• About Us
    • Disclaimer and Policies
  • Giveaways
  • Features
    • Pre-Order Deal Incentives!
    • Author Talk Podcasts
    • Flashback Friday
    • Whadda YA Know Wednesday

Fiction Fare

  • Banners
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us

Called Up by Jen Doyle

August 24, 2016 by Jaime 1 Comment

Called Up by Jen DoyleCalled Up by Jen Doyle
(Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads)Also by this author: Calling It, Holiday House Call
Published by Carina Press on August 29th 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, General, Romance, Sports
Pages: 212
Format: eARC
Add This Book to Your Goodreads TBR
four-half-stars
There's one thing Max "Deke" Deacon can always count on besides his old high school teammates: Angelica "Fitz" Hawkins. But no matter how much Deke might secretly fantasize otherwise, a relationship with his best friend's sister is off limits. Until one unexpectedly smoldering encounter has Deke and Fitz giving in to the feelings they've both been fighting for far too long.

Fitz knows for a fact that it is not better to have loved and lost. After losing her parents, she'd rather lock up her heart and throw away the key than endure that kind of pain again. If that means giving up any hope of a lasting relationship, then so be it.

But with Deke, Fitz feels dangerously close to falling in love. She can't risk another broken heart—especially if it means losing one of her best friends for good. Now it's up to Deke to convince her that the safest place she could ever be is right here with him

I read book 1, Calling It, in this companion series… wait no, let me be honest… I devoured book 1 in this series in about a day last week and as soon as I finished it I went on the hunt for book 2.  Yes, that’s how much I loved it… and that’s how much anticipation I had for Called Up.  I had huge expectations.

Huge.

I’m here to tell you that all expectations were met and more!

Max Deacon is known around town as the fun guy… he’s not looking for a relationship, but if you’re down for some fun, then he’s your man.  No strings and hot sex.  And he’s been happy with the status quo, hooking up with ready and willing women, but suddenly he can’t seem to get his mind off someone who is completely off limits.

Angelica “Fitz” Hawkins is Nate’s half-sister.  She’s never quite felt welcome in the small town she’s been forced to grow up in.  After the unexpected death of her mom and dad, she’s struggled with the sidelong looks the people have given her as well as the less than warm welcome the friends of her half siblings have given her.

Deke and Fitz have become best friends over the years though, and along with that friendship, some additional feelings have risen to the surface.  Though the fear of Nate’s wrath is strong, in the end it doesn’t deter them from acting on their attraction for each other. Now Fitz is looking to escape the judging eyes of the town and she finds she can’t confide this to Deke… and she won’t let her feelings for him sidetrack her plans either.

I don’t know what it is about Doyle’s guys… actually, I think I do.  I think I love that they aren’t at all afraid to share their vulnerability and emotions.  These very manly men are totally okay with laying it all on the line for the women they are falling for and that is so incredibly sexy to me.  And the ladies she creates are relatable and fun and dare I say this… not at all annoying.

Doyle’s writing paced wonderfully and the story flows perfectly.  I loved the extra glimpses we got of Nate and Dorie in this! Baseball is still a part of the story as well, since Fitz runs Nate’s foundation and in addition to the pro players, we get to see some moments where Deke is coaching the town little league team *swoon*.

I also really liked that we got to know a bit more about Mama Gin… I thought it was a bit weird that in the first book we know she’s Nate’s mom but there was very little interaction between them, so it was a welcome change for this second book.  I love that we find out a bit more about why she stepped up and adopted Fitz after the death of her ex.

There is some back and forth in this one, mostly because these two are best friends and Fitz really struggles with the idea that if things go south between them, she could lose the one person she’s learned she can count on over the years, and that scares her.  It was completely understandable, and while some may find it annoying, I found Fitz’s struggles with this believeable and it totally worked for this story.

I know I mentioned it in my first review, but fans of Jill Shalvis really will find this series completely enjoyable! If you’re looking for books with that small-town feel, a story filled with tough, sexy & sweet guys… strong and independent women, and a story that you’ll find yourself completely invested in, then look no further.  Jen Doyle’s fun, lighthearted books full of sweet and sexy moments are definitely what you need to pick up next!

About Jen Doyle

A big believer in happily ever afters, Jen Doyle decided it was high time she started creating some. Jen is a member of the Romance Writers of America, as well as a member of the New England Chapter, New Jersey Romance Writers and Music City Romance Writer chapters of RWA. She is represented by Sarah E. Younger of the Nancy Yost Literary Agency.

She has an M.S. in Library and Information Science and, in addition to her work as a librarian, has worked as a conference and events planner as well as a Communications and Enrollment administrator in both preschool and higher education environments (although some might say that there is very little difference between the two; Jen has no comment regarding whether she is one of the "some").

Her first book, CALLING IT, was published by Carina Press in April 2016. It was the winner of The Beacon, the Finish the Damn Book, and the Melody of Love 2014 contests in the Contemporary Romance category, and was also the Contemporary Romance winner as well as the Grand Prize Winner of the 2014 Gateway to the Best contest. Book #2, CALLED UP, will be published on August 29, 2016.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

Related Posts

  • Related Posts
  • By Jen Doyle
  • Same Genre
  • 4.5 Star Books
Fiction Fare
Review: Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2)
Thumbnail
Mistletoe & Mr. Right by Lyla Payne
Fiction Fare
REVIEW: Half Bad by Sally Green
Fiction Fare
Review: The Edge of Never
Thumbnail
Also Known As & Going Rogue By Robin Benway
Calling It by Jen Doyle
Holiday Housecall by Jen Doyle
We Were On A Break by Lindsey Kelk
Flashback Friday: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
Thumbnail
The Year We Fell Apart by Emily Martin
Blog Tour: Sky In The Deep by Adrienne Young
Reliquary by Sarah Fine
Thumbnail
Seven Nights To Surrender by Jeanette Grey
Speak Easy, Speak Love by McKelle George
Thumbnail
Soulprint by Megan Miranda
To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
Thumbnail
The Year We Fell Apart by Emily Martin

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: Contemporary Romance, Reviewed By Jaime

About Jaime

Avid reader and book blogger, lover of music, writing, my kid & my cats. Master of sarcasm and snark and doing what makes me happy.

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • pinterest
  • bloglovin
  • custom1
  • goodreads
  • rss
  • custom2

Get Our Updates!

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

E-Book Deals!

E-Book Deals!


Author Talk

 photo author-talk_zpscsw6iy8a.png

Archives

What We’re Currently Reading

Jaime's bookshelf: currently-reading

The Trouble with Destiny
0 of 5 stars
The Trouble with Destiny
by Lauren Morrill
The Beginning of Everything
0 of 5 stars
The Beginning of Everything
by Robyn Schneider
Forget Tomorrow
0 of 5 stars
Forget Tomorrow
by Pintip Dunn

goodreads.com

Erin's bookshelf: currently-reading

Endure
0 of 5 stars
Endure
by Sara B. Larson
The Unquiet
0 of 5 stars
The Unquiet
by Mikaela Everett
Twist
0 of 5 stars
Twist
by Karen Akins

goodreads.com

Upcoming Reviews

None yet!

Ebates Coupons and Cash Back

Challenge Participant

Recent Comments

  • Lisa Loves Lit on Waiting on Wednesday: The Queens of Innis Lear By Tessa Gratton
  • bookbunny68 on Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Have Been On My TBR the Longest and I Still Haven’t Read
  • Kristy Petree on Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Have Been On My TBR the Longest and I Still Haven’t Read
  • MischaS_ on Cover Reveal: Beyond Pain by Kit Rocha
  • Maggie @ ReadingDiva's Blog on Blog Tour: Tempests & Slaughter by Tamora Pierce

Recent Posts

  • People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
  • Flashback Friday: Blood and Sand by C.V. Wyk
  • Our Top Ten Most Anticipated Books to Screen Podcast Episode
  • Flashback Friday: The Highwayman (Victorian Rebels #1) by Kerrigan Byrne
  • Podcast Episode 81: #FicNews–March 2021

Recent Reviews

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
The Heiress Gets a Duke by Harper St. George
Crown of Bones (Amassia #1) by A.K. Wilder
Courting Trouble (Goode Girls Romance #2) by Kerrigan Byrne
Eventide by Sarah Goodman
All Scot and Bothered (Devil You Know #2) by Kerrigan Byrne
Deadly Curious by Cindy Anstey
Review: Rebel Spy by Veronica Rossi
The Court of Miracles by Kester Grant
A Dark and Stormy Knight (Victorian Rebels #7) by Kerrigan Byrne

Copyright ©2010-2015 Fiction Fare All Rights Reserved Site Design by The CreativeB Login