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The favor seemed simple: Keep my new stepsister out of trouble for one summer. I've never met Grace Lee, but Mom tells me she's a quiet and artsy college student with a troubled past. When I agreed to let her stay with me, I thought it was no big deal. I expected to share my apartment with a sullen girl who'd spend hours locked in her room. I didn't expect a walking fantasy determined to make me lose my cool. I didn't expect a woman with secrets so dark, so deep, I'd throw away everything if it would save her from the past. Rushing in to do this favor is turning my life upside down-and not just because Grace needs her ass spanked. Keep her out of trouble? Grace is the trouble. And I want in. RUSHING IN is a standalone novel and the second in The Blackhawk Boys series. Football. Secrets. Lies. Passion. These boys don't play fair. Which Blackhawk Boy will steal your heart? Book 1 - SPINNING OUT (Arrow's story) Book 2 - RUSHING IN (Christopher's story) Book 3 - GOING UNDER (Sebastian's story - Coming late 2016)"

374 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2016

417 people are currently reading
2910 people want to read

About the author

Lexi Ryan

65 books8,389 followers
Award-winning author Lexi Ryan is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of hot contemporary romance and sexy, action-packed YA fantasy. Her books have sold over a million copies. A former English professor, she considers herself lucky to have traded stacks of grading for emotionally charged storytelling. She is happiest when at home in Indiana with her husband and two children, where you can find her lifting weights, reading copiously, hanging out with her family, and thanking her lucky stars.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
Profile Image for Snow.
2,320 reviews732 followers
October 23, 2016

4.25 "the slut and the good guy" stars

Oh, boy...the drama in this book...

This time the background for this story is a "forbidden" romance BUT it's not emphysized at all, so forget about the "stepbrotherly-forbidden" romance, it's about Grace Lee, a girl with a messed up past and a whole bunch of insecurities lingering deep inside her, no matter how hard she tries to hide behind a different hair color, tattooes, the amount of earings on her, or excessive drinking...

she's still that traumatized 13 year old girl who stuttered and was ridiculed and mocked for it, and has been sexually taken advantage of by a guy...and she let him, and she let all the other guys do it, cause it brought her a different kind of attention besides the mockery BUT instead of escaping one fuckery she slipped into another becoming the shadow behind a new nickname Easy Gee Gee

5 years later...it's still a wound never healed only covered with a layer of gause...
the sudden marriage between her Dad and his new fiancee, puts her in the path of Cris Mongomery, a quarterback, and an actual good guy. He's his football team's leader, he's always in control, a steady, calm and rational guy. Someone who is a true gent, kind and polite, sincere and he'll always do the right thing. Until he meets Grace, a sassy, passionate, smart, funny and direct girl, who stirs him up, makes him laugh and react in a way unknown to him.

BUT He's also the guy who she had a crush on, who stopped a sexual expoloit of her, five years ago, a guy who doesn't remember her from that incident or the incident itself.

And she sees the chance to be just Grace, hiding the truth about her past actions/mistakes from Cris, she thrives to be the person who wants to believe she can be stronger than the "nickname", stronger than her past mistakes, the person who looks forward to her future, a person that can be "good enough".

But events come rushing in, and the shaky steps of Chris and Grace's relationship, get torn by lies, shady person from Grace's past, and when it all comes together and tumbles upon them, she will finally fight for herself but will lose a part of her in the process...

misunderstanding, doubts and hot headed male testosteron will harden the way towards each other's hearts, but Cris will be the one who will finally take the risk, for her and for himself.



You're the only thing I want.


I liked this story but I didn't love it, mainly cause of the "familiar" drama towards the end, it was a bit predictable and even though the timing of the twist nearing the end was perfect, i guessed "the cause" of the rattle and smoke drama and it kind of left me flat in the expecting suspensful emotional grip.
But there's enough angst for any lover of it and I am sure the tastes would be satiated. *wink*

For more info and reviews visit
Profile Image for Karen Mc .
1,100 reviews768 followers
September 9, 2016
I think things that I shouldn't. I dream things that I shouldn't. I want things that I shouldn't and it's all because of one thing; I do care about you. ~H.M. Ward

Have you ever wanted something or someone you can’t have…something or someone forbidden? You’re willing to dance in those flames regardless if you get burned. You’ll risk everything for the possibly of love. Sometimes, whether you want it or not, Love rushes in like a hurricane where you’re powerless to stop it even though you know you should. Love takes control—takes you—as it crosses your path, hitting your heart and stealing your soul. Rushing In by Lexi Ryan crossed my path, took control, hit my heart hard like a hurricane, stealing my soul along the way.

The Synopsis snared me before I met this sports story and forbidden romance.

“The favor seemed simple: Keep my new stepsister out of trouble for one summer.”

“I didn’t expect a walking fantasy determined to make me lose my cool.”


From the first few pages, Rushing In cast a spell on me, catching me and holding me in its clutches where I was utterly captivated. These characters spoke to me as if I were in the same room listening to them tell this story. They felt real. Rushing In felt real. I felt every word I read. I lived and breathed this book as Rushing In bled into me, extracting every emotion, stealing every piece of me.

Beautiful dark-haired and green-eyed Grace, with her pin-up girl curves, had a rough childhood. She is trying to put her painful past aside for a new life. I love that she still has the best sense of humor, making me laugh throughout the story with her uncensored mouth.

One drunk night at her friend’s house led her to a hot make-out session with Chris Montgomery, the friend and football team player of her best friend’s boyfriend.

“I can’t speak, can hardly breathe. I know him. My soon-to-be stepbrother. My soon-to-be roommate. Last night’s really bad judgment.”

Imagine the shock when Chris turns out to be her soon-to-be stepbrother and childhood crush who doesn’t remember her or how he rescued her one night when they were teens.

“They call it a crush because it hurts.”

Grace’s crush was unrequited until recently. Chris may not remember Grace from high school, but oh does he want a taste of her now.

“All I could think about standing across from Grace today was how she felt under my hands, the way she tasted, and the sounds she made when I put my mouth on her breast."

Thrown together to live as Grace’s domineering father thinks that Chris should be her babysitter this summer proves to be a temptation like Adam and Eve. The challenge to remain just friends may be harder than winning any football game.

“She does something to me. Something that makes me so crazy for what I know I can’t have—what I shouldn’t even want.”

The chemistry is combustible as much as the combative banter. Heat radiates between Chris and Grace, melting hot like lava, as they try not to walk into the flames. As hot as the heat is between them, their concern for one another and passion are even more powerful.

“I want to kiss her so badly that I don’t even trust myself to speak.”

Grace needs to build her self-confidence while turning over a new leaf this summer. She doesn’t need complications right now. Complications like the devastatingly hot Chris with his blue eyes and muscles that call to her like an Adonis. Her forever crush and new step-brother make her want to forget the consequences and succumb to temptation like Eve to that succulent apple.

“You gonna pretend you need me to stroke your ego?”

“I wouldn’t turn down a good…stroking.”


Oh. My. HOT!!! Chris’ dirty talk makes it even harder to resist this man candy that begs to be tasted.

“Jesus, Grace, you’re a dream.”

“I’m no one’s dream.”


My heart broke for Grace, this woman so badly burned by her painful past that she can’t let it go, can’t release the demons that are drowning her in sorrow. I wanted to scoop her up into a hug as her self-confidence needed a big boost.

“I have to know. Is it just me? Everything I feel when you’re close to me? Tell me you feel it too.”

These beautiful and bare words cut straight into me like a knife. My emotions were scattered all over the pages.

As Chris and Grace become closer, their friendship walks the line of love, confusing what they are…what they can be. That attraction brewing between them is building into something bigger. Though sometimes happy bubbles burst.

“His world is about to be turned upside down, and all I can do is make sure I don’t add to the wreckage.”

Lines are blurred and a secret may end it all before it really began.

“Why did he have to make me believe in the fairytale? Why did he have to make me believe a girl like me could have a happy ending?”

Rushing In is a riveting roller coaster of a romance—forbidden and flowing with feels—that hit my heart hard and sent my soul soaring like a football down the field. Happy tears. Heartbreaking tears. Hopeful tears. The beauty in these words warmed my body and soul; I felt every word I read.

I did not expect to fall in insta-love with Rushing In but I did. I did not expect this forbidden stepbrother-romance to be different than the others I’ve read but it was. I did not expect this step-brother story to be filled with so much heart that tugged my heart along the whole time, but it did. Rushing In is a story that is spellbinding, sweet, and full of swoon and soul.

Rushing In became my book crack. My ache. My addiction. This forbidden romance, Rushing In, elicited a slow burn of a build-up that bled angst and buried itself in my heart. Lexi Ryan, a new author to me, has a new fan. I’m still drunk on this book. Drunk on the forbidden. Drunk on football. Drunk on hope after heartbreak. Drunk on Rushing In that is sheer brilliance from beginning to end.

5 sweet and spellbinding stars
Profile Image for Pick a Book.
464 reviews100 followers
March 25, 2020
4,5 estrelas

Que série mais maravilhosa! Tô amando esses boys!!!! O primeiro livro contou a história do Arrow e esse segundo do Chris. Gnt!!!! Eu adorei o Arrow, mas o Chris? Aaah ele roubou meu coração!!! Quero pra mim pra sempre!!!!
THE BLACKHAWK BOYS é uma série de 5 livros. Cada livro conta a história de um jogador de futebol americano. É um maravilhoso romance esportivo ( apesar de que o esporte é só mencionado. Nunca vi os boys jogando rs).
Loooooka agora com a história do Sebastian, do Keegan e do Mason. Amando e super indico.

4,5 stars

OMG! I'm in love with this series. In love with this boys!!! The first book was about Arrow and this one was about Chris. And guys!!!!!!! I enjoyed Arrow but Chris just stole my heart. I want him to be my valentine forever!!!!
THE BLACKHAWK BOYS is a series with 5 books. Each book tells the story of a football player. It's a wonderful sports romance ( although the sports is just mentioned. I never saw the boys playing).
Can't wait to read about Sebastian, Keegan and Mason. Loving this stories and I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Alla.
1,039 reviews50 followers
May 20, 2020
I really, really liked this book...until towards the end when the most boring, cliché plot was thrown in there for a hot minute. I HATE THAT PLOT, TWIST, SPIN OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT!!
Other than that...I really liked it.
Profile Image for Jessica Hull.
936 reviews651 followers
August 23, 2016
4.5 STARS

I've read several Lexi Ryan books, but none struck as strong a chord with me as Spinning Out did. That book made me a true fan of Lexi Ryan's writing and her story telling and I knew after reading that book, I'd devour every book she ever released from then on. That plan started with the second book in The Blackhawk Boys sports romance series, Rushing In, and it did not disappoint.

As soon as I began reading Rushing In, I was immediately brought back into the world of the Blackhawk boys and I was just as quickly taken by the refreshing dynamic Lexi Ryan created between Christopher Montgomery and Grace Lee. While I love a good taboo romance, I was never a fan of the bandwagon craze where hundreds and hundreds of books with overtly sexual STEPBROTHER emblazoned covers flooded the romance scene. That was such a turn off for me and I avoided all those books like the plague. I much prefer it when a step-sibling romance covertly sneaks up on me like this one did. I appreciate a well developed, layered story that is sexy without being overt, is a bit taboo without feeling over the top and that's exactly what Rushing In delivered. There's a whole lot of heavy, hard-to-digest content in this book and the fact that Chris and Grace's parents just got married is actually the least difficult of all the obstacles facing these characters. This story is messy and complex and it only grows exponentially more so with each turn of the page.  

For the first half of this book, I felt like the emotional component that was so evident in Spinning Out was somewhat absent in Rushing In, despite how much I was thoroughly enjoying the book. I thought maybe Lexi Ryan was simply looking to write a lighter, sexier, more angsty romance between Chris and Grace, changing things up a bit from the seriously heavy, emotionally taxing romance she'd crafted between Mia and Arrow in their book. WRONG. I had no idea how heavy this story would eventually get, how gripped I'd become, how emotional I'd feel. I read practically the entire last 40% of this book with blurry eyes. The barrage of hits to these characters just kept coming... the secrets that would finally come to light, the secondary characters that would cause such strife between them, the heartbreaking relationship between Chris and his father, the demons from the past that just refused to stay there... all of it killed me. Looking back, the pacing of this story was spot on. There was always an undercurrent of something solemn, even in the lighter, fluffier, sexier moments, but it was subtle. Peppered through the sweet romance, through the humorous banter, through the simmering sexual tension were whispers of darker secrets, but they didn't consume the storyline right out of the gate the way they did with Arrow and Mia. In Rushing In, the onslaught comes later, allowing the reader to fall first, taking this romantic ride with these characters before both the characters and the reader are blindsided.

What began as an enjoyable read became an unputdownable, emotional story that wouldn't let me go. I went in liking this storyline and I came away completely in love. I came away addicted. I loved everything about this book. I loved this couple. I loved rooting for the good guy when I typically root for the bad ones. I love the author's writing. I loved how much it hurt, how much it kept hurting right up until the wholly satisfying end. I love this vast ensemble of characters, as maddening as they can all be, and I'm so thirsty for all of their own stories. I love that each installment in this series adds further dimension to this ever changing dynamic, to this world of football and friendship and romance and the heavy emotional current that ties it all together. I love everything about this series and I can not wait for more.
Profile Image for 1-Click Addict Support Group.
3,749 reviews489 followers
August 29, 2016
BLOGGERS!!!

Sign up for the release blitz for Rushing In:

http://bit.ly/RushingInRB

★☆★

This is the second book in the Blackhawk Boys series and it was even better than the first! I fell in love with Chris in the first book, Spinning Out, and I couldn’t wait to read his story!

I have to be honest, this is a stepbrother book, and I was kind of scared to read it. I know it’s a popular genre, but it has never been my cup of tea. BUT, I had no problem with that angle in this story. It is cut and dry, and not an issue at all!

In this story we meet Grace. She dealt with a lot of bullying growing up, and has stayed away from home for a long time because of it. Unable to avoid home any longer, she sucks it up to meet her new stepbrother and watch her dad and Brenda get married.

“I’m a slut, and my slutty ways fucked everything up. Again. Because Slutty McSlutterson sluts a lot. What is it about this town that brings her front and center, anyway?”

Her new stepbrother turns out to be her hero, her high school crush, quarterback Chris Montgomery. And the chemistry between them is immediate and hot!

“Chemistry isn’t the simple biological response of getting turned on when the moment is right. It’s this powerful, undeniable attraction that has me hard even though the moment is all wrong. And fuck am I turned on.”

They both try to fight the attraction for entirely different reasons and holy sexual tension! It was insane throughout this book!

“Erection via polka dots,” I whisper, tilting my face up to his. “Sounds like a serious affliction.”

This book was sexy, sassy, and downright swoonworthy! It brought out so many emotions and I laughed a lot from Grace’s feisty mouth. It was full of secrets and trouble and I loved every single second! I cannot wait to read more of this series. Sebastian is up next, and I certainly hope we get a Mason and Olivia story too! ~ Tiffany, 5 stars
Profile Image for Brenna Aubrey.
Author 46 books2,103 followers
August 19, 2016
Well that was just plain addictive! I think I'm still out of breath from the amount of swooning I did over Chris Montgomery. He's exactly the sort of hero that turns me to jelly--protective, honorable, kind and smokin' hawt! I'm still fanning myself over Chris... and Grace is his perfect match. They truly brought out the best in each other and became better people because of their love for one another. I was rooting for them from the first page. Such a sweet, meaningful and sizzling love story... I loved every moment of it!


Guess who has an ARC of this bad boy and is not afraid to brag about it? :p
Profile Image for Ambriehl Khalil.
Author 2 books159 followers
November 26, 2019
⭐️ [3.75/5 Stars] ⭐️

Well shit. There are some tropes I usually stay away from and this is normally one of them. I don’t think I read the premise properly but regardless, the second I started it and realised what was going on, I was a tiny bit on the “oh crap” side.

So this novel follows Grace and Chris who are new step siblings. Like I said, I’m not normally into these kind of taboo novels but I think that’s usually only for the more serious cases as in step siblings who grew up together or something—that’s not my thing and I shall avoid those at all costs. In this case, Grace and Chris meet for the first *second* time in a kinda unconventional way but their relationship isn’t weird. The fact that they’re step siblings isn’t even the main focus of the novel. It’s the least important part. What was important was a Grace’s history.

She’s been through a lot; had rumours shared about her etc. She’s been to hell and back and Chris just wants to understand what’s going through her head, which is fair enough.

There was a lot about this novel that I enjoyed and a lot that I didn’t. I think there was too much focus on Grace’s past and what she did and not enough attention paid to her development. It felt like it was a huge lead up to what happened rather than okay what happened but look how i’ve progressed. I wanted to see her come to an understanding with herself and have some more inner monologues about her coming to terms with the fact that being sexual doesn’t make you a whore etc. I think it would have been a much more impactful novel if that were the case. Instead it felt a lot like things were being shoved in to cause a shock or drama.

It was fine, it was a good book, but yeah. I just wanted a bit more, you know?
Profile Image for P.
642 reviews41 followers
August 3, 2022
Mmmm.. idk if I should continue the series. The drama is very over the top.. we shall see if not I will take a break. But honestly I didnt like either MC. And the storyline wasn't my favorite the amount of slut shamming Grace did to herself was so annoying gah. The bullying from others was also hard to read. I don't enjoy my FMC to be such hot messes. Idk skim read a lot .also the pace is so slow in regards from the first book to this it legit picks up like days or weeks after each book. Not sure how I feel about that.
Profile Image for CristiinaReads୨ৎ.
597 reviews3,496 followers
February 9, 2017
ARC kindly provided by author for an honest review

Lexi Ryan just keeps bringing it back with better and better things doesn’t she? There is sweetness, kindness, lust, but most of all, love involved in this book. Chris and Grace are totally, 100% different people but somehow the same.
The twist is obvious, the whole stepsiblings becomes something they have to keep in their minds because both them have something in common; to keep their just married parents happy. But at some time they snap because they can’t take it anymore. Sparks fly everywhere and they need each other in more ways than other. Grace’s secret past comes and haunts her as Easy Ge-Ge and she doesn’t want Chris to know about it and let him know that it was him who she fell head over heels for. Her crush for him definitely crushed her…

On the other hand, Chris is such a sweet gentleman while Grace is an honest to die for girl. Everything that she needs to say she says it, no filter added what-so-ever. But she is also a wanna-be bad ass. He wants her, not the Grace from the past or ge-ge from high school. He wants Grace, the quirky, fun-loving all Grace. It’s so sweet it melts my heart how selfless he is to not only her, but to his friends too.

Once their pasts collide, love is by their side in every step of the way. Chris just cannot get enough of her, and she cannot get enough of how perfect Chris is. But throughout the separation more climactic moments come between them. In general, this was a great read. For my “safety squad” I want to say that it’s a safe read but the H has a problem that you will not like.



Goodreads rating: 4.5 POLKA DOTTED STARS
Profile Image for i fall in love book blog.
209 reviews6 followers
August 30, 2016
5 STARS!!!!

I can't even talk about how much I loved this book. REALLY. I just can't right now. (Can't as in I was up half the night reading and I'm about to fall asleep on my computer if I try right now.)

OK. I'm back.
I think I had a huge smile on my face for about 90% of this book. For some reason I just completely related to Grace. I loved her. I thought she was hilarious, snarky, smart, strong and vulnerable all rolled into a gorgeous polka dotted package. She had me laughing out loud and rooting for her from the beginning. She faced some harsh situations in her life, but she was determined that those actions not define her. It was hard, and she had some setbacks, but ultimately she proved that she was not the same person she had been.

Chris was pretty much the all around perfect southern gentleman. He was an extremely talented football player, but his success didn't go to his head. His personality was genuinely caring and responsible and HOT.

My favorite scene by far was the ladder scene excerpted on my blog, but I also loved when he forcibly removed her from the couch, so that she would sleep in the bed.
"You just carried me, Christopher. You picked me up and carried me, and now all the weakling men out there who try to impress me with their brains are going to make my girly parts yawn. I am ruined for normal men, and it's all your fault!"

Don't even get me started on some of the characters. I'm so excited that Sebastian is going to be the main character in the next book. He has intrigued me from Spinning Out and I can't wait to get into his story. AAANNNNNNDDDD I'm hoping that Bailey and Mason get a story, because I love them already.

I received a copy of this book from Give Me Books Promotions in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jessica Alcazar.
4,374 reviews618 followers
June 25, 2018
First things first ... I read a lot therefor it is really hard to impress me ..That being said ... I LOVED THIS STORY!

Chris Montgomery is not your typical sports jockey bad-boy. he's actually quite endearing. The guy was just nice! LOL There's no other way to put it. From page one! Now Grace was a little more complicated, in my opinion. She has serious baggage and issues that hold her back. I don't know what voodoo Lexi Ryan did, but she made these two unstoppable! Their chemistry was intense and palpable from the start! Their story was hard but yet beautiful and full of heart. It was heart-breaking and gritty and explosively passionate as well. I gotta tell ya'll ... this is like no other step sibling journey I have ever read. Okay, maybe not ever but it is unique enough that you will not encounter it every day. It is far from typical for this trope. AND I LOVED EVERY WORD! #TRUTH

For those of you on the fence because you have whatever hang-ups about step-sibling romances, I urge you to try and put them aside for this book. Lexy Ryan has talent. And she's brought that talent to this story. It would be a shame for you to miss it ...

Copy provided for blog tour review
Profile Image for Susan (susayq ~).
2,517 reviews132 followers
August 26, 2016
Oh wow! There is not a thing at all that I would change about this book! I loved it so much I told my daughter to put it at the top of her reading list ;)

Chris Montgomery was a nice guy who was super swoony, and had just enough passion and umph in him when he needed it. And Grace. How I loved her too. She's smart and sassy and vulnerable and fragile all at the same time. My heart ached for her.

The supporting cast was great! I've got to go back and read Mia and Arrow's story and I'm hoping Bailey and Mason get one...there is so much to tell there. I'll be waiting anxiously for Sebastian's story next (and I even hope we get a glimpse of how his sister is doing, and I hope she's not with Keegan LOL)

*a million thanks to Give Me Books Promotions for sharing this with me in exchange for an honest review*
156 reviews40 followers
August 12, 2016
Rushing In had me rushing through the pages to see what was going to happen next. The chemistry between Dash and Grace was smoldering hot. Rushing In is the perfect read to kick off your steamy fall reading list. Lexi has written another all-nighter. You will not be able to put this one down until you reach the end. This forbidden romance is full of twists and turns that will have your heart tied up in knots all the while making you squirm.
Profile Image for Dianna B. (WESTFALL).
268 reviews91 followers
January 30, 2020
"I'm not more vulnerable for loving him. I'm stronger."

After the first book, I thought this one will be sad as sh*t too, and although it was kinda sad it felt like a breath of fresh air. I even laughed at some parts.
Chris was too perfect to be real, that's why he exist just in books and that's why I should stop reading romance books 'cause I have way too high expectations in real life from boys. Anyway, of course I'll never stop reading them 'cause they are way too addictive. This book was addictive too, I literally couldn't put it down.
I got attached to the characters and I love them so much and I'm so happy I found out about this series and I can't wait to read the next books.
Profile Image for Kim.
2,831 reviews178 followers
August 21, 2016
Chris Montgomery is the Blackhawks centered, always-in-control quarterback. He's known as the good guy, the leader, and seems to be kind of a Prince Charming. He loves his Mom and supports his friends and team. He tries to make good choices, and feels guilty if he doesn't.

Grace Lee is not proud of her past and often feels like a failure. She's made poor choices that led to a bad reputation and consequences. She feels unworthy of a good guy, and that fact has been reinforced by events in her past.

Now they are becoming step-siblings and room mates for the summer. Chris is supposed to keep her out of trouble, but is unsure of what all that will entail. Grace is the one girl who gets under his skin and makes him lose control. However, she is guarded, wary, and tries to keep her past secrets locked up. She does not want to be associated with the girl she used to be. But eventually they will have to face full disclosure and how others react to the negative things sometimes can overshadow all the good. She's got serious defense mechanisms due to her fears and insecurities that also add more tension and drama.

All of the characters from Spinning Out are back with some ongoing stories--Arrow, Mia, Mason, Bailey, Keegan, Olivia, and Sebastian. And Grace's bestie, Willow, is introduced. I really liked Chris. He was a sweet, caring, and protective guy, but his past did also affect how he reacted to certain situations. He is suddenly under a lot of stress not only due to Grace, but also due to some possible life changing issues surrounding him. Sometimes Grace's self doubt and self sacrificing behavior was hard to take, but considering all she has been though it was understandable. But sometimes the secrets and omissions instilled doubts that could easily be manipulated and cause misinterpretations. It reinforced the importance of having faith and believing in yourself and those you care about.

It was told in dual points of view that was really important due to the secrets and hidden feelings. This was angsty and emotional, but also had some humor and good sense of friendship and camaraderie. It was not quite as dark and mysterious as the first one, but did have a few situations that kept you wondering for a while and a few twists. I am looking forward to more with these characters. Sebastian is supposed to be next in Going Under and I think I know a possible heroine for him. But I really want to see more of Mason, Bailey, and Keegan too.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Ali .
663 reviews153 followers
September 8, 2016
3.5 Stars

I KNOW I’ve said this before, but there is just something about Ryan’s writing that pulls me in and always leaves me comfortably satisfied. Rushing In…no different. I actually enjoyed it more than the first Blackhawk Boys book. Why?

Grace.

In Spinning Out (first book of the series) I really liked the hero, but the lead female left me feeling a bit bored. So not the case with Rushing In. Grace had personality and even when I didn’t fully understand or agree with her decisions, I felt like they came from a place true to her insecurities as a young woman. And Ryan writes insecurities well, whatever they may be. In this case, Grace is a mess because of misguided attentions from boys when she was young and from a missing mother figure.

Chris entering her life as her new stepbrother complicates the cage she’s built around her life. He’s not sure why, but he’s determined to get close enough to her to break that cage open. Chris is the ultimate good guy and he was pretty adorable. Much less hard than any Ryan boy I’ve read in the past, and I quite liked what she did with him.

After I finished Rushing In, a book buddy asked me my thoughts and said ‘it doesn’t sound gritty enough for you’. Which is valid, I do tend to read more on a darker scale. But as we chatted she brought up a point. She basically said Lexi Ryan writes the innocence I like, when I typically hate innocence. And that is it exactly for me as well. You can hand me virgin story after virgin story and I’ll probably be bored with 98% of them, but I bet if I got one from Ryan, I’d love it. She just has a style that speaks to me as a woman with issues and as a reader who likes real characters.
Profile Image for Briana.
587 reviews23 followers
October 29, 2016
This was such a pleasurable read!

At first when I started this book I was thinking that this type of plot is over done in a way with the whole "step siblings" theme, but as I read I was pleased with how this author wrote the characters. Honestly these characters made this story.

I can see from reading this series and another series by this author that this author can write a character so well. I love that I, as the reader, can read the dialogue and actions of a character and feel so close and connected with them.

Some authors can't do that, and this one did, so well done!

Plot was an ok plot. I've read and heard so many versions of the "step siblings fall in love" thing that I'm kind of worn out by it. But the overall complexity of each situation that each character deals with builds on the plot in a way that overshadows the "worn out" theme.

The writing style of the writer is good. A good story teller, and I was engaged more with the story which was great.

Overall a good read. 4.5 rating
**CAUTION CAUTION: BE PREPARED FOR SOME WELL WRITTEN HOTT SCENES**
Profile Image for Claudia González.
114 reviews3 followers
August 5, 2018
Me encantó! Chris es un muñeco perfecto: fornido, guapo, dulce, protector, autosuficiente, buen hijo, en fin, un millón de cualidades que lo hacen justo mi tipo de protagonista. Grace es un personaje complejo, si bien no me encanta que tuviera con un auto concepto muy pobre, su boca afilada y personalidad que me recuerda a Abby de la serie de tv NCIS, hacen juntos una buena historia.
Bien narrada, el toque justo de drama, entretenida, me gusto mucho, mucho.
Profile Image for Livia.
1,023 reviews41 followers
June 22, 2018
Spoiler Free Review!!!

★¸¸.•*¨*•★Unabridged Audiobook Info★•*¨*•.¸¸★

Narrated by:
Tyler Donne & Summer Roberts
Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins
Release Date: 12-20-16
Publisher: Ever After, LLC
Writing style: Dual POVs
Cover gush: If only all books had a book cover as gorgeous as this entire series has on each novel. I ❤ this cover so much!
Dual formats owned: Kindle e-book and Audible audiobook
•*¨*•
Audible Title:
I’m so glad there’s more to this series!
•*¨*•
Overall rating: ★★★★☆
•*¨*•
Performance rating: ★★★★☆

These two narrators make a great acting team. I’m really enjoying this series via audiobook.
•*¨*•
Story rating: ★★★★☆

This book got me through my all day laundry chore and errands on Sunday. I was completely engrossed by the featured couple’s love story as well as their interaction with the supporting characters. I love that author Lexi Ryan has chosen to tackle an important social issue in each of The Blackhawk Boys novels.

What I enjoyed about this New Adult Sports romance novel...
Easy-to-read / Entertaining / Complex characters / Captivating / Romantic / On going look at supporting characters / HEA

Would I recommend Rushing In?
Yes, absolutely especially in audiobook format.

•*¨*•
Coming up next:

I’m already well into book 3, Going Under (The Blackhawk Boys, #3) by Lexi Ryan Going Under, in audiobook format.
Profile Image for Quinn's Quippy Quotes.
1,432 reviews141 followers
September 30, 2020
I actually really liked this. I was a little leary because there is a lot of mixed reviews but I really enjoyed how everything unveiled. Now there were definitely things I didn't care for, like Grace's over use of the word 'thirsty' and how she played into her so called sluttiness. I think the book would've been more authentic without that drama, but otherwise I thought this was kind of original. Definitely moving on to the next because I have to get to Mason and Bailey's book!
Profile Image for tinyteaplots.
703 reviews2 followers
March 25, 2018
High school is hard, and kids can be vicious. My heart hurt for Grace. I loved her and I was rooting for her from the get go. I loved good guy Chris. I loved them together even more.
This book wasn't as emotionally taxing as the previous book had been, but it still played my heartstrings like a fiddle.
Profile Image for Dulce María.
934 reviews42 followers
February 20, 2020
Me gusto más que el primero pero sigo teniendo muchos problemas con esta saga, sobre todo el exceso de drama y la facilidad de perdonar de las protagonistas.
Profile Image for kiara.
53 reviews
April 22, 2025
this is if my fault and off campass had a better looking baby.
this boom was so good.
ok so this is for me to reread its basically about grace abd chris and they are stepsiblings and before they new they were stepsibilings they has little kiss kiss smooch. they went to high school together. grace had to stay with chris the summer bc their parents were on hineymoon. and they get together. grace was called a slut when she was in high school and one tike at a party grace was 13/14 and sucked of 6 17 year olds. poor thing and chris saved her from it. chris didnt remember until end of book. they broke things off bc chris assumed that grace slept with isaac (someone that was one of the 6 guys) after they found out chris got his ex pregnant. turns out it wasnt his baby and they are back together. theyre pa
rents seemed fine with it. and there was a side plot about grace being a playwriter. ok thats basically it future kiara. but yeah i really enjoyed this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sarah Griffin.
371 reviews308 followers
August 30, 2016
There's just something about Lexi Ryan's books that pull you in from the very first page, entrenching you in the character's lives so deep you can no longer see the surface. Yet even though you are drowning in their woes and drama, you wouldn't change the circumstances for all the money in the world. Normally it's the male characters I fall for first, but I fell unbelievably hard for Grace in this story. Something about her circumstances and self deprecation spoke to the very heart of me.I found myself bleeding each and every time someone took an unwarranted pot shot at her and bled even harder when she was the perpetrator. Down to her core though, there was something so beautiful about her character and when it finally had a chance to shine through, it was simply blinding.

I know the stepbrother trope is very popular right now, but don't go into this book thinking that's going to be a big deal, and for that I'm glad. Trust me, these two had enough going on in their lives to the point where this was put on the back burner where it belonged. I will say though, for all the hoopla and build up, I was very disappointed when we finally found out Grace's number. For what was described, I thought for sure it would be WAY higher than it was, and don't I feel like a total hoe-bag now... ;-) That being said, I loved all the self discovery and regrowth that she went through in this story. She really came into her own skin and it was beautiful to be a part of and witness firsthand.

I loved how integrated the side characters were with our main ones. They were a cohesive unit that never once felt overwhelming. I loved how endearing Chris was. He won my heart from the start and even though he faltered towards the end, I loved how purely he loved Grace. I loved that the more I got to know his character, the more I saw just how strong a man he really was. But I also love that at the heart of him, he had very real vulnerabilities that shone from him like a beacon. Simply put, this story was impossible to put down and I'm practically salivating for the next installment!
Profile Image for Rachel.
1,620 reviews27 followers
August 31, 2016
Grace Lee has made mistakes. She is impulsive and a free-spirit, struggling to find her place and fit in.

Chris Montgomery is always in control. Keeping his cool, leading his team, and making good decisions are all things he counts on. But Grace spins him out of control. She loosens up his tightly held reins and sends him spinning.

When Grace’s father asks Chris to let her stay for the summer, Chris thinks it's a great opportunity to get to know his new stepsister. He didn’t plan for her presence to stir up his summer. And she doesn’t plan to let him know who she was when they first met.

These two have so many secrets between them. Grace is determined that Chris not know her past, even though the secret is a tenuous one at best. They challenge each other and if they didn’t have the new label of stepsiblings between them, they might have experimented long before they did.

This story is told in alternating perspectives. I love being able to see inside both main characters heads, especially with the secrets and side conflicts that are going on. Knowing what both characters are thinking helped me enjoy several tropes that would sometimes frustrate me.

Part of what I really liked was the resolution with the character who could be considered the “villain” in this situation. She isn’t likeable at all. But something about Grace’s treatment of her struck me as perfect. Grace didn’t fully villainize this character, as she could have and probably had every right to do. But Grace’s insight gave her the ability to let some things go that would have been sticking points for another woman.

The ending wrapped up fairly quickly, and I would have loved to see more of them happy and together, but I love the gestures that happened at the end to fix the wrongs throughout the book. This was a fun addition to the Blackhawk Boys series and introduced a couple situations that would make for interesting stories. Sebastian is the next book though, and I look forward to more from this group of college boys.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jan .
2,156 reviews45 followers
August 20, 2016
Not just another stepbrother romance.

Rushing in was enchanting, had me hooked from beginning to hea.

Characters, I loved them. Grace is one of those girls who has made mistakes, bad decisions and no matter how hard she may have tried to leave them behind, the cruel reminders of others won't allow her to forget but she is also a woman with backbone.

Chris is the type of good boy, loves his mum,sensible makes good decisions and to top it off is a hot soccer star.

Chris falling for Grace not only brought new complications to Graces life, she then has to deal with her past.

Yes Grace and Chris become step siblings but the plot doesn’t focus on this so no sighs or groans this isn't just another stepbrother romance.

Lexi Ryan cleverly draws you into the lives of Chris and Grace and the turmoils they face, it's balanced with moments of humour with great extended characters and hot moments.

Told in dual pov's you're transported into the thoughts and feelings of each character.

I loved it, I felt the anguish of Grace her lack of self worth and Chris with his swoon worthy moments and the love that he needed her to see and Lexi Ryan with writing brilliance allowed me to feel apart of that.

Rushing in is a great read, great characters, a romantics ideal pasture.

Looking forward to reading more from this series

Arc gratefully received for review
Bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookboyfriends http:// www.Bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookboyfrien... /
Profile Image for Pamela Lilley.
2,185 reviews38 followers
August 28, 2016
4.5 Stars
Christopher Montgomery is one of the truly nicest, genuine College Quarterbacks I've ever read about, he even makes me want to be a better person, I truly cannot fault him, his perfect personality, his swoon worthy body and his all round goodness. Then we have his new step sister Grace Lee, who has had her fair share of trouble from the age of 13, struggling to be liked by her peers and struggling to be accepted because of her stutter, she makes some bad choices that follow her, even when she moves out of the town she was brought up in. No matter how hard Grace tries to forget the girl she once was, it keeps coming up and biting her in the butt. Chris and Grace finally give into their feelings and the chemistry is off the charts, but Grace's secret is threatening to end what could be a beautiful relationship. Can they fight through the forces that are hell bent on keeping them from having their happy ever after? A story of family, friendship, love, trust and above all forgiveness. A lovely story that I had trouble putting down. Looking forward to the next in the series. I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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