SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW - "Red Zone" by Sherri Hayes

SUMMARY from Goodreads:
After a case ended badly for Rebecca Carson, she’s losing her mind sitting around her apartment waiting on her superiors to allow her to return to work. Since she was a teenager, the only thing she’d ever wanted was to join the FBI. Now that dream was in danger.

Gage Daniels has made a pretty good life for himself. A nice house. A career he loves. As a professional football player, he’s used to getting almost everything he’d ever want with just the snap of his fingers. This includes women. A well-timed smile is usually all it takes to attract the opposite sex, especially in Nashville.

When a stalker threatens Gage, the team owner calls an old friend, Rebecca’s ex-partner Travis Hansen, to help protect his star quarterback and find the person responsible. Hansen offers Rebecca the job, and she jumps at the chance. It’s work, and it will get her out of her apartment. How bad can it be?

REVIEW: 
Red Zone is Book 2 in the Daniel Brothers series by Sherri Hayes.  This story is a step above most sports romances. It is a cross-genre book where it appeals to both sports romance readers as well as romantic suspense.  I enjoyed the build up of the suspense and particularly liked the evolution of the relationship. 

The critique I have for this book is the same one I have for most sports-related stories:

1.  Is it relevant that the character is a professional athlete?  If the main characters was in a different profession, would it significantly change the story?  For this story? Yes and no.  It is relevant that Gage is a public figure, but not so much that he is a football star. 

2.  Does it address any sports-related issues?  Stalkers and stardom

3.  Are there good scenes of the game being played? This book needed more Game Day coverage.  I prefer it when authors not talk about the game, but rather get us into the game.

As mentioned above, Ms. Hayes really hits her stride with the developing attraction  between Rebecca and Gage.  In this area, this book is a winner.  I like how Rebecca keeps holding herself apart by clinging to her professionalism. It is easier for her to be detached and stoic rather than have to address her emotions.  I like watching Gage bring down those walls. 

IN A NUTSHELL:
This is more of a romance with a sports element, but nonetheless, a good read and one I would recommend. 


Thank you to The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House for the ARC via Netgalley