Review ~ Hail Mary by Nicola Rendell

Book Description:

A funny, naughty, dirty *standalone* sports romance...

At a boxing gym in Chicago, Mary Monahan accidentally knocks out the most handsome man she’s ever met. After she wakes him up with a few slaps and some smelling salts, the very first thing he does is ask her out for ribs and beer. His name is Jimmy. He looks like a Gillette model. And he’s just too hunky to resist.

Jimmy “The Falcon” Falconi is mystified that Mary has absolutely no idea who he is. Mystified and refreshed. He is, after all, not your everyday NFL quarterback. He shops at Costco, has a soft spot for Pinterest, and is in the midst of an epic losing streak.

Jimmy falls for Mary fast and hard, the way he does everything—balls out and like it’s fourth and long. And he realizes he’s finally met his match. That stamina he’s so proud of? Doesn’t stand a chance against her Kegels.

But what they don’t know is she’s also his new physical therapist, recently hired by the Bears to work on his rotator cuff…and groin injury. If she can’t help him, he’ll be traded faster than they can say “offensive penetration.”

In spite of the thousands of internet memes featuring Jimmy’s face with captions like: “HEY GIRL, WANT TO TOUCH MY BALLS?” Mary finds herself falling for him and his unrelenting desire to make her his.

Until a toddler shows up at Jimmy’s door.

And throws their lives into total chaos.

***

To the reader: Sweet. Safe. HEA. This is a comedy that gets very dirty, so be advised. Other tasters' notes: Hints of honey and champagne. And a feisty little dog named Frankie Knuckles.

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2i4JaOA

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2hKsXAH

Our Review:

Reviewed by Donna ~ 3.5 stars

“We can make the world disappear. We can make everything else just a whisper.”

This was my first read by Nicola Rendell and I must admit I have her two other books sitting on my kindle waiting to be read but I was in the mood for some light romantic humour and had been assured that this was the book so I dived in.

“The earth will pivot on this. The sun will rise and set on this.”

Hail Mary is a case of insta love and lust and does contain A LOT of sex scenes. Sometimes less is more and for me these became way too abundant. However, they were HOT and some extremely memorable. There is no doubt about it, Nicola Rendell can write one hell of a smoking hot sex scene and puts that ability to good use in Hail Mary.

“When I wind up, I wind up. As I do, she ducks, fast as fucking lightning. Greased. Elegant. Lethal. So as my arm is powering through the air, as my momentum gets caught behind 12-ounce training gloves, she pops back up like a goddamned whack-a-mole.”

In the beginning, I did find that the story dragged a little, some scenes and dialogue could have been trimmed back a little to give the pace a lift, but I was intrigued with this couple from the beginning. Mary is not your typical heroine, she was a fire cracker that due to her past had made herself stronger both emotionally and physically. Not many women could knock out an American football player with one timely punch. But, Jimmy Falconi was not the only male victim to her powerful KO, Mary made mincemeat of quite a few men much to their chagrin.

“He’s not dead.” I pinch his gorgeous face in my hand again, feeling the strong, sexy muscles of his jaw under my fingers. “He’s just… resting.”

Mary and Jimmy are total opposites but that is what made them work. Mary is oblivious to Jimmy’s superstar status and just talks to him as if her were another “one of the lads.” It is this that makes Mary so refreshing to Jimmy. Mary wants to be with him, because of him, not for the fame, nor the money. These two did have some great chemistry, their flirty fun banter was hilarious and it is this connection that really keeps the story moving.

“I have been waiting so fucking long to meet someone who makes me feel exactly like I do with you. Like I’m safe, and loved, and needed. And like I’m not so alone after all.”

Mary is a physical therapist and Jimmy is injury prone, so when Mary is assigned a new job at an NFL club you have to close your eyes as you know who her patient is going to be. Mary has a strict no fraternisation policy with her clients but Jimmy is not going to take no for an answer. Game on!

With family issues, a cute niece and turkey horrors, this book was a good balance of fun and romance. While it was predictable and insta love, it was an enjoyable, quick, cute read that will leave your heart fit to bursting by the end. Low on the angst, high on everything else this was an uplifting read that will have you laughing one minute and swooning the next.

“Honey, there’s a lot of reasons to panic in this life, but a frozen turkey? It ain’t one of them.”

Jimmy Falconi certainly made this book though, this is one hero that is definitely unforgettable, he had the three ‘P’s’ in spades…powerful, protective and possessive. He oozed that natural charm, had an affinity for Costco, had a huge heart melting soft spot for his niece, his filthy mouth would have you trembling in anticipation in seconds and he was a stallion in the sack. He was the real deal ladies. How this man was single to begin with was a complete mystery.

“If there is such a thing as true love, trust yourself to know it. Do not doubt it when you feel, in your heart, that you have found the one who can heal you, and laugh with you, and teach you. Believe in what you feel, first and always. Let the light of your lover’s eyes guide you home.”

Overall, I enjoyed it. A book that was just the ticket for my frame of mind at the time and one that uplifted me from the slump that I had found myself in. If anyone can, Jimmy can.