The Tip-Off

Smart Jocks, Book 3

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!

Boring!

I love Jakobi’s Narration...I didn’t like the lady who narrated......there was no enthusiasm in this story...it was just boring!

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.

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.

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.

Nice book

I really enjoyed this read. If I went to college this is just the way I would be. Love the narrators. Anything Jakob Diem read is a plus for me. Handsome voice

Eh

Not my favorite from this author I did love the narration I didn’t feel a full blown connection between the characters I really can’t see them being together after her goes pro in my opinion.

Sweet story

Ever since this series began, I was incredibly excited to get Gabby’s story. She already seemed like such a special character, and I was so excited for her to not only get her love story but to also get the college experience she’d always dreamed up after the tragic accident that paused her life.And Zeke- well he seemed like a big broody teddy bear, smart and stoic, ultra focused on his career and always reliable. I was so excited to see he’d be with Gabby- that he could be the solid she needed as she waded back into the life she thought she’d lost.


And Jenshak does not disappoint- I really enjoyed this one, and as always the audio was great. Most of all, I loved and cherished Gabby. Her insecurities, her finding her confidence, finding her wings and learning to fly after all that she’s been through. Acclimating to college life is hard enough, but after what she’s been through, she has a lot to overcome to refind herself. And I related to that so much. I love her perseverance, her kind spirit, and her curiosity. It might not seem like Zeke would be the right fit for her on the surface- since his only love seems to be basketball, and he isn’t looking for any relationships, yet alone with someone like Gabby that needs someone who can really show up for her. But I loved watching him show up for her as a friend, and how naturally that progressed to them being more.


At times I wanted more for Zeke- he’s not a loud or flashy hero, and he’s not an effusively romantic one either. Gabby’s heart is on her sleeve so vulnerably, and Zeke takes much longer to catch up to her feelings. He’s also so reserved, more low key, likable and charming but not super emotive- and I craved that for Gabby. Perhaps its because Gabby was my most anticipated heroine, I felt so protective of her, I wanted a hero that would go so hard for her. Zeke fought her threat to his career, and I’m so glad that he eventually realized she’s worth the risk, that she’s what he really needs. Ultimately, I loved them together, and their chemistry is really quite sweet. And I loved that Gabby gets to sparkle.

I won’t be finishing the series

Narrator Jakobi Diem made the book, but sadly he had far too few chapters to read. The story line seems to be in several other books I’ve read, but Gabby being scared is the difference of the so called beautiful college blonde.

Disappointing

This is my least favorite of the series. Gabby is stilly and seems desperate. Being first embarrassed by her scars which seem overly extensive. She and Zeeland seem like a totally unlikely couple that was not believable. I would have hooked Zemens up with another female athlete.

Narration of Zeus seemed a bit stiff.

A SWEET COLLEGE ROMANCE

A sweet college romance.

Following an accident, Gabby has spent years homeschooling but now she's joining her friend at college and has a bucket list of things she wants to do.

Gabby was first mentioned in the first book in this series when after high hopes and dreams for college her best friend has no choice but to leave her behind following the accident. They remain best friends and stay in touch.

Now Gabby feels ready to join her.

Zeke is focused, he's the one player on the team with his eye on the prize, he's ready to be drafted, that's been his main focus for years, then along comes Gabby and broadens his horizons.

It's a sweet slow-burn romance. I really liked the characters and the story.

Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Told in first person dual pov and leads to a hea.
Listened to audio and the narrator's voices really suited the characters.

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.

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.