The Fadeaway

Smart Jocks, Book 2

By: Rebecca Jenshak

Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Summer Morton

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

This college jock is a total player. He's used to getting who and what he wants. Until her....

Katrina

The hottest guy on campus won't stop asking me out. I know that sounds like a good problem to have, but this guy...this guy has no idea how complicated my life is trying to juggle being a single mom and college student.

Every Thursday, he shows up at the café where I work. His cheesy pickup lines and arrogance should have me completely annoyed. I'm not. I can't say yes, but Thursday is my favorite day of the week.

Joel

The hottest girl on campus won't go out with me. I know, I know, that sounds presumptuous, but this girl...this girl has gotten under my skin, and I can't seem to walk away.

Every Thursday, I show up at the café where she works. She's fed me every excuse in the book. I should give up and bang one of the many girls blowing up my phone. I'm not. Even when she says no, Thursday is my favorite day of the week.

©2019 Rebecca Jenshak (P)2019 Rebecca Jenshak

Winners Want the Ball

Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4 stars

This series is such a fun twist on the NA sports romance. After loving The Assist, I couldn't wait to get to Joel's story next. This is book 2 in the series, but it can be enjoyed as a standalone. I definitely recommend the previous book though, because it's a great read/listen and that is where our characters are introduced.

It's no secret that my least favorite type of romance hero is the manwhore. Thankfully, Joel ended up being much more than the cocky and arrogant big man on campus. There are still some less than pleasant reminders of his colorful past, but we also get to see a much sweeter and vulnerable side to Joel Moreno as well. The witty banter and push and pull between Katrina and Joel was delicious and I loved the slow burn build up between them. Both have pasts that have left scars and it was so wonderful seeing them each break those walls down. Christian was so cute and I really loved his interactions with Joel, but I did feel that his vocabulary seemed a bit advanced for a 3 year old. The drama at the end was thankfully resolved quickly and Joel made up for it in the end.

Teddy Hamilton was wonderful as always and even though I thought he might be too sweet to pull off Joel, he of course ended up being perfect. This was my first time listening to Summer Morton, but I really enjoyed her narration as determined and guarded Katrina. Both gave playful and heartfelt performances and really brought the characters to life. I'm really looking forward to Z's story next!

*I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this book*

Sweet Sports Romance

I absolutely adored this. This is delivering everything you want in a NA sports romance. Swoon worthy basketball star with a hankering for coffee. A tough as nails heroine who is totally self sufficient. She doesn’t need the hunk she wants him and it’s refreshing.

If getting the story wasn’t enough Teddy Hamilton is knocking it out of the park as the H. Summer Morton is also wonderful.

If you like NA and sports romance this is an easy listen. You will have a great time with well developed characters. Totally worth a credit!

🎧AudiobookObsession🎧

Great read

I love Joel as a book boyfriend. He was so sweet and caring to Kitty and her son. Well- written and super narrators. Love Teddy Hamilton’s voice!

Another great in the series

Audio Re-Read

Loved revisiting Kat and Joel! Kat is one of my favorite heroines of the the series- she's a wonderful mom, and while she really makes Joel work for her trust, she also goes out of her way to support him and care for him, even when he shuts her out. Joel turned out to be surprisingly swoony despite him being a total womanizer in the prior book. HIs pivot felt a bit abrupt for me, but I loved how devoted he was to being with Kat and how awesome he was with Christian. The chemistry is cute and the spice great! The ending/romantic progression felt a bit fast to me, even more so in the audio, but again, it's such a sweet couple and tons of fun to read. Loved their HEA.

Amazing story

Loved everything about this story , teddy Hamilton was perfection as Joel and summer Morton was perfect foot for Katrina .

Swoon

I love when the playboy falls hard and brings the total swoon fest to a story

Loved it

Loved this story & series. This sports romance series and characters are amazing. I’m
Loving Rebecca’s stories & can’t wait to read more.

Sweet Story

Kitty, the single mom, and Joel, the college basketball player. A cute couple who have obstacles to overcome. I wasn’t surprised that they did, overcome those obstacles, to be together..always. Hey, no spoilers here, it’s a Romance novel for goodness sake. This couple is extremely likable and Teddy Hamilton is his adorable self. As a plus, you’ll like Joel’s friends. This was a quick easy read, even with it being 40 chapters.

Great and enjoyable Single mom - sport romance

I really enjoyed listening to this book, I couldn't put it down, this was my first by this author and cant wait for more. I recommend as a must read /listen. Thank you Audiobook Obsession Review group for the great listen!!!!

Terrific Book!

I couldn’t stop listening! The storyline was interesting and the characters were strong. I like fact that it shows how tough it really is to be a single parent, and just because you are, you don’t have to give up on your dreams. Great book!

Amazing book, did not expect to feel so emotional.

In beginning I was reluctant to read it because of the storyline. Omg- it took me by surprise. I was so emotional listening to it. I can say that this book is my favourite of all times.!!!! It’s a must read!!!!!

My Thoughts on The Fadeaway

Once again I am thoroughly impressed by Rebecca Jenshak and the amazing story she gave us with The Fadeaway. The leading man Joel was this fun loving guy in the first book of the series, and I was honestly looking more forward to Z's story then Joel's just because I didn't think he had much depth to him. But boy was I wrong. This story was not only so well written with great flow and progress that kept my attention, but the character building was perfection. My whole opinion on Joel changed. And he had a past that kind of justified his outlook on things. But he grew and developed and showed so much in this story I totally ended up loving him.

I loved Katrina too. I have a great respect for dedicated and loving single moms like her. And I liked the way the relationship with her son's father was written. It's not the direction a lot of author's take with this type of situation so it was a nice change of pace.

I just really enjoyed this story and this author's words. They were brought to life by two fantastic narrators. Teddy Hamilton is in my top 5 male narrators so his name alone could have drawn me in, but I also really liked Summer Morton. I'm not as familiar with her work, and her male voice isn't my favorite but it wasn't bad either. I loved her performance as Katrina and her little boy voice for the son was adorable.

~AudiobookObsessionReviewer

Love this second book!!

Rebecca Jenshak did one terrific job of creating interesting characters and story lines that make you want to know what happens next!!

Katrina and Joel’s story was one I was hoping for after reading The Assist. Joel’s character, in that book, was the party boy who chased every female! Knowing his backstory makes it easier to understand, somewhat, why he is the way he is.

Katrinas life is not simple. She is a college student, and a single mother. She doesn’t have the freedom to do what other college girls do. She can’t bring someone into her life because her son is also part of it and wouldn’t understand. She is falling...

What happens when she reveals her feelings?? Will Joel run?? You’ll have to listen to find out! It’s a great story to listen to and Teddy Hamilton and Summer Morton do a fantastic job with the narration!!!

Really enjoyed this story. Great narration.

I enjoyed the way that Teddy Hamilton and Summer Morton brought these characters to life.

It's really nice to go back into a world I enjoyed in the first book of the series but see it from the point of view of another set of characters. This story is lovely, enjoyable, and to me very sweet. I loved watching the characters as they approached the situations around them and built their relationships. I feel the subject is handled sympathetically but not in a saccharine or clichéd way. I really enjoyed it.

Amazing

What a wonderful story! I loved it all! Especially a sexy Latino hero! They’re my absolute favorite. Add in a single mom and I’m a goner. Highly recommend!

a college single mom romance

In this book while I did enjoy the the characters and the overall story I had to mark it down one star because I felt like there was a few points in the story where maybe it was a bit drawn out and slow for me. As for the characters in the plot I found the story enjoyable kind of that sweet predictable college tough story romance. As for the narrators I feel like they did a great job and I do prefer the dual narrators but over all they both did a great job with each character and how they work together.
#audiobookobsessionreviewer

love finds away.

this is the 2nd book in this series. I fell in love with Joel from the start. He is a guy who knew what he wanted, Katrina. He was persistent in asking her out. Katrina has her reasons for saying no. He helps her with a play she is writing by taking to his family. Her secret comes out why she doesn't date.
Joel doesn't do long term due to his high school girl.
As he gets to know Katrina and her son, he cant help falling. But doesnt want to.

the Narrators were amazing. Listening to Teddy speak Spanish. wow. Summer is new to me. I loved her as well. She nailed the child voice.
highly recommend
🎧audiobookobsession reviewer

Engaged until the end

This was a follow up listen for me, I loved it, I loved all the characters. I even cried a little.

The narration was awesome and done brilliantly. This book kept me engaged from start to finish!

🎧AOR🎧

Katrina & Joel

Swoon. This story captured me from the first sentence. I listened to it in one sitting. I was highly entertained and strongly rooting for Joel. The writing, narration, characters, the moon cycles, one or all of these combined to just grab my attention. Great story, great narration.



🎧AudiobookObsessionReviewer

This is a great series!

This is book 2 in the series but still a stand alone if you wish. The 1st book was just as good though. I love sports themes but this author also gives you a great storyline too. The narrators are fantastic. Teddy is one of my all time favorites. Makes this book a knockout for sure. Loved it!