Review: Fraternize

Fraternize by Rachel Van Dyken
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read another book by Rachel Van Dyken and was a little disappointed after the hype and recommendations since I loved a couple similar authors. But then I thought about how many amazing books I've read by different authors and how I may not have like one book but that didn't take away the fact that the same author wrote a book that is in my top favorites. So I chose this one to see if I would like it better.... and I was not disappointed.... by a long shot.

I was hooked with the storyline and characters from page one. I had that feeling, you know the one you get when you find one book and after only a couple paragraphs, you know it's going to be a favorite... I had it bad. I think a huge factor was how much I related to Emerson... practically instantaneously. She's so real and down to earth. I understood how she felt about her body. Being a curvy girl myself, I had similar thoughts back in high school (while so many of the other girls would do everything to go from size 6 to , I developed a more curvy frame that was made to be a 12). Miller's "friendship" and pep talks were EVERYTHING. They made me fall for him after one cute and fun banter filled snap. Starting off with a glimpse into the beginning of their fall and breaking up the past into pieces throughout the story helped you get pieces of the characters and connect wit them naturally.
While I thought I knew how the story was going to play out, at the half way mark, I almost wanted to feel angry at Rachel Van Dyken for making my feelings wishy washy between Miller and Sanchez. Holy crap, I felt like I was in the emotional tornado along with Emerson.
Coming to an end, I LOVE how it turned out. With all the playful banter and sexual tension mixed with sentimental dialogue, it's safe to say I highlighted half the book with favorite lines... not even sorry about it either.

***

Emerson finally made it as a Buck's cheerleader. Yeah she was a hard worker and talented, but her size had eliminated her chances in the past. Now she rocked her curves with confidence. She made it. She just wishes that she could forget the other half of her dream, that she was supposed to be cheering Miller on as he dominated the field. They were best friends since they were kids. She could always count on him, until it all fell apart. Their dream died when he broke all his promises, taking their friendship and her virginity with him, leaving her just... broken.

Miller was one of the top players it in NFL just 6 years after high school. So when he gets traded to his championship hometown team, you'd think he would be excited to play for the team he had dreamed to play on. But there's a reason he hasn't been back since he moved away half way through his senior year. Emerson was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen, inside and out. Not only was she witty and sarcastic as hell, but she had the curves any guy would kill to hold on to. When his life went to shit, he knew he could survive as long as he had her. But he was wrong, and when he needed her the most, she abandoned him.

They hadn't seen each other in years. So when they find themselves face to face at Buck's stadium, old hurt and anger surface. But how could those feelings be reflected back in each other's eyes? Who hurt who? And who was really to blame?

This reunion was enough stress on her mind, while juggling her dream as a professional cheerleader. But of course, life has a way of pushing us to our limit. Emerson is now juggling two-a-day practices, keeping weight/on the team diet plan (since she's easily twice as large as every other girl on the team), and dealing with her Father's depleting health.

In comes playboy of the team if not the league, Grant F**king Sanchez. Hotter than hell and a smirk that tells her he knows it. He has his eyes set on Emerson, even if fraternizing is against the rules. Emerson may say she's not interested in breaking the rules, Sanchez has a way of squeezing under your walls. He may be sexually driven, but their entertaining banter and his refusal to give up has Emerson questioning the stereotype built around him.
But he doesn't just manage to break down Emerson's walls, Miller can't seem to hold a grudge against him either. He may seem like a showboat and cocky, but he's quickly realizing he's not only a great leader but big competition when it comes Emerson.

Emerson and Miller thought they moved on. Their past was in the past and the pain that scarred them both was buried.... at least that's what they try to tell themselves and their new teammates.
While the past continues to haunt them, the present is shaky and future is blurred now more then ever with a love triangle setting off fireworks.

One Curvy Cheerleader.
Two sexy as hell football players.
Tons of humorous chemistry filled banter.
This season is gong to be full of rule breaking fraternization.... ;)


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