can be read as a stand-alone novel. It’s just nice knowing a bit about some of the supporting characters.

I started this late afternoon and read until I was finished (around 2 AM). So it’s a page turner with characters I enjoyed and was rooting for.

It deals with some hard issues (dealing with the mental repercussions of sexual assault, addictions, lack of self esteem, etc.). It seemed tastefully done and held my attention.

This is one I’d re-read and recommend. I’m happy to add it to my Tiffany Oderkirk collection.

I just finished reading a pre release of this book and thought it was so good! It gave me all the feels, I seriously ended up tearing up at some parts. Tiffany Odekirk has a way with words to really help you relate to her characters. If you like books with The Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints prominently part of the plot this is a great read. Such a sweet love story of overcoming the past so a person can be free to truly love. While Covenant Communications gave me the chance to read this book before it's released, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.#lovesidlined #wholesomeromance

Allie Hollis is starting her junior year as a cheerleader at UCLA. With less than a year left in waiting for her longtime friend while he serves a mission, Allie has her life planned out. Transfer to BYU, date and then marry Elder Lincoln Adams and live Happy Ever After in Saftey. Too bad she didn't plan on Jason Jennings entering her life.

Jason Jennings is the star of the UCLA football team. Having put his college career on hold, Jason straightened out his life in order to serve a full-time mission. Now he is back and struggling to turn his bad-boy reputation around and show everyone, including himself that he is a different person.

Watching Allie and Jason face their struggles while learning to love each other is a journey I want to take again and again. "Love Sidelined" is so much more than your stereotypical sports romance. Author, Tiffany Oderkirk expertly handles sensitive topics such as abuse and underage drinking while telling a sweet love story that shows the power of the atonement and the hope the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings to each of us who are struggling.

I loved this! This is a very well done story about a couple who fall in love and figure out who they are. This is such a good romance and a very good story about values and beliefs. This is also very centered in the culture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. If you are not a member of that church this book might present some issues with the lingo that goes along with the church. I believe a person who is focused on having God in their life will enjoy this story. I now want to go and get all of Tiffany's books and read them. I love when I find an author that just hits all my criteria for a good book. This is well written, light and fun with some deep issues the characters go threw. There is talk of rape, and alcohol abuse.