In Hail Mary by Kandi Steiner, a tattoo artist finds herself reluctantly living with Leo Hernandez, North Boston University’s star running back and the bane of her existence. Once her teenage crush, Leo broke her heart years ago and doesn’t even remember it. Now, forced into close quarters at “The Pit,” his infamous football house, she struggles to resist his cocky charm and lingering glances. As old wounds resurface and unresolved tension ignites, she must decide whether to guard her heart or risk it all for the boy who shattered it before.
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Basics
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance & New Adult.
Series: Red Zone Rivals, #4
POV: Dual 1st Person
Heat: Explicit
Tropes/Themes: Curvy heroine, sassy heroine, latin hero, athlete hero, alpha hero, football, grumpy vs. sunshine, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, miscommunication, angst, second chances & groveling.
Amazon Rating: 4.4 / 5
Goodreads Rating: 4.02 / 5
According to readers . . .
Positives:
Unique heroine: Mary’s curvy, tattooed, and pierced appearance, adds depth and diversity to the character.
Chemistry between leads: The slow-burn romance and tension between Mary and Leo resonates strongly. There is vulnerability and emotional depth between the characters.
Relatable themes: Themes of self-discovery, self-worth, and overcoming insecurities are highly relatable and impactful.
Negatives:
Secondary characters: Secondary characters need more development to enrich the story further.
Miscommunication trope: The lack of communication between the leads is frustrating and prolongs conflict unnecessarily.
Character frustration: While mary’s insecruities are relatable, they are overly emphaized, making her growth repetitive at times.
