DNF. I couldn't even get to 10% I really wanted this book to be decent and to fall in love with it since it is about my hometown and how great Austin is but all I could see was the "bro" culture of Austin. It was really disappointing and I imagined I would find the characters on Rainey Street chasing after the girls on bachelorette parties.

As hard as I tried, I couldn't get into Austin Heat, so I probably wouldn't recommend it to my customers. I didn't like the main characters at all. I can usually push through and finish a book but this one I couldn't.

This was a DNF for me. I made it halfway in and then just gave up. The story was going nowhere and both of the main characters were starting to get annoying. A lot of the descriptions of what are supposed to be current 20-something’s felt outdated and what a boomer aged person might think current 20-something’s are like, For example their clothing choices and the Karaoke bar scene where Rakell was singing 70’s and 80’s songs. She’s 23? Not realistic. But when I really had to stop reading is when the author used the three most unsexy words during what could’ve been sexy scenes: Hole, slit and vagina. Yikes.

Austin Heat follows an escort Rakell McCarthy (who is leaving the business) and NFL player Jake Skyler (who is trying to redeem his pretty boy reputation and be a normal guy) falling for each other during off season without either of them being honest about what they do for a profession. One of my favorite things Jake and Rakell said to each other was “hey you” and “yeah you”. This was an easy read, definitely loved the spice and the characters were both likeable.


Thank you NetGalley!

I don't remember what the blurb was that made me interested in reading this book, but I am sorry that I wasted my time. I like Jake Skylar the male protagonist. He is now the lead quarterback on a new NFL franchise, after 5 years as backup. While he exhibited a lot of immature behavior when he was first drafted, he has matured into a star quality player. He now is looking to find a nice woman to settle down with. He spots ex-Aussie, Rakell at the gym and is mesmerized with her. She doesn't recognize him, so he decides to keep his identity a secret, since for the last 5 years, woman have been using him for the publicity. She has her own secret; she has been working as an escort to build up her savings and her carrier as a model and actress. She keeps giving him mixed signals and after a while, I just found her annoying. I thought I was reading a story, but what there is of the story is just filler for between their bouts of sexual activity. After a few of them, I just got so bored that I skipped over them. And then the book ended with a cliffhanger. I thought that each book in the series would center on a different player, but apparently I was wrong. And, not that I am a big football fan, but there was not a single game played in the book. At this point I really don't care what happens to Rakell and I hope Jack finds someone else, but that isn't likely. It is also not likely that I will read the next book.

The tension in this book is WILD! The build up to Jake and Rakell connecting is incredible and intense..I found myself yelling enough already! The wait was well worth it though and the heat was unlike anything I’ve read in a while. Of course I have to mention that Jake is a professional football player, adding to the hotness of it all. Don’t miss this one if you love hot and spicy romance!

I have to be honest, I struggled with this story. It didn’t grab my attention once o started, even though I had high hopes. I tried a few times to read this and it didn’t work. However, just because it wasn’t for me doesn’t mean it isn’t for someone else. So I encourage those to give it a read and form your own opinion because it may be one of your favorites.

"Austin Heat" by Amari Nylix is a scorching tale of mistaken identity, irresistible attraction, and the complexities of finding love amidst secrets. With enticing characters, sizzling chemistry, and a captivating plot, this steamy romance will leave readers reaching for a cold drink to cool down.

Jake, a former quarterback seeking a normal relationship away from his turbulent past, crosses paths with Rakell, a woman longing to leave her escort persona behind. Their instant connection is electric, but as their relationship grows, they discover they are linked more deeply than they thought, with secrets threatening their future.

Nylix's engaging writing style blends humor, anticipation, and romance seamlessly. Through vivid descriptions, the vibrant city of Austin comes alive, adding an extra layer of richness to the story. While embracing familiar tropes, "Austin Heat" adds freshness and heart to create an enticing and addictive read.

While a few plot points could have been further explored, "Austin Heat" delivers on its promise of a passionate and steamy romance. Perfect for fans of contemporary romance, this book will make you laugh, swoon, and keep turning the pages in anticipation.

The plot sounded wonderful but its execution didn't land. I didn't like the hero Jake in this and he never grew on me as the book progressed.

ARC Netgalley

We follow an escort (leaving the business) and NFL player (who is trying to redeem his playing the field persona) falling for each other during off season without either of them being honest about what they do for a profession. It was easy to read, spicy in places and the characters were both likeable. Would recommend for a romantic read.

Unfortunately this is a DNF from me. They are spending way too much time at the gym, and Jake is doing all the things men shouldn’t do to women at the gym, for me to want to continue reading. I’m sure this would appeal to someone who doesn’t mind that and likes spicy (so I’m told) scenes and dual pov.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. Unfortunately I did not love it. Rakell and Jake both like each other, yet they do not want to reveal their professions to each other. I felt the book moved slow and gave too many details that weren't necessary to the progression of the story. There were some steamy scenes, although I felt they came too late in the book. Plus to leave the ending on a cliffhanger - I'm not sure I even care to read the next book at this point.

I liked the premise and much of the plot and dialogue of this book, but I went into it not realizing it was a cliffhanger. With the book being so long (344 pages) I was expecting to read the HEA in this book. I really think authors should be more up front about the fact a book is not a standalone, so readers can decide at the outset if they're willing to commit to a multi-book storyline. I won't be reading on in the series - from what I read in the description & reviews it seems that Jake & Rakell is a 3 book series - I just don't feel the storyline justifies committing to a 1000 page read.

Austin Heat: The One Who Undid Me by Amari Nylix is one super spicy story, think extreme heat. But, the book isn't all spice and no substance, there is a genuinely enjoyable story to go along with it. If you're a football fan, this one is especially a perfect choice, as one of the main characters, Jake Skyler, is a quarterback for the fictional Sacramento Condors. The other main character is an escort to billionaires, her name is Rakell McCarthy from Australia. While I found Jake to be sweet and kind, I sometimes had trouble liking Rakell. They both had secrets that threatened their relationship. While these secrets were both big and important to themselves, it bothered me how Rakell acted in some situations in keeping hers to herself. The book ended mid-conversation with a cliffhanger, I'll definitely be on the lookout for the second book in this series.

This wasn’t for me, but I think it’ll appear to people who like edgier books with a more erotic plot. I did like that the love interest cared for the FMC and didn’t force himself on her especially due to her past. When they finally had sex, it was after a lot of time showing her that he cared for her and wanted to give her pleasure as well. That’s a unique quality and a lot of these novels with so many alpha males, so I really appreciated that and I think this book will find its audience.

Literal 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Superstar NFL player Jake Skyler is training in his offseason in Austin when he meets a beautiful Aussie Rakell at the gym he goes to.

I definitely appreciate the dual pov because we can see both fighting their inner battles and obvious attraction to each other!
Plus.., DUAL POV IS MY FAVORITE!!!

Jake exudes a charming southern boy on the outside but with his family and friends, he is very caring and passionate about those he holds dear…. like VERY passionate.

After years in a profession where she has to pretend to be someone or something else, she decides to settle in Austin for the year hoping to lay low and maybe snag a normal cutie.
She is used to being lavished with expensive jewels and whisked away on exotic vacations. She is slowly falling for the normal Jake that takes her to picnics in the park or mini-golfing.

The whole time they hide their professions from each other and I’m like "JUST TELL EACH OTHER WHO YOU ARE!"
Like please, find happiness, you both deserve it.

What started as a slow burn definitely turned up by a few hundred degrees!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

2 stars. DNF

Could not get into the story. The set-up for the storyline was alright but couldn't quite get attached. Writing was good though.

I love romance any type of book if it has something to pull me in. Like this it was spice spice spice everywhere you could feel it for the mains. That its a football romance with spice was just the icing that got me interested. I liked the texting throughout the book. First time read from this author and i lived it i will give it 5 stars and i cant wait to read more from this author. I hope more. I would recommend if you like sports romance, spicy and funny. I found some parts funny. Thank you to Net Galley for this opportunity.

Austin Heat: The One Who Undid Me is the first book in a series. There is some spice, third person multiple points of view, banter and tension. And lots of miscommunication. Miscommunication is not my jam, but I kept reading despite there being multiple times of me wanting to shake the characters and tell them to just give it up already, be honest and give in! There were a few scenes that could have used less repeating as I felt like I was reading the same chapter over and over, but overall the story was enjoyable and I may just have to pick up the rest of the series when it is published so I can find out what happens to Jake and Rakell.
Thank you to Netgalley and Authorbuzz for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was super excited for this book. The blurb included everything I could want, and more. It has all my favorite tropes, and my expectations were really high.

Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the expectations. Maybe I just read it during the wrong week, because I should have loved this book. Everything in the blurb made me think I would absolutely love this book.

I think this is one of those books where you had to go back and give it another chance at a later time, which is what I’m going to do.

I still have high hopes for this book, and I’m hoping a second read at a later date will help me enjoy it better. I would still recommend for people to give it a chance though!