Title: Fourth Down (The Portland Pioneers, #1)
Author: Heidi McLaughlin
Genre: Sports Romance/Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 10, 2021
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Blurb:
From the New York Times bestselling author of Forever My Girl: The Motion Picture, Heidi McLaughlin delivers a contemporary romance that will leave you dancing in the end zone!
Autumn LaRosa has been playing defense since the moment she met Julius Cunningham. After accepting a position as a meteorologist in Portland, she strives to make a good first impression. Then she meets the arrogant wide receiver who belittles her in front of her new friends. She could have walked off the sting of his bitter words, but he keeps showing up in her social circle.
Now, she is determined to meet him at the line of scrimmage and prove she’s not one to back down.
Julius Cunningham is well aware there’s a flag on the play after his harsh words to Autumn. The more he sees of Portland’s new weather girl, the clearer it becomes his judgments of her were unfounded.
But how can he call a timeout on the animosity he created?
When Autumn attends a charity event with the Pioneer players, she sees an opportunity too tempting to resist. Julius looks miserable being a part of the date auction, making it even more fun for Autumn to bid. Will she use the opportunity for some good old-fashioned payback? Or will this be their fresh start at the twenty-yard line?
Get ready for the snap and sprint for the end zone because Autumn and Julius are headed for either a tackle or a touchdown!
About Heidi:
Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.
Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018, and is now available on DVD & Digital.
To stay connected with Heidi visit http://www.facebook.com/authorheidimclaughlin or heidimclaughlin.com
Social Media:
Website: http://heidimclaughlin.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiMcLaughlin/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiJoVT/
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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6568302.Heidi_McLaughlin
Goodreads Group: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/184432-heidi-s-hangout
Text GETHEIDISBOOKS to (833) 926-1009
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/HeidisNewsletter
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heidi-mclaughlin
**4 ½ Stars**
There is nothing like opening a book and diving back into a world created by a favorite author. I just knew in my heart of hearts I would love this novel. I knew I was going to swoon with the hero and laugh with the heroine. I knew there would be moments that would get me all teary eyed and there would be moments that fired me up. Because that’s how Heidi McLaughlin rolls! I loved the hell out of Julius and Autumn’s romance. I was swept off my feet from the start!
In My Own Words:
Fourth Down by Heidi McLaughlin is the first book in her Portland Pioneer series! It also happens to be Beaumont: Next Generation Spin-off, meaning we get glimpses of the original Beaumont characters and how their lives are going now!! I can’t tell you all how much I love generation spin-offs!! I’m that type of reader who clings to the characters I love. When I don’t want to see their stories end, I truly mean I’m not ready to let them go. Spin-off’s such as this one have a way of putting my heart to rest. I love them!
Back to Fourth Down. This single-father romance with a slight enemies-to-lovers twist is told from both Julius Cunningham and Autumn LaRosa’s point of view.
Julius’ life was perfect, or so he thought. He had the perfect marriage, two kids, and his career was at a pivotal point. Until all hell broke loose and he realized images on the surface aren’t as they appear in real life. Now he’s finding himself looking to file a divorce, something he never thought he’d be doing and making sure his kids are settled and okay. So when he meets Autumn LaRosa, schmoozing up to his best friend, Noah’s wife, at a party. Let’s just say he isn’t the nicest version of himself he shows on a day to day basis.
Autumn’s dream is to one day take her career as a meteorologist to a national stage. For now, Portland is a step in the right direction. Until she meets a broody football player who’d rather talk to a fly than converse with her. Not even a week in Portland, and it already looks like she’s made an enemy….. Or did she!?
My Thoughts:
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again.. I freaking love Heidi McLaughlin and her ability to write a sweet and sexy romance. When I’m in the mood for all the sweet and somewhat clean vibes, I immediately go to this author. If you are a fan of the sweet romance aspect that isn’t too heavy on the sexy time descriptions…. You definitely need to pick up a book… or two from this author!! You won’t be sorry!! There has never been a moment when I wasn’t captivated by these characters and their antics!
Let’s start with Julius Cunningham! There isn’t a bad word about him in my mind at the moment. This man is not only sexy and sweet, he’s also an amazing father to his daughter and his son. Everything he did in life, he did for his family. When shit the fan, Julius did everything he could to shield his kids from the blow back, especially his eight year old son Reggie. I loved his one on one times with Reggie. These moments were raw and felt real. It honestly felt like I was sitting in the corner of the room watching Reggie and Julius’ heart to heart. I don’t think my heart has ever swooned this hard before. This man was everything I look for in a book boyfriend.
And then we have Autumn LaRosa! I loved her character just as much as I love Julius’ character. First of all, I loved her drive and her ambition to follow her dreams. She new what she wanted and she set her sights on the prize. But throughout this novel, I loved the fact that the prize (her dream career) slowly morphed into a new and bigger dream (a life with Julius and his children). I also loved her sweetheart vibes and the way she took to this single father’s children as if they were her own.
Speaking of relationships, let’s jump to the relationship aspect… Julius and Autumn’s connection throughout this novel was pure FIRE! But that isn’t the only relationship I enjoyed in this one. The friendships in this novel were off the charts! I loved the one on one chats between Autumn and Peyton just as much as I loved the bro chats between Julius and Noah. And then we have the sweet and endearing moments between Autumn, Julius, Roxy, and Reggie!
Overall, Fourth Down by Heidi McLaughlin was the exact book I needed in my life! From the intense chemistry to the sweet heart moments, I couldn’t get enough of this one!! I can’t wait to see what’s to come! Heidi McLaughlin tugged my heartstrings with this swoony single father romance!
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Peace Love and Happy Reading,
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