Making the Play (Hidden Falls #1) by T.J. Kline

Jan 06, 2017 namericanwordcat rated it it was ok

Shelves: contemporary-romance-series, pro-athlete, contemporary-romance, ranch, sports, small-town-romance, football, single-mother, teacher, deaf-mute-speechless

I wanted to like this one. I didn't.

The heroine is too prickly for too long and beats the same drum of resistance. The hero is a guy going through a career change and well developed. I liked the child character a great deal and everything else about the book but I couldn't buy the romance. The writing is well done but not the development of the heroine. ...more

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Oct 05, 2016 Suze Lavender rated it it was amazing

Bethany and her son James have moved to Hidden Falls to make a fresh start. Bethany's strategy is to keep to themselves, so nobody will be able to hurt their feelings again. When she and James go to the park one afternoon they meet Grant, the local football hero James likes so much. Grant is happy to spend time with both James and Bethany and goes out of his way to make them feel comfortable. Unfortunately he's also a public person and soon the press knows all about the beautiful teacher and her Bethany and her son James have moved to Hidden Falls to make a fresh start. Bethany's strategy is to keep to themselves, so nobody will be able to hurt their feelings again. When she and James go to the park one afternoon they meet Grant, the local football hero James likes so much. Grant is happy to spend time with both James and Bethany and goes out of his way to make them feel comfortable. Unfortunately he's also a public person and soon the press knows all about the beautiful teacher and her son, which is exactly the opposite of what Bethany wants. While Grant is falling in love with her she's fighting an inner battle, will she be able to let the football player into her life while seeing him might break her heart? And what about James, when Grant has to leave it will devastate the little boy. Can Bethany risk that?

Grant doesn't know if he can play football on a professional level again. After an injury he needed time to recover and there's a chance he might be forced to retire. There are a lot of uncertainties in his life and he has no idea what his future will look like. He knows he doesn't want to work at the family ranch, but he doesn't know if there will be opportunities to do something else. Before a visit to his doctor, to talk about his condition, he can't make any plans either. When he meets Bethany and James his feelings are becoming more mixed up. Will Grant's future be with them or will he continue being the well known football player who doesn't have time to come home? Do Grant and Bethany have a chance or is life too difficult for them to be together?

Making the Play is a wonderful romantic story. Bethany is stiff and closed off at first, but Grant knows exactly how to get through her barriers. He's great with James and he loves spending time with him. James is Bethany's weak spot. When her son is happy she melts. Bethany is a gorgeous woman who loves kids. She's caring, kind and patient and while she's a little frosty at first she secretly has a warm personality and a lovely sense of humor. Grant is a serious, but cheerful guy who's used to go after what he wants. He's trained hard to be a football player his entire life and before he met Bethany and James it was his first love. He didn't plan to fall for someone and the love he feels surprises him. That was amazing to see. I enjoyed reading about the instant bond between Grant and the young mother and her son. It's natural and sweet, which is something I liked a lot.

T.J. Kline's writing flows easily. She writes about emotions in a matter-of-fact way, which is very appealing. I loved Hidden Falls, it's a charming setting for a story. Bethany and Grant are easy to like, but James really steals the show. I enjoyed reading the adorable dialogue and it was heartwarming to see how Grant forms a connection with the little boy. Making the Play is a versatile and captivating story. It's a delightful book that put a big smile on my face. ...more

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Oct 07, 2016 Danielle rated it really liked it

A brand new series by Kline, yes please! Already I'm in love with this heartfelt story and wonderfully written characters. Grant is injured and wondering if he will return to the NFL but after meeting Bethany and her son he wonders if in fact that's the right thing for him.

I though this story was sweet and enjoyed how Grant fell for both Bethany and her son but it did seem a little on the fast side. I could see why she wanted to be careful I mean after all not only is he a famous football playe ...more

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Sep 29, 2016 Misty (Reds Romance Reviews) rated it it was amazing

Everything in Grant McQuaid's life revolves around football, once he was bitten by the football bug as a kid, it hung on tight, and it was the only thing he wanted to do with his life. And now after a injury, he may lose it, and he can't stand the thought of having to walk away from the only thing he has every cared about. Sure he was prepared to retire someday, but it was to be on his terms, and when he was ready to move on, but his injury is forcing him to consider a choice he's not ready to m Everything in Grant McQuaid's life revolves around football, once he was bitten by the football bug as a kid, it hung on tight, and it was the only thing he wanted to do with his life. And now after a injury, he may lose it, and he can't stand the thought of having to walk away from the only thing he has every cared about. Sure he was prepared to retire someday, but it was to be on his terms, and when he was ready to move on, but his injury is forcing him to consider a choice he's not ready to make. Returning home to heal seemed like the perfect idea, and once he is there and meets his biggest fan, and his beautiful mother, he begins to see the appeal of taking his life in a different direction... and begins to realize he has room in his life for more than just football.

Bethany Mills doesn't do dating. relationships, or love thanks to the effects of being abandoned by the man who promised to love her for the rest of his life. Having her husband walk away from her and her son was the hardest thing she has ever had to face, so the idea of letting another man walk into her life makes her more than nervous, and has her wanting to put the brakes on it before the first step in her direction is even made. She knows her son needs some male guidance in his life, but the idea of inviting another man into their lives and risk him walking away when things get too tough to cope with, is more than she is willing to risk... that is until she meets Grant McQuaid!

From the moment I started this heartfelt story I was completely captivated by Ms. Kline's endearing characters and their beautifully executed story, each word stirred my emotions and had me feeling the intent behind every one of them. From the instant these two stumbled into each other's lives it was evident they belonged together, and needed each other more than either one cared to admit, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them wage the war on their good sense and desires. Being a parent myself I understood Bethany's reservations about letting someone into her life and the effect it would have on her child, and I think Ms. Kline handled the tough subject matter wonderfully, and gave it a very realistic and tangible feel. I also enjoyed the way she touched on each family member in the McQuaid family, and gave us a taste of what is to come for them in further installments in this series, and I have to say I cannot wait to dive in!!

I highly recommend you give this one a try, Grant and Bethany's path to finding their happily ever after is quite enchanting and is certain to leave you with a happy heart!!

ARC given by the Avon Publishing, via Tasty Book Tours & Edelweiss, in exchange for a honest and unbiased review. ...more

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Oct 05, 2016 JoAnne rated it really liked it

This was a nice beginning to the new Hidden Falls series and it left me wanting more. Getting to know the McQuaid family especially Grant, the hunky football player who's recovering from an injury, was heartwarming. The interactions between the siblings and their parents was heartfelt and gave me warm and fuzzy feelings. Grant has five brothers - Andrew, Benjamin, Linc and twins Jackson and Jefferson - notice the theme here? and a sister, Maddie. Does that mean each of them will have their own s This was a nice beginning to the new Hidden Falls series and it left me wanting more. Getting to know the McQuaid family especially Grant, the hunky football player who's recovering from an injury, was heartwarming. The interactions between the siblings and their parents was heartfelt and gave me warm and fuzzy feelings. Grant has five brothers - Andrew, Benjamin, Linc and twins Jackson and Jefferson - notice the theme here? and a sister, Maddie. Does that mean each of them will have their own story? One can only hope!

Bethany and her six year old son are transplants to Hidden Falls and she is a kindergarten teacher at her son's school. Her son James was born deaf and has cochlear implants to help him hear. Her ex-husband ran out on them after finding out about James deafness and it devastated her. She's kept to herself since moving to town but the attraction between her and Grant when they meet unexpectedly in the park has her on edge. He's a celebrity, used to the limelight, and she's a homebody who always puts James first. James is in awe of his hero when he meets him especially since his grandfather is a big fan too.

Watching James get closer to Grant and his family while Bethany tries to keep her distance and her heart intact was heart wrenching. When they were together things were so good but they only knew each other a short time and Bethany was very wary of getting more involved. As their relationship progresses so do her fears. But Grant is all in and great with James as is his family except when his career gets in the way and Bethany's doubts multiply. It doesn't help that he's close mouthed about his return to his team or what might be next for him.

The characters have a depth to them but also such caring. The descriptions of the McQuaid ranch, the land, the animals and the food made me feel that I was there. My emotions were involved throughout and this was a quick paced read. There is hurt, fear, anger, tears, angst, laughter, happiness, romance, loving and love. There is nice closure with enough loose ends that left me wanting more. An epilogue would have been nice since I felt the book ended abruptly. I didn't realize I was at the end of the story on my Nook until I turned the last page telling me not to miss the next book in the series coming in January!

T.J. Kline is a new to me author and I can't wait to read more of her books. I've added a few to my always growing TBR pile!

I received a free copy of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review. ...more

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Sep 14, 2016 Codi Gary rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc

A heartfelt, wonderful romance that will have you desperate for the next installment! A must read for any contemporary romance lover!

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Oct 06, 2016 The Book Junkie Reads . . . rated it really liked it

Shelves: author_free_reads, review-requested, edelweiss, blogtour, contemporary_romance, kindle-ebook

Life has a way of handing you outcomes you were not wanting or expecting. From Grant it was an injury and for Bethany it was her husband walking out and not looking back at her or their son. Life also has its own way of putting chance/destiny in front of you when you are not looking to find it. Here lays the chance meeting of Grant, Bethany, and of course James.

It was sweet and endearing the interaction between Grant and James. It was almost like a tether was drawing them near. But for Bethany ...more

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Sep 26, 2016 Bette Hansen rated it it was amazing

A fantastic read and the beginning of a wonderful new series. If this book is any indication of what we can expect in upcoming books, I'm going to need to stock up on tissues. This one is packed with emotion. Grant is dealing with the end of his NFL career, Bethany is dealing with her issues of abandonment and trust, and James (cutest kid ever!) just wants to be accepted. When an impromptu meeting in the park leads first to a friendship and then to love, it's difficult for Bethany to trust that ...more

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Sep 29, 2016 Isha Coleman rated it really liked it

Shelves: first-reads, edelweiss

Routine. We all have one. A plan that helps us stay on track and gets up from point A to point B. But what happens when that becomes redundant? A person can get stuck and when something happens to break the sequence, it easy to become thrown off course. Grant is faced with a similar situation in Making the Play. An injury has left him in limbo and faced with a future beyond the field. Will a single mother with a chip on her shoulder and her adorably little boy show him the true meaning of the wo ...more

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May 30, 2017 Nate Brightman rated it really liked it

This is the first book in what is bound to be a multiple book series if the author gives each of the seven McQuaid brothers and sister their own books. I think I'm going to like the McQuaid family. There was much to like in this story of Grant McQuaid the oldest of the McQuaid siblings, an aging NFL runningback and Bethany Mills a young single mom/kindergarten teacher raising James, her deaf son. Bethany is sweet as can be and her son James is adorable. Although I really never understood why in ...more

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Jun 05, 2017 Janga rated it really liked it

Making the Play introduces Kline’s Hidden Falls series. Bethany and Grant are likeable characters, and both her determination to protect her son and his struggles with an identity inextricably tied to his sport were believable. But it is James, all-boy and all heart-tugging sweetness, who makes this novel more than another entertaining sports romance. Grant’s family supplies interesting context and, with five brothers and a sister, offers the promise of more McQuaid stories. Readers who enjoy fo ...more

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Apr 01, 2020 Tales Of A Bookbug rated it liked it

Shelves: sports, romance, single-mom, single-parent

I really liked this book and I think it was a great single parent romance, but I didn't love it as much as the author's other books!

We've got Grant - the injured footballer who needs rehabilitation and Bethany, a single mother whose son is Grant's biggest fan!

Grant was a little grouchy and irritating at first, but he quickly grew on me. Bethany was quite sweet and I could understand why she was hesitant to trust. James was the highlight and I loved the kid! His interactions with Grant made my da ...more

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Oct 13, 2016 Floryie rated it it was amazing

I have received free book from the author.

Another new author to add to my TBR and favourite lists. I have always loved sports based romances and I am always for a lookout for authors in that genre. And this author gives a very good start to a new series. She is new to me so this is my debut read of her books. I can say without hesitation that I loved the characters and the story.

The protagonists, Bethany and Grant tug on the heartstrings without any effort. Bethany is a single mother with a spec ...more

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Oct 16, 2016 marieno rated it liked it

I liked this book even though I didn't feel great passion towards it. Will I continue the series? I honestly don't know.
Bethany is always on the defensive, she jumps to conclusions, she is still living in the past, thinking everybody will hurt her like her ex-husband. She protects James, her special needs son (he's deaf, but has cochlear implants), but she's coming on too strong. She kind of used James like a carapace sometimes, but I like that she knows that she's lucky compared to other single ...more

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Oct 25, 2017 ReadingInThe6ix rated it really liked it

TJ and Bethany were a great couple, but her son was my favourite. I thought it was a great story with only a few little flaws, but worth the read.

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Oct 09, 2016 Christine Mize rated it really liked it

Sometimes life throws you curves that you do not expect and it is how you handle those curves that show they type of person that you are. Grant is in his hometown rehabbing from an injury that may change his future in the NFL. But Grant is so much more than a football player - he has a huge heart. While he is playing football with his brother in the park, he almost runs into a little boy, James. A little boy who idolizes his football hero. A little boy who also is deaf. Because of his disability ...more

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Oct 17, 2016 Adam Lake rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Dnf

Sorry couldn't get past the 40% Mark when the hero asked the heroine to start dating and as a good hero he would watch her son had to take a few days off from reading. Never could get back into the book after that ...more

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Oct 05, 2016 Romantic Reads and Such rated it really liked it

Contemporary romance readers won’t be surprised at how this story flows, but they will appreciate the special things that make it a fun read.

Bethany is a wonderful mom (and her son is one of the highlights of the book), but she’s been hiding her heart away. Meeting super-sexy Grant, who shows real interest in her son as a person, shakes things up. She struggles a little with opening up and I have to say that once she does she shows more patience than me to put up with Grant’s shenanigans.

While h ...more

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Oct 12, 2016 Bec rated it really liked it

Shelves: recommendations, book-magic-reviews

4.5 Stars

Bethany Mills loves her son, but there's only so much she can do for him. She knows he needs more interaction with men in his life to teach him the things that she can't, but there's no way she could choose just any man to fill the void left by her ex-husband. When her son is almost bowled over by his hero when he does something a little reckless while playing in the park, Bethany knows it isn't smart to fall for the gorgeous footballer, but she'll do anything for her son. Even if it me
4.5 Stars

Bethany Mills loves her son, but there's only so much she can do for him. She knows he needs more interaction with men in his life to teach him the things that she can't, but there's no way she could choose just any man to fill the void left by her ex-husband. When her son is almost bowled over by his hero when he does something a little reckless while playing in the park, Bethany knows it isn't smart to fall for the gorgeous footballer, but she'll do anything for her son. Even if it means getting her heart broken all over again.

After an injury sidelines him from the game he loves, Grant McQuaid has been doing everything he can to get back into tip-top shape and prove to everyone that he still has what it takes to play football. However, meeting Beth and her son puts a kink in his plans, and soon he begins to see that there's more to life than football. Can he convince Beth to give him a chance, or will his professional life interfere too much and chase Beth away for good?

I love Ms. Kline's books, and this first story in her Hidden Falls series was an incredible read. Right from the beginning, Ms. Kline drew me into this story with the close relationship the heroine has with her son and her determination to teach him right from wrong. There's nothing she wouldn't do for him, which is palpable when they meet the hero, even though she knows it's in her best interest not to be enticed by Grant's charming ways. Especially since he surprises Bethany with the way he interacts with her son so well.

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories. Bethany's ex-husband is a real piece of work and it was understandable why she was so hesitant to get involved with Grant. What if she gave him a chance and he ended up being disappointed like her husband was? What would happen to her son if he began to get too attached to Grant and things didn't work out between them? However, there were also some really good light-hearted moments between the hero and heroine as well as the hero and Bethany's son. Grant is a wonderful role model for her son, and I enjoyed the interactions they had with each other. Their interactions prove to the heroine that she can learn to trust someone again.

I really liked both the main characters, as well as the secondary ones. Grant's family are warm and the way they accept Bethany and her son was delightful. However, in saying that, I could understand why Grant's dad was worried for her. His advice gives both the main characters a lot to think about, yet at the same time, it's advice that could bring them closer together, if Bethany can accept whatever Grant's future holds.

Bethany is a great mother, and I could understand why she would do anything to protect her son. She's also strong and brave for taking a chance on Grant, even knowing that things might not work out between them. Then again, Grant is different than her ex with the way he interacts with her son. He treats her son as if the boy was his own. While Grant, he's struggling with his injury and I could understand his frustrations. Would he be able to combat his injury to get back on the field to play? If he did, would he be endangering his life if he got hurt again? Grant faces a few tough obstacles, and I enjoyed reading how he faced each one. Bethany and her son are good for him, as they help him realize that there's more to life than getting back on the field, especially if there's a chance he may not be able to play again.

Overall, Ms. Kline has penned a strong romance between Grant and Bethany. There's so much chemistry, and even though Bethany tries to fight it, it's palpable that she wouldn't be able to stay away from Grant for long because the hero is a good man and treats her son like he's special to him. The way this story ended had me cheering for this couple's happy ever after, because Bethany deserved the love of a man willing to push past her fears and show her that she can trust a man again. I would recommend Making the Play by TJ Kline, if you enjoy sports romances or a hero willing to do whatever it takes to prove to the heroine that love is worth fighting for.

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Nov 02, 2016 Helyce rated it really liked it

Kline is a new to me author and I’m so glad I tried this book. The blurb had my interest because our heroine has a child and I think it’s challenging for an author to write a believable romance when there are children involved.

I liked Bethany. She has a strength about her that can only be earned when you’ve had to deal with difficult things. Her husband left her when James was an infant, newly diagnosed as hearing impaired. She was forced to move back in with her parents; but their support allo Kline is a new to me author and I’m so glad I tried this book. The blurb had my interest because our heroine has a child and I think it’s challenging for an author to write a believable romance when there are children involved.

I liked Bethany. She has a strength about her that can only be earned when you’ve had to deal with difficult things. Her husband left her when James was an infant, newly diagnosed as hearing impaired. She was forced to move back in with her parents; but their support allowed her to finish college. Once she could provide for herself and her son, she moved away from everything safe and comfortable to strike on her own. She moves to Hidden Falls and is working as a teacher. Her focus is her son James, and she’s okay with that, until she meets Grant McQuaid.

I really liked Grant’s character too. A football player through and through, Grant is just taking life one day at a time. The injury to his neck is healing and he’s determined to get back to where he was before his injury and back to his team. His life is football. He doesn’t want to do anything else. He’s worried that it all might be over, though, and he doesn’t know what he’ll do without football.

I love how Grant meets James and his mom. They nearly collide in the park while Grant is working out with his brother. James recognizes him immediately and of course is starstruck from the get go. Grant is really good with James, kneeling down and getting to his level to talk to him. He even knows a little sign language from his volunteer work. Grant certainly notices Bethany, but initially, his focus is on James. I think this was an important point and I liked how the author included James in every scene with Grant and Bethany.

Bethany is very leery when it comes to Grant wanting to spend time with James. I get that. She wants to protect her son. But it’s so obvious to the reader that she has it bad for Grant. Basically ignored for 6 years, her inner sex kitten makes herself known in a big way after meeting Grant. But Bethany continues to push her down. Eventually she gives in, but still struggles with her decisions.

There is an insta-love quality to Grant and Bethany’s romance, but I didn’t mind. Grant’s situation with his team and his injury made everything about time, so things would tend to move at a fast pace. The conflicts introduced were more annoying than anything, but there has to be conflict, right? While a little bit predictable, I did like that this part of the story was not drawn out. Grant deals with a difficult decision, but in the end realizes it’s what he wanted all along.

Secondary characters in the form of Grant’s many brothers and sister round out an interesting bunch. I look forward to getting to know them. This was the type of story that hits all my happy buttons--small town, big family, community spirit. I can’t wait to see who is up next. ...more

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Sep 30, 2016 Marla Dudak rated it it was ok

So not good. Needed a much better editor. The woe is me over and over got old fast.

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Oct 08, 2016 Elizabeth Horbaczek rated it really liked it

This book was given to me for an honest review

4 stars

Football players. What is there not to love about them. There is just something. The way the move, the swagger of their confidence, or it could be the love of the game. Whatever it is, I tend to fall in love them as a read the story. This story just justifies everything I love about the books. This story not only gives you your players, but it brings in an innocent boy that will melt your heart with everything he says. I'm not sure what I did This book was given to me for an honest review

4 stars

Football players. What is there not to love about them. There is just something. The way the move, the swagger of their confidence, or it could be the love of the game. Whatever it is, I tend to fall in love them as a read the story. This story just justifies everything I love about the books. This story not only gives you your players, but it brings in an innocent boy that will melt your heart with everything he says. I'm not sure what I did most, swoon over Grant or melt every time I read about James, either way it was a book I am so glad I read. The power of falling in love always amazes me in books, because when you love two things its hard to let go either one.

Grant is an injured football player, he is home for the summer to heal and get back to spring training. He has the determination to make it, but he is getting close to retiring and isn't sure if he will be able to compete with the younger guys coming in to take his place. What was nice about Grant was that his determination and the way that he carried himself within the book, shows he was brought up right. He tries to do the right thing through out the book. He loves with everything he has, whether it is the game or his relationship, he puts into it what he can. What he never expected was to meet a woman while he was playing catch in the park with his brother. Even more he didn't think he would ever fall in love. So how does he pick a life of a game that he knows or wants, or to find out where Bethany and James will lead him? Decisions are not the easiest when you have to choose between two loves. Mistakes will happen. Everything that he knows will be tested. What will prevail? Bethany is a very strong woman. Her husband left her after he found out that their son will be deaf. Bethany has no dating experience and so when she comes upon a football star when her son almost trips him, she is gun shy. It takes time for her to let her wall down, but the problem is Grant is leaving, so does she want to let him in totally? l think the decisions that were made in this book highlights what love is all about. With two powerful heroes of the book you cant go wrong. They test each other bring what the other doesn't have and loves a little boy that has been so much to begin with.

This is the first time I read this book and loved it. I hope to read more from this author down the road.

A couple of quotes that I loved

"Bethany, you've been letting life pass you by. I have no idea what happened in your past, but you need to find a future. Find someone, be happy again."

"That the gift of having is far more beautiful than the pain of losing." ...more

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Oct 19, 2016 Books and Spoons rated it liked it

A delightful and engaging story about new beginnings in life, new chances, about football, family, and love in a small town USA.
Young hearing impaired James gave such a rich nuance to the tale with his braveness, and ability to face the adversity in life. He is sweet, adorable, and smart, and stole the show completely. The love, respect, and caring that is developing between James and Grant was mutual, with a little hero worship mixed in. I loved watching those two find their way to each other's A delightful and engaging story about new beginnings in life, new chances, about football, family, and love in a small town USA.
Young hearing impaired James gave such a rich nuance to the tale with his braveness, and ability to face the adversity in life. He is sweet, adorable, and smart, and stole the show completely. The love, respect, and caring that is developing between James and Grant was mutual, with a little hero worship mixed in. I loved watching those two find their way to each other's hearts and become the unit they were.
And Grant was as easy to love as James. They were so much alike, even though they weren't biological father and son. He was charming, caring, protective, and fun. He showed his tender and vulnerable side with no shame, and when he asked Bethany to be careful with his heart if she wasn't in it for good because he was falling hard - I did as well, fall hard for him.
Bethany, her I struggled with. I felt like she was hindering her son to be himself, by the overflowing protectiveness. And I understood her issues with trust, to the point, but her ability to think that it was all about her, when Grant wanted to spent time with James, that went too far for me, since it happens again and again. It just got awkward when she kept thinking Grant was using James to get to her.
The story wasn't glorifying the professional football players lifestyle but painted a realistic and believable picture of it. I really liked that Grant wasn't made into a millionaire ballplayer, but one with realistic concerns when career might come to the end.
I am not a fan in general of a third person drama, or the main characters dating others after the initial attraction. So that aspect of the storyline got me to wince. It wasn't anything major, but I got the impression that the games Grant and Bethany were playing hurt a third person in the process.
The feelings between Grant and Bethany were developing fast and furious. I didn't even realize how little time had passed until it was mentioned in the story that they met only seven days ago. But the storyline is built in such way that at the end I was happily swooning and completely thrilled for the characters, believing in them and in their love for each other, and cheering them on.
I truly enjoy the author's voice, the way the stories flow, move, and develop. The love and passion are always fierce, and your emotions get involved as the stories progress. This story was a great setup for the new series, that I will look forward to following.
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side ...more

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Dec 20, 2016 Pavitra (For The Love of Fictional Worlds) rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, adult-fiction, romance, rom-com, sports-romance

Alpha heroes and single mothers are a romantic couple that literally end up on my favourite tropes for a book. They are not only hilariously perfect but also have the perfect mixture of angst, indecision and pure soul-worthy love that you just can’t help but love!

Bethany Mills is a single mother and recent addition to a small town to stabilize her feet, after her husband walked out on her when they found out her son suffers from hearing loss. She loves and adores her son, James trying her be

Alpha heroes and single mothers are a romantic couple that literally end up on my favourite tropes for a book. They are not only hilariously perfect but also have the perfect mixture of angst, indecision and pure soul-worthy love that you just can’t help but love!

Bethany Mills is a single mother and recent addition to a small town to stabilize her feet, after her husband walked out on her when they found out her son suffers from hearing loss. She loves and adores her son, James trying her best give her son a sense of normalcy. When they bump into James’s hero – a football player; their life changes as they know it.

Grant McQuaid is a NFL player home recuperating from an injury; an injury that threatens to put him out of his career – a career that he uses to help out at his family’s ranch. Now that he is being shown the finish line, he doesn’t have any idea as to what is to be done. But he knows that he isn’t in a place for a relationship right now. But a special kid and his mother derail his plans in a way that he never saw it coming.

This was such a cute little romance. I especially adored the relationship between Grant and James – the kind of special relationship a father and son share; that connection was there right from the start, a connection that neither the reader nor Bethany herself can deny.

Grant and Bethany, as well have a connection that warms your heart – they take a whole lot of time to get together, but even then their relationship had an end time so it also had a touch of angst throughout their time together.

I just wish that both Grant and Bethany had communicated a bit better with each other – especially at the end. Because the ending did feel a bit rushed, especially with the whole issue between Grant and Bethany. Still I loved reading this beautiful romance and I am definitely going to be checking out the next books in this series <3

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Oct 13, 2016 Becca rated it it was amazing

This was my first novel by TJ Kline and it definitely won't be my last. I absolutely fell in love with her new series - Hidden Falls. And I can't wait for more from this series and hopefully it's all about these sexy McQuaid Brothers and their cute sister Maddie.

Grant McQuaid finds himself back in his hometown trying to work his way back from a potential career ending injury. He only has a little more time before Pre-Season Training starts and he needs to make sure he can prove to the owners and ...more

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Oct 03, 2016 Cathy rated it really liked it

MAKING THE PLAY by T.J. Kline. This is a sweet and endearing tale of two people that are at a bit of a crossroad in their lives. Grant, super sexy football player, is facing an uncertain future after an injury. Bethany, a single mom to a special needs kid is more than hesitant to let anyone in. Can they break down each other's barriers and see what love has to offer? I really, really liked Grant - he's sweet and unbelievably kind and patient with both Bethany and James. Bethany came across a bit ...more

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Oct 12, 2016 Jen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, owned, arc, edelweiss, 4-star, football, sta

If you love heroes that have can have a bond with a child just as special as the one with the mom, you must read this book! Grant and James bond instantly over football, but that quickly turns into a special relationship that rivals the love he feels for Bethany. That bond is what helps Grant bring down the barriers Bethany put up after being abandoned by her husband after they found out James was deaf as an infant. It is amazing how resilient kids can be, and Ms. Kline does a wonderful job of c ...more

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Oct 14, 2016 Nicole rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: sports-romance

This book was highly enjoyable. I just loved the characters. James, Bethany's little boy was too precious. Then you add in a hunky football player you just have the right recipe going for this book. Bethany is leary to start anything with a man and she has good reasons too, but being near Grant makes her start to realize what she's missing out on. Grant is trying make a comeback in football after an injury so staying in his small hometown is temporary. The one problem Bethany and James make it c ...more

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Jan 21, 2017 JOCA added it · review of another edition

Shelves: dnf

I bought this based on the premise and a few teasers I saw on the author's Facebook page. Unfortunately, the book ended up being a DNF for me. The pacing was way too slow, and I hated that halfway through the book the heroine was going on a date with someone who wasn't the hero. I also really disliked the heroine. Her character development was too slow and it just made her come across as rude and judgmental rather than protective. I also felt like the book, particularly the heroine's feelings in ...more

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Sep 27, 2016 Rhonda Ziglar rated it it was amazing

Recommended to Rhonda by: http://tinaklinesmith.com/?page_id=7455

Making the Play by T.J. Kline....What an amazing start to a new series. This is such a beautiful heartfelt story, by one of my favorite authors. I know when I pick up one of T.J.'s books I am in for a treat. Love the characters Grant, Bethany and James Bethany's son, they are very well written and likeable. Will Grant and Bethany be able to make a relationship work, due to his professional athlete career? I am so excited for the next book in this series. I was given a complimentary book by publi ...more

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