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Calling the Shots
He’s an NBA player determined to have her in whatever way he can, but she has one rule.
She doesn’t date basketball players.
Kyler
I’m the star shooting guard for the New Orleans Warhawks NBA team and making this season my best is the ultimate goal.
Until I see her.
Blake Rainwater is everything. Just one fleeting interaction months ago has left her stuck in my head with no plans to leave, and now she’s here, as the new sports therapist for the team. It’s an assist from life if I ever saw one.
No girl has ever made me challenge myself like she does, but she crushes my ego and my heart with only five words: “I don’t date basketball players.”
Well, she clearly hasn't checked my stats because I never foul out.
Blake
Moving back home to New Orleans with my family was the right decision. Here, I can keep my heart closed off. I’ve prepared myself to keep it that way.
Yeah, famous last words.
Enter Kyler Rhodes, the pain in the ass hotshot on the new team I work for.
He asks me out every chance he gets, regardless of how many times I say no. That works for a while… until he becomes harder to resist.
He’s working his way inside me, burrowing himself under my skin, and it's working. Against my better judgment, I still want him. But since I’ve closed myself off to guys who play with balls for a living, being his friend with benefits will have to do. After all, it’s the only way I can stay in control.
I have to be the one calling the shots.
Calling the Shots is book #1 in the Crescent City series, a series of interconnected standalone romances surrounding the Rainwater siblings and their favorite sport—basketball. This mature sports romance novel contains strong language, sexual content, and topics that may be triggering for some readers, but is still packed full of heat, drool worthy men and characters that will make you fall in love, one shot at a time.
She doesn’t date basketball players.
Kyler
I’m the star shooting guard for the New Orleans Warhawks NBA team and making this season my best is the ultimate goal.
Until I see her.
Blake Rainwater is everything. Just one fleeting interaction months ago has left her stuck in my head with no plans to leave, and now she’s here, as the new sports therapist for the team. It’s an assist from life if I ever saw one.
No girl has ever made me challenge myself like she does, but she crushes my ego and my heart with only five words: “I don’t date basketball players.”
Well, she clearly hasn't checked my stats because I never foul out.
Blake
Moving back home to New Orleans with my family was the right decision. Here, I can keep my heart closed off. I’ve prepared myself to keep it that way.
Yeah, famous last words.
Enter Kyler Rhodes, the pain in the ass hotshot on the new team I work for.
He asks me out every chance he gets, regardless of how many times I say no. That works for a while… until he becomes harder to resist.
He’s working his way inside me, burrowing himself under my skin, and it's working. Against my better judgment, I still want him. But since I’ve closed myself off to guys who play with balls for a living, being his friend with benefits will have to do. After all, it’s the only way I can stay in control.
I have to be the one calling the shots.
Calling the Shots is book #1 in the Crescent City series, a series of interconnected standalone romances surrounding the Rainwater siblings and their favorite sport—basketball. This mature sports romance novel contains strong language, sexual content, and topics that may be triggering for some readers, but is still packed full of heat, drool worthy men and characters that will make you fall in love, one shot at a time.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2022
38 people are currently reading
753 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 6, 2022
wow. this book.
kyler and blake were so sweet. i adored how much kyler cared for blake and was always there for her. kyler is the definition of boy falls first and boy obsessed! blake deserves all the freaking love and happiness in the world. my strong girl, i love her🥺.
pls check tws!!!
kyler and blake were so sweet. i adored how much kyler cared for blake and was always there for her. kyler is the definition of boy falls first and boy obsessed! blake deserves all the freaking love and happiness in the world. my strong girl, i love her🥺.
pls check tws!!!
October 9, 2022
This was a slam dunk for Flinchum, and this reader is going wild!
I’ve been enjoying the recent surge in Sports Romances featuring strong females dominating on and off the court, and romantic sports hero’s who are genuinely good people, and Cassie Flinchum has executed both beautifully with their latest release.
Blake was bold and fierce, with just the right amount of honest vulnerability, and I loved the way she is paving the way for the future of women in a world run by men - something which Blake herself acknowledges and owns on every page. I challenge you to read this and NOT be empowered by Blake’s strength and dominance as she calls all the shots. Despite the trauma of her past, and the shadows she lived in, Blake has nurtured her strength and owns her space, and I loved to see it!
There was an instant chemistry between Blake and Kyler, but also an immediate awareness of Blake’s past and need for healing that underlaid this attraction. Theirs was a love that was heartwarming and all consuming, raw and electric. It was a safe space to be vulnerable and heal, and everything about it was natural upon the pages. I appreciated the time taken in building a healthy relationship on the other side of toxicity, and I respected the trust earned by Kyler over time, and the growth and healing they both experienced together, and apart. I just adored them for one another; the ultimate pairing.
Flinchum has crafted the perfect balance of Sport and Romance with Calling the Shots, and I found this world of basketball to be engaging and prominent, a perfect exploration for their characters and shared passions.
I’m calling it now, Flinchum is going to go big AND go home in the pockets of many readers after this knockout performance on the court! Make sure you’ve secured your copy on Amazon today.
🏀 strong heroine
🏀 electric chemistry
🏀 NBA player + sports therapist
🏀 friends with benefits
🏀 he falls first
TW: mentions of rape and assisted suicide.
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy of this book.
I’ve been enjoying the recent surge in Sports Romances featuring strong females dominating on and off the court, and romantic sports hero’s who are genuinely good people, and Cassie Flinchum has executed both beautifully with their latest release.
Blake was bold and fierce, with just the right amount of honest vulnerability, and I loved the way she is paving the way for the future of women in a world run by men - something which Blake herself acknowledges and owns on every page. I challenge you to read this and NOT be empowered by Blake’s strength and dominance as she calls all the shots. Despite the trauma of her past, and the shadows she lived in, Blake has nurtured her strength and owns her space, and I loved to see it!
There was an instant chemistry between Blake and Kyler, but also an immediate awareness of Blake’s past and need for healing that underlaid this attraction. Theirs was a love that was heartwarming and all consuming, raw and electric. It was a safe space to be vulnerable and heal, and everything about it was natural upon the pages. I appreciated the time taken in building a healthy relationship on the other side of toxicity, and I respected the trust earned by Kyler over time, and the growth and healing they both experienced together, and apart. I just adored them for one another; the ultimate pairing.
Flinchum has crafted the perfect balance of Sport and Romance with Calling the Shots, and I found this world of basketball to be engaging and prominent, a perfect exploration for their characters and shared passions.
I’m calling it now, Flinchum is going to go big AND go home in the pockets of many readers after this knockout performance on the court! Make sure you’ve secured your copy on Amazon today.
🏀 strong heroine
🏀 electric chemistry
🏀 NBA player + sports therapist
🏀 friends with benefits
🏀 he falls first
TW: mentions of rape and assisted suicide.
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy of this book.
December 2, 2022
first I want to thank cassie for sending me an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
this book was…a lot. I didn’t seem to enjoy it the way everyone else has but to each their own. I’ll start off with what I did like about the book which was the representation. the fmc is native american specifically cherokee and it was refreshing to not have just another white fmc. that being said the nickname “cherry girl” that was given to the fmc by the mmc rubbed me the wrong way. I’m not entirely sure if I missed something involving cherries and pls lmk if I did but that was just so weird. I didn’t completely hate the mmc. he was nice and had his moments but some of the things he said irked me and his obsession with the fmc not “being like other girls” was annoying. I feel sorry for him with the way everyone treated him like he was going to break the fmc’s heart when she was the main one doing the hurting.
now for what I didn’t like, the majority of the scenes and dialogue were so cringey I could not get through them without taking several breaks. the fmc breakdancing and doing a backflip in the club?!?! the mmc saying “pending orgasm” during what was supposed to be dirty talk?!! and of course the rapping of eminem during karaoke?!!? it took everything in me to not dnf.
as for fmc, I really really tried to like her, I did but I honestly couldn’t. I 100% percent understand her SA storyline and the trauma that it can cause and I know everyone has different ways to cope, so I won’t be touching on that but when it came to her insecurities with being cheated on, that’s what annoyed me the most. she refused to get any help and not once mention getting it or planning on getting therapy which is understandable when dealing with ptsd and trauma but at the same time she projected all those insecurities onto her relationship with the mmc and treated him like shit. she then also allowed for the people around her to also treat him like shit and make it seem like he’s the one who would wreak havoc on her when she was the problem.
I wouldn’t really recommend the book but reading is subjective and you may enjoy it.
this book was…a lot. I didn’t seem to enjoy it the way everyone else has but to each their own. I’ll start off with what I did like about the book which was the representation. the fmc is native american specifically cherokee and it was refreshing to not have just another white fmc. that being said the nickname “cherry girl” that was given to the fmc by the mmc rubbed me the wrong way. I’m not entirely sure if I missed something involving cherries and pls lmk if I did but that was just so weird. I didn’t completely hate the mmc. he was nice and had his moments but some of the things he said irked me and his obsession with the fmc not “being like other girls” was annoying. I feel sorry for him with the way everyone treated him like he was going to break the fmc’s heart when she was the main one doing the hurting.
now for what I didn’t like, the majority of the scenes and dialogue were so cringey I could not get through them without taking several breaks. the fmc breakdancing and doing a backflip in the club?!?! the mmc saying “pending orgasm” during what was supposed to be dirty talk?!! and of course the rapping of eminem during karaoke?!!? it took everything in me to not dnf.
as for fmc, I really really tried to like her, I did but I honestly couldn’t. I 100% percent understand her SA storyline and the trauma that it can cause and I know everyone has different ways to cope, so I won’t be touching on that but when it came to her insecurities with being cheated on, that’s what annoyed me the most. she refused to get any help and not once mention getting it or planning on getting therapy which is understandable when dealing with ptsd and trauma but at the same time she projected all those insecurities onto her relationship with the mmc and treated him like shit. she then also allowed for the people around her to also treat him like shit and make it seem like he’s the one who would wreak havoc on her when she was the problem.
I wouldn’t really recommend the book but reading is subjective and you may enjoy it.
November 5, 2022
Thank you Cassie for an ARC copy of Calling the Shots in exchange for an honest review 😊
Actual rating - 3.5 ⭐️
✅ NBA player/team’s therapist
✅ Insta-lust
✅ Strong, tomboy FMC
✅ Brother’s teammate
✅ Friends with benefits
At first I couldn’t really connect with the characters, particularly the FMC (she came across as a bit too impudent for me), but around the 40% mark they started growing on me.
While this book is a great light read, it also brings up important and not-so-light topics such as healing from a toxic relationship, and I really enjoyed how they were handled.
If you like strong heroines who take no shit, dirty-mouthed heros, and spicy sports romances, this book is for you!
Actual rating - 3.5 ⭐️
✅ NBA player/team’s therapist
✅ Insta-lust
✅ Strong, tomboy FMC
✅ Brother’s teammate
✅ Friends with benefits
At first I couldn’t really connect with the characters, particularly the FMC (she came across as a bit too impudent for me), but around the 40% mark they started growing on me.
While this book is a great light read, it also brings up important and not-so-light topics such as healing from a toxic relationship, and I really enjoyed how they were handled.
If you like strong heroines who take no shit, dirty-mouthed heros, and spicy sports romances, this book is for you!
May 23, 2023
ARC Review, No Spoilers!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 • 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
🏀Friends with Benefits
🍒Ex-WNBA player turned Teams Sports Therapist
🏀NBA Player
🍒Guy falls first and harder
🏀Sex positive
🍒Workplace Romance
🏀Cinnamon Roll MMC
🍒Strong FMC
This is the first book in the Crescent City Series. When I got the ARC for Calling the Shots I started it immediately because the tropes for the book had me hooked from the jump. Then when I started reading it, it was better than I imagined it would be. Kyler from the start was perfect and I would easily term him as husband in my book. If you enjoy Garrett Graham from The Deal, Clay Johnson from Blind Side, or Johnny Kavanagh from Binding 13 and Keeping 13 then I know you will love Kyler Rhodes. Blake Rainwater, whom I instantly fell in love with because she radiated bad bitch energy from the first chapter of the book. If I were to think of characters that she is like I would say Sabrina James from The Goal and Brenna Jenson from The Risk. Not to go too in-depth about the book it is a sports romance, where the two characters are friends with benefits. It has spice that will make you sweat and scenes that will make you blush. Every character is so entertaining that I love each and every single one of them. There is real struggle that takes place and I believe it was all written so well in the book. Even though she is the female in a male-dominated world she is the one calling the shots!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 • 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
🏀Friends with Benefits
🍒Ex-WNBA player turned Teams Sports Therapist
🏀NBA Player
🍒Guy falls first and harder
🏀Sex positive
🍒Workplace Romance
🏀Cinnamon Roll MMC
🍒Strong FMC
This is the first book in the Crescent City Series. When I got the ARC for Calling the Shots I started it immediately because the tropes for the book had me hooked from the jump. Then when I started reading it, it was better than I imagined it would be. Kyler from the start was perfect and I would easily term him as husband in my book. If you enjoy Garrett Graham from The Deal, Clay Johnson from Blind Side, or Johnny Kavanagh from Binding 13 and Keeping 13 then I know you will love Kyler Rhodes. Blake Rainwater, whom I instantly fell in love with because she radiated bad bitch energy from the first chapter of the book. If I were to think of characters that she is like I would say Sabrina James from The Goal and Brenna Jenson from The Risk. Not to go too in-depth about the book it is a sports romance, where the two characters are friends with benefits. It has spice that will make you sweat and scenes that will make you blush. Every character is so entertaining that I love each and every single one of them. There is real struggle that takes place and I believe it was all written so well in the book. Even though she is the female in a male-dominated world she is the one calling the shots!
May 16, 2023
3.5 ⭐
Чесно, я читала її близько 6 днів, це дуже довго. Боюсь щось читати, тому що все щось не те.
Книга насправді чудова, але найбільше зі всього сюжету мені сподобалась саме кінцівка.
Я рада, що гг змогла написати заяву на свого колишнього хлопця за згвалтування, це було великою перемогою для неї. Тому що у всьому, що з нею сталося вона винила саме себе. Усі ці роки вона не відчувала любові від батька, і уперше розповівши йому усі деталі, вона набралась сміливості піти разом з ним в поліцейський відділок, представити докази і засадити того придурка.
І Кайлер насправді така лапочка, 🥰 це дуже добре, що він дав час Блейк розібратись зі своїми демонами, тому що найбільше зі всього вона боялась довіритися знову, закохатись.
Чесно, я читала її близько 6 днів, це дуже довго. Боюсь щось читати, тому що все щось не те.
Книга насправді чудова, але найбільше зі всього сюжету мені сподобалась саме кінцівка.
Я рада, що гг змогла написати заяву на свого колишнього хлопця за згвалтування, це було великою перемогою для неї. Тому що у всьому, що з нею сталося вона винила саме себе. Усі ці роки вона не відчувала любові від батька, і уперше розповівши йому усі деталі, вона набралась сміливості піти разом з ним в поліцейський відділок, представити докази і засадити того придурка.
І Кайлер насправді така лапочка, 🥰 це дуже добре, що він дав час Блейк розібратись зі своїми демонами, тому що найбільше зі всього вона боялась довіритися знову, закохатись.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2022
Cute? Steamy? Relatable? This book checks all of the above. It truly made me laugh out loud at some points, and it made me hug my pillow and want to cry at others. Blake’s story, in a way, can resonate with so, so many. And Kyler is the partner we all wish to find.
To the author, thank you. Thank you for writing this. Thank you for the real, raw book, and for sharing their story with us. I cannot wait for book two in the series, or any others that follow.
To the author, thank you. Thank you for writing this. Thank you for the real, raw book, and for sharing their story with us. I cannot wait for book two in the series, or any others that follow.
October 14, 2023
Calling the Shots
By: Cassie Flinchum
Review
4 stars
This was my first basketball romance, and not going to lie, I really enjoyed it. I wasn’t sure how I would like it, but it was spicy where it needed to be, especially with how Blake, the FMC, likes things done. I also really like seeing a presence in books highlighting the Native Americans and their culture, which includes Blake.
Blake comes to New Orleans to start over after an incident in Phoenix, she is starting as the head physical therapist for the War Hawks, what she doesn’t realize, is she is going to run into Kyler, who she ran into a year prior at the Playoffs when she bossily tells Kyler to go win the game.
Blake doesn’t want a relationship, not since her last one with Bryce ended so tragically, but Kyler and his charm, has worked his way into her heart, and they quickly start to see each other, despite her past and her hesitancies. But, things will be far from easy for the two. They will end up having to finally deal with Bryce and the situation that made Blake flee from Phoenix, as well as a dancer who won’t release her claws on Kyler. Will the two be able to make it through all that and come out on the other side unscathed?
I really liked that the book highlighted the Native American community, and that it also had a FMC who not only was very strong willed, but also had been through a SA and finally confronted
her attacker. This was a fantastic first book to introduce me to basketball romances!
By: Cassie Flinchum
Review
4 stars
This was my first basketball romance, and not going to lie, I really enjoyed it. I wasn’t sure how I would like it, but it was spicy where it needed to be, especially with how Blake, the FMC, likes things done. I also really like seeing a presence in books highlighting the Native Americans and their culture, which includes Blake.
Blake comes to New Orleans to start over after an incident in Phoenix, she is starting as the head physical therapist for the War Hawks, what she doesn’t realize, is she is going to run into Kyler, who she ran into a year prior at the Playoffs when she bossily tells Kyler to go win the game.
Blake doesn’t want a relationship, not since her last one with Bryce ended so tragically, but Kyler and his charm, has worked his way into her heart, and they quickly start to see each other, despite her past and her hesitancies. But, things will be far from easy for the two. They will end up having to finally deal with Bryce and the situation that made Blake flee from Phoenix, as well as a dancer who won’t release her claws on Kyler. Will the two be able to make it through all that and come out on the other side unscathed?
I really liked that the book highlighted the Native American community, and that it also had a FMC who not only was very strong willed, but also had been through a SA and finally confronted
her attacker. This was a fantastic first book to introduce me to basketball romances!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2023
Basketball wasn’t a thing I needed in a romance book but here we are! I really enjoyed Cassie’s writing style and the fact both of the main characters lives were heavily centred around the game, both in the past and present.
Both Kyler (MMC) and Blake (FMC) have engrossing story lines. Kyler’s was full of love and loss. He is the classic “boy falls first (and hard)” and he truly has the biggest heart. He loved Blake so hard, and so well and I really loved his character.
Blake is one of my favourite heroines I’ve read in a while. She was STRONG, and so mature despite her trauma. She communicated so effectively and I loved how she embraced her culture, too. She had trouble being vulnerable but it was a beautiful moment when she let Kyler in; he was truly the light that she needed in order to be whole.
Both Kyler (MMC) and Blake (FMC) have engrossing story lines. Kyler’s was full of love and loss. He is the classic “boy falls first (and hard)” and he truly has the biggest heart. He loved Blake so hard, and so well and I really loved his character.
Blake is one of my favourite heroines I’ve read in a while. She was STRONG, and so mature despite her trauma. She communicated so effectively and I loved how she embraced her culture, too. She had trouble being vulnerable but it was a beautiful moment when she let Kyler in; he was truly the light that she needed in order to be whole.
July 10, 2023
Absolutely loved!!
I loved this book! I haven’t had a sports romance put me on an emotional roller coaster like this since I read Say You Swear by Megan Brady. This was a really great read and I highly recommend it!
I loved this book! I haven’t had a sports romance put me on an emotional roller coaster like this since I read Say You Swear by Megan Brady. This was a really great read and I highly recommend it!
October 3, 2022
With an abusive ex, Blake has a rule to never date a basketball player ever again. But what could go wrong with a little friends with benefits arrangement, no harm no foul, right? Yeah, we all know how that usually plays out.
✔️NBA player & Team sports therapist
✔️Friends with benefits
✔️ Boy falls first
✔️ Strong heroine
I adored this book, it was light but at the same time it brought up some very hard subjects and conversations.
⚠️TW’s: Rape&drugging (not on page, mentioned and recalled of the past). Physician assisted suicide (not one of the main characters, and mentioned of the past)⚠️
It was funny how Kyler thought he was IT, when he initially thought he could be in control, when Blake 1,25 seconds later was like ’’nah, if this is going to work out, I’m the one in control’’, because that’s what she really needed after what she went through with her ex.
But it isn’t long until Blake’s walls starts to come down, and begins to let Kyle in.
Kyler started to show his real side, his sweet and genuine side, instead of going into it with his flirtatious moves. Kyler wanted to show Blake that he could trust him, and that he just wanted a real chance. He was so sweet to her, and they were so good together. Both MC's were GREAT!
𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅. 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅.
𝑺𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆.
It shows how you can respond to trauma, as well as show how important it actually can be to have to deal with a healing process on your own, to come out stronger, for both you and your partner. Love isn’t linear, and it isn’t going anywhere.
✔️NBA player & Team sports therapist
✔️Friends with benefits
✔️ Boy falls first
✔️ Strong heroine
I adored this book, it was light but at the same time it brought up some very hard subjects and conversations.
⚠️TW’s: Rape&drugging (not on page, mentioned and recalled of the past). Physician assisted suicide (not one of the main characters, and mentioned of the past)⚠️
It was funny how Kyler thought he was IT, when he initially thought he could be in control, when Blake 1,25 seconds later was like ’’nah, if this is going to work out, I’m the one in control’’, because that’s what she really needed after what she went through with her ex.
But it isn’t long until Blake’s walls starts to come down, and begins to let Kyle in.
Kyler started to show his real side, his sweet and genuine side, instead of going into it with his flirtatious moves. Kyler wanted to show Blake that he could trust him, and that he just wanted a real chance. He was so sweet to her, and they were so good together. Both MC's were GREAT!
𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅. 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅.
𝑺𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆.
It shows how you can respond to trauma, as well as show how important it actually can be to have to deal with a healing process on your own, to come out stronger, for both you and your partner. Love isn’t linear, and it isn’t going anywhere.
October 11, 2022
First off thank you so much to Cassie for an arc copy of this book.
What to expect…
🏀Sports romance
🏀NBA player/Team Therapist
🏀Brothers Teammate
🏀Boy falls first
🏀Past abuse
🏀Friends with benefits
🏀Tomboy FMC
This book was so freaking good!!!!
Blake and Kyler ugh I just love them!
Kyler is an NBA player and Blake is the new sports therapist for his team and she has one rule she doesn’t dated basketball players. But Kyler is determined to win her heart.
I really liked this role reversal that it was Blake who was closed off and harder to crack emotionally, kyler is the one who is softer and falls hard, fast!
Blake is so relatable to me she’s a bit of a tomboy her shoe collection is trainers that’s me too like I don’t buy heels I buy trainers! She loves Eminem (I mean great taste!) and coming from a single parent home she’s very closed off emotionally, she feels like whatever she’s going through she needs to do it alone and finds it hard to open up. I love her and her strength after what she had to overcome was amazing!
This book is book of growth, love, strength, finding yourself and overcoming trauma. There is some heavy topics this book deals with and it really brings you through a journey emotionally.
The side characters have also left me intrigued like I mean the ending of that epilogue has left me wanting more of them!
What to expect…
🏀Sports romance
🏀NBA player/Team Therapist
🏀Brothers Teammate
🏀Boy falls first
🏀Past abuse
🏀Friends with benefits
🏀Tomboy FMC
This book was so freaking good!!!!
Blake and Kyler ugh I just love them!
Kyler is an NBA player and Blake is the new sports therapist for his team and she has one rule she doesn’t dated basketball players. But Kyler is determined to win her heart.
I really liked this role reversal that it was Blake who was closed off and harder to crack emotionally, kyler is the one who is softer and falls hard, fast!
Blake is so relatable to me she’s a bit of a tomboy her shoe collection is trainers that’s me too like I don’t buy heels I buy trainers! She loves Eminem (I mean great taste!) and coming from a single parent home she’s very closed off emotionally, she feels like whatever she’s going through she needs to do it alone and finds it hard to open up. I love her and her strength after what she had to overcome was amazing!
This book is book of growth, love, strength, finding yourself and overcoming trauma. There is some heavy topics this book deals with and it really brings you through a journey emotionally.
The side characters have also left me intrigued like I mean the ending of that epilogue has left me wanting more of them!
October 2, 2022
Blake and Kyler lawd these two had me fanning myself on multiple occasions. I can’t help but love a man with a dirty AF mouth but give me a woman that is sexy, confident and has an ever dirtier mouth and I’m in love!!! You knew from the brief moment these two met that this was the beginning of their story and I could wait to be along for the ride. This is one of those stories with real life issues and you can’t help but relate to these characters and their emotions and feelings felt real. I shed some tears I laughed a ton and then you have those heart warming moments that have you in a puddle on the floor and then minutes later the heat is turned up to 1000! This book will check every box you want and it so much more than a sport romance. Blake’s story was hers to tell and accept and Kyler was the man she needs by her side to realize she’s got this. This book had some real raw emotions and was executed to perfection! If your looking for a book that gives you everything this is it and I cannot wait for the next book and our next couple I’m this series!!
October 8, 2022
✔️NBA player & Team sports therapist
✔️ Friends with benefits to lovers
✔️ Brother’s teammate
✔️ Strong, tomboy heroine
I absolutely adored Blake and Kyler’s story. It was light and steamy at times but it also contained some hard subjects for both Blake and Kyler.
Kyler. This man. I have very little words because holy shit, sexy sexy man with a dirty mouth.
Blake. With everything she’s been through, she’s incredibly strong and confident which is so admirable and I love that for her.
Putting Kyler and Blake in a room was instant chemistry and seeing their relationship evolve from just benefits to love was heartwarming. I love their connection and how they helped each other through their past.
Thank you Cassie for the arc. Calling the Shots is officially out! Don’t miss it!
“You’re the center of my fucking universe, cherry girl. Loving you has made me better.”
✔️ Friends with benefits to lovers
✔️ Brother’s teammate
✔️ Strong, tomboy heroine
I absolutely adored Blake and Kyler’s story. It was light and steamy at times but it also contained some hard subjects for both Blake and Kyler.
Kyler. This man. I have very little words because holy shit, sexy sexy man with a dirty mouth.
Blake. With everything she’s been through, she’s incredibly strong and confident which is so admirable and I love that for her.
Putting Kyler and Blake in a room was instant chemistry and seeing their relationship evolve from just benefits to love was heartwarming. I love their connection and how they helped each other through their past.
Thank you Cassie for the arc. Calling the Shots is officially out! Don’t miss it!
“You’re the center of my fucking universe, cherry girl. Loving you has made me better.”
October 12, 2022
This is a must read!!! I was laughing so hard in the beginning. I love Blake and her confidence. Her sass is off the charts and I love how Kyler is all for it. Kyler is the perfect, sexy, dirty talking book boyfriend. They have major chemistry, lots of spice and the best banter. By the end I was bawling like a baby, by myself at 1 am because this book is extremely well written and has me all up in my feeling. I will definitely continue to read from this author in the future.
October 8, 2022
I was lucky to get an arc copy of this book. Absolutely loved the character in this one. Loved Blake she was simply fire and strength. Kyler was amazing and loved the basically loved at first sight angle even though he didn’t realize it. He knew the moment he saw her he wanted her to be his. Two imperfect people who are perfect for each other
October 5, 2022
I would highly recommend this book, while it speaks about sexual assault. Kyler helped Baily overcome and help her to love again. Kyler is very caring and the banter between both is heart warming. There are moments of laughter and tears, but in all a beautiful story.
September 30, 2022
This book is by far the best book I have ever read! This book is worth the purchase. You would be crazy to not read.
August 24, 2025
“Strong people need help too, even if they’re only screaming it from the inside. It’s our job to recognize the signs.”
Cassie Flinchum takes the court with the opening novel in the Rainwater Sibling series, Calling the Shots.
CW/TW: r@pe/drugging (only in mention/recalling of history), physician assisted suicide (none of the MC/mentioned in the past)
🏀 Sports romance (NBA)
🏀 Workplace Romance
🏀 Forced Proximity
🏀 Friends with Benefits
🏀 He falls first
🏀 Dual POV
🏀 Open door spice (the locker room 🥵🥵)
🏀 Mental health rep
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Available on KU
Kyler Rhodes, had 17 seconds to make the championship winning shot. But a woman, who quite literally picks him up off the court, then proceeds to tell the refs where to shove it, makes it hard to focus on the game when he is mesmerized by her. Kyler, looking at his teammate after making the winning shot, calling his own shot, he’s going to marry a girl like her one day.
Blake Rainwater knows all about keeping up with appearances. The appearances that everything is fine… even though just 6 months ago it was. Now she’s uprooted her life, moved back to NOLA, and sworn of ever dating again. Especially a man in the NBA. She knew she was going to have to defend her sudden move, the nepotism comments, and she would have to be in close contact with men in the NBA, but as long as she was far away from the man on Phoenix’s team she didn’t care. Her hearts deceived her before and she couldn’t risk it again.
I absolutely love Kyler and Blake. The way that Cassie writes the progression of their relationship made me actually warm and fuzzy. I just loved reading how Blake was slowly letting her walls down for Kyler and how he did everything in his power to prove that he was worth it. Reading the patience that Kyler had for Blake while she worked through the things that she wasn’t quite ready to talk about and then was there for her without a doubt when she was. And oohhh man when that protectiveness came out of him? Yes please, our girl just needed to feel safe.
There’s no third act breakup (thank GOD) but there are some things that come up at the end of the book that cause for Blake to need some space to process. Kyler gives it graciously and ugh my heart just broke for both of them. But the extended ending man oh man! I was itching to read the next one… good news for everyone The Long Game is on KU and available now, keep your eyes peeled in the coming days for my review!
Cassie Flinchum takes the court with the opening novel in the Rainwater Sibling series, Calling the Shots.
CW/TW: r@pe/drugging (only in mention/recalling of history), physician assisted suicide (none of the MC/mentioned in the past)
🏀 Sports romance (NBA)
🏀 Workplace Romance
🏀 Forced Proximity
🏀 Friends with Benefits
🏀 He falls first
🏀 Dual POV
🏀 Open door spice (the locker room 🥵🥵)
🏀 Mental health rep
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Available on KU
Kyler Rhodes, had 17 seconds to make the championship winning shot. But a woman, who quite literally picks him up off the court, then proceeds to tell the refs where to shove it, makes it hard to focus on the game when he is mesmerized by her. Kyler, looking at his teammate after making the winning shot, calling his own shot, he’s going to marry a girl like her one day.
Blake Rainwater knows all about keeping up with appearances. The appearances that everything is fine… even though just 6 months ago it was. Now she’s uprooted her life, moved back to NOLA, and sworn of ever dating again. Especially a man in the NBA. She knew she was going to have to defend her sudden move, the nepotism comments, and she would have to be in close contact with men in the NBA, but as long as she was far away from the man on Phoenix’s team she didn’t care. Her hearts deceived her before and she couldn’t risk it again.
I absolutely love Kyler and Blake. The way that Cassie writes the progression of their relationship made me actually warm and fuzzy. I just loved reading how Blake was slowly letting her walls down for Kyler and how he did everything in his power to prove that he was worth it. Reading the patience that Kyler had for Blake while she worked through the things that she wasn’t quite ready to talk about and then was there for her without a doubt when she was. And oohhh man when that protectiveness came out of him? Yes please, our girl just needed to feel safe.
There’s no third act breakup (thank GOD) but there are some things that come up at the end of the book that cause for Blake to need some space to process. Kyler gives it graciously and ugh my heart just broke for both of them. But the extended ending man oh man! I was itching to read the next one… good news for everyone The Long Game is on KU and available now, keep your eyes peeled in the coming days for my review!
October 11, 2022
3.5 stars
This was a solid 4 star read until the 70% mark. By 70% we were getting a lot of fade to black scenes and Blake going back and forth, back and forth, she was giving me whiplash! I was annotating my frustrations with her like crazy.
At some points I felt like Kyler deserved better. He's one of my favorite book boyfriends ever! He's such a rare gem!
I understand and relate to Blake's SA. I went through the same thing. My friends and family have as well. SA is such a HUGE problem. She brought tears to my eyes with her story.
However, she loses me with the insecurities from cheating. I've been cheated on too, but that isn't an excuse to wreck other people. You're responsible for getting help. She kept breaking this man's heart! Kyler put in so much work. And everyone treated him like crap at some point, acting like he would hurt her when it was the other way around!
Blake 100% put her issues and past relationships on Kyler and that's not cool. Dealing with PTSD from SA? Yeah completely understand if you needed time and have some issues to work through, but her issue was that someone ELSE cheated on her... That's what had her acting like a tornado for a few chapters in the second half? After all Kyler had done? Cannot compute.
The constant push and pull over her insecurities with being cheated on one time, had me ready to tear my hair out. Not once did she ever get therapy either. Not for PTSD or her issues with insecurity.
Other than that, it could've been 100 pages shorter. Some parts were a little boring. There were some cringey moments that gave me second hand embarrassment (the rapping at karaoke omg). I hate fade to black spice. That's pretty much it. The book was super funny and the other characters were likeable (for the most part, Blake and her family are annoying at least once). It had emotional elements. Above all else, our boy Kyler is one of the top book boyfriends to exist! He carried this story for me.
This was a solid 4 star read until the 70% mark. By 70% we were getting a lot of fade to black scenes and Blake going back and forth, back and forth, she was giving me whiplash! I was annotating my frustrations with her like crazy.
At some points I felt like Kyler deserved better. He's one of my favorite book boyfriends ever! He's such a rare gem!
I understand and relate to Blake's SA. I went through the same thing. My friends and family have as well. SA is such a HUGE problem. She brought tears to my eyes with her story.
However, she loses me with the insecurities from cheating. I've been cheated on too, but that isn't an excuse to wreck other people. You're responsible for getting help. She kept breaking this man's heart! Kyler put in so much work. And everyone treated him like crap at some point, acting like he would hurt her when it was the other way around!
Blake 100% put her issues and past relationships on Kyler and that's not cool. Dealing with PTSD from SA? Yeah completely understand if you needed time and have some issues to work through, but her issue was that someone ELSE cheated on her... That's what had her acting like a tornado for a few chapters in the second half? After all Kyler had done? Cannot compute.
The constant push and pull over her insecurities with being cheated on one time, had me ready to tear my hair out. Not once did she ever get therapy either. Not for PTSD or her issues with insecurity.
Other than that, it could've been 100 pages shorter. Some parts were a little boring. There were some cringey moments that gave me second hand embarrassment (the rapping at karaoke omg). I hate fade to black spice. That's pretty much it. The book was super funny and the other characters were likeable (for the most part, Blake and her family are annoying at least once). It had emotional elements. Above all else, our boy Kyler is one of the top book boyfriends to exist! He carried this story for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2023
Lo encontré bueno pero tengo que admitir que me dió bastante cringe en muchas escenas!
Es un libro que honestamente esperaba que fuera muchísimo mejor, no considero que sea malo pero si tenía muchísimo potencial en especial con el inicio de la historia.
El problema es que no conecte con ninguno de los personajes. Normalmente lo hago más con la protagonista, pero Blake me daba mucho cringe y no podía cómo leerla de la manera que me hubiese gustado o como la autora quería que uno recibiera a este personaje.
Mm también el tema de donde ella es, olvide el nombre pero como no tenía idea mucho del tema como que no le di la importancia que quizás debió tener y se me hacía aburrido o simplemente leía rápido cuando hacía mención o hablaba en otro idioma.
Con respecto a Kyler lo encontré muy cute, pero tampoco lo encontré como el hombre perfecto. Para ser ficción esperaba que quizás no fuera tan perrito faldero, porque hay que hacer una diferencia. Ser personalidad golden retriever no significa que va a estar detrás de la protagonista como un perrito.
En si la historia no es mala pero considero que pudo haber sido muchísimo mejor!
Es un libro que honestamente esperaba que fuera muchísimo mejor, no considero que sea malo pero si tenía muchísimo potencial en especial con el inicio de la historia.
El problema es que no conecte con ninguno de los personajes. Normalmente lo hago más con la protagonista, pero Blake me daba mucho cringe y no podía cómo leerla de la manera que me hubiese gustado o como la autora quería que uno recibiera a este personaje.
Mm también el tema de donde ella es, olvide el nombre pero como no tenía idea mucho del tema como que no le di la importancia que quizás debió tener y se me hacía aburrido o simplemente leía rápido cuando hacía mención o hablaba en otro idioma.
Con respecto a Kyler lo encontré muy cute, pero tampoco lo encontré como el hombre perfecto. Para ser ficción esperaba que quizás no fuera tan perrito faldero, porque hay que hacer una diferencia. Ser personalidad golden retriever no significa que va a estar detrás de la protagonista como un perrito.
En si la historia no es mala pero considero que pudo haber sido muchísimo mejor!
July 11, 2023
Did I smash this book out just over 24 hours? Yes I did. Do I have any shame about doing so? No. Probably the quickest I ever read book that wasn’t a novella.
Um Cassie honey. Thank you. For putting the second most hottest line in a romance book that the MMC can ever say.
“Put your hands on the head board” 🥵🥵🌶️🌶️🌶️ had me needing all sorts of holy water.
The down side was I couldn’t loose my shit over this line because I was at work. But dammnnn.
The spice in this book was amazing 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ the FMC dominating the MMC was soooo 🥵🥵🥵
Also you had me a crying mess towards the end of the book. My poor husband was asking my why I was a crying mess on the couch. I did try to explain it but he didn’t get it. This book absolutely amazing.
4.8/5 stars.
5/5 spice.
Um Cassie honey. Thank you. For putting the second most hottest line in a romance book that the MMC can ever say.
“Put your hands on the head board” 🥵🥵🌶️🌶️🌶️ had me needing all sorts of holy water.
The down side was I couldn’t loose my shit over this line because I was at work. But dammnnn.
The spice in this book was amazing 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ the FMC dominating the MMC was soooo 🥵🥵🥵
Also you had me a crying mess towards the end of the book. My poor husband was asking my why I was a crying mess on the couch. I did try to explain it but he didn’t get it. This book absolutely amazing.
4.8/5 stars.
5/5 spice.
July 13, 2023
Tropes:
🏀 Basketball Romance
🏀 Friends with Benefits
🏀 He Falls First
🏀 Brothers Teammate
🏀 Strong Heroine
Calling the shots is the first book in the Crescent City Series. It is a dual POV between Kyler the hot basketball pro player and Blake who is a strong woman who has been through a lot.
Blake is guarded because of her past relationships and has some personal issues to have to work through. Kyler falls for Blake hard and works his way in to getting her to open up to him.
This story had spice and drama in it. Blake deals with past trauma and Kyler is there for her 100 percent. This was a nice easy read and if you like these tropes give it a try.
🏀 Basketball Romance
🏀 Friends with Benefits
🏀 He Falls First
🏀 Brothers Teammate
🏀 Strong Heroine
Calling the shots is the first book in the Crescent City Series. It is a dual POV between Kyler the hot basketball pro player and Blake who is a strong woman who has been through a lot.
Blake is guarded because of her past relationships and has some personal issues to have to work through. Kyler falls for Blake hard and works his way in to getting her to open up to him.
This story had spice and drama in it. Blake deals with past trauma and Kyler is there for her 100 percent. This was a nice easy read and if you like these tropes give it a try.
August 7, 2025
Cute book. Calling your mom “momma” when your an adult is kinda weird. I get he had two moms but still weird to refer to her that way. Easy to follow without having much basketball knowledge. It was a good mix
Of romance and drama. Kyler and Blake are sweet. He tried so hard to be what she needed and always be there for her. Trauma ptsd sneaks up on you when you’re not expecting it. Just as Blake says the triggers can be multiple things and can be small and not expected. Even when you work through the trauma it never goes away.
Of romance and drama. Kyler and Blake are sweet. He tried so hard to be what she needed and always be there for her. Trauma ptsd sneaks up on you when you’re not expecting it. Just as Blake says the triggers can be multiple things and can be small and not expected. Even when you work through the trauma it never goes away.
July 25, 2023
Story 4⭐️ Spice 4🌶️
Although this story reminds me of others in the same troupe, it’s still unique in its own way. I enjoyed Blake immensely and Kyler is a bit of a golden retriever, but he would still make a good book boyfriend. I appreciate that the couple got to know each other on a level deeper than just sex. Overall it was a good read and I will continue with the Rainwater family’s series.
Although this story reminds me of others in the same troupe, it’s still unique in its own way. I enjoyed Blake immensely and Kyler is a bit of a golden retriever, but he would still make a good book boyfriend. I appreciate that the couple got to know each other on a level deeper than just sex. Overall it was a good read and I will continue with the Rainwater family’s series.
April 17, 2023
”i’ve never been one of those people that believe working is the ultimate goal. having a great job that you love is ideal, yes, but you should never spend all your time there. we work for money so that we can focus on better things, like enjoying life to its fullest.“
April 13, 2023
⭐️⭐️.75
July 11, 2023
3.5 stars
August 24, 2023
Healing
This is a heartbreaking story of a woman overcoming her demons . Along the journey, she fights a connection to a man that reminds her of them.
This is a heartbreaking story of a woman overcoming her demons . Along the journey, she fights a connection to a man that reminds her of them.
August 3, 2025
The angst was my favorite part. I loved Blake’s confidence, though at times it came across as a bit cocky. Overall, it was enjoyable!
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