Series: Wild Cards #1
Published by Bloomsbury USA Childrens on October 1st 2013
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.
Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?
Simone Elkeles is just an amazing Author and her books just belong to my must-buy-must-read list. I love her contemporary stories and I lover her happy ends. When I found out about her new series about Football players I was barely able to hold back from jumping up and down. Ever since watching Friday Night Lights I am a HUGE fan of American Football!!
Characters made of Awesome!
The story is actually told from two POV, one is Ashlyn and one is Derek…. And .. I couldn’t love those two any more! No, I can’t!!! (Yep, we need a lot of exclamation marks!) But were impressive characters that totally and fully and completely made their way into my heart.
Lets first talk about Ashlyn!
Ash is one of the few girls who play football together with the boys, and…. She’s good! She’s really good and all her Teammates loves and support her! But Ash is definitely not a Tomboy – she can also be super sexy and girly. I loved that about her. She has as many girl friends as she has boy friends and she easily got along with all of them! On top of this she has spunk! Yes, this girl doesn’t take crap from anyone and is strong, focused and determined!
Now… let’s take a moment to swoon over Derek.
*Swoon*
I cannot love Derek anymore and I want him to be my Book Boyfriend! Now, girls – see? I called totally dips here!
Derek was rebellious, but not too much to be annoying. But. After the death of his mother he lost his focus and rather played pranks than taking anything seriously. But, there is so much more about him. The way he interacted with his stepmother and especially his little kid brother was breaking my heart it was so damn sweet!
But, I mostly enjoyed Derek’s attitude! The way he constantly teased Ash and constantly challenged her and it drove her nuts! He’s a little arrogant but since we also get glimpses of his thoughts we know that he just likes to put this wall of arrogance around himself.
Sizzling hot romance and heartbreaking vulnerability
Both Ash and Derek do not have an easy life and in turn they are both looking for something different in a relationship. Both think they just don’t match even though they are obviously attracted to each other. The chemistry was sizzling and they got under each others skin like no one before, yet they are both afraid about the deeper feelings they develop.
Gosh I loved their love story.So.Freaking.Much! It was beautiful, hot and also sometimes heartbreaking. Both are so vulnerable especially when it comes to admitting real feelings and I found it to be raw but it was never overdone and never over the top!
Now, I can’t finish without talking about the overall storyline and the football themed plot. The story was just great, it showed the wonderful friendship between the teammates and their admiration for Ash. But also Derek’s part of the story was just wonderful.
Now – please bring on the next book.Now!
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
Overall, I cannot stress enough how absolutely amazing Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles was. It comes with sizzling romance and lots of chemistry between Ash and Derek. Especially outstanding were the characters, which were just amazingly developed and I do love them somewhat fierce!
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I’m glad you enjoyed this, Danny. It wasn’t what I was expecting and I ended up being disappointed a little.
Also, I couldn’t connect with the characters for some reason.
I was actually hoping for the sports element to be a huge part of the story, but I thought it wasn’t really touched on. What I mean is, I wanted to see Ashtyn play football a lot during the book. I think I was hoping for a book more in the likes of Catching Jordan, but that’s my mistake I think.
Still, I’m happy to see you liked it and fell for Derek! 🙂
Lovely review, Danny.
Nick @ Nick’s Book Blog recently posted..Blog Tour Stop : Addicted To You by Colina Brennan
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Oh no Nick!!! I know, sometimes you want to love a book and then you don’t. I was just in the perfect mood for this book and I truly and completely fell in love with it!
I agree that football didn’t play that huge part, but I was fine with the level we got.
Danny recently posted..Sizzling hot & heartbreakingly vulnerable- Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles
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Is this going to be a series? I’ve got a copy someone sent and I haven’t read it yet, but I knew it would be great. I loved her Perfect Chemistry series! And I love that we get dual points of view!! So you call dibs on Derek, huh? I think you do that a lot, lol! Just how many book boyfriends do you have??? 🙂
Heather @ Buried in Books recently posted..Death, Dickinson and the Demented Life of Frenchie Garcia by Jenny Torres Sanchez Review and Interview
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Yes, it’s going to be a series, each featuring a different of these kids and football players!
I also LOVED Perfect Chemistry and I love that here we get both POV!
And yes, I totally and honestly call dibs on Derek, so don’t you dare! :)) Doesn’t matter that I have tons of book boyfriends already, Derek is mine!
Danny recently posted..Sizzling hot & heartbreakingly vulnerable- Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles
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Won’t Derek be jealous of your Book Boyfriend harem????
Heather @ Buried in Books recently posted..Death, Dickinson and the Demented Life of Frenchie Garcia by Jenny Torres Sanchez Review and Interview
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Yay! So happy this one turned out to be a winner and has your stamp of approval 🙂 Love that it’s dual POV and that Derek is good enough to be a book boyfriend *swoon*! I may have to sneakily steal this from my sister. I didn’t enjoy Elekles’ Leaving Paradise, but I heard this one is much better than that book 😀
Becca @ Nawanda Files recently posted..Our Reaction to the New Divergent Teaser and Trailer!
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Leaving Paradise was great, but this one is even better! love love loved it! And now, go and snatch it from your sis:)
Danny recently posted..Sizzling hot & heartbreakingly vulnerable- Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles
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Oh, Danny, I’m so upset because I wanted to love this one like you did!! In fact, I totally *thought* I would. I’m so upset because the whole football thing is so cool. I’m so happy you loved this one though! I’m jealous because your review is exactly how I wanted to feel about the book.
Ashley recently posted..Scorched by Mari Mancusi
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Oh no Ashley! How can I love it and you don’t!!! And I know how you feel, sometimes I read a review and I feel sad because I wanted to love a book as much as I read in a review.
Makes me sad Ashley!;(
Danny recently posted..Sizzling hot & heartbreakingly vulnerable- Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles
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I haven’t read this one yet…but I love Simone Elkeles’ writing! Thanks for the wonderful review!
Lori L. Clark recently posted..Release Day Blitz: Two Roads
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Oh Lori!! READ IT! you will love it!
Danny recently posted..Sizzling hot & heartbreakingly vulnerable- Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles
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I still haven’t read anything by Simone Elkeles (eep) but I’m glad you enjoyed it so much. I know she’s known for a sizzling romance and it also seems to be the case here.
elena recently posted..(back in red) review: crown of midnight by sarah j. maas + soundtrack
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Oh Elena, you haven’t read Perfect Chemistry? And Leaving Paradise?
I do love and adore Simone Elkeles, she writes such beautiful romance *sigh*
Danny recently posted..Sizzling hot & heartbreakingly vulnerable- Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles
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I CAN’T WAIT TO READ THIS DANNY! I’m starting it today, and now that I know you are madly in love with Derek, I have no doubt that I will be as well. I love that it’s told from alternating POVs, I’ve become obsessed with that after reading Katie McGarry’s books, I just adore getting both perspectives in a romance situation. Can’t wait to squee over Derek with you on Skype:)
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Oh honey, you must love this book and Derek with all his attitude got me to be madly in love with him! Can’t wait to talk to you!!!!
But do not forget, Derek is totally mine!
Danny recently posted..Sizzling hot & heartbreakingly vulnerable- Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles
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I am in the unusual position of having just finished a book (Coldest Girl) and not being able to decide what to read next. Maybe I’ll go with this one. Does Wild Cards equal Katie’s books?
Alison (@AlisonCanRead) recently posted..Manga Mondays #162: Favorite School Themed Manga?
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Oh I hate these moments. when I then do not find a strong book I fall into a big hole.
Yes, definitely they both have similar romances and they are both a little edgy! Let me know how you love it :))
Danny recently posted..Sizzling hot & heartbreakingly vulnerable- Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles
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So glad you enjoyed WILD CARDS Danny! I haven’t read anything by Simone Elkeles yet, but this sounds like the perfect introduction to her writing. (Especially since I love a book with great Characters and some good Swoon.) Thanks for sharing. (:
Kim { Book Swoon } recently posted..Book Review: The Woken Gods by Gwenda Bond
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KIM!!! You must read her books! Simone is soo awesome and I love her romances and edgy characters! And Derek has a major swoon factor hehe:))
Danny recently posted..Sizzling hot & heartbreakingly vulnerable- Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles
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I have been wanting to try this author forever so I snatched up ann ARC. I love football and can’t wait for the kickoff of fall football. I can’t wait to read this and check out the romance!
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I thoroughly enjoyed this one too. Simone Elkeles book + football? What more does a girl need.
kimberlyfaye recently posted..Books to Movies Giveaway Hop
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I have the feeing that you’re going to beating off the competition for Derek as your book boyfriend. Heck, when I get done, I might have to take you on. 🙂 Can’t wait to read it!
Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted..Question: How loyal are you?
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I’m really glad you enjoyed this one, Danny! I’ve been looking forward to reading this book since I loved Perfect Chemistry so so much! Thankfully, I got approved on Netgalley so I will be delving into Wild Cards soon! Lovely review! 🙂
Hazel @ Stay Bookish recently posted..Behind The Blog Monday #1: Bad Boys or Nice Boys
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I am so freaking excited about this book, I cannot wait for it to come out and I’m so glad you loved it! My team’s going to SUCK this season so this is some football I can look forward to!
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