Review: To Earn Her Trust by Mackenzie Crowne (Players #2)
Note: This ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
To Win Her Trust is the second novel in the Players sports romance series from author Mackenzie Crowne and it features Kevin "Tuck" Tucker, wide receiver for the Manhattan Marauders and considered the best wide receiver in the league, and CC Calhoun, a talented artist who prefers to not link her name to her work, choosing to remain anonymous, shunning any kind of publicity or attention. When Tuck rescues CC from a panic attack in the most unconventional way possible: with a kiss. Now, CC can't help but wonder if it worked because of the act itself or because of the lips behind the kiss. Tuck is more than ready and more than willing to be her "test stud" and both agree to a temporary arrangement that will have them seeing each other over the next three weeks before they cut things off when Tuck leaves for training camp. However, the time spend together proves to Tuck that CC is the first woman to make him actually want something that involves time and commitment. Now, if only CC can learn to simply let go and trust Tuck...
Tuck was such a memorable supporting character in the series starter, To Win Her Love, and while he's always been something of a ladies' man, he's ready to prove that with the right woman, he's ready to put in more of an effort to not just pursue the woman herself but to go after an actual relationship. CC is not his usual "type" but her vulnerability is part of her appeal, with Tuck wanting to know the real CC, the one she keeps tucked away (pun not intended) from those she keeps her distance from. There's a reason why CC's wary about men in general and men who not only have a reputation for being playboys but also happen to be in the public eye a lot. Tuck isn't entirely sure what it secrets CC has, but that doesn't stop him from wanting to gently nudge her outside of her comfort zone. He wants her to experience life and not merely float through it. When he finds out what it is in her past she'd rather keep hidden, his reaction to it could spell an early end to what they're still trying to figure out or it could very well give them a shot at forever.
CC suffers from panic attacks that were brought about by a traumatic event when she was merely a child. It's the very same event that has her not wanting to have any sort of communication or relationship with her father. While that period in her life isn't delved into deeply, it's clear that the ramifications continue to linger even after sixteen years have passed. CC is an inspiring female lead character, because even though she has her fears and anxieties, she doesn't want to be merely a survivor of her past circumstances. She wants to be able to live and breathe freely, no longer held back or stifled by things she has no control over. It's Tuck that gives her the strength and confidence to see beyond her fears and realize that she can truly live a fuller life. I will say, though, that as much as I liked her, she did something heartbreaking to Tuck and I seriously wanted to shake her so she would listen to reason. But, hey, it did lead to one hell of a romantic gesture, so it served its purpose in the end. To Earn Her Trust met my expectations and earned 4.5 stars. ♥
Date Read: 12 April 2016
Learn more about Mackenzie Crowne.
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