Wildcard
Publication Date: September 4, 2014
Synopsis
246.That's the number of women I've shagged in the last twelve months.
I'm Ryder Stevens.
Don't pretend you don't know me. I'm a god.
I'm hot, I'm British and I take what I want. I'm also the number one ranked tennis player in the world. But it's my off court antics that gain the most attention. I cruise through life, running from one scandal to the next. Hell I can't even take a piss without the world knowing about it.
Rules? Who gives a shit?
Rules are there to be broken and I'm the king of breaking them.
But even the king can be bought to his knees. I'm sidelined with an injury that changes everything.
Maybe my life isn't so perfect after all...
MY REVIEW
★★★★
4 Wildly Injured Stars!
ARC provided for an honest review
Tennis.
I'm a sucker for tennis especially Men's Professional tennis (ATP). I love watching tennis. So, when I read the this book's synopsis, I know I just need to read this. It's always about businessmen, bikers, football players, and not enough tennis players for heroes. Of course I'll jump straight for this!
Ryder Stevens - British professional tennis player who enjoys partying and women I think more than he enjoys playing tennis. He's charming, wild, sexy, and young. He holds the title of World's Number 1 in the rankings and has 12 Grand Slam titles. He's 24 years old. Should be healthy and injury-free, right?
Wrong.
On the eve of the French Open finals, he decided that a wild night of drinks and sex is the best way to prepare for the next day's match. After a couple of drinks and taking 4 girls back to his hotel room, he ended up with a lower back injury, passed out and missed the Final match. Tsk tsk. He's a funny dude even when he's being an ass. Maybe because he doesn't try to be a jerk. There's no haunting past (that we know of so far), no dark childhood, he's just what he is and that adds to his charm. At least for me.
"There's nothing like being berated by a child to make you feel like a total asshole."
Now that he's cooped up in a room with nothing better to do, he was advised to go through his fanmail and go through his fanmail he did. After a handful of marriage proposals, "I love you"s, and panties, one letter struck a chord. A letter from a 7-year old kid who basically tells him that he's wasting his life and takes things for granted.
"We'd been talking for weeks -- every single day. She'd had me do things that I'd never normally do. She made me feel shit. I laugh again."
Scarlett Calera - American, single mother. Yes, that kid's mother. The kid who wrote Ryder that letter that somehow opened his eyes to things. After Ryder read that letter, he couldn't settle down. It bugged him because he was affected. And with tons of time in his hands and nothing to do, he searched for the Jake's, the kid, phone number and called him. Who he got on the phone, however, was Jake's protective and sassy mother. A mother who will protect her son from everything, especially bad influences like... Ryder. *snickers* Our guy Ryder didn't give up calling though until before he knew it, he's looking forward to talking to her.
What I loved:
- I did mention, I'm a fan of tennis right?
- Ryder Stevens. Because who wouldn't love a sexy, successful athlete who is also caring and generous deep, deep down? He has a golden heart and he doesn't even know it.
- Scarlett wasn't a frustrating character. She has no pity issues, she's confident, honest and sexy.
- Male POV. This whole part of the serial is told by Ryder and I always enjoy reading male POVs.
- A refreshing story from the books I've been reading lately. Wildcard is light, funny, sexy but also has a heartwarming element. And don't get me started with that "ending". Talk about "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!". I'm already excited for the second part of this series!
What I liked less:
- My favorite tennis player is former World #1 Roger Federer. He's held that ranking for 237 consecutive weeks and world record 302 weeks overall. He has 17 Grand Slam titles. He is 33 years old. Even the reigning World #1 who is 27 years old only have 7 GS on his belt. What I'm trying to say is, although I KNOW Wildcard is fiction, I wish some things were believable especially for tennis fans. 12 Grand Slams for a 24 year old? Might be possible however, I'm really sorry but it just doesn't click with me.
- There were a few parts where I felt the flow of the story was a bit choppy. They weren't too bad but they also weren't hard to miss. I had to do over and flip a page to make sure I got the scenes/dialogues right.
Will I recommend this? Heck yeah!
Even if you are not a tennis fan, I'm positive that you will enjoy this and can overlook what I just mentioned above as my "dislikes".
Missy Johnson have me hooked on another serial!
Stars: 4 Stars!
Recommended to: Tennis fans. Serial fans. Or if you're simply looking for a quick read to make you feel happy and hot at the same time.
POV: First person. Male POV.
Series: Yes. Part 1 of a 3-part serial novella.
EXTRA COMMENT: That "ending"… I'm holding my breath!!! I love it!!!
About Missy Johnson
Missy lives in a small town in Central Victoria with her husband, and her confused pets (a dog who think she’s a cat, a cat who thinks he’s a dog…you get the picture).
When she’s not writing, she can usually be found looking for something to read.
great review!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteAwesome review, It gave good pointers
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kitty!
DeleteThank youf or the awesome review, it really helps readers.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that. Thank you!
DeleteI really enjoyed this book and though it ended in a effin cliffy, I still love it and cannot wait to find out what happened after the ending in book 1. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review. Excited to read it
ReplyDeleteCannot wait to start book 2
ReplyDelete