[Review] Intercepted by Alexa Martin

*I received a copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Title: Intercepted (Playbook #1)
Author: Alexa Martin
Publisher: Berkley Books
Publication Date: September 11, 2018

Marlee thought she scored the man of her dreams only to be scorched by a bad breakup. But there’s a new player on the horizon, and he’s in a league of his own…

Marlee Harper is the perfect girlfriend. She’s definitely had enough practice by dating her NFL-star boyfriend for the last ten years. But when she discovers he has been tackling other women on the sly, she vows to never date an athlete again. There’s just one problem: Gavin Pope, the new hotshot quarterback and a fling from the past, has Marlee in his sights.

Gavin fights to show Marlee he’s nothing like her ex. Unfortunately, not everyone is ready to let her escape her past. The team’s wives, who never led the welcome wagon, are not happy with Marlee’s return. They have only one thing on their minds: taking her down. But when the gossip makes Marlee public enemy number one, she worries about more than just her reputation.

Between their own fumbles and the wicked wives, it will take a Hail Mary for Marlee and Gavin’s relationship to survive the season.
Review: Well, this was definitely the romance I needed to get me out of my slump! It’s such a fun second-chance sports romance filled to the brim with delicious drama. Marlee has been waiting for her boyfriend to put a ring on it for longer than she can remember. She’s part of the football wives club, but they don’t let her forget she’s still just a girlfriend. The only thing keeping her going to the meetings is her best friend. Oh, and the entertainment of course. Did I mention she loves to hashtag her life, too?

Everything changes when Gavin Pope reappears in her life. He’s the one night stand that got away. Suddenly he is back in her life full force and their chemistry is off the charts. Marlee doesn’t want another football boyfriend so she puts up a fight at first. But she ends up being thrown back into the drama of the football wives again. Being Gavin Pope’s girlfriend puts her under the brightest spotlight and the pressure is on. Of course, all Marlee can really do is take so much shit thrown her way until she snaps. She has never been one to stand in the sidelines. Marlee loves throwing the punches, but she quickly becomes public enemy number one. Gavin and Marlee go through so much in this book and so many obstacles are thrown left and right and they jump hurdles to make everything work.

Marlee is such a dynamite protagonist. Once her fuse is lit, there is no putting it out. I love how she refuses to back down and fight for what she wants, never settling for less. It was also refreshing to see her reject the status quo by putting herself first. Marlee is all about making a name for herself and finding her own success rather than living off the money that comes with being a football wife. I really respected her as a character and love that she doesn’t change herself. She also deals with so much discrimination: racist remarks, snubs about her weight, and relationship shaming. There is also a lot of catcalling and sexist remarks thrown her way as well. She’s such a strong woman and has such a thick skin.

Intercepted is basically The Real Housewives meets Fraternize. This book is whip-smart and filled with all the sassy banter. It’s basically an overdose of Reality TV and totally a guilty pleasure. Let me tell you, I came for the romance and stayed for the drama. But also, Marlee and Gavin forever because I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love them. I can’t wait for more from Alexa Martin!

Rating: 5/5