Offside

I was hooked from the beginning. I loved this book. It is added to my favorites.

5 Stars (Originally Read 10/7/2014)4 Stars (Re-Read 7/12/2017)Overall Opinion: This was still an enjoyable read the second time around. I am dropping my rating from 5 stars to 4, however, mainly because of the pacing. It was on the longer side at 481 pages in my kindle app, and I really do think it could've been edited down. There were some things when looking back at it that weren't all that relevant or needed for the overall storyline. I did feel like it was slow at some points, and I think it might be because of those moments. I also felt like the last 15ish% was jammed packed full of things happening and time jumps. While I really do appreciate the closure on all aspects of the story (and my followers know how much I hate not having closure!), I think it was way too rushed. It was like a wham bam thank you ma'am HEA 😂**See goodreads.com/NMmomof4 for my full review with spoilers**Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Nicole and Thomas's story. They meet at school when they have a class together. Thomas is the star soccer player with a mayor for a dad, and Nicole is the mysterious new girl. Thomas is instantly drawn to her, and can't get her out of his head -- which is something new for him. The more time they spend together, the more their feelings get stronger and they fall in love. There is some major family conflicts going on, a few cute and funny moments, as well as a few sexy times...and they get a HEA ending.POV: This was told in Thomas's POV (which I think this author does really well!)Overall Pace of Story: My biggest issue with the book. It felt slow at times, and then towards the end it felt rushed and jam packed full of things happening. I never skimmed though.Instalove: No, but instant connection and instalust.H rating: 4 stars. Thomas. I liked him. He was a major douche and completely unlovable at first, but he grew on me and I really liked how he cared for the h.h rating: 4 stars. Nicole. I liked her. I appreciated how she didn't let the H get away with his typical act with her.Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed (but I do remember tearing up a few times the first time I read it).Push/Pull: YesHeat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not many scenes and it doesn't takes away from the story.Descriptive sex: YesOW/OM drama: Yes, but mildSex scene with OW or OM: YesCheating: NoSeparation: YesClosure: This had pretty good closure with what I would call a HEAHow I got it: I paid $3.99 for it on Amazon back in 2014.

OffsideBy: Shay Savage5/5 starsI don’t usually read a lot of New Adult romances for the simple fact that I like my books to be a little more on the racy side. But I have read all of Shay Savage’s other books and have loved them all. So I was planning on reading this, it didn’t really matter what it was about/genre/age of the hero & heroine. But not once did the story drag nor did I miss the erotica. Now, that’s not to say that we were missing dirty-talking alphas, sexual tension, sexiness and hot sex (though not a lot). This story, in true Shay Savage fashion, this book is told from Thomas, our hero’s POV. This book also showcases how much she knows about soccer.Thomas Malone is an arrogant, somewhat conceited and extremely talented young man. He is a goalie prodigy for his high school soccer team, who is being scouted for the pros. This has always been his goal, at least since his mother died, as enforced by his over-bearing father, who accepts nothing less than perfect. And if it is less than perfect, his displeasure will be known, first by a lecture and then generally by use of physical force.He also can’t afford any distractions from achieving this goal and his rigorous work-out and practice schedule. But when he literally runs into the new girl at school, he knows there is something different about her. Mainly because she doesn’t fall for his usual moves, which happen to be breathing and looking hot, plus she gives nothing away; not her feelings, thoughts or ideas or even her name! She’s not some simpering high school chick. She has lived through some crap, but has come out the other side. She’s tough and strong and doesn’t take crap from him, when everyone else cowers and shrinks away due to the power and money of his father.Thomas is also trying to figure himself out and who he wants to be, instead of being who his father wants him to be. He may not know who he is, but he knows that he wants his Rumple to be a big part of his life. But his father won’t allow it, and if he defies his father, he will face his father’s wrath.This is not a coming of age story and if it is, then it’s not your average coming of age story. I really liked the epilogue, where we get to see Thomas and his Rumple several years down the road and a glimpse of what their future looks like. I really love that when books do this, because it makes it easier to say goodbye to beloved characters.

I honestly thought this book would be the same easy young adult coming of age read that millions of authors write, but it's not.Yes, it focuses on immature cocky high school kids, but it also touches on serious issues that go on for so many young adults today. I don't want to go into them, but I do think it is important that other readers know that the issue of physical abuse with regards to a parent child relationship is a big part of this book. It is handled so well and realistically by the author, especially Thomas' reaction and handling of it.The author wrote great characters who were so relatable and well developed.The plot was interesting though because if I'm not mistaken (and pls forgive me if I am) she brings up this whole issue of a random baby (wanting readers to wonder whose it is) but then she never revisits or concludes that trail. A bit odd.Other than that I thought it was a great book.

Everything about this book is just so passionate and well thought out. The charcters are honest and complex. They are flawed and make miatakes but they try to be better. Thomas is the ultimate hero. His love so strong and deep. The way he cares and lobes Nicole is only something dres are made of. The story of true young love the struggle they had to endure. This will forever be my favourite highschool romance.

Still needs editing and still too close to the source canon to be truly original. I've read many other P2Ps and I enjoy reading them but for me there needs to be that editing to both the plot and sentence structure. Lazy errors is perfectly fine when it's FanFiction, not so great when you've paid for the book. Perhaps it was a rush job to cash in. Though I understand that ethos I do not share it.

It not a bad book, there are lots of things to keep you entertained. Thomas does seem to be a little on the weak side when it comes to his dad, he is a fit young man who could have dodged his dad. Over all its not a bad book, nice and easy to read.

I was unsure about this book and had it not been by Shay Savage, I probably wouldn't have read it. However I have loved every other novel by this author and therefore felt compelled to give this a shot.At first I was a little concerned because the characters are 18 and much of the story is set at school.My first impressions of Thomas weren't all that positive but I soon started to understand him and I actually really sympathised with him. He really proved that first impressions don't always count. He's a really smart guy and I think that really stood out against the stereotype that might first enter the readers head. I loved the Shakespeare quotes!I loved Nicole, it would have been so easy to make her a sweet, innocent girl but actually she was quite feisty and stood up to Thomas when he was being a jerk.The thing is this book could have been a complete failure. But it really, really wasn't and that is why Shay Savage is a complete legend!She continues to write in the male POV. Something I love because it's so different to what other writers are doing. I actually think this book wouldn't have been as good if it had been in the female POV because quite frankly, you'd have probably read something similar many times before.She touches on some pretty serious topics within the story and that gave it this really strong element throughout. It wasn't shoved in your face, it was actually quite subtle most of the time but just so powerful and it just made me want to grab hold of the hero and hold him.Apparently Shay published this originally as a fan fiction for Twilight. Now don't worry there's no Edwards, no Bellas and no sparkly vampires or werewolves for that matter. There were a few instances where things in the storylines were similar but for me it didn't make much difference at all. Not that I have anything against Twilight. I read it and loved it but I wouldn't want to read that again and I didn't.The two main characters are quite mature and so even the school thing didn't bother me too much. There was none of the usual school drama that I had been dreading. What you get is a heroine who finds a boy. She finds the him that nobody else see's. The him that he hides from everyone else. And he in turn helps her come back out of her shell.Another great story by Shay Savage, that just got stronger and stronger as I read. I think some of the bad reviews on here, didn't read far enough in.