Title: You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows
Author: Piper Rayne
Series: Kingsmen Football Stars #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

I’ve been waiting to read You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows since the fun little prequel, False Start. I’m not really sure what distracted me from diving straight in. But I’m really glad that I eventually got there. As with all of the Piper Rayne books I’ve had the privilege of reading, I absolutely adored this. You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows was a fun and enjoyable sports romance. One that not only had a wonderful couple in the lead, with a whole lot of past that majorly complicated things. But, it also introduced a new cast of characters that I couldn’t help but love. They were fun and I can’t wait to read about each of the boys falling to the women they decide to love like dominoes.

As much as I enjoyed this romance, Shayna is far more forgiving than I think I could be. But, I know how to hold a grudge, and Shayna is definitely a lot more grown up and sweet than I could ever hope to be. Don’t get me wrong, she does hold onto her feelings for a little while, and her being able to forgive Lee for his childish nonsense is a big point of their conflict. But, the past and past hurts weren’t the only things that acted as a point of conflict for the couple. I like that there are other challenges that they face, all coloured by the past, but also influenced by the present. Rather than being bitter and stuck with what has been before, Shayna manages to be optimistic and kind in all of her dealings.

Although Lee is very obviously apologetic for his past stupidity, he is also a little too enmeshed in his own privilege. He consistently believes that because he thinks or says something will be so, it will turn out the way that he wants. Even when Shayna warns him, repeatedly about the consequences of his choices, he just… barrels on ahead. Honestly, his surprise at the outcome of their final hurdle to be together was almost laughable. If it wasn’t for the fact that his privilege made me want to smack him round the head and scoff “idiot”. Yet, this very steep (and kind of unnecessary if he’d just listened to Shayna) learning curve actually acts as a mechanism for him to learn about his privilege. I like that he ultimately acknowledges that he was acting in a very ignorant manner and figures out a way to move forwards with his head just a little further out of his own butt.

I can’t wait to read You Can’t Kiss the Nanny, Brady Banks. His story is set up perfectly, as I’m discovering many of the stories in the Piper Rayne world are. I might not be reading each of the series (and even individual stories) in order, but each and every journey into this world is a whole lot of fun. You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows is a good, easy and fun sports romance that had me smiling and, honestly, believing anything is possible. A great way to depart reality and just enjoy what I have the privilege of burying my literary nose into.

<- False Start

You Can’t Kiss the Nanny, Brady Banks ->

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