Alexa Martin’s INTERCEPTED Scores with a Sharp, Snarky, Laugh-Out-Loud Hilarious Romance
Review copy provided by the publisher
When you read romance, obviously you’re supposed to be rooting for the main couple. In INTERCEPTED (out September 11, 2018), I found myself cheering not only for Marlee and Gavin, but for the rock solid friendships Marlee has with her bestie Naomi and boss Brynn.
After 10 years with her NFL wide receiver boyfriend, Marlee discovers he’s been hiding a side piece and it becomes all too clear just what a selfish, been-stringing-you-along ass he is. As push comes to shove, hot shot QB (and man from the past) Gavin Pope enters the picture. Hanging with Gavin means still dealing with the team wives who’ve made her life hell. But she’s done with athletes, isn’t she?
INTERCEPTED is sharp, snarky and laugh-out-loud hilarious. I doubted Gavin would remember Marlee years after a one night stand, dude is almost too perfect— hugely talented, hot, in-demand and single. Don’t worry, there are some flaws. What matters is that getting involved with Gavin gives Marlee a little pleasure (and why shouldn’t she have that?!) and it’s the impetus to learn more about herself, not Marlee and Chris, not Marlee and Gavin. Just Marlee.
INTERCEPTED is more than a romance. The love story is woven with a through line that valuing yourself and owning your independence is more important than getting or keeping any guy. It’s reinforced by first person POV, this is Marlee’s story.
In Intercepted, one of Marlee’s specialities in red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. So, of course, I made cupcakes.
I totally identified with Marlee and loved her friendships. With Naomi especially, these two have each other’s backs in a scenario where it would be easier to just go along to get aIong with Queen Bee Courtney, the president of the wives/girlfriends club. And when Brynn turns up to round out their trio, you know it’s gonna be fun.
There’s a scene where Naomi is updating Marlee and Brynn on the last WAGS meeting where the main topic is the benefit fundraiser Marlee had spearheaded. It tells you everything you need to know about the friendship between these women.
“So they’re all staring at me like I’m the enemy intruder until Courtney bangs that stupid glitter gavel on the table and all at once their heads swivel toward her like good little soldiers, and she starts the meeting. Through the entire meeting, every time she’d mention anything about the advertising or funds raised, I’d call out, ‘Marlee got so many donations,’ or ‘Didn’t Marlee do a great job on the design?’ Basically, I just mentioned your name at every opportunity I could find.
“And then…” She bounces in the seat so hard, It sends my chest into the metal edging of the table. “As soon as she hit the gavel for the final time, I paid my bill, stood up, and said, ‘See you next Tuesday, Court. Oops. I mean Wednesday,” winked at her and walked away.”
“Shut up!” Brynn and I shout at the same time and startle the two women chatting at the table next to us.
I mean honestly, you can’t help but love them.
Marlee does have this one quirk, punctuating her stories with hashtags. I thought it might get annoying, but most of them land like truth bombs, and lead to laugh-out-loud moments.
As much as I’ve talked about Marlee, there are other things to love in Intercepted:
- It’s a sports romance with SPORTS! INTERCEPTED has some game play, some sports business, NFL politics. It makes me nuts when a sports romance references a team, but barely has time on the field/ice, or takes place entirely in the off-season. No worries about that here.
- Marlee (and Naomi) are bi-racial. It’s not a thing, it just is. And I’m here for the new crop of debut novels that are making romance more inclusive and diverse. 2a.) Of course, I’m always about the food, and I love that Marlee’s nonna’s lasagna and red velvet cake are expressions of her identity.
- The Ending. Without spoiling anything, the ending has that urgency, that final play of the game, seconds left on the clock feel. It’s a nail biter, everyone’s up in the stands, hands clasped together. Can they make this happen?! So good.
The good news is INTERCEPTED is just the beginning. FUMBLED, book 2 in Martin’s Playbook series is due out early to mid 2019.
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