Review: Austin Heat - Amari Nylix

I was lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC.

This is book 1 of the Austin Heat Series.

Jake is desperate to rewrite his past with women and leave behind the media storm surrounding his off-the-field antics that cloud his potential. He’s done with the stream of models, actresses and NFL cheerleaders that have warmed his bed since he made a name for himself as starting quarterback for the University of Texas. He desperately wants to meet a normal girl in his hometown of Austin. After moving to Austin to be the hired girlfriend to one of her long-term escort clients, Rakell finds herself wishing she could live a normal life with an average guy. Turned off by the billionaire clients she’s been serving for the last five years, she longs to get out of the business’ and build a life where she doesn’t live in the shadows of her escort persona. “Just get through this year and then you’re done Rakell,” she reminds herself. When Jake saunters into her life, with his jet-black hair, cocky sweet bravado and piercing blue eyes, Rakell is knocked off-guard. She finds herself internally buzzing and fantasizing about getting him naked. Can she have a low-key relationship with the guy from the gym without things getting complicated? Will she finally get to sleep with someone she’s chosen? She’s trained to leave her heart out of sexual relationships, but can she do that with Jake? Their worlds collide and the spice is off the charts. “Pretty boy” Jake Skyler has met his match with saucy-mouthed, sex driven, Rakell McCarthy. Both think they’ve fallen for an average personin Austin, Texas. Both are wrong! What happens when their physical connection explodes, and their hearts take charge? Both are concealing secrets that threaten their future together and things are about to get heated.

This book had me hooked from the beginning! I loved seeing the heat between these two characters!

I really enjoyed Jake and Rakell’s characters! I hate that they both lied about their professions but I understand where they both are coming from.

I definitely recommend this book!!

I cannot wait to read book 2 and read more of Jake and Rakell’s story.

Rating: 4 / 5⭐️’s

I was drawn to this story by the blurb, but once I started reading, I discovered this book is not for me. The premise of a pro football player trying to improve his image and an Escort looking to get out of the life, is intriguing. However there were several issues that caused me to ultimately DNF this one.

1- I am not someone who is put off by 3rd POV, but what didn't work for me was the fact that the POV changed paragraph by paragraph sometimes. Within one chapter, you get the inner thoughts of multiple characters.

2- These characters are supposed to be in their mid twenties, but their banter seemed very out of character for adults.

3- The story is very slow. The pacing needed some additional consideration. In the 25% of the story I read, the characters spend most of the time in the gym. They have not yet gone on a date and have established almost no connection whatsoever. We get a glimpse of the FMC's life and her desire to get out of it, but very little of the MMC. Nothing much happens.

4- There is a lot of repetition. The number of times it's mentioned that the MMC looks at the FMC's boobs made me want to smack him.

Those were my biggest issues while reading which led me to not want to finish, especially when I discovered this is not a standalone in a series. It's book 1 of a trilogy and I lost interest in finding out what happens with these characters. This book seems overly long for the story the author wishes to tell.

I had a hard time enjoying this book. The author's writing style made it hard to follow the story. I was not a fan of how the text messages were written between the characters.

Title: Austin Heat The One ...Who Undid Me
Author: Amari Nylix
Publisher: AuthorBuzz, Temair Media
Series: Austin Heat Series Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Austin Heat The One... Who Undid Me" by Amari Nylix

My Sentiments:

'Austin Heat' was a little different kind of read for me in that one will find an NFL quarterback Jake, and a high-end escort Rakell, who meet at a gym where no one knows what the other one does for a living. What will happen when their secret comes out and seems to become quite a problem for them? Will Jake be able to clean up the partying that he loved doing with different women? Will Rakell be able to get out of the kind of business that she is committed to especially with one long-term client? This is definitely a read about two emotionally stunted people with some real issues.

This story wasn't a football romance to me because this story happens during the off-season...and no actual football was going on. Be ready for this couple's journey as the reader will be entertained by lots of laughter, spice, and passion, and also some crying where one will hope that this couple will make it. However, you will have to pick up this good read to find out.

The story ends on a cliffhanger, so be ready for this read that's just the starter of a good series.

Jake is an NFL player and is back home for the off season. He’s really hoping to shed his womanizing persona and find a nice normal girl to settle down with.

Rakell has just moved to Austin, TX to be closer to one of her longtime escort clients. She longs to leave her escort lifestyle behind.

When the two meet sparks immediately fly but neither is sure they can share their true self. They can’t deny their physical connection, but can they share who they really are with each other to have a true relationship?

This was definitely a spicy read and the author did a good job with those scenes. There were a couple of scenes throughout the book that were beautiful, but others that were lacking. For example, the suicide attempt portion was not to my liking and needed to be fleshed out. I also struggled with the characters and working out. Yes, while I understand an NFL player would work out for hours on end, I struggle with Rakell and her constant need to work out for many hours a day to stay slim.

I loved the banter between Jake and Rakell. The friendships that Jake had were also amazing and friendship goals. I absolutely loved how the author talked about finding a model to bring Jake to life and her page is full of short videos bringing the book to life. This is such a treat and really fun.

Overall, I would recommend this book and I have high hopes for the series. This one does end on a cliffhanger that will make you want to read more of the series. I do look forward to reading more about Jake and Rakell.

Thank you so much to @netgalley, the publisher, Temair Media, and the author, @author.amarinylix for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

My headspace was probably not in the mood to read this book, I felt it was too wordy. The first pages was confusing because of the formatting, the texts I wasn’t sure who was texting who at the end.

I really enjoyed this book!! I do wish the ending hadn’t been so abrupt, but that’s just because I’m DYING to know what happens! I can’t wait for the next in the series. My one complaint is the constant use of the word “hole” to describe her lady bits… it was used approximately 7 million times and every time it took me out of the spicy scenes and made me cringe.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date- 9/19/23

This was a fun and flirty read and also my first book by Amari Nylix. Austin Heat follows athlete Jake who, after a rough past relationship, bad reputation with the media and overall being fed up and frustrated with his usual flings, decides that he wants to date someone different. Someone ‘normal’. We meet some of his family and friends and cute nieces that add to his fun personality. I have to be honest that there’s a number of names starting with J that left me confused for a bit! The beginning of the book doesn’t hang about establishing things and I feel the author just jumps straight into the drama, including the breeze-by introduction to setting and characters. I think the first few chapters could have eased the reader in a bit better.
Aussie Rakell is an escort and is determined to leave that job and lifestyle behind to establish herself organically and not some false personality that helped with her work. I definitely found we saw more from Jake’s P.O.V which was refreshing. Unless a book is truly split between perspectives it’s usually focused on the female lead so it was a change getting to know the male hero on a deeper level than just a love interest like some books.
It was a fun read with sizzling heat and chemistry and kept me entertained but not intensely immersed.
Thank you for the eARC!

Wonderful entry into romance - great start to a series that promised hot hot heat!! Can't wait for #2.

I picked up this book because I wanted a spicy romance read to cleanse myself after reading some other heavier works. This book had plenty of spice, but it just was not it. I wish I had known that this book ends on a cliffhanger, because I likely would not have committed to reading it. I wanted something to wrap up with a HEA, and at 95% that was obviously not going to happen.

There was also an issue with POV switching during scenes from Rakell to Jake and back, which was very distracting.

The thing I struggled with most was Rakell's characterization. She started off as someone who was business-savvy, street smart, and took no shit. By the end of the story, she was an anxious mess who didn't even know how to react around a boy. To an extent, it was believable that she could've been really struggling with anxiety over a new relationship, but her ability to stand up for herself and know what she wanted felt like it was completely different from that girl that we first met.

Overall, I think that some people will really love this story and watching the journey unfold, but for me there wasn't enough plot or development to keep the story moving.

Thank you to AuthorBuzz and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book, for me, was the definition of high school emotion games. I personally didnt like this book. I was hoping for an HEA but it just drug on until the very last page with the games.

There is a lot going on in the story. Jake is a quarterback in the off season. Rakell is a young lady living a double life. The plot is interesting and nothing is resolved at the end of the book. Jake and Rakell are working and figuring out who they are alone and together.

I could not get into this book. I really like romances and steamy books but I just couldn’t connect with these characters.

This is my first DNF... ever. I could not get into it and the characters all fell flat. I think a large part of it was the POV mixed with info dump.

"Austin Heat" by Amari Nylix promises readers a steamy and enthralling romance set in the heart of Austin, Texas. This novel appears to offer a spicy blend of sizzling attraction, mistaken identities, and the allure of a forbidden connection.

The characters, Jake and Rakell, seem to be intriguing and complex individuals, each with their own secrets and desires. Jake, the star quarterback looking for a normal girl, and Rakell, an escort yearning for a simpler life, are brought together by fate, and their chemistry ignites.

The story hints at a passionate and electric relationship between Jake and Rakell, with the promise of intense physical and emotional connections. Their journey from physical attraction to something deeper seems poised to be filled with twists, complications, and heated moments.

The author's writing style, which combines humor, swoon-worthy moments, and anticipation, suggests that "Austin Heat" will be an engaging and captivating read. Fans of contemporary romance, especially those who enjoy the works of Tessa Bailey and Christina Lauren, are likely to find this book appealing.

Overall, "Austin Heat" appears to be a tantalizing romance novel that will keep readers hooked from beginning to end. It promises to deliver a mix of passion, humor, and heart, making it a great addition to the genre for those seeking a spicy and emotional love story.

Amari Nylix kicks off the "Austin Heat" series with a bang! It's a slow romance with a whole lot of Texas heat. Jake, the NFL football guy, is about ditching his player reputation, while Rakell, the escort, dreams of leaving her old life behind. Set in Austin, their chemistry's off the charts, sparking severe banter. You'll be rooting for Jake's real-deal romance and feeling Rakell's need for normalcy. Secrets and misunderstandings keep you flipping pages as they struggle to make it work. The book dives into self-discovery and what society expects versus what we want. The sizzling romance and cool side characters keep things interesting. I can't wait for the next book - I'm in for the long haul with this series!

I started this book a couple of times but just couldn't get into it. For one thing, every single character who emerges in first few pages is described as to appearance, job, family connections, the backstory on the families, etc., and I did not see the need for that. The writer should probably learn about info dumping. A couple of other things made me think this writer needs to delve a little deeper into the craft. So, regrettably, DNF. I won't review it anywhere else.

This one is definitely spicy & sets you up for a sequel. Not sure I’m a fan of being left on a complete cliffhanger. This is a good story that could use a little work. Felt a little fanfiction like to me which isn’t bad but not my favorite.

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

I went into this book with high hopes. Despite the fact that it is overwhelmingly difficult to find the good in the book, I always look for it. Comparing this book to Tessa Bailey or Christina Lauren is just absurd.

Many reasons contributed to this book's failure:
1. I honestly don't care what happens after our cliffhanger
2. How this book splits points of view it's so hard to follow.
3. The placing was awful the first part drug on and on then wham.. they are together?
4. I needed more character development to make the characters believable.

That being said it's a low to mid-range read and may do well with some readers.

Thanks, Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. OMG!!!! I am going to start at the end with, OMG!!! This left on such a cliffhanger. I kept thinking, this is coming to the end and only half has been resolved and than BAM the end. I truly enjoyed this book. THe banter between out main characters was so much fun to read. I can not wait to read book 2.