Title: Number One Pick
Author: Heidi Champa
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (27,000 words)
Publisher: Amber Allure (November 11 2012)
Heat Level: Graphic
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: Blake Kaplan has been playing fantasy football with his old college buddies for years. He’s never managed to win, mostly because he’s never wanted to subject himself to the bets and pranks the other guys endured for a chance at glory. But this year, Blake is willing to do whatever it takes to get the first pick in the draft, even if it means sacrificing his dignity a bit.
To his surprise, his wager involves the one thing he’s worse at than fantasy football—dating. If Blake can survive a few dates with the gorgeous Landon O’Keefe, the bartender at the league’s favorite watering hole, he’ll get his number one pick in the draft.
But will he lose his heart along the way?
Product link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/NumberOnePick.html
Reviewer: Heart
Review: My second encounter with this author’s work this year passed much better than I’d expected. Two men with plenty to offer get themselves into a challenging adventure – because what’s worse than surviving your friends – and find their way to the top and a happy ending.
It all came to be thanks to fantasy football, something Blake has been playing with his college friends for years. All of them have paired up and eventually won first place except Blake and while with the chance for the title come the pranks and merciless teasing, this year Blake is determined and doesn’t even back down in front of the challenge of dating someone.
Landon, the bartender in the bar friends frequent, and Blake have been eyeing each other for some time, but Blake has never wanted a serious relationship and has had most of the gay and regular patrons of the establishment. Landon is ready, but what he wants won’t come with a one-night stand, exactly what he would be in Blake’s eyes. So he jumps at the chance to challenge Blake, five dates, no sex, and a chance to win the man he’s been aching for.
I was amused for the better part of this book, thoroughly enjoying Landon and his lovely personality while Blake presented the perfect challenge to make the story stick out a bit. Their interactions were funny, Blake’s friends somewhat crazy, and the challenge dates kept things going.
This book was nothing short of fun with a good idea and likeable characters, perfect for a slow afternoon.