CW Farnsworth does it again and remains my secret guilty pleasure …..

I was less keen on this story when I selected it but was proven to be 100% wrong.

This is a smart story and thoroughly enjoyable read. A clever and complex take on reality TV with an enemies to lovers tilt. Farnsworth shows her depth, diversity of skills and writing talents with this slow burn romance. It’s not as hot at First Flight but is warmer than Kiss now.

Again Farnsworth showcases her Shakespearean style talents by using the surrounding cast of friends and supporting characters as reflection tools to build a story rather than using them as simple props.

Her class is on display with little things such as subtly de-constructing the Sports Romance Narrative.

Minor spoiler ahead but it adds to the read.

At one point Ryan (the MC) has the realisation that he has never had to woo or pursue a women. As a star Quarterback women have always fallen at his feet or chased him. At a later point in the book his friend (reflexive cast) asks him if he ever clearly told Embry how he feels ……. this leads to a sports star actually having to work for his love. The revelation here is that Farnsworth has led us to realise that other writers and their tropes might be a bit shallow when she can show you that many sports stars might actually be a bit clueless. This is refreshing and adds to the plot development.

As a plot development tool, the MMC also fails to understand how isolated the contestants around him are and how they are blind to the overall situation. This lack of clarity and miscommunication is portrayed far more cleverly than most books and is a theme to the story.

Farnsworth is a master story teller and these little trails of crumbs (early tit-bits to aid in understanding) help the reader develop a clearer picture of the developing characters and how to see them. While you can see the climax rising, as the reader you also struggle to see a clear way through the impending climax. The little trails of bread crumbs left earlier in the story help the reader arrive at the right place at the right time.

I loved this story but it’s a bit less spicy than some other Farnsworth reads. This has a lot more slow burn and lack of clarity around their developing feelings. Its easy to see afterwards how each party misreads the situation but it is less clear whilst reading the book.

Like all of her stories it had a good progression and never felt like it was constructed of stilted, What I like about Farnsworth books is that they rarely feel forced. I like the progressions.

I also liked the way that Farnsworth included family and friends in building the narrative. That includes parents, family and friends. The use of these characters to allow the MC’s to reflect on their own situations and develop understanding and was impressive. This is especially true in the case where there are 24 other women fighting to win Ryan.

The story was really good and never bogged down. It was another great read.

I imagine that stronger readers would have made it even better but I can’t complain.