The Tip-Off

By: Rebecca Jenshak

Narrated by: Jakobi Diem, Savannah Peachwood

Length: 7 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's Summary

I’ve spent years hiding in the shadows. He’s spent his whole life chasing the bright lights of the NBA. We have nothing in common, except for the fact our friends ditched us for spring break. I have a bucket list for my senior year at Valley U. He’s the only person I know on campus. I’m ready to start checking things off my list. 

Frat party: check. 

TP the baseball house: check. 

Goat yoga: check. 

Skinny dipping: check. 

Falling for Zeke Sweets, Valley U’s MVP: not going to happen.

©2019 Rebecca Jenshak (P)2019 Rebecca Jenshak

Sweet Slow Burn Sports Romance

Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 4.5 stars
Story 4 stars

This was such a sweet slow burn sports romance! I have been waiting to get inside the mind of quiet Zeke Sweets from the start of this series and I couldn't have been happier to see the sparks fly between him and Gabby. They couldn't have been more perfectly paired. Both have scars (emotionally and physically), but I loved how they each supported and brought strength to the other. They really helped the other grow and be better. I appreciated that there wasn't much drama or unnecessary angst. It let the anticipation build up gradually as these two go from friends to more.

Savannah Peachwood was just the right amount of sweet and sassy to pull off Gabby and I really enjoyed her performance. This was my first time listening to Jakobi Diem and I was very pleasantly surprised. I liked his narration as Zeke a lot, but his female voices weren't as strong as his male. There were a few times that I didn't feel the distinction between Gabby and Zeke was pronounced enough, but this really can't be helped since he has a deeper voice. Still a wonderful feel good story and I'm very excited for Nathan's story next!

3 people found this helpful

I loved how they made each other better

Book 3 in Rebecca Jenshak’s Smart Jocks series, The Tip-Off follows Zeke and Blair’s best friend, Gabby. He is laser-focused on getting to the NBA, almost at the expense of everything else on his life. He has friend, but rarely hangs out and socializes. Gabby, meanwhile, arrives at Valley on a mission to make up for lost time while she recovered from a car accident. While he helps her make her way through her “college bucket list,” she teaches him the importance of enjoying the small moments in life, because they aren’t guaranteed and you aren’t promised tomorrow.

There is a great balance between Zeke and Gabby, and how determined they each are to accomplish their individual goals. He truly sees past Gabby’s scars to the beauty that she is inside, and she sees him as so much more than the single-minded jock. It’s a super-slow burn between them. I think it’s halfway through the book before they even kiss for the first time. But that made for great anticipation, and the payoff to the moment when they get together is well worth the wait.

As for the performances, this was the first I’ve listened to of both Savannah Peachwood and Jacobi Diem. I liked what they each brought to the story.

Side note: Man, I finished reading The Tip-Off the day that Kobe Bryant and his daughter were killed. The parallels with Zeke being a top draft pick for the NBA sent a shiver up my spine.

I received a complimentary audiobook and voluntarily left a review.

1 person found this helpful

Fun, Sweet, and Sexy!

This is the third book in the Smart Jock Series, a college sports romance. This is an amazing Series! Zeke and Gabby's story is fun, sweet, and sexy. If you like college sports romance, you will love this one. You can listen to this story as a standalone, but, believe me, you don't want to miss one book in this Series. Now, I can't wait for Nathan's story. Jakobi Diem and Savannah Peachwood did a great job with the narration. I enjoyed listening this story.

1 person found this helpful

A great addition to an addicting series!

I've been waiting for Zeke's book since The Assist and this did not disappoint. From the hot as balls cover to the sweet love story inside - it kept me in its grip from the first word to the last. The build up between Zeke and Gabby is so delicious; I honestly can't wait to read it again (like, as soon as the audiobook comes out). I both love and hate that the issue of race and the stereotype of an African American athlete coupling with a white woman was not addressed (AT ALL). The book is just about love and discovering yourself and what's truly important to you and it really resonated with me. Now I have Nate's HEA to look forward to and Rebecca Jenshak really primed the pump on his character so I'm almost as excited for him as I was for Zeke... Almost :P 4.5 out of 5 wine glasses.

1 person found this helpful

A fabulous sport romance with a lovely couple!!!

“A sweet slow burn sport romance. Honestly I never expected this will be a slow burn romance, I though the passion would explode quickly but I’m so glad the way it happened. I’m so in love with Jakobi and Savannah narration, their voces, the emotions, the feels, everything was perfect! Thanks to Jakobi I love Zeke more, his sexy deep voice was all I needed! Hours that seemed like minutes. The Tip-Off was funny, sweet, lovely and yes sexy! This story is a standalone but I highly recommend you the previous books of this amazing series. Gabby and Zeke’s story was so delightful to hear!!! An incredible sport romance with a unique couple that you’ll love.”

Sweet friends to lovers

The narration in this book was spot on with Jakobi Diem completely perfect for Zeke’s personality and Savannah Peachwood has the perfect voice for Gabby’s character.

This book was such an addicting friends to lovers book. We finally learn about who the reclusive Zeke is and all about Blair’s best friend Gabby and both will not disappoint.

Gabby is so excited to finally have college experiences before she starts classes on campus for her senior year after being a recluse for 5 years after a terrible car accident. She has a list of all sorts of experiences she wants to cross off her list before school starts.

Zeke has one focus in life which is getting to the NBA and he’s projected to be the number one pick in the draft. He is so close to his goal but it all starts with a favor to be Gabby’s date one night and then when most of the crew goes to Mexico for Spring Break there is another favor to keep an eye on Gabby while Blair and the others are gone.

Gabby can somehow talk Zeke into doing anything including helping TP the baseball house. During each of the shenanigans Gabby experiences more and Zeke begrudgingly has fun. Then Zeke starts helping her tick things off her list and with more and more time spent together and chemistry that they both feel they will deny how they feel until they can’t anymore. Push comes to shove and all of a sudden the casual fling they had going isn’t so casual anymore. Gabby is about to start her senior year going to classes at Valley and Zeke is going to start his career in the NBA. How much are they willing to risk being in a relationship while following their dreams?

Love me some Zeke Sweets

Overall: 4.5/5
Performance: 4/5
Story: 4.5/5
Steam: 3/3
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Okay so I have totally read this series out of order, I’m going backwards. Oh well. The stories are still enjoyable out of order. I really enjoyed this one, Zeke and Gabby had really great chemistry and were so much fun to get to know.
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Zeke gave me MAJOR Deandre Ayton vibes, not a bad thing at all. I think Jakobi was the perfect Zeke, he crushed it. I loved that Zeke saw Gabby for who she was, she had things in her past to overcome and he wasn’t bothered by them. He really is sweet and the scene with his mom was so cute. Jakobi’s female voices weren’t as strong but his voice is SO deep that he was already at a disadvantage.
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Gabby is a gem, I loved her so much. She was relatable but also unique. There were many times where she made me laugh out loud. Savannah did a nice job delivering Gabby, personally I am not a fan of the female trying to do the men’s voices it just comes across as silly to me. It’s really just personal preference.
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Gabby and Zeke are really adorable and I loved their chemistry. Their story just made me happy, it was easy to listen to and enjoyable. They both were able to teach each other lessons and grow together, it was incredibly sweet. (Nathan is still my fave but I do love Zeke.)

Loved Zeke and Gabby

Book 3 in the Smart Jocks series and this centers around Zeke and Gabby. I have been waiting for their story. Loved their story. The chemistry and attraction between them was so intense. Another great addition to this series.

Delightfully Funny Story

I found myself laughing while narrators read story; both narrators are great, especially Jakobi, love his sexy deep voice. It had serious content but was tastefully done.

Pure lush!

I worried Zeke’s story would be lacking because his lack of communication or emotion in previous books, but the author definitely rocked it!! An excellent story that doesn’t get bogged down on sports details.

Loved!!

From book one I was beyond curious of Zeke and his story. And now we get it and it was sooo good! Gabby is perfect for him and they compliment each other in the best way possible. The audio version was great! A must listen & read!!

LOVE this series!

After years of studying online, Gabby was finally convinced by her best friend Blair (from book one of this series, The Assist) to come to Valley U. Gabby arrives with a to-do list of things she missed out on. Zeke barely has time for anything else except basketball. When their group of friends go to Mexico for spring break, Gabby, Zeke, and Nathan get left behind. Blair asks Zeke to look after Gabby while they’re away and their relationship blooms from there, but what will happen when Zeke graduates in less than two months?

I loved the chemistry between Gabby and Zeke! They are both scarred, both literally and figuratively, but they help each other heal and grow. This is the third book in the series I’ve listened to and I didn’t listen in order. The books are complete standalones but I recommend listening/reading in order since Gabby is a secondary character in the first book.

Narrators Jakobi Diem and Savannah Peachwood did an excellent job. Jakobi Diem is new to me, and I will definitely be looking out for more of his work.

The Tip-Off is a friends-to-lovers contemporary sports romance written and narrated in dual first-person POV. It’s a low-angst standalone that ends with a HEA. No cliffhanger, no cheating.

I received this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.

My favorite book in the series

I've enjoyed every book in this Smart Jock series, but The Tip-Off is my favorite. I was excited for Gabby and Zeke's story and I was not disappointed. This friends to lovers romance was everything you could have wanted in a romance. It was sweet, hilarious, steamy, with a couple of angsty moments added to the mix. This was a story about two scarred individuals, one scarred emotionally and the other physically, who turned out to be perfect for each other. I loved the slow burn aspect of the story and that they became friends first who supported each other and then I loved seeing them fall in love. We got the other couples and characters from the previous books in this story and they provided great support to the main characters. The Tip-Off was another fantastic addition to this series and I would highly recommend it to all lovers of friends to lovers and sports romance.
The audiobook version was narrated by Savannah Peachwood and Jakobi Diem. I've listened to Savannah before and as usual she was perfectly suited to the role. Jakobi was a new to me narrator and I absolutely loved his voice. These two did a marvelous job with the narration. They had excellent pace and timing and it was a pleasure listening to them narrate this novel.

Slow burn Sports Romance

Okay. Again. I wasn’t sure about how much I would like Zeke’s story mostly because he has such a quiet personality even though this is the 3rd book in the series we know little to nothing about him other than that he’s on the basketball team. Gabby on the other hand has been brought up a lot more and I was excited to finally hear her story, I just didn’t know how much them together would make sense to me.

Holy stars. Zeke and Gabbys story was everything and more. It was the most delicious slow burn romance. They both have these quiet personalities but as they open up to each other together they create this most perfect love story.

I read this book via audiobook. Jacobi Diem WAS Zeke. He made this character everything I hoped for. He was able to portray Zekes insecurities without making him seem weak and I loved it. Savannah Peachwood was the perfect Gabby also with her sweet yet spunky nature.

a great listen!

This series is just getting better and beter.
listening to it makes it so much better!!!
the narrators draw you right in!
Just when i think this is my fave one the next book is automatically my fave. I devoured it in under 24 hours and couldnt put it down!!!

It’s Always the Quiet Ones 💕

Audiobook review. Zeke intrigued me from the get go with his quiet and focused presence. In earlier books in the series, he came across as someone who had little to say but when he did speak up, you listened.

Gaby was interesting to me but for another reason. I wanted to see the beautiful girl who was scarred in an accident come out of her shell.

I enjoyed how Zeke and Gaby developed their spark. The interest was there but it was nurtured carefully into becoming a tender and eventually passionate love.

The plot was interesting and focused more on internal conflict than anything else. The writing, imagery, and pace was solid. The narration was totally on point. Jakobi Diem has become one of my favorite male narrators. His voice was just perfect for Zeke. Savannah Peachwood, the female narrator, is a queen in her trade. Both of them had great pace, tone, pitch, inflections, and transitions.

Complimentary copy received and voluntarily reviewed.

Nothin' but net!!

The Tip-Off by Rebecca Jenshak was way more emotional than the two previous books in Smart Jocks. If you’re looking at The Tip Off, my hope is that you’ve read and/or listened to the first two books because while these are standalones, they really feed off of each other. So, Gabby, Lord did I adore this girl. She’s been hiding away the last few years because of an event that changed everything for her. She finally ventures outside to attend her senior year in college. Here she meets Zeke. Gabby only wanted a simple life and was planning on keeping to herself until Zeke walked in and flipped her world upside down.

The narrators, Jakobi Diem and Savannah Peachwood were fantastic! Savannah Peachwood is a total favorite of mine! She has a sweet voice and is a perfect fit for Gabby. There’s so much emotion and drama in this story and Peachwood executes the feels I expected flawlessly. Now, Jakobi Diem is a different story. He’s a new one for me. I was not disappointed in the least! Diem has this deep voice; it’s strong and seriously manly. He was a perfect Zeke and pairing him with Peachwood, well it couldn’t have been more perfect!

Gabby and Zeke!

Due to an experience in her past which left her feeling self-conscious Gabby put her life on hold, but she has been convinced by her best friend Blair that it is time to start living and has recently started at Valley U. She is determined to embrace the experience and do all the things that she has wanted to do but never had the confidence to undertake.

Zeke’s college experience is coming to a close and all his attention is focused on ensuring that he is not only drafted into the NBA but that he is drafted #1. He isn’t about to let anyone, including the sweet and sexy Gabby, or anything sway him from his goal.

When they end up spending spring break together their friendship begins to evolve into something much deeper but what happens when spring break comes to an end?

I really enjoyed these two together. Gabby brings out a side to Zeke’s personality that we hadn’t seen in the previous books and he helps Gabby see that there is so much more to her than what she feels are her imperfections. The narrators were a perfect choice for these characters and they enhanced the listening experience.

Swish!

Another winning story from Rebecca Jenshak! I love this series as it highlights smart athletes and great characters. These are the kinds of books I can really sink my teeth into. This one features Zeke and Gabby. Gabby is entering college for the first time as a junior. She had and unfortunate accident previously and now has the chance to start her life. Zeke is a reserved, good looking, smart basketball player, and these two are so much fun to get to know. Jenshak has a way of putting together complex characters, yet are easy to relate to. Gabby has had it tough, overcoming obstacles. Zeke is focused on his career and doesn't see the bigger picture. We all have had things like this in our lives, and listening to their story as they stumble, fall and get back up, working together as friends with a slow burn to lovers is just the perfect shot! I love this addition to the series and can't wait to see what Jenshak has in store for us next in the series.

Now for the narration. I have heard about Jakobi Diem, but had not yet heard him. And all I can say is WOW. He is the perfect fit for Zeke, a strong, protective, masculine sound, a little cocky but so understanding. He pulls it all off with his portrayal and it is easy to fall for Zeke! Paired with Savannah Peachwood, who nails Gabby, with her innocence yet has that determined feel underneath, the story flows easiliy and is complete entertainment.