HAIL MARY by NICOLA RENDELL :: REVIEW
7 December, 2016
Our Review
“I need you more than you can possibly understand. I need you with me. I want you with me. By my fucking side, in my bed, in my life. On the road. The plane. Not just to fuck. Not just to get dirty. But I need you to let me love you I need you to let me unleash on you. I can’t be polite about it much longer.”
We’ve been on such a book high since finishing Hail Mary! This book made us feel so bloody happy as we lost ourselves completely to Jimmy and Mary’s story, easily declaring it to be our favourite sports romance of the year.
“You know you can tell me to step back, but I can’t. And I won’t. And I never will. Because you’re all fucking mine and that’s how it is.” ‘All fucking mine.’
Hail Mary encompassed everything we love in a good sport romance, and even convinced us of the insta love connection between Jimmy and Mary; something we often find difficult to feel and believe. Not so in this case. We felt the intense passion, we believed the unbreakable bond and we lived and breathed the love between these two from the outset.
“The earth will pivot on this. The sun will rise and set on this.”
All too often we find the ‘sports‘ element to be lacking in sports romance, and whilst we may not understand all the ins and outs of NFL, that doesn’t stop us wanting to soak up the ambiance of the event as though we’re sitting in the stands feeling the nervous anticipation with our hero and heroine. It’s an important factor for us and this author brought this aspect well and truly to fruition, much to our delight.
“Break the rules for me. Please.”
Nicola Rendell managed to deliver the perfect balance of explosive chemistry, naturally funny moments, swoony sweet, ridiculously sexy and abundant emotion to Hail Mary. We swooned over Jimmy, we fell in love with Mary, we giggled over her friendship with Bridget, we lost our hearts to little Annie and we howled with laughter at Frankie Knuckles, (pun intended) that cute little canine! Nicola’s comedic timing is spot on and so effortless. Not once did it feel forced, flowing easily between all characters=and many a time, this author had us in fits!
And…We’re ruined! Completely and utterly ruined by one Mr James (Jimmy) Falconi! This guy was THE package (with quite the package!) – this sexy, alpha, dirty talking, possessive, protective Quarterback with a vulnerable and sweet side and a penchant for Pinterest, Costco, children and dogs melted our hearts…and our knickers! Wowsers! Jimmy wasn’t afraid to say and show exactly how he felt and constantly had us swooning, fanning ourselves and even tearing up once or twice….In the words of Mary…… ‘He wanted to sweep me off my feet. I’d say I’m already airborne.’
“Get ready, because I’m going to kiss you.”
“I’m ready.” I take the buttons of his Henley in my fist and pull him closer.
“You fucking better be.”
Mary was such a gorgeous and relatable heroine. Despite issues from her past, she was plucky, strong, funny and so honest, never the victim. There was no messing about with Mary, she didn’t dwell and never once did she frustrate us. We got her. We understood her and we adored her! We related to the spirit and bond of her and Bridget’s friendship. These girls were so warm and friendly and such a hoot!
Whilst the sex was off the charts hot, it was the connection between Jimmy and Mary that grabbed us in Hail Mary. We expected a light-hearted and steamy romp, and it was certainly that, but it was also a whole lot more as well! There was one scene in particular where the emotion completely overrode the physical and it was beautiful, it was heartfelt and it cemented our belief in Mary and Jimmy.
“Where have you been all my life?” …..And then her eyes meet mine, which is when she says one word. The perfect thing.
“Waiting.”
To say we enjoyed Hail Mary is an understatement! Sometimes it’s the easiest reads that bring the most enjoyment, the most effortless entertainment for the reader; such was the case with Hail Mary, and we make that summation in the most positive and flattering of ways, because we know the work involved in making a story come across this way. Nicola Rendell is proving herself to be such a versatile and talented author. We’ve loved all her characters and enjoy the fact that friendships bear as much importance as the romance factor in her stories, it’s something we love. We enjoyed Professed, we really, really liked Confessed and now we’ve been completely bowled over by Hail Mary. Watching this author evolve is extremely exciting and you can bet we’ll be grabbing anything this lady produces. Nicola Rendell well and truly has us under her storytelling spell!
Oh and note to Nicola Rendell from TBB: Please! Please! Please! Write Bridget’s book!
Synopsis
At a boxing gym in Chicago, Mary Monahan accidentally knocks out the most handsome man she’s ever met. After she wakes him up with a few slaps and some smelling salts, the very first thing he does is ask her out for ribs and beer. His name is Jimmy. He looks like a Gillette model. And he’s just too hunky to resist.
Jimmy “The Falcon” Falconi is mystified that Mary has absolutely no idea who he is. Mystified and refreshed. He is, after all, not your everyday NFL quarterback. He shops at Costco, has a soft spot for Pinterest, and is in the midst of an epic losing streak.
Jimmy falls for Mary fast and hard, the way he does everything—balls out and like it’s fourth and long. And he realizes he’s finally met his match. That stamina he’s so proud of? Doesn’t stand a chance against her Kegels.
But what they don’t know is she’s also his new physical therapist, recently hired by the Bears to work on his rotator cuff…and groin injury. If she can’t help him, he’ll be traded faster than they can say “offensive penetration.”
In spite of the thousands of internet memes featuring Jimmy’s face with captions like: “HEY GIRL, WANT TO TOUCH MY BALLS?” Mary finds herself falling for him and his unrelenting desire to make her his.
Until a toddler shows up at Jimmy’s door.
And throws their lives into total chaos.
***
To the reader: Sweet. Safe. HEA. This is a comedy that gets very dirty, so be advised. Other tasters’ notes: Hints of honey and champagne. And a feisty little dog named Frankie Knuckles.
Other Books By This Author
Standalone Reads
Alpha Dogs Series
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Keep In Touch!
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Aim Laird said:
Excited to read this!!
admin said:
You will love it! <3
Anna said:
So excited to read this! And even more excited after I found both Professed and Confessed on my Kindle. Yay for book hoarding!
admin said:
Oh yay for hoarding lol <3
Natalie B. said:
Great Review 😀 Can´t wait to read it 😀 Already read Professed and loved it. Want to read more of this author!
admin said:
Oh gosh, then you will LOVE this one xo
Emma said:
Looking forward to reading this, will review once read ????
Stephanie said:
Wow this looks so good. Awesome review.
Madalyn said:
Cannot wait to read Hail Mary! It’s at the top of my TBR list!
admin said:
Yay1 Enjoy xo
Nisha Tissoo said:
Looking forward to this book, sounds exciting.
Serena said:
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! One of my top reads of 2016!!! Jimmy!!! <3!!!
Brandi said:
This sounds awesome!
admin said:
It really is! <3
Jacquie Martin said:
I loved this book!!
Jackie pinhorn said:
All done!
Would really love this thanks
Maria Zakou said:
Read it and loved it
Maïwenn said:
One of my favourite books ever!
Arwen Shoemaker said:
This looks good..I’m excited to check it out. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Lisa Hershaw said:
I’ve totally just bump Hail Mary by Nicola Randall to the top of my list, because of this.
Lisa Hershaw said:
Sorry I meant Nicola Rendell – so sorry. ????????
riza pabelonia said:
Love the book! ❤
Cindy Gibson said:
I really wanna read this one!!
Clayr Catherall said:
So need to read this book 🙂
Janet Harrall said:
Would love this thank you
Caeolina León said:
I already have the other two books of Nicola and I can’t wait to have this one as well!! She is an amazing writer????❤
admin said:
Well, you’ll love this one then <3
Nishi Jindal said:
Loved this book! ????????
Paige said:
LOVED this book!
Sandra McMahon said:
Looking forward to this book!☘️
Jaime said:
This book was not even on my radar, but it is after reading all of the great reviews!!!
admin said:
Yay! Hope you love it. xox
Shannon Cole said:
I cannot wait to read Hail Mary!!
I love Sports Romance ????
This book sounds so good!
And I love this Cover!!
Heather Scully said:
I’m so dying to read this book! It sounds awesome! ☺️❤️????