Ames‘ review of Hot in the Clutch (Gridiron series, Book 3) by Ann Jacobs
After twenty years in the NFL, Dave Delaney’s playing days are over and he’s back home in Hedgecock, Texas, coaching football at his old high school. He’s tired of meaningless sex and his empty lifestyle. Dave is ready for change and sets his sights on the girl who got away.
Diane Connors is attracted in a big way, but Dave is used to being chased by groupies almost young enough to be his daughters. He’s still a chick magnet with a wild reputation, and she’s gun-shy after escaping a miserable marriage with a bully—another local jock.
Thing is, neither of them can forget what might have been.
I thought Hot in the Clutch was ok. The characters are a bit older – Dave had to leave the NFL due to an injury and Diane is divorced and now a single mother. But I think that age lends itself to the novella in that it makes it more realistic. Diane divorced her abusive ex-husband when he turned on their young son. And she doesn’t want to get married ever again but when she sees Dave back in town, she figures there’s nothing wrong with a fling. Because even though sex with her ex was awful, she knows with the right partner things can be good – and that makes her so sensible! I like sensible and practical heroines. And Dave, Dave wants to settle down – and he wants to do that with Diane. So you can see how their age makes this a bit more believable. If these characters were younger, them willing to move so quickly wouldn’t have been realistic.
Also, Dave always had a thing for Diane, even back in high school. But she was already with her ex back in their high school days and so Dave never made a move. I enjoyed the fact that he had been attracted to her before.
This is book 3 in the Gridiron Lovers series but reads fine as a stand-alone.
Coming in at 90 pages, Hot in the Clutch is a quick read. So if you’re interested in a hunky, albeit injured jock getting together with a woman who knows what she wants, check this quickie out. 3.25 out of 5.
This book is available from Ellora’s Cave. You can buy it here in e-format.
Thanks for the nice review–I have to own up to liking Ann Jacobs’ writing and her books–often about older women/younger men. I think this series about young football players as well as those who are “over the hill” has lots to recommend it as romance context. I liked this one and glad you thought it was OK.