FOR FINLAY (For You #1) by J NATHAN

‘But living in the shadow of someone else was the worst kind of fate. And for my own sanity, I put an end to it.’

We were in the mood for a sports romance and they don’t come much better than For Finlay. This felt like a classic old school NA romance with a well written football theme. J Nathan is a new to us Author and we fell in love with her story and characters. A fabulous frenemies to lovers’ story that’ll burrow deep in your heart. Whilst incredibly sad at times it’s also very sweet, passionate and funny.

“Never be afraid to tell people what you’re really thinking. It’s one of the most refreshing things about you.”

After a bit of a slow start we became hooked and this story captivated us as we went on a journey of high emotions, heartfelt angst as well as the tragedy of loss and self-discoveries. Do we live our lives for ourselves or others? Do we let the consequences of our past impact our future?

“He judged me before hearing the truth.”

For Finlay is a story a girl, Finlay, who suffers the dreadful loss of her twin brother during a time when their relationship is strained and fractious. The guilt is all encompassing and she’s living a life of regret, loneliness and trying to -in her own way- fulfil her dead brother’s dreams. Finlay is, despite what she thinks, quite the feisty independent girl with a quiet unassuming strength.

‘He made me feel things I’d never felt before. Things I wasn’t sure I’d feel again. But that’s why it was so scary.’

Caden is the all-American hero. The star quarterback who’s immediately drawn to Finlay for unexplainable reasons as she absolutely despises everything about him and makes this known daily. Despite her cold and somewhat hostile treatment of him, he can’t stay away. The chemistry is palpable and he craves her despite her outward hatred towards him. He wants to understand her. He wants her to feel like he feels. He wants her.

“Let me do whatever it takes to make this right.”

The flow of this story felt so natural and believable. We really got to know the characters, their stumbling blocks, insecurities and inner fights. There were times we had tears in our eyes and others were our hearts melted. Such a beautiful story that for some reason sparked a sentimentality in our hearts. A fabulous sports romance that did exactly what it set out to be!