Coach

by Devney Perry

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

A sweet single dad, second chance, small town sports romance awaits readers in Coach, the first book in a brand new series by Devney Perry.

In this the first book in the Treasure State Wildcat series, readers get the chance to connect with Millie and Ford. Best friends in college who secretly loved each other, but circumstances prevented them from being together. Ford was dating her nemesis and had plans to break it off and make Millie aware of his feelings. However, prospective fatherhood disrupted his plans. So, without any explanation, he severed ties with Millie. A decision which ended their friendship and broke her heart .
Fast forward ten years later. Ford has retired from the NFL, he is divorced, has sole custody of his daughter and has returned to Montana to be the head coach at his Alma Mater. However, unbeknownst to him, his college crush, Millie, works as an Assistant Sports Director at the college. One would have thought that after ten years, their feelings for each would have died a natural death. But all it took was one look, one touch for old feelings to re-ignite.

Millie feared having her heart broken once again and so was determined to keep her distance from Ford. However, he had other ideas. After spending years in a loveless marriage, it was time for him to be with someone he loves and who loved him in return. Millie was that someone, and he had no intention of letting her go this time.

Ford and Millie made a great couple, which made rooting for their happily ever after a delight. No one could breach the walls Millie built around her heart, well except for Ford of course. But it would not be an easy job. Ford will need to work hard to break through those solid walls.

The highlight of the story, though, lay not in the romance, but in the relationship Ford shared with his daughter. Readers get to see his parenting skills firsthand. This is not to say the romance was not good. It just never grabbed me, in the way I have come to expect from the author. The romance developed quickly for a couple who had not seen each other for ten years and whose relationship never went beyond friendship before now.

Overall, Coach proved a great start to the series. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Narration

The story alternates points of view between Ford and Millie. Narrator, Teddy Hamilton breathes life into Ford’s character. His tone and approach captured Ford’s personality, as well as his emotions. He also did a great job with the female voices. This was my first time experiencing his narration, and I would definitely listen to him again.

I loved Ava Erickson’s interpretation of Millie and I also liked her male voice for Ford. This is my second time listening to her narration. Overall, both narrators did a wonderful job of bringing each character’s emotions and personality to life; they complemented each other perfectly.