Review: Wildflowers and Wide Receivers by Kathryn Andrews (Tampa Tarpons #1)

Note: An advance reader copy (ARC) was provided by the author via The Author Agency.

It's been over four years since my last read by Kathryn Andrews, so imagine my disappointment (in myself) when I learned that I'd missed three (I think) releases since that last time. Well, I went ahead and added those titles to my to-be-read list, plus a series starter from 2015, because my sole focus was on the series starter for 2024--Wildflowers and Wide Receivers, which is book one in Andrews' new Tampa Tarpons series set in, you guessed it, Tampa, Florida and highlights the eponymous professional American football team.

Jonah Dallmann's life changed on New Year's Eve. He met a woman who felt like she was "the one", and that their time together was just the beginning of a dream meant to come true. Then his worst nightmare came to fruition, leaving him the legal guardian of his niece, Vivianne. Two years later, Jonah's (26) world is composed of Vivi (7) and being a wide receiver with the Tampa Tarpons. But when Vivi sustains an injury and Jonah takes her to Tampa Bay Pediatric Orthopedics, he meets Dr. Black, aka Sophie Black (33) the woman he never forgot but also failed to get back in touch with after that night. Could this be his second chance or has he lost his shot at forever?

This series starter was a story about love and family. Amidst the grief that Jonah and Vivi carried with them was a resilience that made me want to wrap my arms around the two. Jonah's love for his niece was heartwarming, and it was clear that Vivi adored her uncle in equal measure. Sophie slotted right into their family, making it even more complete. Now, it's not as if they picked up where they left off two years prior, and I appreciated that it took a while for Jonah and Sophie to dip their toes in more romantic waters. This was light on the football, but Jonah's teammates where the comic relief in an otherwise angsty and romantic read. I'm also curious to see who among them will get a book as the series moves forward, especially since some are already in relationships. Wildflowers and Wide Receivers receives four stars.

Release Date: 01 November 2024

Date Read: 27 October 2024

Learn more about Kathryn Andrews.

Pre-order Wildflowers and Wide Receivers on Amazon.