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Tag Archives: Kristen Vail

Spotlight – Hate To Be The One

13 Thursday Nov 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

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Hate To Be The One, Kristen Vail, Shafer U series

Hate To Be The One

Shafer U Book Three

by Kristen Vail

Blurb:

Hating the arrogant quarterback was easy… until I needed his help.

My escape is all planned out: get promoted at my restaurant job, finish college, avoid distractions—i.e. men—and soon love, with all its broken promises, will be in the rearview mirror.

Until my manager informs me that if I want that promotion, I’ll need to be trained—by none other than Reeve Dalton.

Shafer U’s cocky blue-eyed quarterback?

The man I’ve despised since he humiliated my best friend?

Please, no.

I’m not afraid to let Reeve know I find his arrogance infuriating instead of intoxicating—no matter how many times he catches me staring at his sexy signature smirk.

If only he didn’t step in and rescue me from a humiliating showdown with my ex.

If only he wasn’t so good at firing up my short temper.

Then maybe my desire wouldn’t burn even hotter than my hate.

Now I’m in trouble.

Because girls all over campus would throw away their lives for one night with Reeve… and I might just be one of them.

Hate To Be The One is a full-length standalone novel and can be enjoyed even if you haven’t read the other books in the Shafer U Series.

Pre-Order Link:

https://a.co/d/8gfBuND

Available in KU 

*****

Author Info:

Kristen Vail is the author of spicy sports romance featuring realistic characters and relationships with plenty of delicious tension. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, kids and rescue pup.

When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking, listening to music and rewatching shows from the ‘90s.

Connect with Kristen Vail:

https://www.instagram.com/kristenvailbooks/

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Spotlight – Let It Be Me

02 Wednesday Jul 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

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Kristen Vail, Let It Be Me, Shafer U series

Let It Be Me

Shafer U, Book Two

by Kristen Vail

Blurb:

All I did was agree to be there for my best friend during a routine surgery. How could I have known his first words when he woke up would change our friendship forever? 

To everyone else on campus, Lorenzo Rossi is the star football player with the promising future. To me, he’s the other half of my heart. My source of strength since I was a kid. Oh yeah, and the only man I’ve ever loved.

But he doesn’t need to know that. 

Because Lorenzo isn’t just tall, dark and covered in hot tattoos, he’s perfection. Totally unattainable for a girl whose biggest accomplishment is landing a job cleaning aquariums. 

Until the day Lorenzo goes into surgery… and comes out saying the words I’ve spent a lifetime longing to hear.

Suddenly I have everything I’ve ever wanted and one long, steamy summer to enjoy it—warm days under the sun with Lorenzo, hot nights in his bed, and scorching games of truth or dare.

But as sultry kisses give way to heartfelt words, a secret slips out… and suddenly our more-than-friends experiment is a game of all-or-nothing. Either I fight for the one thing I’ve always wanted, or I lose my best friend—and with him, everything I love.

Buy Link:
https://a.co/d/g5F1H58
Available in KU 

Connect with Kristen Vail:
https://www.instagram.com/kristenvailbooks/

~

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Review – Right the First Time

01 Saturday Feb 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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Book Review, Kristen Vail, Right the First Time, Shafer U series

Right the First Time

Shafer U Book 1

by Kristen Vail

Blurb:

He’s the smoking-hot football star. 

I’m the nerd just trying to graduate. 

So why does he keep staring at me?

I’ve always been the girl guys ignore until they need my class notes. But being invisible suits me. I’m at college to keep my head down, get accepted to grad school and hopefully save my dysfunctional family.

Simple enough—until Cam Forrester looks my way.

I’m not about to get sidetracked by some sexy wide receiver. The last time I trusted a man like him I got burned so bad I still can’t shake the dark memories.

But when Cam rescues me from one of the most humiliating moments of my life, I realize this cold, cocky athlete isn’t so cold when he’s around me.

So when he vows to prove to me he’s more than meets the eye…well, what girl wouldn’t give in?

Trust a heartbreaker with my fragile heart?

That’s a dangerous play.

And I’m all in.

Buy Link:

https://a.co/d/hWxIboE

Available in KU

*****

Review:

There was so much I enjoyed with Lenni & Cam’s story. I felt for her as she struggled to distance herself from her past and juggle school & family. It’s a lot for anyone and naturally she’s finding it difficult on her own. It leads to lots of mistakes, poor assumptions and miscommunication.

Cam has his own troubles. Trying to balance school, family, others’ expectations, and his own wants. It’s a big part of growing older as we try to figure out who we are, what we want, and how to honor ourselves & those we love. It’s a struggle for him, but he is a stand up guy with a good heart and does the best he can to do the right thing.

For a first book, I’m really impressed. Vail does a good job of giving us characters with flaws and issues that feel realistic, with a good balance of sweetness, angst, and growth. These are not perfect people, they struggle but they try, and I appreciate that there’s a good resolution for both of them individually as well as a couple. I’m looking forward to seeing where the author takes us next. Reeve’s got lots going on and I need to know everything 🙂

(Please note that there are content warnings for this one that can be found on the author’s website – kristenvail.com)

*****

Author Info:

Kristen Vail is the author of spicy sports romance featuring realistic characters and relationships with plenty of delicious tension. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, kids and rescue pup.

When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking, listening to music and rewatching shows from the ‘90s.

Connect with Kristen Vail:

https://www.instagram.com/kristenvailbooks/

~

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FTC Disclaimer - see bottom of page for complete statement, but please be aware that in many cases I am provided a book to read. However my opinions are my own & no guarantee of positive review is given by any party.

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"Like everything else in the Rosewood River series, I enjoyed the heck out of this one." Full review at romanticread.com 🔥COVER REVEAL & PRE-ORDER ANNOUNCEMENT🔥 "From their Hallmark Channel worthy meet-cute to Holly finally finding herself, it’s just so sweet." Full review at romanticread.com "So emotional and with characters that captured me from the first page." Full review at romanticread.com "Loved, loved, loved me some Travis" Full review at romanticread.com Coming soon - REBOUND CONTROL by @jodioliverauthor releasing January 9th! "There’s a reason Piper Rayne is on my must read list and it shows from start to finish here. So much of the feels (heartache and sweet moments alike), steaminess, humor, and love from family, both born & found." Full review at romanticread.com "I just loved the two of them together – the way they kind of accidentally slide into a relationship, complete with teenagers, pets, and a fixer-upper house is just priceless." Full review at romanticread.com "While this the first in this series I’ve read (and this author for that matter), I really enjoyed myself ... their courtship and HEA made me happy." Full review at romanticread.com

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FTC Disclaimer

I have received ARCs of books free from NetGalley (and many moons ago from BookTrib.com) to review but the majority of the stories are either bought by me or provided for free from the publisher, author, or PR company. The opinions I share are my own and in no way are influenced by an author or publisher. There is no promise of a positive review by any party and there is no additional compensation. Unless otherwise noted, I am not affiliated with any contest or other event mentioned on this blog and I do not receive a paid endorsement for any post.

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