Book Review: Risky Game (Out of Bounds #3) by Tracy Solheim

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:
Release Date: May 6, 2014
Publisher: Berkley
320 Pages

In the next sizzling sports romance from the author of Foolish Games, Brody is at the top of his game… until Shannon changes the rules.

Baltimore Blaze tight end Brody Janik is a natural-born football star. At twenty-seven, his record-breaking athletic performance and his cover-boy good looks have turned him into a household name. But Brody’s hiding a major secret behind his charming public persona: a health condition that may cut his career short.

PhD candidate Shannon "Shay” Everett works multiple jobs to put herself through school—including an unpaid internship with the Blaze training department.  Strapped for cash, Shay answers the call of an NFL gossip blogger to uncover personal details about the Blaze players. Sneaking into the locker room one night, she gets entangled in Brody’s secret…and swept up by his charm.

Brody isn’t sure what to make of the gawky girl with the whiskey eyes, especially when he discovers she was snooping. His first instinct is to turn her in as a snitch, but she could destroy him by sharing his secret. Instead, he decides to keep her close…perhaps closer than either of them originally intended…

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Brody Janik has a secret. A secret that could possibly prevent him from continuing his career of a professional football player. The only person who knows this secret besides his trainer is the one of the teams interns, Shay Everett. Shay makes a deal with Brody to keep his secret if he lets her use him and his illness for her thesis paper. A deal is struck and I’m sure you can guess where this is going.

Both Brody and Shay don’t believe in love. Sure, Shay finds the star football player beautiful and charming, but she never would expect him to even glance her way. Having been overlooked all her life, Shay is more than happy to just melt away. However, once Brody gets more than a glance and actually begins to get to know Shay, he won’t let her just melt away.

I really enjoyed Brody and Shay as characters. I have a weakness for sports books, and even though I’m not a fan of football, I still enjoyed this book. There was just enough sports talk so that it didn't feel weighted down and also easy enough for someone who's never followed football to understand. Brody wasn’t your typical jock meathead. He came from a big family and pushed himself to the limit, always wanting to be the best. His relationship with his sisters and also with Shay’s neighbor were the highlights for me. Shay was feisty and when she finally lets her personality show, she becomes a very determined woman. I also felt the chemistry between him and Shay – even if they themselves didn’t see it. 

This is a steadily good adult series – and just look at those covers *drools*. I don’t know if this is the last one or if the writer is going to continue, but either way, I will check out what comes next from Solheim. 

I received an copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.