She’s got a scalpel-sharp tongue. He’s got touchdown hands. And their rules? Toasted.
I was just trying to move into my fixer-upper in peace. Then his dog broke into my kitchen.
And that’s when Lucian Crawford—best football running back, professional menace, and the man who jogs shirtless like it’s his job (it might be)—stumbled into my life.
Now we’re sharing a fence, co-parenting his rebellious Vizsla, and exchanging wildly inappropriate texts that could definitely get me fired if I weren’t self-employed.
He’s hot, insufferable, and too charming for his own good. I’m sarcastic, broke, and trying to save my crumbling vet clinic without falling into bed with the hot redheaded next door.
He thrives on chaos. I am chaos.
So obviously, when he offers me a “roommate situation” while my house gets gutted, I say yes. Because I make excellent life choices.
We have rules.
We have boundaries.
We absolutely, positively should not cross them.
...We definitely crossed them.
Now the only thing messier than my clinic’s plumbing is whatever’s happening between us.
And I’m starting to wonder if this was more than a bad idea in the making.
It might’ve been fate. Or worse… feelings.
Texting, Trouble, and Touchdown is a slow-burn, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy featuring a chaotic vet and a hot running back who become roommates with very complicated benefits.
Omg this was so far my favorite book of the series ! They were HILARIOUS !!!
Falling for the 🐶 first was the absolute cutest thing of life. But seeing this whole relationship build through texts !! Ugh Epic !! I thoroughly enjoyed every second! The banter, the comedy, the sexting, the jokes, the quick wit, the sassiness, the grumpiness, the “letters” from pet to owner”, the shared custody remarks !
It was beautiful- soulful- heartfelt and adorable !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book was so fun, full of sharp banter and addictive text exchanges that kept me hooked from the start. Lucian and Olivia become neighbors, and their first encounter is hilariously chaotic when Lucian’s dog, Sarah, barges into Olivia’s place. From that moment on, Lucian is a relentless flirt, determined to win Olivia over. She does her best to resist, haunted by fears from her past, but the chemistry is undeniable. I loved how Sarah, the dog, played matchmaker in her own mischievous way, adding just the right touch of chaos to their story.
The audiobook narration was spot on, Brooke Bloomingdale perfectly captured Olivia’s sass and vulnerability, while Jason Clarke turned up the heat with Lucian’s smooth, dirty talk. If you're into witty dialogue, a charmingly bold MMC, and lovable pets, this is a must listen!
This was a really fun read! I am really enjoying all the books in this series. This book was so funny and full of banter and also has some really heart warming moments.
I love a good meet-cute and Olivia and Lucian have a good one! She is a struggling vet by day and attempting DIY home renovations by night. Lucian is a football player who lives next door…and never wears a shirt. Before they know it they are in the middle of a roommate “situationship…”
This is the perfect book for audio! Seriously, hearing the text messages and the banter were so good! This is my first time listening to a book narrated by Brooke and she did a wonderful job bringing Olivia to life (I especially loved her sass!!) Jason was so good as Lucian! I loved the witty charm he brought to the character and don’t even get me started on the dirty talk! 🔥🔥🔥
Their chemistry and tension and snark was so good. I highly recommend giving this one a listen!
✨What To Expect: 💖Romantic Comedy 🏈Football Romance 🐈⬛Golden retriever / black cat 🌦️Reverse Grumpy / Sunshine 📲Texting & Banter 🧲Opposites Attract 🐕Forced Proximity 🔥Slow Burn 🩵He Falls First 🐠Fish Out Of Water ❤️🔥Annoyance To Lovers 👕He Never Wears A Shirt 🛠️Home Renovations
This is the fourth book in this impressive series, and this is Lucian and Olivia’s story. Olivia is a veterinarian who trying to save her crumbling vet practice, and when she is moving into her fixer upper, her neighbors dog Sarah breaks into her kitchen. Lucian is a star football running back, and Olivia’s neighbor. From the moment Luc meets Olivia, he is relentless in his pursuit, and he is determined to win her over. This storyline develops over texting, and co-parenting Luc’s rebellious dog. This is a well written easy to read, slow burn, with family, friendships, emotions, chaos, boundaries, humor, witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and fun, romantic comedy. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
With all of the books in this series, I’m gonna have to say that Texting, Trouble & Touchdowns HAS to be my favourite… SO FAR!
This book was FILLED with comedy, banter, the BEST flirting and SO MUCH dramaticness it was EVERYTHING. The chemistry between Olivia and Lucian was SO MUCH FUN and the tension between them was CATASTROPHIC when it finally burst. Finally getting to see Lucian Crawford in his element and finding his happily ever after just warmed me up inside, especially with his past he just wanted to be seen for who he is (I. FELT. THAT.) and not his fame. He is just a goofball, as well as a charming and witty golden retriever type guy who needs some loving. And of course, the spit-fire Olivia ended up being that and I COULDN’T be happier for him! We LOVED Olivia and her work ethic as well as her determination to follow her dreams and ambitions. Also the way that she never backed down and went head-to-head with him WAS AMAZING. OH! Don’t EVEN get me started on Sarah! I LOVE HER. She is a princess, and we LIVED for her dramatics and her personality! Having little cameos of her in the previous books, to now getting a full book on her and her antics I. COULD. NOT.
With both having trouble with relationships in the past, for Olivia and Lucian to come together to find their own happily ever after even while still healing just made my heart warm. The entirety of this book was such a fun rom-com and I. LOVED. IT.
The banter between Luc and Olivia was off the charts! I loved every minute of it. I loved reading their relationship grow through flirty texts. The mouth on Luc, so steamy. Sarah was absolute chaos and Olivia falling for her and basically adopting her right from under Luc was so fun. Luc and Olivia were both hurt by past relationships, it was nice to see them learn to love and trust each other.
𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 My first Kendall Hale novel and it won't be my last! I absolutely adored Olivia & Lucian! He's a linebacker for the Bridgemont Knights & she's the new local veterinarian. Their meet cute, thanks to Sarah, Luc's adorable Vizla furbaby, is so fun! They are forced roomies while her home goes through renovations, and, well, let's just say that the heat cranks up, the text bantering is spot on and slow burn is epic. When they fall? It's definitely trouble in the absolute best way!
And the audio is phenomenal! 𝐽𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑒 brings the chemistry, passion & banter in the best ways. He had me laughing at Luc's character so many times! 𝐵𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑒 𝐵𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑑𝑎𝑙𝑒 matched his energy & delivered a flawless performance giving life to Olivia's character. Together, these two brought us all the trouble, all the banter, all the spicy heat, all the fun! Don't miss this audiobook! Grab it up now!
✨ Audio Review ✨ Hello, dirty-talking texts! Texting, Trouble, and Touchdowns by Kendall Hale was a witty and spicy neighbors-to-lovers romance that had me blushing and swooning from start to finish. I can always count on Kendall to turn up the steam with these Crawford brothers, and Lucian’s charm was next level. I loved everything about Olivia and Lucian’s journey to HEA, and I couldn’t stop listening to this audiobook.
Brooke Bloomingdale and Jason Clarke perform this audiobook in duet-style narration. I absolutely LOVED these two paired together because the chemistry they created between Olivia and Lucian was frustrating, fun, and flirty! Brooke’s performance of Olivia conveyed a certain snark and reluctance to give in to Lucian’s allure, but later showed a layer of vulnerability under her thick exterior. Jason excels at charismatic, confident playboys, and his delivery of witty banter and swoony declarations from Lucian had me grinning so damn hard. I just adored both of their performances in this audio, making it such an entertaining listen!
Overall, I LOVED this book. If you are a fan of a sports romance with a hot cocky football player, a feisty dedicated veterinarian, an adorably loyal Vizsla, home improvement projects, new neighbors, all the dirty text banter, emotional support humans, slow burn, sex contracts, spatula steam, meeting the family, he falls first, hallway spice, intimate conversations, love declarations, and a HEA that will score the winning touchdown in your heart, then you will love Olivia and Lucian’s story. I always look forward to more from Kendall Hale.
Texting Trouble and Touchdowns The Crawford Family Playbook, Book 4 By: Kendall Hale Narrated by: Brooke Bloomingdale, Jason Clarke
Kendall Hale does it again and pens another winning novel, a fabulous romantic comedy that grabs your attention right from the start and holds it captive the entire time. Each book in the “Crawford Family Playbook” series features a different Crawford brother, with each one just as amazing as the next, and this book is Lucian “Luke” Crawford’s story and wow, he is one heck of a charmer with those flirty and naughty. Olivia, a veterinarian, is new to town, and purchased the veterinary clinic to open her own practice after the former vet retired. Moving in to her new home, she struggles with getting furniture in, and with the door open an uninvited guest runs in, a four-legged one, followed by a two-legged hunk of a man, and wow, was a hilarious first meet. Olivia takes claim of his dog, Sarah, a Vizsla, finders keepers and all, but Lucian barters her back, and found his new favorite thing to do, to get under her skin. As a pro-football player, he is used to women dropping at his feet, but Olivia is no ordinary woman and he likes that about her. The banter, playful tension and obvious attraction between them were electric, yet with neither seeking a relationship, his attraction to her persisted and he could not stay away. His ex did a number on him, so it is difficult for him to trust and she has her own baggage, just wanting to focus on getting her practice going. She runs into one problem after another, but Lucian is right there, pushing his way in and helping make things right. It was great watching these two go at it, learn more about each other and seeing their relationship morphing to something so much more, though Olivia was a stronghold for not wanting a relationship. I loved all the layers of the story and how it all unfolds, with a perfect balance of drama, angst, charming humor and witty dialogue, heartfelt emotions and a slow burn but so worth the wait romance. Also loved the scene stealer and the star, Sarah! Kendall Hale, thank you for another wonderful story and the emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧 Brooke Bloomingdale and Jason Clarke were a perfect pairing, and their duet performance was not only entertaining, but enthralling, too. Their character voices and portrayal of each were fitting, with Bloomingdale showcasing every aspect of Olivia’s personality, nailing her sass and dropping those snappy comebacks perfectly, and then showing her softer and caring side, as well as her vulnerabilities. Clarke was just as fabulous in Lucian’s role and was just as amazing, showcasing his personality and demeanor, bringing out all his charm, and was a natural flirt and nailed it with the naughty and witty dialogue. Their energy and tone were perfect for the story and they captured all the characters’ emotions, having you feel each one. These two made a fantastic team, with voices and talent that complemented each other and a performance that takes the already fabulous story to another level.
𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 & 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬 was an absolute hoot! It was a funny, light-hearted, page-turner, with lots of spice, and I lovedddddd the MCs; Sarah being my absolute fav. I did not expect to laugh as much as I did while reading this book!
I did not really know what to expect going into the book. I knew it would be good because, duh, it was written by one of favs Kendall Hale, but my goodness, this one was so refreshing! Lucian and Olivia’s conversations and banter reminded me of a tennis match and watching the ball being passed back and forth, I could not take my eyes off of them; 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 & 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬 was unputdownable!
Luc and Liv were perfect for each other; they were both funny and sarcastic, and though Liv tried to run away from being loved and cared for, for fear that it may all end one day (because of something that happened between her mom & dad growing up), Luc would not give up the chase and I LOVED that about him! He is the definition of “falling first, and HARD.”
Now y’all, this one was SPICY! This cover does this book no justice because the entire time, while these two were texting, I was like 🙈 🤭🌶️🔥 🥵! Yes y’all, the spice was spicing and a definite 5/5🌶️!
I must give a shout out to my favorite chapter, chapter 25. I was in the car with my husband while listening to the audiobook on my headphones and Sarah’s “letters” and the accents made by the narrators, omg! It was so funny, and I laughed so much that my husband was like “What is wrong with you?!” lol! I love books like this! And side note, we must admit that my girl Sarah did most of the heavy lifting bringing these two souls together. Lol. I want to see more of her in the future books!
Jason Clarke & Brooke Bloomingdale did an AMAZING JOB with this one. They embodied Lucian and Olivia and really brought them to life! These two were the A team for sure!
Overall, this was a great read, and I recommend 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 & 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬!
🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅾 🅴🆇🅿🅴🅲🆃 🏈 Football Romance 🌧️ ☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine (She’s the grump) 👨 👩 Forced Proximity 😡😍Enemies-to-Loves vibes 🐕 Golden Retriever MMC 🐈⬛ Black Cat Energy FMC 😍 He Falls First and Hard 🐾 Pets who play matchmaker 🥵 Roommates with very complicated benefits 🌶️
🅵🅰🆅🅾🆁🅸🆃🅴 🆀🆄🅾🆃🅴🆂/🆂🅰🆈🅸🅽🅶🆂 😍 “If this is what spiraling looks like? F*ck it. Let me fall even faster.” 💑 “I want her near me—because of how she perceives the world, due to the ridiculous things she says when she’s tired, and because of the quiet moments when neither of us talks, and it still conveys everything. Because she’s the only person who ever made silence feel like it’s got a heartbeat.” 🥵 “‘You’ve got five seconds to tell me to stop.’ ‘You’ve got five seconds to prove that mouth isn’t just for talking.’” 💜 “You entered my life and knocked me upside down and downside up.” ❤️🔥 “I’d burn for her. Quietly. Completely.”
“Texting, Trouble, and Touchdowns” by Kendall Hale is an absolute story gem! This enchanting narrative brims with clever and witty dialogue alongside engaging text exchanges that truly captivated me. Hale's exceptional talent for crafting a steamy neighbors-to-lovers romance shines through brilliantly, leaving me both blushing and utterly charmed. The Crawford brothers never fail to impress, and Lucian’s irresistible charm is remarkable! I relished every moment of Olivia and Lucian’s heartfelt journey to their happy ending; it was simply impossible to put down the audiobook. Their first encounter as neighbors is wonderfully chaotic, thanks to the delightful introduction of Lucian's adorable dog, Sarah! Lucian embodies the quintessential sunshine character, and his endearing fixation on Liv adds a sparkling twist to the story. Their texting conversations are humorous, and Sarah is the perfect playful sidekick, enriching the storyline beautifully. These three characters completely enchanted me. What truly resonated with me was witnessing Lucian earn Olivia’s trust. Despite her past experiences, his genuine care and patience shone through as he asked thoughtful questions without overstepping. His sensitivity to her feelings was truly heartwarming. While Olivia’s reasons for hesitation were unexpected, Lucian’s persistent flirtation was utterly delightful as he endeavored to win her heart. Despite her efforts to resist, their chemistry was palpable and illuminated the pages. And we can’t forget Sarah, whose playful antics infused the right amount of delightful chaos into their evolving love story!
Brooke Bloomingdale and Jason Clarke elevate this audiobook with their incredible duet-style narration! Their chemistry and dynamic performances truly brought Olivia and Lucian to life, creating a fantastic blend of excitement and tension, beautifully complemented by their playful exchanges. Brooke perfectly captures Olivia's witty sarcasm and charming hesitance, revealing her genuine vulnerability beneath a strong exterior. Meanwhile, Jason masterfully portrays Lucian, delivering his charming and confident lines with such flair that I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear. Together, Brooke and Jason are a remarkable duo. Brooke excels at portraying Olivia’s sass and emotional depth, while Jason infuses Lucian's dialogue with irresistible charm and intensity. I wholeheartedly recommend this audiobook if you appreciate witty banter, a charming male lead, and adorable pets. It truly is a delightful experience to listen to!
Texting Trouble and Touchdowns is book 4 in the Crawford Family Playbook Series and it’s a chaotic, steamy, football-fueled romcom that will not disappoint.
If you love: 💬 Football Romance 🛋️ Forced Proximity 🥰 He Falls First ☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine (she’s the grump 👀) 🏡 Neighbors 🐶 Golden Retriever MMC 🐈⬛ Black Cat Energy FMC … then you need to get on this book - the whole series, actually!
These Crawford brothers are smooth, swoony, dirty talkers who take care of their partners!!!! And Lucian is no exception. He might be the dirtiest talker so far… the high heat filers sexting that happens in this book is off the charts ❤️🔥….
I am loving this whole series. Lucian is an NFL star who has been burned badly in the past, thanks to a selfish, shallow ex wife. He “doesn’t do relationships” , but one not-so-meet-cute with his feisty neighbour, Olivia, he begins to rethink his mantra.
Their story is full of witty banter, spicy sexting, vulnerability and, of course, taking a risk on love.
Olivia is so afraid of abandonment that she does not let herself be open to relationships, Nevermind love. She’s is fiercely independent but has found herself in a terribly expensive and overwhelming predicament. Her new home and the vet clinic she purchased are in dire need of full on renovations. Her cocky, gorgeous neighbour, Lucian, offers to help. Sara, his naughty Vizsla is a menace but has managed to steal Olivia’s heart. Can Lucian?
Their journey is sweet, vulnerable, and high heat. I love how this author gives us MMCs who are ready to dig deep and show their emotions and not be afraid to ask for guidance/support or help. Lucian takes a big risk, opening up about his worries, emotions etc and it made him even more likeable than he already is.
Although you can read this as a standalone, I highly recommend reading this fabulous series in order. Previous characters make appearances and it’ll be helpful to know their backstory so that you can better appreciate the dynamics and relationships between the siblings.
I received a free ARC of this book and this review is only my opinion.
This installment in The Crawford Family Playbook delivers the charming love story of Lucian — a professional football player, shameless flirt, and all-around good guy — and Olivia, a guarded local veterinarian who happens to be the sister of Lucian’s sister-in-law’s best friend. When Olivia moves in next door, she has no idea who Lucian is… and honestly couldn’t care less (at first). But she does fall head-over-heels for his dog, Sarah — an independent pup who marches to her own beat.
Soon, Olivia’s world gets a little chaotic with unexpected renovations needed at both her house and clinic. Reluctantly, she finds herself accepting help from her annoyingly charming new neighbor.
Both Olivia and Lucian are carrying wounds from past heartache and betrayal. What starts as a lighthearted friendship laced with flirty banter quickly begins to blur into something deeper. Lucian is relentless with his playful, steamy texts, while Olivia serves up plenty of sarcastic "I don’t care" vibes (even though we know she definitely does).
One of my favorite aspects of this book — beyond the sizzling, snarky text exchanges — was how openly the characters communicated their emotions and triggers. Lucian never pushed too hard, giving Olivia space when she needed it, while still making it clear he wasn’t walking away.
The story moves at a fast clip, with much of the relationship unfolding through their digital conversations. I only wish we’d seen a bit more interaction with their wider circle of friends and family. Still, this was a thoroughly fun, feel-good read that left me smiling and laughing throughout!
Thank you for the e-ARC!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was such a fun story! Olivia is a determined vet starting fresh in a fixer-upper of a home, and Lucian is her handsome, flirty pro-football player neighbor. And let’s not forget his mischievous dog, Sarah! Their first meeting is hilarious and it’s all thanks to Sarah! Their texting game is next level and has a lot of spicy moments! Their chemistry is also so good! Olivia is smart, sarcastic, and full of sass, but she also has a soft, vulnerable side that makes you really root for her! Lucian is charming, a little too smooth for his own good, but also incredibly thoughtful and kind, I loved him! Their banter is everything!!! Snarky, sweet, sometimes downright steamy, and their relationship grows in a way that feels very playful and real! Loved the funny moments because of Sarah the dog, she was so dramatic and I ate it up! The audiobook narration was great! Brooke Bloomingdale captures Olivia’s sharp humor and emotional depth perfectly! Jason Clarke is amazing as Lucian, delivering the flirty lines and heartfelt moments with just the right touch! Their voices fit the characters so well and their chemistry made every scene even more entertaining! If you're into fun, neighbor-to-lovers romance that has great banter and a ton of funny moments you’ll want to check this one out!
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐫𝐞: 🐕 Sports romance / football romance 🐕 Golden retriever / black cat romance 🐕 Grumpy / sunshine romance (grumpy heroine, sunshine hero) 🐕 Neighbors / forced proximity romance trope 🐕 Home improvement / renovations trope 🐕 Fish out of water / starting over trope 🐕 Opposites attract romance trope 🐕 He falls first romance trope 🐕 Annoyance to lovers romance trope – not a true hate to love, but there is lots of exasperation 🐕 Accidental roommates romance trope (I have no place to live / yes you do, my place) 🐕 Single dad / nanny romance trope except with a dog
The fourth book in Kendall Hale’s Crawford Family Playbook was funny, light hearted, and an all around great read. Texting, Trouble, and Touchdowns added something to this series that it needed. Every book showcases how Kendall grows as an author and makes her voice well heard. She never fails to deliver wonderful characters, dynamic relationships, and spice that just builds until it spills over in the best way possible.
Lucian and Olivia constantly made me smile throughout this book. Their banter was equally matched with each other with each quick wit being met with the perfect report. Kendall has outdone herself with the banter in this book. It kept me wanting to see what would happen next between these two and as their relationship changed, it was well worth each page being turned.
These two were made or written for each other. Now don’t worry, this book comes with the perfect amount of drama in the pull these two feel towards each other. Olivia struggles with letting herself be loved and cared for, so as Lucian yearns for more, he has to tread carefully. But boy, was his desire strong and drove him to be everything that Olivia needed and more.
As stated before, Kendall has outdone herself with this book. Along with the banter, the spice in this book is off the charts! Probably her spiciest book yet, but I was here for it. I have always loved Kendall’s writing and have truly enjoyed watching her grow as an author. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of contemporary romance. Even though the fourth book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. But you will find yourself wanting to go back and read the rest because Kendall is an author that is hard to not love!
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect: 🏈Sports Romance 📱Neighbors to Lovers 🏈Golden Retriever MMC 📱Black Cat FMC 🏈Opposites Attract 📱He Falls First 🏈Reverse Grump x Sunshine 📱Unavoidable Proximity
The banter was off the charts in this very steamy read! If you like a MMC who is boy obsessed, Lucian is your guy. My favorite part of this book is Sarah! She is a very opinionated Vizsla that honestly steals the show. I love how the MCs interact with her and the voice they give her it just brings her to life. The narration of this duo works so well and you can feel the steam dripping off the pages as they read this book. Love The Crawford Family Playbook series.
𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:
Olivia is a vet and she just moved to town bought a house and a practice, but things aren’t going to plan. Then an adorable Vizsla just shows up in her kitchen that she declares, her new dog. But then enters Sarah’s dad her annoying hot football star neighbor who can’t take a hint she’s not interested.
Lucian has it just as bad as his dog for his hot new neighbor. And he finds any opportunity to crash into her, it’s the off season and he has all the time. So when he finds out her vet office is literally falling apart and there is no way she can afford the repairs he uses his celebrity status to strike her a deal she can’t resist.
The only issue is Olivia isn’t use to men doing things without expecting something in return. So Lucian is going to have to work overtime to win her over but he’s a football player so he’s got this. Plus his dog helps a lot!
𝙁𝙖𝙫 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚:
“I miss you when you’re not glaring at me across the room.”
𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:
* Neighbors to Lovers * She a Vet & He’s Pro Football Player * Opposites Attract * Boy Obsessed: Protective & Possessive * She Stole His Dog - Sarah the Vizsla * Who Did This to You? * Reno/Construction - Forced Proximity * Banter, Sexting, Mile High Club * Dual POV w/ lots of Spice
Olivia had dreams in her head, move to a new place, get a new house and start up a new Animal Clinic. Romance was the farthest thing from her mind, especially with a man who thought he was all that and a bag of chips because he was a sports celeb. Things though were not happening the way Olivia wanted them to and right now the only thing that seemed to be going right was having Sarah in her life and maybe its owner.
Lucian Crawford while he has had heartbreak in the past, is also used to woman pretty much throwing themselves at him. So when he meets his new neighbor Olivia she is completely the opposite. Then there is the fact that he feels complete and utter betrayal (snicker in here) when his dog Sarah not only makes herself at home in Olivia’s house but wants to spend more time with her than him. Olivia demands shared custody and has the audacity to go and take Sarah from his house one day. This leads to exactly what the title says, Texting and Troubles because you become part of their texting and antics world which leads you to a lot of laughter, some smirks and even more as you watch them fall in true love with each other.
This is the next book in the series about the Crawford brothers and it is unique in so many ways. While you can read it as a standalone it will help if you have read the other ones so you know about the Crawford family itself when they all come together. I will be honest, there are some great parts, but also a few parts that were dragging. While I loved the text messaging to begin with, sometimes it just seemed that is more what the book was, so it might not be for everyone.
Thanks to 1852 Media and the author for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest opinion
This was such a fun read. I absolutely giggled out loud and couldn’t get enough of Lucian’s filthy text messages, his dog Sarah’s antics and dramatics, and Olivia’s exasperation with both of them. This story starts out flirty and fun. Lician is such a pot stirrer and Olivia is wound so very tight. She is just the challenge Lucian craves in the off season to stave off his boredom. Little did he know that he would fall head over heels for her. I loved how they both had bad relationships in their pasts that hurt them and responded in completely different ways. Olivia refuses help and deeply needs to stand on her feet and after a bad divorce, Lucian has been completely allergic to commitment. However they couldn’t have been more perfect for one another. This opposites attract (black cat x golden retriever), roommates, (reluctant on her part) friends to lovers, slow burn, sports romance is laugh out loud funny, steamy, and a solidly good time.
In audio, I was even more amused by this story listening to the banter between Jason Clarke and Brooke Bloomingdale whose delivery in duet narration couldn’t have been better. Jason is teasing as Lucian and doesn’t shy away from saying the most outrageous things as Lucian. Brooke portrayed Olivia’s exasperation and reluctance to give into Lucian’s plans to perfection. They took this story to another level of fun off the written page. I enjoyed this story so very much and it’s definitely one of the highlights of my year so far. Lucian pushes Olivia’s boundaries and says the most wild things to her over text messages. Their in person banter is almost as good. Sarah runs metaphorical circles around both of them and never gives them a moment of peace. Olivia was the perfect challenge to Lucian’s persistence and the only thing better than their romance was “watching” her fall for him. While this entire series has been fun, TTaT is my favorite so far.
OMG this book had me laughing so hard!! This was the first book I have listened to by Kendall Hale and I want to listen to the rest of this series because I'm seriously HOOKED!!! These characters were so much fun and entertaining. Then add a dog and I'm in LOVE! I'm a dog lover and yes I'm one of those people that talks for their dogs so this book hit home for me with Lucian's dog Sara.
This book was narrated by Jason Clarke and Brooke Bloomingdale and let me tell you these two were beyond PERFECT to tell Lucian and Olivia's story! These two held my attention and kept me entertained throughout the entire book. I really felt like I could picture the situations and just felt in tune with the characters.
Lucian and Olivia have so much snarky banter that you will just DIE LAUGHING!! The things that come out of his mouth and the way they come back at each other was just a work of art. Then you add in all the stuff Sara the dog pulls and Olivia texting as Sarah OMG I was in tears!!
These two have so much chemistry that it's so much fun listening to them deny it even though you can feel it. LOL...Lucian had me swooning and blushing through out this book. You won't get bored at any point in this book because there is always something going on, You will laugh until you cry, smile like a fool, blush from some very steamy texts, you will fall in LOVE with 2 perfect for each other characters plus a dog, and then you will be left with such a sweet ending!
I HiGHLY recommend this audiobook and can't wait to catch up on this series and to see what Kendall Hale haas in store for us next!
Thank you Kendall Hale for allowing me to listen to this ALC for my honest opinion.
📱🏈✨ ARC BOOK REVIEW ✨🏈📱 Texting, Trouble, and Touchdown by [Author Name] ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
This book was rom-com perfection. We’ve got a broke, sarcastic vet trying to keep her clinic from crumbling before it even launches (literally and emotionally) and the annoyingly hot neighbor who just won’t stay on his side of the fence—and thank goodness for that! From accidental dog invasions to “roommate” situationships, Lucian and Olivia had me giggling. However, the star of the show (in my opinion) is definitely Lucian’s dog, Sarah!
Lucian “Touchdown Hands” Crawford is an absolute menace—in the best way. From his shirtless jogs to the wildly inappropriate texts that made me cackle, he’s everything I want in a golden retriever MMC with a soft heart and spicy mouth. And Olivia? She’s fierce, driven, and had no time for nonsense… until Lucian’s dog broke into her kitchen.
The banter? Top tier. The tension? Palpable. The emotional depth? Sneaky and heartfelt. The audiobook was too hot to hear 🥵 It was also hilarious and heart-tugging, with just the right amount of heat.
Tropes: 🏈 Football x Vet 🐶 Grumpy x sunshine 🏈 Fixer Upper (her home, clinic, and heart) 🐶 He falls first 🏈 Witty banter 🐶 Slow burn, then explosive
This book gave me the flirty chaos of neighbor romance, the forced proximity of home renos, and a heroine that stands her ground (while Lucian tries to make her see stars 🤭). Please note: I’ll never look at a spatula the same (IYKYK) 🤫 Add it to your TBR and get ready to cross every boundary.
💬 So spicy, steamy and funny it is difficult to stop listening once you get started! Brooke Bloomingdale and Jason Clarke are perfectly paired in their narrations of Olivia and Lucian. The way they narrate the banter, sarcasm and interactions of Olivia and Lucian feels just right. They are smooth and easy with their back and forth for the entirety of the book which makes the story even more entertaining.
💬 Olivia is trying to start over. She purchases a house and veterinarian clinic both needing fixing up; only it appears they are not the simple type of fixer-uppers. As she attempts to move in, she meets her neighbor, Lucian Crawford. Lucian is the best football running back and a menace that Olivia wants to avoid but just cannot seem to manage. Somehow he seems to be everywhere, she ends up co-parenting his rebellious dog with him (such a drama queen), and exchanging inappropriate (spicy, steamy, even dirty) texts.
💬 Lucian is very charming, hot and drives Olivia crazy. Yet, despite all her sarcasm and attempts to stay away from him, she finds herself needing help and he offers. And this is how Olivia finds herself living with Lucian. The roommate situation begins with basic rules but not for long. The lines and boundaries blur and as time goes on, Olivia begins to question her feelings for Lucian. And that scares the hell out of her.
✨ Texting, Trouble, and Touchdown is a slow-burn, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy featuring a chaotic vet and a hot running back who become roommates with very complicated benefits ✨
“This contract is just a responsible, no-pressure agreement between two adults who want to make bad decisions . . . efficiently.”
Texting, Trouble, and Touchdowns | Kendall Hale | Crawford Family Playbook #4
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5, 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
“But then you came crashing in,” I murmur. “Didn’t care about my name. Didn’t care about my contract. You roasted my toast, stole my dog, and took my shirts. And somewhere between your sarcasm and that first kiss that made me forget my damn name . . . I started believing again.”
Read this if you love: forced proximity | reverse grumpy x sunshine | football player x vet | opposites attract | he falls first | golden retriever x black cat | enemies to roommates to lovers
“I leave for one week,” I say slowly, dragging my gaze across the wreckage, “and you two form a codependent girl gang that eats furniture and blames it on emotions?”
This one had me smiling and laughing throughout the whole book. I think Sarah, the Vizsla, stole the show. She was a total drama queen (and having my own drama queen dog, I believe Sarah’s actions are realistic LOL). The texting banter between Lucian and Olivia was funny and steamy. They are two commitment phobes who suddenly find themselves in a roommates-with-benefits contract, yet they can’t stop themselves from falling. Strangely enough, Lucian seems to be the least dramatic of the Crawford Family, but he will drive you wild in other ways.
Thank you @authorkendallhale for the eARC. I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
I loved, and had so much fun reading and listening to this absolutely delightful story! It is incredibly entertaining, with clever banter, and great characters who had me laughing out loud, smiling, and fanning myself the entire time. Olivia is new to town following her dreams as a veterinarian. Unfortunately, her new clinic and home are nothing close to her dreams. They need lots of work, and she is struggling to fix them. Professional football player, Lucian Crawford, is her neighbor, along with his mischievous dog, Sarah. He inserts himself into her life, helping her with all her chaos, no matter how hard she resists his charm, including giving her a place to stay when her house is unlivable. As they get to know each other, their flirty banter is their foreplay and they are helpless to deny their attraction. They start a friends with benefits arrangement while she is staying with him. But what happens when two people who believed they weren't built for relationships, start to fall in love with each other? Will they be strong enough to fight for each other? I loved Olivia and Lucian, they are a hilarious breath of fresh air. Their distinct personalities win you over immediately. Olivia is sarcastic but also has a softer, caring side, while Lucian is so charming, thoughtful and deliciously dirty. I loved their teasing banter and texts that were so clever, and flirty and their chemistry exploded off the page. I ate up every word of this clever, hilarious, and steamy romance. I couldn’t get enough of all the chaos, angst, flirting, and sizzling passion, as they found their way to an incredible happily ever after! Brooke Bloomingdale and Jason Clarke were outstanding as Olivia and Lucian. They both balanced each characters strength, vulnerability, and passion perfectly. Their comedic timing was spot on, and every nuance of their voice performances pulled me in, making me feel every emotion deeper, and made me love these characters and this story even more!
Book Review: Texting Trouble and Touchdowns* by Kendall Hale.
What a fun, quick and witty read! Texting Trouble and Touchdowns is a swoony, banter-filled romcom that had me grinning from page one. A large chunk of the story unfolds through text messages, which made the flirty back-and-forth between the leads feel even more fast-paced, fun, and downright addictive.
The story follows Olivia, a young vet whose life gets completely upended when her new neighbor—infuriatingly charming football star Lucian Crawford—and his chaotic dog Sarah quite literally crash into her world. Between co-parenting the world’s most unhinged (and lovable) pup and navigating a no-strings-attached roommate situation, sparks start flying faster than either of them can handle.
Olivia’s juggling home and office renovations (and some emotional baggage) and Lucian offers a solution to help her out when she needs a place to stay. What starts as a temporary arrangement turns into something a lot more real, and much more complicated than Olivia was bargaining.
I absolutely adored these characters. Their chemistry was electric, the banter was A+, and honestly, Sarah the dog might be the best wingman in romcom history.
If you're looking for a feel-good story with heart, heat, and hilarious texting chaos—this one's for you.
If you love witty, combative banter in romance, you are going to love this book. The banter, the text messages, the tension, it is giving me life. This story has had me in a chokehold from the very start. The absolutely addictive back & forth of Olivia & Lucian had me completely feral for more. I adore epistolary elements in romance, and their text chain is like watching a tennis match. Each witty quip skillfully volleyed back awaiting the return comeback. At the end of the day, I don’t know who won but the score is clearly 40-Love and Love is the only winner! From skilled barbs, to hilariously imaginative doggy letters, it is pure joy in written form. Which would make an easy one-word review, “Joy” but the truth is I could use many single words. Banter, addictive, joy, hot, adorable. Easily taking the title of Fav Crawford.
Of course I loved Jason Clarke’s skilled narration as the witty and spicy, Lucian Crawford. The man knows how to deliver, especially when it came to all those flirty, hot texts. This was my first time listening to Brooke Bloomingdale, and I am a fan. Such a fabulous range when it came to the somewhat chaotic, wonderfully witty Olivia. Together they were magnetic and a joy to listen to.
For someone that loves text messages in books as much as I do, Texting, Trouble & Touchdowns was an absolute dream for me! Experiencing the wittiness in their exchanges through audio was even better. When the tension started to build I thought it was going to boil over, but our girl Olivia held strong for far longer than I could have.
Olivia was a feisty queen and I absolutely loved her. Lucien thought his charm was going to quickly win her over, but boy was he mistaken. She made him work for it like a good woman should. Their texting banter and flirting was hilarious. I felt like I was in the middle of their exchanges and it was an experience I won't soon forget.
We cannot forget Sarah and her too smart for her own good self. I swear that dog was part human with how she played the two of them. She knew exactly what she was doing and the addition of a lovable fur baby to this story was so fun.
Jason Clarke and Brooke Bloomingdale delivered all the banter and tension between Olivia & Lucien and I found myself laughing out loud throughout the entire story. They were incredible.
The Crawford Family Playbook series has been such a delight and so enjoyable. I highly recommend!
I'm obsessed with the latest release from Kendall Hale!
Texting Trouble & Touchdowns is a spicy, slow burn, sports romance which easily scores the touchdown. The story is told in dual pov and the audiobook is dual narrated by Jason Clarke and Brooke Bloomingdale. It follows the MCs Lucian and Olivia. I loved these characters with my full chest. Olivia has that black cat grump energy and I was here for it. I love grumpy women. Lucian was the perfect partner to balance her out. He is a very naughty man and I fell hard for him. If you are an audiobook person, GET THE AUDIOBOOK! The narration put the awesomeness in the sauce. The BANTER in this book was superb and the narrators made it even better. They truly embodied these characters. Jason Clarke's mouth will have you blushing. As for the spice, be warned that this book is NSFW (not safe for work). The spice in this will burn your tongue, it’s the full jalapeño sizzle. I devoured this book like chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting!!
Themes & Tropes:
💚Pro Football Player & Veterinarian 💙Forced Proximity 🩵Reverse Grumpy/ Sunshine 💚He Falls First 💙Finders Keepers 🩵Slow Burn 💚Neighbors 💙Black Cat & Golden Retriever
Overall, loved this read! ❤️ All the thumbs up for this read! This is a TBR must!
I am such a huge Kendall Hale fan and I cannot get enough of her books. Texting, Trouble, and Touchdowns is a part of the Crawford Family Playbook series and one I was not so patiently awaiting for and I was not disappointed. I LOVED this story and probably my favorite so far in the series.
First of all, Sarah! She was the absolute best. I was ready for her to be the star and she did not disappoint. I loved her and totally wanted more. And yes, she’s a dog, but she was such a great addition to the story and she was the best part about their relationship.
Lucien is a golden retriever MMC with a kind heart and a dirty mouth, Olivia is the complete opposite. She’s a no nonsense, to the point veterinarian trying to get her clinic up and running. They are total opposites and enemies that happen to be neighbors and are brought together by Sarah and some renovations that bring the banter, the chemistry and the spice.
The series keeps getting better and better and I cannot get enough. I am totally in love with this story and I finished it in like 2 days. I couldn’t put it down.
“No more holding back. No more pretending it’s merely sex, convenience, or survival. It’s love. Messy and beautiful and flawed. When we finally pull apart, breathless, his forehead rests against mine….Because this time, I’m not afraid of falling. He’s already caught me.” 😭👏🏼😮💨
I absolutely loved this one! I didn’t want to stop the audio. Between a crazy attention seeking pup, Lucian’s delightfully good dirty mouth, and Olivia’s waring with het emotions, this book everyone!!
100% recommend if you love tropes! 👇 🏈 Sports romance / football romance 🐈⬛ Golden retriever / black cat romance ☀️ Grumpy / sunshine romance (grumpy heroine, sunshine hero) 👋 Neighbors / forced proximity romance trope 🖤🩷 Opposites attract romance trope ❤️🔥He falls first and hard romance trope
This slow-burn romcom is steamy, hilarious, and full of heart—and it’s ready to steal your whole day (and probably your sleep).
This book is hilarious and a fun read and listen. Lucian Crawford, a star football player, is Olivia’s new neighbor. She bought a fixer-upper and the last thing she wants is help. However, Lucian makes himself known and inserts himself into Olivia’s life through his super friendly dog. When Olivia asserts custody of the dog, they share custody and flirty text messages.
Lucian and Olivia have the best banter, and most of it happens through text messages. I enjoyed this book so much. Luc is both annoying and endearing, while Olivia, despite trying to be independent, eventually learns how to let someone help. This is a huge step for Olivia. Luc actively seeks to stay involved and in Olivia’s life no matter how much she tries to keep him at a distance. The push and pull between Olivia and Lucy makes this slow burn even sweeter. If you enjoy a cute sports romance with witty and flirty banter and the most adorable dog, I highly recommend this book. Bonus recommendation, grab the audio version. It’s narrated in Duet, which adds an extra layer to the story. Jason Clark and Brooke Bloomingdale did a fantastic job and you will love every minute of this listen.