There were plus signs; double pink lines; double blue lines; double black lines; two dots; a smiley face; a big Y; and the topper, the one that just announced it: PREGNANT. “Oh, no,” I breathed out.
Oh, yes, she sure is! Camdyn Riordan is not ready to have a baby—she’s the one who lost the class guinea pig in second grade, she’s the one who now won’t keep a boyfriend long enough to leave a toothbrush at his house! And there’s another wrinkle: the father is César Hidalgo, the famous football player, the guy who ran out of her house so fast after their night together that he left a jet trail in his wake. The guy with a list of past girlfriends as long as his hard, muscular arm. They’re going to be parents, but first, they’re going to be roommates, and then maybe they’ll be friends. But there is no way—NO WAY—that this is going to turn into some kind of love story, no matter how much Camdyn likes him, no matter how sweet he is, no matter anything. Absolutely not. Even though César is pretty much the ideal, if a woman was interested in something like a permanent future with a gorgeous, muscled-up guy who also likes to cook. That’s not what Camdyn wants—she’s positive, as positive as all those pregnancy tests! But life does have a funny way of moving your goal line…
I enjoyed the book though it wasn't the best Sports Romance I have read. I didn't like the Leading Lady. She was irrational in her hatred for her Father and she was so accepting of her abusive doormat Mother. One of my BIG negatives of this book was that they glossed over the fact in literally 2 paragraphs that the Leading Lady had been molested and possibly raped as a child by multiple men. It was mentioned ONCE and then never again... why even put a history like that if you're going to act like it doesn't matter?? I enjoyed the Hero and I think his friends will be interesting to read about. Hopefully with better Leady Ladys.
This is definitely my favourite romance book about unwanted pregnancy. Such a good story with amazing characters and a good friends to lovers (kinda) story. I never thought I would like Camdyn so much based on the other book she appears but she grew so much through this book. And what is there to not love about César? He was father to be goals. I have spoken. If you like this kind of stories you need to read this book.
I'm not sure why but it's considerably harder to write reviews for books I love than the books I hate. That said, I loved The Goal Line. I generally love all of Bennett's books, her books are like taking a mini-vacation to a lovely little universe and escaping the craziness that seems to be surrounding us.
This book centers on Camdyn, a young woman who has no interest in being tied down or committing herself to anything. She's 22 and she wants to be foot loose and fancy free (clearly from my old timey idiom usage I haven't seen 22 in quite a while). While she is a party girl, she is also kind and loving and going through a very rough patch.
Enter Cesar the possible thief of Camdyn's carefree lifestyle (that was never quite as carefree as Camdyn wanted it to be). Cesar is likable from the start but he defiantly has his own issues with being a player on and off the field.
I wanted this couple together from the start and I really loved watching their relationship unfold. Camdyn's character development was really enjoyable to watch too She. went from someone young and silly to a grown up who is aware of her mistakes and willing to take responsibility for them.
I would highly recommend this book (or any of Bennett's other books) for anyone who enjoys contemporary romance or just enjoys well written escapism.
Camdyn was very immature but she has lots of personality and a wild upbringing. I recognize characters from a previous book....of course, Warren Wilde is a large part of the story...always" Warren Wilde" or GOAT of Woodmen.
I live in northern Michigan so this is fun. I doubt if a professional football team could be here but Green Bay, Wisconsin is just across Lake Michigan, so maybe, huh?
The Goal Line's heroine is Camdyn, best friend/family member of Ellie from The Benchwarmer (and I do recommend you read at least that one first, though there are also cameo appearances from other Woodsmen-set books in this one too so you might want to read those first too).
The trope in this one is an accidental pregnancy - Camdyn is pregnant after a one night stand (happens off page, prior to book starting) with Woodsmen tight end Cesar Hidalgo. Once again, the slow burn romance is subtle, woven into Camdyn's journey to overcome issues caused by her crap parents. I liked the romantic moments and quiet ways they showed each other they had feelings for the other (while professing to not), and how patient Cesar was with her. The third act problem/drama is easily overcome and I was glad for that as I just wasn't in the mood for anything else. This isn't my favorite JB book to date, and I don't know if that is because I don't love pregnancy stories a ton (I like them some) or due to my mood, which was pretty poor as I was reading due to external factors, but I am rounding down on this one. 3.5 ⭐️
César And Camdyn has a one night fling. Fast forward a few months and Camdyn finds out she is pregnant. She goes to César‘s house to let him know. Him being a big shot football player has a few doubts.
I loved César, he was really nice, understanding and loveable. Camdyn was carrying around a lot of problems and misunderstandings about things from her past.
I did at times feel like giving her a whack or two. It all came together in the end.
The Goal Line is a full length contemporary romance novel by Jamie Bennett.
The format for the book was really disconcerting. It looked like a bad copy that someone was pirating? Where it seems like there’s no real paragraphs for a majority of the duration. Although the effect it has on the read never truly went away, one can acclimate after a slight adjustment period.
This is a darling story, as a whole. Really emotional and heart-touching. The heroine, Camdyn, is the source of most of this turmoil. Given her pretty shitty friend status in the beginning of the book, her recently deceased mother, cousin who’s her sister having just moved out of state, finding out her ‘uncle’ is her father, coming to terms with her own pregnancy, and her terribly horrendous childhood without true parenting, protection, or supervision. So, it definitely hits you in all the feels. Especially if you consider the perceived unrequited love the two MCs share for each other. It was rewarding to experience Camdyn’s growth throughout their journey. She truly overcame so many past traumas and present obstacles. It was practically a 180° turn around for her, as if she’d finally understood her own desires and strength. Beautiful.
I do wish the epilogue could have been longer. Mostly because the resolution in them finally admitting and accepting their love for each other was fairly subpar given all the anticipation and build up leading to this pivotal moment. Alas, it fell short.
As well, sometimes their relationship felt very stiff. If we’re to presume Cesar has really been waiting for her to wise up, and hasn’t been pushing her, it makes little sense to never reassure her. This could’ve have been portrayed in a non-demanding way. However, Cesar was truly swoon-worthy in how caring and supportive and giving he was in his role as a new father. It was the highlight of the book, even while being fairly highhanded throughout the process.
All in all, the book way enjoyable. There were just some key aspects that disrupted a truly fulfilling experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
MCs? The heroine was a bit all over the place. I had a very hard time connecting with her because for a 22 year old, she was a bit too naive and I just unbelievably rude, immature and dumb when she refused to be examined by the doctor. Only for her to then go to the next drug store and buy pregnancy tests. Plus, her POV was a bit confusing. And the way she handles everything with her job? Sooo immature... it's like she can't be bothered with it. She freaking sleeps at work! And is all like, well there isn't a lot to do but come on, you are at work! But the most awesome thing concerning that gal? When she got up after partying at her baby daddy's house - she had thrown parties before, mind yourself, but never in her own house or flat so she was baffled when she saw how much work it would be to clean everything. And I had to laught a bit at her stupidity and carelessness and lack if empathy. No but srlsy what kind of heroine is this? She is 22 or sth not 12??
I love that she has quite some experience so she isn't your typical heroine who has only had bad sex.
Hero and heroine attraction? Well, the heroine didn't really describe him. We don't get to see the way they met in first POV, it's only briefly retold. And yes, the heroine described him as handsome but that was it basically. And I get that she is pregnant and everything but it's a romance story! That's important! Maybe all of this should have been told a bit differently...
Family drama? Oh yes.
Friends? That's the next problem I had. I love me some gorgeous and fun best friends but here those friends are scarce... The heroine lives with two 'friends'but one of them basically evicts them and the other one is as immature as she is, with both of them not being able to pay rent in time.
This wasn’t the best written book (more on that later), but I’m still giving this 5 stars purely based on my enjoyment.
Our main character Camdyn is kind of a wreck. Her mother has recently passed away, she’s estranged from her dad, she’s a party girl, a commitmentphobe, soon to be homeless and not the world’s best employee. Typically I wouldn’t be able to relate to a character like Camdyn and although she was a little irrational at times, the author still managed to make her really likeable and I was totally rooting for her to work it out.
It’s also so rare that surprise pregnancy books focus so heavily on the emotional toll unexpected impending motherhood takes. I liked that we saw Camdyn’s struggles with loneliness and adjusting her lifestyle, and her doubts that she would be a good mother, especially after experiencing such an unstable upbringing herself.
Cesar was also the sweetest EVER and I loved how he supported Camdyn and dealt with all her crazy. I liked that they were total strangers and were forced to get to know each other throughout her pregnancy, too. The plot also kicks off right as she finds out she’s pregnant so it got right into the plot - always a bonus.
As I alluded to before, I don’t think this was the best written/edited book. The formatting style was weird and needed more paragraphs and chapter breaks, and sometimes the pacing was a little off. Camdyn and Cesar getting together, the conflict and the ending was also a little rushed but honestly I enjoyed this so much that I refuse to give it less than 5 stars!
Good romance but the football content is cringeworthy
I finished this book only because it's well written and I love the characters in The romance, the female protagonist especially has amazing character development. She starts as a real b****, a party girl with no sense and no heart. It's believable development. However the love interest is sometimes questionably quick to develop an interest in her, especially when the reader has a difficult time connecting with her as a decent human being. However it all works out really well in the story.
This book's biggest downside is its football content. The author places a professional football team in northern michigan, which does not have a population that can support such a team, has them having full pad practices in the winter and spring, which isn't a thing, has players playing both sides, which isn't a thing, and more. If you know anything about football stay away, but if you don't know football enjoy the book and try not to learn anything about football from it.
This is Camdyn and Cesar’s story. We first met Camdyn in The Benchwarmer and she is Ellie’s sister. Camdyn is shocked and in denial that her one drunken night with Cesar results in her being pregnant. Camdyn has always shied away from relationships and Cesar is a player, now they have to get to know each other and build a friendship in order to co-parent. Jamie Bennett has delivered again with this well written and funny slow burn romance. As always with JB’s books there is a serious issue threaded through the book that is touched on lightly. Camdyn is still reeling from recently discovered family secrets. I really liked Camdyn and Cesar and as always by this author both characters are likable and realistic. It was lovely watching their relationship develop from virtual strangers to friends who fall in love and it definitely didn’t hurt that Cesar came across as hot, funny and protective. Really enjoyed this latest book and would definitely recommend.
Standalone/Cliffhanger: Standalone Ages of H and h: Camdyn is 22 and Cesar is 26 Multi-Luv'n/Ménages: Was There Descriptive Sex: Descriptive Sex &/Or Drama Between H/h With OW/OM: >>If So, Before or After H/h Hookup: Contains Cheating: Amount of Sex In The Book: HEA/HFN/etc Ending: Will This Meet My 'Safety Gang' Buddies' Approval: Any Triggers/Warnings: Yes >>Detail: Camdyn was molested Do You Recommend This Book: No Will You Re-read This Book: No Would You Read More Books By This Author: Not my style
This was close to being a 3 star for me, but it is landing at. 2.5.
I actually really like pregnancy in books which is the main troupe of this book, but I think Camdyn is what knocked it down for me. I understand why she is like she is (or at least I read the explained reason in the book) but I didn’t appreciate how wishy-washy she was. I didn’t appreciate how César was in the beginning, but he really did become all in on the baby and Camdyn which I really loved and was so different from how Camdyn was.
This is one of the books that I had skipped in the series that I am coming back to as I adore this world so much, so take it with a grain of salt my rating as even I knew this wouldn’t be super high. I am kinda surprised at the 2.5 honestly as like book 2 we met this heroine in a previous book and I didn’t like her so I was expecting like a 1.
A hunky, pro-football player, a bottle of tequila and a one-night stand leaves Camdyn Riordan with a souvenir she’s terrified she’ll never be ready for. She’s spent her entire life avoiding relationships and commitment, and now she’s facing the biggest commitment of all. César Hildago ran out of Camdyn’s house the next morning like it was on fire. When she shows up claiming that she’s pregnant, his first thought is that she’s trying to trap him. Both of them struggle to come to terms with impending parenthood and their individual issues. What results is a swoony, satisfying story with lots of feels.
After getting to know the heroine as a support player in previous books its really fun to walk into a story where you get inside her head. the story of hero and heroine plays out with a lot of tears, drama, and laughter. I always love reading a pregnancy story where the hero is loving and treasuring and actually finds the baby belly gorgeous and sexy. Authors should definately write more like that, its a wonderful natural and super empowering experience! love really culminates in producing a child together and reading these characters grow in love is a beautiful thing. Highly recommend, top tier love story!
The Goal Line was another enjoyable romance from Jamie Bennett. I liked seeing Camdyn again and how she was doing. Camdyn did have a lot to unpack from what happened in The Benchwarmer -- not that you had to read that book first, but it does provide greater depth to certain events. Cesar was supportive, kind, and patient. I liked seeing characters from the other books briefly pop into this story.
Book was good and cute just a bad take on the medicine in the book kinda bother me. I know it donated have to be perfect just a little research like a prenatal paternity test quite invasive and can risk the fetus not just a little DNA that more for when it’s born. Also the ultrasound what she states she saw would not be present that early in the pregnancy. So those are major issues I had . But cute story
Cute… I don’t condone accidental pregnancies to end up with the man but for some reason it is a guilty pleasure for me to read this trope. I wish there had been more of them, specifically Cesar, falling in love. The romance was actually pretty weak. I love this author though and it was nice to see some more of the other characters. Camdyn is a little crazy in a free spirit way and Cesar is super organized. They were cute.
I just struggled with this one - Camdyn is very troubled with a coach load of baggage and I just struggled to care enough to watch her trudge her way out of it. The writing (as always with Jamie) was good and I loved the whole ‘show don’t tell’ but I had to tap out at 47%. So this one is a no from me.
Method:ebook Rating:2/5 stars H rating: 4/5 - Cesar h rating:2/5 - Camdyn Drama:3/5 Thoughts:Not a fan of the h..pulled me from really enjoying this one.
Not my favorite book from this author, but it was still a decent read. The heroine was pretty frustrating, constantly keeping people at arm’s length, which made it hard to connect with her at times. The slow burn romance, which this author usually does so well, didn’t quite hit the same way for me this time.
Not my favourite. I didn’t really feel they’re chemistry at any point, I would hardly call it slow burn. And there were all these issues that just never got resolved or spoken about I should say. Not my favourite.
This book was lacking in a lot of ways. There were holes in the descriptive language, moments that didnt make sense and parts of plot that were skipped over. All in all I think a lot of refining was needed to make this story what it could have been.
This was an ok read. It was a bit full on babytastic though. Part if me did feel that they were both trapped into this relationship because of the baby. It was ok, but I like a little less baby stuff in my romance reads.
It took a while for these characters to grow on me. They were pretty immature and annoying. But glad I stuck with it, the story ended up being really enjoyable!