Kick Off

The District Line, Book 1

By: C.F. White

Narrated by: Piers Ryman

Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

One moment of madness ended it all. A flare of temper, a thrown punch, and Jay Ruttman’s dream of being a footballer evaporated.

Thrown out of the Pro Academy, Jay falls back to Plan B. University. At least he got accepted on the sports scholarship. It might keep his dreams alive. Now he has a new plan: head down. Train hard. Get scouted. That plan does not include falling for a rock musician - last thing he needs is a posh muso stirring up those well-hidden preferences that could end Jay’s career before it can even begin.

Sebastian Saunders is out and proud. This rich kid rock musician wants to live it up, chase the dream, and rock out for as long as he can, dodging his millionaire father’s plans for him to take the helm of the family business. He has a strict rule that he doesn’t date closet cases because he’s been there, done that. So that should mean not falling for shy, sexy footballers, no matter how pretty their baby blue eyes are.

For the sake of his heart. And both of their dreams.

Kick Off is the first book in the District Line series. A new-adult opposites-attract first-time sports/rocker contemporary MM romance serial featuring an East End cockney footballer, a West End elite public-school boy gone rogue, and the London tube line that connects them both.

©2018 C.F. White (P)2019 C.F. White

Great start to the trilogy

This is my first book by C. F. White and I enjoyed it immensely. While this is a sports romance in that Jay is a University footballer (soccer for those of us in the U.S.), there isn’t a focus on actual game play. Jay and Seb are opposites in so many ways yet find a connection – initially physical attraction, but it blooms into so much more. White brings us fully into both Jay & Seb’s worlds, introduces us to their families, their friends, their hope and dreams, as well as their fault and defeats. While incorporating many popular romance tropes, this didn’t feel over-the-top angsty or make any antagonist overly caricature.

Cliffhanger. This is absolutely a cliffhanger in the sense that this kicks off the District Line trilogy. You *could* read/listen to this story all on it’s own. To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of Duets & Trilogies. Too many of them feel like single stories needlessly dragged out or chopped into smaller sections to become multiple books. There’s no HEA for Jay & Seb, but there is a complete and compelling story here.

I didn’t think twice about purchasing the next book in the series, Break Through.

This is my first time listening to Piers Ryman and he is absolutely phenomenal. He expertly navigated a massive cast of characters using a variety of accents and registers consistently throughout the book. You always knew who was talking whether the text indicated it or not. This isn’t a criticism of Ryman as an artist – but I’m not entirely sure he was the appropriate voice to cast for this. He sounds older. Not like the 20-somethings he is portraying. While the performance was fantastic, feeling like a 40+ year old was speaking sometimes brought me out of the story.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Great storyline

Loved this story. The characters Jay and Seb are socool. I felt sorry for Jay having to hide who he is . I enjoyed Seb he is fun and exciting. They blend well together I was surprised. Can’t wait to listen to Break Through. The narrator was amazing

Pretty Good

Good characters, interesting storyline. Plenty of issues to overcome and deal with.

Our athletic MC is rightfully concerned about coming out. In his world, being homosexual is documented and any potential soccer teams would have access to that info. Decisions regarding his future might be based on that one fact.

Our musician MC has been out and doesn't have to depend on his sexuality to wow a crowd. Unfortunately, he does have to depend on his father's money to support the band.

Narrator Piers Ryman is delightful with his rough English accent. Terms that were unfamiliar to me were made clear with his usage and intonations. It was fun!

I gave the story only 4 **** because there was no clear conclusion to events hours in the making. It was too close to real life drama, and does not have an HEA. I really missed that.

heartbreaking pieces

My heart ached for Seb and Jay but I took heart because I read book 2 first and know what's to come or I'd be devastated right now!!! I loved the jabs Seb got in with dad and steven. I can't wait for book 3 and hopefully hea with karma!! The narrator did a great job. I voluntarily listened to tjis and am giving an honest review.

Not what I expected

I'm left little hearbroken but most of my very favorites leave me feeling this way and I look foward to the rest off their story. Ryman narrates this beautifully and really makes the story that much better.

Love this series but...

I love this series, and while the narrator’s accents were good, I thought he sounded too old for the characters. I just read the second two rather than listened.

GREAT book but about threw my phone at the end...

Across the room after I got through gasping and picking my heart up off the floor at the ending I didn’t know was coming! I thought there was still time left cause I hadn’t looked at it in a while and I guess I thought it would end on a neat bow instead of a massive cliffie, lol. Guess the best books leave you on tenterhooks for the next one. Think I’ll have to read the second instead of wait for the audio, lol. Great narration by Piers, as always.

Hmmm....

This audiobook was a mixed bag for me, the narrator has a great voice and accent work, his characters are distinct and rich. But, he had a strange pacing when he was not reading dialogues/monologues and it was hard for me to get over. By the end of the book I was OK with it, but it was still strange at times.
I liked Jay and Mike, even though Mike was a bit annoying at times, his rich boy drama slightly too unreal for me.
I was also not aware the book would have an open ending, not cliffhanger really but close.
Despite my issues with the book I am still curious about what happens next, so for me it was an all together good read, if not the best.

amazing introduction to new author and narrator

this was a wonderfully entertaining story and and amazing introduction to both a new author and a new narrator for me. heading right into the next book.

Will true love prevail?

What a cliffhanger! This book definitely leaves you wanting to know if Seb and Jay will ever be able to get past their current life changes and have their families and professions accept their love. Can’t wait to read book 2!