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Brightwood Small Town #1
Kiss in the Dark: The End Zone
One Moment. One Plan.
A Love that Changes Everything.
Abigail Stevens
Hunter Collins once dominated my every dream. Now, he dominates the NFL.
He may have been my first kiss, but that’s in the past. I’m no longer a small-town invisible girl.
Now, I’m a successful journalist, and Hunter Collins is my next assignment, nothing more.
He’s cocky, indifferent, arrogant, and utterly irresistible. And I still want him.
The question is, does he want me? Or will remembering ruin everything?
Hunter Collins
I thought I was invisible. Indestructible. A billionaire quarterback with the world at my feet.
Until an injury knocked me down, sending me back to my small hometown of Brightwood.
But I’m Hunter Collins, and nothing gets in the way of my plans. That is, until Abigail Stevens.
She may be a reporter, but she’s hot, whip-smart, and I can’t get her off my mind.
My heart tells me she’s important, but there’s something I forgot. And trying to remember might cost me…her.
Kiss in the Dark: An Opposites Attract Enemies to Lovers Football Romance is a steamy, contemporary, small-town, football romance. It should be read following the prequel Kiss in the Dark: A Small-Town High School Crush Football Romance.
A Love that Changes Everything.
Abigail Stevens
Hunter Collins once dominated my every dream. Now, he dominates the NFL.
He may have been my first kiss, but that’s in the past. I’m no longer a small-town invisible girl.
Now, I’m a successful journalist, and Hunter Collins is my next assignment, nothing more.
He’s cocky, indifferent, arrogant, and utterly irresistible. And I still want him.
The question is, does he want me? Or will remembering ruin everything?
Hunter Collins
I thought I was invisible. Indestructible. A billionaire quarterback with the world at my feet.
Until an injury knocked me down, sending me back to my small hometown of Brightwood.
But I’m Hunter Collins, and nothing gets in the way of my plans. That is, until Abigail Stevens.
She may be a reporter, but she’s hot, whip-smart, and I can’t get her off my mind.
My heart tells me she’s important, but there’s something I forgot. And trying to remember might cost me…her.
Kiss in the Dark: An Opposites Attract Enemies to Lovers Football Romance is a steamy, contemporary, small-town, football romance. It should be read following the prequel Kiss in the Dark: A Small-Town High School Crush Football Romance.
- GenresRomanceSports Romance
262 pages, Paperback
Published December 21, 2023
107 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 17, 2024
Kiss in the Dark - The End Zone is the second book in LJ McAlister Brightwood Small Town series. I highly recommend reading book one first, as UT us a prequel to this book. I loved reading and following Abigail and Hunter's second chance sports romance. Hunter and Abigail attended the same high school, but one was obvious of the other, and now both are back years later. I enjoyed the characters in this book and look forward to reading more of the series. ~Dawn
"One kiss in the dark changed both Abby and Hunter. Abby has always crushes in Hunter and took a chance when the lights went out. Hunter has been in search of those lips and that feeling all his life.
When Hunter the ""it"" football god, suffers a severe injury and finds himself heading home to recuperate he never expects to have his eyes opened to more he can do besides football.
Abby, left home to help change the world through her writing. When she is assigned to write a piece on Hunter, and his injury, all of the highschool angst surrounding Hunter is brought full force.
Watching these two dance around each other is entertaining, especially since Hunter doesn't remember Abby. These two heat up the pages and with their first kiss they find their home. " ~Cindy
"One kiss in the dark changed both Abby and Hunter. Abby has always crushes in Hunter and took a chance when the lights went out. Hunter has been in search of those lips and that feeling all his life.
When Hunter the ""it"" football god, suffers a severe injury and finds himself heading home to recuperate he never expects to have his eyes opened to more he can do besides football.
Abby, left home to help change the world through her writing. When she is assigned to write a piece on Hunter, and his injury, all of the highschool angst surrounding Hunter is brought full force.
Watching these two dance around each other is entertaining, especially since Hunter doesn't remember Abby. These two heat up the pages and with their first kiss they find their home. " ~Cindy
January 13, 2024
Seppy's 5 Star Review:
Abby always had a crush on Hunter in High School. So when she got a chance when the lights went out she kissed him. This one kiss changes everything for these two in different ways. Hunter still is looking for the lips that kissed him and he is still searching for that connection. Abby just fell harder for a guy that doesn't know she exists.
Hunter is a star football player after high school. When he suffers a severe injury. He returns home to recuperate and he never expects to find a passion for something other than football.
Abby left her hometown after high school to write pieces that would change the world. She gets assigned to write an article on Hunter and returns home feeling all the angst she felt about in high school all over again.
Will Hunter discover Abby is the world-altering kiss he got in the dark in high school? I enjoyed these two together. These two have magical chemistry if Hunter can see Abby for who she is and Abby can let go of the fact that he doesn't remember her. I loved this sweet romantic book. It was a nice enjoyable read.
January 15, 2024
Abby has harbored a thing for Hunter since they were in High School, and when an opportunity presents itself to her, she kisses him in the dark but he didn't know it was her. She's never moved on in her adult life, and he's been searching for that kiss ever since. He's now a pro football star while she's doing very well in her journalism career, but when he gets hurt, he decides to come home to recuperate, and she's been tasked to get a story about him so she comes home as well though she certainly didn't want to do so. That head injury was severe so he's dealing with gaps in his memory & doing everything in his power to keep anyone from finding out, but it doesn't take long for Abby to figure things out as she's been spending time with him & the sparks are flying between these two like crazy. I loved this story, and I also love the fact that this author is a big football fan because I live for football myself so I could tell in the pages that she did even before I read her bio. This story is sweet, sexy, and has a very entertaining supporting cast that had me laughing more than once so I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
January 9, 2024
One kiss in the dark changed both Abby and Hunter. Abby has always crushes in Hunter and took a chance when the lights went out. Hunter has been in search of those lips and that feeling all his life.
When Hunter the "it" football god, suffers a severe injury and finds himself heading home to recuperate he never expects to have his eyes opened to more he can do besides football.
Abby, left home to help change the world through her writing. When she is assigned to write a piece on Hunter, and his injury, all of the highschool angst surrounding Hunter is brought full force.
Watching these two dance around each other is entertaining, especially since Hunter doesn't remember Abby. These two heat up the pages and with their first kiss they find their home.
When Hunter the "it" football god, suffers a severe injury and finds himself heading home to recuperate he never expects to have his eyes opened to more he can do besides football.
Abby, left home to help change the world through her writing. When she is assigned to write a piece on Hunter, and his injury, all of the highschool angst surrounding Hunter is brought full force.
Watching these two dance around each other is entertaining, especially since Hunter doesn't remember Abby. These two heat up the pages and with their first kiss they find their home.
January 19, 2024
What a delightful read! Filled with warmth and wit, we find Abby and Hunter learning that life has more to offer than following just one road and that a kiss left behind in the dark, can be both a turning point and a key. Find those lips that fit with yours, and you find the happiness you deserve. Both have been totally focused on their paths, that it takes upheaval and a challenge, to open their eyes to new vistas.
I loved this pair! They have the right mix of kindness, determination and compassion to make a difference for each other and the wider world. Despite the majority of the book being set in a small town, they will bring those small town values into a wider setting and create more for themselves and others. A fabulous read!!! 💖💖💖💖💖
I loved this pair! They have the right mix of kindness, determination and compassion to make a difference for each other and the wider world. Despite the majority of the book being set in a small town, they will bring those small town values into a wider setting and create more for themselves and others. A fabulous read!!! 💖💖💖💖💖
October 30, 2023
Enjoyable Small Town Second Chance Romance
Abigail Stevens and Hunter Collins’s second chance romance is a well written enjoyable quick read with lots of chemistry and steam. Abigail and Hunter each have their own issues to combat some which include proving their worth, family dynamics, sports injury and concussion trauma. The characters are well developed and pulled me into their elements. Definitely worth the read and will be looking for L.J. Mcalister’s next book “Kiss in the Garden” to come out.
I received an ARC of this book from the author in return for voluntarily writing an honest review.
Abigail Stevens and Hunter Collins’s second chance romance is a well written enjoyable quick read with lots of chemistry and steam. Abigail and Hunter each have their own issues to combat some which include proving their worth, family dynamics, sports injury and concussion trauma. The characters are well developed and pulled me into their elements. Definitely worth the read and will be looking for L.J. Mcalister’s next book “Kiss in the Garden” to come out.
I received an ARC of this book from the author in return for voluntarily writing an honest review.
January 11, 2024
Hunter & Abby
This is a follow on from the prequel and would benefit from having been read as the 'kiss' is referred to throughout and a flashback or explanation is not in this book. Hunter comes across as arrogant and full of fame & ego. He does redeem himself & there is a spotlight on post concussion syndrome and similar issues. The book can be read as purely romance but a lot of valid social issues are mentioned. This gives a deeper, but not preaching, level to this book.
Abby is strong, really comes into herself at college. Together they make a good balance and work to communicate well.
This is a follow on from the prequel and would benefit from having been read as the 'kiss' is referred to throughout and a flashback or explanation is not in this book. Hunter comes across as arrogant and full of fame & ego. He does redeem himself & there is a spotlight on post concussion syndrome and similar issues. The book can be read as purely romance but a lot of valid social issues are mentioned. This gives a deeper, but not preaching, level to this book.
Abby is strong, really comes into herself at college. Together they make a good balance and work to communicate well.
January 15, 2024
4 Star Review Kiss In The Dark (Brightwood Small Town #1) by L.J. Mc Alister
L.J Mc Alister is a new author to me, and I am surprised I have not read other books from this author. Kiss In The Dark was an entertaining read that ticked numerous boxes for me. I love stories set in small towns and this was a good example of the genre.
This is Abigail Stevens and Hunter Collins second chance at love story. The chemistry between them is intense and it is obvious that there is a connection between them.
Although not a long read the author packed a fair bit into it. It was well written with characters that were engaging and easy to relate too.
L.J Mc Alister is a new author to me, and I am surprised I have not read other books from this author. Kiss In The Dark was an entertaining read that ticked numerous boxes for me. I love stories set in small towns and this was a good example of the genre.
This is Abigail Stevens and Hunter Collins second chance at love story. The chemistry between them is intense and it is obvious that there is a connection between them.
Although not a long read the author packed a fair bit into it. It was well written with characters that were engaging and easy to relate too.
January 17, 2024
This is the second book in a series, and this is Hunter and Abigail’s story. I recommend reading the prequel first.
Hunter if a pro NFL quarterback, and after a severe injury, he heads to his hometown to recuperate. Abigail is a successful journal, who is tasked with interviewing Hunter. Hunter does not remember Abigail, as he has gaps in his memory after his injury.
This is a well written story which has family, dynamics, humor, emotions, witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and steamy addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Hunter if a pro NFL quarterback, and after a severe injury, he heads to his hometown to recuperate. Abigail is a successful journal, who is tasked with interviewing Hunter. Hunter does not remember Abigail, as he has gaps in his memory after his injury.
This is a well written story which has family, dynamics, humor, emotions, witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and steamy addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
January 17, 2024
This is the first book I have read by L.J. McAlister but it certainly won’t be the last because I really enjoyed Kiss In The Dark ( Brightwood Small Town #1). If you love small town romances you need to add Abigail Stevens and Hunter Collins second chance love story to your TBR.
This is a quick read but it still packs a mighty punch, it has characters you can’t help loving, a story that’s captivating and for me it’s a great start to the new Brightwood Small Town Series. Looking forward to my next visit to this town and reading more from this talented author.
This is a quick read but it still packs a mighty punch, it has characters you can’t help loving, a story that’s captivating and for me it’s a great start to the new Brightwood Small Town Series. Looking forward to my next visit to this town and reading more from this talented author.
January 16, 2024
Kiss in the Dark - The End Zone is the second book in LJ McAlister Brightwood Small Town series. I highly recommend reading book one first, as UT us a prequel to this book. I loved reading and following Abigail and Hunter's second chance sports romance. Hunter and Abigail attended the same high school, but one was obvious of the other, and now both are back years later. I enjoyed the characters in this book and look forward to reading more of the series.
October 25, 2023
Excellent story
Absolutely loved this little gem. It’s not only a lovely second chance story with all the feels. It touches some major issues such as TBD and family dynamics.
5 stars for these wonderful characters.
Absolutely loved this little gem. It’s not only a lovely second chance story with all the feels. It touches some major issues such as TBD and family dynamics.
5 stars for these wonderful characters.
November 21, 2023
Okay
The storyline was good and the characters were good but they fell in love in like 5 days! It feels very rushed and unbelievable. I've read worse and it wasn't terrible but I won't be reading another by this author. Sorry
The storyline was good and the characters were good but they fell in love in like 5 days! It feels very rushed and unbelievable. I've read worse and it wasn't terrible but I won't be reading another by this author. Sorry
February 2, 2024
Football and kisses
Abby and Hunter overcome some sweet history and a devastating tackle to find their path to happiness. Challenges and emotions well played. A little too graphic sex for the rest of the story- did not fit!
Abby and Hunter overcome some sweet history and a devastating tackle to find their path to happiness. Challenges and emotions well played. A little too graphic sex for the rest of the story- did not fit!
August 15, 2024
great love story
Abby and Hunter were in high school together, but Abby has had a crush on Hunter for a long time,Hunter has been searching for Abby since a party in high school, they finally get together but he doesn’t remember her. Find read to find out what happens next.
Abby and Hunter were in high school together, but Abby has had a crush on Hunter for a long time,Hunter has been searching for Abby since a party in high school, they finally get together but he doesn’t remember her. Find read to find out what happens next.
November 8, 2025
this was adorable
I really enjoyed this lighthearted tale. With its deeper meanings twisted in as a highlight and lesson in humanity, this story really was an all rounder worthy of the binge.
I really enjoyed this lighthearted tale. With its deeper meanings twisted in as a highlight and lesson in humanity, this story really was an all rounder worthy of the binge.
December 28, 2023
good read
Good quick read! I would recommend if your into sports and love stories it was a great combo book to read.
Good quick read! I would recommend if your into sports and love stories it was a great combo book to read.
December 31, 2024
Wow
This story takes a twist on a guy being hung up on a kiss instead of the woman, kept me hooked from the start!
This story takes a twist on a guy being hung up on a kiss instead of the woman, kept me hooked from the start!
February 7, 2025
Such a cute story and a quick read.
April 19, 2025
I couldn't put it down. I simply loved the book. The story, the characters, the writting, the ending...everything matches perfectly.
November 3, 2024
Life beyond high school. Can a story that starts at the beginning of high school and follows the characters on very different paths through the years ahead. The twists that complicate the characters story have nothing on the events that lead to a full out spiraling of a few short weeks. There are some very real issues touched upon. Trust, misinformation and misunderstanding all involved in reaction to the situations. Very entertaining, just a touch of football and lots of electricity.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews